Unapologetic Miscellany
I always feel a little like I am guiltily pressing the easy button when I do a miscellany post (like, "Wouldn't my readers be better served with something more substantive??") but every time I post one, lots of you say that you love 'em.
Sooooo, here we are.
Peanut Butter and Tomato Toast
My Firefox homepage helpfully suggested some avocado toast alternatives, and one of them is tomato slices and peanut butter on hot toast.
(!!!!!!!!)
To be fair, I have not ever tried this.
But I can tell you that I will almost certainly go to my grave without ever putting this combo into my mouth.
I like to try new foods, but not all new foods.
(Apologies if you love this combo. Not trying to yuck your yum, but I will not be joining you!)
Just when I thought the concept could not get worse, I saw that someone in the comments added green onions to the peanut butter/tomato. Oh my word.
This yogurt custard and fruit toast sounds much more appealing.
Why my muscles will stay invisible
A little while back, I saw a woman at the gym who was probably about the same strength level as me, but she was a lot leaner, so you could actually see all of her muscles.
For a moment, I was like, "Oh man, it sure would be nice to look like that."
Then I remembered if I wanted to look like that, I would probably have to stop eating chocolate ice cream and I'd have to start drinking black coffee.
And I was immediately at peace with having a layer of fat covering all of my muscles. My muscles will forever be a secret. 😉
Aldi's cottage cheese is seriously the best
In service of my muscle-building efforts this year, I have eaten a lot of cottage cheese, and I have tried a lot of different name brands/store brands.
In my opinion, none can top Aldi. I don't know what manufacturer they use, but it's so good. Very mild, the texture is good, the size of the clumps is perfect...I have zero complaints.
And it is very affordable.
I do sometimes buy the big tub of Breakstone's at Sam's Club because it is affordable but man, it does not taste as good as the Aldi cottage cheese.
Crappy medical insurance
Once my divorce was finalized in January, I scooched on over to an insurance plan that I purchased through my state's open marketplace. It's with United Healthcare, it's not subsidized at all (I am paying for the whole thing myself), and it is a pretty crappy plan.
Despite it being unsubsidized (as in, it's not like Medicaid), some of my regular doctor's offices immediately told me they wouldn't accept it once they found out it was a self-purchased plan through the state.
I was surprised at the way this made me feel; sort of lesser-than as compared to people who have regular health insurance through regular jobs at regular employers.
Then I thought about how this is a temporary situation for me (once I graduate, I will get good health insurance through my hospital!), but for some people, it's not. And I think experiencing this temporary less-than feeling is good for me because now I will have more empathy for my future patients who do not have access to good health insurance.
I fought with some of the same feelings I did when I bought my knife block on Facebook Marketplace, almost feeling a little bit pathetic as compared to people whose lives have followed a more "normal" path.
(I know, I know, what is "normal" anyway?? And comparison is almost always a quick path to sadness.)
But then I reminded myself: it was not pathetic to leave my marriage, it was brave and hard.
It is not pathetic that I don't have a regular job that provides insurance; my not-regular blogging job has provided me exactly the flexibility that I needed at this stage of my life, and it has allowed me to go to nursing school while also paying my bills. That is a serious blessing.
Still: I will shed zero tears when it's time to dump this insurance!
I bought a Helly Hansen stripey rain coat
After seeing Elisabeth's thrifted coat:
...I found one on eBay for around $30 and bought it.
I haven't decided if I will keep it...I have such a long torso, the waist tie hits me a bit high.
Being long-waisted is a persistent problem when clothes have a predetermined waist height because the narrow part then ends up hitting me where my lower ribs are.
But I bought it because I saw that I could easily resell it on eBay for far more than I paid for it.
So it will be no loss either way!
I could try wearing it without the waist tie, I suppose?
And thus ends this edition of miscellany.
Miscellany makes the world go around!!
Just want to say...your screen name makes me smile every time!
@Kristen, A friend named me that. When asked once what my favorite color as i said plaid!!!
I love your miscellany posts!
I am currently considering leaving a "good" job with health insurance for a lot of reasons - a decision that doesn't make sense at all in a lot of ways but would greatly benefit my mental health I'm pretty sure. I'm proud of you for doing the brave and hard thing of leaving a bad marriage. It's an inspiration.
I have the same long-waisted issue so I totally understand your dilemma. But I think the rain jacket looks adorable on your - just don't belt it.
@Amy, My husband ended up doing this. He was staying at a cushy state job solely for the amazing insurance, despite how mentally and physically unwell it made him. We realized he would actually be healthier if he left. We planned waaaaay ahead (3 months or so) to make sure we'd have everything ready and time to see all doctors on the "good" insurance before trying our luck in the marketplace while he considered different employment. After being tied to a desk for over 20 years, he loves working outdoors as a cemetery groundskeeper, is in amazing shape because of it, and our marketplace insurance has (mostly) covered what we need it to. The few years it didn't, our doctors' billing offices were happy to work with us. Pro tip: Ask your regular providers if they offer a discount for out of network patients--our doctors offered 20%.
@N, thanks for that encouragement!
@Amy, I was laid off from a well paying/good healthcare, extremely stressful desk job last Dec. I now have a much lower paying - not as great healthcare bennies desk job, at a smaller family owned company -- I am 100% fine with it all. While I have had to tighten the budget, my mental and physical health have done a complete 360 and I am in a much better place!
Side note - a friend that still works at my former employer was told by her Dr that the stress of her current job will end up putting her in the hospital, or worse!
@Amy, Your mental health is very important and you never know what you can find until you look. I left a job I loved because it isn't normal to cry that many times on the way home from work. Plus you should not feel the need to hide behind a display in the grocery store to avoid your boss's boss. Most importantly if you think that the same person will avoid you for 6 weeks after your mom died just so he didn't have to give condolenses...it is time to leave. At the very least figure out how much you need to pay a month's worth of bills, save it and then leave.
I am sorry and don't want to be bossy but I have been there, done that.
I love your name.
@Amy cheapohmom,
How awful that that person avoided you to avoid offering condolences. It costs nothing to be compassionate.
Exactly! Reminds me of my current boss.
I'm really, really grateful to live in a country with public healthcare.
Love the raincoat!
@Sophie in Denmark,
me too! Always sounds so complicated and time consuming having to negotiate your doctor and hospital bills with your insurance company. And probably very expensive as well....
@Lea, and what must be a frustration with it being tied to your workplace. If you are in a bad work environment but need the job for health insurance, it's going to be that much harder to leave.
@Sophie in Denmark, my Swedish cousins are horrified by US healthcare!
@Lizzy, we Americans often are horrified by it, as well.
@Ruby, Amen!
@Ruby,
Having lived in the UK and worked in healthcare in the UK, and done the same in the US, I have interesting perspective. I will not vilify or glorify either system (though I could do both for BOTH systems) but I do think facts are important.
https://nationalpost.com/health/how-much-does-the-average-canadian-pay-for-public-health#:~:text=The%20%E2%80%9Caverage%E2%80%9D%20Canadian%20family%2C%20consisting%20of%20two%20adults,about%20%2412%2C000%20a%20year%20for%20public%20health%20care.
Article says average family of 4 in Canada pays about $12,000 per year in taxes specifically for healthcare and the median family pays around $5,000. High earners can pay up to $40,000 a year towards healthcare
https://www.gov.uk/income-tax-rates
In the UK the income tax brackets 20% for around 12,000-50,000 pounds (about $15,000-$63,000) income, and then 40% for income around 50,000 to 125,000 pounds (about $63,000-$158,000). Over $158,000 is taxed at 45%.
