Let's All Have A Chat Showing 7,701-7,750 of 12,341

[Amber]

Not bad, Sean.

[Brenda]

Congratulations, Sean!!

[Patricia]

Congratulations Sean!

[Groovy]

Congratulations, Sean. Are you going to retire now so you can play tennis full time?:)

[Sean, Moderator]

I would love to retire, and will as soon as I can.

No Mortgage, no car payments.

But a few jobs on the house, ready to make things easy for when we do retire.

We are getting some plumbing done, for the heating. new wiring to make things easier, insulation of the house, the house painted, then the house painted inside, new bed, new front garden.

All these things will make life easier when we retire, my wife has done 40 years with Lloyds Bank in September, and can start her pension, but I think will stay a year or so, so we can both retire.

If not before, life is to busy to work !!

[David]

Not wanting to wish my life away, but I look forward to retirement. Congrats, Sean.

[Sean, Moderator]

That's the problem.

You cannot wait for retirement, but sadly it means your getting older!

[sonya]

I've had a lot of ankle sprains so my dr fit me with two braces

[Groovy]

What a wonderful plan you have for you and the Mrs.; good for you!! Remember, Sean, you're not getting older, just a lot more wiser!!! I bet you'll still be jumping over those tennis nets in your 90's:)

I'm so sorry to hear that, Sonya. How long will you have to wear them? My ankle is so weak, I need braces...

[sonya]

The rest of my life

[Sean, Moderator]

I had surgery on both my ankles in 2010, as with my tennis sprained both of them many times.

So when I was playing it felt like I was going over on my ankles(outwards)

Massive reconstruction on both, arthritis in both , removed cleaned, straightened, I was off for one year, had blood clots and 17 blood clots on the lungs.

Then in 2011 I played for Jersey winning then last mixed doubles match, it felt fantastic.

Now with my work and walking, and tennis I have no problems, that surgeon (James Calder) did a fantastic job on them ankles, just unfortunate with the DVT.

So I know so well how hard it is to have pain in both ankles, how hard it is to walk with crutches, and to recover from the pain of surgery.

My heart goes out to those that have no cure and pain all the time, it is so heartbreaking and frustrating.

I was lucky than my work paid for all my surgery and physco, with my private health cover.

I had a whole year of massages paid for !! by my private health !!

[Janet , Moderator]

To anyone watching the Super Bowl tonight. Enjoy! Am I right that Coldplay are performing at halftime?

[Groovy]

Sonya wrote: "The rest of my life"
Hang in there, Sonya...

Yes, Janet, Coldplay is performing, along with a host of others...

Sean, for one, I thought England had free medical coverage, two--you have a good job where they paid for everything. I lost my insurance, and I'm just hoping I don't have an accident or catch something:) I don't know what DVT is... but I'm sorry.

[Janet , Moderator]

Yes, Groovy, I watched the performance then came up to bed. DVT is deep vein thrombosis - blood clots.

[Sean, Moderator]

Groovy,

Not part of Great Britain, but part of the UK.

We have are own medical system here in Jersey.

But our work pay for health insurance for myself and my wife.

My surgery in London, was paid for and the flight there and back.

The surgery alone was 26,000 pounds, so how lucky am I do have private care.

You retire you lose that, unless you want to pay for it yourself.

DVT as mentioned by Janey

then the worse part is the Pulmonary Embolism which is the blood clots going to your lungs.

Goes to your heart or brain, your die instantly !

I was given a minute to live in hospital, and spent 5 days not moving at ALL !

But survived to be here with you all !

And of course play tennis again!

[Janet , Moderator]

I wasn't aware of that Sean. What will you have to do when you do retire?

[Sean, Moderator]

The Channel Islands is not in the EU.

Hopefully have enough money for private health.(PPP-Axa) is what my company use at the moment, or BUPA, but it is expensive.

To see a doctor here in Jersey for a 10 minute appointment is £39.00, antiobics are free through Social Security.

Dentists and doctors are so expensive here.

Last year Tracey and myself had to have work done at the dentist, it cost 2, 500 pounds!

[Sean, Moderator]

Jersey is such an expensive place to live.

Shopping is much more expensive. One litre of mily 1.17 pounds, bread is nearly 2.00 loaf.

