January/Medicare

Our weather has been all over the place.  Warm and sunny for a few days and then cold and rainy then thunderstorms, heavy rain and dropping temperatures into the 50's.  I'm not complaining as it is not white and frozen!  We can still get out and walk, in spite of the funky weather.  It is good to winter in Galveston.

I spent the past couple of weeks investigating Medicare Supplemental plans.  Yep, got my Medicare card in the mail the last week of December and will go on Medicare April 1st.  I was totally at a loss when it came to knowing anything about my options and coverage available.  I have read two books on all the plans available and also requested the AARP information packet from United Healthcare.  As we travel full time, I can't take an Advantage plan as most are linked to HMO/PPO, with in-network services only, except for emergency situations.  Also, having a permanent domicile address in Texas limits my options.  So I thought by the end of January I would be stark raving mad but instead signed up for both Part F with AARP/UnitedHealth and Part D with Humana - all choices were based upon my medical history.

It has been quiet here on the island but we beginning to see the build up for Mardi Gras.  Every store is decorated in green, gold and purple along with quite a few houses, especially along 25th street.  I've been told it is a lot of fun and not scary like it can get in New Orleans.  The family parades begin January 29th.   I have purchased masks for Tawn and I to wear for our day downtown and Mike has declared it to be a 'no driving' day.  He has also stated there is no reason for him to wear a mask as he won't do anything where his identity would have to be hidden.  Ha!!  We will get a taxi for transport both ways.

And no post from me would be complete without a food update.  We have found another wonderful little restaurant, The Gumbo Diner, for breakfast.  They have a limited menu, as most diners do, but they also have fresh, steaming hot, made when you order them beignets.  If you have never had a fresh beignet, you haven't tasted heaven!!  They also come very heavily dusted with powdered sugar.  (I did not say this was a health food establishment!!)  WARNING:  Do not inhale as you take a bite or you will cough your lungs out!!  In addition to the beignets, they also have homemade sausage and they make their own tortillas for huevos ranchero, which has been Mike's "go to" choice so far.

Here is hoping all of our northern and east coast friends and family stay safe and warm during Storm Jonas...and when did they start naming winter storms???  I thought that was only for hurricanes?