The Evolution of Atlas: A Breeding (and Chat) Thread

[Leahs Mom]

So sorry to hear all the situations y'all are in. It always makes wish we could retire just do some things before it's too late. Hubby will be 66 in June. I keep wondering just how much money we'd need in savings to actually retire. We weren't very smart with saving when we were young. I think we need to talk to a retirement planning person and tell them what the situation is and get an understanding of the reality of what we could/couldn't do.

 

[speckledhen]

Was his doctor familiar with Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR)? It's fairly new here in the US, and not all spinal doctors know the procedure, so they push their own fusing agenda, but only if they think they can get big insurance money. Several months ago, my cousin had the fusion done. Her Xrays look like they put part of the hardware aisle at Home Depot in her back. Last month, she had to have it all redone. One of the screws popped out, so the rods didn't stay secured. She's still healing, and they don't want to start physical therapy yet, until they're sure she's healed enough. Very painful. On the other hand, my daughter was in a car accident, and just had the ADR surgery done. Tiny incision, and a week later she began physical therapy. Some discomfort, but no major pain. She's regained feeling in her left shoulder, arm, and hand. I don't know what the qualifications are, but it's a far better option.

If insurance won't pay for it, we can't do it. Tricare for Life and Medicare is what we're dealing with now. Our doctor referred him to the orthopedic surgeon who told him that there was nothing to do for him.

So sorry to hear all the situations y'all are in. It always makes wish we could retire just do some things before it's too late. Hubby will be 66 in June. I keep wondering just how much money we'd need in savings to actually retire. We weren't very smart with saving when we were young. I think we need to talk to a retirement planning person and tell them what the situation is and get an understanding of the reality of what we could/couldn't do.

This is why, when my husband was less than 23 years old, he decided on a military career. At that time, we were promised free medical for life if he retired from the Air Force. Well, as all gov't promises are, the free medical never happened. And it goes up every year. And they are super chintzy with what they'll pay for, too, so many doctors refuse to take it. Now, his primary is Medicare, with TriCare for Life supposedly picking up the remainder, if it's covered. Mine is still Tricare Prime. But, he has a monthly pension, albeit rather small, so that was excellent foresight on his part. Smart guy even when he was young.

 

[speckledhen]

@oldhenlikesdogs Lisa, I meant to say that your bunnies are adorable. But, are they just pets? Do you sell the young? I wonder what folks do with them that don't raise them for meat unless you use their litter to fertilize stuff?

 

[getaclue]

My dad worked for a civil service branch of the govt. that contracted out to the military. He did get his free private medical insurance for life. It was blue cross blue shield. The other incentive, was a $150,000.00 whole life insurance policy. For all those years, he worked, his life insurance policy was paid by the people he worked for, and he kept it in force after he retired. He bought another whole life insurance policy privately, so my mother would be adequately provided for, for the rest of her life. My mother predeceased him, so when he died I was named as his beneficiary. That's when I discovered something, which still angers me, and I don't understand how it's legal.

It seems that when you get whole life insurance, no matter the value of the policy, or how many years you pay into it, once the insured becomes 65 years of age, the face value is automatically reduced by half. Every year after that, it's reduced by a certain percentage. He, and his employer paid for about $300,000.00 worth of life insurance. At his age, when he died, and after they did their nonsense, it was worth $125.000.00. I began talking to my friends about it. Several said I was crazy, but started checking on their life insurance policies too. They found out I was right. I don't know when it was passed into law, but it was. I don't understand how they got away with it. Now the govt. complains about the cost of caring for the elderly, yet they have helped steal from widows, so they can't take care of themselves.

 

[speckledhen]

Cheryl, this is how it all works and we have zero control on what is done to us. The military is even worse. They own you, you offer up your life, you get zippo. I didn't know about that insurance. We have a two-for-one policy with USBA, which used to pay 100K, but we had to reduce it when costs got too high because of Tom's age, so now, it will pay 50K on whichever dies first....up until it completely goes away when he turns 70 or 75, not sure which. We have no other life insurance and will get no other. Too expensive. What we have is the value of this property. That's it. And Tom's pension, which we have little faith in since I would not put it past them to snatch away "just because". That will leave millions of veterans with zero income other than SS, if they're getting it already, not enough to live on.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

@oldhenlikesdogs Lisa, I meant to say that your bunnies are adorable. But, are they just pets? Do you sell the young? I wonder what folks do with them that don't raise them for meat unless you use their litter to fertilize stuff?

They are going to be just my pets. My niece will take a couple. I wanted a few more bunnies to get out of my system. I just like feeding them and petting them. They are actually pretty smart critters with the personality of a cat.

My long term plan was to try bunnies after all my goats are gone but I got ahead of myself. They aren't really much trouble, except during puberty, when they turn into dingleberries for a few months. They are quick to feed and care for, and each has it's own personality.

I was born to keep critters. I can't help it. I always wanted to work in a zoo. I ended up making my own personal zoo. I have always just liked being with animals more than people.

It is terrible how we treat our veterans in this country. I don't understand how the government can decide stuff like paying public servants for their whole lives even when they are removed from office or retire, as an example, is a better use of our tax money than taking care of veterans properly. Government officials always make sure their pockets are lined and padded, why not veterans who are also public servants? They always say my vote matter, but so far I haven't seen that it has mattered for anything.

 

[robhuncor]

They are going to be just my pets. My niece will take a couple. I wanted a few more bunnies to get out of my system. I just like feeding them and petting them. They are actually pretty smart critters with the personality of a cat.

My long term plan was to try bunnies after all my goats are gone but I got ahead of myself. They aren't really much trouble, except during puberty, when they turn into dingleberries for a few months. They are quick to feed and care for, and each has it's own personality.

I was born to keep critters. I can't help it. I always wanted to work in a zoo. I ended up making my own personal zoo. I have always just liked being with animals more than people.

It is terrible how we treat our veterans in this country. I don't understand how the government can decide stuff like paying public servants for their whole lives even when they are removed from office or retire, as an example, is a better use of our tax money than taking care of veterans properly. Government officials always make sure their pockets are lined and padded, why not veterans who are also public servants? They always say my vote matter, but so far I haven't seen that it has mattered for anything.

My sentiments exactly - on everything you just said; about veterans not getting enough, our expensive ex-elected officials wasting our tax dollars - and having been born to care for critters - me too!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My sentiments exactly - on everything you just said; about veterans not getting enough, our expensive ex-elected officials wasting our tax dollars - and having been born to care for critters - me too!

 

[robhuncor]

By the way Lisa, I wish I was close enough to visit your bunnies - they are the cutest! What breed are they?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

By the way Lisa, I wish I was close enough to visit your bunnies - they are the cutest! What breed are they?

Mom is a mini lop



Dad is a lionhead



Makes for friendly adorable little buggars.