Nasty Receptionist!

Today I had a doctor apt. Have you ever had a doctor who had a nasty/snotty witch for a receptionist? Well, I got a very cold reception at the doctor's today from Ms. Important herself. Anyway, she didn't look up or say hello or anything. That witch screwed up my scan apt. and then said I missed my apt. (The hospital told me the doctor should be told!) but I didn't say anything to the Dr.because if the doctor did say something to her, Ms.Receptionist would make my life a living hell. It's never good to be on the bad side of the receptionists! She has a Westie terrier dog she brings to work, and he's a doll. I was petting him and talked just a little to him. But I sure did tense up waiting an hour to be called while Ms. Important greeted other people so friendly it was almost sickening.But then I should have known she would be like this to me, since when I called to find out my scan results, because of the way she's fouled up with test dates for me since Sept. But, I also know that anything I do with her, would just get me upset and not bother her a bit. Then I wait another hour in the exam room. Not good for the blood pressure. I got so upset I threw up in the sink in the little examining room, Then I thought, "Settle down, she is not worth it!" You'd have been proud of me.. She's is off on a POWER trip. . But the nurse is really wonderful and that's nice. And the doctor is very nice too. Just had to tell you this. I just told myself, "Rise above that petty stuff." (And that's just what I did!)
From your pal,
Merry

Christmas Dinner ( An inspirational Story!)

My work calls for me to venture to the farthest reaches of the world, but one of my most memorable encounters occurred while traveling close to home.A few years ago, a group of my far-flung friends decided to gather in Connecticut to celebrate Christmas. I was to buy all the soft drinks, champagne and wine, and a doctor friend would get the turkey and trimmings.On our way from New York City to Connecticut, my friend and I stopped in for a Christmas Eve party in upstate New York. As we left, I ran into the doctor and casually asked him what size bird he had bought. His eyes widened with surprise—he had bought all the drinks.So here we were on a snowy Christmas Eve, with sufficient drinks to serve a cruise ship but not one piece of food for twelve hungry people! We searched around, but every supermarket was closed. Finally, just before midnight, we found ourselves at a gas station quick-food shop. The manager was willing to sell us cold sandwiches. Other than potato chips, cheese and crackers, he didn’t have much else. I was very agitated and disappointed. It was going to be a rather miserable Christmas dinner. The only bright spot was that he did have two cans of cranberry jelly!In the midst of my panic, an elderly lady stepped from behind one of the aisles.“I couldn’t help overhearing your dilemma,” she said, “If you follow me home, I would happily give you our dinner. We have plenty of turkey, potatoes, yams, pumpkins and vegetables.”“Oh no, we couldn’t do that!” I replied.“But you see, we no longer need it,” she explained, “Earlier today we managed to get a flight to Jamaica—to see our family down there, for the holidays.”We couldn’t say no to such kindness. We thanked her and followed her car. The journey seemed endless as we meandered through back roads and dimly lit streets. Eventually, we reached this kind woman’s house.We followed her in and, sure enough, she removed a turkey and all the trimmings from the fridge. Despite our attempt to reimburse her for her generosity, she refused our money.“This is just meant to be,” she said. “I don’t need it anymore—and you do.”So we accepted her gift, asked her for her name and address, and went on our way.The next day we impressed and surprised our friends by presenting them with a complete feast and telling them our amazing story about the old lady’s help. Despite the last-minute scramble, Christmas dinner turned out to be a great success.Before we left Connecticut, we went to a department store, picked out a gift and drove to the lady’s home to leave our small token of appreciation.We searched and searched but we couldn’t find her place. We couldn’t find the street address on any maps. The name she had given us wasn’t listed anywhere. Baffled, we questioned several local store owners, yet no one knew of the elderly lady. Even the gas station manager told us that he had never seen her before. Every effort we made to locate our Christmas angel failed.As I returned home, I pondered our bizarre encounter with this beneficent woman. Who was this lady who had appeared just in time to help out two desperate strangers, only to disappear with the night?Years later, when I look back upon that particular holiday season, I recall the joy of gathering with friends from across the world and an amazing little old lady whose generosity embodied the very meaning of the Christmas spirit.
The End
I hope this brings joy to your soul, it did to mine.
Merry

Christmas Night

Well, we had a better Christmas than I thought we would. But it still didn't seem like Christmas, but more like a big birthday party. Hmmmm, shame on me IT is someone's birthday. I am ashamed of myself for making that statement!!

