10-06-2026 — Oh the pain
Howdy all,
Yep, under 40 to start the day.
I got up nice and early today, and fortunately, the nasal passages were semi-okay for a change. Still didn’t sleep great, but that was more in anticipation of today’s morning activities. I had a 9 am checkup at the Oral Surgeon’s office for the two implants from a couple / three months ago. The implants are nice and stable and ready to be used. But the reminder that I shelled out so much $$$ for them, was painful. As is the thought that next year the dentist wants to lift off the bridge to repair (or possible pull / implant) the two teeth stubs below the bridge, early next year. Ugh.
Anyway, I left the oral surgeon, and stopped at the dentist office to set up the appointment for impressions on the two implants. Two weeks from now, I’ll be there, and the rough guestimate is $5050 for the abutments and caps. More pain. Insurance ran through their yearly maximums long ago. That is $$$ I’ll need to pay.
Since the day was going so pain free, I decided to make it a triple, and stopped at the Giant Eagle Pharmacy and got my yearly COVID 19 and old-farts FLU vaccines. Had them both put in the same (right) shoulder this year. Not that it seems to make a difference in how much pain, and where it will be, over the next week. But it is done for the year. On the bright side, G.E. updated their processes, and I no longer had to do a paper intake form on my existing allergies and/or other medical issues. They now use an online method where they had you a pad computer. Also, the whole process has been streamlined. From the time I stood at the counter, until I was head for the door, was maybe 5 minutes. Good job Giant Eagle — I hope the takeover by Kroger doesn’t ruin this. Oh, and the gave me $10 on my loyalty card for grocery purchases too.
So, I am back at the house, and just added a little more pain to my day. Did an IRA withdrawal to make sure I can afford the dental costs, and the truck service from the other day, and,,,, then I pulled the trigger on finally buying that 4th battery for the EcoFlow DPUX power system. Amazon Prime days did have them discount it a little. From $2399 to $2279. Not a great discount. But EcoFlow did the same price on their site. There I could throw a small “loyalty” discount at it to get the price to $2179. Not as low as the $2099 from prior purchase, but we can than the magic of Tariffs for that. Of course it jumps right back to $2344 with shipping and such. Just a little more pain.
More pain, of the physical type, will happen when I need to stack this battery on the others. Looking forward to that — NOT. But am looking forward to having 24 KWH of backup. Even if it is mid-summer, and I have the AC on full, it will get me 6-8 hours before needing generator to refill. And during “normal” weather, that will extend the time to as much as 12 or so hours without generator needed. That is a good thing.
Oh yeah, writing about the tariffs giving us so much inflation relief, reminded me. Turns out that the $90 check being promised to all Medicare recipients, excludes those that are paying IRMAA penalties. Nothing like another whammy for taking out extra “income” to cover medical costs. So I won’t get that check either.
My ballot is supposed to have been put in the mail today, and I should receive it soon. Guess which side I will not be choosing to save me from their version of help. I must be living in Michigan again. All I keep hearing is, “Go Blue”…… Will this become another pain point? All I know is I certainly can’t handle any more of the help we’ve been getting to make the country secure, and economy stable.
Do your part and vote your conscience. Make it easier to Enjoy Life
Yes “Fall” is coming. And it is crisp out there. Enjoy Life