Bogieblog

The "comments" section comes and

The "comments" section comes and goes (and sometimes says "Posuers") - enetations (my comments hosting site) is having problems apparently.

Before I forget:

HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

For those that are going out tonight to ring in the new year, be carefull and make sure that you have a designated driver. We won't be going out because:

1. We are too old for that party shit (have been for years)


2. I have to get up at 3:30 to go to work in the morning


3. We're pumpkins by 8:30 - 9:30 at the latest, so we miss the "magic moment" anyway


4. The weather is supposed to be lousy anyway (freezing rain, maybe mixed with snow)

Maybe we'll pull out the DVD of Men in Black II. That way we can test the new remote control that was delivered while we were on vacation. This is a cool remote that will control just about anything that is "remotable" - even lights and airconditioners (assuming that those items are equiped with IR recievers). The remote that came with the new TV wouldn't program for our surround sound reciever and I could not figure out how to program recording times on the VCR with it. Last night I programmed the new remote and it works like a charm (didn't have to program the TV or VCR in as they are Sony products and are already programmed in). The reciever and surround sound systms still aren't hooked up since we moved everything around, so will have to program that in later.

I researched remote controls (and customer ratings) and this one seemed to be the best all-around value, but I didn't like the price that most places showed. I should have gone to J and R Music to begin with! I got the Wonderful Spouses CD Recorder through them at a huge discount, so I finally got smart and checked their website. Although the site shows the same price I saw elsewhere, I had them email their better price to me - what a pleasant surprise! I also got free shipping since I didn't need it for Christmas and selected the regular Shipping option. Although their name implies that they only deal with "music", they deal with almost every kind of electronics. Check them out if you are looking for electronics or things that go with electronics (sorry if I sound like an advertisement, but I've had excellent experiences with them and feel that they really deserve a plug!)

Insurance Sage: Part 4

Insurance Sage: Part 4

I discovered that while we were away, Insurance company W did indeed send us paperwork indicating that I should be on the mortgage life insurance. I have faxed all the relevent paperwork to our present insurer and am hoping beyond hope that this actually may not take 6 months to take care of (as I had first predicted).

Yesterday the wonderful Spouse and I spent the day snowblowing/shoveling (although Chris had done a lot of snowblowing for us already), shopping (the fridge had been emptied before the trip), raking the snow off the roof and greenhouse, cleaning the dog pen (really nast after they had been in ther for 24/7/8), laundry etc. We were so busy that we didn't even remember that there were football games on until the Pats and Miami were in overtime!

Ahh, the first day of work after a week of vacation (not that yesterday wasn't work). Actually it's not too bad, although it helps that we aren't actually producing any new product this week. That means that I don't have to be in as early, so can gradually adjust to getting up early in the morning (this morning I managed 4:15 - need to get that to 3:30 by next week).

We made it through

We made it through the trip to Kansas and back in one piece. The flight out was a pleasant surprise - I didn't get searched (I ALWAYS get searched). On the trip back, I must have gone back to my suspicious look. After going through the metal detector (without any problems), I was pulled aside and "wanded". I had to take off my shoes (which disappeared for a bit) and then had to stand spread-eagle as they passed the magic wand over my various parts. The legs/feet were a real treat as I had to stand on one leg and stick my other leg straight out as the wand was passed over, around and under the raised leg (was this a DWI test or a metal search?). Of course the wand caught the zipper on my jeans so I had to pull my shirt up so they could poke at my belly to make sure it was all me. The wonderful Spouse had a good chuckle (as usual), but they finally decided it was safe to let me board the plane.

We had a great time visiting both our families during Christmas week! We stayed in Wichita at my sister and brother-in-law's place for the first part of the week. My WONDERFULL Niece volunteered to vacate her room so that we would have somewhere private to sleep (thanks a bunch!). My Mom and Dad hosted all the dinners (GREAT food) so we definitely didn't starve to death! We managed to bring snow with us to Wichita and there were an amazing 430+ vehicle accidents between 11 AM and 9 PM that day. Unfortunately my sister and brother-in-law were one of the statistics as they managed to total their truck. However there was a happy ending since they were wearing their seatbelts and walked away with just bruising and minor scratches.

