As is our tradition, more out of necessity than actual tradition, MBB and I took the opportunity that a holiday weekday affords, and did a little shopping. As some of you may recall we had an interesting situation two years ago in Home Goods, when we discovered that the town with teh largest concentration of retail establishments has an ordinance that states that stores may not open before 1 PM on Memorial Day.
Yesterday (Sunday) we went to a place to look at new chairs for the kitchen, as we felt there were signs indicating the time was right to replace the folding chairs in the dinette(the signs said "SALE!"). We chose a chair, but I was nervous to get it without first bringing it home so we paid for the chair, and took the floor sample telling the proprietor that we would return it by five (when he closed). Apparently we forgot about our girls' high school dinner (really a "Luncher" as it began at 2 pm...best dinner ever. It started at 2, it was over at 3:30), and then subsequently a concurrent Bar Mitzvah I was attending, and another Dinner that MBB was going to. 5 o'clock was not happening. So I called the guy.
"I don't think I'm going to make it today, can I bring it tomorrow?"
"Sure no problem. We'll be here at 10."
"Oh, I thought you'd be open at 1, because of the ordinance."
"We'll be here at ten, you can come at 11. The cops come around every other year or so."
So we went at 11 this morning and we asked about it, and he explained that if a cop comes by he turns off the lights and the "open" sign, but if people come in he doesn't turn them away.
Later we went to another place, and it proclaimed on the door "Open for browsing 10am-1pm. Open for business 1pm-6pm."
We discussed it in the car on the way home, and at first we said how silly the ordinance was, but then we thought about it, and realized that as a society we have become so focused on our shopping needs, that nothing is ever closed and no holidays are sacred. What is Memorial day, and why is it that as Americans we can't take these three hours not to shop? I understand why the shopkeepers open, because if they don't, people will just head to the next town, in the next state, and that will be that. Really, our main holidays SHOULD be Memorial Day and Veterans day, and they should be honored by more than just a BBQ and retail therapy. I understand we are part of the problem, if people wouldn't shop, stores would not be open, and I know that it's a great day, with the kids in school for part of it, to get an errand done. I was just taken aback by our initial reaction to how silly it seemed to have stores open late.
It's not silly. It's not nearly enough.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
OUCH
My dear darling adorable precocious relentless four year old fell off a counter height stool yesterday (getting a snack of course), and as soon as I saw her lying there, I knew we needed an Orthopedist.
Ten year old had just recovered from a broken finger (that happened in school, at a balloon dance, who knew a hyper extended pinky could break?!?), so I had an orthopedist in mind. I had liked them, the office was quick, and here it was 3:30 in the afternoon. The night before had been spent in the urgent care center when Ten year old fell off her bike, and her ankle swelled up. (It's a sprain, immobilized and she's on crutches for a few days)Now it wasn't after hours at night, and it wasn't Shabbos ( been there,done that), and I was feeling pretty good about getting in, x-rayed and casted in the comfort of the doctor's office, I could see being done in an hour.
HA!
I called the group I had just been to a few weeks earlier, and first I was put on hold for six minutes. Then the x-ray tech picked up and informed me that I should go to the emergency room, because if it was a displaced fracture, they weren't equipped to do that in the office ( I have no idea what that means the place is massive and has tons of staff). Perhaps it was my fault that she thought it was a displaced fracture, since I mentioned that her arm looked funny right away. She asked me if she was "carrying on" a lot, and I asked if that's why she couldn't come to the office. I also asked why they couldn't x-ray it, and THEN if it was displaced send me to the ER. She said "no, we don't do that" after conferring with a doctor. So I mentioned that everyone always says, be careful who your Orthopedist is, and I trust your group and your telling me to just roll the dice in the ER? She had no answer for that, I saw I was getting nowhere, and I hung up.
Next guy was someone I've been to as well, a little further away, but his x-ray tech was leaving and I wouldn't get there in time. "Go to the ER, and then follow up with us." Umm, no. I even asked if I could go to the x-ray place and then bring the films in and let him cast it, but I was told no, because this doctor likes to x-ray again after the cast is on.
Next recommendation, I was told "sorry we have no appointments until tomorrow." So I now for the future, to use this group, one needs to SCHEDULE accidental bone fractures in order to be seen by the doctor.
I never learn. I should have called my Pediatrician right away, and I eventually did, and the receptionist gave me the name of a group. I figured before I run to the ER, I'll try one more time.
The answering service picked up, and asked a bunch of questions, including "what is your insurance." The doctor called me back within 5 minutes. He suggested I go to teh emergency room and HE WOULD MEET ME THERE after x-ray. Finally. shwew.
We went to the ER (it took an hour to be triaged, then another hour until we were done with x-rays-a really bad x-ray tech-he was not gentle with her little arm). Unfortunately, at that point the doctor could not get there for another hour and a half. She was in a pretty good mood, not moving her very obviously (on the x-ray) fractured humerus, eating candy from the vending machine, coloring and listening to stories.
The doctor showed up, casted her up, and was just really, really nice. He mentioned that he said to meet at the ER because he knew he was an out of network doctor for me. I wish he would have told me that because I'm still in the deductible portion of my plan and out of network applies to it, and I could have just gone to his office. Either way, his heart was in the right place. I told him what had happened with the other groups, and he said he tells his associates "Say yes first, especially with kids."
So what exactly is the point of all these other orthopedists if they won't see emergencies? So they can bill insurance for follow up x-rays and "surgery" for reapplying a splint? These doctors should be ashamed of themselves. The upside is I found a new group-that I hope not to need!
The cutie pie is doing well, she wanted to go to playgroup this morning, and the doctor had said if she wants to, then let her go. It's so hard to see your kids in pain. The hardest part was the x-ray, she was so sad I thought my heart would break in half. I think that's part of the problem in the medical field. People need to detach, so sometimes they detach too much and the patient gets hurt. Or it wasn't a global thing and the guy was just a jerk.
Seems to be a theme.
Ten year old had just recovered from a broken finger (that happened in school, at a balloon dance, who knew a hyper extended pinky could break?!?), so I had an orthopedist in mind. I had liked them, the office was quick, and here it was 3:30 in the afternoon. The night before had been spent in the urgent care center when Ten year old fell off her bike, and her ankle swelled up. (It's a sprain, immobilized and she's on crutches for a few days)Now it wasn't after hours at night, and it wasn't Shabbos ( been there,done that), and I was feeling pretty good about getting in, x-rayed and casted in the comfort of the doctor's office, I could see being done in an hour.
HA!
I called the group I had just been to a few weeks earlier, and first I was put on hold for six minutes. Then the x-ray tech picked up and informed me that I should go to the emergency room, because if it was a displaced fracture, they weren't equipped to do that in the office ( I have no idea what that means the place is massive and has tons of staff). Perhaps it was my fault that she thought it was a displaced fracture, since I mentioned that her arm looked funny right away. She asked me if she was "carrying on" a lot, and I asked if that's why she couldn't come to the office. I also asked why they couldn't x-ray it, and THEN if it was displaced send me to the ER. She said "no, we don't do that" after conferring with a doctor. So I mentioned that everyone always says, be careful who your Orthopedist is, and I trust your group and your telling me to just roll the dice in the ER? She had no answer for that, I saw I was getting nowhere, and I hung up.
Next guy was someone I've been to as well, a little further away, but his x-ray tech was leaving and I wouldn't get there in time. "Go to the ER, and then follow up with us." Umm, no. I even asked if I could go to the x-ray place and then bring the films in and let him cast it, but I was told no, because this doctor likes to x-ray again after the cast is on.
Next recommendation, I was told "sorry we have no appointments until tomorrow." So I now for the future, to use this group, one needs to SCHEDULE accidental bone fractures in order to be seen by the doctor.
I never learn. I should have called my Pediatrician right away, and I eventually did, and the receptionist gave me the name of a group. I figured before I run to the ER, I'll try one more time.
The answering service picked up, and asked a bunch of questions, including "what is your insurance." The doctor called me back within 5 minutes. He suggested I go to teh emergency room and HE WOULD MEET ME THERE after x-ray. Finally. shwew.
