Longest Thread EVER! (aka Random Thoughts Thread )

allyandmike24

hlm184 said:

RedDawnsRevenge said:

When I was in school, here in Ca, the only thing that we were 100% required to bring to school was out earthquack kit. For those that don't know what that is, it's an emergency food kit we had stored in the back of the class in case of an earthquack at school incase we got stuck at school, if the building collapsed on us. And from Lindergarten to HS we had chalkboards so no expensive dry erease markers. Our teachers didn't provide anything, I went to a very poor school. We didn't get photo copied syllibus, we copied it from the overhead projector or as the teacher read it out loud. We didn't use markers or crayons because homework was done, at home. My GF is a spec. Ed. Teacher here and the school provides everything, even classroom decorations. Why does a class need decorations?

I dunno but my admin has always required it.  "You must change your bulletin boards every X weeks"  "Why are your classroom walls bare?" etc.

If you're really asking, I can recommend lots of scholarly research on the impact of learning environment. It was part of my thesis!

SoulTermination

mommyofmac said:

How are you doing @SoulTermination‌ ? Thinking of you. (((Hugs)))

*huggle* Thanks, sweetie! Doing okay so far today. Talked DH into taking A to his mom's about 30 minutes from here tomorrow so I can have a baby-free day. Then when he's off work at 2am we'll go there, spend the night, and bring her back Thursday. As awful as it sounds to say this, I am SOOO looking forward to a day without her. DH asked me incredulously when I brought this up if I'd even miss her. >.< Of course I'll miss her, dumbass, but I'm at my breakin point!!

TallaB

jellysparkles said:

RedDawnsRevenge said:

As for the stork bites, Ryver has one in the middle of her forehead. It's getting darker so it looks like we will have to start saving money to have laser treatments done.

I don't feel I can justify buying a special dog hair vacuum for my 800sqft house which is 100% hardwood and tile.

Also not buying fancy a** school supplies if they go to school at all. Since both girls are unvaccinated it seems unlikely unless we get health insurance. I was looking at the enrollment forms for preschool and the first 3 things on the list: copy of current years physical, copy of this years dental exam, copy of current vax record. I stopped reading after that, since it pretty much ruled my child out of preschool. How can public schools require these things of they don't pay for them?

Laser treatments for a stork bite, tons of posts about new cloth diapers when you've said you have a sizable stash, self professed Target and Starbucks addict... and claiming a financial inability to take your kids in for well visits? Let's call a spade a spade, these are choices.



Sorry to burst the happy supportosphere bubble, but...

And you're a nurse! I can't comprehend your priorities...or decision not to vaccinate.

RedDawnsRevenge

@jellysparkles‌ yes they are choices, some of them not good. I tried to take the girls to the doctor as I've said. His office turned me away saying they wouldn't let me pay cash because "it would be to expensive" and referred me to the county clinic. Unfortunately she didn't listen to me and I paid several hundred dollars to have my baby weighed and talk at a doctor for 5 minutes. I paid the same amount for a visit to a crappy doctor that didn't give two s***s when I could have paid that to see a doctor that at least cared. Some of these vaccinations are several hundred dollars a piece. If they would take payments it would be a different mater, but they want payment in full then. And I really am trying to change my spending habits.

Edit: as for the stroke bite. I was told by the ped in hospital if it didn't go away on its own it would require laser treatments, as it may be a port-wine stain. Unfortunately people judge you on how you look your entire life. And if I save up for it and it goes away on its own? Then she'll have money to get those vax.

allyandmike24

Oh man @lia619 that's rough. Purple screams are no fun at all. Also I'm dying a little over the birth mark...at least it's not on her face or somewhere super prominent. 

Xxlilies

Sweating my ass off and can't decide if it's because I ve actually done some things around the house today or because I have the windows open and it's hot out and perhaps I should turn on the a c

Also my little guy is sleeping all day again . Poor thing must really not feel well

allyandmike24

Damn Pandora, if you gotta play commercials on the lullaby station, could you at least play baby-appropriate commercials?! I just got the shit scared out of me courtesy of some ad for a video game that was played at 4x the normal volume. 

SoulTermination

*huggles @LuckySquare‌* Sucks you're going through the same thing, but glad to know I'm not the only one rowing this boat. I slogged through the pain of standing and sway-rocking with A until she finally slept. Now it feels like my spine is fused together, but at least she's not screaming and I have a Vicodin or two left from her delivery.

