I was in my mother's house, although it was a combination of hers and that of a couple of friends, but two storey. We were making cookies, although mine were actually some sort of potato cookie without eggs that you fried on the stove like latkes. They weren't going well. There were children playing outside; it was day. Then it was night. Then I was asleep and woke up to a terrible alarm. There was no clock in the room. I panicked, thinking I'd left the cookies on the stove. I ran over to an outlet and pulled a couple of things out of it, including a piece I thought was broken. It wouldn't quit. I ran outside, jumped over some irises, and put it in a drawer in the trash. Yeah, I know. Hey, it was a dream. But I still heard the sound. Then I thought it must have come from my mother's room, so I went back in and she was there and saying something I couldn't understand. Then suddenly I woke up, and my insistent alarm was still going. I turned it off and lay back down. Then my cell phone went off. It actually went off first, but it was on the floor and I'd obviously turned it off in my sleep, sending my c-pap machine askew.
I actually woke up long before my alarm, at 8 am, but still felt like sleeping more, so I went back to bed. Waking up this way was somewhat traumatising, and I ache all over. Normally I can wake up to my phone, but I'm too prone to re-set it, so I use the alarm from hell as a backup.
So now I'm eating a breakfast of eggs, banana, and muesli (no coffee today--I'm not in the mood) in the hopes of getting my head back on straight. The dream was simple but very vivid. I know where all the elements came for--it was fairly straightforward. But it still messed with my head briefly.
Ugh.
Born, like other comic book characters, out of an otherwise trivial but life-changing animal bite, the Rabid Librarian seeks out strange, useless facts, raves about real and perceived injustices, and seeks to meet her greatest challenge of all--her own life.
Translate
Friday, January 02, 2009
Thursday, January 01, 2009
I am really not happy with my flexible spending company
Ceridian handles our flexible spending accounts. It's bad enough that last year, in the middle of a plan year, they froze the cards for a month and issued new ones whilst re-launching their website to supposedly give us new features.
Then there's the fact that almost every time I have had to call them in the past, it has been busy for so long I can't get through, because I don't have time to wait a half hour to get someone to talk to. I think I finally got someone once.
But today, the start of a new plan year, I went to get my medicine and it denied the purchase. So I called the customer service number on the off chance that someone might be there on a holiday, without luck. It took five menus, including three requests to speak to a real person, before it told me they were closed. It did take me through plan balances, etc. My card has a balance of $3,120. The card doesn't expire until September 2011. I don't know what the deal is. Hopefully they will be in and answering the phone tomorrow, because I want to know why the programme I'm paying into throughout the year isn't working. Grrr.
I'll be out of Lamictal on Monday and I'm out of the other two medications I'm trying to get. I don't have $85 to spend on them. I need to be able to access my account. Hopefully it's just a glitch they can fix,but in the meantime, I am not happy. We never had this sort of problem with our old company.
Then there's the fact that almost every time I have had to call them in the past, it has been busy for so long I can't get through, because I don't have time to wait a half hour to get someone to talk to. I think I finally got someone once.
But today, the start of a new plan year, I went to get my medicine and it denied the purchase. So I called the customer service number on the off chance that someone might be there on a holiday, without luck. It took five menus, including three requests to speak to a real person, before it told me they were closed. It did take me through plan balances, etc. My card has a balance of $3,120. The card doesn't expire until September 2011. I don't know what the deal is. Hopefully they will be in and answering the phone tomorrow, because I want to know why the programme I'm paying into throughout the year isn't working. Grrr.
I'll be out of Lamictal on Monday and I'm out of the other two medications I'm trying to get. I don't have $85 to spend on them. I need to be able to access my account. Hopefully it's just a glitch they can fix,but in the meantime, I am not happy. We never had this sort of problem with our old company.
Whew!
Setting up the aquarium was a job. See, the water evaporated rather than me taking it down last time I had it running. So there were a lot of salts in the dry aquarium. I took out most of the gravel, washed it with clean water, wiped down the glass, placed the decorations (which I also rinsed off) inside, and filled the tank. The water is cloudy but I'm hoping the filter will take care of that; I have it running now and it seems to be doing fine.
I'll treat it for chlorine and wait about a week before I add fish, assuming the chlorine meter and temp are good. I did try to vacuum the small amount of gravel in the aquarium, but that involves siphoning with your mouth, which is just icky when you don't know what might be in the aquarium. I really need to get a self-siphoning one. But hopefully soon I'll have fish, either from Brenda or bought. I prefer live bearers like swordtails, mollies, platies, and guppies. I usually throw in some catfish and a plecostomus, too, for cleaning the aquarium, plus some Java grass and other plants for the fish to hide in, especially the babies.
