Where I still have no real answers

The insurance drama continued today. I still don't have a clear answer from my insurance carrier about getting my acupuncture covered the way I want it to be.

I wish that I could pull a Dooce and bitch and complain and then make millions in Blogging but I don't think I am that cool, and I don't really know if complaining about health care is a good idea since I am happy that I at least have coverage when many people don't.....But I am still pissed.

Remember last week when I said that I finally talked to someone and that my insurance should cover my treatments at the normal $15 co-pay? Well that doesn't seem to be the case anymore. I decided to talk to my insurance again today just to confirm what I thought to be true. And I was told another "fact" as this man kept on referring to his knowledge of my plan benefits.

I was livid. I even told him that it was "FUCKING RIDICULOUS" and that I wanted to speak to a supervisor. I didn't hold my cool very well, and I don't think that I should have. I was getting the run around yet again and I just wanted a clear answer. I then explained to the man that I know that it wasn't his fault but I wanted a clear answer and direction. I didn't want to be told another "fact" without hanging up the phone and knowing that in fact what he was saying probably wasn't true.

So now it stands that the nice OBGYN who is in fact considered an "in network" Dr. has to call my insurance and refer my acupuncturist. Yes someone else holds my fate yet again, I can't do anything to fix it except tell my Dr. that I need him to call and refer someone else who is able to help me. Seems like a weird cycle if you ask me, but he has agreed to call and also write a letter so something is in writing. This won't happen until Wednesday when the nurse is back in the office, but you better bet that I will check back in on Thursday to confirm what I have been told is "fact" and will indeed secure my $15 co-pay for the treatment that I really need.

Until then we wait.....

Firing Teachers?

Something on the Nightly News got me thinking (yes I am a religious watcher of the NBC nightly news along with my strange addiction to the TODAY show) and I just don't understand it.

I am not going to say that I know what is going on, or that I have researched this before I write my rant here on this blog so if you choose to tear me apart do so nicely and let me know where you are coming from. Please!

I understand that teachers don't really get paid that much, and that the other side of the argument is that they don't work for 3 months out of the year (summer vacation) but I don't understand why Madison WI would fire all their teachers and then hire the ones back that they "need".

Now before I say what I am going to say please know that this blog is for me to get my words out. I don't always use proper grammar or punctuation in the places that it should be-I am not a teacher, but I do have a degree (BS in Agriculture Business Marketing if you were wondering). I am not coming at this from a political stance (I am a registered democrat if you were wondering, but I think that I am slightly liberal and was a green party member when I registered at 18) and I don't even really care what political party is fighting this battle. I just think that it is wrong.

I went to a very very small school when I was younger. From K-8 my school had 140 students max...Yes I grew up in the boonies, and yes my school was really K-8 (even Preschool if you are counting) there were only 14 kids in my 8th grade graduating class. I was valedictorian if you wanted to know that small fact also. But I had a great education. I think that I probably learned more in K-8 than I did in high school. Actually, I know that I did.

Okay enough about me...Why is my question? Why? Are teachers really that idespensible that you can just fire everyone of them due to budget cuts or costs? Do your kids not need to learn? I don't understand how a whole city (or board or whoever decided this) can vote on firing teachers and then hire back the ones that they "need". Isn't all learning considered a need, isn't there a child out there who probably needs that teacher? I realize that the budget crisis in this country needs assistance. I realize that spending money is a big problem, but can't we think of other areas that we could cut? Is firing a teacher really the answer? Are union's for teachers really costing that much money? Shouldn't a teacher have the right to unionize and have support from a union?

My point is that I think all kids deserve to learn, and they deserve good teachers. I am not saying that all teachers are good, or that all are bad. But I know that when we have kids, I sure hope that they get a great education. I hope that there are teachers for them who care, ones who know my kids name and are not over worked and tired. Ones who don't have over 40 kids in their classroom. I secretly want my kids to go to school where I went (but only if they can live with you mom) or be taught by my friend Sarah G. I want my kids to have a teacher who cares. So why can cities and governments not care about the teachers? Is this acceptable? I think that it isn't!

Now I am going to go cook dinner, and thank the teachers that I had and that I know. I am going to picture my future children's education and think about how much it could cost me to pay someone else to  *homeschool* or teach my child. Because I am worried. I am worried about the fact that teachers seem under appreciated and underpaid in this country, and that it only seems to be getting worse and I don't even have kids yet. I don't even want to think about how much money it is going to cost to send my kids to college in the future, I should be more worried that my daddy said "nope" to the gas cards that I requested......


Happy Sunday Everyone. And please if you have a thought or comment for me-be nice. I realize that I didn't do a lot of research about this, but these are just my opinions and my feelings. I am open to other peoples feelings and opinions.

Five Q Friday-Where I am vague with details.....

