Dysfunction Junction

Yesterday we headed out to get a room divider from someone that was selling it on Craigslist.  We have a ridiculously large living room and I couldn’t stand the fact that our desks/computers were in public view along with our normal living room furniture.  Especially when at any given time one of our desks is a huge mess (I’m looking at you, Rick).  We’re neatly in the corner now, hidden by a hand-carved room divider (pictures later) and I’m all happy.  I know I need a life and just be thankful that you’re not as particular as I am because your head would probably explode in a million pieces…on a daily basis.  And yes, I do prefer to call it being particular instead of mentally ill.  Hee!

I had tweeted about having to be in both Latrobe and Shadyside on the same day (opposite sides of the earth as far as I’m concerned), but it turned out to not be the case.  The reason for Shadyside would have been The Apple store because Rick told me about a little adapter that would make my MacBook act like an iMac.  Basically I’m using my big monitor with my MacBook and eventually freaking Windows is going to go away totally.  It’s a quick fix solution because a) Quicken has yet to pull magic money out of my budget for me to purchase a real iMac and b) I still kinda need Windows because there is stuff on that computer that I can’t do on a Mac. Blahblahblah, we ended up being able to buy the adapter that I needed in Greensburg so it’s all good.

And nobody cares about this shit but me.  Moving on!

Rick dropped me off at the thrift store before he went to Best Buy (I loathe Best Buy).  I was all up in that store finding things and was greatly amused when the girl at the cash register commented on the fact that it was obvious that I’m not from the area.  Fact:  I live about 30 miles from Greensburg – I have all of my life.  Rick was amused because he normally gets the “foreigner” comments when he opens his mouth.  He’s from Southeast Missouri so there’s definitely an accent.  She didn’t direct the comment at him.  I have no idea what made her make the remark and I looked at Rick after we walked out and said, “Whatever it is, I’m doing it right!”  I’m thrilled to death that I am not considered a local in this area because it means that I’m just being myself.

Meanwhile we stopped over at the Mall because I wanted to check out the clearance sales (some clearance sales are actually cheaper than thrift stores).  Yeah, I know that I had said I wasn’t buying anything new for the new year, but I’m definitely going to be making exceptions once in a while (get real, I’m only human…and female).  Imagine my surprise that JC Penney was having a ginormous clearance – $1.97 each on all clearance clothing.  SCORE!  We spent $40 on shirts, sweaters and hoodies and ended up saving over $500.

And then it just got ugly from there…

Rick’s all excited because he was able to get an action shot of what I look like when I’m shopping for the perfect purse. Fucker. I’m in TJ Maxx or Marshalls.  And yes, I found one that I like.  It’s orange with a purple interior and it protects my camera perfectly because it’s a laptop type purse.  I can’t explain it, but it works for me and I’m all happy (for now).

Dear Starbucks in Greensburg,
You need to wash your mirrors.
Sincerely,
-nance

I was finally able to use the coffee sleeve again (reader Kari made it and I have yet to find any others that are as nice – score!) because I asked the Barista how to get hot coffee. In the past 6 months or so my drinks have been lukewarm every time I got one so I hadn’t needed it. All I have to do now is say, “One tall mocha latte, extra hot” and yay! I wonder if they turned down their temperature due to some kind of lawsuit?

And now I really need to step away from the computer and get some work done so I’m outta here.

Felina Marie (aka: Fifi) hopes y’all are staying warm like she is (courtesy of my electric throw).  She obviously has a rough life.

Ok I am guessing you buy your fiestaware at the outlet in WV. Do they sell the broken pieces or did you just break them up like that. I love your table how hard was it? I am wondering if it would work on a wall or floor?

I got this email a while back and it annoyed me enough that not only did I not reply to it, but I felt the need to keep it so I could write about it here. I have no idea who it is from because the sender didn’t even have the decency to introduce themselves OR sign their name. The whole tone of the email showing a lack of basic manners just really set me off. And they expect a reply. Yeah, that’s gonna happen.

I’m outta here.

Do NOT take this entry as being an opening for discussing politics in the comment section.  I’m dead serious.  If you talk  politics in the comment section I will delete you faster than you can say, “Nance is in a bad mood again.”

I did something yesterday that I never, ever thought I would see myself doing.  I made an appointment with my family doctor in order to sit down with him to discuss medications.  The sole reason for the discussion was to find cheaper alternatives to the medications I am taking right now.

Yeah.  Better living through chemistry has now turned into better living through the chemistry that you can afford.

Jesus H.

At my last appointment I had mentioned this to my doctor because I knew Rick’s place of employment was changing insurances.  We were in the Blue Cross/Blue Shield network and they were going to raise the company rate a ridiculously high 29%.  There was no negotiating a better rate and the decision was made to go with a more reasonable insurance plan.  I was familiar (through my job) with the company that they had decided to go with and I knew the change was going to hit my wallet in a hard way.  The good doctor blew me off that day and I understand why.  Doctor’s practice medicine.  They do not and should not practice financial medicine.  The medications that were chosen for me were working and to suddenly make a change for no valid medical reason is ridiculous.

I take  medication for an under-active thyroid, Adult ADD, and depression.  I also take two other medications for a health issue that I haven’t discussed online.  You can just imagine how much money I dish out in insurance co-pays every month.  Especially when the ADD medication needed prior-authorization because I preferred to take one that was a non-stimulant.  You know how they call Ritalin cocaine for kids?  Yeah, I didn’t feel that I needed to deal with that particular noise.

I wanted to cry when I found out what the cost of my medication co-pays were going to total.  One prescription alone went from $25 to $100…A MONTH.   So I sat down and researched the shit out of all of my meds and came up with possible alternatives that would cost less and give me as close to the same help as the meds I was already taking.   I actually had the information all typed out and ready to go for the appointment (NERD).

Fortunately, I have been with my family doctor for a long freaking time.  I won’t go into the boring details (like this other drivel is any more interesting), but he’s been very good to me and I trust him.  He has always listened to my ideas regarding my treatment and has let me try just about anything (within reason).  He’s also smacked me down (sometimes hard) when he thought I was wrong (Oh, the day I didn’t want Trey to get the chicken pox vaccine will stick in my memory forever!  And yes, Trey got the vaccine and I’m glad that he did).  I will now be going on straight Ritalin for the ADD (yikes!).  I am also changing my anti-depressant to one that I hope will not only work as well as my current one, but maybe even better.  The thyroid medication (totally cheap at $4 a month) will stay the same.  And I am only going to be taking one medication for the other health issue since there is no cheaper alternative for the one and I feel like I can live without it for the time being.

I just hate the fact that I have to nickel and dime my medical care, but I’m still glad that I am fortunate enough to have coverage.  So, I think I’ll just shut my piehole about the whole mess.  Meanwhile, Ritalin.  Oh, boy!

Moving on…

A while back someone sent me an email (SPAM) about coffee filters.  I have no idea why I bothered to read it, but something made me skim the list.  I was fascinated (must have been a slow day) to see that someone had taken the time to list the benefits of using coffee filters during a typical day.  I decided to try out a few of them and I’ve been on a coffee filter kick ever since.  I use them as bowls, to cover things in the microwave and to clean glass.

Pretty freaking cool and they’re cheaper than paper towels. Woot!

I’m outta here.