I'll clean the floors later--I figured I'd just mess it up with the aquarium cleanup anyway. They're not too bad, anyway, and really just need to be swept a little . The trick with cleaning the gravel was not getting any gravel in the garbage disposal, no mean feat, since I have to pull the stopper out with a pair of pliers--it makes a very good seal. I used two large bowls and a colander (which I will wash very, very thoroughly, let me tell you) to do the actual washing but I put the decorations and large rocks in the sink.
Now I'm going to get ready, take out the trash, and go to the pharmacy. Then it's over to socialise with a movie with some friends. Hope your New Year's Day is going well.
I'll treat it for chlorine and wait about a week before I add fish, assuming the chlorine meter and temp are good. I did try to vacuum the small amount of gravel in the aquarium, but that involves siphoning with your mouth, which is just icky when you don't know what might be in the aquarium. I really need to get a self-siphoning one. But hopefully soon I'll have fish, either from Brenda or bought. I prefer live bearers like swordtails, mollies, platies, and guppies. I usually throw in some catfish and a plecostomus, too, for cleaning the aquarium, plus some Java grass and other plants for the fish to hide in, especially the babies.
I'll clean the floors later--I figured I'd just mess it up with the aquarium cleanup anyway. They're not too bad, anyway, and really just need to be swept a little . The trick with cleaning the gravel was not getting any gravel in the garbage disposal, no mean feat, since I have to pull the stopper out with a pair of pliers--it makes a very good seal. I used two large bowls and a colander (which I will wash very, very thoroughly, let me tell you) to do the actual washing but I put the decorations and large rocks in the sink.
Now I'm going to get ready, take out the trash, and go to the pharmacy. Then it's over to socialise with a movie with some friends. Hope your New Year's Day is going well.
Things I've done today
- Dishes
- Straightened up what little there needed to be
- Went through the mail
- Updated my profile with the bone marrow registry
- Made the bed
- Gathered to trash to be taken out
- Wiped down counters
Still to do today:
PharmacyTake medicineWork on getting the aquarium up and running- Notes
Take trash out- Clean floors in the kitchen and bath
Go watch Hellboy II at a friend's
I have a new planner to write such things down. Appointments I put at the right time; to-do goes on the other side of the sheet. The planner I got also has a 3-in-1 view so you can see the month's to-do list and an agenda with a list of the days. There's a space for notes at the beginning of each month, too. I also have a monthly calendar for quick reference and addresses. Hopefully this will keep me more organised for 2009.
A real breakfast
I normally have a Pop-Tart out of the vending machine for breakfast. Today I'm having 2 scrambled eggs, 2 pieces of hearty bread with spreadable fruit (blackberry) [I forgot to get butter when I went to the store], a banana, and even a little Toffee Nut coffee.
One of the side effects of Strattera is nausea, which can be counteracted by taking it with food, particularly protein. Hence the eggs.
I had a little trouble sleeping last night--I kept waking up, particularly after 6:30, although since I didn't go to bed until after three, I stayed in bed until 9:30. So much for sleeping in. But I have a lot to do around the house today, including cleaning and setting up the aquarium, so it's just as well, I suppose.
My hair is very wavy this morning, since I didn't comb it after the bath last night and it's about 2-3 inches shorter now. I kind of like it, although I'll take a shower later (I bathed in salt water last night, not using shampoo, etc., so I'll need to actually get clean) so who knows how it will turn out then. I may let it dry without combing it and see what happens; sometimes it works, sometimes it sticks up in strange ways, which is why most days it's mostly straight and curls around at the ends. I have the type of thin, baby-fine hair that you can use volumnising shampoos, mousse, and even hair spray, and it will fly away and refuse to do anything, looking decent for about two hours before reverting to the norm. And gel just makes it look greasy. If I were famous and monied, I'd hire a personal stylist, for I sure can't do a thing with my hair, despite years of reading women's magazines. I'm better with makeup, but I don't use it that much.
I'm thinking of changing that this year, as 1) it shows I care a little about my appearance, something that I obviously do not judging from my norm, and 2) at age 41, there are imperfections that are best dealt with by make-up and moisturisers (I never thought I'd ever have to use moisturiser, having had so much trouble with oily skin when young). My main problem with my face is that I'm too ruddy. Physician's Formula makes a green sub-foundation that's good for that. I used to have some, but I have no idea where it got to, and it probably isn't any good anymore. The last time I went to use my eyeshadow, the applicator disintegrated in my hand--that tells you how much I use makeup. Foundations tend to dry out on me, too.
My eyes are probably my best feature; they are largely without wrinkles, have a natural purple tint to the lid, and are open and bright. They're a nice shade of hazel brown. Unfortunately, I am so nearsighted that my glasses make them look smaller, and makeup doesn't really make much of a difference. I am thinking of getting contacts this year--the type you can wear for a few days during the day and night. It's not just vanity; I see better with contacts (the correction is more precise for some reason, in my experience, maybe because they're close to the eye), and I'm having trouble seeing some smaller print road signs and books even though I don't think my prescription has changed per se. We'll see. Once I verify that my flexible spending card is working properly in the new year, I'll make an appointment.
