What have I been up to?

I've been Answerbagging since earlier this year. It's an extremely addictive question and answer website, at www.answerbag.com. For the most part, I've been providing advice for relationships, having some fun, and answering Answerbag questions. I've put a page in my Orange Frog Productions FAQ section about "Prettifying Your Answerbag Profile", explaining step-by-step the HTML you can add and modify. (It's a bit like entering a blog... You don't have to do paragraphs, but you do have define the whole page as a DIV and do your styles on IT to do them all.) I'm working on a comprehensive User Guide for it. It will be on OFP soon, I hope!

Meanwhile, my VR counselor was promoted, and I've gone through two more Crossroads job coaches - the last is changing positions soon. AND, I'm STILL looking for a job. I don't understand why 25 years of programming experience doesn't seem to count for anything. Anyway, I'm only looking for entry level (or a little above) for programming, help desk, customer service, office, web design/devel0pment, etc. Sooner or later, someone will take me, I hope! Or, the two people I've been talking with, and I, will start a business tied in with Genealogy. We'll see, I guess.

Speaking of genealogy, I haven't been doing much on it, recently. I WILL be getting back to it when I get that User Guide done, I'm sure.

Also (genealogy/history-related)... Even MORE history was lost recently in the midwest, with the number of homes and towns destroyed and damaged by the floods in Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, etc. It should be a wake-up call to everyone to MAKE SURE you scan and/or otherwise protect your family's photos, documents, and anything else you can, and save copies on multiple CDs/DVDs, sending copies to other family members who are not in the same areas as yourself. While the digital copies will not be LEGAL, at least you have all the information in all of them, can have pictures reprinted, etc. Imagine all the historical records LOST when the downtowns of these places flooded out. This is why THEY should scan all their records to optically store them, and have digital text copies, besides! I hope SOMEONE takes this type of thing into account. Also think about the cemeteries that were lost/damaged by the flooding. It's sad... It's really sad, that all this history is gone forever.

That's enough for today. TTYL

Odds & Ends II (Croc Hunter, Commercials, VR)

The Crocodile Hunter (Steve Irwin) (Discovery's site, Australian Zoo (Home of the Crocodile Hunter))

NOTE: The Australian Zoo site, above, was still being slammed Tuesday night.

In case you've been under a rock, Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, was killed, Monday, September 4, 2006, morning, when a stingray barb apparently pierced his chest and heart (freakish accident), and he pulled it out. They are assuming that the stingray's poison, not normally fatal, direct to his heart, did it. (He could have bled to death, but those there said he died within a minute, and a small hole in the heart would have taken longer, I believe.)

I know, some people may not give a shit, but those of us into TV, who at least occasionally watch the Animal Planet, who have seen Steve Irwin on the many talk-show appearances he's made, and who have actually seen his movie, are going to miss him.

I haven't watched his show that much, recently, but do know I liked him (strange as he seemed). While I don't condone it, I even understood what he was saying about "teaching his children" about crocs and wildlife, a couple of years ago, when he held his baby while doing a show with a croc at his zoo. (However, I DO believe the child was MUCH too young to understand what was being ... "taught".) I loved his passion, his knowledge, his daredevilism (idiocy, to me, at times), his mission and his loves. Terri, his wife, and kids have lost one of the good ones. He was as, if not more, passionate about his family as he was about his conservationism and animal protection.

He brought us closer (sometimes TOO close for comfort - ours AND his, or, I'm sure, at least Terri's) to the many wild animals (especially crocs and snakes) he loved. His enthusiasm for wildlife helped MAKE Discovery's Animal Planet, and spawned hundreds upon hundreds of "wanna be" imitators (more than any Mutual Of Omaha's "Wild Kingdom", or Disney's "True Life Adventures" wildlife movies), and made people aware of the plight of many animals.

He will be missed.

Commercials I HATE!

NEW! - OMG! I thought it was one of those PSAs (Public Service Announcements), and his kid was hurt. Nope! ATT - Phone call at 3-4AM waking man and woman up. He says "What?"... She says, "Who is it?"... He says, "Are you sure it's him?" (looking very worried)... " She says, "What is it?" ... He gets out of bed, goes to his computer, turns it on (DAMN that computer's FAST), and says "Johnson pulled a quad... He's out this week..." The screen shows a football player as the man says "No... You were right to call" and it goes to the ATT service being advertised. THIS IS BY FAR one of the nastiest "misdirection" commercials I've seen in quite some time. I HATE IT!

