These are random musings of my life journey, the people, animals, places, and events which have woven, and continue to weave, a tapestry that is me. We all know there is no real destination, only the ongoing experiences which blend together, creating the trail. Each step gives a glimpse of what is to come, without allowing me to see the end result. It is exciting. I have a home base that is mine, that gives me a place to rest. This is it. This is where my heart is, no matter where I journey...................

Monday, January 12, 2009

Expect the Unexpected

When I posted about getting my Medicare welcome package, I took that picture and looked at the effective date, etc., and it wasn't until a few hours later that I realized the card is in my former name. I wondered how they could have the old name because I changed it with the SSA. I looked at it again, and realized that the # on it correlates, not with my own SS# but with my late husband's number. I began drawing benefits under the Survivors Benefit program, meaning that I am drawing right now under his number. Since my monthly allotment is a direct deposit, I didn't realize that it would not be automatically updated; I assumed that my own number would be somehow linked with the one that is paying me. Nope.

I called Medicare to change it and learned that I have to change the information at SSA and it will be updated to Medicare. By the time I got all this done, SSA was closed. That was last Friday, so I had to wait till today. Fortunately, it didn't take long nor was it a crock of red tape. I had a longer wait on the phone (nearly 15 minutes) than it took to change everything (about 8 minutes).

Sometimes, things are just so complicated, and when coupled with daily life .... gah. The year and a half or maybe even two years following my husbands death were chaotic, so many decisions to be made and so much to be accomplished. When you are in that situation, you do what you must do, sometimes guided by others. To be honest, not one of those decisions were not right, I think because people are very compassionate and supportive. The problem is that there was just so much going on for me to consider, make decisions, weigh options and then remember details. (Side note: It is kind to your loved ones to make decisions and get them in writing as much as possible. I don't care if you are 20 years old .... you never know when your time is up, and the more decisions that are already in place, the better it is for them.) I'm glad one more of my "things" is taken care of!

On a lighter note, did all of you see the gorgeous moon on Saturday night? It was the brightest moon per news reports for a long time and for a long time to come. It was beautiful. I was driving home from Capitan, and I saw it coming up over the Capitan Range and it was amazing! I had to drive a little distance before I coudl take a picture, and here are a few. Enjoy!
















































































Once I was home, the moon was high in the sky, and in the early twilight, the landscape was just beautiful.













As always, even in these tough times ....

.... Life is beautiful!!!!




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7 comments:

  1. ummmmmm tomorrow on my blog there will be a post on the conversation i had with a ssa agent. I need time to get my thoughts in order and not sound like an irrational person.

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  2. I noticed the moon last night, (Sunday) - it was HUGE and GOLDEN ORANGE! Wow.

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  3. Bobbie, OK, I'll look for it.

    Sandra, yeah!!

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  4. The moon both Saturday and Sunday night were amazing I love seeing a clear sky in the city.

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  5. MJ, yes, it was. I watched it both nights, too. If you like a clear sky in the city, you need to come see my sky. No, I know what you're thinking, but I'm a lot farther for city lights than your farm is!!

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  6. Yes life is still beautiful. Thanks for the reminder and the moon... oh the moon makes me swoon!

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If you have something to say about it, just stick out your thumb, and I'll slow down so you can hop aboard! But hang on, 'cause I'm movin' on down the road!!! No time to waste!!!