Living in Alaska

Since Michael is in Anchorage and all his medical providers and benefits are there it seemed only natural for Sue and I to be there with him. While this provides Michael (and us) a first hand knowledge of his medical status and constant support it has had unintended consequences. Too much of a good thing is no longer good!

We were all staying at brother Billy's house (get Sue to tell you her experience with a large black bear) and this was just a bit too much of a family reunion. No real problems, Bill and Jamie provided hospitality and help daily.There were just to many adults in a confined area. As a solution Sue and I found a furnished "corporate type" apartment with a heated garage, which reduced the adult population by 40%. In Alaska a carport or plain garage just won't do. The heated garage is a big deal and proving older mental process still work, we were thinking ahead. Ahead to the coming winter and real snow and temperatures of 30 degrees below zero F, before wind chill.

With our own space we setup a small office and communications center. This provides us with a place to work with medical providers and the State of Alaska and Social Security. Every new medical group and benefits provider requires a minimum of 10 pounds of paper work and will require you to go back to page 7, item A,a,3 for an authorization code. With out this code you must go back to several steps, do not go past Go and collect $200, and get in line, a representative will be with you soon! While this process tested my well known patience, we have received friendly knowledgeable support and help, beyond normal expectations! If you are wondering where friendly help and customer service has gone, look no farther than Anchorage, AK. Or, rather you need to go as far as Anchorage since it is a 7 hour flight from DFW and Atlanta.

All was working well until we realized that our home in Georgia was vacant, needing attention and our pets were being cared for by friends that really didn't like pets all that much.

You should begin to notice a common trend here, regardless of my self congratulations for thinking ahead. This is a very fluid situation with the situation subject to change with out notice. So, the plan is amended. One of will stay in Anchorage to support Michael and one will stay in Peachtree City.

Then, we will switch places about every 30 days.