Christmas day we headed to the Salina/Junction City area to be with the Wonderfull Spouse's family. We all met up at Casey and Rene's, where we all stuffed ourselves with a pot luck dinner (using paper plates so there was little clean up to do) then had a Yankee swap for presents. For those not familiar with a Yankee swap, each person brings a gift (not too expensive and wrapped - but no name tag on it). Then everyone draws a number from a hat then in numerical order, each person selects a gift. Then you go around the room, each person drawing an "instruction". Instructions may be such things as 'open gift', 'exchange with someone who has recently graduated', 'exchange with someone with green eyes' etc. Once some of the gifts have been opened, people can see what they are swapping for and things become competitive (the swappee has no choice in the matter). As there are not many 'open gift' cards, the drawing of instructions goes around the room many times. When all the gifts have been opened, the drawing of instructions stops - but you still are not sure if you have your final gift. Everyone has the chance to swap one more time. In reverse numerical order (remember the number that we first drew?) each person has a chance to swap with someone or to keep their gift. It is great fun, and everyone is satisfied with what they got. Both the Spouse and I got organizer drawers (the types for screws, nails and such), and we can always use something for organization!

We stayed with the Wonderfull Spouse's mother for a couple of nights then at the Spouse's sister's place the last night (Thanks a Bunch to you too). We had a great time and wish we could have stayed longer, but at the same time it was great to get home (to the 16" of snow). The dogs and cats were definitely glad to see us.

I would like to thank everyone who made this possible:

• Harry - for plowing the driveway
• Chris - for taking care of the animals in the morning
• Karen - for taking care of the animals in the evening
• All the family members who took us into their homes so we wouldn't have to live in a hotel
• All the family members who fed us
• United Airlines who, despite going bankrupt, got us to and from our destination with a minimum of inconvenience
• All the shuttle drivers at the airports who were cheerfull even though they were working long hours
• Thrifty Rental Car who upgraded us to a PT Cruiser for free (very comfortable)

We will be leaving

We will be leaving for the airport in a couple of hours. Don't know how much I'll be around computers (I know at the end of the week I won't have access) - so If I don't see you to tell you in person:

MERRY CHRISTMAS

MORTGAGE INSURANCE SAGA PART III

MORTGAGE INSURANCE SAGA PART III

I must have intimidated the heck out of someone because I have received 2 calls in the last 30 minutes from the insurance company. The first call was to make sure they understood what I needed (no I didn?t want to renew the policy ? just a correction for my present insurance company). The second call from the insurance representative came in a couple of minutes ago to tell me they were sending out a letter of correction in the next few minutes. The Loving Spouse has not even called them yet, so I can only surmise that they were tired of hearing from me and really didn?t want to listen to my sob story anymore. Hey, only one more insurance company to go!!

MORTGAGE INSURANCE SAGA PART II

MORTGAGE INSURANCE SAGA PART II

I called and bugged the insurance company again (3rd time since last Friday) and I finally had someone tell me that they couldn?t do anything because my name is not on the policy, so the Wonderful Spouse has to take care of it. That, apparently is also the reason that they never sent me a copy of the policy in the first place ? because I was the one asking for it not my Spouse ? they couldn?t have said something several years ago?

They can?t do anything despite the fact that I have sent them a copy of the original Certificate of Insurance ? what the heck is that about? All right, calm down, take a deep breath (and think nasty thoughts of strangling someone). Well now I have the Wonderful Spouse working on the case ? hopefully with better results than what has been produced so far.

Been very busy the

Been very busy the last couple of days getting ready for our trip to Kansas (the Land of Aahs) to see our families for Christmas. Let's see

• Train Chris and Karen on how to take care of the critters while we're gone: Check
• Clean birdroom; cages, playpens and floor: Check
• Fill wood rack: Check
• Christmas cards filled out and mailed: Check
• Pay bills that won't wait: Check
• Do enough laundry to have clean clothes for the trip: Check
• Wrap and deliver presents for local friends: Check
• Water indoor plants so they don't die of thirst while we're gone: Check
• Call and bug the mortagage insurance company again: Check
• Make list of items to pack: Check
• Fill outside birdfeeders: Check
• Take trash to dump: Check
• Pack: What, we haven't even started yet - time to panic!

We are taking the airline that recently declared bankruptcy, so this ought to be interesting. Actually I'm rather hopefull that things will go according to plan/schedule right now, however that is due to change first thing in the morning when I will expect everything and anything to go wrong (as my sister pointed out - she has never known me to be an optomist). I usually tend to look at the glass as 1/2 full of arsenic poisoned water. I figure if I expect the worst, then 99% of the time I am pleasantly surprised - the other 1% of the time I can just nod wisely since I knew things would get all messed up.

The Saga of the Mortgage

The Saga of the Mortgage Insurance

When we first bought our house (about 14 years ago), we got mortgage insurance that pays off the house if either the Wonderful Spouse or I die. This was a condition of the mortgage and made both of us feel better too. Our mortgage has since been sold several times, meaning that the mortgage insurance company has also changed several times.

To make a long story short, it?s a good thing that I haven?t died in the last 5-6 years because during one of the insurance transfers my name got left off. ?How does that happen?? you ask. Good question and I still have no answer. How could I not have noticed that my name was no longer on the insurance? Easily, none of the insurance companies have sent us a declaration of insurance (except the original company). I called one company several times to get paperwork and they kept telling me it would be here in 2-4 weeks ? never happened. I should have pushed the issue more, but it was easy to forget, so I didn?t (push the issue that is).

Anyway, our mortgage got sold again and we got the paperwork from the new insurance company (for a wonder) and it had only the Wonderful Spouse?s name on it as being insured. I called them (company Z) up and they told me that I would have to get an original declaration from the previous insurance company (company X). Company Z was very helpful, even going so far as to give me company Y?s toll-free phone number. Company Y said that I would have to contact company X, because they didn?t have a copy of the original declaration (are you sensing a pattern here?) etc.

I finally wound up with the original insurance company ? whose original declaration I still had (so at least I didn?t have to call them). I have faxed the information to the second insurer, who has to update their records and fax it to the next in line, who has to update their record etc. etc. I can tell this is going to take about 6 months to straighten out ? but better now than if my Wonderful Spouse had to go through this because I had kicked the bucket!

So let this be a lesson and make sure you follow up on any mistakes you discover ? and are you sure all your insurances are the way you intend them to be? Maybe you should check to make sure. The representative from Company Z actually told me that I would probably have to fight hard with the previous insurance companies because they would count on me giving up (so of course I won?t). If I don?t hear from Company W by Wednesday I will call and fax again ? and repeat that every 3 days until they are sick of me!

I have tried to

I have tried to add a comments section - hopefully this works better than some of the other stuff I have tried!

Yesterday I was so

Yesterday I was so caught up with trying to fix the template and broken links that I forgot everything from the weekend that I was going to write write about - so here goes:

Saturday we watched Ice Age - what a riot. I'm sure some of you haven't seen the movie so I won't go into detail, but I think Scrat was the best character although he only made occasional appearances (besides the beginning). A couple of friends came over and we popped in the DVD and after that none of us could stop laughing. No one would even get up to get seconds on the pizza (we paused the disc when we got our first servings). The movie was very clean, content wise, so those with even small children should not hesitate to rent/buy the movie. I thought it was even better than Monsters, Inc , which is saying a lot!

OK, the politically correct era is just going a little overboard. I stopped at the post office on my way home yesterday to get (what else) stamps. The person behind the counter asked if I wanted Holiday stamps and my reply was, "yes". In a disgusted tone she replied, "well, all we have are Madonna with child". Will the stamps get the mail to where it's going (Ok, technically the stamp isn't what get the mail to it's destination, but you know what I mean) - then fine, I'll take them. If anyone is offended because their Christmas card arrives bearing this stamp - just send it back. Really, I don't care if the stamps I get show Santa, Frosty the Snowman or Madonna with child. I just want stamps that show we are in the Christmas spirit!

I think I will save my insurance story for a later time - I'm got myself worked up over the stamp thing and probably would make a hash of it if I continued.