Tour de Farce
Today began with a list representing a tour de force. When the government made "adjustments" recently to avoid going over "a fiscal cliff," unexpected changes ensued. Suddenly we were faced with an arbitrary deadline to complete filing for Stan's mother's Medicaid: February 1! We were told on Monday, January 28 that all financial matters must be finalized by Friday, February 1. [Holy crap!!]
After completing a whole lot of stuff earlier, and treading water through three day waiting periods to close accounts, we set off to seal the deal, put the lid on, wrap it up, nail it down. This day is going to require a whole lot of coffee.
10:00 a.m.: Checked with our attorney and then stopped at Wells Fargo Investments, First Niagara Bank, NBT, quick run to the Post Office, [coffee stop @ Byrne], back to First Niagara, to the Federal Bldg., and STOP [12:30 p.m.]. Next/last major check will be ready at Merrill Lynch in Syracuse after 2:00 p.m.
What to do? What to do?? Pit stop at the Indians, and MORE COFFEE! And we're off again.
12:30 p.m.: Took $22 worth of cans to the recycling center in Oneida, took Route 49 north of the lake to Weeden's Antique/Variety Mini-Mall/Store. Bought nothing, but considered all manner of treasures, and on to Syracuse.
2:05: Downtown Syracuse on South Salina, to Merrill Lynch. Picked up final check to close out last account, thanked the nicest people in the world at Merrill Lynch [pleasant, co-operative, HELPFUL]. Called attorney again to report final totals and headed back to Clinton.
3:30 p.m.: Attorney called with final instructions about cash distribution/accounts.
4:10 p.m.: To First Niagara, to NBT to use two existing accounts and open one new account. Reported success to attorney, headed back to First Niagara to close last account. On to post office again, and to Hannafords for a rotisserie chicken. DONE, THROUGH, FINISHED.
It would appear that we have, indeed, completed the paperwork necessary to secure Helen's Medicaid payments. My arm is exhausted from waving around the Power of Attorney all day.
What began as a Tour de Force degenerated to a Tour de Farce. A silver Prius with the speed of light, a splash of slush and a hearty Gimme the Money! The Lone Money Changer rides for the Last Time!
