A-Jay

Thank you my friend ~ It's all good. It will work out, one way or the other. All the $$$$$$$$ in the world can't replace quality time together. And right now we're having some and we're enjoying every second of it. A-Jay

Pull 1 workout this morning. Felt strong. #borninfiftynine A-Jay

Possibly - waiting for regular SS benefits isn't really an option. Sadly statistic show that only a small percentage of folks dealing with what we have here, live to the minimum age of 62. Combined with quality of life, time becomes a precious deal. A-Jay

Yup ~ I totally get that. And if that's what it takes to get the folks that need , have earned and deserve these benefits, then so be it. So I have no problem with paying a professional for their time. But IMO for 25% of the back benefit $$$ or 6K whichever is less (law sets this), Old Perry Mason better be standing on his HEAD ! A-Jay

Not sure what every case may be but in our case the wording in the letter was . . . "Based on a review of your medical conditions, you do not qualify for benefits on this claim. This is because you are not disabled under our rules. Doctors and other trained staff looked at your case and made the decision. They work for the state and use our rules." Based on the experience of what others have been kind enough to share here, I fully expect this claim to be approved on appeal. With ZERO NEW information and just the legal representation. Just going to take another year & a half. Hope we have that kind of time. A-Jay

Got a little news for ya my friend ~ I still lose baits. Even after all this time I still haven't developed the self-discipline to rarely 'start' the trip with the wire. Always ends up being reactionary. So I know this term MFer#^&*$#@*%^! quite well. Nice haul btw - A-Jay

When I'm doing this right, I am at least a little sore everyday. Off days for sure and then it starts all over again. Probably a bit addicted to the DOMS feeling after all these years. Glad you had a good workout. Safe travels. Pull day for me tomorrow. A-Jay

82 Days ~ and we're fixing to earn our July weather here shortly ~ A-Jay

Looks like we're going the legal aid route starting Monday morning. Need to dig out of the blizzard first though . . . Thanks again. A-Jay

@Hoosierman @volzfan59 @MN Fisher Thank you very much for your replies and sharing your experiences. I would really like to think/hope that there are at least a few qualified humans who have been able to receive these benefits WITHOUT employing or resorting to Legal Aid. If not the SSA might as well just put up a price list on the website listing the cost for their services, because it amounts to the same thing ! At least then I could simply mail a check with our application. C'Mon Man. And yes, I am disgruntled. 😒 A-Jay

We have been trying to get this for my wife for several years. After going through the entire and somewhat painstakingly long process, (takes almost a year for them to come to a decision) we just received our second 'DENIED' letter. According to the SSA's definition of 'disabled', my wife is overly qualified. And has been for years. We've sent so much medical paper work & documentation that my brain hurts. It's like they just stamp it NO without even looking at the information provided. Anyone know the secret password to help these folks figure it out ? Should we really need to pay someone to 'represent us' for this ? Seems like a scam. Clearly, I'm pretty much just venting here, but it's all beyond frustrating, especially considering the condition Lynn's actually in. Plan on taking one more stab at it with an appeal and letters from each of her Doctors. I just don't get it. A-Jay

Sounds like she'll be OK - Also unless you can get there in an hour or so, I would NOT recommend getting on the road heading up here now. Roads could get impassable fast with snow coming down at a 2 inches an hour clip. White out conditions where the road in front of you is essentially gone is a real thing. Folks get trapped in their cars all the time. Stay Safe A-Jay

Hope she's OK !~ Calling for a Blizzard warnings now for a day & a half. Just hope we don't lose power for too long. Otherwise - we're as ready as we can be . . . A-Jay

Thanks and I agree with all of that. Tank Needs a job - in Fact just about everything I do around the house, he think is his job too. Every time I can include him -I do. So he's up for anything and never wants to be left out. I love it. As for stimulation, for an indoor game , we have this 'easy button' we taught him to hit with his paw to make it sound off for a treat. Then we started hiding all over the house. Mostly in semi-plain sight at first but not to where he can see where or when we stash it. Then the command is "go hit the button". And off he goes - we never help him find it and sometimes it takes him 10-15 minutes of sniffing and checking everything in the house. But eventually we'll hear "That was Easy" and he'll come running to us all happy and mostly looking for his 'reward'. A-Jay

Nicely Done ~ It was only a matter of time. Congrats A-Jay

Push 1 today. Chest, Shoulders, Triceps & finished with some core work. #borninfiftynine https://youtu.be/DsIxLBQAvN8?feature=shared A-Jay

Oh this ought to be a good time ~ A-Jay

Haven't fished it yet but it Feels great in my hand . As a big time St Croix blank fan boy, and already having the last Avid X version, along with several from other ST Croix lines, I can not imagine a scenario where I would not love the thing. In fact after getting it I was already 'shopping' for a "M" spinner stick and even a couple of casting rods versions. For the price it's just very decent. Also I am moving away from split grips and any replacements made will be full cork. Just how I roll. A-Jay

Boat motor and trailer package prices may vary slightly from time to time. Might even save a few bucks. However I Never expect them to drop drastically. Ever. Especially to where something is not affordable now, but could be later. Nope. Life is short, get it now if you can. A-Jay

Heading out for the 'milk & bread' right after my workout this morning. Then we'll be hunkering down for a while. Probably fill the wood stove just in case too. A-Jay

OK and I would take that delicious flat fish in a Michigan Minute ~ ! Enjoy the Vac-Ca . . . A-Jay

Might have an empty seat ~ Any interest ? No solid dates yet, (Nov) but I'm hoping to have them very soon. A-Jay

There's something happening here ~ What it is ain't exactly clear . . . . . Might Be . . . Could it Be ? ? There's definitely a grumbling. A-Jay

Thanks and good for you. Nutrition is a biggie for sure. For me it's like the engine that drives the train. It might be just a mind set but when my diet & hydration are on point, just about everything else falls in line; training, recovery, sleep, appetite and most importantly, I don't want to waste my efforts so I can't wait to get back into the gym. I'm no spring chicken and I have no idea how long this will last, but I'm going to take it as far as this old bag of bones will allow. Stay Right my friend. A-Jay

Been around a while ~ A-Jay