Random 5 for June 4, 2023 – Surprises, cats, trees, hosting, sizing

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Don’t worry! I’ll take care of that windfall!

Finally, something good! – I’ve had several treatments for dry eye over the past year. Some were covered by insurance and some were not. Some required a hefty co-pay. Yesterday I got a significant reimbursement from a treatment I had last August. The eye doc had charged me but for a procedure that was covered by my insurance. It was like Christmas in June. (As a side note, health insurance coverage is so complicated as to what falls in what category. They really need to fix that!)

Not to worry though – Right on cue, after I received the check Gus, my usually delightful ginger cat, developed a wonky eye. There will be a vet visit and all that entails in my future. Easy in, easy out.

A tree person! – We had a tree planted two weeks ago. I can’t believe the difference it makes. I grew up with a yard full of trees. The sun was dappled and the shade was cool. That’s the way I love it. Just seeing another tree in the yard has lifted my spirits. I always have the urge to suggest people plant trees in their yards! I love the sun but not the harsh glaring sun that scorches everything.

A sunset of sorts? – I’m hosting our family reunion this year. It’s a manageable group but there is work. Even though everyone brings a side dish, I stress about it. This may be my last time hosting. There comes a time when you turn these things over to the young folks. My brother (at age 93) moved into the “I don’t have to bring a side dish anymore” stage a few years back. I’m not quite there yet but I get it.

Argh! I hate when this happens! – I bought some summer joggers last year at a sale from a favorite brand. Or they were a favorite brand. I’m having issues getting a good fit these days. Although I have thin legs the stretch band was too tight. Yesterday, I cut it off and hemmed the pants. Still not comfy. The waist is low. It slips up and makes everything uncomfortable. Off to the donation pile and I never got to wear them. This brand was my favorite ten years ago. Either my body has changed or their sizing has or maybe both. I want my young body back!

So how was your week?

53 thoughts on “Random 5 for June 4, 2023 – Surprises, cats, trees, hosting, sizing”

  2. I am having the same issue with my walking shoes. I’ve used the same brand/style (Easy Spirit “Punter”) since I began walking in 2011. I always one or two brand-new pairs waiting in the wings in case they discontinue them, so I have time to find a new style. These brand-new shoes smash my big toe on my right foot – they are just not comfy and I have never had a blister or had to break them in from this style … not happy and nothing inside of them either. I have had them for a while. I spoke with the “tree guy” today about taking down two trees that grew from seeds behind my shed, then the shed blew over and fell apart three or four years ago during a 39 mph windstorm – they have continued to grow like crazy and the day after the downed wire fire, DTE (our energy provider) came and hacked them up. Plus I have to have all the burned bushes removed since nothing came back.

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    • Easy Spirits are a no-go for me. I used to wear them but the shoes or my feet changed. I have narrow feet so it’s hard to get a good fit although with sneakers because you can tie them, it’s easier. Since I started walking 10K steps every day, my shoe size for sneakers went up a half size. Debating on a Reebox shoe now. We’ll see.

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      • My shoe size has gone up too! It figured it was either the wide walking shoes or I wear Minnetonka mooseskin moccasins in the house all day. I figured my feet spread as I always bought size 8 1/2 for shoes/sandals/boots and now need a 9. When I waitressed throughout school I wore Earth Shoes (in white) and construction-style low boots (it was the style for casual clothes) … my mother said “when you get older, you’ll be sorry as you’ll never wear pretty pumps and flats as your feet will be big and wide!” I have to admit the Easy Spirit are heavy shoes – they weigh a ton and have heavy soles and are durable. Good luck with the brand.

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    • Today is V-Day in Gus’s book. All the cats are weary of the carrier which has been sitting out since Sunday. Only Sasha had the courage to go in it to give it a good sniff. Nope, she didn’t like it!

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  6. We’re receiving all of the co-pay and co-insurance bills now for my wife’s April surgery. Most of them thankfully are a nice surprise, and we’re grateful for a huge chunk of it being covered (over 90% by my rough estimate). But some of the charges we are getting are so bizarre: charges of $17.24, $5.68, $73.24, etc. One actually was for $2.50. I just pay and don’t ask any questions. – Marty

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  7. I’ve been having trouble with finding both clothes and shoes that fit, and I’m starting to wonder if it’s my old body that has changed. It’s so frustrating. So many things I wasted money on that I can’t wear, and it’s too late for a return because I kept them hoping I’d settle in eventually.

    We have zero trees in our yard. Well, we just had one planted in the easement. We used to have a beautiful white birch, but it was struck down during a storm the first year we moved in. The reason I hesitate planting another is that we get enough leaves from all of our neighbors in our yard in fall. Not sure I want to add to it.

    Good luck with the reunion prep and Gus.

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  8. I got dry eyes with my glaucoma, but Restasis cleared it nicely. I have an HMO so few worries about paying out of pocket BUT I am lucky to have found good doctors who take it.

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  9. My landlord recently decided to cut down the single big tree in our parking area (including the root) that helped shade one side of my apartment in the hot afternoon sun. Although I’m up high enough that no one can easily see in, I feel like I lost the feeling of privacy. I also no longer get to sit and watch the squirrels race up and down the limbs and trunk or watch for the very last stubborn leaf that hangs on long after the rest have fallen off.

