Husband REFUSED to be looked at by the Doctor today!!!

Saturday evening, my husband started to get really congested -- now it's Monday and he's worse - not to be gross, but he is hacking up yellow and green stuff and his nose is filled with it, etc. - obviously (to me anyways) he has an infection that's started and should be seen by doctor before it gets worse -- SO, he is a war time vet ( Desert Storm ) and goes thru the Veteran's Administration for all of his treatment- we live about 45 minutes to the closest clinic that he can use- but, the treatment is free so it's worth the gas to drive there-

So I called the clinic this morning, talked with the receptionist and then the NURSE-told the NURSE exactly what was going on and EXACTLY when it started, etc. - she first gave him an appointment for tomorrow- but then called ME back and says, we just had a cancellation, and while it's not his regular doctor, he can and SHOULD be seen - so can he come at 2:30-- SURE I said-- great-- no problem- we will be there- I also said he is also scheduled for some routine blood work-- can we get that done as well since we are going to save a trip in a few weeks-- SURE - no problem- so I get hubby up and we trek the journey to the clinic-

First thing he does is go to the window and checks in and asks for the blood work papers so he can go do that while waiting for the appointment- the receptionist looks at the clock and says -- ohhh it's 2:10 - you can't do it- blood work must be done BEFORE 2:00 PM--- BIG SIGH-- A LITTLE frustrated the nurse didn't mention this earlier when I talked with her-- but oh well- he will come back- what can you do about it now-- frustrating-- annoying-- so we were a little early for the appointment now- but no biggie- we just sat and waited-- and waited and waited-- typical clinic were you wait longer than it takes to be seen- after a LONG while, this lady comes to get us who I'm assuming is the person he's seeing- (she did not introduce herself at all)-- doesn't hold a conversation on the way to the room-- nothing-- ok-- no biggie I guess-- so we get to the room and hubby sits up on the exam table and she sits down at her desk in the chair there and says so what can I do for you- hubby STARTS to explain how he is hacking up the yellow and green stuff and can't breathe etc - she interrupts him and says when did this start - he said Saturday and she SNOTTILY says well I'm not going to do anything for you it's not been at least SEVEN days-- I said what-- she says I'm not going to even examine him because it's not been seven days - I'm like WHAT? Why aren't you going to examine him? She said well he never should have been given an appointment-- I said well he WAS and we discussed SPECIFICALLY that the nurse addressed on the phone when it started, etc. - she was like well, she didn't have the knowledge to tell you to come in, only an RN would - I said then why didn't I talk with an RN then- she is who they gave me- she said, oh we don't have one -- HELLO-- what am I missing here?!!?!? By this time, I'm livid-- and so I'm like well we are here, it's his time- can't you just look at him and see what's up-- maybe there is an ear infection-- maybe it's in his lungs-- maybe he has swine flu-- I don't know- I'm NOT the doctor, but I'm not stupid either-- but NO NO NO- she would not even take two seconds to LOOK at him- to EXAMINE him at all even though she THINKS we should not even be there? I'm beside myself-- I can not believe it-- I'm like why did they tell us to come in then!?!? More to hubby that her and she puts her fingers and thumb together and says money-- that's why!! I had to walk out at that point-- I couldn't take her anymore- so I walked out to the receptionist and asked who I would make a complaint to and she asked why-- and I told her he was being refused treatment-- by this time hubby walked out the door he was so angry and upset- so then the receptionist, the nurse I'd talked to earlier, the Doctor ( or whatever she is-- prolly a PA) and another lady were all discussing why he was there and that it wasn't seven days, etc etc and all bickering among themselves and I gave up and left!!

I told hubby I'd stop at the clinic in Lisbon on the way home and see about getting him in there-- and of course they happen to be on vacation this week - lol- so he still hasn't been seen- he's in bed, feeling terrible- and I'm going to call the Syracuse VA tomorrow (or someone) which sponsors the clinic and see about reporting what happened today-- not that he's dieing by any means- I'm just beyond disbelief in the chain of events today and feel it's completely wrong- she could have said I normally don't see people until it's at least seven days, but since you are here- lets take a look-- and then decide if he should have something- if he should wait- call back in a few days if your still not better or whatever-- but we were THERE in her office, HIS appointment time- and he was refused treatment- I can not believe it.

Chicken Wing Dip

Megan and her friend have been raving about Chicken Wing Dip for a few months now- so I had her get the recipe from her friend's Mom and I just got done making it - Meg says it's AMAZINGLY good - so I must have done something right! lol

Here is the recipe:

Chicken Wing Dip:

Cook 4-5 skinless boneless chicken breasts and let cool.
Chop chicken in food processor.
Add in 8 ounces Cream Cheese
Add in 8 ounces Shredded Cheddar or Monterrey Jack Cheese I used a combo pack made by Kraft that contains both kinds)
Add in 1/2-3/4 cup Moore's Buffalo Wing Sauce
Add in 1/2-3/4 Cup Ranch Dressing

Mix well in the food processor if you have one or by hand.

Place in crock pot of low for 3 hours- it will melt down - stir occasionally.

Serve with Taco Chips - we are using tostito scoop chips

YUMM-- great snack tonight!

If you try it let me know what you think!