I'm going to ask her pedi at our appointment Friday about silent reflux. She's not losing weight, but about half the time after eating she just howls, even after gas drops and burps. Also, when I lay her down sometimes after she's eaten she'll start crying, and when I sit her back up she has this dry cough, almost like an angry cat spitting. We've tried everything else; I really don't want to have her on a second medication, but I'm not sure what else to do.

AcaAwkward

RedDawnsRevenge said:

@jellysparkles‌ yes they are choices, some of them not good. I tried to take the girls to the doctor as I've said. His office turned me away saying they wouldn't let me pay cash because "it would be to expensive" and referred me to the county clinic. Unfortunately she didn't listen to me and I paid several hundred dollars to have my baby weighed and talk at a doctor for 5 minutes. I paid the same amount for a visit to a crappy doctor that didn't give two s***s when I could have paid that to see a doctor that at least cared. Some of these vaccinations are several hundred dollars a piece. If they would take payments it would be a different mater, but they want payment in full then. And I really am trying to change my spending habits.

Edit: as for the stroke bite. I was told by the ped in hospital if it didn't go away on its own it would require laser treatments, as it may be a port-wine stain. Unfortunately people judge you on how you look your entire life. And if I save up for it and it goes away on its own? Then she'll have money to get those vax.

Apologies if this has been covered, but is signing up for health care under the ACA not an option for you?

MissHSoonToBeMrsS

Our health department gives vaccinations. They just ask for a donation!

rtv3

3crazykitties said:

rtv3 said:

Vinny424 said:

@3crazykitties‌ a lock on the door might help so your BIL would need to ask before he just goes in the room.

This! He needs to know that is not ok. What kind of stuff is he taking? Sheesh, even kids know it's not ok to take other people's things.

He takes our TV trays, out fan or heater depending on the season, DH's tools ect. He will go through our closet and drawers looking for his clothes. Unlike him we do our own laundry. He has MIL do his and he thinks she will do ours too so when he can't find something he thinks it got sorted wrong.

Wow, yeah that is so not cool.

@poru‌ - big hugs!

Glad you're getting a break @SoulTermination‌!

Re: breastfeeding. I love it now but I totally remember crying from cracked nipples. So. Painful.

Xxlilies

I just don't understand

So the child gets no vac and no school ?

Emily041285

Went to a networking event where there was free food and booze. I had two strawberry club specials. That's more booze than I think I've had in 12 months. They are my new favorite drink.

Rogue237

dani+california said:

You know what else is more natural than breastfeeding? Taking a dump. They should put that on glamour magazine. Dumps in gowns.

HOW DOES GISELE DO IT ALL? *pfffffffftttttttttt*

My favorite is when she got asked how she lost the baby weight and her reply was "I just don't use my body as a garbage disposal." Throat kick. At least I like Olivia.

TallaB

I'm not comparing my dog to your child (cough, yes I am)...but, my DOG gets  a wellness visit and vaccinations every year. And I pay a pretty penny out of pocket for the vet to left the dogs tail and say "Looks good!". 

Also, I work in an area with many, MANY illegals without health care, and most of them have managed wellness visits and vaccines.

Holljade

It's a Tuesday.

Weekday cocktail is necessary.

snowbound

I wish I bumped from the computer more often. I just logged on and I love all the siggys, especially the sig challenge gifs. Oh how I wish I could gif from mobile but I'm an idiot.

ambarnett1

I got cake today! Yay!

RedDawnsRevenge

TallaB said:

I'm not comparing my dog to your child (cough, yes I am)...but, my DOG gets  a wellness visit and vaccinations every year. And I pay a pretty penny out of pocket for the vet to left the dogs tail and say "Looks good!". 

Also, I work in an area with many, MANY illegals without health care, and most of them have managed wellness visits and vaccines.

The illegals get it all free. I paid $428 to see the ped for 5 minutes, no shots. The illegals never see a single bill for any of the health care we give them in the US. And the dog hasn't been to the vet in years either. The last time I took the dog to the vet it was under $100.

RedDawnsRevenge

LuckySquare said:

RedDawnsRevenge said:

TallaB said:

I'm not comparing my dog to your child (cough, yes I am)...but, my DOG gets  a wellness visit and vaccinations every year. And I pay a pretty penny out of pocket for the vet to left the dogs tail and say "Looks good!". 

