Time for a Rant

I think I'm due for a rant. I believe that I've been good lately. Either that, or I really haven't gotten around to blogging about what has ticked me off lately.

As some of you may know, I am plagued by a few health issues. Although mostly under control, I do have to see my docs on a regular basis. My primary, being one that I see quarterly. Then my OB/GYN & my Cardiologist require annual or bi-annual visits.

I have absolutely no issues with my specialists. I never have long waits and am seen at my appointment time or shortly after. My OB is the best EVER. The whole package. Excellent DR. & surgeon with the absolute best bedside manner. He's not on my insurance so I do pay my deductible oht of pocket but after that, he will write off whatever my insurance does not pay. In my case, it has been way up there.

So on my recent visit to my primary, I sat in the waiting room for almost two freakin' hours. There were people standing inside and out. They took my co-pay when I got there, so that I couldn't escape. The patients in the waiting room just as ticked as I was and threatening to change doctors. I would too... if I could. My doctor is my brother's wife's aunt. Sorta, kinda, family.

Aside from the wait, my rant involves what came next. As I was leaving, the receptionist hands me a sheet of paper and asked me to read it and let her know my thoughts about it during my next visit. So I read it when I get home and became even more livid than I had been earlier.

Basically, the doctor is offering a "concierge program". Yep, you read that right, concierge! For a mere $150 per month you get the following:

*Comprehensive physical exam annually.
Um, am I not supposed to get that any way?

*Increased communication with attention to personal needs.
Will she be cleaning my house? and feeding me bon bons?

*Same or next day appointments with no waiting.
Are you freakin' kidding me? I have to pay for the privelege of not waiting 2 hours to be seen? What makes you think that your time is more valuable than mine?

*Direct personal cell phone & email communication with the Dr.
Guess what? If you don't answer my calls I will go elsewhere. Family or not.

*Continuity of care while hospitalized.
Again, that's part of your job. You get paid an outrageous amount by my insurancefor popping your head in at the hospital.

Everything that I mentioned above is what I expect to receive from my doctors ANYWAY! It's what my other doctors do all the time. Guess what, my OB even called me while on his freakin honeymoon to check on me after the birth of my baby! Get a grip! I might just join that patient revolution and find another doctor. I pay $$$$$$$$ for my PPO insurance annually, I will not pay an additional $1800 per year thank you very much.

Rayovac Powers Your SUMMER!

I always need to have a ton of batteries around during the summer. We have several misting fans that we use at the beach, by the pool or at the park. Living here in Florida we need all the help we can get to keep cool. Unfortunately for us, we also need a nice supply of batteries in the summer because we are smack in the middle of hurricane season. So aside from our summer fun pack, we also have a hurricane stash for our flashlights, radios and of course our misting fans!!! :-))

Which brings me to the following from 5 Minutes for Mom:

Rayovac Powers Your Summer Promotion

Enter for a Chance to Win Fun Summer Prizes and $50 Gift Cards
Rayovac Powers Your Summer Promotion

From June 21st through July 20th, we are empowering families to have fun through the Rayovac Powers Your Summer Promotion.

First, show us you "like" the brand and products on Facebook and together with expert moms at 5MinutesForMom, we will offer up great daily summertime family tips and a chance to win great prizes.

Then access and complete the entry form on Rayovc's website. Simply tell us how you'll power your fun this summer each day for a chance to win prizes ranging from Cameras and Bikes to Camping Supplies and a Summer Supply of Rayovac Batteries! No trick questions here! There is no correct answer to how you and your family add the Power of Fun to your summer! Must be a US resident and 18 or older at the time of entry to enter this Promotion or the Twitter Event.

Rayovac Powers Your Summer Twitter Event
Join Rayovac and 5MinutesForMom for a Twitter Event to support the exciting Rayovac Powers Your Summer Promotion. The Twitter Event will feature more than 20 fun giveaways from Rayovac ranging from a summer supply of Rayovac Batteries to $50 Target Gift Cards.

Rayovac Powers Your Vacation Summer Promotion Twitter Event
Date: Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Time: 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. CST
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Follow: @Rayovac_Battery, @5minutesformom, @CirclePRMary

I'll see you there! And I'll share my misting fans!


"The first 99 bloggers to promote the Rayovac Powers Your Summer Promotion won a prize package from Rayovac."

I'm losing my touch

I'm afraid to look to see how long it's been since my last post! I had my brother come visit from Colorado and we went to see THE Mouse.

I have always had fabulous luck when renting from VRBO. The owners are always responsive and very helpful. Reviews are usually spot on. This time, I don't know what happened. This was to be a very budget trip for all of us. I found a listing for a great rate and the reviews were pretty good. The photos showed that the house was very modestly decorated but the reviews stated that it was clean & close to the parks. The owner also claims to loan the house to Make a Wish & St Judes, which I am a huge a huge supporter of both.

Let me start with the good.
~ The house is a hop, skip & a jump from the parks. Ten minutes tops!
~ The rates are very reasonable. I say this with a caveat though.

The bad.
~ Vey outdated decor, appliances & furnishings.
~ Not clean. Very dusty. Not very well stocked.
~ Not very good communication from the owner.

The ugly.
~ Roaches!!!

We walk in and are shocked at the condition of the house. The floor was full of dead bugs. Dust on every surface. The kitchen was scary and I knew that I would not use it at all. I tried calling the owner right away but did not get an answer. Panic started setting in. I grabbed the vacuum but it smelled like something died in there. We came to visit Mickey Mouse, I didn't want any mice visiting me!

We decided to go to the park and hope that we would get a call back. About 5 hours later, I finally did receive a call back and the owner offered her other property. After we checked it out, we decided to stay with the 2nd house. Not that it was a 100% but it was in way better shape. None of the TVs in the house had reception though.

Getting my security deposit back was also a mission. Not because of the time, but because of the lack of communication. It's a shame though, because both homes have huge potential if properly maintained.

Which brings me to my major concern. If in reality she does donate the home to the above mentioned causes, I worry about the children occupying the homes in their current condition. Dust & roaches and children with immuno-deficiencies do not mix.

In the owner's defense, she does claim to be be fixing up the home. So just take this as my personal & most recent experience. Like I said before, if in better condition, the location can't be beat.