Oh, yeah! Subway's "Fat Wallet" campaign. What kinda crap is this? They spend years telling us how to LOSE weight by eating their stuff, now they want our wallets to get FAT? Besides THAT, the commercial is stoopid to the max. Apparently, Jared is too busy making personal appearances (or working at a REAL job) to do their commercials any more. I saw one before the fat wallet thing, but nothing since. FAT WALLET? Gosh... They're saying that SPENDING MONEY will make your wallet fat. Never EVER did that for me!

Oh, there are plenty more... Mercifully, they go right out of my head when the show starts back up, so aren't as memorable. Also, thankfully, they haven't been repeated into the ground, yet.

VR & Me

I have a "plan review" with VR coming up next week. For those that don't know what I'm talking about, see my 5/24, 7/23, 7/27 and 8/19 posts.

By their rules, they own the stuff installed on my van, and my scooter, now, until I find a job and hold it for 90 days... What this means is if they drop me, they have the right to "reposses" everything or demand payment for it... OR, it MIGHT be possible that I can be listed as a "homemaker", which, technically, I guess I am, since I don't work (SS Disability) and my wife does.

Now, remember... This has been going on for THREE FREAKIN' YEARS. If the van had been taken care of immediately, I MAY not have screwed up my knee, and might be able to walk more. I'd have also been able to keep looking for a job, and may have been able to get my business up and running without help.

Yes, I also tried to set up a business through them, but it seems that it HAS to be a money-maker, right away, or they aren't interested. (They also only supply money for certain items... If I could make money like that THAT fast, I wouldn't be on disability, now would I?) My other point is that gas was CHEAP (relative to today's costs) back when all this started. While it appears to be coming down, it ain't cheap now! The business I had come up with would require driving around the county, at least, spreading out to other counties as this one is done. I can think of something else that could/should be done, genealogically, and that could make some money, but to do it RIGHT would require a bunch of up-front money, and then some time to gather the info, arrange it so all could read it, and publish it so it could be sold. I believe either is something that would be right up the state historical and genealogical societies would be interested in. And the first would also interest the DNR. However, if I got any of them involved, I probably wouldn't be able to SELL the information. Hell, it could also be used as "learning" experiences by numerous Jr/Sr High School classes and clubs. (No more clues... It's still my idea!) Let's just say it involves high-res digital imaging (cameras and/or large-format/book scanners), databases/tables, research, programming for the database entry and retrieval, data entry, probable artwork, local and state history, and a buncha other work, especially organizational.

If any TRUE "venture capitalists", philanthropic organizations, or businessmen who can tell me what and how to do what I want, and/or those who may be interested in history or genealogy in Indiana, and possible ties to education, are out there, and want to know what my ideas are, contact me. (This will not be a blog or email "meeting"... It will be face-to-face, so I know it's for real, and you know I'm for real.)

Don't get me wrong, I REALLY DO appreciate VR'ss help in getting me SS Disability, my scooter and my van mods, I just would have appreciated it more in 2003!

We'll find out next week what's up, here.

Odds & Ends

VR and ME Update

My van's been modified. TWO DAYS... I waited THREE YEARS and for over SIX MONTHS after the bids were let. The low bidder (who shall remain nameless) for SOME reason or other DID NOT return calls and could not be reached after all that was needed was the completion date.

Superior Van & Mobility, Indianapolis, took a little over a week to get the parts in, and TWO DAYS to get it done and back to us. We took it in Wednesday afternoon, talked to the guy about where the seat should go (move it back and to the right a little), where the hand-controls were going to go, and we came home. Friday (today) we were called to come in around 3. We got there at 2:50, and he was pulling it out of the garage as we entered their lot. We parked, watched him park, turned and saw the Crossroads people pull in. (Jennifer Radloff, Occupational Therapist/Driver Training - kewl lady! and "her student").

We went to the van, the installer explained how the hand-controls worked, and told us they'd moved the seat back THREE inches, not two, as planned. I didn't want to get into it until we'd seen how the lift worked, first. He brought the scooter out of the van, explaining the remote functions as he went, and set it on the ground, unhooked it, and showed how to stow the hook. Then he handed me the remote to show I knew how to get it back in. No real problem... It will just take getting used to the remote(s) - There's a wired one ON the lift, and a wireless one to carry with me. I got into the driver's seat and PLENTY of leg-room, for the first time EVER. In fact, I straighted my arms out like we always picture race-drivers (they don't, the damn steering wheel's REALLY close to their chest).

