While there aren't any hyacinths blooming in my world yet, the photo above reminds me that we're getting closer to spring. Here's what's going on in my world Right Now.
Making - Chili in the crockpot. It's pouring today, and the rainy, cold weather is predicted to continue for the next four days. Warm chili and cornbread always make me feel warmer when it's a damp and chilly winter day.
Drinking - Home-brewed pear cider. John works with a guy who grows his own fruit (apples, pears, berries, etc.), presses it, and brews his own cider. We gave him buckets of extra tomatoes from the garden last summer and he gifted us with several different varieties of cider. It was a delicious trade.
Resisting - Starburst Jelly Beans. Even though Valentine's Day is still 10 days away, Easter candy has made an early appearance, and of course, I've been thinking about jellybeans since I first saw those bright red and yellow bags on the grocery store shelves. We'll see how long my resistance lasts.
Watching - Broadchurch on Netflix. This is a British police procedural that is tough to watch at times, but I do love David Tennant and stories that unfold over a series of episodes. To counter the serious and sobering themes of Broadchurch, I've also got Ford vs Ferrari lined up for a possible family movie night next weekend.
Avoiding - This speech. It's after my self-imposed no-news curfew of 8:00 pm. Also, I just don't think I have the fortitude to watch or listen in this bizarre convergence with the Iowa caucuses and the foregone conclusion of the impeachment vote.
Procrastinating - Working on taxes. It probably can't really be called procrastination yet as I'm still receiving forms, but I do have that slight feeling of dread that I get every year. Everything I have so far is gathered in a folder, so I suppose that's a good enough start for February 4th.
Glad About - The fixed oil leak in my car, and maybe even more so that I stood up for myself concerning the bill. The original quote was $1500, but when I went to pick it up my service advisor handed me an invoice for $2400. After picking myself up off the floor I asked what the extra $900 was for. He just shrugged and said "extra labor. This was a complicated repair and we had to remove the engine." He didn't say "you're just a woman and wouldn't understand", but that's what I heard. I asked for a detailed invoice and he gave a big sigh and disappeared in the back room. After waiting for almost 15 minutes another service advisor offered to help. She also disappeared into the back but returned after five minutes and said she would honor the original quote. Trish is my new best friend at the Subaru dealership.
Wondering - What the extra $900 was for and why the dealership thought they were going to get away with it without a detailed invoice and complete description of the work they had done. I'm also wondering if anyone will read the review I submitted about this experience.
Planning - when to start seeds for the garden in MD. I started them really late last year because I was in the hospital, so I'm going to have to look up last frost dates and germination times to plan my seed starting and planting calendar.
Getting ready to tackle - Some medical and insurance issues. I need to make an appointment with the hematologist to discuss what we should do with medication almost one year after my pulmonary embolism. I've been on the anticoagulant Eliquis and I'd like to stay on it if possible. The doctor has to approve that medically and financially as it costs an arm and a leg and the insurance company needs to be convinced that it is medically necessary.
Hoping - That Ryan's corneal issue begins to get better. He has another appointment today, but because there hasn't been much improvement, the specialist is talking about possible lasers and/or surgery. Any good eye juju you can send his way is greatly appreciated.
What's going on in your world right now?
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Be sure to visit Carole today as she kicks off our Read With Us discussion of Fever. Share your thoughts about the book (and there may even be a prize)!
Pear cider sounds delicious! Is it alcoholic?
ReplyDeleteI'm giving you a virtual high five for speaking up at the car dealership. I have a feeling they try to pull that kind of thing on a lot of people, not just women, because often people are there because they can't do it themselves and don't know the difference.
If the dealer didn't call you for authorization, they don't have a choice about honoring the original quote. It's the law.
ReplyDeleteI had authorized an extra $100 to replace an intercooler pipe, but certainly not $900!
DeletePear Cider does sound amazing! And, I am shocked about your oil-leak debacle! What on earth? I am thinking that there is NO WAY they did not know they'd have to take the engine out (or whatever). Good for you for standing your ground! Good luck with your doctor/insurance issue. Oy, I hope you get it sorted out and soon!
