Here are a few tips I can intelligently share. Sign up for Part D began on Nov. 15 and continues through May 15. You are encouraged to sign up by Dec. 31 so that your new coverage will begin on Jan. 1, 2006. If you are not signed up by May 15, 2006, you have to wait until Nov. 15, 2006 to do so and penalties will occur which will affect the cost of your premiums.

Here are the most important things to consider when choosing your new plan and there are around 40 plans out there. One, find out the cost of your most expensive medications and see that they are covered by the new plan you choose. If you take a lot of medications, you will be lucky to find a plan which covers all of them. So, look for one which has a formulary (list of medications) most specific to the medications you currently take.

Also, most of us are set in our ways and don't like change so make sure the pharmacy you like and have been dealing with for years is covered on your plan. Not all pharmacies are participating pharmacies on all plans.

Medicare Part D is not free, what in life is? You will have a premium to pay, part of the cost of your medications to pay and deductibles to meet. The cost of your medications will vary depending upon which plan you choose. There is a lot to consider and I don't even begin to have all the answers even after going to multiple (very dry and boring) Medicare related meetings. Be aware of what you are signing up for. If you want assistance you might use a broker or if you have a supplemental insurance, call them and see if they can direct you. Good luck.

Wasn't the weather great last weekend? I raked leaves for four hours. Mucho thanks to my brother and sister-in-law for their assistance. You know you're getting old when you have to use therapy once you've done hard, physical labor, just to move about. Saturday night I got out the back and neck massage machines (with heat) and my foot massage. Every muscle and bone in my body ached. The only thing I don't like about the foot massage is that I have to use it in the bathroom because it spews water all over the floor.

Are you ready for Christmas yet? I am all but ready. I just need a couple of last minute things. One thing I am looking for is a Big Wheel for my almost three year old, great-niece. If you come across one, let me know.

I was recently asked what I wanted for Christmas. What I want can't be purchased, unfortunately. I'd like good health for my five friends who have recently been diagnosed with cancer. I want my friend Kristy who just lost her mom to cancer last weekend to have the strength to deal with the holidays and her great loss. I'd like a better attitude so that I can deal with all their sadness, still be a good, loving and supporting friend and not take my "life's not fair" attitude out on everyone else I encounter because their life is good and free of illness and pain. I'd like celebrities to stop being so self-indulgent. I'd like them to spend more money on Cancer and other medical research and less on $250,000 cars, $20 million homes and 14 carat gold bathroom fixtures. If you want to witness waste and self-indulgence watch MTV Cribs.

On a lighter note, I'd also like some chocolate! Chocolate ice cream, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate covered cherries, mmm doesn't that sound good? I'd also like to be thin but my indulgence in things like chocolate keeps that from happening.

And, most of all, I'd like an outgoing personality. People think because I write a column, and work for a newspaper that I have an outgoing personality. I really don't. I am quiet, shy and have no idea what to say if I don't have an agenda or reason to talk to you. I am not mad and I certainly don't dislike you I just don't have anything new, exciting or interesting to say so I don't say anything.  And would it kill YOU to initiate a conversation with ME?

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