Speaking of which, theoretically I can get the prescriptions I've been off of for the last 2 weeks-a month due to lack of money for medical expenditures on my card. I'm going to go to the pharmacy today and see if I can get them filled; I've been off my glipizide, Provigil (which is now replaced by the Strattera), Tricor, and for the last week I haven't been able to get a hold of Abilify, although I managed to get some samples before that. I have stayed on the Lamictal and Janumet through everything. Lamictal's an absolute must--if you go off and go back on the likelihood of a life-threatening rash increases. Besides, I needed to make sure something was keeping my brain chemistry on an even keel through the holidays, right? :)
This year I elected to have about $3,000 taken out of my pay to cover my medical flexible spending account. That should hopefully get me through the whole year. It means my pay will be smaller (it had been about $2,200 this year), but my co-pays are doubling for doctors' visits, and the medicines are going up, too, so what can you do? I actually have until March of 2010 to spend it, so I don't think that will be a problem. At least it really does help out through the year, and since it comes out as pre-tax money, it saves me quite a bit on my medical expenses.
One of the side effects of Strattera is nausea, which can be counteracted by taking it with food, particularly protein. Hence the eggs.
I had a little trouble sleeping last night--I kept waking up, particularly after 6:30, although since I didn't go to bed until after three, I stayed in bed until 9:30. So much for sleeping in. But I have a lot to do around the house today, including cleaning and setting up the aquarium, so it's just as well, I suppose.
My hair is very wavy this morning, since I didn't comb it after the bath last night and it's about 2-3 inches shorter now. I kind of like it, although I'll take a shower later (I bathed in salt water last night, not using shampoo, etc., so I'll need to actually get clean) so who knows how it will turn out then. I may let it dry without combing it and see what happens; sometimes it works, sometimes it sticks up in strange ways, which is why most days it's mostly straight and curls around at the ends. I have the type of thin, baby-fine hair that you can use volumnising shampoos, mousse, and even hair spray, and it will fly away and refuse to do anything, looking decent for about two hours before reverting to the norm. And gel just makes it look greasy. If I were famous and monied, I'd hire a personal stylist, for I sure can't do a thing with my hair, despite years of reading women's magazines. I'm better with makeup, but I don't use it that much.
I'm thinking of changing that this year, as 1) it shows I care a little about my appearance, something that I obviously do not judging from my norm, and 2) at age 41, there are imperfections that are best dealt with by make-up and moisturisers (I never thought I'd ever have to use moisturiser, having had so much trouble with oily skin when young). My main problem with my face is that I'm too ruddy. Physician's Formula makes a green sub-foundation that's good for that. I used to have some, but I have no idea where it got to, and it probably isn't any good anymore. The last time I went to use my eyeshadow, the applicator disintegrated in my hand--that tells you how much I use makeup. Foundations tend to dry out on me, too.
My eyes are probably my best feature; they are largely without wrinkles, have a natural purple tint to the lid, and are open and bright. They're a nice shade of hazel brown. Unfortunately, I am so nearsighted that my glasses make them look smaller, and makeup doesn't really make much of a difference. I am thinking of getting contacts this year--the type you can wear for a few days during the day and night. It's not just vanity; I see better with contacts (the correction is more precise for some reason, in my experience, maybe because they're close to the eye), and I'm having trouble seeing some smaller print road signs and books even though I don't think my prescription has changed per se. We'll see. Once I verify that my flexible spending card is working properly in the new year, I'll make an appointment.
Speaking of which, theoretically I can get the prescriptions I've been off of for the last 2 weeks-a month due to lack of money for medical expenditures on my card. I'm going to go to the pharmacy today and see if I can get them filled; I've been off my glipizide, Provigil (which is now replaced by the Strattera), Tricor, and for the last week I haven't been able to get a hold of Abilify, although I managed to get some samples before that. I have stayed on the Lamictal and Janumet through everything. Lamictal's an absolute must--if you go off and go back on the likelihood of a life-threatening rash increases. Besides, I needed to make sure something was keeping my brain chemistry on an even keel through the holidays, right? :)
This year I elected to have about $3,000 taken out of my pay to cover my medical flexible spending account. That should hopefully get me through the whole year. It means my pay will be smaller (it had been about $2,200 this year), but my co-pays are doubling for doctors' visits, and the medicines are going up, too, so what can you do? I actually have until March of 2010 to spend it, so I don't think that will be a problem. At least it really does help out through the year, and since it comes out as pre-tax money, it saves me quite a bit on my medical expenses.
