Survey Says...

Thanks for thinking of me Court. She tagged me on the ABC's so here ya go guys.

Do you know your ABCs?

A: Attached or Single? Attached

B: Best Friend? John, Dru, Linda

C: Cake or Pie? Depends on what kind (flavor) is offered

D: Day of Choice? Saturday

E; Essential Item? Book or crochet items

F: Favorite Color? Purple

G: Gummy Bears or Worms? Gummy bears

H: Hometown? I was born in Redwood City, CA, but spent the most time to date in Fridley, MN

I: Indulgence? chocolate and peanut butter

J: January or July? Either, I'm in FL, depending on the year and Ma Nature, they can be pretty close to the same

K: Kids? Nah, the older I get, the less I want them

L: Life isn’t complete without? pets

M: Marriage date? Will let ya know if there is one

N: Number of brothers and sisters? 1 brother

O: Oranges or apples? both

P: Phobias and fears? Snakes!

Q: Quote? Don't have one

R: Reason to smile? Love, goofy pets

S: Season of choice? I really miss spring and fall

T: Tag three people? Dad and Mom, DuJane, Sarah

U: Unknown fact about me? I don't know

V: Vegetable? Corn or peas

W: Worst habit? I can be very anal about some things

X: X-ray or Ultrasound? X-ray I guess, I've never had an ultrasound

Y: Your favorite food? Cheese chicken! Or if we're going out, Giordano's, Oh so yummy!

Z: Zodiac sign? Scorpio

Ok Mom/Dad, DuJane and Sarah, you're up!

Co-Pay Issues for certain medications

One of the blogs I read is I'm an MS Activist, for obvious reassons. I don't always read all of the posts, but there was one today that caught my attention. Today's post contained this article from The New York Times, an article that is important not just for those with MS, but anyone taking specialized medications for rheumatoid arthritis, hemophilia, hepatitis C and some cancers. Please please read the article.

I'm currently on Rebif, it's one of the most recent medications approved by the FDA to help slow the progression of MS. My medication costs my insurance company approximately $1900 a month. When I was first started on Rebif at my previous job my co-pay was $100 a month, or $250 for a 90 day supply. When I changed to my current company my co-pay dropped dramaticly. In 2007 I had a co-pay of $16.90, and insurance was paying $1700 something. This year due my co-pay is $30. I'm greatful that I'm not paying more, I know many many are. This is one of many reasons why this weekend I'm riding 150 miles to help fight MS.

What a way to live!

My apartment complex is not the greatest. But, it's very affordable, I have my own washer and dryer and I don't have to pay water. It's also larger and cheaper than several of the other nicer complexs around, most of which don't provide a washer and dryer and the tenant pays water. So financially, I've got a pretty good deal going. Plus, move in was super easy! Mine is the only building with parking in the front and back, and since I'm on the ground floor, we literally backed the vehicles up to my patio door.

Another great thing about where I live, it's very centrally located. The mall is about 2 blocks away, I'm about 4-5 miles from work. I have 3 grocery stores within about 6 blocks, including Sam's club a block away. There's also several restuarants in the vicinity as well. I suppose technically I wouldn't need to worry about having a car to go places. Except for the rain and the unbelievable heat that we get in the summer.

Today wasn't one of those days. Today was absolutely beautiful! J asked if I wanted to go to dinner and we settled on Old Chicago, about 2 blocks away. We decided to enjoy the weather and walked to the restaurant. Within the last year or so Florida passed this wonderful bill that says the restaurant can decide if dogs will be allowed on their outside patios. Old Chicago happens to allow dogs. Since it's so nice out, a wonderful breeze to keep the heat away, we brough Ciera with and ate outside today. This was the first time I've done that and she was such a good girl.

One funny moment did happen. I had the loop of her leash under the table lag, J had gone inside and Ciera was sitting in the spot between our seats. Another couple decided to move from the high top (with no chairs) to the table by us. The guy looked at me and, while passing behind our seats to get to his, said "Don't worry, I have an affinity with dogs". Just as he said this, Ciera backed herself away from him by going under my chair. Guess he didn't have an affinity with C :)

A Few Pictures

These are from my phone, which doesn't always take the best pictures. So please forgive me :)

Tasha and Boris are showing off their favorite positions

Tasha and Ciera showing that cats and dogs really do get along

Brian and Dad as smurfs :D This is one of those fun features on my phone camera

John and I were out riding one day and saw this guy under a dock.