1. Can you drive a stick shift?

Yes, kind of sort of yes. I can drive Kate's honda accord, but I can't drive an older bmw stick. I can drive a tractor and that classifies as a stick shift right???? I could do it if I had to, I know what I am doing, but I don't normally drive a stick so I would probably stall the car a few times. 

2. What are two foods you just can't eat?

I don't really think that there is anything that I just "can't" eat. There are many many items on my "I don't/won't eat" but nothing that would kill me if I ate it. Now that I think about it, I would probably try any food once. The rules are that is has to be classified as food (poop doesn't count) and more than one person eats this "food" everyday. Then I would try it.  

3. Do you buy Girl Scout Cookies? What is your favorite kind?

I boycotted Girl Scout Cookies this year. Refused to buy them. We don't need to eat them, and to be honest, I don't even like the little girl who tried to sell them to me. She tried 2x and both times I told her NO. No cookies in the house. No cookies for me or "the bearded one".....If I had to choose which would magically appear in my house and I could have just one as a snack I would choose the peanut butter chocolate ones. I don't know what they are called. 

4. How do you pamper yourself?

Pampering is such a relative term. During the winter my body does not get as much pampering as it does in the summer. Think Toes, Leg shaving, possibly arm pit grooming (yes I am gross but I am a waxer and tank tops are NO where near close to being a part of my wardrobe). I would classify acupuncture as "pampering" and taking care of my body at the same time, and I go to that 2x a week. I even got a sort of massage last night after she stuck needles all up in my back. Yep needles in my back. And no there is no sort of "happy ending"...why do people's minds always go there now? And I am getting a massage next weekend with a group of girlfriends. We are doing a massage social. 

5. What is your nickname and how did you get it?

I am not going to write my nickname on here because like many it includes my former last name. Now this doesn't deter my friends from still calling me that and I actually really like the nickname so it doesn't matter. Also, I took my maiden last name as my middle name so it technically still applies. I have also been called variations of my brothers nickname with the word "little" put in front of it. His is our last name as well and kind of funny since it is his last name and also really goes well with what he does for a living. Okay too many details, and I am probably attracting stalkers or something like that. 

But the good news is that if I do attract stalkers, "the bearded one" is home from his mini vacation. I was home alone for 2 nights, but instructed not to blog about it just in case. He cares about me like that, don't cha know?

What the What?

Death and Taxes, or something like that. Isn't that the saying? Well I have found out recently that we might owe a shit load in taxes this year and I am cursing being an adult. Wondering why Stan and Molly don't equal very large deductions and wondering when the hell I became an adult.

Thanks Google Images

I would like to take some of it back. The parts where I pay taxes instead of get refunds that I go shopping with, or how about paying a mortgage-no thank you I take that back too, or working day in and day out with responsibilities, or paying for my own gas? Yes that last one sucks more than I would have ever thought.

Daddy can I have my gas cards back pretty please? I won't share with "the bearded one" I promise. You won't even notice, I don't go that many places, but now that I am a true Minnesotan that might change, so I take back that promise. I'll look for the cards to arrive in the mail. Thanks and Love.

Also, insurance...Yes I am frustrated with insurance and not in the way that many would guess. After having 3 surgeries last year and paying next to nothing for all of them (we usually have great insurance benefits) I am left stunned and confused and somewhat pissed that they don't get it. I have called my insurance company more than once. Actually talked to someone more than 4 times, and I am getting the run around. For acupuncture benefits non the less. The ONLY thing that actually seems to work and make me feel like a normal person, and my insurance doesn't want to cover it. Or out of network and some crap like that applies.

Seriously? I can go to the "Dr." yes I put it in quotes, because I haven't had that great of luck with Dr's in the past and they seem to just prescribe drugs and send me on my way and don't follow through with anything, for $15 co pay and pay nothing for all the tests and crap that find nothing and drugs that do nothing...And you want me to pay $200 for one acupuncture treatment. Where I put nothing horrible in my body and the healing powers work, and I feel great and my body responds?

Seems backwards if you ask me. Very, very backwards. And I have been on the phone again with the representative (she was pretty chatty if you ask me, for someone who couldn't help my situation and kept telling me to call back at 8am) this morning to get it figured out.

I go to acupuncture again tonight for my miracle treatment and I would love to get this resolved before then. So Insurance company if you are listening...I would like to pay the normal $15 co pay each time I see my acupuncturist since I have a feeling I will be going each and every week. Please and thank you. Lets get this figured out soon.

*Update* I talked to another representative from the insurance company this morning. Who has now informed me that acupuncture is indeed covered, with a $15 co-pay...I'm not sure if I believe her, but we will see. I am tempted to call back and talk to someone else just to see if their stories match up.

A New Woman

I think that I have turned the corner from my former self just a few months ago into a new woman. Seriously I couldn’t feel better right now, motivation is present and I am kicking ass and taking names.