It was good driving to get there. And Jack was worth the ride, even though I about go nuts in a car. He is soooooo handsome, soooooooooo cute!! Part of it is it gets my back and neck really hurting, and part of it is I am a little claustrophobic when I am the passenger in a car (or an airplane, etc.) I can't control the stops (or lack of, lol). (You don't want to know how am I when they do an MRI on me). Jack is such a boy now, not very much baby left in him. He doesn't talk a lot, but what he says, he says plainly. He IS very smart. (Of course, I am not prejudiced.) He really got tired of opening presents. They did it with Patti's family last night and this AM they had done their own, EARLY before we arrived. He drew me a picture (??well if looks like an angel or it could be a snowman) but ya gotta remember he is not quite 19 mo. old. I was so excited I put it up on our refrigerator when we got home.

Patti is a wonderful cook and we had a good day. I know she is tired, she's 9 mo. pregnant but she insists on doing things herself and pushes herself. So, I felt bad, but what can I do? I offer help, she never says okay (pregnant or not).
I got just what I wanted and then some for gifts. I personally didn't spend 1/4 of what I normally do (because of the money worries for me in Jan. But Dave spent more, so I guess it all came out the same, except poor Dave got less (& he is such a nice guy he should get the most)!

The social security/Medicare & Insurance problem hangs heavy over me, but we will try to check state & federal sources where you can purchase one month of insurance. (I can't get the government to pay for it, this is the USA. And we are not on Medicaid (nor am I going to be on Medicare in Jan. The sources say. This insurance, is horribly expensive, but I would rather pay that than have nothing, especially after having been injured for 3 months, and then having to have all those tests and scans at the hospital to rule out what I didn't have & show what I do have. That said, we don't know that I can find it, but we are looking. So, YES, I am worried and scared and so is Dave. We KNOW we could never pay what the Dave's company insurance spent on me in Oct. & Nov!!

Coming home we hit bad weather, about a half an hour from Tim & Patti's. We drove on roads with 0 visibility (blowing snow) for about 5 hours slowly to get home. That was a very tense time. WE almost stopped half way and stayed at a motel, but I am glad to be home again, even if it took a very long time to get here. People were flying by us on the Interstate. Makes me wonder if people are drunk or just think they are invincible, or they are STUPID, LOL. I was very good and a quiet passenger coming home (I am usually horrible), but Dave didn't need that! We even made it over to Auntie Jilts (Our friend & Kaycee's groomer) to get our little girl, Kaycee.

I hope you ALL had a very Merry Christmas! I thought of so many of you! Tell me about your Christmases! I just wanted to tell you about today.
Merry Christmas one more time,

Love,
Merry

Merry Christmas (& Insurance woes)

First of all, I want to wish everyone a very very Merry Christmas. May the spirit of Christmas fill your heart with love as you all have filled mine all this past year. I love you for it, too!

Dave took Kaycee to our friend Jill (the groomer) to stay for Christmas. When he got back we went out for a little supper. It's snowing AGAIN. We are tired of it. It's the -20 below temps that & blizzards that we can't deal with. Tomorrow (very early AM) we go to Tim & Patti's. This is the worst Christmas I have ever had. I still don't feel that well, and don't want to be away from home. I do want to see Jack, though.

Then Jan. 2-4 we are expected to go back for Joey's birth. Stay in a motel. I want to be there to see Patti and Tim & Jack & the new baby, but do not want to stay there for 4 days in a motel as they are expecting us to do. If you continue reading this you will see why I say that. It's not that I am heartless!

As you know Dave is retiring Jan. 22. I have been getting SS since my Bday in November. I will get half of Dave's instead when he retires instead of mine. Mine is pitiful small. So that's good.