We went to the ER (it took an hour to be triaged, then another hour until we were done with x-rays-a really bad x-ray tech-he was not gentle with her little arm). Unfortunately, at that point the doctor could not get there for another hour and a half. She was in a pretty good mood, not moving her very obviously (on the x-ray) fractured humerus, eating candy from the vending machine, coloring and listening to stories.
The doctor showed up, casted her up, and was just really, really nice. He mentioned that he said to meet at the ER because he knew he was an out of network doctor for me. I wish he would have told me that because I'm still in the deductible portion of my plan and out of network applies to it, and I could have just gone to his office. Either way, his heart was in the right place. I told him what had happened with the other groups, and he said he tells his associates "Say yes first, especially with kids."
So what exactly is the point of all these other orthopedists if they won't see emergencies? So they can bill insurance for follow up x-rays and "surgery" for reapplying a splint? These doctors should be ashamed of themselves. The upside is I found a new group-that I hope not to need!
The cutie pie is doing well, she wanted to go to playgroup this morning, and the doctor had said if she wants to, then let her go. It's so hard to see your kids in pain. The hardest part was the x-ray, she was so sad I thought my heart would break in half. I think that's part of the problem in the medical field. People need to detach, so sometimes they detach too much and the patient gets hurt. Or it wasn't a global thing and the guy was just a jerk.
Seems to be a theme.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Dig In
I just set out a Smorgasbord. It spans forty feet, and is colorful, smells delightful, and is very pleasing to the eye. There are different areas with different offerings, all set up in a slightly different configuration. There are different heights, and different arrays, but it all comes together nicely.
I'm expecting a crowd, but hoping they don't come. With their big eyes, and big mouths, just crowding around like they own the place.
I wonder if they watched me as I hauled and carried and got everything in place outside. Maybe they will let it sit for just a short while so that the beauty will not be short lived.
Maybe the bigger elements that have been showing up, will scare away the smaller more consistent eaters. One can only hope.
With their stand up ears and long noses, they prance over and just have their fill.
Stupid deer. Maybe I need a shotgun.
I'm expecting a crowd, but hoping they don't come. With their big eyes, and big mouths, just crowding around like they own the place.
I wonder if they watched me as I hauled and carried and got everything in place outside. Maybe they will let it sit for just a short while so that the beauty will not be short lived.
Maybe the bigger elements that have been showing up, will scare away the smaller more consistent eaters. One can only hope.
With their stand up ears and long noses, they prance over and just have their fill.
Stupid deer. Maybe I need a shotgun.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Beep Beep
I have a love-like relationship with my car. Car is not really accurate. Flat out, I drive a truck. Not that there aren't a lot of other people driving these types of trucks, but being a small person, I love being so high up and I revel in my truckitude. I never thought there would be a time that I loved my truck, but I do. Most times.
We got the truck last year when the boy was born, because it could accommodate the whole family on those occasions when we are all traveling together. Many families have this issue, and don't necessarily get a truck- when there are male offspring sprinkled in they tend to not be around. Especially once they hit high school then they seem to always be in school. Girls are around (it's great) and available when everyone is home. With that in mind the options were: My Tahoe, a 12 or 15 passenger van, or a Suburban. Now a Suburban is basically a Tahoe, with 20 extra inches of cargo room. Actually it's 14 extra inches, because the Tahoe has a whopping six inches of trunk space. Six. Inches. I drive an Elephant, I did not want to drive a Mammoth.
So I got the Tahoe (we got a turtle for those times when we have lots of luggage and go altogether-as opposed to MBB meeting us and driving from work), and there is something that I've learned from it.
Again,I really like the vehicle. It drives well, it drives easily, I have a great back up camera in the rear-view mirror (super cool), the front seats are comfy, and I feel nice and high.
On days I go to Costco, I like it less. And it teaches me, that sometimes something worth having takes effort. I need to finagle the car seats/booster and stroller, and then figure out which seats to put down, and how to pack it most efficiently with the small space I've added by moving things that will need to be moved back. So it takes time and a little forethought (just getting the car cleaned out of "stuff" before I go), and a bit of effort, and I think how it's worth it, because I have a car that fits all of us.