This morning I didn’t have any creamer for my coffee. I can’t drink coffee without creamer or milk or something to make it taste a little girly. Just can’t do it. So I got my big girl pants on (jeans) and drove to the store before 8am. I left my house all by myself and did something that just a few months ago I probably would have wined and let put me in a funk all day.

I have been working, like really working hard and focusing on things that need to get done. I sit in my new office about 10 hours a day recently and get things done. Yes I still walk to the kitchen if I need a snack and have to kick a kitty out of my office more than I would like. But I have made it. I am in a groove, this feels good.

Today I visit my headshrink. Did I forget to tell you that I go to therapy? Seriously don’t judge, she is awesome and “everyone needs somebody sometimes”. She also works about an hour from my house which means I have to leave, rearrange my schedule and I get to go to Trader Joe’s on my adventure. It’s not snowing, thankfully! But we all know that I am a true Minnesotan now, so a little snow wouldn’t matter.

Tomorrow I have another appointment with my acupuncturist, and I will write about her probably afterwards. I LOVE her and the therapy that she is providing for me. Acupuncture is the most awesome thing ever! Promise. I am a huge advocate and in love with my new therapy of acupuncture.

Happy Hump Day!

PS. A very thoughtful reader pointed out to me that the “Mount Me” quote that I couldn’t get out of my head during last Fridays FQF was from “Varsity Blues” J Thanks Lacey

I am a true Minnesotan now

Many of you have heard me bitch and complain about the winter here in Minnesota and my aversion to leaving the house in any type of winter weather.

I am proud to announce that I have appointed myself a true Minnesotan. I also had my introduction deemed appropriate by a friend who is actually a true Minnesotan via Facebook. She told me that normally you cannot actually appoint yourself but a Minnesotan needs to in fact let you know you have reached this status (thanks Dianne). We are thinking that a ceremony might be in order, one that most certainty includes wine, since that is how we do it in our group of friends J

Let me tell you a little story about yesterday. It was snowing…Really snowing. We received no less than a foot of snow between Sunday and Monday and I had an appointment that I needed to get to. I normally would cancel such appointments to not have to venture out, but Acupuncture has benefited me in more ways that I have ever thought possible in the past week that I just couldn’t cancel. I had to make the 15 minute drive to my appointment. I just HAD to do it. I could do it, right? No problem. I gave myself a good ½ hour of driving time to account for the snow that was falling and bad roads and I was on my way.

Driving in the snow-Notice the Flashing Lights? Someone ended up in the ditch, and it wasn't me!

I powered through the snow that was in my driveway. Shoveling just didn’t seem like a great idea to me, since it was still snowing and I knew that it wouldn’t affect my arrival back home to be snow free. I put the car into low. Really low was necessary for such an adventure. There was snow covering everything. The roads were awful, and I was just hoping and praying that I wouldn’t hit a red light on my way. Stopping and then going again are not my best skill in the snow.

My driveway and the swerving it took to safely get up to my garage. 

Did I mention that I have only ventured out once before in the snow on my own? This was in fact the second time I decided to drive somewhere in my 2 winters living in Minnesota. I just don’t do it. It is not safe for me or others.

I made it safely to my appointment. Not stress free, but safe. I was nervous about the drive home, in fact I was even more nervous that my car would be stuck in the spot that I parked it for the appointment. I didn’t think that I was going to get out of there without pushing. I am not a princess, but the idea of pushing my car out of a snow bank just isn’t appealing. It is more of a man’s job if you ask me…

My acupuncturist is the sweetest girl ever (I will post about my love for this treatment in the next few days) and she wanted to make sure that I would be done and out the door driving before it got dark. They actually closed after my appointment and went home themselves. It was a bad storm, not fun.

I obviously made it home. It took forever and I saw a few cars in the ditch, and even managed to take some photos of my introduction to being a true Minnesotan. Yes, driving and taking pictures in a snow storm isn’t safe, I realize that. But I had to document my adventure for your viewing enjoyment. And to prove that I actually did it, these days no one believes you unless you have photo proof!

What is for Dinner?

Our fridge lives in a state of crazy until I decide to go through it and throw everything away and then we have no food, and grocery shopping is necessary and the cycle continues....

Please tell me I am not alone in this cycle of food? No one really keeps their fridge tidy do they? It is like the drawer in the kitchen or office that you throw everything in because no one can see? Right....Crickets. Okay well I am embarrassed to share this with you but couldn't resist. Because it is normal here at our house.



*No animals or humans or food were harmed in the production of this photo*

What does not belong?

Stan was helping his dad make lunch one afternoon and decided he needed a cool down. Please ignore my husbands HUGE container of mayo on the top shelf. Ick-did I mention that mayo makes me want to be sick? 

Yes I know that my fridge is a mess, and this probably isn't sanitary and yadda yadda, but it was funny. Cat hair is one of those things that is EVERYWHERE in my house no matter if I dust and vacuum every day. These little fur babies of ours shed a lot. 

Happy Saturday!