Sunday, June 08, 2008

Some More Randomness


It's been awhile since I have done a random catch-up type of post. I was riding my bike this morning and composing in my mind. I hope I can remember what I wanted to say -

It has been an interesting couple of weeks. I have been crazily running from doctor to dentist to mammographer to blood tester to colonoscopist to bone scanner (coming up tomorrow) - opthamologist coming up. It has been a race to beat the end of my current insurance coverage. (Don't look up most of these words in the dictionary!)

The acquiring of an independent insurance policy has been an unbelievable challenge - since I'm too young for Medicare and the policy offered to me by the State of Colorado is too expensive, an agent who works with our financial planner has been helping me. We thought we had made a good decision when they decided to double the monthly premium upon their discovery (by my answering questions honestly) that I had a tiny BENIGN polyp removed from my colon a year and a half ago - thus the most recent "icky procedure" to prove I was really okay - which I am. They still aren't putting it back down to the original offer - it seems I am a terrific risk to them based on this teeny tiny BENIGN polyp.

So - then I heard from my new doctor's office that they had received my blood test results back and I'm now on the cusp of too-high cholesterol numbers and too-low HDL numbers. I don't even know what good numbers are, because I've never had this problem before! I have assured the doc that I will definitely be weighing at least 20 pounds less by next year's check-up and I will definitely be using my gym membership more efficiently. I'm pretty tired of giving them my money every month without going in as often as I should.


Speaking of which - there is a contest going on at the gym and I intend to win. If not the contest, I will definitely win a better body. The winner, who will be determined by the greatest percentage of weight and BMI loss, will be off on a Mexican cruise for two. Worth a try!

Speaking of weight loss - the good news on the nasty procedure - 3 pounds lost! It was a good launching point - and I lost 3 more the rest of the week. Good things come in very strange packages at times!

Another little visit to the flower garden - these are from the first iris bulbs DC ever planted - we saw them in the yard of a little lady from our church and asked her for some when she thinned her crop. I just love them.







My shoe fairy, Ruth, is an expert iris grower - I'm going with a group from church (it happens to be the seniors group - I now qualify!) to a tour of her iris garden this week. I'll definitely be sharing some pictures from that adventure.

Now I'm going to throw something really random out there. Years ago I read my first D*nielle Steel book. It was good. I even wrote her and asked her if she was going to write a sequel, because she left the characters hanging. She actually wrote me back on her very old manual typewriter, telling me that she never did sequels - once a character is written about, they are gone. I read more of her books until they became much too sensual for my taste. She weaves a pretty good story, but she is really not a good writer. She is the Queen of commas, rampant run-on or incomplete sentences, AND AND AND - beginning sentences with AND - over and over and over again. What kind of editor does this woman have, for goodness' sake?? Didn't you learn that you do not start a sentence with "AND" back in about the 5th grade??? The woman is a kabillionaire, with 560 MILLION copies of her books out there in circulation. I've never bought one, but have checked them out of the library. I decided to try a couple of really short ones - kind of like long short stories - the other day when I ran out of anything to read and I needed something quick and easy. I will not do it again. I just don't get it.

If you're a big fan, I apologize.

I am dreading going to work tomorrow, getting back to the writing of my Desk Manual - seriously dreading it. I got a bit of a start finally last week. I have only 2 more weeks to finish it - and for some reason the regular workload just doesn't slow down so I can do the extra! They have actually finally hired someone for me, but I have not met him yet. Yep - him. Younger than my son. The students wanted them to clone me (that as not meant to be bragging, just something they said to me), but it seems that they've gone about as far the other direction as possible. Should be interesting!

Have a wonderful week!



20 comments:

someone else said...

Ugh! Way too many medical appointments! Good luck with the weight program. I know you'll be thrilled as you see pounds disappearing. B really got inspired each time he saw a decrease. You can do it!

Susie said...

Hi Dawn,
I know those tests are no fun! Good for you for getting a jump start on your weight loss! I want (and need) to lose some pounds too. A Mexican cruise sounds like a great motivator!
(but then there's all the food to tempt you once on board :)
I could go on and on about insurance premiums. Ours have done nothing but skyrocket since Bill's retirement.
Hope you have a peaceful week ahead.
xo

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Good luck with your weight loss. I'm kind of at a standstill right now -- not gaining, but not losing much either.

Our iris bloomed weeks ago! Yours are gorgeous and I look forward to seeing the pics from the tour.

You're on the homestretch of your retirement now. It won't be long before all that stuff is behind you, including that desk manual. Good luck finishing it and training your replacement. Only 20 days to go!

Have a great new week, Dawn, and I'm still praying about that "situation".

Love and hugs,

Diane

Unknown said...

That's a bummer that you have to get an independent insurance policy that won't be as good as the one you have now. Health Insurance is so expensive! We're thinking of switching companies so we'll have a lower monthly payment with the same benefits, but we haven't done it yet.

Good luck with the gym contest! It is definitely worth entering. Yay for losing weight! I'll be back on weight watchers soon enough.

I just realized that your countdown to retirement is very close to my baby countdown. We're getting there!

P.S. I think you had asked me awhile back what my mom does for work at our local university. She processes the gifts that come in to the University. It sounds simple enough, but hearing her talk about all the things she takes care of makes my head spin!

Have a great week!

Mimi said...

I'm glad for you that you are biting the bullet and having all the medical tests run now while still on good insurance....
It becomes a real problem while you are waiting for that wonderful birthday when you turn 65 years....
I continue praying for your dear family...