I know that we each have our own experiences, good and bad. I do feel it is important in the US to understand that "free" healthcare is not "free". It just depends on how you pay for it-prepaid in countries with public insurance or at the point of service in countries like the US. I'm not saying that the US is great at all. There are many, many problems. And I also know that the NHS in the UK has many, many problems.
I hope from this that we all have better understanding of how healthcare is paid for. I am NOT commenting on quality, access or anything else.
Personally, I would find a 40% tax rate difficult to make my budget work.
@Lea, and me too! As old-age pensioners we have a means-tested medical card which entitles us to free GP visits, a maximum of €10 a month for prescription drugs and free public hospital treatment.
@Kara, I agree. And there also is the plus that for many insurances in America, we can choose who we see. If we don't like our primary...we change. We want to see a different specialist (or if there's a long wait list to be seen)...we go elsewhere.
I received care in Belgium when pregnant. I will say that pharmacies outside the US seem to be MUCH better and less regulated, but I'm happier with my tax rate and my choices here for doctor care.
Every system has their good sides and down sides like everything.
@Marlena, but you can still choose to see a different doctor with public healthcare. And presumably the choices with insurance are only if you have the money for it.
@Marlena, What Sophie said. With our health care system in Canada, we are able to see any doctor, surgeon or specialist we choose.
@Sophie in Denmark, that is where I am at. Although, my insurance isn't so great -- and I work for that company!!!! Anyway, I did check out the marketplace because I am so unhappy, but what the marketplace offers is worse than what I currently have. I am holding out another 16 months before I reach medicare age. And I will not go without insurance because there is always a chance something bad could happen. And at my age (63) I'd rather not chance it.
And actually, our insurance is up for renewal this week at work and medicare could be looking better for my husband than what my health insurance company offers and at a lower cost than to have him on my insurance.
Basically the only benefit I have is I work at home.
@Sophie in Denmark, great discussion! You can change doctors without more money. You just have to find someone who’s in your network. Regards to Kristen experience. I’m sorry that she felt lesser. But I do understand that insurances have lines of businesses here in the US. And some doctors offices choose not to take, (or be in network with) marketplace, lines of business for different reasons. In my world, the marketplace plans cover a lot and pay about the same. But I think in Drs areas, the marketplace plans pay way less. And potentially cover less services, which is why they don’t take them. It really is up to individuals to understand insurance in general, and their insurance.
@Kara, thanks for that perspective. I never thought of it that way.
@Kara, After seeing everyone's negative experiences with United Healthcare I got nervous...we have had pretty good luck with ours, though technically it's GEHA, through the government. We were very very glad that our insurance covered all but $2500 of DS's immense hospital bill (that ran to nearly $200K from four surgeries/procedures and weeks in the hospital). Very thankful for that. I realize I'm speaking from a position of extreme privilege, however.
@Kara,
Thank you for this. I 100% agree, "free" healthcare is not free, and both have their good points and bad points.
@Kara, Thanks for this analysis/information.
@Kara, Thank you!!
I'm SO tired of the ""Canada free health care system"" non-sense. We pay a ton of taxes. (And I live in Quebec, the most taxed province, and in the most taxed city too). It is NOT free.
And it's not all that is cracked-up to be. We can wait years to see specialists. Years. My daughter has been on a waiting list to see a dermatologist for 7 years now. And we are also on a waiting list for private care, even if we will have to pay out of pocket for it. I was on a waiting list for a specific surgery for 8 years on the public list, and I finally opted to do it in the private sector, for 18000$, last year.
This is not to say "booo, hooo, poor Canadians", because I think health care pretty much suck everywhere, but, yeah, it's not free. Getting off my soap box now 🙂
This was my experience in the military health care world too; my parents did not have to pay for it, but it was very routine to have a long, long wait to see a specialist.
When I moved into the non-military phase of my life, I was shocked at how fast you could get in with a specialist!
@Allison, Where??? We are lucky to GET a doctor, never mind choosing them. I want to live where you live!
We can see any one we choose, if they're taking new patients and if we're able/willing to wait however long is needed. I'm very grateful for our public funded health care in Canada and I support equitable access to quality care for all. It is, however, not without extreme challenges at the moment. I haven't had a doctor since I moved to a new city three years ago, and there are no doctors taking new patients in this city. My only options if I need healthcare at the moment is a walk-in clinic or the emergency room. This is the reality for millions of Canadians. So, as Kara mentions, funding and providing health care is complex and no system is perfect.
@Isa,
I agree. Healthcare is expensive and it is very problematic everywhere.
@Ingrid RDN, what I meant was, you need to have money to have any kind of insurance in the first place (or at least 'good' insurance), or run the risk of having to pay back high medical bills. And it troubles me that medical care is largely dictated by insurance companies, who are there for business rather than patient care. I think healthcare is a right, not a privilege, so while it's frustrating to pay high taxes I prefer living with this system as everyone has equal access and does not have to worry about going into debt over medical bills. On a personal note, I have never had to wait long for appointments or to see a specialist (although I am aware it can vary). This article explains my qualms quite well:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/15/health/health-insurance-medical-bills.html
and this:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/08/06/health-insurance-canada-lie/
@Kara, In the UK the difference is that health care is available for all.Yes,it has many issues. But ,learning ,as I have from reading this blog I cannot imagine how anyone below a certain income has any access to healthcare at all.
@Kara, great analysis. It appears there is no one commenting here who is as old as I am. (haha) When I had my children (4 of them, in the 1970's by C-section), our health insurance was Blue Cross Blue Shield with a co-pay of $100 for each birth and a total cost of about $3000 each time. Also, the insurance was not tied to my husband's job - or any job, making it "portable". We were fee to sign up for any insurance as long as we paid the monthly premiums, which were minimal by comparison to premiums today.
Oh, for the good old days . . .
@Maureen, I don't have to work FT to be on my company's insurance plans. And your premium is based on what you earn (I don't get any break but just cover me for medical and husband for dental/vision). My plan is to work FT until I am 64 (which is not that far away) and then perhaps go to 4 days per week. I could retire but I foresee a huge mess over the next 2-4 years. My employer will likely be okay regardless of what the idiots do.
@Louise,
The United States actually has public health insurance programs - Medicare and Medicaid - for two vulnerable groups, the elderly and lower income individuals. Most states also provide health care for uninsured children under the age of 18 and pregnant mothers. There is also emergency care as well as public health resources available in most areas of the country.
Furthermore, legislation has provided subsidies and tax credits to most individuals to help pay for private health insurance if not covered by a group plan. There are also a multitude of tax-free financial vehicles that help individuals with medical expenses.
On the down side, our system is complicated and difficult to navigate for many. Trying to get information to those in need can be challenging. Although we have attempted through legislation to standardize levels of coverage, policies still differ greatly. I’m not convinced that the government’s Healthcare Marketplace provides individuals with the best insurance choices or the information necessary to make sound decisions about their healthcare.
Unfortunately, this subject has received little governmental attention in recent years. There is definitely room for improvement, but I personally do not want less autonomy or access in my healthcare.
You could try undoing the tops of the belt loops and sewing them back on below what is currently the lower part of the loop. The coat has exposed stitching so it probably wouldn’t be obvious. That would move the belt down nearly 2 inches.
