Bill Drives

Bill is down at Lowe's this morning as I type this blog posting.

This is Bill's first solo drive since he regained his driver's license last week. 

He was hesitant to drive, having not driven since he lost his license last June. 

I offered to drive him down to Lowe's. Down the notorious dangerous Route One, aka Coastal Highway. We're in the height of the summer season down here in Rehoboth Beach Land and the traffic is heavy.  Especially heavy on the weekend, sometimes at a standstill when the vehicles block intersections.

Good old Route One traffic headed to the shore

Of course I'm nervous that Bill is out on his own this morning. But he does like to roam around Lowe's without the hinderance of me tagging behind him.  I'm more of a garden center kind of guy.  That's when Bill tags behind me.

My regular blog followers may have notice that I haven't posted since last Tuesday. Time just gets away from me folks. 

Last week was a good week, except of course for the heavy traffic. It's getting more and more difficult just to get out of our development here.  And it will only get worse as the years go by.

I've been giving some serious thought to eventually moving away from here and this summertime mess.  Of course I would have to sell or get rid of just about everything I have in our home. After fifty-three years together we (or more accurately me) have accumulated much during those years of happiness and bliss. I guess I would get rid of everything except our artwork.  

An artistic collage of yours truly when I was very young by my very talented cousin Danny Hart

The furniture wouldn't go with me. 

But here I am veering onto another subject which is more suited to a separate blog posting. Right now I'm concerned about Bill. I'll be relieved when he returns home from his first solo driving since last June. 

Bill Gets His Driver's License!

Bill takes his eye test at the Delaware DMV this morning

This morning, Bill got his driver's license back!

Oh what a wonderful day!

Last June, Bill failed his eye test during a routine visit to the Delaware DMV to renew his driver's license.  Thus began a year long odyssey to get his driver's license back.

First we had to get an eye examination. Bill uses the VA  for his medical needs. Anyone who has dealt with the VA knows what an onerous process this was going to be.  I won't take you through all those torturous steps but the first one was to get him in the Veteran's Choice program.  I missed the first step and we had to pay the $180 for the eye examination. Bill was approved for the Choice program but I didn't have the authorization number to give when I scheduled Bill's eye examination and the Choice program doesn't back date. Okay, lesson learned.

I had the Choice authorization number and scheduled Bill for his cataract surgery. Then came the need for Bill to see a heart doctor. Thus another application for a Choice authorization number. More delays.

Bill had his scheduled date for cataract surgery in December. Yes, Virginia, it took THAT long to get the Choice approval but I'm not complaining. It's working now and they have been very accommodating and paying.

Then Bill had his emergency room visit. His ulcers had hemorrhaged.  A stay in the hospital and more interaction with the VA to pay for Bill's medical bills. After several months, we finally settled the bills.  Of course I dread checking the mail even today because you know these medical bills are like zombies, never completely dead. 

Then finally we began Bill's cataract surgery. Drops, visits to the doctor, etc. We were both glad Bill didn't have three eyes.

We got a new prescription for eyeglasses for Bill. We picked them up last week.  

Bill wanted to get used to wearing the glasses before he took his eye test. 

This morning I decided that today was the day we go to the Delaware DMV and take his eye test. 

Bill was nervous. Edgy. Short tempered. He didn't think he would pass.

We arrived at the Delaware DMV early this sunny, warm summer August morning. Thank goodness the DMV wasn't crowded. 

We got our ticket number (12) and were called immediately. "Danielle" was waiting for us.


So thankful Danielle was nice. I explained that Bill had lost his driver's license last year because he failed his eye test and had cataract surgery to improve his vision. She was receptive and sympathetic to my explanation. 

At first Bill wasn't reading the chart right. Bill must be dyslexic, he was reading from right to left!  Several times he put his head in that machine, nervous, and read. Danielle was trying to be helpful, thank goodness she didn't dismiss him right away.  She was patient. Bill tried again. Same result. Didn't get one right.  Then on the third try she said "Read from the LEFT to right."  Bill said "Oh!"  Now I know why I have so much trouble explaining to Bill how to use his iPad.  I've often told him his brain is wired backwards.  Now I know it is!