Jennifer had me drive around a little to get used to the hand-controls (not too hard... Still push when I should pull at times! But that's GOOD... Push is brake, pull is gas), and we went back to Superior, where Jenn and her student got out, Chris got into the "Green Machine" van, said she'd follow me home, and we took off. I figured out the cruise control (Chris seldom uses it, and I had NEVER used it in this van), and used it on 465 and 65, most of the way home.

WOW! Only the SECOND time I've driven (without a trainer/tester) in almost THREE YEARS. I even pulled it into the garage! (This might not sound like much, but for the past three years, Chris has driven me everywhere I needed to go. I walk down the ramp and wait, while she backs the van out, then I get in. It's kinda tight on the passenger side, to leave room on the driver's side.) It'll take a little getting used to, but getting in and out (Driver's side) is MUCH easier, I'll actually be able to let Chris sleep and go to my own doctor's appointments myself, and (if I can find a job) I can get to it. I can't afford gas, now, though, but I CAN GET OUT ON MY OWN! WOO HOO!

Now I just gotta make sure VR gets any papers it needs, find out what I have to do before I get the ownership papers (right now, VR owns the stuff), find a job I can manage and afford to get to and from (hopefully in Lebanon, and hopefully pays decently!), and ... Well, you know the drill, right?

9/11

For ANYONE who wonders why our soldiers are overseas, especially in Afghanastan, and even those in Iraq and elsewhere, watch the History Channel. Recently, they've been running reenactments, with interviews with the real people involved, on everything from how people survived, what lead up to, how they closed all airspace in such a short time, etc. Seeing this will REMIND you why we're at war.

Just leaving Iraq and Afghanastan now will only alienate those who believe in us (we don't see that much on the news... it's not controversial or sensational enough), turn those who are on the fence against us (we did that with Hussein and Bin Laden, remember?), allow the insurgents to declare victory over the US, invite ever more and even stronger attacks on our own soil, and ensure that every soldier over there feels we let them (and their fallen comrades) down.

Watch the shows. Remember. NEVER FORGET! We promised it then, and this is a promise WE SHOULD KEEP FOREVER!

Kyndel Christine Klump

And, for those who don't know it, Chris' (my wife) youngest daughter had a baby. Check that out (with pictures) here.

New OFP Website

DAMN! I didn't know I had that many pages. I've split many into multiples, especially in the scams, shams and more flim-flams section. I have a few more of the rumors to do, then the graphics capabilities, and I will put it up. I don't know for sure how I'm going to "keep the old pages", but update it to point to the new ones. (All names have been changed.) I have people finding my site searching for these things, so have put even more information on each on the new version. (The SITE name will not change, but all the pages within it have new names. I think I'll be putting some type of cross-reference from the old pages to the new ones in, but am not sure.)

Anyway, it's coming along. Shouldn't be TOO much longer, now.

Scams

Speaking of scams, they're coming fast and furious through email (and maybe elsewhere). BE CAREFUL. I've received 4-6 "Nigerian Scam" letters (some inheritance, some something else) in the last few days. I just received word from a relative that they received information on the Jury Duty scam, where they call you, tell you that you didn't show up for Jury Duty, and a warrent has been issued for your arrest. When you protest that you've never been called, they ask for your Social Security number and Date of Birth to verify the info and cancel the warrent. NEVER GIVE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER TO ANYONE WHO CALLS YOU OVER THE PHONE. If you are worried about it, get the number to call them back. (If they get hostile, they're most likely scammers, so who gives a shit what they think of you?) Then, look up the number in the phone book, and call your own local government office/court house, and ask if they called you. If not, tell the authorities. (This should work for ANYONE who will ask for your personal, bank and credit card information over the phone. DO NOT GIVE IT TO THEM WITHOUT CHECKING THEM OUT AS DESCRIBED. Get a number to call back, look UP the number in the phone book, call THAT number, find out whether they called YOU, and report it to authorities if they didn't.

This is from the email sent by my relative:

The FBI and the federal court system have issued nationwide alerts on Their web sites, warning consumers about the fraud.Check it out here: http://www.snopes.com/crime/fraud/juryduty.asp

Think that's it for now. Have a happy! And BE SAFE!