While I do have longer wait lists for some types of treatment, I’m happy that I’m in a country where I don’t have to deal with medical insurance. Getting a head start on thankful Thursday!
@Victoria, I was thinking the same thing. Just remove the belt loops and move them down a bit. Or alternatively you could add a stitch or two to keep the belt in place in the back or at the sides and lose the loops altogether if they can't be moved. 🙂
@Victoria, I was thinking the same as well ! Either move the belt loops down or to not wear the belt. I have a long torso, too. It does make some clothing look like it doesn’t fit, even when everything ELSE about the garment fits.
Yes, dress shopping is so often an exercise in frustration for me!
@KJ, that is a good idea - easier than moving the loops down and you could always tie them gently in the back so they don't flop around when she's not using them.
@Kristen,
I have a long torso too. Have you tried wearing jeans under your dresses? I do it all the time because it's easier at work to sit cross-legged on the floor that way, but I also find it mitigates a lot of the long torso issues.
Wait, how does that help with where the waistline is? My problem is the waistline is usually the slimmest part, and when it hits my ribs, it's hard to expand my ribs fully when I breathe.
@Becca,
I'm not sure that's necessarily a torso problem...maybe you just need the next size up?
I personally like miscellaneous posts--they're a little like reading a letter from a friend. You never have to worry about staying on topic when chatting with a good friend.
Peanut butter and tomatoes...well, my boys would helpfully say that tomatoes are, botanically, a fruit, and people like fruit jam with peanut butter...but no. I remember eating peanut butter and Miracle Whip sandwiches as a kid, though.
I finished a long assignment I'd been dreading (I had to pick a 'controversial" topic and discuss the ethics of it--I chose "Should people become vegetarian" and as it turns out, I have opinions!) It was interesting but I'm glad I got it done. One more long assignment for that class!
I am not one to wear stripes, so I have no advice on the raincoat, except that if it's uncomfortable I'd resell it. Life's too short to wear uncomfortable clothing.
We switched to celebrating the Sabbath on Saturdays and what a game changer. I love having Sunday to prep for the work/school week! And Saturday feels like a real treat now.
@Karen A., Gosh. Don't leave us hanging! SHOULD we become vegetarian?!!
@Karen A.,
Two points in your comments really caught my eye today. First, it’s true that with good friends, you don’t need to stay on topic.
And this one for the win: life’s too short to wear uncomfortable clothing. I will recite this to myself as I might finally be able to let go of clothing that’s on the fence.
You know, the kind where you say, it doesn’t fit right but I’m sure I can use it somehow. . .
@JDinNM, Ha! I chose the topics because I was vegetarian for over a decade starting when I was 14, and then became vegan until I was 33. I won't go into the very long story, but here is my final position as stated in the paper after doing research.
For health reasons I changed my diet, and that of my family’s. I still believe that too much meat and animal products are not beneficial to long- term health, and that from an environmental and social justice standpoint it would benefit everyone to reduce their intake of animal foods. I think a well-planned vegetarian diet can provide proper nutrition. I am less convinced of a full vegan diet being as beneficial. However, everyone has the right to decide for themselves what their optimal diet is, as nutrition is so unique to each individual.
My concern when dealing with a patient or client who is following a vegetarian or vegan diet is always going to be: are they following a balanced diet? Is this lifestyle benefiting their health or possibly causing harm? The recent study I found that found a correlation between meat restriction and anxiety and depression is certainly concerning. Are they using the diet to assist in food restriction for other reasons? Is it the result of sincerely held religious or ethical beliefs? As long as it is not delaying their recovery or negatively affecting their health, I will advocate for them to the best of my ability so they can adhere to their chosen diet.
@Karen A., Thanks! Very thoughtful.
@Karen A.,
I recently drove a new to me road to avoid a blizzard. This road was mile after mile after mile of bovine feed lots and cotton fields. I was unable to eat my planned burger for lunch. In fact I haven’t had beef since that drive and may never again.
@Tiana, I confess I have a harder time when the meat looks....like it just came off the animal (chicken drumsticks versus a burger). Cows are pretty cute. Chickens, not so much. My grandpa kept chickens for the eggs and those birds can be mean and messy!
@Karen A., and they stink.
I really feel ya on two things: Hard No to tomato/PB toast and being on self-pay insurance through the state marketplace really really stinks. Our premiums were incredibly high and the coverage was miserable. But hubby had his own business and I was working part-time, so we had no choice. Now I'm full-time with benefits! Hooray. But, not to get political or anything, this system is really whack (as the youngsters say).
Random miscellany:
I am getting a wee bit older. I need to keep exercising, but recently, have had to modify in a few ways to avoid injuries.Not enjoying this but counting my blessings I am still as mobile and healthy as I am, at age 71.Using Yoga with Adrienne (free) and some tai chi youtubes.Walking in nature is always a staple of my exercise plan,too (free.)
Health insurance: My husband and I spent 4 years on an ACA marketplace plan after early retirement, before Meidcare.It was not a great plan but good for big emergencies, of which we luckily had NONE. I only see a doctor maybe once a year for a physical and my thyroid med check up, so, it was ok. There were some family doctors on the plan now, a Medicare Advantage plan has much better coverage.Thankful! SOON you will have insurance from your hospital!
Eating more plant based meals..focusing on beans, whole grains,lentils,split peas, brown rice quinoa, with a fish meal and one meat meal per week.More frugal but also in line with how we like to take care of our health.I watch a lot of Dr.John McDOugall and Dr.Dean Orish youtubes. (free health care!!)
GRATITUDE JOURNAL: No matter what stresses and challenges occur,I keep a daily gratitude journal, first thing in the morning.
It’s a game changer. I also do a few moments of spiritual reading,prayer, and daily meditation every morning.Good physical,spiritual and mental health habits go a long way towards creating a happier healthier life!!
LOVE your “miscellany” blogs,too!!!
I never wear clothes with waist bands, for exactly that reason. I think the raincoat will look great however without the waistband or with it tied loosely at the back.
In NL it is mandatory to have medical assurance, and although the prices go up annually I consider this a serious blessing. The nationwide national health services we used to have was discontinued sadly, somewhere in the 00s I think?. Although some people looked down their noses at it (it was only for people below a certain income range), I received splendid care for a fraction of the cost and would go back gladly. In all honesty healthcare is one of those things that I personally feel should be part of a governments responsibility and should not be privatized.
@JNL, amen! I am terrified for the future of the NHS in the UK, where I am from. It's one of the best things about our country and I would hate to see it privatised. It's bad enough having to pay for a dentist!
@JNL, I fell off my bike in NL and hit my head and the tour company insisted on calling an ambulance. I was so impressed by the assessment unit (in a regular car) that came to check me out. I had travel insurance and was ready to give them the information, but they said no charge unless they called an actual ambulance and I had to go to the hospital. (Fortunately I was just shaken up and did not have to have additional treatment.) It was amazing! In the US, it probably would have been hundreds of dollars.
@JNL,
same here. Up to a certain income level it is mandatory to have health insurance and pay for it. The monthly rate is divided between employer and employee. Children under 18 are included - no matter how many kids there are or none - the rate stays the same. And of course - like everything else - rates do go up once in a while.
@Kristen: are you saying the doctor wouldn't accept you as his patient because of your insurance company? Or maybe I misunderstood...
@JNL, AMEN!
I am exactly the opposite on the waist issue, being short-waisted. Who invented high waist jeans and why?
