The Story of Lori

[Lori Dee]

I saw a shirt that said, "Just a girl that loves rocks". How goes the rock hounding? I had a vibrating polisher given to me. Can I use this to do stones?

I love it! I have a hoodie with a picture of a gold pan on it and it says,
"I wash rocks and I know things. That's what I do."

Most vibe polishers are made to polish brass casings for reloading ammo. People do use them as a final step in polishing rocks. They work much more quickly. The tumblers use a grinding action, so the stones get more rounded and smaller. Vibes are good if you don't want to change the shape or size much, but still want a nice smooth polish.

I'm done hounding for this season. The weather has turned cold and rainy. I need to do maintenance and repairs on my machines, one is waiting for parts. I pulled the last batch out of the polisher yesterday. Now my focus will be on turning them into jewelry as time permits.

I agree with you that we tend to worry more about things that get exaggerated in the media. I like to do my own research to determine just how much of a threat he really is. Both the ACLU and Amnesty International filed hundreds of legal challenges against his policies during his first term. That tells me he will likely follow through with any "promises" he made for his second term.

He outlines his plans for the second term on his website under the heading Agenda 47. There, he outlines his plans for immigration, education, economy, etc. The one that concerns me the most is this one:

https://www.donaldjtrump.com/agenda47/president-trumps-plan-to-protect-children-from-left-wing-gender-insanity

All of my medical care is through the Veterans Administration. I have Medicare insurance, but can't afford to use it. If Trump follows through with these threats, I will never be able to complete my transition in this lifetime, unless I move out of the country.

This presents another conundrum. If Congress passes the law that all gender is based on the biological sex assigned at birth, what happens with our post-op friends? They are no less transgender, their bodies no longer match with the government's definition. Some states do not allow changing birth certificates and others will but specify that it is an amended document.

Changing my birth certificate won't matter as my name and gender change are fully documented in my Veteran Medical records as well as my Social Security file. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Also interesting is that the U.S. State Department allows a person to apply for asylum in the US due to persecution from their government because of their LGBTQ status. I am sure that will be part of the change that scrubs all references to "gender" status.

I wonder what New Zealand's asylum policy is. 

[davina61]

You can always come to the UK ,despite what you may have heard its okay here.

[Lori Dee]

Thanks, Davina.

I would love to visit and see where my ancestors lived in Leeds and Lancashire. Sadly, I cannot drive there or to New Zealand successfully. I am sure it has been attempted, but my Jeep is not that waterproof. 

It is not my intent to be a "Negative Nellie" (apologies to any members named "Nellie"), but my point is that we cannot just put our heads in the sand and hope it will go away. Personal safety needs to be on everyone's mind.

I can drive to Minnesota in five hours, or Canada in seven. But there is no guarantee that things will be better there. We will just have to wait and see how this plays out.

[Lori Dee]

Insurance is such a scam.

I got a letter today from Delta Dental Insurance. Starting in January 2025, they are increasing my monthly premium by $10 per month to $60.50 and that is with my Veteran Discount.

I see my dentist every six months for cleaning and exams. He bills the insurance for the visit $273. Dental Dental covers all but $70, so I pay $70 every six months.

If I pay Delta Dental $60.50 per month x six months = $363. Then I pay another $70 that they did not cover.

That's $433 that I pay for a $273 treatment. And this happens twice a year.

Goodbye, Delta Dental.

I'll pay my dentist in cash and save a couple hundred dollars a year.

[Gina P]

I have not had dental insurance for quite a while for that same reason. I also self pay for many of my therapy sessions. Copay is $75. Self pay is $55-65, so I self pay! I think the DR. offices take advantage of the insurance companies, which is probably why our premiums are so high.

[Lori Dee]

[ChrissyRyan]

Insurance is such a scam.

I got a letter today from Delta Dental Insurance. Starting in January 2025, they are increasing my monthly premium by $10 per month to $60.50 and that is with my Veteran Discount.

I see my dentist every six months for cleaning and exams. He bills the insurance for the visit $273. Dental Dental covers all but $70, so I pay $70 every six months.

If I pay Delta Dental $60.50 per month x six months = $363. Then I pay another $70 that they did not cover.

That's $433 that I pay for a $273 treatment. And this happens twice a year.

Goodbye, Delta Dental.

I'll pay my dentist in cash and save a couple hundred dollars a year.

Yes, but the dental plan also pays in part some major dental work expenses besides the preventive stuff.  If you have good teeth then you may get by without insurance.  Ortho periodontic, root canals, crowns, extractions, false teeth, fluoride, maybe even implants (not the breast type though, awww shucks).

Also many dentists have their own office plans which covers the two cleanings, X-rays, exams, and provides 10-30% off major or other work.  So it could be cheaper than the big dental insurance company plans.

