Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Travel Tuesday

For Christmas, Mindy and Justin "gave" Butch and I a trip to Charlotte, Tennessee. Well, we did it this past Saturday. 

Charlotte is about 45 minutes from Nashville. We did a little geo-caching and then went to "Sweet Charlotte's" for lunch. It was an old-time diner with all of the old-fashioned candies and soda you would have seen in the 1940's & 1950's. 

Lunch was really good--I ordered the chicken bites, but they made a mistake and gave me the hugest plate of really big chicken tenders! They were really good, but way too much! Butch had the bratwurst, Mindy got the chili and Justin had a cheeseburger. 

After lunch we browsed the shop and got cookies to have in the car. Mindy and Justin paid for everything. Oh, and they bought me a pack of Teabury gum. I haven't had that in years! The whole day was so much fun. We don't often have this much time together. It was perfect!

Me on Monday

So, it's January and we're cleaning out. Butch agreed to help. We had a date for 8 a.m. on Friday. He was late, but he made up for it in his physical labor. I really can't do much of anything if it's higher than me or too much lower. I won't get on step stools or ladders. He's still able to do that. 

Anyway, we started with the laundry room and cleaned it from top to bottom. 

I'm pretty sure we have not cleaned out anything from here in 30 years. We and by "we" I mean "I" have just kept adding stuff--because we had the room.

They were all pretty full. I haven't put these sheets away yet because I need to figure out which are queens and which are kings. 

Still, I'm so happy with the results. It feels so good to clean out.

I got this picture after Butch had already carried a lot out. There were so many plant pots, things for floral arranging, some gardening things, lots of holiday towels--I've put them aside to see if the girls might want those. These rugs are old and dry rotted--ready for the trash. Just a lot of junk. And now it's out of here!!

We're starting on all of these closets on the left of this hallway this week. If we get the coat closet done, I'll be happy. We're leaving for LA and Jordan's wedding on Thursday, so we don't really have much time. 

Little by little...

So what kinds of big chores have you done this month??

Something for Sunday

I came across this recently and couldn't believe how "right on" it was. I really don't understand how that's possible. 

This also holds true for a lot of people I know. I don't know who comes up with this stuff and how they just randomly make statements--yet they hit pretty close to home. Maybe there is some sort of science to this.

It's not 100%. As, one of my sister's birthday is on the 5th. She talks her share, but definitely CAN stop talking. On the other hand, I have a brother whose birthday is on the 18th who can't stop talking. 

Butch and I are both on the 11th. Everything must be perfect for me, but he's not quite as obsessive as I am. I am the major planner--him not so much--unless it's regarding trips. He plans those to the nth degree. 

Now that I look at it, maybe it is just guesses that happens to hit a certain percentage of the time. At least it does for me.

Scrapbook Saturday

Round two of my "December Daily" album:

Days 2 & 3. I inserted a Starbucks bag to hold photos for Day 3.

I saved all of my cups from the season.

I used my cups to make "cups" for the layout. They are tucked inside the bag.

I just love that the baristas add some fun sentiments on the cups! I'm hooked on the peppermint hot chocolate.

I stitched around the bag with my sewing machine.

Day 4 was our last AYM meeting of the year. Susan had us at her house for a glass of champagne and some festive treats. I just love going to other people's houses during the holidays. I love seeing their decorations and trees. I want to do it more. Other than family, Susan's was the only tree I got to see this year. 

I made the ornament above and did some fancy stitching to hold my journaling.

Karolyn, Susan, Nancy, Pam and me.

Nancy and Leigh invited me to join them for Richland Country Club's Ladies Luncheon and Christmas Market. It's a fun thing to do during the holidays and the food is ALWAYS fabulous! 

The journaling lifts out. On the reverse side is a picture of the club at night all lit up.

The menu: so good!

This was a complete surprise so I had to add this to my DD. It all started with an early morning text from Stephanie telling me how much she appreciates me.

Who doesn't love that! This was also part of Day 5. See those sparkly hearts? Well, you might recall my problem with this sparkly wrapping paper. You can read about it here. I punched hearts out of it! They've come in handy many times.

Okay, that's enough for today.

Friday Frustrations

Well, it's happened again. Medicare fraud!! You might remember this post I wrote last May. It didn't happen to me this time, but THREE people I know! 

1. Jack (Connie's husband)--she just told me earlier in the week that he was billed $11,000 for catheters somewhere in Florida. He called. I don't know how that went.

2. I didn't even think to tell Butch about it before he said to me that he was billed $9,000 for catheters--but the place was in Texas. He called and all he got for his trouble was a new Medicare card--since his has been compromised. What? Now he's got to remember to update his info.

3. Then, on Tuesday, I was having lunch with my friend, Mary Jo. She was telling me about her mother-in-law--in her 90's whose primary care doc has retired. The other docs in the group won't take her since she's a Medicare patient. That's just wrong. Anyway, we discussed a few possible solutions. Then the topic switched to the fraud and she said that her husband, too had gotten some bogus charges.

Going back to my story, catheters were involved then too along with the wound dressings! I don't get it. How in the world is this happening? Medicare doesn't care. In fact, when that happened to me, they told me that someone was going to come out and interview me and that I might have to appear in court. But, nothing ever happened. Nothing, nada! 

Then just about the time Covid was officially over, I got all of these Covid kits in the mail--you can read about that here in 2023. Again, nothing came of it. 

What really gets me is that Stephanie worked for a company that developed some software that could completely eliminate healthcare fraud. But then, they weren't allowed to use it because of the Hippa laws!

No wonder our health care system is so messed up! And the old people that really need it are being cut off. It's awful!

Ten Things Thursday

How about some pretty bathrooms?

Love this vanity and surround--such a soft, pretty blue.

This white bathroom is the perfect setting for the bold wallpaper.

This looks like something straight out of Versailles!

Love this pink, but it's definitely the fresh flowers that make it special. I can smell it from here. 

OMGosh! So pretty--that ceiling and light fixture. I love painted vanities.

What's that thing next to the sink? A bidet? Looks kind of big for that, yet too small for a bathtub. Love the walls.

What a beautiful powder room! I would never think of putting a vase of flowers on the floor, but it sure looks nice.

Love the country French feel and the light and airy curtains.

Simple and pretty.

Love the woodwork. The wallpaper, not so much.