[Guy]

Sean wrote: "Jersey is such an expensive place to live.

Shopping is much more expensive. One litre of mily 1.17 pounds, bread is nearly 2.00 loaf."

Am I right in thinking there's no VAT in Jersey?

[Sean, Moderator]

No VAT

But we have GST, which is nearly the same, not quite so high

[Guy]

Sean wrote: "No VAT

But we have GST, which is nearly the same, not quite so high"

Oh, that's a shame Sean. Great income tax rates though.

[Sean, Moderator]

Yes, much better than the UK.

20%

[Groovy]

It's no better here in the US, either. The entire medical system is extremely expensive.They started what's called, "Obama care", and that only made things worse.

People are dying because pharmaceutical companies have tripled the prices of certain life-saving medicines. What once was $32 a pill (and remember, you have to buy enough for a month) is now $300 A PILL, so people have no choice but die, and it's so sad that when it comes to health care, we all lose if we can't afford it...

[Gopal]

Groovy wrote: "It's no better here in the US, either. The entire medical system is extremely expensive.They started what's called, "Obama care", and that only made things worse.

People are dying because pharmace..."

Corporate greed is the root cause. We have become a society where luxury and money is revered rather than humanity and morals. This was bound to happen.

[Amber]

Groovy wrote: "It's no better here in the US, either. The entire medical system is extremely expensive.They started what's called, "Obama care", and that only made things worse.

People are dying because pharmace..."

I'm one of he people that had their medical situation made BETTER by the AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. Please DO NOT deride it by calling it "Obamacare!"

How was my situation made better?

BY getting medical insurance again since I had not been covered since I moved BACK to IL. from AZ. I'd gone more than a DECADE w/o my insulin because I could not financially afford it after loosing the Arizona equivalent of Medicaid.

For Sean and anyone else on this thread in the UK or the EU: You loose one state's Medicaid when you are no longer a resident of that state. Took me from 2003 to 2007 to get my SSI and through that Medicaid and through Medicaid my current medical insurance. I didnlt get Meridian until 2014, though because that's when the ACA officially took effect.

Gopal: Yep.

[Groovy]

Well, whatever you call it, Amber, it doesn't work for everyone. But congrats to you for benefiting from it, even though you may not like the source of "IT'S" implementer...

And you're right, Gopal. If it weren't for corporate greed, the problem of medical care would be have been solved long ago...

[Gopal]

Groovy wrote: "Well, whatever you call it, Amber, it doesn't work for everyone. But congrats to you for benefiting from it, even though you may not like the source of "IT'S" implementer...

And you're right, Gopa..."

Unfortunately greed has become so common that it has become the norm. The world did not necessarily change for the better when we started equating success and quality of life with having more money.

[HornFan2]

Amber wrote: "Groovy wrote: "It's no better here in the US, either. The entire medical system is extremely expensive.They started what's called, "Obama care", and that only made things worse.

People are dying b..."

And our Medical System from Insure to all the Corporate Hospitals are also using 'Obama Care' as you call it to also f%$k everyone even more, since they greedily want more $$$$$$$ and even when we didn't have the 'Obama Care' they still were f#$king us.

So Groovy don't just blame Obama for it now!!!

[Groovy]

Oh, I don't blame Obama, HornFan2, this problem goes waaaay back. I was just using the name everyone has given it. It just really bothers me that if someone can't afford decent insurance, they will literally stand by and let you die--and it's legal!!

Well, I'm sure the Moderators would love for us to chat about something more cheerful now--LOL!

[HornFan2]

Groovy wrote: "Oh, I don't blame Obama, HornFan2, this problem goes waaaay back. I was just using the name everyone has given it. It just really bothers me that if someone can't afford decent insurance, they will..."

Old news, I knew several people that died back in the late 80's who couldn't afford to eat and pay for their meds. Also know someone currently who even with the Affordable Health Care Act makes too much money to qualify for it, works for a employer who has four employees can't afford insurance regardless of what Obama did and luckily for them 3 of the 4 meds he takes Walmart sells for $4.00 on their generic meds planned.

[Amber]

Groovy wrote: "Well, whatever you call it, Amber, it doesn't work for everyone. But congrats to you for benefiting from it, even though you may not like the source of "IT'S" implementer...