I tried the Aldi cottage cheese and wasn’t a fan, but really like the Daisy low fat version. The Aldi price can’t be beat though!
@Jan in GA, I’m also short-waisted. I sometimes feel that my belt doubles as a bra,
@Bee,
Bee, thanks for the laugh today!
@Bee, First time I have barked a laugh because something was unexpectedly funny!
You could (carefully) remove the belt loops and either reattach them lower, or wear the belt without them, or tack the belt at the center back, if you felt motivated to fix it! I'd do the third option--sewing beltloops is not my favourite, but I'd lose the belt if it wasn't attached.
My miscellany: I found a Chanukah present for Mr. B (a nice pair of PJs) and am wrestling with whether I should buy them now or wait until Black Friday to catch them on sale, but risk having his size sell out. Decisions, decisions.
@Meira (meirathebear.wordpress.com),
Since Hanukkah items may be more limited, the good stuff often goes quickly. I’d snap up the PJs now!
@Kathy l, Oh they aren't Chanukah specific! Just a regular pair of nice pyjamas. We don't really do themed stuff. We just plan really far ahead lol. Actually, given how late Chanukah is this year, I could technically wait until Boxing Day sales...but that would be really risky.
I also have a long torso so I usually cut off the belt loops and make my own, just lower!
Those doc office are really crappy for doing that. Shame on them.
As for the so-called "normal" life, it's something of a myth. Mine looks pretty normal and smooth on the surface. It is not.
Now I'm going to go back to keeping my chin up and working the problems.
@WilliamB, Your comment really resonated with me. I'm guilty of always trying to put on a "happy face" and that has sometimes not served me well. Serious health issues, losing my parents, but keeping my chin up and moving on. It's the way I get through things, but as you say, things may look "pretty normal and smooth on the surface" but unfortunately many times it's not.
@WilliamB, your comment about "normal" reminds me of this classic line: "Normal is just the second button from the left on the washing machine."
@A. Marie, I kid you not, the "normal" setting on my washing machine is broken.
@Allison, I've learned (very slowly) we have to schooled and honor the down periods, lest they take over entirely. Good luck and good thoughts going your way.
@A. Marie, the button on my washing machine tells me I'm a slut 😉 (slut means end in Danish!) Not sure if that's better or worse than normal lol!
@Sophie in Denmark, thanks for the best laugh I've had all day!
Reminder: we're here because we like your thoughts on life! We like your kindness! I've been here since nearly the beginning, and I never tire of your writing.
The coat is fun!
The toast is not my jam either. What a combo!
Health insurance doesn't work as intended. I hope it's fixed in my lifetime.
@April, It seems that "health insurance" is working as intended for ... the insurance companies. They seem to be doing quite well.
@JDinNM,
You are so right! The insurance companies look out for their stockholders, not for their customers/patients. I worked in several insurance call centers, including life insurance and regular health insurance, and soon realized this truth.
Awwww, thank you. <3
@JDinNM, and sick people are steady customers for insurance and Big Pharma. Keep 'em sick, keep 'em buying. . .
@Fru-gal Lisa the all too many not-for-profit hospitals are anything but. Nothing will change until the greed game gets squashed. My response to "if we don't pay our CEO $$$, s/he will go elsewhere". Let them go and find some other company to pay them. Don't get me started on bonuses OR contractual retirement/golden parachutes.
Yep, just carefully remove the tie carriers and wear it without the waist tie. I am very short-waisted and do the same thing with belts on coats and dresses. Or move the carriers if it's a very nice dress.
I would not eat tomatoes and peanut butter. However, I do love to add slices of green tomato to an egg sandwich. I know it sounds weird, but it gives a delicious tart crunch. I also like to put diced green tomatoes in a salad. (Much healthier than fried green tomatoes, of course.)
Oh, I can definitely see that working with an egg sandwich!
Well, our internet went down yesterday as I was posting my list of FFT, so all I got posted (that I know of) was my commenting on others' posts. Unless, somehow, late in the day my own FFT showed up.
I say, if you like the raincoat, cut off the loops or move them down. Personally, I never belt my coats or raincoats. Belts bug me on coats.
Health insurance: I have no experience whatsoever with national health insurance in other countries, so no opinion there, but here in the US, having lived a few years now with Medicare for me and DH, then Medicaid and VA for DH, I can say I seriously don't enjoy having the government administer my health insurance. They make decisions that make no sense and one has no recourse. And it isn't free. I pay premiums, co-pays and deductibles on Medicare. Our only other option, however, was to continue with private insurance, which, no kidding, was going to run us almost $3,000 a month at our age and with our health conditions. People I know on the marketplace insurance don't like it, and our premiums would have been high as well, so I'd already ruled that out.
Anyway:
Tomato and peanut butter on toast. I will never know, because I will never try it. It sounds like the old Kraft commercials on TV during the holidays in my youth, when during commercial breaks in "Rudolf" or "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," they would advertise a holiday recipe that sounded perfectly normal, then would ruin it by adding something totally incongruous like Kraft marshmallow cream to a green bean casserole or something similar. It became a family game to guess which magical Kraft ingredient would be added at the end to destroy the dish.
@JD, I know I've posted this link before, but here it is again: William Bolcom's classic song "Lime Jello Marshmallow Cottage Cheese Surprise," memorably rendered by Bolcom on piano and his wife, Joan Morris, doing the singing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tWuG2oPL3o
@A. Marie,
I've never heard that song before and it is HILARIOUS! The singer's voice sounds just like my grandmother's. Thank you for sharing!
I too am long waisted with very short legs. Wahh. I wear many things without the belt.
The rain jacket is so cute!
Miscellany is indeed wonderful! Insurance - so I've worked at the same hospital for 22 years....next year they're switching us to United healthcare as our only option. After having Blue Cross for 15+ years this is a hard bite. (Cue all of the distressed emojis:) Have commenced praying all my kids medical needs will still be covered.
And I'm glad you understand the lower insurance feelings but also strong work not wallowing.
Yes! to Miscellany!
Absolutely no to pb + tomatoes. Super yuck!
United Healthcare is on my big boo list. I believe it is currently open enrollment, so maybe you can dump it?
Ice Cream vs Hidden muscles? I'm on Team Ice Cream!
That coat is a real eye catcher. I hope you find a way to make it work because it’s memorable. A "statement piece," which I always try to look for when buying new clothes to get the most from my money.
Good Culture is the tastiest cottage cheese in my house. Plus, it has the most protein and more live and active cultures than yogurt, both important to us.
To be fair, I haven’t tried Aldi’s, and I will, as long as it matches in nutrients to GC.
Healthcare woes are the one of the worst woes. As it's bad enough to worry about health, let alone cost.
For cottage cheese, I have been enjoying the Good Culture brand which has probiotics in it, it feels like eating yogurt in that way. Unfortunately it's been a bit hard to find and pricey, but I make the special trip to Whole Foods every once in a while for it.
Also, I'm with you for invisible muscles! I'm always a bit surprised to find out how strong I am in my gym classes, but then I remember that muscles don't have to be clearly defined for strength.
@Kristina M.,
I asked my supermarket manager why they stopped sticking Good Culture cottage cheese. "Are you kidding? It flies out the door but we can’t get it."
So I contacted the company in CA. They said they can’t fill all the orders and are building two more factories to meet the demand.