I just learned that I HAVE NO INSURANCE COVERAGE after Dave's company's ins. stops on us & I will have nothing & can't get ANY Medicare Benefits or Supplemental Insurance until Feb.2. I am just sick. Dave is very upset as well. We filed all the right papers and did everything right. But because I have a Nov. Birthday my Medicare doesn't pick up until 3 mo. after my birthday. BUT NO ONE at social security ever told us this. What would we do if I had a stroke? I have to go to the doctors every month. And take several medications! That will have to come out of OUR own pockets. We do not have that kind of $$. I feel horrible about this. I am not in that great of health. I know I shouldn't say this, but I could care less about Christmas. I am so worried and scared about all of this mess.

Forgive me to dump on you at Christmas. I wish you a Merry one!! Please take care of yourself and pray that we can figure out a way to pay medical expenses in January. I hope & pray things are going okay for you and that you are surviving the snow! We have to stick together.

Love you, Email me if & when you get a chance. (I am so scared it's not funny. And Dave gets upset if I even talk about it).
Merry

I Can Hardly Wait 2

My husband Dave will love that one. I printed it out. I am not much into cars, but he is. Boy, bailing out the auto industry isn't something Dave is happy about. He was telling me that the average worker on the assembly lines of GM, and the others is about $75,000 a year!! (I forget what the hourly wage is, but it's out of sight. This is the good old Union boys, which Dave (& I) hate, hate, hate. And don't think they don't have the best medical, eye, and dental health care, too. Plus fat 401K plans and retirement plans. And we are supposed to feel sorry for these guys and bail out the 3 big US auto makers so those "po folks" don't get laid off? Come on, get real. Who looks out for the Bearing Salesmen, and the Journalists & Restaurant workers, (Me), or even Social Workers, (Me) they make peanuts compared to the auto co. employees. Well, I guess that Bush figures if they don't help the big 3 out it will hurt the entire country which is already in a recession (yes, he really said that this AM on TV at his press conference) (Rick Warren is a Fundamentalist Minister). Congress broke last week without settling things. Boy, why am I not surprised that the Democratic majority (Republican minority) all congress went home & left old George to figure out what to do. Heck, people already don't like him.

Well, I may be crazy, but I do. I see a President that hasn't been afraid to take a stand even against the whims of people. A guy who STOOD firm after 9/11, and I don't care, what anyone else thinks, I hope history is kinder to George than what the American public has been. I bet he is champing at the bit to go home to Crawford, Texas. Oh, I guess Laura Bush said on TV that they will be in Dallas half the time for business purposes and the other half of the time in Crawford, Texas. So, if no one else will say it, I will~! Thank you, President Bush, for serving our country. I am proud of the way you have served our country. I only wish more people were. I hope history will be kinder than what American people are to you. And what really gets me is this Rick Warren who Pres. elect Obama picked to do the Invocation at the Inauguration. Wow, here Obama's big promises about supporting same sex marriages and gay rights, are already being broken! If I was one of those people who worked my ass off to campaign for Obama because of all his "promises" for equal rights to the gays, I'd be pretty mad right now.

Promises, oh, why am I not surprised? All he did was make lots of promises and called for change, change, change, and I bet half the time, he didn't even know what he was saying he needed a change for! Yeah, that's what I really think! This is just a taste of what the next 4 years are going to be like. I pray for our country and I should be praying for Obama, but so far I can't. Because, in the end he is lots of hot air. (But I hope he proves me wrong and does a smashing job.)

Oh, and how nice, now out of no where comes Caroline Kennedy and she is wanting to take Hillary Clinton's senate seat. I bet she gets it, too. I have nothing against the woman, but she's spent her entire life staying OUT OF POLITICS, like her Mother tried to do. And now she wants to serve?? I am sure she's smart enough, but I don't think she should get the position just because she is a Kennedy. But wait, poor Teddy isn't doing well, and we must have Kennedy's in office, here comes Camelot all over again.

Boy, didn't I take my meanie pill for today or what? But then I am one of those people who voted for John McCain, and I am not over that yet. President Obama will have to prove himself to me! This is my cents worth. I ranted on so long I am going to copy this and put in my blog!