Bill read the chart again.  He passed!!  

Danielle was issued his driver's license good for the next eight years. 

Thank goodness and thank you Danielle!

Bill Gets His New Glasses

Bill tries on his new glasses

It's been a long slog folks, but Bill finally got his new glasses.

Last June Bill failed his eye test for renewing his driver's license. Thus began the long journey to get Bill's license back.

First up was an eye examination. Bill hadn't had one for years (his choice).  His doctor discovered that Bill needed cataract surgery.

Now any of you who have had cataract surgery or know some who has had cataract surgery, you know how long that process is.

We scheduled Bill for cataract surgery in the following months. But then Bill had an emergency room visit. He had ulcers that hemorrhaged. Thus his cataract surgery was delayed, for months. 

Back to "GO."  

Long story short, Bill endured went through the long procedure that is cataract surgery and recovery. Something that is in my future by the way folks.

Last week we made the final visit to Bill's eye doctor and got a prescription for his new glasses. 

We immediately went down to BJ's and ordered new glasses for Bill.

The video below shows the result.

Bill can see!!




Now just to get him used to wearing glasses. Bill is so used to not wearing glasses, he keeps taking his glasses off.  

He wants to get used to the glasses before he takes his eye test to get his driver's license. 

It's looking good folks!

Delaware DMV - Day Two

We just got back from the Delaware DMV.  This is our second try to renew our driver's license.

Today we had success.  Well, half success. I had no trouble renewing my license, for eight years.  Gawd, can you believe that it's been renewed until 2024? I have a feeling I won't around by that year. I'm quickly creeping up on lapping myself, having being born in 1941.  Hey, I hope I can renew my license when I'm one hundred years but we have to be realistic here folks. 

The bad news today was that Bill failed his eye test.  He's very upset.  I called the VA this morning and arranged to get him in the Choice program so he can choose a local optometrist for an eye examination.  Normally he would have to make the 90 mile trip to the VA Medical Center in Wilmington, Delaware for his eye examination.  But the VA has this new program in effect that if a vet if more than forty miles away from his nearest doctor, he can go to a local doctor. All we need now is approval from his VA doctor to visit a local optometrist. Otherwise we will have to go through the grinder of arranging a ride to the Wilmington VAMC through the American Legion. That takes up the best part of the day. Very onerous.

This is good that I'm checking this "Choice" option for Bill's health care.  Fortunately for us Bill's health has been good.  I've been the one with all the medical issues the past four years.  But at 88 years old I have to face that it is more likely than not that Bill will have medical issues going forward.  But who knows?  

Every day is an adventure folks.  Tomorrow I visit my doctor for the results of the biopsy of my five polyps that were found during my colonoscopy a few weeks ago. 

I have to tell you folks, sometimes I just get so tired. But we have to keep going on.  I know I'm way past my "sell by date" but I'll take every day. 
I'm greedy that way.

My Day at the DMV

Fun time at the DMV

Early this morning Bill and I left Casa Tipton-Kelly for the Delaware DMV.  

Our Delaware drivers' licenses need to be renewed.  

I've been dreading this day.  Just another day "to get through."  

The one good thing, in Delaware we can renew our drivers' licenses for eight years.  That should take us out to The End.  Yep, at 75 years old (me) and 88 years told (Bill), we're in the Last Act folks.  As Bill Clinton said last night at the Democratic Convention "We have more yesterdays than tomorrows."  

So, this morning, just as the oppressive heat and humidity was laying its heavy hand on us, we headed down Route One.  Through the circle in Georgetown, turning south on Rt. 113 looking for the Delaware DMV.  Folks, it's not easy to get into the DMV.  

After a false turn (we were in the Del Dot parking lot), we figured out how to get into the DMV.  Right away I noticed that the parking lot outside the DMV was . . . . . . EMPTY.  

Sure, we were early at 8:45 am.  I figured the DMV opens at 9:00 am, but NO vehicles in the parking lot?  

I called the DMV information number.  Here is the message:

"The Delaware DMV is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday."  

Uh huh.  I came the day they are closed.  Good timing Ron!

Not a wasted day though.  Time to make lemonade out of a lemon.  We went to BJ's.