Spirited and Lively Older Women Thread

We had a wet cold summer so the blackberries are not as prolific as usual this year.  Only about half the lots in our city are developed so anyone who wants to can fill a bucket by just walking down the street.  We don't even have to leave our yard since we have a vacant lot next door.  Unfortunately that makes for a constant problem of blackberries invading our plantings. 

hey LC... sounds like an idyllic day, cept for the spiders, and imminent fear of drowning...hahaha

  Marybe; im glad you're safe and sound in MO.. enjoy your family evening.. i'm so sad i couldn't make it to shell knob, but it weren't from lack of trying.. im so sorry some of us that were part of the planning for the original "part" won't be there, but am SO happy we've been replaced by some new ladies.. it'll still be the original kick off of a Annual get together by Marybe.. i wanna see pictures, so i'll feel like i'm there!!!!   am thinking of all you spirited, and happy, ladies.....3jays

Barb - you will be in our hearts.  Hopefully I will get to see you again before too much longer.  I about have DH talked into coming to see you and your DH for a weekend.  We can work out the details when he decides.  He takes foreeeeever to decide anything, makes me crazy.  Oh well he is getting there.

Cherie - I was really hoping you could make it, but I know you are having a good time laughing and visiting with our Chrissy.  Take care of yourself and hopefully we will get to see you at the nest gathering. 

Next pics will be from MO!  The time is finally here.  Some will be arriving in the following few days.  Fun days ahead.

Marybe, maybe this is the break you need to let work go down to 'occassional' or part-time/part-time!!!! I am enjoying being off and starting new projects and finishing old ones. I had no idea there were so many cool things to do at home!!!!

My insurance dilemma is this:  I work in a branch office in the southern part of the state.  The main branch, with the majority of the employees is in Salem.  July1 our insurance changed from Blue Cross to United Health Care which has very few providers where I live & NONE of my doctors, including my onc, are on the coverage list.  All visits are out of network & since I have a higher deductible now I essentially can no longer afford to go to the doctor, even tho I have insurance....ridiculous!  

Joni - If I remember correctly there is a provision with United Healthcare that if there are no providers within a reasonable distance of your home or office then they have an exception clause that would keep you from paying the out of network costs.  You might want to call the Insurance co and check on that and tell them that none of the providers are with in a reasonable distance to you and either add your doctors or make the exception for you so you do not have to always pay the out of network charges.  It is worth a shot,  If that does not work follow BarbA and get other employees to join you in a big protest.

Would it be rude to say that these discussions make me sooo greatful that I live in Canada?

i've been hearing about health ins in other countriess.. its so good, and so fair...WHY can't we figure it out...grrrr... 3jays

Wow, just got my new 2012 info from Aetna...........................boy have they jacked up everything...........and it looks like Femara right now is not on their formulary.....waiting for Meicare to approve it...................did not know Medicare had anything to do with the formulary of Insurance companies, but according to Aetna they do............................they covered it in 2011, cause I'm on it, but possibly not next year.............decision still to come.............however they did up their co-pays drastically..............blood tests were always mo co-pay, now they have upped them to $40.00 for lab work..........................radiation therapy (we all know what that is about), was a $40.00 co-pay per treatment...............now its going to be $60.00...............and their premimum went up $11.00 a months................I called their grievance dept. and told them what I thought (not that they give a shit), but I had to rant to someone................it is a disgrace............I will check out other companies to see if they are any better.....probably not.

Hi all

Thankfully DH's company pays for insurance which is for the optional extras, that is the things that would take too long in the public system. 
i am just so grateful that  if something is wrong I can go to the hospital and get first class treatment at a teaching hospital.

It is sunny today so must get myself into action even if it is slowly.

Big hugs to all and I am so jealous about Shell Knob.