So this weekend (2/5-2/8) is Write Your @ss Off Weekend. The idea is to put in a full eight hours of writing or writing activities (research, for instance.) Dave-O's four days off coincided perfectly with this event so I am finally getting some quality work done.
And just in time too! We head to Texas Children's Hospital on the 16th for Nyx's open heart surgery. I doubt I'll get much done while we're there. My number one focus is the kiddo so I plan to make good use of the next few days!
Oh, and Dave had the worst day evah. Over the last year or so, I've been socking away five or ten dollars here or there toward a new TV. We haven't bought one since, like, 2003. Nyx will be crawling and pulling herself up on furniture and walking soon so we definitely need something lighter and thinner and easier to bolt down on a console. Also we haven't had anything new in years. After the crap we've been through the last few months (and considering we can't leave the house,) a new TV moved from our "want" to "need" category.
We decided to take advantage of the major sales going on right now and chose a nice, big TV well within our price range at Target. Dave picked it up this morning at the Magnolia Target. The box had some extra tape on it but he didn't think anything of it--until he got it home and there was no power cord, no remote, and no bolts for the stand thingy in the box.
Huh. Weird, right?
He called Target in Magnolia and was told they didn't have another TV in stock and he'd just have to wait for new parts to come in--and pay shipping. He didn't much care for that answer and called the local Target. They didn't have the TV in stock so an exchange wasn't possible. He ended up going to Best Buy and then Radio Shack to find the power cord and remote. The bolts are order only from the manufacturer.
We hooked up the TV...and it didn't work. It had this huge effing gray stripe right down the middle of the screen. At that point, I realized they'd knowingly sold us a broken TV. Missing parts. Taped box. Fucked up screen.
Dave was majorly annoyed. He called the Magnolia Target, got put on hold, like, four times, and then was hung up on by the electronics manager even though he was being so calm and way nicer than I would have been.
Since that Target didn't want to right their wrong, Dave packed up the TV and headed to our local Target. The second he got inside with the TV, a security guy pointed out the return sticker on the box. Yep. Those dirty bastards in Magnolia sold us a returned TV.
Our local Target made everything right. They exchanged our broken Magnavox for a perfect Philips and discounted the price so we only paid a small part of the difference. It took them maybe thirty minutes to sort it all out while it took the Magnolia Target folks an entire day to act like righteous douche bags.
Magnolia Target = Avoid!
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Friday, February 05, 2010
Kindness
Over the last few months, Dave and I have been touched by the kindness and generosity of our family and friends. The outpouring of emotional support really helped us through those first few weeks. There were days there where it was really hairy and we didn't know what was going to happen. Knowing our family and friends were there for us, sending out those positive vibes, gave us that extra little push that kept us going some days.
In the last few weeks, we've had friends offer us a place to stay once the kiddo is discharged from TCH but has to stay within so many miles of the hospital. Our parents are rearranging schedules and such to be at the hospital or here at the house once we bring Nyx home. Layna happily offered to look after Bosley, no easy feat considering he can be a raging turd. And a few days ago someone stunned us with a check to pay for our hotel that last night before heading into the hospital. (That one made me cry.)
In the past, I've done little things here and there for friends and family in similar situations. A gift card to help during a tight time. Emotional support during an ugly or trying time. When I did those things, I had no idea of how incredibly helpful they really were. I did them because I cared about those people and wanted to make them feel better, even if just for the briefest of moments. I never could have imagined how incredibly heartening it felt to be on the receiving end of that sort of kindness.
If you ever find yourself in a position to do a little something for some one struggling in one way or another, do it. It's a beautiful thing.
In the last few weeks, we've had friends offer us a place to stay once the kiddo is discharged from TCH but has to stay within so many miles of the hospital. Our parents are rearranging schedules and such to be at the hospital or here at the house once we bring Nyx home. Layna happily offered to look after Bosley, no easy feat considering he can be a raging turd. And a few days ago someone stunned us with a check to pay for our hotel that last night before heading into the hospital. (That one made me cry.)
In the past, I've done little things here and there for friends and family in similar situations. A gift card to help during a tight time. Emotional support during an ugly or trying time. When I did those things, I had no idea of how incredibly helpful they really were. I did them because I cared about those people and wanted to make them feel better, even if just for the briefest of moments. I never could have imagined how incredibly heartening it felt to be on the receiving end of that sort of kindness.
If you ever find yourself in a position to do a little something for some one struggling in one way or another, do it. It's a beautiful thing.
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Om
Today was one of those days where I wished I'd taken up yoga or some kind of meditative exercises years ago. A little relaxed breathing and "om" would have gone a long way this morning.