When I think of people who don't do things because it takes a little extra doing, I'm sad for them.
They say anything you put effort into will last, and you will enjoy more. There are so many examples of this, but when I get anxious that maybe I should have gotten the car with more trunk space, I just think:
What would that have taught me?
We got the truck last year when the boy was born, because it could accommodate the whole family on those occasions when we are all traveling together. Many families have this issue, and don't necessarily get a truck- when there are male offspring sprinkled in they tend to not be around. Especially once they hit high school then they seem to always be in school. Girls are around (it's great) and available when everyone is home. With that in mind the options were: My Tahoe, a 12 or 15 passenger van, or a Suburban. Now a Suburban is basically a Tahoe, with 20 extra inches of cargo room. Actually it's 14 extra inches, because the Tahoe has a whopping six inches of trunk space. Six. Inches. I drive an Elephant, I did not want to drive a Mammoth.
So I got the Tahoe (we got a turtle for those times when we have lots of luggage and go altogether-as opposed to MBB meeting us and driving from work), and there is something that I've learned from it.
Again,I really like the vehicle. It drives well, it drives easily, I have a great back up camera in the rear-view mirror (super cool), the front seats are comfy, and I feel nice and high.
On days I go to Costco, I like it less. And it teaches me, that sometimes something worth having takes effort. I need to finagle the car seats/booster and stroller, and then figure out which seats to put down, and how to pack it most efficiently with the small space I've added by moving things that will need to be moved back. So it takes time and a little forethought (just getting the car cleaned out of "stuff" before I go), and a bit of effort, and I think how it's worth it, because I have a car that fits all of us.
When I think of people who don't do things because it takes a little extra doing, I'm sad for them.
They say anything you put effort into will last, and you will enjoy more. There are so many examples of this, but when I get anxious that maybe I should have gotten the car with more trunk space, I just think:
What would that have taught me?
Monday, May 9, 2011
It Was A Matter of Time
The trend in Orthodox publications and institutions to ensure that no photos of women or young girls are published has exploded over the past few years. More and more institutions and publications are bowing to this trend, and it has gotten out of hand.
Aside from the ridiculous need to blur the faces of young female children, one magazine recently went so far as to blur a section of a crowd shot from the protests in Egypt, an aerial picture that was (by definition) taken from well ABOVE and from quite a distance, where no faces or bodies were discernible in any meaningful way.
Apparently, when the Secretary of State has the nerve to be a female, she must be edited out of history: (courtesy of Yahoo News, surely picked up by other publications-wow! what a kiddush has...nah, I can't even finish it, though I'm sure SOMEONE will say it- if you google "hillary edited out" -{today 5/9} you will get almost 650,000 results in under ONE SECOND)
BEFORE:
AFTER:
So while the rest of the world debates whether Hilary was aghast versus stifling a cough, the Orthodox world just has to wonder why all those people were standing if there was an open seat.
LAst night I attended the the annual dinner from my kids school. It was a lovely event, but not only were the no girls over the age of 8 shown in the video, but why did they bother to honor couples if they had no intention of doing anything at all to honor the female half of the couple? Why videotape your honorees if all you will show is a man and his kids, and pretend you are honoring his wife?
But worst of all, do not honor four teachers for 25 years of service by quickly rattling off their names, and tacking their names in a LIST at the end of a video presentation as the lights go up. If you'd like to honor them? Have a separate presentation where you dim the lights, show their names -ONE AT A TIME-as the emcee announces each one and speaks about them for 30 seconds as someone on the Women's side PROMINENTLY presents them with their plaque.
Stop featuring women in magazines if you can't show us who they are. Stop honoring couples, and then ignoring the women or only showing photos of their husbands, and stop relegating young female children to a non existent role in advertisements, and children's publications (even worse is the ad magazines to lazy to blur the face, and just stick a post it note over a three year old's face).
