I feel as though we have been playing musical spots in our bed.

We are keeping one of the grandhounds. I think she is a Pomeranian or Pomeranian cross breed. She was born in February. I really don't know what her official name is. I have heard her called Baby, Foofie, and Fluffy just to name a few. I call her Phooey. Regardless of what you call her she responds.

Probably the one person or one hound who likes this situation least is Maple Syrple. I guess she has forgotten that just a year ago she was the new comer to our home. Maple is very protective of her territory and of Meme and Dandy. I don't think Maple slept night before last because she had to stay up and be sure that Phooey didn't steal our bed.

When we go to bed, a proper order has to be in place. Both of the older dogs are happy to get in their own beds. Maple has to be between Krl and I, which means Phooey has to be on the other side of Krl, out of Maple's sight. Once we start to sleep Maple migrates toward the bottom of the bed and when adequate spacing is there Phooey hops into the middle. I guess I must really be cuddly because she has to be pressed against me. I can move and she moves. It's like playing chess or checkers all night long. Krl will wake just enough to check on pups and she will move over and next thing you know everyone is on my side of the bed and I am clamoring to the very edge! Yesterday I woke with a crick in my back and this morning when I woke I considered hopping out of bed and racing around to the other side to start the cycle again. I may put a camera in there because I wonder if they are all smiling after I get up and leave.

I am hopeful that parts I ordered last week come in today. I think I need some physical therapy. None of the repairs are major but sometimes working with my hands soothes my mind.

One occurrence I did not mention about my day yesterday was the company's insurance agent. Six years ago this man was very impressive. He didn't miss anything you said. This go round has been a totally different experience. He has developed a fake laugh that he uses in every situation and some times it is really offensive and irritating. Apparently his focus has changed from just staying busy and providing a service to money and how much he can get. We have jacked with this Jack for over a month. Krl had put out for quotes in February and finally toward the end of March the agent called wanting us to come in. (Duh, if we have been gone for six months what makes you think we can come in?). Krl told him we would be in around the first of April. She was assured that was no problem (I guess if it keeps him from traveling it is O.K.). Shortly after the first of the month the employees met with the agent and went over coverages to determine what was the best fit. It was at this point that the first wrinkle surfaced and numbers didn't match what had been sent to Krl at the jobsite. We were assured that the numbers on the table were the "good numbers". It was decided to take the weekend and "mull over" the differences. The April quote with the May 1 effective date made it important to make the decisions quickly. Four days after the meeting, I was sent as courier to deliver paperwork and funds for the insurance. I was instructed to ask specifically if the May 1 effective date was still in place and I was assured it was. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief that this project was behind us.

May 1 and no policy, no insurance cards. Call to the agent. "No problem, hah, hah, hah!", the agent replied, "the insurance is in effect". When he was told we had some prescriptions that needed to be renewed he told us, "Just pay cash and keep the receipts and insurance will reimburse you. Hah, Hah, Hah!". This is getting old.

Yesterday morning just before I had the early call with the attorney, the phone rang. I rushed to pick it up but by the time I got the phone I was just in time to hear the other party hang up. When I flipped the phone over and hit caller id, I saw the company insurance agent was the caller. I was hopeful that he was calling with good news. I hit the call button and in moments the agent was on line. It was very evident that he would have preferred to talk with anyone but me. Finally he blurted out, "I got an e-mail from the insurance company and they are changing their pricing, I need a signature and more money! Hah, hah, hah!" What a jerk! I asked what the deal was. He responded that it was an April quote. I said yes, they quoted it in April and it was supposed to have a May 1 effective date. "Yeah but ......" and the crawfishing was on. I asked "Is this insurance in effect or not?" He answered "It had a May 1 effective date." Duh, and we had pricing too! I was then informed that he had to have an answer within three days which meant by close of business tomorrow. (It would appear he knew he was in trouble because he waited a day to call).

I finally told the agent I was not the person he needed to discuss this with. He asked why and I told him first of all I could not make the decision for the company or for the other insureds. Second of all, I would want to drive to his home office to pick him up and we would go to the insurance companies south side offices and I would beat the "hell" out of them using him as a club! (Now who is Hah, hah, hah-ing!).

Apparently, a quote is only as good as your agent. Nothing has changed since Krl returned the questionnaires to this agent. The agent points at the company he is using. That might be a part of the problem, but we as consumers need to hold our agents and the companies they represent accountable for what they put out. As long as we don't hold these people's feet to the fire they will continue to be lax, insincere and dishonest.

I told the other employees that my thoughts were to contest this proposed increase and if that doesn't make them revert to the initial quote, then to keep the insurance in effect while commissioning another agent to find new coverage and when it is in place to cancel the hyena jerk and his company that speaks with fork-ed tongue.

As you can tell, I am carrying a lot of baggage over into today.

Be the real deal.

LORD reign in me!