Personal Update

(For politics, please scroll down)

Overwhelmed here on the home front!

So, why have I been nearly AWOL from the blogosphere?

Short list, in no particular order:

1) Obtaining my Real ID Driver's License.  What a nightmare, one that has turned me into a rabid libertarian!  The DMV rejected my original birth certificate of registration — never mind that the certificate is signed and sealed by the state of Virginia. My certificate of marriage was also rejected because it was signed by clergy, never mind that he was acting on behalf of the court. Each of these rejected documents was good enough when I got my driver's license in 1967 and effected the name change in 1972 after I married. But not now! Hours upon hours waiting at the DMV before I got to the service window, the clerk of which obtained official copies of the needed documents through Virginia-government web sites; this immediate option was available only because I was born in Virginia and was married in Virginia.  All in all, this little experience cost me nearly $100. Last Friday, we headed out to the DMV again — that time, for Mr. AOW to get his Real ID. Fortunately, the process for him took only an hour: handicapped priority.

2) Upgrade to Windows 10 required for my unwieldy and heavy "big machine" computer, which I had to lug into the repair shop. Down the flight of stairs here to lug the thing into the shop, back up the stairs to put the upgraded machine back into my office. I couldn't call my cousin-in-law to help me because he was recently diagnosed with cancer and is too depressed to do much of anything except for getting his final papers in order and pursuing treatment.  Nor could I call our good friend Steve; he had a massive stroke a few weeks ago.  Major back pain resulted from this foray with the computer, but the machine is working, and I can easily access and modify all files, including photos,  education files, and medical files.

3) Breakdown of Mr. AOW's mobility scooter. Four miles off site, of course!  I had to scramble to find a way to fetch Mr. AOW and his scooter back home. On the way to fetching Mr. AOW and his scooter, I had a car accident.  In order to get the scooter repaired, we had to use a private shop and pay various fees (but not for parts, still under warranty, albeit barely).  Repairs for the scooter could have been effected for free, but the Medicare provider for the scooter didn't answer the phone and didn't return returned my call until six days later. I am now in the process of filing a formal complaint against the derelict medical provider for mobility devices.

4) Breakdown of our handicapped van, which required nearly $2300 in repairs. The brakes and steering were compromised, so there was no way to delay the repairs.  The garage also found major problems with the exhaust and steering systems. Last year, I paid good money for exhaust repair; apparently, that repair was never completed. Yet another example of a garage "using the pencil" and scamming a customer — a handicapped customer at that.

5) Ongoing major clean out of papers accumulated by my ancestors and other family members for nearly a century.  Among those papers, I found a 1918 deed!  Apparently, my ancestors threw away few "important papers." As a result, I'm left with the herculean task of scrutinizing every batch of papers before tossing anything into the trash or the shred box.  So far, I have sorted through four huge Rubbermaid tubs filled with folders, documents, and memorabilia.  I have several more tubs to go.  This is going to be a busy summer! Not only a busy summer but also a busy fall; The Merry Widow will come here in a few months to help me with the sorting and disposition of long-languishing items crammed into every nook and cranny of This Old House, in my family more than 70 years.

I have more items of agony to relate, but no time to relate them.

Thanks to Silverfiddle and Warren for helping me out with this blog while I'm struggling through trials comparable to those of Job!