ReplyDeleteAnd, I will send all the good eye juju Ryan's way!
Mmm, chili! My aunt & uncle have a small orchard and used to take the fruit to be pressed into juice -- there was always some apple-pear in the mix and it was so good! They'd bottle it in gallon jugs and freeze it (gallons and gallons and gallons) so it wouldn't ferment.
ReplyDeleteThat's a crazy story about your car repair and I'm so glad it ended well!!
Yum to Pear Cider! Yum to chili! YIKES to your car repair experience. So frustrating. We are fortunate to have a place we have used for years (though now, with my new car, it has to go to the dealer to remain in warranty). Hmmm...taxes. We have not received everything we need yet, but I have an appointment with our tax person on February 22nd. The folder I have is bulging and I need to go through it and pare down what I take (don't need all my pay stubs from 2019...just the W-2 should work). Best of luck with your medical issue and sending all healing and best juju thoughts to Ryan.
ReplyDeleteI, for one, hope your pear cider is alcoholic. A little buzz is needed these days to deal with what is going on in the world. And there is a lot going on with you! Hooray for sticking up for yourself; no one else is going to do it! It's a life skill that many people never learn. I am thinking of trying to make some vegetarian chili today. It is warm and rainy here, but should be cold tomorrow with continuing rain. I am not a vegetarian, but I have been trying to find recipes that we both like that enable us to reduce our consumption of meat. It's a challenge, but I like a challenge. My husband has been on Eliquis for years with no issues. It's a good drug, and I wish you luck with getting it all settled. My husband also has eye issues, although his are all retinal. It is very scary and often care moves at a snail's pace. I send all good wishes to Ryan, and hope he is able to be patient and hopeful through this process. I loved Broadchurch, and I am pretty much a BBC/PBS addict. It is difficult to watch, but oh so well done! As for that "speech", these days I have lost all patience with him and his rhetoric. I have sworn off watching anything with him in it. After 3 years, I could give his speeches by just quoting his repetitive vitriol; they are all the essentially the same to me.
ReplyDeleteSending ALL the eye juju for Ryan! And YAY for you for asking questions and not taking any crap at the Subaru dealership. You are my hero -- and I'm going to remember this the next time I've got my car in for service. (And good for Trish. . . with the assist.) I watched Broadchurch (season 1) when it was first available many years ago. I started to watch season 2, but I know I never finished (and I can't remember why right now). XO
ReplyDeleteWow, and I can believe that the dealer was going to TAKE you. On the final day we saw my dad he got a chuckle out of me trying to get estimates after I backed the truck out with the door open. We were trying to keep topics ordinary even though we knew he was gravely ill. He laughed when I said the estimates changed when Fireman went WITH me.
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I was unhappy about paying $1500 and so upset by the $2400 that it was easy to speak up! I think I'l ask for Trish the next time I have to go to the dealership; we women need to stick together when it comes to cars!
DeleteI too watched Broadchurch Season 1 (MILLAH!) but didn't get to Season 2. I hope the guy at the car dealership stubs his toe right now. Thank goodness you pushed back. Here's to Ryan and good news at the next appointment.
ReplyDeleteI'm sending healing vibes for Ryan's eye and good thoughts for you as you tackle and navigate the insurance industry for your Eliquis. GOOD for you for speaking up at the Subaru dealership. I think I'd do the same but I'm honestly not sure. I'm really glad they honored their original quote.
ReplyDeleteAll the cheers for alcoholic cider ... pear, apple, grape ...and all the good juju for Ryan and you and your ongoing medical stuff (geez, it's bad enough when it's just the stuff, but adding in insurance and doctors makes it that much harder). Clearly, though, you are the woman to have in charge and I'd for sure want you advocating for me!
ReplyDeleteSending good vibes to Ryan in the hopes his eye is improving, albeit slowly. We watched Broadchurch, but I did so with one eye closed (and my head in my knitting most of the time). You really should ask for Trish (and tell her why) from now on. I had the opposite experience yesterday, a bill far under my expectations and they called to have me okay an extra $17 for a rear bulb. You've quite a bit of "stuff" on your plate and I hope it all goes smoothly and your way from here on out!
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