Since I need to scarf back a couple of spoonfuls per meal (and before bed for a great sleep), all over my doctor, I want the best nutrients. The fact that it tastes way better than the other brands is a happy coincidence and I’ll take it.
We are just stealthily strong. 😉
Peanut butter and tomato. Not bad. I was not too sure about it, but I will usually try most things.
The toast needs to be a good whole wheat bread and warm. Then apply the peanut butter. The tomato must be a good summer tomato, like heirlooms. Definitely not winter ones or hothouse ones. Lastly, lots of freshly ground black pepper.
I think you might be surprised.
Also good, peanut butter and thinly sliced dill pickle.
@Alison Y, I love peanut butter and pickle sandwiches. Bread and butter pickles are great, but dill are awesome as well. Now I want one...
@Karen A., I'm on team PB & Pickles too. I like it with a drizzle of sriracha or chili oil on toasted whole wheat. Yum.
@Karen A.,
My mother and her sister once polished off an entire sleeve of soda crackers with peanut butter and dill pickle on them. They couldn't get us kids to try them.
@JD, I tried the combo after reading about it in Sue Grafton's Alphabet Series mysteries. Her main character, Kinsey Millhone, was raised by a single aunt who couldn't be bothered with cooking, but taught her how to make a hot hardboiled egg sandwich (also very good) and the peanut butter and pickle combo.
@Karen A., I LOVE Kinsey Milhone! But never tried her PB and pickle combo.
@Book Club Elaine, If you're nervous, try it with bread and butter pickles first. Delicious.
@Alison Y, My family was definitely more into the savory options with peanut butter than sweet! I grew up eating peanut butter and dill pickles and peanut butter and tomato sandwiches. I don’t think I had peanut butter and jam until I left home… at least, I don’t remember it. The key is simply to have something that will moisten the peanut butter so it doesn’t stick. Mayo adds the perfect touch with savory options. It’s definitely a sandwich you don’t put together until you’re ready to eat it!
I kind of wondered where the peanut butter and dill pickle sandwich came from and then read The Four Winds by Kristen Hannah, although she used bread and butter pickles. She describes it as a staple from the depression, which makes total sense.
It was so nice to see these comments and realize I’m not alone in my love of savory nut butter sandwiches.
@Book Club Elaine, ditto!!
Thrifty fix on the raincoat -- move the belt loops to your proper waist. The belt is high on Elisabeth's, too -- maybe it's designed that way. It's pretty cute on you.
Peanut butter and onion sandwich. Don't knock it until you try it! 🙂
Mannn, these savory peanut butter combos just are REALLY throwing me.
@Caroline Starr Rose,
I'll have to give this a try.
Might try with pickled onions also.
Thanks.
Keep the coat! It’s so cute . The waist tie is unnecessary and then there wouldn’t be the constant adjustment of it! I also love your miscellany posts!
Sadly, the only entity that seems to benefit from marketplace plans are the insurance companies. I’m so sorry that you are dealing with this. Insurance of all sorts—- property, auto, and health — is problematic. The cost seems to exceed the benefits in many instances.
It’s gray and rainy here today, so I’ll spend most of my day indoors. This will be an office day. I have a list of administrative and planning tasks that need my attention. As the days have become shorter, I have felt less productive. As a result, my to-do lists seems to be getting longer and longer.
The world does not stop even if I do.
Happy Wednesday!
We are so blessed in Canada to have universal healthcare. There are more and more "private" clinics appearing though, and we worry that this could be the beginning of a two-tiered healthcare system. Hopefully it's not!
@Allison, I'm afraid the system is already two-tiered. During the 1990's and early 2000's my mother volunteered at Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville, VA and many of the patients there were Canadians who could not wait two years for a life-saving surgery. They would have died but for paying out of pocket.
@Book Club Elaine, That is so unfortunate and it's sad that that happened. I can only speak to what I've experienced and what my friends and family have experienced in the Greater Toronto Area (a large metropolitan area) and it's been wonderful - from cancer treatment, stroke treatment, heart surgery and other serious diseases in recent years. I can only hope that it continues that way, but you never know what the future holds!
@Allison, I'm so glad to learn of the wonderful care in your area. And I too hope for the best in the future.
As a fellow long waisted person: lower the belt loops and keep the coat!
There are so many brilliant people in the world that it blows me away that we cannot somehow write some health care policy to solve this persistent health insurance problem. And it is a problem regardless of payer, regardless of governmental involvement, even to some degree regardless of wealth.
@Karen., The wealthy don't need to worry about health insurance or providers. My father was wealthy and he and his wife belonged to a boutique service. The doctor came to the house when he wanted them; he only went into the physician's office when he needed something like an x-ray. If he called for an appointment, they guaranteed that he would be seen by the end of the day, even if that meant a visit at 7 pm. I went to the doc's office with him one time and it was like a spa, with plush chairs and a variety of drinks and fresh, healthy snacks. When he was dying, they delivered the morphine to his house, no need for his wife to go to a pharmacy. And when she spilled a bottle of the liquid morphine, no questions were asked--they delivered a new batch within the hour.
@Karen.,
I understand why it's difficult to write healthcare policy. To provide coverage for all is expensive and so somewhere there's got to be some cost cutting. Few people with "good insurance" want to vote for service that will be poorer than what they currently have (I'm NOT talking poorer quality, I'm talking less choice, more waiting). Hardly any people want to vote for higher taxes needed to pay for coverage for all. It's not like the US doesn't know how to run a public system-it has medicaid and medicare. I think the real problem is getting people to vote for higher taxes.
@Kara, Denmark is a country with incredibly high tax but I don't begrudge it. The taxes pay for healthcare, education (including university and my language classes) and public spaces such as parks, which are kept in great condition. It funds community and wider society, which we are all part of.
Re: air fryers. I have no room on my counter for anything except a basic toaster. However I keep a lovely Staub Dutch oven on the stove, and I have found that preheating that a bit and then using it to reheat things like pizza works great. They don’t get soft and floppy! I am going to try it for this custard toast. Stay tuned.
First of all, I never really ate cottage cheese growing up, but your pictures inspired me. I tried some with peaches the other day, but what sounds really good is a savory kind, like I've seen you do with tomoatoes. Also, I discovered you can add it to mashed potatoes, so I did that the other day when making shepherd's pie.
Cute coat!
For a brief -- very brief--period of time, I worked in a call center where I dealt with United Health Care Medicare Advantage customers. I will NEVER sign up for United anything! Talk about ripping people off! And the company doesn't give a &%*@ about its patients! The day that a handicapped 92 y.o. great-grandma in San Francisco cried on the phone because she was supposed to have free transportation to the doctor and she lived in a gated community; United's contracted ride service would not go up the hill to her front door and wanted her to stand outside by the front gate in the hot sun for half an hour and wait for the car. That was the policy and they didn't care it would cause her great difficulty. I tried and tried to get United to let her use the other ride share service or a taxi cab or a patient transport service that would go up to her door, but I was told no, it'd cost a bit more and United won't do that. I spent over an hour trying to get her help, and they refused. So I took off my headphones, stood up and walked out. End of job. I just couldn't stomach it anymore! I voluntarily quit knowing I would not get Unemployment. But United only wants to make a big profit, and it could care less about people! (I could give you dozens more examples, but it'd just make your blood boil. And, mind you, I was only working the phones there for a couple of weeks. During training, they told us never to say the town where our call center was located lest an angry customer come shoot the place up. They knew they were doing wrong!)