Why do we wonder why boys in shidduchim (and their mothers-think: Stockholm Syndrome) think they are so much better than the girls they are meant to date. We've created a society were women are treated so poorly, and yet expected to do so much.
I once learned that the face need not be covered, because that is where the soul shines forth, what makes pictures different, and how long until we have to start wearing burkas?
I am so disgusted.
Aside from the ridiculous need to blur the faces of young female children, one magazine recently went so far as to blur a section of a crowd shot from the protests in Egypt, an aerial picture that was (by definition) taken from well ABOVE and from quite a distance, where no faces or bodies were discernible in any meaningful way.
Apparently, when the Secretary of State has the nerve to be a female, she must be edited out of history: (courtesy of Yahoo News, surely picked up by other publications-wow! what a kiddush has...nah, I can't even finish it, though I'm sure SOMEONE will say it- if you google "hillary edited out" -{today 5/9} you will get almost 650,000 results in under ONE SECOND)
BEFORE:
AFTER:
So while the rest of the world debates whether Hilary was aghast versus stifling a cough, the Orthodox world just has to wonder why all those people were standing if there was an open seat.
LAst night I attended the the annual dinner from my kids school. It was a lovely event, but not only were the no girls over the age of 8 shown in the video, but why did they bother to honor couples if they had no intention of doing anything at all to honor the female half of the couple? Why videotape your honorees if all you will show is a man and his kids, and pretend you are honoring his wife?
But worst of all, do not honor four teachers for 25 years of service by quickly rattling off their names, and tacking their names in a LIST at the end of a video presentation as the lights go up. If you'd like to honor them? Have a separate presentation where you dim the lights, show their names -ONE AT A TIME-as the emcee announces each one and speaks about them for 30 seconds as someone on the Women's side PROMINENTLY presents them with their plaque.
Stop featuring women in magazines if you can't show us who they are. Stop honoring couples, and then ignoring the women or only showing photos of their husbands, and stop relegating young female children to a non existent role in advertisements, and children's publications (even worse is the ad magazines to lazy to blur the face, and just stick a post it note over a three year old's face).
Why do we wonder why boys in shidduchim (and their mothers-think: Stockholm Syndrome) think they are so much better than the girls they are meant to date. We've created a society were women are treated so poorly, and yet expected to do so much.
I once learned that the face need not be covered, because that is where the soul shines forth, what makes pictures different, and how long until we have to start wearing burkas?
I am so disgusted.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Was He Being Sardonic?
I just got an email from my kids' school listing the schedule for tonight's Dinner. I got a good laugh, but I'm not sure if it was the intended reaction:
Dinner Schedule:
6:00 Reception, (6:45 impromptu Mincha), 7:00 Dinner, Dessert and Birchas Hamazon by 9:00, followed by Maariv.
Dinner Schedule:
6:00 Reception, (6:45 impromptu Mincha), 7:00 Dinner, Dessert and Birchas Hamazon by 9:00, followed by Maariv.
Friday, May 6, 2011
So Much to Say
I haven't blogged in awhile,, and while I do have some good blogs in my head, I just haven't been able to get them up in a meaningful way. I need to decide if any blog is worth posting, or if I should have some sort of standard.
Then there are the issues that come up with people in your life, and would make a good blog topic to discuss as to why you feel certain ways about certain things, but the people in your life are, well, in your life, and read your blog, and you don't want them to think this is your shot across the bow. So essentially to be able to blog effectively, I need to a) hang out with other people or b)get the people in my life to stop reading my blog. Both options are lousy, because I like the people in my life, which is probably why I want them to read the blog in the first place.
Well, it's the first post in a month, it'll have to do for now.
Then there are the issues that come up with people in your life, and would make a good blog topic to discuss as to why you feel certain ways about certain things, but the people in your life are, well, in your life, and read your blog, and you don't want them to think this is your shot across the bow. So essentially to be able to blog effectively, I need to a) hang out with other people or b)get the people in my life to stop reading my blog. Both options are lousy, because I like the people in my life, which is probably why I want them to read the blog in the first place.
Well, it's the first post in a month, it'll have to do for now.
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