After a fairly anxious few weeks, I received a letter in the mail saying I’m approved for state health insurance program ($589/month). Because these are state bureaucrats we’re dealing with, there were various unnecessary delays in processing my application, so instead of getting onto their plan July 1, I will finally be on it effective Aug. 1. I’m mailing my premium out tomorrow.
So I foresee being on this plan for the rest of 2013 but will probably look for something better October 1, when the state healthcare exchanges are all set up. In a way, it’s better for me that my COBRA expired because in June their premiums jumped to $770 a month.
I just have to stay healthy and out of trouble for the rest of July!
My bamboo shades are due to arrive tomorrow, so that means the earliest I can put them up is Thursday. I sure hope they fit properly and that the order was filled correctly. I have 6 sets for my 6 windows. (The French door I may consider doing later.) I was counting on my friend R. to come over with his drill and help me install them, but he’s always busy and it’s been so hot here lately, I don’t want to delay the installation by even a week. So I went ahead and ordered a small cordless drill (Skil, $40) from Home Depot; I should have it in a few days, or at least soon enough to get those shades up this weekend. (I hope.)
Today would normally be a work day for me, but the 2 people I report to are both out, so she told me not to come in. I wasn’t happy about that. My 3-day-a-week pay will now be 2-day-a-week this week. .
I had a contractor over earlier to check out my oil furnace. I want to get a whole house humidifier to make it more comfortable here in winter months. I always get a sore throat when I wake up in a.m. because the air is so dry. Forced hot air. Should have done this years ago but when I replaced the furnace way back when, they convinced me I should not hook up the existing humidifier becus of concerns about mold. Well, that’s not an issue with the newer units.
He said it would take 3 to 4 hours to install, and since I already know the price of an Aprilaire, which he recommended, is about $250 retail, I can’t imagine the total price being more than $700 with labor, although there are a few other parts he pointed out that he would replace.
In another month I should have another $600 in credit card rewards (Chase Sapphire Preferred, Amex Blue Cash Everyday and BankAmericard Travel card), so that will help.
I already made my work lunches for the next 2 days: a black bean and corn salad. I usually bring some sort of fruit salad with me as well. Shop Rite had 6 packs of blueberries for $6.99, which works out to $1.15 or so per pint, which is very good these days. So I got a 6 pack and set about rinsing and then freezing them on trays, and then putting them in freezer bags, for winter use. I also went to Caraluzzi’s today to get a BOGO deal on Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, plus I had a $1 coupon for B&J, so the 2 pints cost just $3.18.
Tonight I mow the back lawn, use the trimmer and color my hair.
Hooray, I'm approved
July 8th, 2013 at 07:09 pm
July 8th, 2013 at 08:18 pm 1373314680
July 8th, 2013 at 08:37 pm 1373315832
Careful handling bamboo splits, too, before insurance is in effect. Just wrap yourself up in a huge wad of soft cotton until it goes into effect.
July 8th, 2013 at 08:38 pm 1373315900
I hope the Skil is standard18V; 12V is probably adequate for the task at hand, but the smaller ones are a royal pain. In some applications it may be easier to pre drill a screw hole. Depending on weight of bamboo shades and composition of window frames, it might be practical to use anchors for the screws. Do you have plastic anchors at hand?
July 8th, 2013 at 08:38 pm 1373315910
July 8th, 2013 at 11:37 pm 1373326625
My English Castle, you have a funny wierd sense of humor
Snafu,no, that's what i initially suggested, that I make up the lost time, and she said no. Hopefully that won't happen too often. I'm in a wierd place right now workwise. If they ever offer me the job f/t,obviously i won't have to worry about that happening again.
Snafu, i checked once i saw your cooment, and uh oh, it's 7.2 volt. It should have enuf power for something like blinds...nothing heavy duty. Yes, I will be pre-drilling the holes.