ArNG11

"Focus" and breathing.

Still pressing on.  Keep the faith fellow Veterans.  Keep the fight up.  

"Delmonico steak with a red wine reduction sauce and sautéed mushrooms. Roasted garlic and red potatoes and roasted Brussels sprout"

So I had a dream of a meal like this and I totally blame you, Tbird, for mentioning it, good stuff, I could almost taste the tenderness of the meat and shrooms later followed by the tangy taste of the red wine sauce.  If you don't mind let me know how it turns out and yes of course have a Fantastic Birthday when you do.  Good stuff warms the soul.  

FOIA request finally came in.  Only took 600 plus days but I received my copy today.  Of all things even at my correct address along with my full digital CD copy of my C-File was included.  Imagine that.  Almost two years late, but heh I have it now so I am locked cocked, ready to rock for BVA, whenever that is.  Good times

1 to 4 inches of snow, so much for riding my Vespa, oh well, it looks grand seeing the ground all white.  Eh, I have my coffee, my fireplace, a heating pad and warm blanket.  Oh and fur babies to keep me company,  Life is good. Gotta relish in these, what seems, far in between moments.  

100 % PT Folks. Finally.

Actually got some rest tonight. the meds, herbals , and sleepy time tea, help finally.  Although, I suspect the antibiotics, green herbs, and medicines, helped out the most.  The quarantine is my biggest hurdle now.  Sleep is getting better, throat and head pressure is going away slowly, so al in all it's good. Only two bummers, water lines froze in the back of the house and its way to cold to ride my Vespa.   Nintendo Switch and books to the rescue.  Well and reading and posting one of my favorite sites.   Stay warm brothers and sisters and try to stay healthy.  COVID sucks eggs.

Ah I really can't describe the sense of calm that a good cup of coffee can give a person.  Yes I know that caffeine is a stimulant but to sit down and sip on a good cup of Joe with one sugar and some steamed  half and half accompanied by a toasted cinnamon raisin bagel with whipped blueberry cream cheese, well, I may be simple but this just really hits the spot for me.  

All be darned, it's is amazing how logic somehow magically appears in a courtroom. SSA hearing went grand.  The Judge was even arguing for my side.  Now if only if the BVA will follow suit.  That would be sweet indeed.

An extra deposit from the VA has me curious.  Late X-mas present? 

Another one of those nights.  This crap sucks. I even took a dose to help me sleep woke up again at 1ish in the morning.  Jeez.

Back from La la land.  left knee surgery went great, already walking better.  Soar as heck but no more grinding and popping.  

Back home from my recon trip to New Mexico and Colorado.  Yuppers I think New Mexico will be my long term destination.

Been a while.  This COVID crap and all the craziness in the world has had me baffled, so much for progress, although, while skeptical and cynical, can't help hoping for better times. If life throws you lemons, make Long Island Iced teas? : )

Been out of the loop for far too long.  2 knee and 2 hip surgeries later, still pressing on.  Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.  

Been working on health issues.  Still here and still moving forward, at least that is the daily plan.

BVA disappointed me on most but did score 1 on Rhinitis service connection, now to see what effective date the VA uses.Got a remand a second time on the service connection of the hips. On the rest well CAVC is where I need to go.  Looking for a law firm since I got the decision I have a 105 days left to appeal to the CAVC.

BVA Hearing went well. Hips may be service connected, rhinitis and sinutitus won't be service connected.  Hypothyroidism may be granted under the new 30% rating with myxedema absence.  This is half of my claims left to appeal.  I will see if this will be concluded within the year.  Most likely not so prepping to try to go for P&T.  I retired in 2015 but I know I have an C&P examination set at 5 year anniversary of my last win.  Hamster wheel again.  But I did pour some epoxy on that wheel with the hearing. At least I hope I did.  It is difficult to read people across video conference especially when you get disconnected during the last portion of your hearing.

Can't sleep again,  4th time this month.  Too much stress lately with VA and family.  Tough decisions ahead and consequences will forever change life for me.

Change of scenery for me,  moved to Oregon and taking in the beautiful landscapes.  

COVID crap I fell into the numbers and I am bummed.   Even with all the shots and boosters and mask buying I still got smacked.  I got it from a relative that I was visiiting in NY.  I knew the chances and well odds were not in my favor.  Dance with the devil in the pale moonlight, well you tend to get forked.  Oh well pressing on.  More pills, more shots, more Z packs and antibiotics.  Anyone for a ride,  scooter ride that is.  Sporting a Vespa now a days.  

Crap another one of those nights, is it 5 or 6 now.  damn it can't keep track and I'm slowly loosing it I believe.

E-mails with promise of action from higher offices.  Hmm makes me wonder what BS is heading my way.  Then again maybe my rebuttals will actually be read.  On a good note, off crutches and walker, even if only briefly, good times yippee.

eCFR 4.13- 4.16.  Important defenses are a must. 

Feel Better after plugging a 100 rounds but my wrist are sore now.  Still a nice distraction.  I think I may go up a caliber and also mess with rifles again.  Fun stuff.  Gotta put my gun membership to use now.  Later a nice ride on the Vespa should make my day great.