Gads, what a busy week! I haven’t stopped “doing” all week.
In addition to critter sitting for a friend since last Thursday (which will continue through tomorrow morning), I’ve been walking, blogging, preparing for the upcoming two consecutive-Saturday garage sales, shopping for groceries, getting a haircut, answering important move-related emails, and … what else?! I’m sure that’s not the whole list.
My speaker died, so I can’t listen to anything on my computer or visit via PC with anyone. I’ve ordered a new set of speakers, but it won’t be here for a few days…
I should get my Social Security apostille this week in the mail. If I don’t get my FBI apostille by next Monday, or notification that it’s on its way, I will inquire. They said 3 to 5 weeks, and it has been almost four weeks, so I’m not major concerned yet. It’s just weird that I spent so much to get it and it’s the one that taking a blue moon to do. My blue state is much better at turnaround than the federal government. (No surprise there these days!)
I only had two encounters with federal government agencies before, once during the Obama administration and once during the Biden administration. In both cases, when I reached out to them for help, I got it, in spades!
One fellow called me from the Obama administration when I was having a frustrating time getting registered in the system for Obamacare. They jumped on that immediately. When I told them I thought I had finally gotten in, someone called and left a message saying, “We received your follow up email. If you find you didn’t getting, and you’re still having trouble, call me.” And he gave me his name and direct phone number. WOW!
I don’t remember the Biden era issue. I remembered it a few paragraphs ago. If it comes back, I’ll describe that communication. It was equally impressive. My brain is just having a mental moment, and it has escaped me.
List of things still to do on North American soil:
- Cancel CenturyLink internet service
- Get smartphone unblocked by Consumer Cellular.
- Make flight reservations.
- Schedule Charli’s mobile vet visit
- Check to see if my phone has dual SIM ports; if not, see if it’s smart to get one that does
- Farewell lunches (2 or more)
- Tell Social Security, my credit unions and my WB annuity/pension folks of my move date
- Make reservation to stay at Villas Escondidas in Grecia, get their physical address
- Get with Katheryn Evans re Part B Medicare and possibly other coverage (international health coverage)
On the Costa Rica end, there will be to-dos, too:
- Get Internet service if where I’m staying doesn’t already have it.
- Apply for pensionado status — two visits in person to submit docs, get fingerprinted, pay fees
- Talk to folks about a reliable Uber driver or taxi driver for trips to San Jose
- Visit Bank of Costa Rica and put in required amounts and keep receipt to show to authorities
- Get a CR phone number and SIM card
- Locate a nearby medical clinic that checks INR levels
- Change some currency from US to CR colones
- Look for an affordable rental
- Sign Charli and me up with MediSmart discount medical/vet services program
It’s enough to make me tired just thinking about it all, so… one day at a time!
Tranquilo!