I'm finally done for a while OT, sorta

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Pamela Shirk - 17 Dec 2005 03:48 GMT

I finished my last final for the semester, yesterday afternoon. This
morning I was able to lay in bed and watch Qui Gun Kit act as Merlin's
personal trainer. He chased Merlin through the house, down the hall and
into our bedroom. Later the two of them curled up on the bed. It was a
four cat bed, and they were all in a different section of the bed. Huey was
near Rob's head, Merlin at Rob's feet, Sonya right under my pillow, and Qui
Gun near the lower outside corner of my side of the bed. Rob was sacked out
on a strip of the bed less than six inches wide. I don't see how he does
it.

We got a letter from the VA and DoD today (departments of Defense and
Veteran's Affairs) stating that Rob's unit was exposed to Sarin and
Cyclosarin during Desert Shield/Storm and that those soldiers from units
which were exposed have a higher rate of Brain cancer than the soldiers who
were not there or the general public. DUH. I called them up and told them
my whole sad story. I'm not sure if I just got the phone guy agreeing with
me to shut me up or if he agrees with me that Rob needs to have more help.
We're sending a copy of the letter and information sheet in with our notice
of appeal. Sigh. It took me forever to convince Rob that the VA is not
just waiting and hoping for him to die. I hope that this works out for him.

The cats have been really interested in the closet where we have stored the
Christmas/Yule presents. Its funny as I don't have any of the cats' gifts
stored there. I don't even have Speedy's Christmas bone there. But
something is interesting to them. Pine Cone has taken up staking out our
bed lately. Mandy, for some reason, decided that he needed a bath and gave
him one, in Jim's bath water. PC finally forgave her, but it took a couple
of days. I'm a little worried about Mandy's sanity.

Christmas dinner this year is going to be something other than turkey or
ham. Any suggestions people? I could use some, as a bit of roast beef
sounds a little lame.

Pam S. who's mind is a whirling torrent of ideas...and who has a cunning
plan, if she can ever figure it out

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Victor Martinez - 17 Dec 2005 04:26 GMT

Pamela Shirk wrote:

> We're sending a copy of the letter and information sheet in with our notice
> of appeal. Sigh. It took me forever to convince Rob that the VA is not
> just waiting and hoping for him to die. I hope that this works out for him.

I would send a copy to your Representative and both Senators as well.
They might be able to pull some strings.

> Christmas dinner this year is going to be something other than turkey or
> ham. Any suggestions people? I could use some, as a bit of roast beef
> sounds a little lame.

How about some smoked beef? I'm thinking about that because last night
we went to a x-mas party and had the most delicious smoked filet of
beef. YUM!
At home I'm making a pork crown roast this year. I haven't decided if
I'm going to go mediterranean (with rosemary and garlic) or more
traditional (with apples and raisins). We'll see.

Purrs.

Victor

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jmcquown - 17 Dec 2005 05:21 GMT

> Pamela Shirk wrote:
>> We're sending a copy of the letter and information sheet in with our
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> I would send a copy to your Representative and both Senators as well.
> They might be able to pull some strings.

I would do that as well. Even though I still need to contact an attorney (I
know, I put it off) about my denied SSD claim, I was getting a major
runaround by the woman handling my claim. She'd send me a letter saying I
had to call her, then say I never returned her calls even though I did call
and kept getting her voicemail. Then when I did get her she'd ask, "Why are
you calling me?" Um, because you wrote and told me to.

I finally got fed up and contacted my Senator via email. I can't say for
sure that helped but suddenly that caseworker wasn't there anymore. My new
caseworker who was making scheduling medical exams for me.

>> Christmas dinner this year is going to be something other than
>> turkey or ham. Any suggestions people? I could use some, as a bit
>> of roast beef sounds a little lame.

I'm roasting cornish game hens. I've never been a fan of turkey anyway and
ham is just... well, ham. One little hen per person fits the bill nicely.
You can stuff them or make the dressing on the side (I plan to do it in a
bread pan) and making some steamed broccoli with hollandaise (rather than a
heavy cheese sauce).