Renee, you are pretty fair minded, extremely so-- for a person who claims to be a Liberal. xx
Love to ya'all,
Merry

Fare Thee Well

Sadly enough, this isn’t all that far from the truth. We’re about to be regulated to a fare-thee-well.Congressional Motors AnnouncesThe First Car for 2012 - The Pelosi!It's in the way you dress. The way you boogie down. The way you sign your unemployment check. You're a man who likes to do things your own way. And on those special odd-numbered Saturdays when driving is permitted, you want it in your car. It's that special feeling of a zero-emissions wind at your back and a road ahead meandering with possibilities. The kind of feeling you get behind the wheel of the Pelosi GTxi SS/Rt Sport Edition from Congressional Motors.All new for 2012, the Pelosi GTxi SS/Rt Sport Edition is the mandatory American car so advanced it took $100 billion and an entire Congress to design it. We started with same reliable 7-way hybrid ethanol-biodiesel-electric-clean coal-wind-solar-pedal power plant behind the base model Pelosi, but packed it with extra oomph and the sassy styling pizzazz that tells the world that 1974 Detroit is back again -- with a vengeance.We've subsidized the features you want and taxed away the rest. With its advanced Al Gore-designed V-3 under the hood pumping out 22.5 thumping, carbon-neutral ponies of Detroit muscle, you'll never be late for the Disco or the Day Labor Shelter. Engage the pedal drive or strap on the optional jumbo mizzenmast, and the GTxi SS/Rt Sport Edition easily exceeds 2016 CAFE mileage standards. At an estimated 268 MPG, that's a savings of nearly $1800 per week in fuel cost over the 2011 Pelosi.Even with increased performance we didn't skimp on safety. With 11-point passenger racing harnesses, 15-way airbags, and mandatory hockey helmet, you'll have the security knowing that you could survive a 45 MPH collision even if the GTxi SS/Rt were capable of that kind of illegal speed.But the changes don't stop there. Sporty mag-style hubcaps and an all-new aggressive wedge shape designed by CM's Chief Stylist Ted Kennedy slices through the wind like an omnibus spending bill. It even features an airtight undercarriage to keep you and a passenger afloat up to 15 minutes -- even in the choppy waters of a Cape Cod inlet. Available a rainbow of color choices to match any wardrobe, from Harvest Avocado to French Mustard.Inside, a luxurious all-velour interior designed by Barney Frank features thoughtful appointments like an in-dash condom dispenser. A special high capacity hatchback holds up to 300 aluminum cans, meaning fewer trips to the redemption center. And the standard 3 speaker Fairness ActoPhonic FM low-band sound system means you'll never miss a segment of NPR again.Best of all, the Pelosi GTxi SS/Rt is made right here in the U.S.A. by fully card-checked unionized workers and Detroit 's famous visionary jet-set managers. Even if you don't own one, you can enjoy the patriotic satisfaction that you're supporting the high wages, good benefits, and generous political donations that are once again making the American car industry the envy of the world.But why not buy one anyway? With an MSRP starting at only $629,999.99, it's affordable too. Don't forget to ask about dealer incentives, rebates, tax credits, and wealth redistribution plans for customers from dozens of qualifying special interest groups. Plus easy-pay financing programs from Fannie Mae.So take the bus to your local CM dealer today and find out why the Pelosi GTxi SS/Rt Sport Edition is the only car endorsed by President Barack Obama. One test drive will convince you that you'd choose it over the import brands. Even if they were still legal.

Does anyone have extra Christmas spirt for me?

Hi Everyone!
Okay, hi to anyone who stops by. Bear with me while I get the hang of this!

I need some Christmas spirit and I don't mean the kind you drink, although maybe that wouldn't be so bad. (just kidding) With my illnesses, injuries and 3 months gone by, I have nothing and I do mean nothing done for Christmas. Please don't try to tell me I have a bad attitude because I am aware of that fact. I just don't have the energy to do the things I usually do. Luckily my husband Dave decorates better than me and is a perfectionist about that like I am, too.