Also, I work in an area with many, MANY illegals without health care, and most of them have managed wellness visits and vaccines.

The illegals get it all free. I paid $428 to see the ped for 5 minutes, no shots. The illegals never see a single bill for any of the health care we give them in the US. And the dog hasn't been to the vet in years either. The last time I took the dog to the vet it was under $100.

I don't think you're helping your case by saying that.

Just being honest about what the bill was. I've applied for assistance. I've been to the county clinic. When I asked how much the vax would be we had to decline them. I had no idea the ped bill would be that high! It's supposed to be a low-cost or free clinic. I'd hate to see their definition of high cost if that's low cost.

baileymama3

@RedDawnsRevenge‌ What happens if they break an arm or need antibiotics? Or were in an accident? This is actually a general question if you do not have insurance. They can't turn you away, right?

AcaAwkward

RedDawnsRevenge said:

LuckySquare said:

RedDawnsRevenge said:

TallaB said:

I'm not comparing my dog to your child (cough, yes I am)...but, my DOG gets  a wellness visit and vaccinations every year. And I pay a pretty penny out of pocket for the vet to left the dogs tail and say "Looks good!". 

Also, I work in an area with many, MANY illegals without health care, and most of them have managed wellness visits and vaccines.

The illegals get it all free. I paid $428 to see the ped for 5 minutes, no shots. The illegals never see a single bill for any of the health care we give them in the US. And the dog hasn't been to the vet in years either. The last time I took the dog to the vet it was under $100.

I don't think you're helping your case by saying that.

Just being honest about what the bill was. I've applied for assistance. I've been to the county clinic. When I asked how much the vax would be we had to decline them. I had no idea the ped bill would be that high! It's supposed to be a low-cost or free clinic. I'd hate to see their definition of high cost if that's low cost.

Your children qualify for vaccines under the VFC. You don't have to qualify for Medicaid for the VFC program to be available to your kids -- the only requirement is that you be uninsured or underinsured. As a PPer mentioned, the health department is also a good option. Here's a good link for more info:

https://www.immunize.org/states/

If you don't want to get your kids vaccinated, just own it. If you do, I suggest you do some more research -- there are options out there.

MamaFantastic

$428 for a well child visit?? Bulllllllllshit. I just dug through my EOB pile for kiddo's 4 year well child checkup (which had no vax): $175 for their OOP fee. We paid nothing because it's part of the covered expenses, but it would have been $175 with no insurance. When he visited a dermatologist last year for an admittedly much more complicated situation, the OOP value was somewhere between $225-250.

I can not fathom sucking down expensive coffee every day when I am claiming money as the reason why my children are not regularly cared for by medical professionals or vaccinated.

Take a step back and think for a minute about how your words must sound to the rest of us. Think about it. You are addicted to Starbucks, but you refuse to spend your coffee money on vaccinating your children? It boggles my mind, it really does.

RedDawnsRevenge

baileymama3 said:

@RedDawnsRevenge‌ What happens if they break an arm or need antibiotics? Or were in an accident? This is actually a general question if you do not have insurance. They can't turn you away, right?

Depends on the accident I guess. While an ER can't turn you away, it's not free. My $70k ECS wasn't free, I'm still paying for that one and this c/s. If it was a trie emergency if have to take them in, and I'd have to put myself further into debit. I looked at the vax for Ca link yesterday that Vinny sent me but I don't qualify. If I did qualify you'd think the county clinic (aka the health dept) would know about how to get their PTs to qualify?

Ashleypixie

OMG ALL THE EXCUSES!!! What the hell is the actual problem? What is the real situation here? What is happening?!?!

TallaB

Ashleypixie said:

OMG ALL THE EXCUSES!!! What the hell is the actual problem? What is the real situation here? What is happening?!?!

I laughed, but I dont know why!

Holljade

Vinny424 said:

Holljade said:

It's a Tuesday.

Weekday cocktail is necessary.

Yes! Let's get drunk and say how we really feel!

Can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not....

But if we're saying how we really feel then M-th I feel like I am losing my mind

Eta: my random post was really bad timing- not at all apart of the current vax discussion. I've always had awkward timing.

Ashleypixie

I need to see this cock n balls birthmark. My DD1 has a birthmark on her arm that is shaped like a mouth, I always told her that a jealous fairy bit her because she was such a beautiful baby. I still tell her that even though she's nine and knows I'm full of shit.