I know this can't be seen all that well, but the blob on the right is a gator and all the 4 or so blogs to the left are turtles. I guess the gator really wasn't that hungry. This was taken while leaving work one day, and that is a pond our glassed in walkway passes.

In Memory

Mom and Dad moved to Florida in 2000. They chose to live in a retirement community, someplace that would help keep Grandpa entertained. The location they decided on for their house was chock full of midwesterners. Their neighbors on one side were from Michigan; the couple across the street, Minnesota; the couple at the end of the street, Wisconsin; another couple at the end of the street, Minnesota (and I think she used to teach and taught one of my uncles); Grandpa's girlfriend, Michigan. There are many others from that area, including Pete and Yvonne on the other side of Mom and Dad. They were from Wisconsin.

With so many people from Minnesota and Wisconsin around, my parents quickly developed a new tradition. Every year when the Packers play the Vikings at home (Metrodome) they have a party, the border battle. Green and Gold usually outnumbers Purple and Gold, but there isn't a lack of good natured ribbing taking place. Pete and Yvonne have been at the Border Battle since it's inception. Sadly Pete won't be joining us this year.

Sunday, after an amazing 59 years married with Yvonne, Pete passed away. Within the last couple of years he was diagnosed with lung cancer. He had also recently fallen and broken his hip, requiring a stay in a nursing rehab facility. Sadly for us his time has come to an end. My family and I were blessed and very privilaged to be allowed to attend his funeral. At his request this was a private, family only event. While it was a very sad occasion, it was also probably one of the most lighthearted funerals I have ever attended. The priest was excellant and keeping just the right tone and reminding us of all the laughs Pete brought into our lives. So today's post is in memory of Pete.

It's Done!

The auction was held Saturday April 5th, 2008. And while we didn't raise as much as I was hoping, we still did a very good job. The grand total raised was $808.00! Half of this will actually be matched by my part time job. So I guess that means the eventual total raised will be about $1200. Not too bad.

I think we had two major issues that contributed to not raising as much as we would have liked. One was location. Yes, it's true what they say in real estate. Location is very important. Plant City's bike fest is set up like a T, and we were the last space at the end of the left hand arm of the top of the T. Right next to us was a group from Gibsonton, the winter and retirement home of many many circus folks. So we had a gentleman swallowing a sword, amongst other little tricks. Most people would wander down, watch the show and then wander back.

The other issue we had was another fundraiser event, this one an auction and raffle to benefit breast cancer and cancer awareness. Now, I know cancer is another important disease to fight, it's something that has affected my family and the family of a very close friend of mine. But did they have to fight cancer on the same night I wanted to fight MS?

The ladies fighting cancer had put together around 30 baskets of different items and they raffled those off. They also had a live auction of various items. So even though we had some really cool items to offer, it seemed like an uphill battle.

But we did have a very good time and I'm very thankful for everyone who bid on an item or donated a little bit to us. And I thank everyone else for their support!

It's been awhile

So I thought I'd do a quick post and run today. First off, my bike MS goal. I set my goal at $1000 for two reasons. One I thought it'd be fairly easy to get to that goal and two, that's the amount needed for a jersey. And I want a jersey. As of yesterday, my goal has been met!! One of my parents neighbors very generously donated a whopping $500!!!!! Yay!

Tonight is the silent auction. I'm hoping, wishing, praying and whatever else there is to whatever powers that be there are that it doesn't rain. Or at least only rains very very early on. Granted that doesn't usually stop the bikers, they're pretty dedicated. But no rain equals more people. And since I have some seriously awesome stuff, more people will equal more money raised. Most everything can be seen at my auction preview site. A couple things not added include: 2 adult tickets for the dinner train out of Ft. Myers, they usually do a mystery dinner; 2 tickets for lunch or brunch aboard the StarShip Yacht, they do meal cruises around Tampa Bay; 2 gift certificates for Partylite. I really think I'll be able to raise a very decent amount of money tonight, money that will go to the MS Society to help fight this stupid disease.

So that's my Saturday night. We need to be at Plant City by 3 to set up, so before heading there I need to run to Walmart and pick up some snacks for us and some thank you notes. That way all the notes can be writting for the winners in advance! Enjoy your weekend everyone!