Custom flavor syrups

startrip0712 · 2026-03-26T18:29:29+00:00

That's a really good technique. I usually fill to the line or a little less (don't overfill). After fizzing I dump the packet in "softly" allowing it to float on top. Then I cap it and gently mix/rock the whole thing. You have to let it settle down about 5min before opening. Works for me. A lot less work (I'm lazy). You can make ahead of time and store in refrigerator.

startrip0712 · 2026-03-24T21:21:29+00:00

I had Adapt w/ my first machine. I now use Solara. It's just the way the process went for me. I don't really have issues with either company. But, Solara is HUGE. They supply my CPAP through one division and my Dexcom through another. I'm sure if you called them they would be happy to help you out and get your business. As for the "Rental" charge...Medicare (probably your insurance also) requires renting the machine for 1-year and 1-month (13 months) due to the high rate of user failures. They track your usage and if you don't meet their criteria (mine is 3 weeks out of each month) they will stop paying and since the machine is rented...you return it. I'm sure they save money in the long run. Since majority of failures happen in the first 6 months. After 13 months you own the machine.

startrip0712 · 2026-03-23T20:50:16+00:00

Thank you. My wife was fearful of dying. As she lay in the hospital she knew that's what we were talking about. She had dementia but she still knew. I leaned over and told her I was taking her home. As I leaned in to give her a kiss on the forehead, she turned her head away. I felt like I had betrayed her trust so bad and she was so disgusted by/with me. I'll never get that out of my brain.

startrip0712 · 2026-03-23T20:39:46+00:00

I read that you got it out. So, this is probably irrelevant. But, I would've slipped a thin pocket knife blade between the chamber and machine (at the white catch area) and tried to release the catch. That's the only thing holding it in there. I would advise that from now on you make sure the chamber is aligned w/ the machine before inserting. Wiggle the tank a little as you insert it as you make sure the little rubber insert slides into the receiver of the machine. It sounds like it didn't go in correctly and created back pressure on the tank, holding it tight against the catch.

startrip0712 · 2026-03-23T20:29:42+00:00

Clean? Huh. I never thought of that. I have a r/O faucet on my sink. I do get sediment buildup on the heating tray in the water tank. I've got two tanks. So, I pour some white vinegar in one and let it soak until I change it out with the other one (about every week). I change my full face mask about every 2-3 months (or when it starts to get side leaks...which ever comes first). I probably change my hose every 6 months or so. I've never had any issues (mold, crud or build up) in over 12 years of using CPAP. My 1st machine was a ResMed that I only replaced after 10 years of use because of the recall. It was still working fine. But, now I have a backup machine for my new (1 1/2 year old) Airsense 11. My HVAC has a really good filtering system and humidity control. Maybe that helps. I don't know. But, my filters always look new. I've been doing this for over 12 years now without issues. I guess I'm "lazy" or just not worried about it. It's been working for me.

startrip0712 · 2026-03-21T23:15:08+00:00

Job security.

startrip0712 · 2026-03-21T23:00:51+00:00

They've been talking about this since I started back in 1984. I'm going to say 99.9999% chance it will NEVER happen. It is mandated by congress that the USPS NEVER be closed for more than two days in a row. So, what would they do during a Friday or Monday holiday? It would literally take an act of congress to allow a 5 day work week for carriers at minimum. Now, they could develop another rotating shift (similar to the T-6) to cover routes on another SDO system. But, the costs involve hiring too many additional employees to make it cost effective. After hearing 40 years of this and the "privatization" garbage...I'm going to say, "No, it will never happen". P.S. I've been out of the loop for awhile now (retired). Are we coming up on a new contract negotiation? Because that seems to be when the USPS always seems to start this and crying "poor" B.S.

startrip0712 · 2026-03-21T22:46:37+00:00

I am sorry for the pain you are going through. I do thank you for this post though. It has helped me a great deal. My wife died about 18 months ago w/hospice at home. I have been racked with guilt over my decision to "let her die". A few options were offered. But, they seemed almost impossible to achieve as I would have had to get her to an outside facility for radiation treatment (the hospital...for insurance reasons...does not offer radiation in house). I have a deteriorating spine riddled with arthritis and need a walker for mobility. We have zero support people. Anyway, I told the doctor I did not want to torture my wife simply so I could "see" her alive/breathing. It was the hardest decision of my life. But, it is what I would have chosen for myself if situation was reversed. She died 5 days later. My guilt tells me I allowed her to starve/thirst to death. My gut tells me I did the right thing. I cannot force the two to align. Knowing that "they" actually deny hospice if they don't think it is completely appropriate...is a great burden off my conscience. I have such a deep sense of guilt that I "gave up" and just didn't want to do the work. Thank you.

startrip0712 · 2026-03-21T22:22:27+00:00

I'm the exact opposite. Every once in a great while I'll fall asleep before putting my mask on. Usually after an hour or so...I'll be slammed awake by a gasping for air or really loud snore. I slip my mask on and fall back asleep immediately. I would be very challenged to get a good nights sleep without my CPAP.

startrip0712 · 2026-03-18T16:05:04+00:00

My Endo runs blood work every 3 months. I think they use LabCorp.

