Once upon a time, there was a smart, handsome man who joined the Navy ROTC so he could be the first man in his family to graduate from college. After receiving his commission, he learned to fly jets and went off to fight an unpopular war in a far away land. Over the years he endured long separations from his family and enjoyed the times he could have shore duty and be reunited with his growing clan. He married a wonderful woman who became a fantastic Navy wife, and had 3 kids who adjusted to the ups and downs of being military brats. He served near (San Diego) and far (Diego Garcia). After 23 years of faithful service, he retired from the military, but remained close to its community. To this day he still counsels those who are transitioning from military service to life in the civilian world, sometimes not an easy task.
Happy Veterans Day Dad. Thanks for your dedication as a member of our armed forces. And thanks to all the men and women who have served or continue to serve.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Dear Dr. Office
A vent, by Dr. L:
I had an 8:30 am dr. appt. today. I informed work I would be late, I got up early, and I arrived 10 minutes before my appt., like a good patient. As soon as the receptionist opened her window, I knew there would be trouble. My dr. had an emergency at the hospital and wasn't there. I asked what happened next, and no one had an answer for me. After a call to the back office, I was told to wait and "someone will come talk to you".
Mind you, this office has seen some serious turnover in the last couple of years, they have a high patient volume, and they're notorious for having to handle emergencies at the hospital. I thought they had put some sort of plan in place for such an occasion. I was wrong.
After 40 minutes, I was still waiting. Reading a 3-month-old Newsweek (did you know John McCain picked Sarah Palin to be his VP running mate?). No one had even glanced at me, much less talked to me. I had enough.
I went back to the front desk, told the receptionist I had to leave, and that I'd call to reschedule later. She said OK. No apology, no offer to figure something out, nothing. Just another blank stare and a shift back to her paperwork.
The kicker? If I had been the one to not show up, I would be charged $25. But I doubt it works the other way around if the dr. doesn't show up.
Maybe I should try and bill them $25...
I had an 8:30 am dr. appt. today. I informed work I would be late, I got up early, and I arrived 10 minutes before my appt., like a good patient. As soon as the receptionist opened her window, I knew there would be trouble. My dr. had an emergency at the hospital and wasn't there. I asked what happened next, and no one had an answer for me. After a call to the back office, I was told to wait and "someone will come talk to you".
Mind you, this office has seen some serious turnover in the last couple of years, they have a high patient volume, and they're notorious for having to handle emergencies at the hospital. I thought they had put some sort of plan in place for such an occasion. I was wrong.
After 40 minutes, I was still waiting. Reading a 3-month-old Newsweek (did you know John McCain picked Sarah Palin to be his VP running mate?). No one had even glanced at me, much less talked to me. I had enough.
I went back to the front desk, told the receptionist I had to leave, and that I'd call to reschedule later. She said OK. No apology, no offer to figure something out, nothing. Just another blank stare and a shift back to her paperwork.
The kicker? If I had been the one to not show up, I would be charged $25. But I doubt it works the other way around if the dr. doesn't show up.
Maybe I should try and bill them $25...
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Advantage to "falling back"
OK, so after Daylight Saving Time is over, I have to drive home in the dark. And that's a PITA. But I found one advantage: no sun glare!
Usually at mile 2 of my 50+ mile commute, all forward movement stops. This happens to coincide with the first curve we hit where the setting sun hits dozens of car windshields. Then we sit around waiting for people to adjust to the sun. My commute turns into about a 90-minute adventure from there on out.
I am happy to report that today I had an hour commute, and no slowdown at mile 2. Just smooth sailing, even though it was raining.
Hurray!
Usually at mile 2 of my 50+ mile commute, all forward movement stops. This happens to coincide with the first curve we hit where the setting sun hits dozens of car windshields. Then we sit around waiting for people to adjust to the sun. My commute turns into about a 90-minute adventure from there on out.
I am happy to report that today I had an hour commute, and no slowdown at mile 2. Just smooth sailing, even though it was raining.
Hurray!
Thank goodness it's over
I'm a very apolitical person. I hate politics in general, mostly because I seem to hear a bunch of people who make promises they can't/won't keep, and when people stop listening to that, the candidates attack the other guy (or gal) running against them. I also come from a "mixed marriage" of a Southern Democrat married to a moderate Republican, and I was raised to not discuss politics or religion in polite conversation. I live in a little town where all politics is local, and I'm much more interested in who's running as my tax auditor than who's running for president.
I do pay attention, though, especially this year. I had a tough time with who I would choose for President, since neither candidate was perfect (admit it), and each was against certain issues that I support. And neither of them talked about those issues much, if at all.
I also live in a swing state. So the husband and I were bombarded with phone calls and mail this election. McCain was going to take away my right to an abortion. Obama was going to take away my money and give it to the rest of America. And so on.
I came home from a business trip last night to find 12 voicemails on my answering machine. All but one were campaign-related. We had calls from Obama, McCain, Bill Clinton, Joe Biden, and a bunch of random folks representing both sides of the issues. I didn't listen to a single one of them, especially since I had already voted. The husband threatened to answer the phone all day and night and tell people he was voting for Ron Paul.
So now it's over. We have a new president-elect, and no matter what party you support, you have to admit it's amazing that the US of A has elected an African-American president.
I'm looking forward to a quiet house without the phone ringing off the hook, TV with commercials touting ED drugs instead of bashing political candidates, and junk mail promising me a great refinancing interest rate.
Happy post-Election Day, everyone.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Halloween shots
Fall decor on the dining room table, complete with happy witches
On our front door
The husband's favorite Halloween decoration--a happy vampire with 2 happy jack o'lanterns!
More random fall pix
My husband always thinks I'm a little strange when fall rolls around in our neck of the woods. That's because I become obsessed with the camera, and will randomly jump out and take pictures of the fall colors at a moment's notice. Here are a few I found in my camera last weekend:
The lake in our development, early on a crisp fall morning
The view from our driveway on the way to work last week
Late afternoon shot of the lake and pier
Fall leaves. I love hor part of the tree is green, with "highlights" of color
The lake in our development, early on a crisp fall morning
The view from our driveway on the way to work last week
Late afternoon shot of the lake and pier
Fall leaves. I love hor part of the tree is green, with "highlights" of color
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