Simply Heart And Home said...

I'm glad that you are okay! I hope that you are able to find an insurance company that you are pleased with.

Blessings,

Gina

groovyoldlady said...

I'll be praying for you as you write that manual. Ugh!

Let's lose 20 together, K? I'm definitely more toned and in better shape than I was, but all this bike riding has only netted me a 5 lb loss - though I'm sure I've gained some muscle too. Once the Trek is over, I'm going to launch into the Sonoma diet...It's very healthy Mediterranean type eating that I think I can stick with. The goal? 20 pounds.

That would take me to 125 pounds at a small-framed 5'3". Very realistic and presumably (haha) doable. I think. Hopefully.

At any rate, I'll launch the new diet probaby the Wednesday after the Trek.

Needled Mom said...

Great "random" post. I enjoyed all of it.

The testing is never fun. Wish there was an easier way. The loss of 3 pounds is certainly NOT worth it!!!!

I must admit that I have only read one Danielle Steele book and was not too impressed with it. Like you - it was years ago.

If they can clone you, what would they name "it?" It would be interesting. Sorry about the boring job of writing proceedure manuals. Those are a real drag.

Judith said...

You must be so weary of medical appointments and procedures. I hope after retirement the pace of many things settles down some.

Again, I so enjoy your flowers. All of my Iris are the same one color as the ones you showed this time. They seem to be done for the summer. When is the best time to cut the dead stalks off?

Barb said...

I used to be a big Danielle Steel fan, but not any more. I just got sick of the syrupiness factor in her books. She overdoes everything.

And.....

LOL (I start a lot of sentences with "and" but it's always been my writing style.)

It's hard to believe you're so close to the last day of work. I can only imagine how excited you must be.

I simply hate insurance companies. It's awful how they manipulate things so that you're paying a fortune for the most basic coverage and then you're probably going to have a deductible that's ridiculous too.

The whole thing with the polyp is just nuts. If you hadn't been checked and had it removed, they wouldn't have increased your premium. But if you'd gotten colon cancer, they'd pay through the nose for that. It makes as much sense to me as insurance companies that won't pay for birth control but will cover pregnancy resulting from not using it.

Very frustrating, dealing with insurance companies.

SentimentsbyDenise said...

I love your random posts - my favorite way of getting everything sad.
I've read some D. Steel books in my past, too. But, like you, got bored with them very quickly. I tend to really enjoy Karen Kingsbury - if you haven't read her, I HIGHLY recommend her books!
I'm also a fan of crime thrillers - don't know why, but when I was little I use to devour Nancy Drew books - it's the element of the mystery and "who done it". My Mom got to the point where she stopped buying me dolls and just gifted me with books - a treasure, I say!
Denise

Linda said...

This too shall pass Dawn - and soon you will be enjoying retired life! (somehow that doesn't sound quite right - a life of retirement?) Anyway - I know you'll love it!!
I'm totally with you on the Danielle thing. I actually bought one of her books once because someone recommended it. Yikes! I couldn't even get through it. I think I'm just going to stick with my Jane Austen.
Praying you get through these next couple of weeks dear friend.
The irises are beautiful!

nancygrayce said...

The flowers are gorgeous! I'm sorry about the insurance problems. My husband owns his business. It's a small business, so our insurance premiums are sky high. I received two letters recently from our insurance carrier saying they want to change two of my medications to different ones. I think the doctor should do the prescribing so it makes me hopping mad!

As for Danielle, I stopped reading her books when I realized that they were all alike.

Anonymous said...

Hi Dawn,

I haven't been here in awhile. I was over at your daughter's blog too and I see there has been a family crisis. I'm so sorry. Praying right now that God's hand will be upon each of you.

Robin in New Jersey

Mary said...

Dawn,

I am glad that all is well with your health. That is GOOD news, my friend.

Love your iris. They are one of my favorite flowers. So pretty.

Do the best you can with writing that manual. That's about all you can do if they're not giving you the time.

Have a wonderful week and don't sweat the small stuff.

Blessings,
Mary

Sharon Lynne said...

Hi Dawn,

Great random post. I've never had one of those procedures but I won't be able to get out of it much longer. I'm glad you survived! You're going to be a new woman after this retirement! Wonderfully healthy!

I'm actually looking for full-time work (at 52 years of age) so I can GET better insurance. Right now I have a $4000 deductible and I'm paying ALOT.

I've been reading the last 3 posts. That was a beautiful dress you made Kristen!

Mimi said...

stopped back by to wish you good luck with all your medical tests.

Tammy said...

I know those tests aren't fun at all...but just think how nice it will be to have most of these over with for awhile!

I've never read Danielle Steele...(think I'm glad I haven't!)
I am still am making my way through the Mitford books for the first time- just have a couple more to go! I just love it...

OK- I'll lose those 20 lbs with you and Groovy! :)

Carole Burant said...

I don't envy you all those doctor appointments but at least you're getting all checked out and making sure that you're healthy:-) Good for you for already losing some weight...I need to lose some too but I'm having such a hard time with my willpower!

Love those irises, how beautiful they are!! Mine are getting ready to bloom, they're the deep dark purple ones, almost black.

When I use to read a lot, I had read a couple of Danielle Steele books but I never truly enjoyed her books. She certainly is a popular author though!!

Hang in there, only 2 more weeks of work to go:-) xoxo

nannykim said...

On your retirement day I expect a wonderful post!! Ha!!