As a younger patient, I had a similar experience with Aetna. The people at their call center could tell my race and which part of the country I'm from, just by hearing my accent, and they did everything they could to foul me up. Most of my stuff was denied. I finally just started paying for my doctor visits with my credit card. One doctor said Aetna tried to deny one of his patients some needed care, and they broke state law by having an out-of-state doctor/employee rule on it. Here, only doctors licensed by our state can legally do this. Anyway, that doc turned Aetna and that employee in for breaking the law and he was absolutely gleeful about it. Said it served 'em right!
@Fru-gal Lisa, You speak the truth! I, too, have horror stories about both United and Aetna. Never worked for them but was forced by employers to have their insurance. Aetna denied almost every claim we ever made, often using the excuse our local providers were not charging "reasonable and customary charges," the thing is, we live in a rural area and in many cases ( e.g. MRI), there is only one provider so what were they comparing it to? I agree with you, both are terrible companies for coverage.
@Bobi, HA! Reimbursement is always a "reasonable and customary charge" issue when you are in Alaska.
@Bobi, U&C should not result in denial of the claim. A lesser amount is paid to the provider. IF in-network, s/he has to accept that payment and cannot balance bill you.
Healthcare stinks and you have to stay constantly on top of your coverage. Hubs & I are on Medicare with a supplement, he just spent 11 days in the hospital and we will owe nothing. Medicare Advantage plans do not work for us as we have a home in 2 states. I did use a Christian Ministries plan for a year before Medicare and fortunately didn't have to use, I do know people who use it and the plans really work for them.
Peanut butter & tomatoes, ugh. Don't care for jelly with peanut butter - I search out stores that have peanuts in a grinder so all you're getting is the butter.
The raincoat is very cute - I am long waisted also and almost never wear anything with a belt.
I have the opposite problem. I am so short waisted that necklines show off WAY too much, and pant waists are never right. I think the most excited I've ever been was when tankinis became a thing and I didn't have to shorten swimsuit straps by multiple inches.
I also like two piece swimsuits because then I don't have to have a wedgie + straps digging into my shoulders! Two pieces offer a lot more torso flexibility.
So as someone who grew up with no insurance or awful state provided insurance, let me tell you ... medical staff absolutely make you feel "lesser than." They know that they won't get paid what they want to for your visit. They know it will be a royal PITA to file the paperwork for it and somehow they want to make it known that you are the reason you have this insurance. Maybe they don't mean to (though I absolutely think some do on purpose) but it's tough when you don't just have one of the "normal" insurances.
@Battra92, and they will deny they treat those on Medicaid/no insurance any different than those that do. I made that comment - no issue getting tests because I have private insurance. Tech vehemently denied it, I just said "yeah" in a sarcastic voice.
I like the jacket a lot without the tie. And, having had many, many Helly Hansen products, I've always been super impressed with their quality and how lifespan, if helpful to your decision making.
I can relate to some of your feelings about feeling less than (we all can, I'm sure!). I was recently laid off after a very long career, and there was just this feeling from others about how that made me less of a value add, or how I was lazing about, or whatever, and I really needed some time to process reconciling how I saw myself (career exec) & how others were seeing me (sad, unemployed person). It's led to so many amazing things in my life, and I have no regrets over the time off (because we could financially weather it, and I know we're very blessed that's the case). I also have tried a lot of things & have so much compassion for people job searching. It's difficult, and a hit to the ego to put yourself out there every day & get a slew of rejections (or, silence) back every day.
Aww, I'm so sorry that you are feeling this too. But you are right; going through something hard (like facing job rejections) gives you a whole new level of compassion for others who are experiencing the same thing!
@Hawaii Planner, I took some time off during a year when we had a pretty challenging foster kid, a teenaged boy. He was a sex offender so when not in school needed 24 hour supervision. Anyway, he was suspended, unfairly I thought, so I went to see the principal. He actually told me that he didn't need advice from someone who was "just a housewife." My foster kid was there and laughed really hard, saying, "You will be so sorry you said that." He was very sorry after I went to the school board.
Hahahah, I can ONLY imagine!!
Can you unpick the stitches for the belt loop and move them down a couple inches?
The thing about honest, random insights: they make the reader feel not alone.
After reading this I remembered to be grateful for full healthcare subsidy from my old school district until I reach medicare age.
I remembered that clothes that I don't love never get worn very much.
I remembered I am buxom and therefore can't wear vertical stripes but I don't resent those who can.
I remember as I keep working on adventurous projects, I will continue to feel uncomfortable. Fear and faith are not opposites. It is the fear that forces me into actions requiring faith which then produce my growth toward the woman I hope to be someday.
BTW: I paid $32 to Quest to get a second opinion on my A1C after last month's pre diabetic result. I am at 5.6 - normal. I will still continue efforts to lower through the holidays.
@Mary Ann, I like your "I remember as I keep working..." item very much. As I'd put it for myself, I need to keep making myself go beyond my comfort zone to do the things I need to do for myself, my neighbors, and my country.
@Mary Ann, you mean that the A1C numbers from a blood test are open to interpretation??? Maybe I'm not pre-diabetic after all! How does one get a second opinion? Does the lab send your blood sample to a second lab? Sorry to bombard you with questions—but I am very heartened to think that perhaps I might not be pre-diabetic!!
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, while I'm not saying one shouldn't watch their numbers, the numbers are not one size fits all. Lots of money in big pharma is all I can say. And they do their utmost to get some from each of us. I'd never not get a second opinion. Snacking on carrots when you are supposed to be fasting can affect glucose numbers. So can having pasta/bread for dinner the night before. A1C is supposed to be average over the last three months. Think back to your eating habits (holidays, travel, meals out due to family health issues et al), might put a number a bit more in perspective.
I have been on the marketplace for a long time. I do get a big subsidy, but I choose a great plan and pay for it monthly. Ambetter has been amazing. Over the last year I have racked up more than 500,000 because of my cancer diagnosis. I had no problems getting everything covered. I am currently looking at BCBS that is 80/20 with deductible $3500 for my 2 kids. I have free health insurance through my job. So if you work the marketplace right it will pay off big time. I will have to go through Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy next summer to the tune of $500,000. It will be completely covered. So my experience has been amazing.
I love miscellany! It feels like a random grab bag of goodies.
You bought a striped jacket! It makes me so happy every time I put mine on. I was too cheap to buy a raincoat for years and years, but needed one before a trip and lucked in to finding this one (it looked brand new) for $42 at a consignment store. More than I usually spend on coats, but for Helly Hansen and that fun design. Yes, please.
I'm actually headed to that consignment store today to look for a few Lululemon pieces for my daughter. She really does love their clothing and it seems to last very well, but we only buy it if we can find it second hand! Ideally $10 or less...
You can make a pancake/wrap/rollup thing by pureeing 3/4 c cottage cheese + 1 egg + flavorings of choice, then spread thin and bake at 375F for 10-15 min.
I'm sure you can also cook it in a skillet although I haven't tried it yet.
Feel your pain with the long waisted/torso issue! Not so painful now that I don't work but finding office wear that fit me was so frustrating.
Miscellany from my neck of the woods...
First, I've never seen anyone eat peanut butter and regular butter together except my DH. I'm always like...WHY? He likes it on pancakes. Somehow, I find him less of a weirdo knowing others do this.