Summer Storm

This afternoon we had one of the worst storms we've had in a very long time- it only lasted about 1/2 hour or so, but boy did it do some damage- we have several BIG maple trees in our front yard and the winds took down another big branch from the tree-- this time, it was covering the road, so I called 911 to have them dispatch people to come get it out of the road as I certainly wasn't able to do it. The first big branch of the tree went down during the winter when we had a bad storm- so, we've made the decision that the rest of the tree should come down - if it were to fall, then it is risking falling on the neighbors cars or the house across the road and I'd hate to have either happen. We will have to plant another in it's place.

Below are some of the photos of the storm today- we had high winds, down pouring rain, HAIL- so much that the ground looked white- it was a crazy 1/2 hour or so-
now, it's sunny and nice out- you'd never know a thing happened- but, I'm told we are in for another shot of the storm yet tonight.

Wagonteamster.com Bob is back!

A few months ago, you may have read here on the blog where I mentioned that Bob from wagonteamster.com had been hit by a tractor trailer at full speed while in his horse drawn wagon. Well, I'm happy to say Bob has made a full recovery from his many broken bones and is back on the road again!

Last summer, Bob started out from NH and had made it all the way to Mississippi over the course of several months, then just a few days before he was going to take a much needed rest and attend Mardi Gras, his wagon was hit by a loaded semi - this ended him up in the hospital for several weeks and caused the death of two of his horses. However, Bob has a new wagon, a new team of horses and is picking up where he left off-- sorta-- he has now started off in Indiana and I'm not sure where he is headed - but I certainly enjoy checking in daily with Bob and see where he's been and what he's up to. Personally, I could never (unless I had to) travel the way he is for very long - but if you get a chance, check out his website- Wagon Teamster

Are improvements always for the best?

I used to love Banquet Pot Pies since I was a kid- I always picked out the veggies, but none the less, loved them- this continued into my adulthood- UNTIL they decided to make them microwaveable a few years ago- since then, I've never ever been able to get one to cook correctly in the oven NOR in the microwave- I finally gave up - and really miss them-- this is just one example - but, this leaves me to my pet peeve of today -

My son loves gum- he doesn't like the big chunky gums- but does like Wrigley's doublemeint and Juicy Fruit to name a few - I have always loved the fact that they come in a 10 pack for less than $2 for the pack- he grabs a pack in the morning before school - and sometimes comes home with a partial pack of 5 sticks and sometimes doesn't- I don't mind him sharing a piece or two either with friends- after all, it's gum and not something that's going to break the bank- UNTIL NOW - tonight when I went to pick up a few things- he asked me to grab him some gum as he was out- well I'll be- they have changed the packages to now include 3 packs of gum that contain 15 sticks each - called the "slim Pack" and of course none of the 'old' packs of 10 available at all- WHY? WHY must companies do this- new and improved is not always the best- we as moms for one, would never ever give a kid 15 sticks of gum at once - regardless of the age- no longer does it fit into a pair of jean pockets nicely- but it's bulky - who decided this was now the convenient way we should buy gum after 50 or so years of it being the same way?? I really wish companies would think sometimes before changing their products to new and improved- because like the pot pies- it's not always as grand as they think!

The ABC's Of Me

A - Age: 38

B - Bed size: Queen but prefer the couch! I have always loved sleeping on the couch ever since I was a kid- I'd sneak downstairs to sleep on the couch!

C - Chore you hate: Taking clothes out of the dryer & dusting

D - Dog's name(s): None

E - Essential start your day item: alarm clock & Diet Pepsi lol

F - Favorite color: Sage Green, Burgundy - prim/country colors

G- Gold or Silver: silver

H - Height: 5'4"

I - Instruments you play(ed): clarinet

J - Job title: Mom, Wife, Multi Tasker, Jack of All Trades & Business Owner

K - Kid(s): 2 - Girl 17 and boy 14 1/2

L - Living arrangements: hubby, son, daughter, 2 cats

M - Mom's name: Nora

N - Nicknames: DJ - given to me by my dad when I was little - I always hated being called that by anyone except for him and one of my cousin's call me that too!

O - Overnight hospital stay(s): Yes a few

P - Pet Peeve: people lying

Q - Quote from a movie: Sooo many-- how about You had me at hello

R - Right or left handed: left

S - Siblings: Two brothers & A sister

T - Time you wake up: 6:45 a.m. week days

U- Underwear: yes of course!

V - Vegetable you dislike: Mostly all of them - although I do like potatoes and shredded lettuce lol

W - Ways you run late: Hardly ever unless waiting on my daughter to get ready!

X - X-rays you've had: dental, lots of body parts

Y - Yummy food you make: Right now anything grilled, Potatoes, onions & Butter, Pizza logs, panini's

Z - Zoo favorite: giraffes and zebra's

Blooming Iris'

We have been having some really cold weather for the end of May/beginning of June- or at least it seems unusually cool- at night it's been going down into the 30's still and sometimes not much warmer during the day - on top of the coldness- we've been getting a LOT of rain- it's crazy- on Sunday we had wind, rain, HAIL - AND sun!



In the midst of all of this, somehow my Iris' have managed to stay alive and continue to grow and are beginning to open up - I have three clumps planted along the front of my deck- one on each end and one in the center - I really do think they are a pretty flower and the hummingbirds seem to like them as well- I only wish that they had a longer life when in bloom.

I just looked at the weather forecast for the rest of the week and it looks like we are in for some sunshine finally and 70's - I'm looking forward to getting outside and using my grill and deck furniture!