Bill

Me and VR Part II

UPDATE on my last post:

I sent a copy of the link to the governor. Thought he might like to know about situations like mine!

I got a call today (July 27, 2006) from my VR Counselor (VRC). The vendor asked about what my new van was. I'm not sure why she couldn't look at prior emails, or my website, but I told her. She conferenced me with the vendor and asked, and I answered, again.

The vendor said, that it would work (that's what VR's NY "checker" had said, too), and said:

1. they needed the authorization (VRC said she'd FAX it to them, once she got it written out completely and ok'd by her supervisor, hopefully TODAY!)
2. they had to order the parts (a week to 10 days to get in after the order)
3. that he'd be "comfortable" with a completion date of August 25th. [This, of course, doesn't mean they'll WAIT until closer to that date... Just "in case of delays" getting parts, etc., so it may be an "at the latest" date. - bracketed are my thoughts -bs.]

KEWLNESS! At least it seems to be moving again!

Apparently, it can't be done in a day, as we originally thought. He said the day we brought the van in, they'd check measurements to see how far to move the seat, and where the hand-controls should be installed. Over that and the next day or so, they would move the seat and install the controls. The next day, they install the "scooter dock" (lift), and we'd come back that or the next day, make sure everything fit, the Crossroads Driver-Evaluation/Trainer would inspect, and make sure I could drive it, and we take it home!

My responsibility is to let the Crossroads counselor know when it will/may be, so she can make plans to be there when she needs to be, and I will do that by giving her a link to this entry. (JR - In case you missed it, they are "comfortable" with an 08/25 "completion date" for VR. Again, I'm not sure if that's WHEN it will be done, or an at the "latest" date.)

I will also send one to my father, so he's warned (got that Dad?) that we MAY need a ride back home from - then (maybe) 2-3 days later, back to - the vendor (Indy, South of 465). I will wait until I get the call from them and ask how we are to get home and back to them. Maybe someone there will drive us, or maybe we can "hitch" a ride back to from the Crossroads counselor, if she's doing training near here, to go back. (That's when she really needs to be there.)

BUT, it feels a LOT closer than it has since the first vendor was talked to.

YAY!

***

AND, I JUST got the following (after entering the above):

----- Original Message -----
From: [VR Counselor]
To: [me]
Sent:
Thursday, July 27, 2006 3:36 PM
Subject: RE: Sanders [VR COUNSELOR] -
HELP, PLEASE!

Bill, I just wanted to let you know that I just faxed the authorization for
the van modification to [vendor], with my supervisor's signature on the
authorization. [VRC]

Me and VR

Hmmm... Just realized I haven't said anything about my hand-controls and lift for my van since I first said something about it A MONTH ago (Me, Myself and I: Where've I Been?)... Here's THAT situation from the beginning:

In Feb 2003, my job was "eliminated". I spent the next couple of weeks updating my resume, setting up my website, and hitting every free freakin' job board I could find, applying, re-adjusting my resumes for their formats, etc., and looking for a job for which I was qualified... My salary expectations dropped from what I had been being paid (mid-50K) to entry-level (30K) over the next few months. NOTHING! (See my site and online resumes for more, there.)

In July or so, 2003, I started talking with Voc Rehab about help finding a job. (My right foot has NO toes, anymore, and my left no big toe, and I have neuropathy 1/2 way up my calves.) This didn't keep me from walking, but I'd had enough surgeries and problems getting around while recovering, I had an old scooter and lift in my van. The scooter was way too small, and the lift was an old one my father bought from someone off their front porch... Both WORKED, but ...

From the beginning, one of the things noted by my counselor was that I needed a better/new scooter (bigger) and van modifications - A new lift, probably hand-controls, etc. to help me get around. I had a few meetings with Job Counselors, and nothing came of them (I was having foot problems - ulcers that kept coming back, etc., but made every meeting and could have made any interviews that came my way, even if were using crutches on my scooter.)

