Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Unhealthy Healthcare

Summer is finally coming to an end and school started for the boys (I start next week). In order to start school though, Bubba's school nurse called a few weeks ago to inform us he was missing a couple of shots. No big deal right? We have insurance, loads of places offer quick and affordable drop in clinics so no problem...

How wrong I was.

Our first stop was Walgreens where we were informed that our insurance didn't cover the two shots and they would be nearly $200!! Are you kidding me!? Hubby suggests a local clinic we could pop into, no problem. The receptionist was helpful and told us that upcoming weekend, vaccines would be given for free- YAY! Good news! I like free!!

Saturday comes and we head off to get the shots (Oh, and after double checking shot records, I discovered Bubba only needed one of the two but more on that). We arrive to find this GIANT tent with hundreds of people in line, some sitting, some standing. I assume the standing line we were directed to was for shots, the other for free dental exams which we don't need. I was WRONG! The entire mass of people are there for both, it's all one HUGE line.

To make a long story shorter, we waited over six, yes SIX hours to be seen. Bubba counted the times we moved, equaling eleven different stops or lines within lines. We went from the tent into the YMCA, into the gym for two more areas to sit in, and finally into the clinic for three more stops. (That's not all eleven, trust me, you don't want to know all the details). When we finally get to see the doctor, he says, "Okay, so you need just the one shot correct?" Yup- but he says something different... Huuuh? Turns out Bubba was missing the second half of his Hepititis shot but that is not either of the ones the nurse mentioned. It all worked out okay in the end since he did need a shot after all but... ACK!!

The thing that stuck me over and over were all the other people waiting in line- literally hundreds and they will be doing the same thing a week later. All those people, all either under or uninsured and yet our government has been fighting for years over healthcare. I think if they had to spend even a day going through one of these lines, things would change. I saw people who were most likely lower income but I also people like myself who were most likely under-insured. I was not looking for a hand out, we are insured and pay a dang lot of money for that insurance. However, this is is not the first time our insurance has failed us. Why do we have something that does not work? Because its the only option we have? If any other company or service worked the way healthcare does, that place would not be in business long but here we are, fighting to get something as basic as immunizations, which cost hundreds of dollars and are not covered. I ask someone to explain that logic to me. Stand in line at a free clinic in the Texas heat and tell me we don't need a better plan.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Blub Blub, I'm an Idiot!

Today I learned a very valuable lesson- I'm an idiot.

Soooo we had a leaky water spout in the backyard and that isn't a difficult fix. Well, it shouldn't be a difficult fix unless you're a moron like me. I bought a new one- nope, I needed a female connection (silly me, didn't think to check that). No problem, exchanged them.

Now the fun begins... The Boy and I think we can easily change the old one out without turning off the water main. (Oh be quiet, like you've never been silly. Quit laughing)! We begin to remove the old spout and UNLEASH NIAGARA FALLS with a huge WHOOSH of flooding, cascading water we can't stop. I begin running around the house, pulling things away from the garage walls and running around the yard searching for the main water... nothing. The Boy is smarter and makes a call to the water department. (Oh, and just so you know, there is no "if you are a bleedin' moron, push 1" option by the way). They say "Um, we dunno. Outside..." when he finally gets a person on the line and asks if they know where the turn off is. In the mean time, I'm in the backyard with the new spout. I'm thinking, "Okay, so I'll get wet but maybe I can just get this thing on and be alright. What's a bit of getting wet?" along with "OH MY GOSH, the water bill!!!!!"

The blasted thing will not connect. Nope nope nope! I'm soaked and by soaked, I mean wetter than if you threw me in the pool eight times over. I'm wringing, sopping wet. The ocean is drier than I am. There is water spewing into my yard and when I attempt to get the spout on, water is SHOOTING up the house, onto the BBQ grill and anywhere else water wants to go. I'm sure I watered the neighbor's lawns ON BOTH SIDES and the next town over. I decide there is no hope for the new one and decide to try the old one but realize I had thrown it in a fit of panic. Now is a new panic- where did it go? It ran away! After locating the old spout, I attempt at refitting it and VIOLA, it starts to go on!! I'm brilliant!! The thing turns, the water dissipates, more turning and TA DA, no more water!!! Because The Boy managed to find and turn off the water main... He comes around the corner where I'm standing and dripping, completely water logged. He looks at me, huge grin on his face and says "Well that was cool!"

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Well Crap!

Weeeellll, I'm not surprised but so much for my whole "I'm going to write everyday" idea. In an attempt to get back on track, I'm writing but with nothing to say. That's my biggest issue- I have grand ideas but nothing to back them. I want to accomplish so many things but when the time comes, I find myself doing something else. Usually that something else is of little consequence like doing laundry, cleaning the pool (don't get my started about the pool) or whatever- those things which do need doing but end up becoming the only things I get done and not those big plans I had for myself. I keep trying to think of something of consequence to write but nothing comes. Do you ever fear your dreams have all dried up and gone away but you didn't get the memo? I think though, instead of moaning and whining though, getting back on the stick would be better. You don't get better at something by just hoping you will- you only get better with loads of effort. I tend to "forget" that part and want the NOW NOW NOW! Time to go with the old saying that success is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration. Time to get sweaty!!

Monday, August 05, 2013

WHEW!

At long last, I put my money where my mouth was so to speak. I keep thinking there has to be a way to combine what I love with ways to make money while still doing the full time mom/student thing. Why I never thought of Freelance Writing is beyond me... I'm smart but not always. I took a little jump and submitted a short story in hopes of beginning the long road of being published! It's a small start but it's a start none the less. One has to start somewhere and what's the worst that could happen? They would say a polite no, I will sulk a bit and send the story on to somewhere else to try. At best, I make some money and start earning street cred!! One of the other ways I found to try being a free lance writer is blogging and hey, I have a sadly neglected blog! Soooo my wee little blog, let's see what we can do together! I think the next step is to start finding more things to write about and broaden my world. I could like this idea! Now what to write about?? Hmmm...

Sunday, August 04, 2013

Time Marches on

It's been over a year since my last post. Much has changed and yet, much remains the same. I think that's how life is though. For every step forward, you also go back. I think it's where we've been that decides where we go. I am back at San Antonio college with only three courses to complete my Bachelor's with A&M. So the degree is almost complete but only three measly courses at the beginning level stand in my way. One more semester- but isn't that the way? Only one more something, one thing more. What will be next for me to say? Only one more thing, one more thing and then I'll have what I want. What do I want? I'm not sure. I think I know, I thought I knew but it changes. I'm supposed to be an adult but what does that mean? Because my driver's license says I'm a certain age, I'm supposed to also have certain knowledge and know. I'm supposed to know but what am I supposed to know and who decided on this list of approved knowledge. Was there a test and I didn't get the memo? Does that mean I'm not really an approved, certified adult?