February Chitchat

[Virginia]

Well, spent part of my afternoon on the phone, but the other part I did something constructive (I hope). I did my Federal and State Income Taxes. I had already hand written my Federal so I just went in and typed it on line. I did the form that you can type and print out so I could save a copy for me and a copy for my drug co-pay assistance if they ask for it. I always do that.

I lucked out years ago on my State taxes. More than 20 years ago a law was passed that N.C. State Employees did not have to pay taxes on their state retirement. So a group of lawyers got together and sued for everyone else not to have to pay taxes on their retirement. It is called "The Bailey Act". So since then I have not had to pay taxes on the money I get through the Department of Defense, Civil Service Retirement, Social Security, IRA or any Annuity. It has saved me many hundreds of dollars and I am so glad this was done. Of course there is always Federal taxes to be paid.

Anyway, if I get around to it tomorrow, I will try to check everything and finalize it. But then on the other hand, the floors need vacuuming. ugh!

[stillstANNding]

Very good work, Virginia. Your brain was sharp today.

ANN

[Sunshine]

Right now, I am truly suffering, I see that things could be better in awhile. But, it makes me sad I have little to offers BT right now. What I can, I will though.

I am not at deaths, door, so if I don’t check in for days, know I am still around..

[agate]

Hoping for better times ahead for you, Sunshine!

[stillstANNding]

Sorry to hear this, Sunshine. I wish I was closer.

Love and chocolate,
ANN

[Virginia]

Sunshine, we always love to hear from you, however many of us have had periods when we just felt so bad we didn’t get on for awhile. I know I have, and I don’t have going on what you do.

Just take care of yourself and keep us informed as you are able to.

[Virginia]

Neighbor brought me a little bag of goodies up today. Not sure what is in there, but I do know there is a small cheese ball and a desert she made and something her daughter made. I am going to get into it for dinner tonight.

She had her bridge club in a couple of nights ago and saved some appetizers she made for me.

[Lazarus]

Neighbor brought me a little bag of goodies up today. Not sure what is in there, but I do know there is a small cheese ball and a desert she made and something her daughter made. I am going to get into it for dinner tonight.

She had her bridge club in a couple of nights ago and saved some appetizers she made for me.

I need a neighbor like that! You must be very special to your neighbor. Nice.

[Virginia]

Linda, this neighbor and I moved where we live when our places were being built. We would meet coming over to check how far they had gotten on our places. She got in March, 1993 and me in April. She is 79 years old and runs a very lucrative business out of her house. She has been a hard worker and her business has grown exponentially. Our town houses are alike, but where my deck is she had a room put in for her office and a deck off that.

She is a smart business lady who I admire and she is good with her money. Through the years we have remained friends, but because of her business we seldom get to see each other now. We use to go out to dinner. We use to go out with other ladies in the neighborhood also.

We have our book club and we use to have a Birthday club. Those in the Birthday club would get together the first half of the year to celebrate those Birthdays and again during the 2nd half to celebrate those. Like you our book club is once a month with a dinner out in May to discuss the following years books and a dinner in December to celebrate Christmas.

Such is the life in my neighborhood. Probably no one is really interested, but I had some time to kill before going to wash my face.😍

[Howie]

You missed a spot on your forehead!

[Lazarus]

Linda, this neighbor and I moved where we live when our places were being built. We would meet coming over to check how far they had gotten on our places. She got in March, 1993 and me in April. She is 79 years old and runs a very lucrative business out of her house. She has been a hard worker and her business has grown exponentially. Our town houses are alike, but where my deck is she had a room put in for her office and a deck off that.

She is a smart business lady who I admire and she is good with her money. Through the years we have remained friends, but because of her business we seldom get to see each other now. We use to go out to dinner. We use to go out with other ladies in the neighborhood also.

We have our book club and we use to have a Birthday club. Those in the Birthday club would get together the first half of the year to celebrate those Birthdays and again during the 2nd half to celebrate those. Like you our book club is once a month with a dinner out in May to discuss the following years books and a dinner in December to celebrate Christmas.

Such is the life in my neighborhood. Probably no one is really interested, but I had some time to kill before going to wash my face.��

Thank you for this post...in a way it made me happy to read because I see that age and MS are indeed isolating ...and I feel less alone.

[agate]

Thank you for this post...in a way it made me happy to read because I see that age and MS are indeed isolating ...and I feel less alone.

Isolating, yes, but on the bright side, there are lots of books to read and movies to watch.

"So many books, so little time," as I saw on a T shirt once.

Virginia, it's good to know how you schedule your social arrangements. But it's too bad that your neighbor friend has been letting her connection with you slip away while she is too busy with her business.

You must miss seeing your neighbor friend as often as you did in the past.

[Virginia]

Agate, I have to take up for Sandy on letting our friendship go. She really has done what she has to do to have the business she has now. As a person who worked all my life I can understand it. She has my door key and my post office box key and she has made it plain that if I call she will do her best to get to me. So I feel that she does what she can. We exchange small gifts on Christmas and Birthdays and she now comes here to do it. I use to go to her house, but now I don't because of the walking it would take. I do worry about her because heart problems run in her family. When she was 22 she was sitting across a table from her Father waiting to see a Doctor and he died right in front of her eyes. Her younger Sister died about 3 years ago of a heart attack and her Sister's son (who my neighbor was extremely close to) died last year. Also her very best friend died last year. So, she has had a lot on her, but still she makes room for me. I also think she realizes that I don't need a lot of people around me now. I need one of those T shirts you were talking about with the saying "So many books, so little time". I love my books. This is the lady that usually gets me my book from the club. If she just can't then someone else does.

[Virginia]

I am still suffering from sticker shock tonight. I picked up two Rxs at Walgreens (different pharmacy for me since K-Mart closed). So...one drug that I had been paying about $42.00 to $44.00 for 90 days cost $111.80 for my co-pay. Also, the drug that I have been getting at Costco, my Doctor's office got confused and sent new Rx to Walgreens and if I got 90 there like I have been getting at Costco it would cost me $178.00. Costco has been about $21.00 for 90 day supply. I hope drugs have not skyrocketed that much. I will ask for new Rx for the $178.00 and try to get it changed to Costco. Darn, I knew I was going to have problems when I went from one pharmacy to another. If it was just one or two prescriptions it would not be so bad but I have 8 to 9.

[Howie]

I take 7, but I go to CVS, and it's around $20. Do you have CVS in that area?