And the tax return goes to....

After 2 loong months of trying to wait for my tax return, I was FINALLY able to get my car fixed! Back in late October or early November (it's been so long, I can't even remember) I was driving home from the second job and my car started overheating again. I knew it had leaks but I guess this time I had pushed it too far and my poor little Bug couldn't take anymore. I pulled over and sent an email for Dave to come get me thankful that he hadn't left for work himself yet. Later that night, Dave and I drove back to my car and tried to put coolant in it, just enough to get it home. Through the steam and check engine light, I gently drove it home and there it sat for this whole time. Then the headache of finding transportation to and from work. We still had the rental car from Dave's accident, so that helped for a couple of weeks. I could have carpooled with some of my co-workers, but most of them live on the East side and we live on the West...Sigh... Anyway, after some helpful suggestions from my mom (she's so smart) I had transportation, it wasn't the Bug, but it worked for the time being. This past Saturday, mom let be use her AAA card and I got a tow to the mechanic. Thanks to H&R Block I was able to do my taxes and get my return quickly. After getting the following list of things replaced, I have my car back :)

Replace rear break pads
Replace coolant outlet housing
Replace thermostat and gasket
Replace battery
Replace water pump
Replace serpentine belt
Replace timing belt

The process was not a cheap fix and I have totally learned my lesson NOT to try to push a fix when I know it really needs to be done. My goal this year is to get that car in tip top shape. I really worked hard to get it, I'm still paying it off, it needs to last a while longer...

I am off to the bridal shop (NO I'M NOT GETTING MARRIED...YET). My friend, Monica, is and she asked me to come with the whole crew when she tries on the gowns. I'm bringing my camera, but as I told Monica, the pictures are only for her and whoever she wants the opinion of. From personal experience, she's gonna change her mind a couple of times.

Toodles and thanks for reading!

Sign the Petition to Stop Cancer Care Cuts!

The government has cut Medicare payments for cancer care in 2010 and will continue to make cuts through 2013. Medicare pays for about 50% of cancer care — it influences how private insurance companies pay for cancer care. So, these Medicare cuts impact all cancer care.

Medicare has already severely cut payments for cancer care — over 25% since 2004. Now, the government is making more payment cuts. For example, Medicare has cut payments for the administration of life-saving cancer drugs by 5% this year and will continue to make cuts each year through 2013, when cancer drug administration payments will be cut by close to 20%. Payment cuts are also being made to imaging tests — such as PET and CT scans — that help find and manage cancer. And on top of this, there will be a 21% payment cut for all physicians’ services as of March 2010 if Congress does not act to stop it.

The payment cuts already made are impacting doctors’ ability to treat patients. Cancer clinics cannot continue to operate when their costs are greater than revenues. Absorbing more payment cuts is not sustainable. Some clinics have closed; others have had to reduce staff and send patients elsewhere for treatment. This is not meant to scare anyone; just inform everyone about a very serious situation.

The United States has the world’s best cancer care as judged by increased survival and quality of life for people with cancer. But cancer care is in crisis and health care reform needs to fix it. This is not about politics. This is about Americans who have and will get cancer.

Please sign the petition that will be sent to President Obama and the Congress to Stop Cancer Care Cuts!

Anyone concerned about the future of cancer care in this country should sign this petition. That includes members of the cancer care delivery team, cancer patients, caregivers, survivors, and any American concerned about cancer care. The government must stop cuts to cancer clinics for the payment of cancer care.

Thank you!

I love my sister...

Got this as a message on my phone this morning from a very special friend. Thought I would share:

Yesterday, I was talking to this one girl, and she asked me why I was friends with you. I looked at her and laughed and said friends with her? Haha. No way. That's my SISTER! She said how is she your sister? I said, because honey she's been thru thick and thin. Heaven and Hell. All my break-ups and breakdowns. My special life time moments. When I couldn't stand up, she gave me her strength. Because she was true to me, when I needed a friend, she was so much more than that, and you nor anyone else could be that. I'd never change anything about that girl! I love her to death, I always will. Nothin can change it!

Thank you Terri, for being MY friend! We have both been through a lot since we met back in 1992, wow 17 years! I will be there til the end and I've ALWAYS got your back! I <3 you girl! **hugs**

My baby is sick.