Today I had a CAT (LOL)scan and more x-rays at the hospital. I won't get results until next week. But ya know, I said from the very beginning that this was no shoulder injury, but not even the specialists listened to me. Well, it turns out that my family doctor finally got a new report from a different radiologist and he wanted a nodule checked out. I freaked. I do not smoke and don't even allow anyone to smoke in my house ('cuz I can't breathe if they do) but I did smoke for 20 years, we have been off the smokes for 25 years now. But that's always the first thing that comes into your mind with this. I have also had pneumonia about 6 times as a kid and at least that often as an adult and in the hospital always (People I don't do anything without drama, lol). I didn't need to go to PT, I knew it, I knew it. There is nothing wrong with my shoulder. But this nodule could be from the old pneumonia's OR it could be something more serious.

What made this a hassle was the doctor's receptionist scheduled me for Wednesday AM, then didn't tell me. I called her on Wed. AM and she said "Oh, I called you and you were suppose to go today." Don't give me that. I was home ALL day and besides that I have an answering machine. SO, she supposedly rescheduled it and called me back and said it was for 7 AM today. Well, I got up at 4:30 to shower and fix my hair and makeup and all that good stuff and went out in this freezing Iowa weather and guess what? I was NOT on the Radiology schedule for TODAY. She did NOT change it. I don't know if she forgot or what but I am very tired of her attitude. I should mention we use to be sorta friends, went to the same church. Then she switched. When she started working for my doctor she weighed about twice what she does now. She looks great but her personality left when her extra weight did. I don't know what it is but she is hateful to me. It's a power thing. If only I had the nerve or didn't want to take a chance on losing my doctor I would tell Miss Receptionist exactly where to go!

Thank Goodness the Hospital took mercy on me and worked me in anyway. They are just so accommodating in every department I have been sent to. They truly must love their work, because you cannot fake that kind of caring. Now, I do think some doctors do it for the money, but not most hospital employees.

I am so tired. I am thankful that I AM feeling better, but still do have pain in my rib and right armpit which is where this nodule is. And then I looked around and I saw so many people that have so many more problems than me, and it humbled me. When you sit around in hospital gowns and robes, you know you are all the same, no one is judged by the clothes they wear, we are all just people. And it's definitely a neat thing. We talk and laugh, and have a brief camaraderie. I've noticed this where ever I go for tests these last three months. And it's easier to talk to a person somewhere near my age (that means over 50 but not 100), but I've met some nice younger folks, too.

Well, I hope this finds you all doing well and that you are getting ready for Christmas without the last minute stuff I will have to do. You know I'd love to hear from any and all of you new or old to blog spot. I love making new friends!

Many people moved my blog out of kindness from a mass Email I sent out. I was so touched by the thoughtfulness and the kindness of all of you who moved my AOL Journals. So far, this is themain one I've been writing in. I will delete some others or rename them and write about different things. I never know when to shut up so that might be a good way to use all my blogs.

Take care now and if you do post to your blog, please email me at merry1621@aol.com as I don't think I get alerts anymore. Do any of you?
Oh, I have missed you all! And I want to thank those of you who have hung with me through Emailing. You are special folks and I truly feel a kinship with each of you.

Good night! Love you!
Merry
PS You're emails have helped me so much through all this sickness. I have been incredibly lucky in all my life, never had things like this. Getting old stinks. I hate 65 & I hate Medicare but what can I do about it? Well, I loved my life before so hopefully I will again soon. If I had to pick my 10 favorite years they would be from 37-47, though. How about all of you? What are your favorite years?

