Shiloh, IL (Hi 57 Lo 41)
Saturday, I went to Grafton, Illinois. Our son was trying to talk Jim and I into for years to go to Grafton while traveling in the RV. Once we got here, we didn't take the hour trip up north from O'Fallon. I wish we would have gone together. Grafton has a lot of history and it's so pretty to drive along the Mississippi River. There's several unique restaurants and a huge flea market. The waitress told us that when the river floods, it will take out all the buildings along the road up or past the roof line. A lot of the area on road 100 goes under water. The bluffs are amazing along the way. It was an overcast day and chilly. I'd like to go back this spring and go in the stores. It's a big tourist town but well worth seeing it. Two rivers come together in Grafton, the Illinois and the Mississippi. (Click on the photos to enlarge).
There's a a lot of grain storage tanks on the way to Grafton.
This was a chess set in the restaurant.
I wish it was a prettier day and with sun. It's a really pretty drive.
Sunday evening the tornado warnings started. When we were on the road fulltime in the RV, every year we had a tornado that we had to shelter from at some point. One time we were on the military base campground and they told us to get out. We ended up at our sons, here in O'Fallon (where I am now). One year we ended up at Red Robin cooler in the restaurant. Another year it was a hotel. This time I'm in the apartment and on the bottom floor with two stories above me. I decided the bathtub would be the safest away from windows and better chance of staying safe. I kept the TV on for updates. There was an F3 tornado just an hour south that did a lot of damage. The lady in the apartment office even said she was nervous about this one hitting. There were total of four tornados that touched down around the area.
By Wednesday things were coming together in getting my funds. The military finally refunded the money they took out be accident and I also received the remaining eight days pay of September. The death benefit came in from Social Security and the new pay has started. I can now plan ahead and get settled into a new life.
A rant: There's always something that just doesn't work out. I called Verizon at the beginning of the month and I thought it was all in place with dropping Jim's phone line and getting the payment to half of what it was. I noticed yesterday I was charged full price. It took awhile to get Verizon on the phone, but they said I was never credited for the dropped line. The guy will take it off for November. I couldn't get a refund for this month, it's all about money. I hope it comes thru for next month. I had to register with a new login and when I did I notice Jim's name is still on the account as the main person, but at least it's my phone number so for now I'm done. I'm leaving it as it is. Warning, be prepared if you have Verizon to be sure you have all the info you want done, check the next day if it's all online. If you need them call early in the morning, the call back works great.
Thursday my glasses were ready, so I went to get them before the rain started. I walked around the store a bit (in Walmart) and within minutes I was dizzy and sick feeling. I went back to the vision center. They rechecked the vision and the lenses. It was off on the stigmatism, and a scratch on the left lens. I talked to the Dr. and it was so close to what I have in my lens I asked for refund and will be back next year. I'm still waiting for the refund to show up in the bank, which I'll fight for it on Monday if it's not in by then.
Today I went for a special appointment that Medicare wants people over 70 to be checked. It's a wellness appointment that checks that all shots and special appointments are done, plus mental health. I was tested for dementia or Alzheimer's. I passed with flying colors and in a high percentile for my age. I guess I can relax. Since I've kept everything going from Jim's death and fighting so many companies and military I'm actually pretty pleased on my accomplishments.
It's starting to rain a lot and getting colder. One of these days it's going to be icy and snowy. Not my cup of tea, but can't go anywhere for now.
The three manger sets are done and shipped.
Next week will be quiet except for Tuesday. I get me new military ID. I hope it goes smooth and no problems. I won't have health insurance without it.
4 comments:
Grafton looks like a great day trip spot....
It's funny when you fulltime that you actually learn the weather patterns for whatever area you are in. Bet you can relate. For example, I watch the pattern coming out of the Corpus Christi Texas area if I'm parked anywhere northeast of there as far as maybe Mississippi. Same pattern comes out of Oklahoma City at about the same time of year. I'm always following storms and checking for tornado warnings or watches that are coming out of the storm way in advance of where we are located. Got to love modern technology and the radar access we have online.
I had to talk with 6 customer service agents to cancel Direct TV before we moved from the sticks and bricks. They do that so we get frustrated and give up. Agents also don't often warn we have been charged an extra month because they collect a month ahead of time. By chance, my next blog includes a rant on customer service. I'm re-reading it to make sure I'm not being too harsh or crazy. All kinds of bs excuses such as I should be kinder because of covid and there is not enough workers, some others say. Maybe we should fire 10 million federal employees and give them the 10 million jobs no one is willing to take because the young adults that never lived through the cold war think under democratic socialism they should be guaranteed at least part of their annual salary needs so they can stay home, or work at home for full pay and only do half the work. Sorry, broke an RV rule talking about politics.
Best part of your post was the good medical report. Dee, do what you can to enjoy life. You just completed the hardest part with Jim's passing. I look forward to hearing about all the journeys and things you go out and do when you feel up to it.
I have known a few people who had to give up on using Walmart for their glasses when their prescription got too complex. The suspicion is Walmart only wants easy prescriptions. This might not be true for all Walmart stores, but it happened at the Livingston Texas Walmart for one. Costco has been good to us for glasses.
Thank God you weren't affected by the tornadoes,and will now get Social security.You have done a great job settling all the paperwork and affairs that needed to be taken care of.May God bless , comfort and protect you going forward -Mary
You are amazing! So organized, getting things taken care of and the crocheted manger scenes are incredible.
I hate dealing with customer service. You spend a lot of time on the phone, told its all taken care of...until you find out the next day that nothing was done!
Tornadoes! One of my scariest days was during a tornado in Kentucky. I thought for sure we were going to be caught up in it, but thankfully it changed direction!!
God bless you, Deep. Have a great week.
Post a Comment