Not finished, yet....

Hello from the longest night, shortest day of the year.  I did see sunlight today.  I managed to walk out to my mailbox today during the light, but it was short-lived.  The good thing is that starting tomorrow the night will get shorter and the day will grow longer until the Summer Solstice when it will be reversed.

Still not being paid from Social Security.  The flag is now gone in the ACH department at the bank.  Yes, even after Treasury removed their death flag, my money was not getting into my account.  But it was getting to the bank and then being returned.

The young man who is the senior banker, had assured me several weeks ago that there was nothing hidden anywhere in the bank that would prevent my money from reaching me.  But once Treasury removed the flag, the folks who are working with me could clearly see it being rejected from the bank.

So, I call and am told that there were no holds or flags.  SO I asked for a direct number to the ACH department.  Thank goodness I had worked at Jefferson Bank for 14 years and knew what the ACH department was all about.

I spoke to Mary in ACH and she seemed somewhat surprised by a customer calling into that department, but she was able to confirm that there indeed was a flag that was causing the deposit to be returned to SSA.  She had no idea what I needed to do to get the thing removed, so I called the branch back and spoke to the same Senior Banker to explain what I had found.  He sounded surprised that I had gone ahead and done what he should have done in the first place and that I had discovered that there was indeed a flag causing my money, now a nice little bundle, I might add... to be bounced back to Treasury.

My contact at the Fairbanks office... I have his direct line... indicated that the payment had been attempted but bounced before the flag had been removed at the bank.  He was going to put it through again.  But I also knew, that a bounced payment was going to suspend my account, so the first thing the next morning was to call Candace in Alabama.  I have her direct number, too.  She verified that my account was indeed, suspended.  She asked her questions and removed it, so hopefully in the next couple of working days, I will be back on track.  Stay tuned!!!

We are in a bit of a cold snap here in Fairbanks.  It is currently 32 degrees BELOW zero.  It got up to -29 today and will remain in that range tomorrow.  It is cold enough, that when you step outside and take your first breath through your nose, the nose hairs inside your nose freeze solid and then you can feel them trying to move with each breath you take.

The dogs can step out for a minute or two before the cold burns their paw pads, so they are using their pee pads and not being yelled at.  It is just too cold.  I try to be well covered when I go out as you just do not feel how cold it is but it is actually quick freezing anything that is exposed.

We did get  new garage door installed.  The door I use for Gaddy the Caddy and to take the dogs outside had stopped working correctly.  It was old and not very efficient, so we replaced not only the opener, but the entire door.  It is soooooo very nice.  Belt driven and so quiet, I am not really sure it is running until I see the door going up.

I am ready for the holidays, as much as I can be.  I have some gifts for friends in PA/MD.  But they are not going to make it out until after Christmas.  So, think of them as New Year's gifts, if you are one who is getting one.

Game night, tonight.  Rob is not feeling well.  He has been asleep in their bedroom since they got here at 2 PMish.  So Kate and I are going to the game venue with dessert and Christmas exchange gifts.  Should be a fun night!!