Baby it's cold outside

My cousin lived in California for a year and was amazed that the natives aren't even affected by the small shakes and she was diving under her desk.  She lasted a Year and then came back to the frozen tundra of Western New York.

I have been through a few California quakes and I have to admit, I would rather have the hurricanes.  I say that with no reservation because I live in a hurricane prone area and I have been through 2 small ones in 11 years.  One advantage of a hurricane is the rain - we always need it around here.  Granted, not all at once but every little bit helps.

This is not a disaster however apparantly Michigan has Ice Volcanos.  Never heard of them until two minutes ago but they're found in the UP of Michigan - here's the story about them.  Hee, Hee, Hee.  Learn something new everyday.

http://www.freep.com/article/20110306/NEWS06/103060449/1001/news

I've lived in so many places and experienced much.  I went through several very bad hurricanes as a young girl and I remember the damage they can do.  I also lived in Oklahoma and experienced tornadoes.  I lived upstate NY, Connecticutt and expereicened real cold weather. I lived in Hawaii and got tired of no seasons. I've learned that it really doesn't matter where you live because there are some things we will never be able to control. I decided that I had to be able to live with myself no matter where I lived.  I LOVE Florida, the weather, beaches and sunshine.  Going to Epcot this weekend to the International Garden and Flower show.  Only in Florida. 

Jo, I'm a 30 year Navy wife.  Moved 21 times in our 38 years of marriage.  Adapt, adapt, adapt.

Jo, when we moved into this house, I told my husband I would have to be drug out because I will not move again.  I'm 57 years old and moved enough.  Do you use VA medical services?  I'm a VA social worker.

Mary - I tried using the local VA clinic here years ago and was to frustrated with it I quit.  They have a so called "Women's" clinic that is staffed by rotating residents from the civilian hospital a few blocks away.  The bad thing about that is, you could have an appt for any given month, go to that appt and they don't have a resident.  They don't send out notices telling you that in advance.  It can take anywhere from 6 months to a year to get another appt.

I use Tricare Standard plus a secondary insurance that has been an absolute blessing.  The most I pay out of pocket each fiscal year is 300.00 and that is to cover the deductibles on both.  And, I get to go to whatever doctor I want.  My onc happens to be on Tricare's list so I get an additional 5% off his bill.  I could not be convinced to go back to the VA system as long as I am living here.

Oh!  I forgot to add, until recently, the closest VA Medical Center was 4 1/2 hours away in San Antonio and that was not easy to get into either.  In the past year, the VA has finally contracted with a local hospital to take on VA patients so they don't have to travel so far for care. 

Is currently 72 degrees and cloudy.  The weather channel says it will be sunny at 3pm and 80 degrees.  Don't think that is happening in 2 hours time.  None the less think I will take my dog for a walk after work.

Here it is 46 degrees, sunny but with gray blue skies.  Showers expected.

Mary - I know the VA has made many changes over the years but the clinic in my area must still be in the stone age.  They really don't know how to deal with female veterans and they only do it because they have to.  They recently opened a second clinic is a city about 25 miles away which is much bigger and has a lot more services.  Plus, the VA has contracted with a local hospital for inpatient care.  So it has just about eliminated the need to go to San Antonio.  I still am going to stick with what I am using now.  I like the freedom and can get appts must faster.

I suppose to be 83 today.  Should be a nice afternoon to take my dog for a walk.

at 1:00 pm temp is 73 and beautiful sunshine.

Sheila 

Hit 61 at the house today, now it's down to 38 and the wind is blowing like a banshee.  I think it's going to rain tomorrow.  Amazing how fast the snow has melted off. 

Got up to a little bit of snow, not enough to "stick" then the sun came out mid morning.  Still chilly, in the 30's.  Nothing like unpredictable spring temps in Maine!