Since Sunday Amadeus, my male kitty, has has very bad diarrhea and I think he vomited on Monday night too. He seems to be getting better. No vomit but his stools are still very wet. I have an appointment to take him to the vet on Saturday. I really hope it's nothing serious. My little "bubba" is very important to me and I would hate to find out he's really sick!
He's drinking and eating just fine, he's still playful, he's cuddly and like his normal self, so I'm not totally worried, but I still hate when I don't know what's going on.
As for Jasmine... She had me worried too last night, but now I know she's just a FAKER!!! :) She hopped on the couch and just laid there, wouldn't eat, wouldn't play, nothing. I would pick her up and she would just mope...UNTIL, I let her come in the bedroom with me. TOTAL change, she was as happy as a clam! My "puddin pop" was back to normal. We have been keeping the cats out of the bedroom 1 because they were waking Dave up at night and 2 Amadeus was pooping all over the place!! She just wanted to be allowed in the bedroom.
I will keep you posted on what happens at the Vets office. I have been doing a lot of research on which office I feel would give my babies the best attention and lucky for me the one I picked is right down the street from us.
G'Night y'all
**hugs**

I'm getting crafty again..

It's been a while... I love discovering new things that I am able to do artistically on the computer. For the past month, I have been collecting photos. A BUNCH of them and lucky for me, my brother and sister-in-law graciously answered my request for as many pictures of my nephews as possible.
I really can't say what this project will be as it is a surprise, but I assure you, as soon as I get it finished and the final copy to the few I am making this for, I will post a copy for you all to see.
I need to get back into playing with photos on the computer, I can spend hours doing so. It's my escape from reality, my release. To see the faces of the people I do the projects for is priceless! I love to see the amazement, the look of "I can't believe you made this".
As for my reality, right now, there is just WAY too much of it! I am emotionally numb from all the recent drama. I have had to evaluate certain things and try to think like some really stupid people to figure out why they do things. It hurts to dumb myself to such an extreme and I'm done with it. If they wish to continue to live their lives in such a manner, who am I to try and figure it out? It's not really hurting me, just those I care about deeply. That's the kicker, I HATE seeing those I care about getting hurt! I CAN NOT stand it and it really pisses me off!
SOOOO...I'm off to finish watching American Idol and then, hopefully, a much needed night of sleep.
G'night y'all!

I thought this was supposed to be...

What happened to 2010 being a better year? It's the beginning of a new decade it should be a fresh start, a positive look on the next 10 years. I got my review today. Apparently, I'm loud and I wear my emotions on my sleeve. DUH!!! I have a heart and I care about my job. Excuse me for taking it personally and feeling hurt or upset when others accuse me of otherwise.
So, now what? I become a cold hearted robot that makes appointments, collects balances and answers the phones? I have a relationship with the patients, I care about them. I cry with them when they are in pain and cheer with them when they are told they are getting better. I have been to offices where the front desk won't even raise their head to look at you when you check in. I will not EVER be that type of person!
I am a very expressive person. That is just me, you can pretty much tell what I'm thinking by the look on my face. I can't change that.
I don't know what I will do, I guess I will try harder. I have to do some thinking on this one and try not to be offended.

Just a lazy kinda day

Have you ever had just one of those days where you don't really want to do anything? I have so much around the house I could be doing. Still haven't taken down the tree, have a pile up to my waist in laundry to do, litter box needs to be scooped, and I could clean out my closet, but I'm just not in the mood to do any of it.
So far, besides having to get used to putting 10 as a date which I have been doing for a couple of months now scheduling appointments at work, this new year isn't any different than the last. I know we are only 2 days into it and I shouldn't be expecting some major change in 2 days. The blue moon was a cool thing and last night the clouds were around it in such a manner that it looked very much like a Bob Ross Painting.

I did win some money at the casino playing the slot machines on New Years Eve. My 2 year review for work will be next week. I guess I should just give it time and things will change (hopefully for the MUCH better).

New Years 2010

Wow! We made it! 2009 was a hard year! I lost so many wonderful people in my life! Cynthia, Josephine, Debra, Gail, and Ron, I will miss you soo much! You made my days at work such a joy and it won't be the same without you! Dave and I have made it another year, not saying it was easy at times, but I love you more every day and we are together stronger than anyone! With every tough time there are so many more good times and the good times are only getting better.
I have learned a lot of lessons this year about trust. I have to be more careful with whom I give that to. Some folks out there are only in it for themselves and making others miserable. They want the world to feel as bad as they do and so they will take advantage and be down right mean in order to make that happen. My motto this past year and throughout this year has been "Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me! Its a real shame that there are people out there like this, but then again, I should have NEVER trusted them!
I would like to wish all of you the best 2010 has to offer. May you be healthy, wealthy and wise!
**hugs**