PoppySeedWindsor

dani+california said:

Where's @PoppySeedWindsor‌?

Heeeeeere!

I've been a dirty creepy internet lurker the last few days (Seriously dirty; I neeeeeeds me a shower as I am covered in baby puke and snot, my own sweat and some matted cat hair that's miraculously sticking to my leg). Merriwether and hubster came down with a cold so I've been taking care of them WHILE writing a 2000 word article that I conducted the interviews for on Sunday and had to turn around by this afternoon.

I need a drink. Except I don't drink. I need a big bowl (eh Vinny and Dani?).

I am thankful the sick gods kept me healthy for the past three days. I'm gonna guess my body is ravaged tomorrow which means lots of mobile bumping from bed while snuggling with my sick Merri and watching movies. YAAAAAAAY!

AcaAwkward

poru said:

Can I just interrupt to say HI @AcaAwkward‌ it's nice seeing you round these RTT parts! :-h

Hellooooooooo! I've been lurking and just decided to jump right in and stop being awkward about it.

kseccomb17

Circumcision, Santa, Jesus, fleabags, congress, screentime.

Hi RTT :-h just thought I'd throw some controversy in with the nonsense. ~X( 8-}

AcaAwkward

MamaFantastic said:

$428 for a well child visit?? Bulllllllllshit. I just dug through my EOB pile for kiddo's 4 year well child checkup (which had no vax): $175 for their OOP fee. We paid nothing because it's part of the covered expenses, but it would have been $175 with no insurance. When he visited a dermatologist last year for an admittedly much more complicated situation, the OOP value was somewhere between $225-250.

I can not fathom sucking down expensive coffee every day when I am claiming money as the reason why my children are not regularly cared for by medical professionals or vaccinated.

Take a step back and think for a minute about how your words must sound to the rest of us. Think about it. You are addicted to Starbucks, but you refuse to spend your coffee money on vaccinating your children? It boggles my mind, it really does.

Yeah, I was going to say... I know the OOP fee at my pediatrician w/o vax is somewhere around 100 bones. The CVC lists prices for all childhood vax on their website -- I only saw one that is regularly given (MMR) that was over $100; most are $25-$40 a pop. That's like....5-8 lattes. :-?

JessieAlbin

3crazykitties said:

From my understanding you can call different doctors and see if they participate in VFC and you can ask about the OOP. When I went to my doc after we lost our insurance, they didn't ask for any more information other than that I no longer had coverage. My OP fee was 100. There has to be more than your old doctor and a free clinic in the whole area.

This. When DH switched jobs and we lost coverage and were waiting for medicaid to process, we had our two month well visit, including the four scheduled vaccines, for $175.20. Total. No insurance coverage. Including a PPD screening that they charged $25 for a sheet of paper with "are you a sad bastard" questions.

I just have a really hard time believing that every medical professional that provides basic childhood vaccines is out to rape your bank account and put you into debt.

AcaAwkward

Ashleypixie said:

I need to see this cock n balls birthmark. My DD1 has a birthmark on her arm that is shaped like a mouth, I always told her that a jealous fairy bit her because she was such a beautiful baby. I still tell her that even though she's nine and knows I'm full of shit.

I have a weird birthmark under my armpit and my dad always called it a rat when I was growing up (I guess it reminded him of a curled up rodent??) -- I thought it was hysterical as a toddler.

Tferr02

I have a birthmark on my right hand. It made learning my right from my left so simple!

I might kill my little sister before this trip is over. I try to never leave my kids with her, but sometimes when I'm laying DS1 down my parents will go on a walk. She is 16 years old. She literally let DS1 sit in poop once for over a hour because she didn't want to change a poopy diaper. Anyway tonight, I walk into the room and G is screaming his head off and she is sitting on the couch on the other end of the room doing stuff on her phone and glaring at him. Seriously?! Comfort the baby! Hold him! Talk to him! Something!! It was only 5 minutes!!

PoppySeedWindsor

Vinny424 said:

dani+california said:

Where's @PoppySeedWindsor‌?

Heeeeeere!

I've been a dirty creepy internet lurker the last few days (Seriously dirty; I neeeeeeds me a shower as I am covered in baby puke and snot, my own sweat and some matted cat hair that's miraculously sticking to my leg). Merriwether and hubster came down with a cold so I've been taking care of them WHILE writing a 2000 word article that I conducted the interviews for on Sunday and had to turn around by this afternoon.