Second: I bought my dad a pair of Altras based on your recommendation. He is 76 and has super wide feet, diabetes, and suffers with a corn on the outside of his little toe. He has taken to cutting a section out of the side of shoe to not have any pressure on that toe. I found a pair of Altras with the wide toe box and bought them in a size wide and he sent me a picture yesterday of his feet in shoes! Woohoo! My mom said he was wearing them this morning too so THANK YOU! He suffers greatly with his feet.
We had two days of showings on our current house and the first people put in a full price offer(whispering all of that). I'm so excited that I hate to even say it out loud. Inspections were yesterday and appraisal tomorrow. Houses in neighborhoods around me are sitting for months so this would be such a huge answer to prayer!
Saving tons this month on groceries because we are too busy doing renovations at the other house to eat a proper meal...and this house has had to stay in such great shape for showings and inspections that I don't date mess the kitchen up
I think that's it. November is flying by!
Oh yay I am so glad that the Altras are helping him!
@Marlena, my husband butters his toast before spreading peanut butter. No idea why but your husband is not alone.
Miscellany for the win!
We had a bomb cyclone yesterday/overnight and it "helped" me trim out the dead branches in my backyard trees.
Thankful for my 7 guests who were here, but it was a bit exhausting. One gentleman was not complimentary and thought it was helpful to critique everything. I forced myself to laugh at his antics (he was not being funny). Sigh. Have known him for 45 years. Was one of my deceased brother's closest friends. He only visits once per year.
What he makes me think in my head in response to his hateful/helpful remarks...what I'm wanting to reply...I would never embroider on a tea towel. When I was in college the first time (80's) in my sorority house mother would beat into my head "snark is not pretty or lady like", "you cannot embroider snark on a tea towel". She would make us watch decorum videos of Princess Diana. I miss her sometimes as my snark muscle is stronger than ever. ha.
My daughter is extremely long waisted at 6'1". She wears her rain jacket with the ties tied loosely in the back. That is a very happy coat.
I love tomatoes, I love peanut butter. Just a hard no together. I do make a tomato chutney that I serve with poached eggs on toast. My family calls them "red eggs". Delish!
I just came in from morning chores, am sitting next to the woodstove, looking out the window watching a squall come over the coast range. Black sky, sunshine, high winds and 2 eagles riding the wind. Think I'll go get another cup of tea. Have a great day, everyone!
I love these types of posts! I love your writing which always makes me smile (yuck your yum! Secret muscles!)
You are such a gem.
I will always be mystified by American insurance…I cannot wrap my Canadian brain around this, but I’m glad better health insurance is on your horizon.
Peanut butter and tomato holds zero appeal for me. I do love peanut butter and bacon toast, though, so if you've never tried that, give it a go!
2 things:
My mom was a big peanut butter toast eater and she ate peanut butter and tomatoes on toast. Trust me it wasn't the strangest thing she ate on toast. When I asked why she told me in her 20s she had very little to "go"on (not a lot of money) and had tomatoes and needed some extra added protein. She always said never run out of peanut butter.
Having been on the state insurance, I was able to weed out 2 doctors. Basically I never had a reason to question their treatment of me, and I liked the younger doctor in the network I currently am in. Now with new insurance I didn't want to move back. Can we say everything has an element of customer service?
This too shall pass.
I've never tried Aldi's cottage cheese but my current favorite is Meijer brand 1 percent! funny how brands are so different. I can sympathize with your insurance. My husband's company was bought and they quickly changed to CIGNA and its been terrible! I've been out of pocket around 8,ooo dollars so far this year. I'm looking forward to Medicare next year!
Thank you, Allison Y, without you I would stand alone as the only member of the Commentariat who LOVES peanut butter and tomato sandwiches. I am comforted with the knowledge that we will not be cancelled from this caring community.
As a teenager during the 1970's, I would spend a week each summer with my father's aunt who took him in at age 9 when his parents could not afford to feed him during the Great Depression. So, her ideas on staving off hunger are a bit different from ours. However, she would slather peanut butter on two slices of bread and then sandwich a thickly sliced beefsteak type HOMEGROWN tomato large enough to fill up the bread. The contrast of the tasty and dripping tomato with the peanut butter was out of this world.
Kristen, I'm glad to have the recommendation of Aldi cottage cheese as I am working hard to develop the habit of eating it daily for the calcium and I need all the help I can get. I find yogurt too sweet.
Lastly, I LOVE the term "miscellany" as my mother's nickname for me was "Miss Elaineous"
@Book Club Elaine, “ I am comforted with the knowledge that we will not be cancelled from this caring community.” lol. This made me giggle a bit. I imagined tiptoeing through mine fields. wha-wha : (
You know, armed with this knowledge, you can confidently bring a peanut butter and tomato sandwich to a frugal girl gathering and you KNOW most of us will not steal your sandwich. Ha.
@Book Club Elaine, I like to think of the Commentariat as a Judgment-Free Zone. Like Planet Fitness (was supposed to be....).
@Kristen, it's good to know but I will still be very careful to keep track of my precious sandwich. 😉
@Book Club Elaine, I am looking forward to trying a pb&t sandwich! Anything that cuts the stiffness of the peanut butter is potentially good. I've long loved melting cheese on peanut butter under the broiler (did it that way before microwaves were invented and still use the broiler because I don't own a microwave).
Have you made your own yogurt? Or eaten plain yogurt?
"Miss Elaineous" is priceless!
Striped coat - I think you could wear it without the belt. Cut off the loops. Wouldn’t look boxy.
I love Aldi cottage cheese as well. I don't know about peanut butter and tomatoes. doesn't sound good. A fitness expert I know has toast with peanut butter and then cottage cheese. Lots of protein I guess. I haven't tried that either. I love miscellany!
I love a good miscellany post!
So many thoughts....
- I'm in the "no, thank you" camp for peanut butter and sliced tomato toast. I LOVE peanut butter toast, especially if the bread is full of grains and seeds.
- I have to try the Aldi cottage cheese. I currently love their Greek nonfat strawberry yogurt, which is my go-t0 evening snack.
- I really wish the lovely jacket came in plus sizes. I just adore navy and white striped anything. Oh well.
- Health insurance. Hoo Boy. I could go on and on, but I won't. You can thank me later. 🙂 I work in a hospital (in the US), and while I'm grateful they offer health insurance and pay for the majority of it, it's still expensive, and it's nothing to write home about. Limited doctors to choose from, lots of docs who are not taking new patients (most of the docs who friends tell me are the good ones), when you call for an appointment for something non-urgent it's a multi-month wait. Everything requires pre-authorization, and you can only use the facilities in-network to get insurance to pay their part (I realize that's common in the US). My DH needed an MRI of his shoulder, and had to wait a month and a half to get an appointment. (Our medical system has multiple MRIs available, but limited scheduling slots).
I also see patients who have NO health insurance....or dental insurance.....and their medical issues are much worse, because they've been unable to afford medical care. They come in because there's a crisis and they can no longer function.
I hope when you get your first nursing job, Kristen, the insurance they offer is better than mine.
I LOVE Aldi's cottage cheese. It turns over fast at the store and keeps it's flavor and texture longer in my home fridge. I like Sam's cottage cheese also but it is not quite Aldi's.
I love your blog and admire your strength. Happy Holidays.
I am totally with you on the Aldi cottage cheese! I didn't know this was a thing until a month ago when I bought name-brand cottage cheese and couldn't believe how much worse it was than Aldi's. Now I know!
You are brave and you are strong!
And I love the miscellany days. Thanks!