And you're right, Gopa..."

Not my fault it doesn't work for everyone. It's the fault of the people working to make sure it DOESN'T work...in other words the insurance companies and the politicians(regardless of party) who don't like the fact we've had a biracial man in the WH since 2008.

Gopal: That's been a problem since money was invented.

Horn: Preaching to the choir, man, about the pharmaceutical co.'s (bleeping) us.

Groovy (again): Probably. Re: "Well, I'm sure the Moderators would love for us to chat about something more cheerful now--LOL! "

Mike (again): Ouch.

My only personal problem with my insurance is that the dentist it DOES cover is too far away from me to get to on foot but the one I CAN get to on foot isn't covered by it so I still gotta pay out of pocket. Have had some problems with my bank accounts these past two months so never got my last 2015 dental cleaning.

[Groovy]

...in other words the insurance companies and the politicians(regardless of party) who don't like the fact we've had a biracial man in the WH since 2008.

Exactly, Amber!!! Hit the nail right on the head!

[Amber]

I occasionally get it right, Groovy.

[sonya]

Everything is too far from me on foot so have cab everywhere

[Amber]

I can't afford cabs all the time.

[Kirsten]

Sonya wrote: "Everything is too far from me on foot so have cab everywhere"

Yeah, I live in a community with not very good transit. So, I depend on my mother's help to get around as I do not drive anymore due to my seizure disorder.

Cabs can be really expensive. Especially depending where you live.

[Groovy]

I have a personal chauffeur--she's called "daughter"...

[Sean, Moderator]

LOL !

[Heather]

Groovy wrote: "I have a personal chauffeur--she's called "daughter"..."

Sounds great. Unfortunately, it works the other way round in our house. I think we must be doing something wrong. :)

[Amber]

Unless your kids aren't old enough to have a license of their own yet, Heather.

[Heather]

Amber wrote: "Unless your kids aren't old enough to have a license of their own yet, Heather."
One of them can drive. We keep offering to put him on our insurance during his university holidays so he can keep practicing, but he turns us down. My daughter hasn't learnt yet although she's old enough.

[Amber]

Ah. Have fun teaching her.

[Janet , Moderator]

I will never .... ever.... understand hoarding. Just so sad in some cases.

*yes I'm watching hoarding again!*

[Lisa]

Heather wrote: "Amber wrote: "Unless your kids aren't old enough to have a license of their own yet, Heather."
One of them can drive. We keep offering to put him on our insurance during his university holidays so ..."

I have noticed that with the younger generation. They do not want to drive. When I was growing up it meant freedom and I wanted that bad, lol.

[Lisa]

Janet wrote: "I will never .... ever.... understand hoarding. Just so sad in some cases.

*yes I'm watching hoarding again!*"

I used to watch a show years ago about hoarding. I was amazed and appalled at the same time. I believe it truly is a sickness. Have you ever read The House We Grew Up In? You might like it. The mother is a hoarder and saves everything. It shows how it affects the whole family.

[Lisa]

BTW, congrats Sean.

[Janet , Moderator]

Will definitely check that out, Lisa. Been a few years since I've read a Lisa Jewell book. I've really liked what I've read in the past. :)

[Heather]

Amber wrote: "Ah. Have fun teaching her."
Ooh, I think I'll leave that to the driving instructor - too stressful. :)

[Heather]

Lisa wrote: "Heather wrote: "Amber wrote: "Unless your kids aren't old enough to have a license of their own yet, Heather."
One of them can drive. We keep offering to put him on our insurance during his univers..."
Yes, you've got a point there Lisa. My son can't afford a car yet, but we've offered to let him use ours during his holidays so that he can keep practicing but he's not interested. My daughter had some lessons but she hated it. I'm wondering whether I may have put them off as I hate driving. I think it's just so stressful these days as the roads are so busy (in the UK).

[Lisa]

Heather wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Heather wrote: "Amber wrote: "Unless your kids aren't old enough to have a license of their own yet, Heather."
One of them can drive. We keep offering to put him on our insurance durin..."

Are you in an area that has good public transportation? I can see kids not wanting to drive when that is the case.

I am seeing kids not wanting to drive here and in relatively rural areas. The kids just don't want to drive anymore. Then again they are also leaving home later and later.