Sort of at a loss and spinning (not yarn) around directionless lately. But maybe that's not such a good description of it.
I have been getting 'lots' done. That's what I do when things are amiss. I keep busy. And this business at work has given me reason to keep busy. Working so I don't think. In other circles, it may be called denial.
I am practiced and very good at it.
Twirly Skirt #2 is done (shhh....don't tell Grandbebe Girl Two). Hiking Socks #2 are done. Test articles booties are done. Handspun Jacob and alpaca are dyed. Sweet Peasy has been 1/3 knit, frogged and re-knit (much more to my liking).
The weekend was spent with Lovely Step-Daughter, shopping for her new digs. Which was much fun. Retail therapy is very comforting. And also was very exhausting. I am feeling more rested once again.
Which is good, because this coming up Saturday, my knitter peeps and me are driving to the SoWY yarn shops in Cheyenne and Laramie for the Hot August Nights NoCO/SoWY yarn shop crawl. DSis says traveling to WY for yarn is over the top. I told her it's closer than Denver! And whatever. More retail therapy.
I need it.
Things will aright soon enough, and I will get over it, and move along. I always do.
August 25, 2010
August 23, 2010
Fall Is Coming
School buses are on the road. Kids are on the bike path early with bikes, skateboards, and backpacks. The sun’s angle is just a bit different, and it is rising later each day. And setting earlier, too.
And I just harvested my first two tomatoes last week. This picture is whackadoo!
Also not really so comfortable for me.
I know. I know. There are plenty of warm days to come. This past weekend was in the 90's and H.O.T! I am planning to clear my bike-riding miles goal with no problem. However. Today and tomorrow? Ju-u-ust a bit…not…warm, with a hint of the change of the season.
And I am not ready.
I am really really glad I am not suffering with a month of 100 degree (and humid) temps typical of the midwest (where I lived for many years of my life). And yet, it does not seem like my summer lasts quite long enough where I am living now.
Maybe it wouldn’t seem so bad if school held off until Labor Day, and the school supplies in stores were banned until after the first of August.
But. Since that isn’t going to happen, I better just buck up, and get ready. Aspens will be turning in a month.
And I just harvested my first two tomatoes last week. This picture is whackadoo!
Also not really so comfortable for me.
I know. I know. There are plenty of warm days to come. This past weekend was in the 90's and H.O.T! I am planning to clear my bike-riding miles goal with no problem. However. Today and tomorrow? Ju-u-ust a bit…not…warm, with a hint of the change of the season.
And I am not ready.
I am really really glad I am not suffering with a month of 100 degree (and humid) temps typical of the midwest (where I lived for many years of my life). And yet, it does not seem like my summer lasts quite long enough where I am living now.
Maybe it wouldn’t seem so bad if school held off until Labor Day, and the school supplies in stores were banned until after the first of August.
But. Since that isn’t going to happen, I better just buck up, and get ready. Aspens will be turning in a month.
August 19, 2010
Lovely Step-Daughter Has Returned
Armed with her degree, Lovely Step-Daughter Daughter left for Crazy Desert Town to find her fame and fortune. Or at least a job in her field.
And that she did, and she stuck it out, making the grade for lo, these long (and distant) years.
Even if eventually Dearest Sister came to rest (so to speak) in the same locale. And even if we received killer deals on lodging most places we stayed, Lovely Step Daughter was far from home, and though Wonderful Guy understands the need for independence and acquiring decision making skills and standing on ones own two feet? Well, we are glad an opportunity has come up that allows her to return closer to the home front. Three of the five will be within hollerin’ distant.
Sort of.
Dearest Sister and her kitties are saddened. Lovely Step Daughter was the primary kitty-sitter. And DSis thinks The Guy isn’t as likely to tote me the desert now that his little girl doesn’t live there anymore.
Well, Sister? We will have to meet elsewhere then, won’t we? Maybe without the fellas.
And that she did, and she stuck it out, making the grade for lo, these long (and distant) years.
Even if eventually Dearest Sister came to rest (so to speak) in the same locale. And even if we received killer deals on lodging most places we stayed, Lovely Step Daughter was far from home, and though Wonderful Guy understands the need for independence and acquiring decision making skills and standing on ones own two feet? Well, we are glad an opportunity has come up that allows her to return closer to the home front. Three of the five will be within hollerin’ distant.
Sort of.
Dearest Sister and her kitties are saddened. Lovely Step Daughter was the primary kitty-sitter. And DSis thinks The Guy isn’t as likely to tote me the desert now that his little girl doesn’t live there anymore.
