What was your happiest moment today?

[athena53]

I've been going back and forth with Overseas Adventure Travel since I got back from my trip early last month. Spectacular trip- one of the best of the 8 I've taken with them- but got home and found a letter dated two days before I left that arrived after I left saying my Trip Protection (travel insurance coverage) had been "removed" and they were issuing me a refund. So, I was hiking to glaciers in freezing weather in Patagonia, attempting to tango in Buenos Aires and climbing up mountains on Easter Island with no insurance other than the $50K from my Medicare supplement.

Did I mention that I was 7 months post-open heart surgery to replace a mitral valve? (Cardiologist was OK with my travel and thank heaven I had no health issues at all.)

I have 3 more trips booked with them and called because I was extremely concerned. No, it should not have happened. No, they don't know why it happened. No, they couldn't cancel the Trip Protection on the 3 future trips I've booked. Finally I sent a tactful letter to the person who had written to me proposing 3 solutions. Not surprisingly, they did not agree to the idea of sending me a letter accepting full responsibility for medical claims if this happened again. They did, however, agree to cancel the 3 policies. I have since learned from friends in the travel insurance business that they collect a nice commission on these plans and that excellent coverage is available for far less.

So- I'm getting a nice refund and after a $150 goodwill credit (in addition to $100 they gave me when I first called about the problem) I have money to buy my own coverage AND money left over for more travel. I've already got my eye on a trip for early 2028. God willing.

 

[athena53]

Happiest moment? My boy and his partner had a baby boy about a week ago. He has been in the NICU for about a week. Just a bit early. Last thing he needs to do is drink 60 ml of his formula. He about 60-70% right now. I held him feeding for about 3 hours today with 20 minutes of feeding. It was wonderful. I've held him almost every day but today seemed especially wonderful

I've read that some hospitals have volunteers who come in just to cuddle and talk to premature babies because the human contact is what makes them thrive. You're already doing your new grandson a world of good.

 

[CO-guy]

I arrived about an hour early for my regular volunteer shift at the Senior Center in order to meet the kitchen manager and tour the facility. There are a few days over the next few months when they need help in the kitchen. The manager was please to learn that I'm experienced in commercial kitchens, and that I don't mind peeling (a lot of) potatoes

 

[athena53]

My son just called. He started taking actuarial exams four years ago at age 37 after 13 years in claims, marriage and 3 kids. These are tough exams. I know because I took them but finished all 10 before he was born. He just found out he passed his 4th on the second attempt. (Multiple attempts are par for the course- my last took 3 attempts.)

I am so proud of him. It took 4 years of a private military boarding school for HS and a counselor to help him manage his ADD when he nearly flunked out of college, but miracles happen.

 

[athena53]

And... this was my happiest moment yesterday, but I'm posting it now since it was last night.

I'm 10 months post-open heart surgery to replace my mitral valve. I'm still breathless on exertion but am exercising at higher heart rates and my cardiologist is very happy with my progress. I've been participating in the local corporate athletic contest since 2004, missing one year due to a job change and 2020-2025 due to COVID and deteriorating stamina, but ventured back in to some of the tamer events this year. My 5K was 51 minutes compared to 42 minutes in 2019. Not happy with that, but last night I did the 50-yard backstroke and the 50-yard free, competing as a retiree of a previous employer. Scoring is by age group and company size class and you get "meet points" if you finish in the top 3 in your age group/company size class and extra "medal points" for the team if you finish in the top 3 in your age group overall.

I am not a world-class athlete. Never was. I just outlasted my peers. I'm now in the 70+ age group. I didn't notice how many were on the blocks with me but I placed third overall in my age group and took home a bronze medal- my first medal in all those years of competing although I've gotten many from meet points. I wasn't sure I'd show up for tomorrow's 100-yard Free but now I'm stoked.

Official results haven't been posted yet. I keep hitting "Refresh". I sure hope there were more than 3 of us racing in that age group.

 

[Koolau]

We are proud of you, athena53. All the best for continued recovery and improvement.

 

[pacergal]

Waking up to cooler weather and fixing a hearty breakfast for DGS, age 10, who is here with his Dad for the weekend. I swear he has grown since last week!
My Grandkids are the delight of my life

 

[Car-Guy]

Did the XM radio dance today. Only took 3 to 4 minutes this time to save $100.

 

[Koolau]

Gas at $2.94!

Traveling through Indiana Sunday on way back from a reunion of sorts. Stopped at a Sams gas station and bought a tank full of gas at $2.84/gallon!! Somebody said the Gubner of the state had rolled back all the State gas tax. Nice. I have't paid that little for gas in many years.

 

[athena53]

It's still early in the day but Fidelity FINALLY gave me access to the funds from the sale of my house. Wire transfer had failed (the title company directed it to my trust account but I gave them the checking account info) so they overnighted a check, which I deposited using the mobile phone app. It ended up being a hold of 4 business days.

This allowed me to wire the money I promised to my stepson- I've covered this in other threads but the TLDR is that I bought him off with $50K because it turned out that the way the deed was written when late DH and I bought the house, his estate owned part of it after he died. I'd thought it all reverted to the trust that was in my name only. I found this out a week before the scheduled closing and it could have derailed everything. Stepson smelled money and $50K motivated him to sign a deed relinquishing his share.