I need a drink. Except I don't drink. I need a big bowl (eh Vinny and Dani?).

I am thankful the sick gods kept me healthy for the past three days. I'm gonna guess my body is ravaged tomorrow which means lots of mobile bumping from bed while snuggling with my sick Merri and watching movies. YAAAAAAAY!

Yea I'll sit and think I peed myself no problem!

Does not compute...

MamaFantastic

sadly, i know way too much about negotiated rates and OOP costs from my non-covered genetic testing last summer ($966 for homocysteine, Factor II and something else....  OUCH.)...  so that $175 was actually the true insurance-less OOP rate.  i believe the negotiated rate was in the one-hundred-teens range.  something like that.

similar example:  kiddo's 30 minute speech appointments "cost" $125 each.  the negotiated rate is $85-something and we pay 8 and a half bucks for a copay.

RedDawnsRevenge

@dani+california‌ your cat is giant!

AprilMay9 said:

@mamafantastic what your insurance company pays is not what you would pay without insurance since insurance companies have specially negotiated rates with physicians groups and hospitals. That is one of the many problems problems uninsured people face - they can't even get a price to compare up front.

That said, I doubt it would be that much. We were late getting dd's ins info to the pedi so they billed me oop. It was just over $300 for her visit when she was a couple days old, 1 mo visit, and 2 weight checks. This is a hoity toity pedis office in a hcol area.

The more I hear and think about it the sadder this makes me honestly. You had insurance and your h had a job. You could've done it then. Then your h lost his job. A family with zero income and 2 young kids can't get vax's at least for the kids?! How in the hell does one not qualify when they are unemployed? I refuse to believe that our public assistance programs are that broken. California of all states seems pretty generous with their welfare programs. I know some people on mass health who I cannot believe qualify but they do.

The office visit was probably about what you were charged plus a $75 fee to request and receive the delivery records from the hospital. It would have been cheaper for me to drive to Fresno to get them if I had known or they had said there would be a fee. There was also a "new pt fee" which the office said was the cost to open a new chart. When DH had insurance I had called and made an apt with our PCP, the soonest he could see is was when DD2 was 3 weeks old. When I went to the apt, knowing and expecting to pay the total 100% OOP we were turned away. While I appreciate the sentiment of his seemingly caring staff I wouldn't have minded paying full price to see a dr. I worked alongside for years. DD1 has only up to 12m shots since DHs insurance did not cover well or preventative care. And when he left that job to work out of state I paid the cobra which was about 1,400. I could only afford one month of that. Since DH and I are legally married not domestic partners his income is counted, and they count the per diem (daily living allowance) that he makes, so we don't qualify for jack-squat.

PoppySeedWindsor

3crazykitties said:

Vinny424 said:

dani+california said:

Where's @PoppySeedWindsor‌?

Heeeeeere!

I've been a dirty creepy internet lurker the last few days (Seriously dirty; I neeeeeeds me a shower as I am covered in baby puke and snot, my own sweat and some matted cat hair that's miraculously sticking to my leg). Merriwether and hubster came down with a cold so I've been taking care of them WHILE writing a 2000 word article that I conducted the interviews for on Sunday and had to turn around by this afternoon.

I need a drink. Except I don't drink. I need a big bowl (eh Vinny and Dani?).

I am thankful the sick gods kept me healthy for the past three days. I'm gonna guess my body is ravaged tomorrow which means lots of mobile bumping from bed while snuggling with my sick Merri and watching movies. YAAAAAAAY!

Yea I'll sit and think I peed myself no problem!

Does not compute... ---------------//\///////--------------------

And time I smoked back in the day I'd sit and think I peed my pants and get all paranoid about it. I never actually did cried a few times thinking I did. I'd eat and cry thinking I was sitting in a puddle of piss.

I thought that was just me.

I was always worried I was breathing to loud, so I'd try and slow my breathing down or hold my breath. Either way of end u gasping for air.

I hear symphonic music and fear that I'm going to hear that forever.

PoppySeedWindsor

Jessieann1020 said:

I haven't ever smoked but I want to. I have pretty bad asthma though so I should probably make some brownies.....I inherited my dads stash after he died. He would be ashamed of me just letting it sit there. ETA words

I've got a sure fire always-works butter recipe if you need it...