Shop wisely, then show off your pretty smile!

Chrissy

[ChrissyRyan]

Thank you for serving us all Lori!

Thanks to all active duty and former active duty soldiers.

I wonder why some people think that veterans are only the retired 20+ years of service soldiers. Veterans anlso include active duty soldiers and soldiers that do not get retirement or disability benefits but have left the service except under a dishonorable discharge.

Chrissy

[Lori Dee]

Yes, but the dental plan also pays in part some major dental work expenses besides the preventive stuff.

This is very true. But they only cover 40% of the bill.

My dentist lets me run a tab and pay as I can. At one time I owed him over $5,000 for bridges, crowns, etc. I have all that paid off now, so I will just continue as a cash patient.

[Lori Dee]

Thank you for serving us all Lori!

Thanks to all active duty and former active duty soldiers.

Thank you for your support, Chrissy.

I served 14 years, six months, and two weeks. They wanted to put me out on a Medical, but I refused. Took my Honorable and filed for disability through the VA.

To quote the tank crew in the movie, "Fury":

"Best job I ever had." 

[davina61]

Yesterday as I drove up the narrow road from my flat someone opened the passenger door blocking my way, an elderly gent got out wearing his medals so I gave him a salute. The road through town was closed off for the parade and they were all gathered ready to march to the memorial by the old church tower. BTW that tower is all thats left of the 14th century church.

[Gina P]

Thank you for your service Lori.

[MsLeigh]

Lori,

Thank you for your service.

I pulled a muscle digging ore today...it was a miner injury.  Hope that was a new funny for you.

Leigh

[Lori Dee]

Lori,

Thank you for your service.

I pulled a muscle digging ore today...it was a miner injury.  Hope that was a new funny for you.

Leigh

Thank you too, Leigh!

[MsLeigh]

I have a hoodie with a picture of a gold pan on it and it says,
"I wash rocks and I know things. That's what I do."

Lori,

Years ago my grandmother lived in Deadwood. A man used to walk by her house with his summer pack and he would camp somewhere above her place. In the fall when it would get to cold to camp and pan he would walk by with his pack and a quart Mason jar with gold. He would rent a place in Deadwood and live off the gold for the winter. The next year when spring came he would be seen walking up the road.

He had life figured out for himself.

I think of you heading out with a shovel and pan and it brings warm memories of my grandmother telling me stories about life. She was great.

Hugs,
Leigh

[MsLeigh]

I don't think things will be as bad as everyone worries. We must just keep on our paths to happiness as before. The media has everyone so worked up that some have even tried to kill the man. Its time for everyone to calm down and breathe.

Gina,

Thank you for posting,  I agree 100% with your calming words. Things don'tgo so well when we get shook up. I am not too worried as I think they will be busy with their agenda.

Hugs,
Leigh

[barbie]

I see my dentist every six months for cleaning and exams. He bills the insurance for the visit $273. Dental Dental covers all but $70, so I pay $70 every six months.

I know it. Here in S. Korea, I pay about US$ 10 for cleaning and exams. I can go to any dental office even without reservation.

I remember I had taken out all of the baby teeth of my 3 kids in the States. Here no parent takes out a tooth for their children, because it just costs a few US$ even without insurance.

A threat here is that some big companies are trying to change the health system to an American one to exploit the people more.

barbie~~

[Sephirah]

Thank you for your support, Chrissy.

I served 14 years, six months, and two weeks. They wanted to put me out on a Medical, but I refused. Took my Honorable and filed for disability through the VA.

To quote the tank crew in the movie, "Fury":

"Best job I ever had." 

As another ex-military gal... Just another reason I love you. Thank you for your service, Lori. It is kind of the place you get a second family. I was in the Royal Navy. Didn't see the down and dirty like a lot of folks did. Trained for it all though, lol. It takes a certain kind of person to do something like that. And it's something that sticks with you for the rest of your life.

[Lori Dee]

So, Kristi Noem, the Governor of South Dakota, which has no international borders is going to be the Secretary of Homeland Security. For those who don't know, that puts her in charge of Immigration and Customs, Border Security, the TSA, FEMA, and other agencies.

Now we have JFK, Jr., the anti-vaccine, anti-science, conspiracy theorist who will be in charge of Health and Human Services.

And recently resigned House member Matt Gaetz, who was investigated by the House Ethics Committee over allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor, will be our new Attorney General.

In a recent article in The New Republic, Nina Burleigh accurately portrays this as:

Just in the last few days, with this wackadoodle clown car situation or whatever you want to call it, it's pretty clear that shock and awe is the road that they're going to travel.

Well said, Nina. Well said.

[davina61]

Just think what would happen if they said left handed folk would be forced to use their right hands.