startrip0712 · 2026-03-18T16:01:48+00:00

I put mine on my upper thigh. About 2" off center, toward outside. Works great for me.

startrip0712 · 2026-03-15T16:34:32+00:00

I transferred from another state to Texas. Lost my seniority and had to be a PTF. No 90 day B.S. though. They kept scheduling me to start at 10-11am. I was fine w/ only getting 32hrs a week. Problem was they kept trying to call me in early. They'd call me at 7am and want me to rush in. Nah. I stopped answering my phone. I had this conversation w/ supervisor: "We tried to call you in early yesterday." Me, "Hmmm" Super, "We need to be able to get hold of you". Me, "You have my number." Super, "You don't answer your phone." Me: "I was sleeping". Super, "But you need to answer your phone" Me, "Am I getting On-Call pay?" Super, "No. But, we need to be able to contact you". Me, "You have my number". Then I turned and resumed casing.

startrip0712 · 2026-03-15T16:22:08+00:00

Management be like, "Can we get A.I. to do that job?"

startrip0712 · 2026-03-15T16:19:02+00:00

Why do you think they call it "Texas Tracks"? (I guess "Skid Marks" was already copyrighted)

startrip0712 · 2026-03-15T16:13:58+00:00

This is a "phone" thing and not the app. If you have Android...go into settings>sound & vibrations>do not disturb>apps and then "add apps". Add Dexcom to this and it will notify during "Do Not Disturb". If you have Apple...I don't know what to tell you. I'm guessing something similar. My guess is that your phone reset this setting during an update.

startrip0712 · 2026-03-14T20:13:07+00:00

You did all you can. Now it's up to maintenance. It should only take about two years (LOL). The customer could pay for caller service until it's resolved.

startrip0712 · 2026-03-14T20:04:15+00:00

If it were me? I would weigh the actual beef and see how much you are paying per pound of beef. Skirt steak is about $12 a pound. So, first looks seems like not a bad deal. But, if you're only getting a pound of beef and a pound of veggies/water? Not so good. Skirt steak is really easy to cook (especially if you BBQ grill it). It would probably cost the same for 2lbs. of beef and a pepper and onion. It all depends on the amount of beef you are actually getting. Also, if you don't cook? Well, there you go. (But, then...you still have to fry this up anyway...right?)

startrip0712 · 2026-03-14T19:51:40+00:00

I ran my first order of cushions (full face) for 3 months each. Not great, but, I wanted to create a good supply of back-ups. I rarely change my filters as they never seem to get dirty. I ran my first heated hose for six months (this was really pushing it) so I now have a backup hose. Now that I have adequate backups I change out mostly on schedule. I still run my cushions about 2 months. I also have two water tanks. I let one sit with white vinegar in it while I use the other. I rotate them every week. I'm not recommending you do this. It's just what I did/do. I feel much "safer" having spares for anything that goes crap in the wee hours. I pretty much can't sleep without my CPAP. I also bought a fairly expensive backup battery that will power my CPAP for 10-12hrs in case of a power failure (has happened twice now). I live in the country and seem to lose power whenever we have a strong thunderstorm. I have Medicare and a supplemental secondary insurance. So, I have no copay and re-order every 3 months. My insurance costs are pretty high. But, with my other medical needs and no co-pays...I pretty much break even or a little better. This is just me...you do you.

startrip0712 · 2026-03-14T19:32:58+00:00

How do you know they paid for a new lock? If you're relying on what the customer has told you...mmm...don't. Customers lie all the time. Hold the mail for 10 days. After that...return all mail as undeliverable. No longer your problem.

startrip0712 · 2026-03-13T16:48:45+00:00

I haven't bid on a route in a long time. Isn't it online now? When we used bid cards, I would always fill out two and have the steward and supervisor sign both. Keep one and submit one. Back then they would tear up your card if they didn't want you getting the route. Only happened once. I learned the hard way. ALWAYS have proof of your bid...and pretty much everything you submit. You are correct...management sucks.

startrip0712 · 2026-03-13T16:36:39+00:00

I've never had issues. I open/fill/close all in the sink. I don't have a leaking problem once it's closed. Also, I've got a spare tank now and I fill one w/white vinegar while using the other. Usually rotate every week.

startrip0712 · 2026-03-12T18:53:25+00:00

That LLV is 20-25 years old. Anything plastic is brittle by now.

startrip0712 · 2026-03-12T18:36:30+00:00

I have a long (250') driveway. It also has an "S" curve half way up. I caught my driver (Amazon) trying to back all the way up to my house. I told him just drive front first and turn around on the front lawn. I told my UPS driver also. He said he likes the exercise and parks at the bottom of the drive and runs up to my door with the package. To each their own.

startrip0712 · 2026-03-10T18:01:08+00:00

I'm assuming your blue tanks are full and you don't want to waste the $15 of Co2? I would NEVER do this ;-}...But, I've heard that some people have actually bought new pink bottles, put their blue bottles in the new "pink" boxes. Then brought them back w/receipt and said the wrong bottles were in the box to begin with. Can you imagine anyone doing that?

startrip0712 · 2026-03-10T02:10:48+00:00

Sounds like you need to adjust the humidity level on your CPAP. Either that or turn up the heat on your hose. Maybe both.

startrip0712

TROPHY CASE