Tony Brewer View

One of the things that Teri and I talk about a lot is whether she should get contact lenses or opt for some kind of Lasik surgery.  I haven’t even researched the cost of the surgery, but I keep hearing that the results, although good, are only supposedly “guaranteed” to last twenty years.  So my question is this, what happens after that twenty years?  Do you go blind?  Do you have to have another surgery?  Or do you then resort to disposable contact lenses for the rest of your life?

And to be honest, just the thought of surgery always concerns me.  What if you have a bad reaction to the anesthesia?  I’m inclined to encourage Teri to go with daily disposable contact lenses for another ten years or so. At least until more is known about the limitations of the surgery options.

A stray black cat adopted us recently.  Teri has a very soft heart, and she has been feeding it.  Teri named it Spooky.  A couple of months ago she took Spooky to the vet for shots and a check-up.   Spooky is shy, and avoids contact, so it was a challenge getting Spooky to the vet!  I don’t know if anyone else in the neighborhood has taken Spooky to a vet too!

Last night when we got home from work, it was obvious that something was wrong.  Spooky was limping.  We took Spooky to the vet to see what the problem was.  Someone had shot Spooky in the leg with a shotgun.  We have some tough decisions to make – whether to put Spooky down, or amputate the leg.  Removing the pellets would cost between $2,000 and $3000 dollars.

If we amputate the leg, we know that Spooky would get along okay eventually, but who is to say that Spooky wouldn’t get shot again?  I don’t even know if Spooky would be agreeable to becoming an indoor cat!  If we don’t amputate the leg, Spooky will be in a lot of pain forever.  What would you do?

Sometimes it seems like every other week there is some kind of drive going on at my office. Always for some charity. My favorite fundraising event is one where food is involved – like a bake sale, or pot-luck buffet. I think that this clothing drive in this commercial, if held at my office would be a great success, but they haven’t done it yet!

While browsing for vehicle coverage in TX, you may come across this car ins video for Texans. This video suggests that if you are shopping for auto insurance in Texas that you should consider more than just price.

I feel that this is pretty sound advice.  What good is having an insurance company if when you need them you find out that they are no longer in business?  I think it would be a wise move to check around with your friends and neighbors and ask them what insurance company they use themselves.

Another good piece of advice is to make sure that you buy lots of uninsured/underinsured coverage on whatever auto policy you purchase.  In many states, including Texas, the legal minimum insurance coverage for bodily injuries to one person is only $25,000!  I think that is outrageous! 

I have a good friend who was involved in an accident a couple of years ago.  It wasn’t his fault – he was rear-ended.  The lady who caused the accident only had $25,000 worth of insurance.  He hasn’t been able to work since the accident.  He has had to have over $200,000 worth of surgeries and doctor appointments and physical therapy and pain medication.  The lady who caused the accident, well her insurance still hasn’t even paid the $25,000!

And my friend’s underinsurance coverage, well, he has it, but so far that company hasn’t forked over any money either!  This guy’s poor wife has to work two jobs and they still can’t make ends meet. 

Having said all of that, both insurance companies involved are very well known national brand names.  And my friend has had to hire a lawyer to help him get his insurance money.  Naturally the lawyers will get a big chunk of it, but the lawyers figure that the most he will get of it all is only about $150,000.  Not even enough to cover his medical expenses.  So, choose wisely my friends.  And cover yourself as best you can.

Looking to see if anyone had done a response to the guys who were jumping and flipping into their jeans, I found this parody. Too funny! I’m glad to see folks have a sense of humor, even in these trying times!