In November, 2003, I fell, tearing the quad tendon from my kneecap (completely), thus not being able to walk at all. After FINALLY getting into an orthopaedic surgeon, getting an MRI, getting back with him for him to "read" the MRI and tell me I needed surgery (why I had to go in is ANYBODY's guess... could have told me that over the phone, and we KNEW that already!), and being referred to another ortho surgeon in Indy, I had surgery to repair my knee. 5 days later, I was in a Rehab Center (read nursing home) for five weeks with a "towel rack" (external fixator - held my knee straight with bolts through my muscle into the bone) on my leg. Then they removed that, put me in a plastic, wrap-around splint set at 0 degree bending for another 5-6 weeks, then I was allowed 30 degree bending for another month or so. For that last month, I started on physical therapy. After 26 or so once- or twice-a-week visits, I could walk from my car into therapy, do the exercises, and walk back out with a cane, instead of a walker. So, most of 2004 was shot to hell as far as finding a job or being there so they could fit van mods.

Oh... While I was in the nursing home, my scooter was delivered. Nice... Problem was I couldn't ride it for some time afterward. BUT, at least I had a new scooter that would more closely fit me!. My Dad "lent" me a couple of aluminum fold-up ramps he'd had to get when my Mom had foot surgery, but with my feet, knee and new weakness/balance problems, I couldn't do much to help set them up. So, my wife, father, one of my sons, whomever was available, took me to any doctor appointments, and I occassionally went (and still go) shopping with my wife. The scooter is for the longer trips (like shopping), but I can't drive, so someone has to take me. My parents live in Lafayette half the year (about 45 minutes away), one son was going to Purdue (just graduated, looking for a job in his field), and working almost full-time, and the other lives in the Indy area with his mother (again, about 45 minutes away.)

Then, sometime late 2004 or so, I got a letter from Voc Rehab that I was being dropped, since there'd been no contact for some time. GEEZE! (I didn't hear from THEM...!) I got that straightened out, was "re-setup" for van mods, the "job" idea had turned into a "business idea", and I had to write up my proposal for VR. Meanwhile, I waited to hear from Crossroads, who evaluates and does the driver's training. I met with VR about my business idea, that would provide a possible business for me, and help for various agencies of the government dealing with these issues, and they kinda "poopoo'd" it, saying it wouldn't make any money. (It's genealogically/historically related... Ancestry has since added a database containing SOME of what I wanted to do, only it's under THEIR subscription. And very little from Indiana. Hmm... Can't make money on it? Ancestry thinks so, anyway!)

Since the attempted "drop", I kept in contact with VR via email at least once every couple of weeks. I kept reminding my counselor that I needed van mods, and couldn't do much, now, with my feet AND knee, without them.

Around May, 2005, I contacted my VR counselor to find out when I was going to hear from Crossroads, and she said she'd find out. She sent a referral in June, and I waited. For the next six weeks, I emailed her every other week or so, and every Friday or Monday (the only days she apparently reads her emails) after my emails, she MIGHT respond that she'd check on it. FINALLY, Mid-August, she contacted them and they said they'd called ME in January (I believe I had either just had or was just going in for a foot surgery), and were waiting to hear from ME.

Some time in there, all my benefits (Cobra, Severence Pay, Unemployment, and Extended Unemployment) from my prior job expired, I managed to get on Social Security Disability (which barely covers my house and bills) and Medicare (which barely covers... Well, you get the idea).

I got an appointment for a Driver Evaluation in late October, so had to wait until then. Meanwhile, I had ANOTHER surgery on my feet, and complications ensued. My podiatrist assured me that I'd be able to walk as needed for the appointment. My wife got a new job, working 3rd shift in a factory. This wasn't TOO much of a biggie, except for doctor's appointments... They needed to be early, so she could take me (I, obviously, still couldn't drive - and she wouldn't let me, anyway, and VR said the way I was driving before was probably illegal), get home, and get some sleep before waking up late afternoon/early evening.

The Crossroads appointment came, and because my walking was limited, we used a wheelchair to go in and talk with them. I FINALLY met with the Driver Evaluator, went out and she looked at how I fit in the van, and using THEIR van, had a quick test on my dexterity using hand-controls. (I did well!) She figured all the things I would need, and that was that.

So, NOW the ball's rolling the right direction, right? Huh!

In mid-November, one of the emails I sent to my VR counselor asked how things were going with my van mods. She replied that she needed to review the report, which she hadn't done YET. They FINALLY contacted NY (the people who verify the need, get the bids for the work, and make recommendations), who said the mods were not major, so would not REQUIRE us to get a new van, but I had to get mine (a 96 Gran Voyager) inspected for drivability. And, early December, they put out requests for bids.