Nyx was due her February dose of Synagis today. Did she get it? No. See United decided to wait until last Friday to tell us it's not covered even though they've had the paperwork since the second or third of January. I spent an hour on the phone Friday trying to get an appeal and four-and-a-half hours on the phone this morning trying to sort out this mess.
Scott & White has a contract with one specialty pharmacy to fulfill these kinds of orders but our insurance company will only let us order through CVS/Caremark. You can imagine the price difference. Caremark wanted $2700 for the dose but on Friday I'd been quoted $1100 by an insurance rep. Two phone calls and three resubmissions of the claim and we finally got them down to $1238. For 1 mg of medicine.
But it's on the way and I won't have to fight with them again over Synagis until October. I suppose that's the silver lining.
Oh, and yesterday Walgreens did it AGAIN! At least Dave had to deal with it this time...
Nyx was due her February dose of Synagis today. Did she get it? No. See United decided to wait until last Friday to tell us it's not covered even though they've had the paperwork since the second or third of January. I spent an hour on the phone Friday trying to get an appeal and four-and-a-half hours on the phone this morning trying to sort out this mess.
Scott & White has a contract with one specialty pharmacy to fulfill these kinds of orders but our insurance company will only let us order through CVS/Caremark. You can imagine the price difference. Caremark wanted $2700 for the dose but on Friday I'd been quoted $1100 by an insurance rep. Two phone calls and three resubmissions of the claim and we finally got them down to $1238. For 1 mg of medicine.
But it's on the way and I won't have to fight with them again over Synagis until October. I suppose that's the silver lining.
Oh, and yesterday Walgreens did it AGAIN! At least Dave had to deal with it this time...
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Suddenly I See
So Dave and I had our eye exams last week. Now that we finally have vision insurance I chose to pick up some glasses to wear at night. I'll really need them when we're at TCH. Hospitals are so dry inside. The last time my eyes were killing me! My contacts were all dry and gooey. Ew! Blech!
I have to say I was shocked at what a huge difference vision insurance made in our yearly eye care bill. We both received exams, new frames and lenses, and I got six months of contacts (expensive Toric lenses) for $255. Whoa, right? Dave's frames and lenses normally run that much--and that's without all the extras like anti-glare and Transitions and all that nifty stuff.
We picked up our glasses today. I haven't worn glasses in about thirteen years. Yeah, um, talk about a mind fuck. I took out my contacts and slipped them on and proceeded to almost puke and then trip over my own feet for an hour. Ugh. It's going to take a while to get used to only being able to see right in front of me instead of having all around vision provided by contacts. But the frames are cute and snazzy so that's a plus.
Tomorrow I'm heading out to do some shopping at Kroger's Mega Deal event (Stockpile, Baby!) and to get my hair did. Eyebrows too. I'm sporting the caterpillar look! Nyx is almost 5 months old so it's time to start getting back to my old self, you know? That means cutting back on the Nacho Libre days (stretchy pants, how I love thee!) and doing something with my hair and face every day, even if it's just a nice ponytail and some lip gloss. When I look good, I feel good.
I have to say I was shocked at what a huge difference vision insurance made in our yearly eye care bill. We both received exams, new frames and lenses, and I got six months of contacts (expensive Toric lenses) for $255. Whoa, right? Dave's frames and lenses normally run that much--and that's without all the extras like anti-glare and Transitions and all that nifty stuff.
We picked up our glasses today. I haven't worn glasses in about thirteen years. Yeah, um, talk about a mind fuck. I took out my contacts and slipped them on and proceeded to almost puke and then trip over my own feet for an hour. Ugh. It's going to take a while to get used to only being able to see right in front of me instead of having all around vision provided by contacts. But the frames are cute and snazzy so that's a plus.
Tomorrow I'm heading out to do some shopping at Kroger's Mega Deal event (Stockpile, Baby!) and to get my hair did. Eyebrows too. I'm sporting the caterpillar look! Nyx is almost 5 months old so it's time to start getting back to my old self, you know? That means cutting back on the Nacho Libre days (stretchy pants, how I love thee!) and doing something with my hair and face every day, even if it's just a nice ponytail and some lip gloss. When I look good, I feel good.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Crunchy
Today Dave and I realized we've become very, um, crunchy. It started slowly. First we became frugal. Then we became fans of recycling, repurposing and Freecycle. We switched to canvas shopping bags and water bottles that can be refilled. (We do keep a stock of emergency water in bottles though.) We're moving away from paper towels and napkins in favor of cloth too.
When I started dieting and running and taking care of myself, we began frequenting the outdoor farmer's market for produce. Free range eggs found their way into our refrigerator too. I started making whole wheat breads of various types and pasta. I haven't baked in a while but I'm so keen to get my hands busy again. And, really, who doesn't enjoy the smell of freshly baked bread?