Well, Sister? We will have to meet elsewhere then, won’t we? Maybe without the fellas.
August 13, 2010
Fractal Friday
The insurance people, the provider, and I are working towards an end with additional documentation being faxed for review. Hopefully we will only be out the originally planned amount. Which is enough, trust me! Time will tell. Thanks for the tea, sympathy, and advice.
I found out today my employer is offering the other temp a full time position, and while the position is below both mine in level and pay, still! It’s a burn. I like my job. I like my co-workers. I don’t dread getting up in the mornings and going to work, which is much much more than lots have. I probably wouldn’t mind staying on as things are now. But this chaps me. It leaves me out there. I had someone that understood, and now, I am the only temp again, working so they all meet the progress points for their bonuses.
Whatever.
The twist is set in the 6 skeins of Jacob I ended with. I think some of it might be a bit overly twisty, but in retrospect I am pleased with the learning process. That’s what spinning still is for me, learning. I was able to put into practice a lot of what I learned at the wool market workshop with this fleece, and this is the first sheep’s fleece I scoured. Stats: Before scouring - 2lbs, after - 17 3/8oz, resulting in 6 skeins of 2-ply, 16 1/2oz, approx 1260 yds. (Which I am planning to dye. Then knit into maybe a sweater. For me. Or someone else. But not the insurance person or anyone at work….)
A dental check-up this week had good results. I am grateful for that, as dental visits are anathema for me. Seriously. It goes way back to childhood trauma of which we will not speak.
I am going to start some of Sarrtje’s Booties (rav link) for Grandbebe Fourth. Out of some Brown Sheep Wildfoote I have on hand….which is PINK! I am ex-CIIIIIIIIT-ed!!!! The boys in the family keep saying things like ‘hey, the numbers are getting a little lopsided here…’, and the in-laws say ‘where are the boys?’. I reply with ‘trust me! The boys will follow the girls home soon enough and the numbers will get balanced!’
My new bike, Trekkie v.2, is proving to be more than I dreamed. I commuted 5 days last week, plus a trip to the farmer’s market on Saturday. This week allowed 4 days of commuting (because of the dental appt.). Headway is being gained on my mileage goal.
I am looking forward to a weekend.
I found out today my employer is offering the other temp a full time position, and while the position is below both mine in level and pay, still! It’s a burn. I like my job. I like my co-workers. I don’t dread getting up in the mornings and going to work, which is much much more than lots have. I probably wouldn’t mind staying on as things are now. But this chaps me. It leaves me out there. I had someone that understood, and now, I am the only temp again, working so they all meet the progress points for their bonuses.
Whatever.
The twist is set in the 6 skeins of Jacob I ended with. I think some of it might be a bit overly twisty, but in retrospect I am pleased with the learning process. That’s what spinning still is for me, learning. I was able to put into practice a lot of what I learned at the wool market workshop with this fleece, and this is the first sheep’s fleece I scoured. Stats: Before scouring - 2lbs, after - 17 3/8oz, resulting in 6 skeins of 2-ply, 16 1/2oz, approx 1260 yds. (Which I am planning to dye. Then knit into maybe a sweater. For me. Or someone else. But not the insurance person or anyone at work….)
A dental check-up this week had good results. I am grateful for that, as dental visits are anathema for me. Seriously. It goes way back to childhood trauma of which we will not speak.
I am going to start some of Sarrtje’s Booties (rav link) for Grandbebe Fourth. Out of some Brown Sheep Wildfoote I have on hand….which is PINK! I am ex-CIIIIIIIIT-ed!!!! The boys in the family keep saying things like ‘hey, the numbers are getting a little lopsided here…’, and the in-laws say ‘where are the boys?’. I reply with ‘trust me! The boys will follow the girls home soon enough and the numbers will get balanced!’
My new bike, Trekkie v.2, is proving to be more than I dreamed. I commuted 5 days last week, plus a trip to the farmer’s market on Saturday. This week allowed 4 days of commuting (because of the dental appt.). Headway is being gained on my mileage goal.
I am looking forward to a weekend.
August 12, 2010
Actual phone conversation with health insurance person (regarding a denied claim)...
Me: The provider called [the company] for a pre-authorization for this procedure. The message received stated that ‘no pre-authorization was required for out-patient surgery, MRI, or CT unless living in [some other county, some other state]'. Which I do not.
