DOPERS TO THE RESCUE!

By Bill Craig
Y'all have read my comments about my "Doper" friends (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/index.php) before, but what I'm about to relate to you now is a prime example of how "close-knit" a family we are.

I haven't written too much about this, but since this past March, things ain't been too rosy for the "German Boy" as far as finances go. Still waiting on the SSDI to start, so with my pension and what D makes, we are barely scraping by.

People who know me personally know that in addition to being a smart-ass and yes, arrogant, I am also proud to a fault and find it very difficult to ask anyone for a favor.

Well, that all changed last Friday morning when I asked my "Doper Kids" if they could help me out in getting some way past-due bills paid, and boy-howdy if they didn't just take that ball and run with it!

Due to their kindness and generosity, we are able to pay off some credit cards in addition to keeping the IRS "at bay".

This isn't the first time that the Dopers have come to someone's rescue, and will surely not be the last. As an international message board, it's truly remarkable how we all come together and "take care of our own" this way!

With our economy in the "toilet" and no relief in sight, it was extremely kind to help us out in this way and D and I are VERY grateful indeed.

So what else is happenin'?

An update on the leg: saw my doctor last week and he informed us that it wasn't my ankle I broke, but the fibula, and I am having to wear "Das Boot" ;) for another couple of weeks, at which time he will determine if he needs to put in a "plate", which I hope will not be necessary.

Speaking of "plates", I know of a Mexican orthopedic surgeon, who, as he was installing a plate in someone's leg, said "Careful, this plate is hot"

*Ahem*

Next Sunday, D and I have been invited to see the musical Hair, by my niece, Lisa who works the stage lighting for the cast. The musical plays until October 10th, at the Seven Stages theatre in Little Five Points (a suburb of Atlanta, where "guess who" used to hang out in his "hippie days?"

D and I haven't been able to get out much lately, so we're very excited and are looking forward to the play and having lunch with Lisa beforehand. Lisa is a daughter of Wayne and our dear Betty, and is the "family celebrity".

This is a "replay", but I couldn't think of a better way to express my thanks to my "Doper Kids" than this song:



Don't forget the furbabies! Click to feed and vote for Paulding Humane Society!

The Animal Rescue Site


Thanks,

Bill

Comments

Anonymous said…
Ah, now my eyes are watering up. What a great group of people you have come to know like family.

I've never registered on the dope, cuz I already spend way too much time on my puter. Same with Facebook, Twitter and others that my friends and family request me to get on. But I might now, just to find the link to the thread, so I can read the kind replies to your plight. Unless you just want to post the link here. Nosey Becks ya know.

This is definitely another example of paying it forward. If all of us would just put that into practice, whether to help financially or just helping one another in whatever way we can. The world would be a much better place.

I know that this was hard for you to do and then post it here, but I'm glad you did. Wish I could contribute to the cause, but alas, we're pretty much in the same situation as you, just getting by.

Hint, Hint out there. Just kidding, unless someone would like to flip the bill for a trip to Scotland to see my DEB. Any jet owners heading for Scotland?

Enjoy your trip to see Hair. Love that play. Are they gonna get nekkid at the end? Take pictures, hee hee

Next time, Becks

Oh word for today, comdom. Nope read that wrong, condo. hee hee
September 27, 2009 at 11:18 PM
Margaret said…
Hi Bill,

My guy and I came back from Ottawa last night- he had a convention there-- so I didn't know about your situation. Just found out a few minutes ago when I read this blog.

I wish you didn't have to go through so much trouble. It's bad enough being sick and trying to cope with that, but worrying about finances as well? That sucks megaliths. I hope Obama gets some decent system going so that people can have proper medical care without losing everything that gives them material security in the meanwhile.

BTW, I'm not a Doper kid, I consider YOU a Doper younger brother, so there you are, kiddo.

Take care, and get well wishes to D and you. Enjoy the musical!
hugs,
Margaret/Mood

Becks,
Join the Dope, I mean it. It's worth it.
September 28, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Bill Craig said…
Never a dull moment on The Dope, huh, Margaret? :D

Thanked you in the thread and I am thanking you here as well.

Becks, I forgot to ask Lisa about that (gettin' nekkid, I mean), but if they ARE, then I guess it's a good thing both Wayne and Ramona (D's older bro and sis) turned us down when we asked if they'd like to attend!

*WHEW*!

CLOSE one!

Lisa said they also cut a couple of the "not so popular" songs out of the play, but they DID leave in "3-5-0-0"!

Thanks, you two!

Bill & D

PS: I'm NEVER gonna hear the end of tha faux pas-typo, am I, Becks? :D
September 28, 2009 at 12:55 PM
Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Thanks, Suzette!

By Bill Craig
Image
My friend and dementia counsellor Suzette recently wrote a very informative (and flattering) article about the "German Boy" and his upcoming bike ride, and you may see it by clicking the title of this entry. I am very appreciative of her and the GA chapter of the Alzheimer's Association for supporting me, and my ride is dedicated to them, Alzheimer patients and their caregivers as well as the four-footers. Incidentally, D and I were finally able to attend this month's Forget Me Not luncheon (for Alzheimer's patients and their care givers) at South of La Paz Mexican restaurant in Atlanta and I'd like to thank my friend for making this possible. Really , Suzette's so sweet she makes ya wanna roll over and do all kinds of doggy tricks for her! I kid, of course, but I don't think I have ever met a more charismatic person in my life. It was also a pleasure to meet and converse with Kathy Simpson who also works with the Georgia chapter. Kathy and I have e-m
Read more

Skipping Ahead A Bit In The Memoirs

By Bill Craig
Image
This is part of something I wrote on another message board with some editing, okay? -------------------------------------------------------------------------- My very good friend on the Dope, Oakminster , brought this to mind when he shared this in a thread of mine called "Your Favorite Commercials". Okay, I have already mentioned that my American soldier Dad brought me and my German Mom and brother to the US in 1960. At that time, I still spoke with a very heavy German accent and did my best to try to fit in. One of the ways was to "go out" for "Midget Football" and it was my first encounter with who would prove to be an inspiration to me and I am sure many others: Coach Roger Sauls who passed away last year. Coach was very patient with me, teaching me the "ins and outs" of throwing and kicking that strange looking egg-shaped ball! In those days, a lot of little boys went out for it and we all had our heroes on the Villa Rica Wildcats Varsity t
Read more

Alzheimer's Advocacy Forum 2011

By Bill Craig
Image
I have been given a great opportunity and honor from my local Alzheimer's Association and my counsellors Suzette and Kathy, and I wanted to tell y'all about it. It is a chance to be granted a scholarship to attend the Public Policy Forum/Advocacy Action Summit which will be May 15-17 2011 in Washington, DC. It will be a time to become educated about the issues, learn new skills, network with fellow advocates and take our message directly to members of Congress to fight for our legislative agenda and I am honored to have been chosen to have my name submitted for this event. If I am chosen to receive the scholarship, I plan not only to participate in all of the above events, but to serve as a "reporter" and write about what I see and experience there. This will also allow me to put to use my journalistic skills which have been "moth-balled" of late. Quoting from Karen Kauffman's* article, 2010 was a year of optimism for those of us in Alzheimer's Advo
Read more