My mother had a RRIF (Registered Retirement Income Fund for those readers that are not Canadian). My sister and I are beneficiaries. I was sent forms to sign and return so the investment firm that administered the RRIF can send us the proceeds. I signed the forms and sent them back. They then advised me that the forms need my signature and my sister’s signature. It was suggested that she could be emailed the forms, sign them, scan them and email them back. Nice in theory except my sister is in the midst of a move and her stuff is in boxes. So I drove a little over two hours to meet her and get forms signed. As a bonus I stopped at a specialty store that sells soda and candy and loaded up on hard to get root beer. In the near future will have to drive down again as notarized signatures will be required on a final set of forms.
So why is my sister not able to drive up here? Some things with some people are just easier being done a certain way. Plus, if I drive down again I can get more root beer.About every three months I get to hear from the insurance companies. I believe my auto insurance company is resigned to paying me certain benefits up to February 2026 which will be the two year anniversary of the accident. In Alberta auto insurance no fault Accident Benefits coverage, or Section B of the policy, is only for two years from the date of loss. My group health insurer wants me to get a medical update from my surgeon. They have made veiled threats about having this done by a certain date or they will do something unspecified. So I will be meeting with my surgeon next week. Thankfully he is a great guy who is willing to help deal with bureaucracy. No, I do not feel like I am in condition to go back to work at this time.
In my last physiotherapy session I tackled the stationary bike which I had not been on in some time. Damn, the legs were moving in a nice fluid motion and it looked okay. I could not do it for long, about ten minutes, but it felt good. I remember vividly months ago when I could move the pedals back and forth unable to do a complete revolution. I have visions of trying a gym. The rehab specialist that I saw on October 8 said that was not a good idea. I have to be patient.
My lawyer contacted me regarded the suit I have against the other party that drove into me and caused my injuries. She asked if I was free for the second week of February 2026 for questioning with the other party’s lawyer. I responded that I did not need to check my calendar as I am sure I am free that day.
In the meantime I keep plodding along getting better in barely noticeable increments over months. I look forward to the day I can chuck the crutches.
It is great to see you coming along since that terrible day almost 2 years ago!
ReplyDelete"Slow but steady wins the race," as they say. In the meantime, keep enjoying the restorative health benefits of your favourite root beer!
ReplyDeleteA man needs his root beer.
DeleteHope this doesn't happen to you, but...a friend got T-boned by a rich guy not stopping at a stop sign. Rich guy got the court date delayed until after my friend had finished physical therapy and was back to somewhat-less-than-normal. Rich guy had some private eyes film him doing daily activities and submitted it in court to show that my friend was NOT seriously harmed by the accident.
ReplyDeleteThey can film me all they want. Anyone following me would see I am always hobbling along on crutches. They would quickly get bored waiting for me to emerge. I have underground parking and I only come out for errands and appointments.
DeleteAny specialist appointment that I have had in the city I have taken a cab.
Hope the trial can take place before you get off crutches.
DeleteNext you will have deal with the Feds who will want their pound of flesh and take a cut of the RRIF. Transfer is only tax free to a spouse.
ReplyDeleteI have talked to a few financial people. Money is being set aside for taxes.
DeleteYour blog is documentation of your recovery. I am surprised you have not been hit with low-ball offers to settle. My injuries when I was rear ended by a Swift truck were not near as bad, but there was the weekly offer to settle during the recovery got old fast.
ReplyDeleteI spent 3 months unable to go to work. Thank you, short term disability. I was 4 months into long term disability when I got the return to work with limited duties/restrictions. The 7 month missed salary, pain, and suffering paid out a mid 6 figure to my dirtbag lawyer. He has sent me a citrus box for Christmas for almost 20 years.
BTW: Dirtbag lawyers usually have a higher win rate. Always hire a lawyer for a traffic ticket. The money spent on the lawyer will be less than the fine unless it is a DUI.
No offers as both sides are waiting on more documentation. It has not yet been two years. My lawyer is working on a contingency basis. Auto insurance liability limits carried in Alberta are usually $1 to $2M. Pain and suffering are not that big of an issue in our courts. Settlements are lower than in the US.
DeleteAbout 15 years ago, three of us at work in Tucson embarked on a year-long quest to identify the “best” root beer. We stored our selection of root beer in a fridge on the 6th floor of our building and kept our glass mugs in the freezer, ensuring a consistent frosty experience. We probably purchased 100 different brands from as many sources as possible. Oddly enough, a good source was the local Ace HW which stocked many different sodas, and we got many from the local BevMo. We were all raised on A&W and we rated that very highly, but the overall winner in our limited poll was Henry Weinhard’s. Honorable mentions were Dad’s, Virgil’s (in a pony keg), and Barq’s. Many other brands were very good, and your taste will decide what you like. The worst, by far, that we tasted was Jack Black’s Rockin Red Root Beer - pretty much undrinkable.
ReplyDeleteAbout 10 years ago, we were driving through Wyoming and went to a specialty candy and soda store in Laramie, I believe. They had a few different root beers that I purchased, but they weren’t any better than Henry Weinhard’s. Good luck to you on your noble journey.
I love Henry’s. Dog n Suds is another favourite. I have been to BevMo in Phoenix and worked my way through about forty different root beers. Selection in Canada is much more limited than what you have in the US.
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