Insurance company person: Yes, but that’s the just recorded message. Then they have to call to find out what the benefit requires for the MRI.
Me: But…the message just told them…that no pre-authorization…for an MRI…is needed? And they need to know…that another follow-up call is required??
ICP: Mmm-Hmmm. (very matter of factly) (like she did not hear the crazy of her words).
Me: That makes no sense!
ICP: We need to have…(and she just goes on….never pausing…)
My point is (and I have a few), is that I cannot be the first in my provider’s office with this insurance needing this procedure. It is a capable office staff that has met every need before, and surely would know that an additional, follow-up call was required.
What the ICP said was almost exactly what I wrote above. Maybe not exactly word for word, but almost. There is a recorded message that says no pre-authorization is required. Except that really? One is needed, and a second phone would have told us that. Except that the first phone call? No clue that a second is required.
And when I repeated that? No acknowledgement that the practice is crazy making.
>The procedure was performed in April.
>The insurance company first held off on paying, asking for more information.
>The claim was then denied, because of no pre-authorization.
> Receiving the letter on Thursday, and not being able to talk to the provider on Friday, I spent a weekend wondering, ‘WTH? Was I going to be paying a $4000 bill?’
> I have had to call the insurance company twice and the provider three times…at work…which means finding a place not in cube land where I can repeat and re-repeat the whole story.
> I will probably be receiving bills from those who provided the actual services, and will have to call them and tell them the services have been resubmitted to said insurance balkers, and please don’t turn me into the collections service.
>The insurance company has had my premiums in the mean time. And the providers have not been paid for 4 months, and probably won’t be paid for at least another, maybe two. Nice scam if they can hold onto a few other’s money in a likewise fashion.
What makes me almost want to throw in the towel is how the hard the answers are to come by. How do I know what is covered, what is required, what is needed to make sure all my ducks are in a row?
The benefit book has some pretty good bullet points, but is not totally comprehensive. The website says to call customer service to make sure. Depending on who I talk to, different people hear what I need differently, and answers vary based on their knowledge.
And I have…a few decades…or more….of life experience to base my questions on. Somebody help me if I was 28 and trying to navigate this system.
Me: The provider called [the company] for a pre-authorization for this procedure. The message received stated that ‘no pre-authorization was required for out-patient surgery, MRI, or CT unless living in [some other county, some other state]'. Which I do not.
Insurance company person: Yes, but that’s the just recorded message. Then they have to call to find out what the benefit requires for the MRI.
Me: But…the message just told them…that no pre-authorization…for an MRI…is needed? And they need to know…that another follow-up call is required??
ICP: Mmm-Hmmm. (very matter of factly) (like she did not hear the crazy of her words).
Me: That makes no sense!
ICP: We need to have…(and she just goes on….never pausing…)
My point is (and I have a few), is that I cannot be the first in my provider’s office with this insurance needing this procedure. It is a capable office staff that has met every need before, and surely would know that an additional, follow-up call was required.
What the ICP said was almost exactly what I wrote above. Maybe not exactly word for word, but almost. There is a recorded message that says no pre-authorization is required. Except that really? One is needed, and a second phone would have told us that. Except that the first phone call? No clue that a second is required.
And when I repeated that? No acknowledgement that the practice is crazy making.
>The procedure was performed in April.
>The insurance company first held off on paying, asking for more information.
>The claim was then denied, because of no pre-authorization.
> Receiving the letter on Thursday, and not being able to talk to the provider on Friday, I spent a weekend wondering, ‘WTH? Was I going to be paying a $4000 bill?’
> I have had to call the insurance company twice and the provider three times…at work…which means finding a place not in cube land where I can repeat and re-repeat the whole story.
> I will probably be receiving bills from those who provided the actual services, and will have to call them and tell them the services have been resubmitted to said insurance balkers, and please don’t turn me into the collections service.
>The insurance company has had my premiums in the mean time. And the providers have not been paid for 4 months, and probably won’t be paid for at least another, maybe two. Nice scam if they can hold onto a few other’s money in a likewise fashion.
What makes me almost want to throw in the towel is how the hard the answers are to come by. How do I know what is covered, what is required, what is needed to make sure all my ducks are in a row?
The benefit book has some pretty good bullet points, but is not totally comprehensive. The website says to call customer service to make sure. Depending on who I talk to, different people hear what I need differently, and answers vary based on their knowledge.
And I have…a few decades…or more….of life experience to base my questions on. Somebody help me if I was 28 and trying to navigate this system.
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