Some of you may be following the story of Philadelphia's libraries
eleven branches of which were slated to close due to budget issues. Here's an update: Wednesday afternoon they were given a reprieve by a judge.
Reprieve for Philadelphia Libraries (from Birdie over at LISNews)
Reprieve for Philadelphia Libraries (from Birdie over at LISNews)
Go, grandmas with guts!
Okay, I don't know if she really is a grandmother, but this is a great story.
Woman, 88, gives naked intruder the ‘squeeze’: Deputies say she grabbed the man’s crotch after he pushed her down
Moral of the story: don't attack feisty little old ladies when you're going commando.
Woman, 88, gives naked intruder the ‘squeeze’: Deputies say she grabbed the man’s crotch after he pushed her down
Moral of the story: don't attack feisty little old ladies when you're going commando.
Fun stop motion
Sometimes things don't go according to plan. This is from Graham (somegreybloke).
Thanks to YKWIA for pointing it out to me.
Happy New Year!
Listening to U2, 'New Year's Day'
They say that whatever you're doing when New Year arrives, you'll be doing the rest of the year. I was just getting into the house after helping a friend with a problem. I'd intended to be home a little earlier, take a bath, and do the libation at midnight, but I wound up pouring it about 12:15. Of course, true "middle" of the night right now is about 1:39 am, so I think I was okay. I annointed a plaque of Hekate that hangs over my front door, then poured spring water on the ground, followed by the wine, honey, and lavender mixture, calling to Her and praying. Tomorrow I'll annoint the image of Her on my car with the rest of the honeyed wine.
Then I came back inside, put a diffuser on a light bulb with Song of India oil in it and soft meditative music and sat in the recliner and let my mind wander, dropping off to sleep for a little while. My whole house quickly smelled beautifully. I feel very much at ease and ready to face 2009.
The reason I gave the offering to Hekate tonight (other than the fact I always do at some point when I'm menstruating) is that she is a Goddess of liminal points; she guards doorways, for example. The end of the old year and the beginning of the new is such a point. She is also a Goddess of wisdom and prosperity, two things I'd like to see in the New Year.
My impressions whilst 'meditating' were that in the coming year I need to work, as a friend has repeatedly told me, on not being mentally lazy and really focus on reasoned opinions, mental sharpness, mental health, and my low self-esteem. They say that lack of stimulation makes the brain atrophy and I feel like that is happening now that I've been out of school for some time. Also, I need to address my memory issues with my doctor. As far as problems like weight and finances--the rest will follow if I can overcome some of my psychological issues. I need to work on being happy; I'm not a lot of time, and it has to do with a pessimistic outlook that I have, one I don't want that's developed over time. I need to recapture the optimism of my youth. Hekate's guidance often echoes that of my friend. I can't argue when they team up together.
I hope you have some sort of guiding force in your life this coming year, whether it is an inner voice, God, whatever. I wish you wisdom, happiness and love.
They say that whatever you're doing when New Year arrives, you'll be doing the rest of the year. I was just getting into the house after helping a friend with a problem. I'd intended to be home a little earlier, take a bath, and do the libation at midnight, but I wound up pouring it about 12:15. Of course, true "middle" of the night right now is about 1:39 am, so I think I was okay. I annointed a plaque of Hekate that hangs over my front door, then poured spring water on the ground, followed by the wine, honey, and lavender mixture, calling to Her and praying. Tomorrow I'll annoint the image of Her on my car with the rest of the honeyed wine.
Then I came back inside, put a diffuser on a light bulb with Song of India oil in it and soft meditative music and sat in the recliner and let my mind wander, dropping off to sleep for a little while. My whole house quickly smelled beautifully. I feel very much at ease and ready to face 2009.
The reason I gave the offering to Hekate tonight (other than the fact I always do at some point when I'm menstruating) is that she is a Goddess of liminal points; she guards doorways, for example. The end of the old year and the beginning of the new is such a point. She is also a Goddess of wisdom and prosperity, two things I'd like to see in the New Year.
My impressions whilst 'meditating' were that in the coming year I need to work, as a friend has repeatedly told me, on not being mentally lazy and really focus on reasoned opinions, mental sharpness, mental health, and my low self-esteem. They say that lack of stimulation makes the brain atrophy and I feel like that is happening now that I've been out of school for some time. Also, I need to address my memory issues with my doctor. As far as problems like weight and finances--the rest will follow if I can overcome some of my psychological issues. I need to work on being happy; I'm not a lot of time, and it has to do with a pessimistic outlook that I have, one I don't want that's developed over time. I need to recapture the optimism of my youth. Hekate's guidance often echoes that of my friend. I can't argue when they team up together.
I hope you have some sort of guiding force in your life this coming year, whether it is an inner voice, God, whatever. I wish you wisdom, happiness and love.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)