8 vials later ....

     Sounds like a title of a horror flick.  Eight test tubes of blood (some were bigger than others, what's with that?!).  Son #2 accompanied me on this lab visit and let's just say that he enjoyed it very, very much.  You, too, may enjoy this visit if you can figure out where his MySpace is.  Yes, he took pictures -- while he cackled with glee.  Loudly.  I am loved (?).

     The other title I was considering for this post is "Excuse me while I vent".   I consider that ample warning:  don't blame me if you keep reading.

     I have 3 things to vent about and it's only 1:00 p.m.

     Vent #1:  

   I received a bill from Texas Children's Hospital for $120  (where the lung doctor's office is located).  I first noticed that they did not send this to my insurance company.  Then I noticed that there was no description for this charge.   I thought to myself, "What the heck?  Are they charging me for just walking into the building?!".  So I gave them a call.  No, they hadn't put it through to the insurance company but would be happy to do so.  And then:

Me:  "Thank you very much."

Her:  "Your welcome."

Me:  "Oh, by the way, what, exactly, is this charge for?"

Her:  "Ummm, it's a facility charge."

Me:  pause ----- "Are you telling me that you're charging me $120 just because I walked through the doors?!".

Her:  slight pause ----"Ummmm, yes, pretty much."

Me:  slighter pause ---- "Are you FREAKING kidding me????  You're charging ME when I'm already paying the doctor a huge fee so that HE can pay YOU?????!!!!!  That's the most asinine thing I've ever heard of and there's no STINKING way I'm going to pay this!  AND, I'm going to call my insurance company and tell them NOT to pay you!!!!"

   OK, so I made up that last line.  I wish I'd said that.  Instead I said, "Well .... thanks for at least sending it to the insurance company."  

     Vent #2 (and this shows how horrible a person I am):

  I stopped by my office today and I had a message from a woman who wanted money.  Churches get these calls all of the time (and even walk-ins).  This used to be part of my job description but it is no longer.  But not everyone at church knows that, thus the message.  I told someone before I left so that if she called again they would know who handles this.

And then I came home.  And saw that Son #3 had left me a message from this same woman.  She called my home!!!  I was stunned.  I don't know how she got my phone number but I felt hugely violated.  And not at all inclined to give her any money (I told you I'm horrible).  I called someone at church who very nicely offered to call her.  Thank you, J.

     Vent #3:

     OK, so I'm reaching here, but know that this is after #1 and #2.  

Why is it that whenever I finally sit down to see if there's a movie on TV, the guide ALWAYS shows that every-single-movie started 45 minutes earlier?!!  And sometimes, as unbelievable as you may find it, I swear there's a movie listed that I could've watched that WAS NOT on the guide when I checked 30 minutes ago!!  It's a plot.  I know that I'm being gas lighted.  At first I just thought it was the kids.  But the satellite company is in on it, too. 

 I don't stand a chance.

    As a P.S.-- tomorrow the boys and I will go to the lake.  I have not been there since that "last" weekend.  I haven't wanted to go --- still am not 100% sure about it, but I have to go.  And I need to get this over with.  There are papers that I need to go through and things that need to be taken care of.  My plan is to spend the night and return on Thursday.

But as I have learned -- the best laid plans ............