I had questions (among them, who in Lebanon could do the type of inspection that VR would accept?), that weren't answered until late December. VR WOULD pay for the inpection, but needed an estimate. The only people in town that I knew of that could do it would charge $250 for it. GEEZE! I drove that thing to Carmel from Lebanon (30 miles) and back every weekday for years, and had very few problems. And had driven various other places (Lafayette, Indianapolis, Evansville, etc.) without a problem. Now someone would inspect it, I'm sure FIND problems that needed fixed, and I'd have to pay for them with my limited income. NICE. And if the inspection was $250, what would the "repairs" be?

Anyway, Mid January, 2006, I found that I had copies of the authorizations for Crossroads to do driver's training, but SHE (the Driving Trainer/Evaluator) had never gotten a copy. I sent them to her electronically, we set up times for her to come to Lebanon to do it, and I was "trained" using hand-controls (their van). (Most had to do with correcting the "bad habits" I'd picked up in 30+ years of driving! The idea was to "get me through the test" as well as remind me of those "errors". Within a week, my wife wanted to go van shopping. She wanted to sell her car to her daughter, whose car was in worse shape than the van (not that it was in THAT bad-a-shape, but it WAS 10 years old and over 100.000 miles on it). We went, found one (a story unto itself), I informed VR and Crossroads, it was close enough to the same that they wouldn't have to rebid the modifications, and I no longer needed the inspection.

Through February, I finally got my driver's training. In early March, I had my driver's test using hand-controls, and passed. My license was amended. This means I can't legally drive without hand-controls. (I haven't except for driving the old van home while my wife drove the new van, and it was a little scary! No... No close calls, only very nervous putting on the brakes with my partial foot after not having driven for some time!) I had understood that the bids would not have to be made again, but no one was sure until NY said the new van was close enough they didn't have to be.

In mid-April, everything was FINALLY set. All (2) bids were in, we knew who it would be, and it would be done quickly, right? Huh!

We talked to the low-bidders to verify they could do it, and things looked good. THEN, for the next few months, my VR counselor tried, I tried, even my father (closer to them) tried to get hold of them. All VR needed was a "completion date" and authorizations could be sent. NOTHING.

Voc Rehab FINALLY (mid-July) contacted the people they go through in NY to ask what to do when the "low bidder" (apparently required by the state, unless I can cough up the bucks to make up the difference which I can't) doesn't respond to them OR me, and my counselor, someone higher up in VR, and I all received copies (the next day) recommending we go with the higher bid. That was July 11th.

It's now July 23rd, and I haven't heard word one from VR for a while (again). I have no clue what's going on. I can't get my couselor to respond to email. She's only in the main office Monday and Friday (and apparently that's the ONLY time she even LOOKS at her email or anything to do with emails she's received.)

I've kept Crossroads "in the loop" and apparently, my VR counselor DOES respond when SHE asks a question, but not me (at least all the time).

My last email to her forwarded a copy of my July 14th email and follows:

From: Bill Sanders
To: [VR Counselor]
Cc: [Crossroads Trainer]
Sent: Friday, July 21, 2006 3:35 PM
Subject: Fw: Sanders [Counselor] - HELP, PLEASE!

[Counselor],

What's going on? It's been two weeks since I asked, three since [NY] said "use [High-bidder]".

I don't understand why I don't get answers to my questions ("Will THEY contact me to set up an appointment?" and "Let me know if I need to do anything.", and most especially "What's happening with this?".)

At this point, unless [High-bidder] can get on it right away, I guess there's NO CHANCE to get it done before Chris' daughter has her baby.

Please help us get this finished.

Bill

[That email refers to the prior email, sent July 14, that said:]

I kind of expected to hear from you today about this, since [NY] sent it last Tuesday...

So, what happens now? I assume you:

• probably have to get permission to use the higher bid
• contact Superior for a Completion Date
• (maybe forward them the package of work, again, since it's been so long)
• send (can you fax, it's faster) the authorization for them to do it under FSSA/VocRehab auspices
• and what...(?) Will THEY contact me to set up an appointment?

Let me know if I need to do anything. You know I have copies of all MY emails to and from you, me, [Crossroads] and [NY], if you need any of them.

Chris' [my wife's] daughter is going to have a baby in Fort Branch/Evansville area, and they were talking about around August 8th. Chris is "waiting for the call" to zip down there to be with her in the delivery room. She's afraid the old van won't make it, so will need to drive the new van then. I would LIKE to try to get it done before then, if at ALL possible.

