A new roof (in one day). The power of immigrant labor.

So, the Eco-shield crew arrived around 8:00 am to start the work (with the materials dropped off at 7 am onto our lawn). Only one person out of the seven spoke English (given that I am pro-legal immigrant and being a legal immigrant myself.... I appreciated their hard work..... but I just can't understand why Americans lose out to such jobs and companies other than the cost of that labor). I didn't choose a company based on cost, I chose the company based on it's reputation of good work (and even then, how does one ask during the process if illegal immigrant labor is used.... as I didn't think that would happen with a reputable company). Alas....... =(

Given that I had no control over who was working on this "job", I then stood off to the side to watch the process (and I stayed outside all day to make sure all aspects were done and nothing was skimped on... especially concentrating on making sure I was seen by the crew that I was taking pictures of the process). Most important to me was that the wood on the roof was in good shape (it was) and that the missing flashing was installed to ensure no leaks by the living room (and no open exposed areas like there was before the roof replacement today).

Below are the pictures from start to finish (and as of tonight, we officially have a new 30 year roof).  =)  Pretty wild considering we are on our last few dollars in the bank (what a surreal world we live in).

 

More VA office visits and a new roof.

So, I've gone to the VA clinic twice now (late last week and this morning). I had blood drawn, a urine sample, and met with the Social Worker. I've been poked, prodded, and tested more in the past 2 months than I was in the past 20 years. I am getting help regarding what the VA calls an MST issue. Something happened while I was in the Corps that I haven't thought about for almost 25 years.... until I was asked a specific question... to which I gave a specific answer (and that opened up a can of worms.... in fact, a couple of cans of worms).

They are taking it seriously and are pursuing giving me some help regarding the repercussions I've had to this day (so I am going to the North Chicago location to discuss this issue further and I will be dealing with the Program Director over there). No need to get into detail on this issue on a blog (as this is too sensitive an issue to discuss out in the open on the Internet plus this issue deals with real people in real life), however.... I believe that what I have been dealing with for over 25 years might now be finally addressed. All I can say is....... "halleluiah", "finally", and "pass the Tylenol".

A video for our Church's "hard launch" from September 15th has been uploaded onto vimeo (Penny and I can be seen from behind singing for a couple of seconds). What a fantastic group of people to worship the Lord with: Our first day of Fox Valley Church - Pingree Grove - 9/15/2013  =)

Also:  It is official, tomorrow we will have the roofers over from Eco-shield removing the 10 year old hail / wind damaged shingles and we shall have new shingles on the roof plus added flashing (that had not been put up 10 years ago) ensuring that we will remain leak free for at least the next 30 years.... plus the shingles are not organic so they should last all 30 of those years. =)  It should only take tomorrow to do, but it might stretch over to 2 days depending on how small / large the crew is and just how industrious the crew is (the angle / pitch on the roof is more than what these roofers will be used to).

We are also still trying our hardest to sell  or trade the Corvette (preferably sell) so we can put some money in our bank account to get ready for the end of my unemployment (which is coming up in 2 weeks).  =(

In the interim, we continue to pray and give it to God regarding our future.

Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. -  Deuteronomy 15:10

Visits to governmental offices and other fun.

On Tuesday, we went to the Social Security office in Woodstock. Travis had an appointment as we have become concerned that Travis needs to have a viable source of support given his deficits. This came about as a result of Penny's 18 months of fighting cancer and the possibility of major changes in our lives.

Given Travis' present part time work and inability to find a full time job that is willing to take a chance on him given his deficits, and the specter of Obamacare right around the corner..... we felt it important to get him situated with getting support that he is eligible for so he is prepared for the eventuality of our not being there given our age and medical condition (as Medicare comes along with Social Security Disability which is important to his future). Given his last 2 medical evaluations which list his deficits in plain medical terms and his inability to get a better job, it is evident his deficits remain to the point he is not employable for a full time job in any meaningful way (that he dreams of). We didn't want to go this route as he has always tried to get past the perceptions of others and achieve independence on his own... but he has hit the proverbial "brick wall" and we have to acknowledge the fact that this may be the farthest he can go. Travis has come to accept this fact and I'm proud of him regarding the fact that he sees the world for what it is (and his place in it) and has decided to deal with the fact he needs help to make it in this world.

We also attempted to right the wrong of Penny's last SSD denial in 2008. We get our day to address that issue at the end of the month via another appointment.

On another issue.... I've tried for over a year to get a copy of my records from the government, and the thing I kept being told was that they were in process of being forwarded (but they never could tell me which unit or where they were). I still don't have them.

When I got out of the Marine Corps in 1988, I made sure that I made a copy of my medical and dental records (so they wouldn't mysteriously disappear..... much like what appears to have happened). It would appear that was the right call on my part.

It literally took almost a year to find them in my garage (and it was amongst the last bins in the garage I had yet to go through). It's been hard doing it over the past year given my joint issues (a lot of moving/searching through "accumulated stuff"). As I was approved for VA Healthcare last week and I'm being assessed this Friday at the VA clinic, finding them is very fortuitous. I've been going over them plus my service records, and my present problems are definitely documented during my almost 7 years in.... so I am hopeful that they will accept my copies and will act on it.

I cannot begin to tell you how relieved I am having found them. In the interim, the 1984 Corvette has been listed on the classifieds so hopefully the ad will be acted upon. As unemployment ends in a month, it is important that the car is sold and soon. 

 

Here is the 1984 Corvette (after I fixed the headlight yesterday and cleaned it)

This is the 1984 Corvette that I traded the 2006 Chevy Uplander straight across for last Thursday (with no money changing hands). Yesterday, I actually felt good enough to repair the one major problem with it (the drivers side headlight nylon gear was stripped, so I took apart the assembly and installed a new nylon gear that came with the car courtesy of the previous owner. Both Headlights now work. It has 68,450 original documented miles, the 350 Cubic Inch Chevy V8 (the 5.7 liter), comes with the Delco-Bose AM/FM Cassette, 3 Speed Automatic, A/C (which needs to be recharged), Heat/Defrost, Saddle Interior that is in great shape, cruise, Engine trip computer, etc. It comes with the original build sheet and Owners Manual.

An incredible trade (and the great thing is that the new owner of the Uplander is also happy they have a nice minivan for their burgeoning business). So, win/win for both parties.   =)

Now the goal has been to "trade up" in order to maximize the funds coming in and at this point, I think it will be difficult to get much better and the money is needed as soon as possible. The Corvette is earmarked for our fundraiser coming up or to sell outright (we certainly wish we could keep it as it is serious American Muscle Car goodness plus Travis LOVES it as it is the first muscle car our family has had in our driveway), however... our finances are the most important thing to shore up right now.

Here are pictures I took this afternoon of the car (and if anyone is interested in the car, they certainly can always make us an offer).... just email me at steinarandersen@ntcusa.net: