Well, I didn't let this day - 1/20 - get ruined.

[pablo_marmol]

This was my late mother's birthday. I decided that I would spend the entire day reliving fond memories of Mom. Worked pretty damn well overall.

Today as I was getting my hair cut, the stylist had me aimed at the TV set.....and I had to close my eyes. Luckily the sound was off so as not to clash with the stereo, which proceeded to feature Stevie Ray Vaughan's The Sky is Cryin'. Given the hard rain outside, I almost broke down right then and there. That was the only tough spot in my day. Otherwise, memories of Mom kept me sane.

That's all.

[pkdu]

1. WELL DONE! NT

[pablo_marmol]

2. Thanks pkdu.

There's always going to be emotional challenges. I found out a couple of weeks ago that cancer has returned to a dear friend of mine. He's had two bone marrow transplants for bone cancer.....beat it back twice.....but all of his friends are bracing for the worst at this point. He's diabetic and on dialysis.

[pkdu]

3. Sorry to hear that PM - makes me detest the Republicans even more for what they are doing. nt

[pablo_marmol]

4. Indeed.

Fortunately for my friends, she worked for UCSD medicine, and they have absolutely deluxe medical coverage for life.....which is damn important because in addition to his struggles, she has MS.

That said, I'm not happy with my team for not going after industries that are raking in money while giving their employees crappy benefits.

I have a policy with $40 doctor visits, a $3,000 deductible and $6,000 annual maximum. I'll need to max out soon as I decide whether to do hip-replacement surgery before rotator cuff surgery, or the other way around.

Thank you very much for your concern.