As parents, we've somehow fallen into attachment parenting. I didn't even know what the hell attachment parenting was until a few days ago when someone mentioned our style fits that definition. Uh, okay. Whatever. We just sort of did what felt natural to us. We breastfeed, baby wear, co-sleep and cloth diaper. (That co-sleeping thing happened by accident but I'll post on that sometime this week.)
Dave and I have decided we're going to start to slowly wean our diets of processed foods. Now that we have a freezer we can purchase a quarter of a grass fed cow. We have access to grass fed and free range pork and poultry too. This spring, we'll plant a small garden. My mother-in-law has offered to teach me to can which will enable us to purchase fruits and veggies in season from the farmer's market or harvest them from our garden and save them for the long-term.
Are we going to go crazy and swear off all fast food and the occasional bag of Oreos? Nah. We'll still make use of some convenience foods and enjoy yummy tasties like chips and such. But I think for our overall health and to reach our long-term goal of self-sufficiency and possible homesteading this is a good start.
When I started dieting and running and taking care of myself, we began frequenting the outdoor farmer's market for produce. Free range eggs found their way into our refrigerator too. I started making whole wheat breads of various types and pasta. I haven't baked in a while but I'm so keen to get my hands busy again. And, really, who doesn't enjoy the smell of freshly baked bread?
As parents, we've somehow fallen into attachment parenting. I didn't even know what the hell attachment parenting was until a few days ago when someone mentioned our style fits that definition. Uh, okay. Whatever. We just sort of did what felt natural to us. We breastfeed, baby wear, co-sleep and cloth diaper. (That co-sleeping thing happened by accident but I'll post on that sometime this week.)
Dave and I have decided we're going to start to slowly wean our diets of processed foods. Now that we have a freezer we can purchase a quarter of a grass fed cow. We have access to grass fed and free range pork and poultry too. This spring, we'll plant a small garden. My mother-in-law has offered to teach me to can which will enable us to purchase fruits and veggies in season from the farmer's market or harvest them from our garden and save them for the long-term.
Are we going to go crazy and swear off all fast food and the occasional bag of Oreos? Nah. We'll still make use of some convenience foods and enjoy yummy tasties like chips and such. But I think for our overall health and to reach our long-term goal of self-sufficiency and possible homesteading this is a good start.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Midnight Craving
Midnight Craving, my first release with Samhain, is out today. Writing this novella was so much fun. There's just something about sexy half-angels and tempting half-demons that revs my engine! Working with my fabulous editor, Deborah Nemeth, to tighten the storyline and amp up the plot was just as cool. I really learned a lot on this book.
I hope you'll enjoy the first installment in Jace and Isla's story! Can't wait to get the next one out to you!
I hope you'll enjoy the first installment in Jace and Isla's story! Can't wait to get the next one out to you!
When the craving takes hold, the only thing to do is ride it out…
Midnight Vice, Book 1
Patrolling
Unfortunately, the demonic blood pumping through her veins keeps them separated, since relationships between human descendants of archangels and demons aren’t actively encouraged. Staying away from him, though, is impossible after she winds up on the receiving end of a nasty sexual-compulsion curse, courtesy of a sadistic vampiress. Suddenly Isla is overwhelmed with a life-threatening lust only Jace can sate.
Jace’s principles were once strong enough to resist his longing for the alluring Isla, but in the face of her desperate craving, his desire breaks free—leaving him wondering if she’s not the only one affected by the spell. He’d be more than happy to satisfy Isla’s increasing need for sexual release, if they weren’t in a race against time to reverse the curse before it turns deadly.
For Isla, it’s not just her life she’s worried about losing. It’s her heart.
Warning: Contains wicked hot shower sex, raging-hormone-induced naughty language, driving under the influence (of overwhelming lust) and smiting of demons and vamps.
Read an excerpt from the first chapter here. Check out more excerpts and info here.
Monday, January 18, 2010
No Phone Zone
So I've decided that I'm no longer going to answer my cell phone with my headset when I drive. I never text while driving but I'm so guilty of yapping while driving. Well no more. I'm a mother now and I have to be responsible. I won't put my baby or someone else's at risk because I'm being selfish and stupid.
Starting today, my phone and headset will stay in my purse while I'm driving. I will wait until I'm parked to make or return phone calls. I'm not ballsy enough to think I'm talented enough to talk and drive anymore. Just watching one segment of Oprah and listening to one mother talk about finding the mangled body of her child under an SUV was enough for me.
Take the pledge. Make our roads safe again.
Starting today, my phone and headset will stay in my purse while I'm driving. I will wait until I'm parked to make or return phone calls. I'm not ballsy enough to think I'm talented enough to talk and drive anymore. Just watching one segment of Oprah and listening to one mother talk about finding the mangled body of her child under an SUV was enough for me.
Take the pledge. Make our roads safe again.
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