The Friday Chrismas Tree

“Mommy,” six-year-old Brian cried, as he pulled on his pajamas, “the other kids said we’re going to have a Christmas tree for the house! What’s a Christmas tree?”Snug in their small bedroom at this Christian shelter for women and children, Jenny Henderson held him and four-year-old Daniel close. “It’s a beautiful tree that helps people be glad for Jesus,” she said. “People decorate them at Christmas time. They buy each other presents and put them under the trees.”Daniel wrinkled his nose. “What’s ‘decorate’ mean? What’s Christmas?”Their mother sighed. All the years she had lived with the boys’ father, he refused to let them celebrate anything, no matter how much she pleaded. No birthdays. No holidays. And certainly no Christmas.So the boys had never blown out birthday candles, watched TV, decorated a Christmas tree, hung up stockings, eaten a big Christmas dinner or opened any gifts.When the Henderson home became so sad with all the arguing, controlling and bossing, Jenny and the boys moved to the shelter home. Now they were free to celebrate everything, including Christmas, with the other mothers and children there.Jenny gave Daniel a hug. “I’ll tuck you both under the covers and tell you a wonderful story about Jesus and Christmas.”She recounted the detailed story of the first Christmas night, then told them about decorating a Christmas tree, giving Christmas presents to each other, and telling God thank you for baby Jesus.“Wow!” Brian cried. “I want to love baby Jesus, too. And I want to decorate a Christmas tree, too!”“Me, too!” Daniel echoed. “Please, Mommy, please!”Jenny laughed. “Mrs. Naples, the house manager, says we’re going to have a big Christmas tree decorating party this Saturday. All the kids who live here will be able to help, including you two.”Brian and Daniel were so excited, they could hardly get to sleep. And the very first thing Daniel asked when he woke up the next morning was, “Is it Saturday yet? Can we decorate the tree yet?”Finally, that Friday, they heard a great shout. “The tree’s here!” All the children scrambled down the stairs. There at the front door were three men carrying the biggest, most beautiful, fragrant evergreen, so big it almost stuck in the doorway. The men set it up on a stand, and everyone gathered around. It almost reached the ceiling!“Can we decorate it right now?” Daniel asked.Mrs. Naples laughed. “No, remember it’s still Friday, Daniel. We’ll have our decorating party tomorrow.”Just then she got a phone call in the office. It was the boys’ father. Since Mr. Henderson had never hurt the boys, he was allowed to come to the shelter and take them out on visits. He was coming the next day to take them out for a while—right at decorating time.The boys loved their father, of course. But they did so want to decorate their very first Christmas tree. “Please, Mrs. Naples,” Brian begged, “could we put just one pretty thing on the tree tonight? Just one small decoration?”The house manager looked at the beautiful tree. She looked at the two boys and she looked at the other children. “Well, what do you think, children?” she asked. “Would that be fair? Let’s take a vote.”“Yes!” they all shouted.A short time later, all the children helped carry not just one little decoration, but whole boxes of them into the living room. They set them around the waiting tree.“All right, boys,” Mrs. Naples said to Brian and Daniel. “You have an hour. During that time you may decorate to your hearts’ content. We won’t plug anything in, but you take out anything in any of the boxes. Tomorrow while you’re gone we’ll take the decorations off so the other children can have their chance putting them on. But tonight is your night.”Then she shooed the other children away and left the two boys alone.Brian and Daniel had never been so happy in their entire lives. They picked up each shiny ball, each shimmering garland, each handful of icicles, as carefully as if they had been made of diamonds, then placed them lovingly on the tree.A little later, Mrs. Naples stopped by to see how they were doing. All around the bottom branches—as high as little boys’ arms could reach—glittered joyful ornaments of blue, red, green, gold and silver, plus loop upon loop of garlands, and handfuls upon handfuls of icicles.But instead of standing there admiring their work, the two boys were on their knees with their eyes closed tightly, praying.“Thank you, dear Jesus,” Brian began, “for getting bornded at Christmas time. And thank you for letting us decorate your Christmas tree. That’s the bestest Christmas present I could ever get.”“Oh, and, Jesus,” his little brother added, “when Daddy comes here tomorrow and sees our beautiful tree, please let him like it and not be mad. And help him want to love you, too.”Brian thought a moment. “You’re right,” he agreed. “That would be the bestest Christmas present of all.”

Hi, hi hi! Will this really work? I am trying to finally post in one of my blogs that got transferred. This is a test. But comments and advice are welcome. I have missed my Jland friends a lot!
Love,
Merry