Scammer Calls

Despite having logged our phone number on the Do Not Call registry, we seem to receive more than our share of unsolicited inquiries and offers. Most of the time I simply decline and politely end the call. After all, I try never to forget that there is a human on the other end of the receiver simply trying to make a living. The only time I break with the polite protocol is when I recognize the tell tale signs of a scammer. When somebody calls me with a dishonest intentions, I pass the call to Scott.  One of my husband's guilty pleasures is serving scammers a dose of their own medicine.

Foreign based scammers trying to gain control of a computer under the guise of working for Windows "technical support" are among the most despicable and is the group which elicits the strongest response from Scott. He always begins the conversation by acting like a computer illiterate and trusting consumer. He obliges the scammer by pretending to input the code into the computer as he awaits the opportunity to turn the table. Without much notice, my mild mannered husband morphs into an outrageous loud mouth as the conversation progresses from the technical to the personal.

Yesterday we received another call from "technical support," asserting that our computer has been phoning home with some malware viruses. Recognizing the scam, I handed the phone to Scott who smiled broadly and settled into his chair. I could tell from his demeanor that he was anticipating an animated exchange.  He kept the caller on the phone for 30 minutes as he feigned fumbling on the computer. After he became bored, he asked the caller if his mother knew that he was a "low life scammer who can't earn an honest living."

The conversation went downhill from that point. At one point the scammer said that he was going to come to America, find our house and have sex with his wife and daughter. Scott told him that he probably couldn't use his "millimeter Peter" and suggested that he hang barbells from his little "bb balls" to try to stretch like Gumby into a "real man."  Robby, overhearing the conversation, ended up rolling on the floor squealing with laughter as he visualized the scenario. 

After almost an hour of ranting and slinging insults back and forth, the call was finally disconnected. Although Scott was quite amused by the exchange, it didn't take long for me to realize that the scammers are having the last laugh.  Our phone didn't stop ringing all night with a slew of foreign based solicitations, dead lines and nonsensical laughing. 

Despite hanging up the phone call, apparently the scammers are enjoying the last laugh.

Busy Busy

Yesterday Timmy continued his streak of waking up obscenely early, forcing me from my warm bed and into the cold living room well before dawn. Slurping down coffee and coaxing the fire to light, I struggled to keep my mischievous little guy in check. Hamlet has learned the power behind his volume early in the morning. When he squawks, I tend to drop everything to appease him in an attempt to keep the house quiet for Scott and Robby. Poor kid is in for a reality shock once summer vacation starts, because all the rules are going to change.

Thankfully my leg sores have continued to heal because he certainly kept me moving. He seemingly moved from one messy "exploration" to another, leaving a trail of unraveled toilet paper, torn magazines, overturned laundry and books in his wake. I will never cease to be amazed at the amount of havoc such a little kid can create!

Hoping to tucker him out, I bundled up both of us and headed outside. After a few minutes I had to unbutton my coat because I was working up a sweat running after him. At this point, I've decided that I don't need a gym membership because playing with Timmy is all the workout I'll ever need.

Back to the Grind

The boys have been back in school for a few days, and we are slowly starting to creep back into our schedule. Robby begrudgingly rolls out of bed each morning, peppering me with complaints about being tired and being deprived of sleep. I remind him that he fought going to bed the night before and suggest an earlier bedtime to allow him more time to sleep.  Eventually he huffs out of bed, gets dressed, eats his waffle and prepares for the day. I would love to have a morning without the wake-up drama, but I have slowly accepted that he will not be cheerful in the mornings until summer. 

Despite being a "grumpy bug" each morning, he is thriving in school. We received his report card yesterday, and I am delighted to reveal that he earned all A's. (Okay, perhaps I am bragging a little bit but it's my blog so I figure it is okay.)  Equally as important as his grades, Robby received high marks for his personal conduct and citizenship. He might be grumpy at home, but continues to be a little charmer at school.

Timmy has had a difficult time adjusting to the quiet house. He cries each morning when we drop off Robby, squawking his displeasure until I pull into the driveway. Our ten minute commute has begun to feel like an hour due to his irate protests.

Every day I've been taking him to the bounce house both to distract him and to tire him. He certainly loves to jump and climb! He is far more adventurous than Robby was at the same age. I never worried about Robby climbing to the top of slides, but it feels like I'm constantly pulling Timmy down and redirecting him to a more age appropriate structure. I worry that I have a little dare devil on my hands!

So far, it appears that everybody is transitioning back into the work schedule relatively unscathed. Of course, it's only Wednesday...

