... is a day for Cosmic Brownies.
I had a slightly traumatic morning yesterday. My BiL (lets call him Mark) needed to sign up for Medicare Parts A & B, but he is a bit of a hermit. No computer, no internet, no cell phone, and he views anything related to the government with skepticism and pessimism. I was going to use my laptop at my house because Mark doesn't have wifi, and he would be here with my my SiL, who would also be here using her cell phone to do whatever she could do.
I'll spare you all of the painful details, but first we had to create a login.gov account, and that involved verification of his driver's license (which he hadn't brought along to my house, so my SiL had to drive back to his house to get it), a selfie, and his phone number. We had to do this six times before we were successful, then send my niece to his house to get a secret code from his landline. Once we finally managed to create this account, we were able to sign him up for Medicare in about 20 minutes, but the whole process took over 3.5 hours. Snarky comments from Mark and John didn't help at all, so my nerves were feeling quite jangled when we were finally done. Last week, my kids had been telling me about Cosmic Brownies, so I thought baking a batch of them might help take the edge off. Maybe not the healthiest of coping mechanisms, but a brownie could possibly help.
They are pretty good! I like dense, fudgy brownies, and the ganache takes them over the top. I've never had a Little Debbie Cosmic Brownie, so I can't really compare them, but I think one or two of these will definitely take the edge off. I will be freezing most of them for the instigators Ryan and Justin so they are not sitting around at my house. Two of them were enough for me (unless I find out that the frozen ones are even better).
I wish you a delicious and frustration-free week.
That sounds like quite the ordeal -- I would have needed a strong drink in addition to the brownies! I went to Costco yesterday and restocked on my favorite super-chocolate Ghiradelli mix, so I don't feel like I need to make these, thank goodness. I certainly hope your brother-in-law thanked you for all the time and effort you put into helping him!
ReplyDeleteYou deserve an award for being the BEST SIL!! I don't recall signing up for Medicare as being such a pain. Glad you got through it and those brownies sound and look delicious!
ReplyDeleteoh boy, what an event! I felt bad for you.....but the poor sister-in-law!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the brownies you earned.
Oh my word! I understand the desire to be a Luddite, but unfortunately it is necessary to have some digital skills these days (or have a SIL that is willing to make up for your stubbornness). You truly are a gift to your family, Bonny. And if anyone made snarky comments while I did them that kind of favor I don't know if I would have been gracious about it. I would have resorted to a stiff drink and a brownie accompanied by glares to anyone who made any remarks about same. Hope the rest of your week is much better.
ReplyDeleteOh, Bonny! You are a SUPER STAR sister-in-law! I wouldn't share ANY Cosmic brownies with the snarkers. Just sayin.
ReplyDeleteYikes! That process is difficult enough for anyone, never mind someone suspicious of government and without any online presence prior to registering. You deserve ALL the brownies!
ReplyDeleteI don't know - I think brownies are a good coping mechanism, especially after the major assistance you gave your BIL. Carole is right the process is plenty difficult for everyone. The sprinkles are a nice addition - ganche with a touch of extra on top.
ReplyDeleteOh Bonnie, you deserve a medal, or at least all the brownies your heart desires. I did all this about six months ago - I'm a fairly digitally adept person, but it was no picnic. I'll add that in the end there were a couple of days of phone calls (which sounds worse than it was) to actually finish getting the medicare ball rolling. I was within two weeks of losing my insurance and still didn't have the medicare number I needed to sign up for the rest of my coverage. I made a call, which involved a call back, getting someone else's number, leaving a message, waiting for a callback, and finally a fifteen minute conversation that got results. But it did take a couple of days for that all to perk through. Whew. As I said -- you deserve a medal.
ReplyDeleteYikes. You deserve ALL THE BROWNIES!!
ReplyDeleteBrownies are the answer to everything and those look amazing. BIL sounds a lot like The Mister. I have to do all the tech work for him which results in a lot of tense exchanges. This weekend on his way to a new golf course he wouldn’t let me set up his phone for directions. Of course he got lost.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are well aware just how aggravating these people can be!
Deleteso nice that you helped your bil! It should be way way easier for people to sign up. I feel sorry for the people who do not have helpers.
ReplyDelete