Any chance?

It's been ALMOST THREE YEARS since I've driven (except that one time, training and testing) and with it so close I can taste it, I'm antsy. When all this started gas was HIGH at $1.40 or so per gallon. NOW it's $3.00 per gallon. I probably won't be able to do the business I'd thought of because of this. It would have required me to drive around the county. If I had been able to when I could, I MIGHT have actually been making enough money to cover the gas. Now...

And so I wait...

Where've I Been?

Ok... So I'm not very good at "keeping up" as far as journalling my activities and interests go. Sorry!

I've been working on adding new content to and revamping Orange Frog Productions (my website.) I'm trying to do as much as possible in CSS and SSIs. Currently, the site uses external javascripts for some of the formatting, and this causes the warning bar to appear. I've worked out some problems (using divs, a class to indent instead of "blockquote" and other things), and am working on splitting the site into three sections (main, personal and scams/shams... ) with a link to my subweb, LYAO OnLine. It will take a while to convert all the current pages to the new styles (especially with working on other things), but I believe it will be well worth it.

Speaking of LYAO, I'm continually adding to the LYAO subweb... I'm revamping and adding all the old LYAO joke-letters to the site. So far, I've got between 60-70 from 1998 in there... a few more months of those and I can start on 1999! Then only 6-8 more years to go! WHEW! I didn't realize I'd put out so many of them! AND, after a hiatus, I'm pretty-much back to sending them out at least once-a-week.

I've also been working on some genealogy (distant cousins). I'm having problems finding my great-great grandmother (Florence Elizabeth Rawlings/Rawlins/Rollings/Rollins/etc. b:06/1860 IN, d:03/07/1920 Sheridan IN, m:12/18/1877 Hamilton County, IN to John Charles Freemont Emry/Emery b:1857 OH) ) with her parents in ANY census records (I use Ancestry.com.) My only conclusion at this point is that I have the wrong parents for her (Aaron and Hester A (Stephens) Rawlings/Rawlins/etc.?) Anyone have any ideas? (This and the following paragraph may appear in a genealogy category/section of this blog, too.)

BTW: Those of you with ties and/or relatives from around Sheridan, Noblesville and Boxley, Hamilton County, IN and Lebanon, Boone County, IN should know there's a great monthly newsletter put out by Barb Hiatt of Lebanon (formerly of Sheridan area). The site is www.sheridannews.net. The newsletter is called "Our Home Town" and past newsletters are archived. Barb gathers and posts information about the happenings in these areas, the obits and asks for "memories". I have found hundreds of items on family members (many distant and many not-so-distant) cousins and relatives in the archives. You can sign up for the newsletter on the main page. The archives are "passworded" (a simple password to remember) and there's a pretty good search engine used in them. Barb is "genealogically inclined", so tries to make sure there's family information in the obits. Check it out.

I'm STILL waiting to get hand-controls and other modifications to my van through Voc Rehab (see OFP, What's New(s) for more). I can't believe that it's taken almost three (3!) years to get to the point where at least we have the bids and are just waiting on a completion date from the vendor so authorizations can be sent out. I can "get out" now and then, when I have someone to drive me and help get my scooter out of the back of the van using aluminium ramps. (I can walk some, but if I will have to walk very far, I need to use the scooter.)

My son graduated from Purdue, May 12th, and because my wife works third shift and sleeps during the day, and because I couldn't ask my 70+yo father to help with the ramps, I couldn't go. (Ok... and because of the hassle of driving a scooter around Purdue with all the students and parents and...)

My uncle's girlfriend's mother and uncle - her mother's brother - passed away just a few days ago (within a couple of hours of each other) and, for the same reasons, I couldn't go.

Luckily (if you want to call it that - scheduled for a Friday, so my wife could sleep after it), I made it to my ex-wife's mother's viewing a couple of weeks ago. ("Ex-wife's mother?" you ask. Yes. I spent 15 years with my ex and had two boys. The divorce was between me and HER, not her family, and her mother was STILL my sons' grandmother... Right? Even if we didn't get along, I needed to at least "make an appearance".)

If my van was modified, I'd have at least had the option, the prior times. GEEZE!

And, of course, all the "good" television shows (as far as I'm concerned) have been running their season finales.

I don't know how well I'll do on "keeping up" here, but I guess we'll see. Check out those links (and the ones on the side.

Later