> How about some smoked beef? I'm thinking about that because last night
> we went to a x-mas party and had the most delicious smoked filet of
> beef. YUM!

I agree it's good stuff but it's also very expensive. I was thinking maybe
I could do a small standing rib roast (bone in, prime rib) for New Year's
Day; haven't decided yet.

> At home I'm making a pork crown roast this year. I haven't decided if
> I'm going to go mediterranean (with rosemary and garlic) or more
> traditional (with apples and raisins). We'll see.

Sounds good. I've never made a pork crown roast.

> Purrs.
>
> Victor

Jill

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Takayuki - 17 Dec 2005 20:31 GMT

>>> Christmas dinner this year is going to be something other than
>>> turkey or ham. Any suggestions people? I could use some, as a bit
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>bread pan) and making some steamed broccoli with hollandaise (rather than a
>heavy cheese sauce).

As long as you don't suggest using recipes from those Weight Watchers
recipe cards. :)

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Jo Firey - 17 Dec 2005 16:39 GMT

> Pamela Shirk wrote:
>> We're sending a copy of the letter and information sheet in with our
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>
> Victor

That sounds yummy. I think we are going to have a pork roast as well.
Probably a fresh ham since we will have a crowd.

Jo

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MaryL - 17 Dec 2005 07:38 GMT

> Christmas dinner this year is going to be something other than turkey or
> ham. Any suggestions people? I could use some, as a bit of roast beef
> sounds a little lame.
>
> Pam S. who's mind is a whirling torrent of ideas...and who has a cunning
> plan, if she can ever figure it out

My mother sometimes made a standing rib roast for special occasions. Very
elegant, and always drew "ooohs" and "aaahs" when she brought it to the
table. (Expensive, though)

MaryL

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Takayuki - 17 Dec 2005 20:30 GMT

>I finished my last final for the semester, yesterday afternoon.

Yay! This is your first semester back in school right? If you got
through that okay, then you know you can survive. I've also been
going to school a little to take advantage of employer tuition
reimbursement for job related classes, and finished a master's last
semester. For a mature student such as yourself in undergrad work,
especially if you need to get a degree ASAP, I'd look into seeing if
you can test out with CLEP or DSST (not just getting prereqs, but
getting credit outright). The latter, especially, is part of a
Defense Department program, and has advantages for families of US
military personnel, I believe.

>We got a letter from the VA and DoD today (departments of Defense and
>Veteran's Affairs) stating that Rob's unit was exposed to Sarin and
>Cyclosarin during Desert Shield/Storm and that those soldiers from units
>which were exposed have a higher rate of Brain cancer than the soldiers who
>were not there or the general public.

If it's that they don't really think that Rob is disabled, they should
try having him fix some of their helicopters and see how that goes
over. :) I hope they'll resolve all of this Pam.

>Mandy, for some reason, decided that he needed a bath and gave
>him one, in Jim's bath water. PC finally forgave her, but it took a couple
>of days. I'm a little worried about Mandy's sanity.

Are you sure PC didn't frame her again?

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polonca12000 - 17 Dec 2005 22:33 GMT

Congrats on the exams, Pam! I'm so glad kitties were keeping you
entertained now that you have the time for it. Lots and lots of purrs
and best wishes for Rob, we think of him often. And I'm sure your
Christmas dinner will be great no matter what you decide to make.
Hugs,
Polonca and Soncek

Pamela Shirk wrote:

> I finished my last final for the semester, yesterday afternoon. This
> morning I was able to lay in bed and watch Qui Gun Kit act as Merlin's
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> which were exposed have a higher rate of Brain cancer than the soldiers who
> were not there or the general public. <snip>

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SuzQ - 17 Dec 2005 23:52 GMT

Pam: contacting a Senator or Representitive is a good idea. Have you ever
heard of DAV (Disabled American Veteran)? They might have some ideas. They
might know Vets from the Viet Nam era who dealt with Agent Orange. They
might know strategies that would help.

Victor: Go Mediterrian (sp?) Pork with rosemary is yummy.

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