Changes to Medicare

Last week, while it seemed that the entire country was on vacation, Medicare took advantage of the disconnection to release a final rule which will impact every lower limb prosthetic patient in their system.  Leave it to the Federal government to try to slip changes in policy past the watchful public by taking advantage of holiday vacation habits! According to the newly adopted policy, lower limb prosthetic components over $1,000 will now require pre-authorization.

Unlike most private insurers, Medicare has been operating under a build, bill and pay system. The Prosthetist built the device and submitted payment at the time of delivery. Pre-authorization for the device (and individual components) was not required. The new Medicare rule will change this system.

Yesterday Dave and I recorded a podcast to discuss this issue. Rest assured, when the rest of the world is on vacation, we remain connected to any possible changes concerning access to prosthetics.



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Back to Normal

To the chagrin of my two older boys, Christmas vacation has come to an end. Scott is headed back to work this morning, and in a few hours I will be consoling a sad little Koopa as he gets ready to go back to school. Our break was especially long this year (16 days) but the time seemed to fly by quickly. I know that they aren't ready for vacation to end, but I have to admit that I'm looking forward to resuming a normal schedule.

Robby had a wonderful end to his holiday vacation because he made a new friend. After years of wishing and hoping, we finally have another kid on the street who is the same age as Robby. The pair immediately started playing and have been inseparable since they met. Other than coming home for food, drinks and to retrieve some toys, I haven't seen Robby much over the past few days. I can hear him playing in the woods though, so I can only assume that he and his new friend are having fun.  I can only imagine the adventures that the pair are going to experience in the coming years!

Timmy is going to have a difficult time adjusting to a quiet house. He has thoroughly enjoyed having his Daddy and big brother home, and I know that he is going to be sad when he is stuck with only me as a playmate. Hopefully he won't be too disappointed, and we can have some fun today. 

Reflections on a Difficult Year

Happy 2016!

My new calendar is hanging in the kitchen, and 2015 is officially stuffed into a shelf on my closet. It definitely wasn't the easiest year, and I am not ashamed to admit that I am happy to see it go. I can't help but think about everything that has transpired during the past twelve months.  Although it wasn't all bad, the losses were definitely what sprang to mind first.

Almost a year ago today I received a phone call from my Dad which dropped me to my knees. He was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer. In that moment, everything changed. My life became consumed with his care and happiness. I am so thankful for Scott and my Mom for rallying to take care of the boys so that I could stay with my Dad in Texas.  His death was difficult to bear, and I continue to feel his loss.

My Uncle George (my Mom's brother) also passed away this year. He became suddenly ill and passed away quickly. I am glad that he didn't suffer, although I regret that my Mom didn't get to see him to say goodbye.

I can't help but remember Pat, who was a dedicated reader of this blog and became a friend. He and his wife Mary came to stay with us as they were moving to New Mexico. Pat passed away this year. I miss his witty comments on my blog and Facebook page. 

Although this was a year of losses, our family also had some wonderful adventures. At the top of the list was our trip to Arizona.  Although I was working, Scott and Robby were able to take what has been dubbed the "epic father and son trip."  The pair continue to reminisce and smile about their vacation adventures.

Hamlet has grown by leaps and bounds this year.  He is now walking (although prancing would be a more apt description since he seems to have only one speed), and babbling up a storm. He has shown himself to be curious, mischievous and silly. He smiles from the moment he wakes up until he is put in his crib at night. We are so lucky to have such a happy little toddler!

It is hard to focus and reflect upon the happier moments of the past year, but today I am trying. Our little family has had a wonderful year despite the losses that we experienced. In a way we were brought closer through our grief, and for that I could not be happier.  Although I become frustrated, anxious and stressed, I really do have the best family and friends to support me through whatever challenges come my way.

I am looking forward to the next twelve months. I have a brand new calendar with empty spaces just waiting to be filled. I can't wait to find out what is in store for our family!

2015

Happy New Years Eve!

I have no aspirations of experiencing a glamorous New Year's Eve celebration this year. I have a toddler, and I have  accepted my current reality. I will be in bed promptly at 9:00, with the covers pulled up to my chin and my head on a pillow. On the bright side, Hamlet and I will be wide awake at 4 AM, which is midnight in Alaska so in a way I will still be celebrating.

I continue to hate New Years and all of the revelry that it involves. New Years epitomizes not only the turning of the calendar but also reflecting on the accomplishments and failings of the past twelve months. In my opinion, there is no better way to squelch the remnants of the Christmas spirit than forced reflection.

This year I am going to avoid the montages of celebrities who have died during 2015. I'm going to walk away from the news stories streaming highlights (which seem to be nothing but senseless tragedies) from the past year.  Instead, I am going to play with Timmy and Robby as we try to enjoy the last few days of Christmas vacation.