    At our age, we see all kinds of adverts for symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Crikey, if we can manage to navigate our way through Medicare and all of its hurdles, I’d say the important parts of our brains are still working, even if we can’t remember the word we’re looking for (that’s started to happen to me now and then in the past 6 months!).

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  10. I agree with the trees. We planted a ton of them when we last moved. We also planted some fruit trees. Time will tell if those overwhelm us though. But the yard looks so much better now.

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    • I’m on the fence about planting one more outside the master bedroom window. There was a maple planted too close to the house (5 feet) that we had to take out but I miss the leaves and color outside the window. However, we have a group of arbs about 30′ away that will grow and may block the sun. Decisions, decisions but a tree is never a bad thing!

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  11. I never had to host a family reunion (or even go to one!) since we are and were such a tiny group….no extended family BUT I imagine it’s a challenge. I’m glad your eye is behaving AND you got a surprise reimbursement – THAT is a rare thing these days for sure. Glad you’re enjoying your new tree – we are surrounded by trees and lovely shade and not so lovely endless raking in the fall but I wouldn’t change a thing. Trees and pretty landscaping make me happy – as long as someone else is taking care of it – thank heavens for lawn care companies!

    Hugs, Pam

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    • I love those kinds of yards. I can never figure out why people don’t put shade trees in their back yard. Makes it so much more hospitable especially in the summer. Yes, there are leaves but it’s definitely worth it. We are lucky in that we have a wooded area in back so we blow them back there.

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    • Today it’s not goopy. This is the issue. It flares on weekends and holidays. I may take him in anyway just to be sure. He had an eye infection shortly after he joined us. He’s a pain to put drops in and now he weighs about 5 lbs. more!

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  13. I can’t believe how crazy our health insurance system is. It must be one of the main reasons our medical care is by far the most expensive in the world. It takes months for them to figure out who pays for what.

    Last month my daughters had an 80th birthday picnic for me. I didn’t have to plan or bring anything. It was so nice. I seem to be running out of ideas for food.

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  14. It’s great to hear that your eyes have responded to the treatment and that in fact you even received an insurance reimbursement. I don’t know how anyone can ever be completely confident when trying to track accurate medical expenses. And I really understand what you’re saying about your future role in family reunions. Our family reunion this year will also be at our house in July, as it was last year. It’s true that everyone contributes, but there’s a lot on the host house! I’m trying to figure out how I do this to myself. LOL!

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  15. Yay on your dry eye getting better and getting money back! You are right on the issue of coverage and not coverage, so confusing! And I think they need to change some things on what they cover. If my 83 year old Dad needs hearing aids, they should be covered, iny opinion!

    Agree about trees. Will never understand why the previous owners of our house had 4 full grown trees in our backyard removed!!

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  16. I’m reading in the comments that Gracie is feeling better! I hope all goes well with Gus and his wonky eye. We are out of the reunion business and we are good with that. We are tree lovers too. SSNS is on the tree committee for our HOA 🙂 Hope you are having a nice Sunday afternoon!

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    • I was wondering if our HOA had a tree committee. They have a crappy selection for street trees. I planted mine a few feet farther in so I didn’t have to follow the guidelines. Some of the recommended trees do not make good street trees! (Can you tell I’m passionate about trees?) It’s a cool but delightful Sunday afternoon here in PA.

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  17. I’m very glad your dry eye treatments have worked, and I like trees too except when you have to cut them down due to winter damage. I’ve hauled 23 pickup truck loads out, and we’re still not done. I hope you have a wonderful family reunion, and if you find your young body please leave the rest of us directions. 🙂

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  18. I long to get to the ‘I don’t have to bring a side dish age’ but realize I’m decades away. You are brave to host the reunion, but also know you’ll enjoy it once it gets going.

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    • I will and after it’s over I’ll say “that wasn’t so bad. What was I worried about?” I don’t mind bringing a side dish. I can be creative or take brownies. Either works.

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  19. Jack has yucky eyes and a snotty nose all the time. Vet isn’t concerned but it drives me crazy. Thankfully, he is a easy going cat and doesn’t fight me when I clean him up. If it was Teddy I would need stitches if I tried.
    Enjoy your family reunion and showing off your new tree.

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  20. Hi, Kate – I can completely relate to your final sentence. Heck, I’d be happy to just have the body strength that I had six months ago. Our bodies can change that quickly without warning or permission.
    Sending warm vibes that Gus’s eye clears up soon.

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  21. It seems you had a fairly good week. Kudos for having the family reunion at your place one more time. I think they just don’t make clothes or shoes consistently these days. Enjoy your tree this summer.

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  22. Getting clothes that fit and are comfortable does seem to get more difficult over time. I hate it when the mail order companies, especially, have inconsistent or changing sizes. I’m glad you got the insurance payment so you can afford to take Gus to the vet’s…sigh. And enjoy your new tree. We’ll have to stop by in late October on our way to Massachusetts again and see all the changes!

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  23. I was wondering if you’d host the reunion in your new place. Hope everyone enjoys sitting under that new tree.

    Good luck to Gus . . . and how’s Gracie?

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    • Gracie is better. I dosed her with the appetite stimulant and for some reason that helped. She was hungry so she ate the MiraLax in her food. No barfing for two days now. (Excuse me while I go knock on wood!) I’d love to permanently fix this issue. It flares up about every 2 to 3 months.

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