You rock! Keep the rain jacket , no belt or cut belt loops , and put belt lower , it looks awesome on you!
I truly admire your attitude of gaining empathy as you experience negative situations. That will serve you ( and others) well.
I have never heard of a peanut butter/tomato combo. I’m disinclined to try it.
I really enjoy your miscellaneous writings as well as your posts about frugality.
Does your school offer any kind of student health plan? I have a friend who couldn't afford health insurance and doesn't like the ACA plans available, so she just signs up for classes perpetually at the local JC, and gets her health care through the college for about $150 a semester. It's not ideal, but at least she has healthcare. And you only have one semester to go.
I know they do for employees, but I don't think they do for students. They have an office that can help you find health insurance, but I don't think it's insurance through the college.
$150 a semester is amazing!
I'm not gonna yuck your cold butter and peanut butter toast...but I'm not gonna try it, either, ha ha. Miscellany from Austin, Texas:
*the weather here is unbelieveably gorgeous, which makes my daily walk a pleasure
*tomorrow is my birthday and despite never having seen either Game of Thrones nor Lord of the Rings, I am going to a Candlelight Concert in downtown Austin AT NIGHT, BY MYSELF, and IN MY NEW CAR. Talk about stretching my comfort zone.
*I put my Christmas tree up, but did not decorate it. So it is essentially a big plant night light. Gazing at Christmas tree lights is so soothing...
**It occurred to me that since you are handy with a sewing machine you may be able to move those tie loops on the cute raincoat.**
Re: the raincoat. I bet you are handy enough to remove the loops of the belt loops with a seam ripper and sew them on to the right spot! Thanks for writing such a great blog!
I LOVE miscellany!
Health insurance is such a tremendous blessing. My husband has had 3 surgeries this year along with a cancer diagnose and treatment and his bills alone at he insurance rate would have more than bankrupted us. We would have lost our home, cars,...everything.
Do I pay a decent sized premium with every check? Yes but the cost of that premium is small compared to my employer's outlay AND for what the insurance covers it is only a small penance.
I started a new leg workout this week which is entirely body weight based. Think squats on a Bosu ball, lunges, box jumps etc. Holy Hannah my legs are killing me and it has been 2 days since I did the workout. Nevermind, I am not in an exercise rut, I can do hard things and I did not die. I love this perspective. I find it to be very empowering.
The guest list for Thanksgiving has reached 30 at my house and while this would have most folks shaking in their boots, I could not be happier. We have much to be thankful for and I love to cook and bake and serve people - it makes me happy in a way that I just cannot fully describe. Rest assured this will not be a Pottery Barn, dressy occasion. Paper plates will be used and I will encourage people to wear their fat pants. I'd invite you all if you lived close to me 🙂
New flooring went down in my son's room this past week and I have been slowly putting it all back together. How lovely to see it all fresh and clean. I will wrap his room up along with the Christmas decorations this weekend and breathe a sigh of relief.
I think we will have breakfast for dinner this evening. I have failed to defrost anything and I refuse to pay the astronomical prices in restaurants these days.
I completely understand your feelings about the way doctors' offices react when you have a "lesser" health insurance plan. I'm so sorry you experienced that. We have been on the government funded health plans for years as we own our own business, and traditional plans are too expensive. After a few years it improved to where we now have good doctors, but it took time. It's an awful feeling, I remember being told several times that our insurance wasn't accepted. It's a little scary when you are searching for a doctor and told to go elsewhere. I don't comment often, but I always read your blog and I'm rooting for you! You are an inspiration, and I have a feeling you have even more great things ahead.
Is that raincoat actually waterproof? It looks as if the waist tie is also high on Elisabeth. Wow, it such a cute one—I'd wear it minus the tie! (You have my mailing address. . . hint hint hint. . .)
Yes, I believe it's waterproof!
My husband ate peanut butter/mayo sandwiches as a kid. The thought makes me gag. I'm with you on peanut butter/tomato.
@Mary, PB&M YUM... is he/his family from the south? Mayo used to be given out in commodity boxes as well as peanut butter (per an article I read).
I work as a medical provider for a major healthcare network/corporation. My health insurance is decent, but not great. I always thought that if I work in healthcare I'll be eligible for great coverage.. growing up in Europe adds another layer for me.. I was so used to taking healthcare for granted and still struggle with healthcare system in the US even though I'm a provider myself. Sometimes, I beat myself up for being "part of this system",but I do my best to provide quality service for all that need it regardless of their coverage or lack thereof.
You are handy w the sewing machine. Can you lower the belt loops? I don’t know, seems possible.
I would reach out to United Health Care and see if your doctor is in-network. If so, too bad, so sad, s/he has to accept your insurance. A contract is a contract. Might also reach out to your state department of insurance (I can kinda guess where you live and suspect your DOI is not worthless as some states' DOI are).
@Selena, I have UHC via my employer. I'd have to say they rank at the bottom of insurers I've had over the years. They finally got the hint to stop calling me out of the blue.
I had a disappointing experience with a medical office when I retired and no longer had employer-sponsored insurance. Not as upsetting as Kristin's experience, but still I felt a little like a second-class citizen. When I went to my regular doctor (who I had been seeing for more than 20 years) and told the receptionist I was now on Medicare, I was informed that I would now have to pay $250 up front at every visit! In the end, Medicare covered all but about $40 for that visit. Was it easy to get a refund? No. It took 3 phone calls over a 6-month period before I got a refund. I am currently looking for a new provider.
So much humor in this one. Thank you! And much humility, per your usual, which is so refreshing.
Could you carefully detach the top of the belt loops and then flip them down and reattach to a more comfortable height for your long waisted torso ( the original top is now the bottom of the loop).
I’m sure several people have already made the same comment, but for some reason I can’t see the comments on this post. But it looks like a real simple task to move the loops on the raincoat. Perhaps it will even work to just loosen it from the top and twist the top downward so you don’t need to move the other fastening.
It’s a real cute coat and it looks so good on you! And generally HH makes some real quality products. At least I can say that for my jackets and pants, but those can probably be called vintage now 😉
Miscellany is awesome! We have Penny insurance so will probably get hit with the new administration. BTW Penny insurance was AWESOME! I work as our son’s caregiver (autism) and my DH, who has a TBI, works PT as a hospital chaplain. So neither of us get insurance through our employers.
Wear the coat till you don’t like it then sell it!
Enjoying our home and free entertainment in our community.
And “normal” is sooooo subjective. So just do what works so long as it’s legal and fits into your moral conscience.
I love the miscellany posts! Could you wear the coat with the belt but NOT thread it through the loops? I've done that before with long, belted cardigans. If you wind up liking that and keeping the coat then you can cut the loops off. I was self employed and single for much of my life and had to self insure. I had to pay a hefty monthly price to get decent insurance. I met my husband when I was 49 which was only a couple years into the Obamacare insurance plans (which I'd held high hopes for). Now we are married and retired on his Federal Employee Program insurance. I've never had such good insurance. You have a great attitude and outlook on it while you wait until you finish school and get some great coverage with a nursing job. Self employed can be awesome in so many ways but there are some downsides, that's for sure!
Long time reader (2010), new commenter here. I sew a lot, as a hobby and because I’m cheap… er, frugal. You could just move the waist tie down to where you needed. I’m sure with your sewing skills, having read most of them, you’d be able to handle that. I modify most of the clothes that I purchase because I’m ultra picky, and oddly shaped in my opinion. Just a thought.