justlynne

This is late I know, but I wanted to wish my birthday twin a happy one. Hold on.......I know it's here somewhere....*thunk*...no, that's not it... *chink*...dang!...that was my favorite!...*rustle*....ooooooo...niice....*clatter/jingle/bang*...AH HA!


( Here 'tis! )

I have been offered several treatment options, but because the administrators of my husband's employer's self-funded group health plan are a bunch of bastards, I don't have access to any of them. Because.....get this.... I'm not having symptoms. And because I'm not having symptoms, those treatments are deemed experimental or investigational, and the medical policy clearly states that those situations are not covered by our medical plan. So if I want the proposed treatment, I can just fork over the $30,000 or so it will cost myself.

My oncologist thinks it's outrageous, as does my surgeon and interventional radiologist. They've all written letters on my behalf to no avail. I even got the attorney general's office to work on my behalf. Didn't make a difference. I've exhausted the appeals process that ended with a flat denial from an external review company (hired by our plan's administrator -- which doesn't make it a true external review).

The ball is back in the doctors' court, and after I have my CT scan at the end of this month, they will propose another treatment plan. Surgery may be looked at again, although I was told I needed to lose 70 pounds to get me out of the high risk category. I think I've lost about 8.

In the meanwhile I do get a monthly injection of a substance that supposedly inhibits tumor growth, and blocks the inapporpriate hormones the tumor produces. It's under the category of chemotheraphy, but it really isn't. No side efects or anything. Expensive though. Thank goodness at least the health plan pays for most of that. Still, my portion of the cost of this treatment is more than half of what I make in a month. Good thing there is an out-of-pocket limit on the plan. I will hit that in 2 more treatments!

The most irritating thing about this whole business is if my last name was Kennedy or Trump or if I was Steve Jobs (the founder of Apple who has the same illness as I), there wouldn't be an issue. The insurance company would never deny such important people, but they already have the money in their pockets to pay for their own treatments to begin with! What's fair about that?

( My very own Frodo! )

( work sucks! )

Had to work in the morning, then came home and spent the entire afternoon in the sun. Boy did that feel great! I did however notice the trees on the hillside are ever so slightly beginning to turn. Although I do love autumn and the drier, cooler air, I feel somehow cheated because we haven't really had a proper summer - more like a long, drawn out spring. No fair!

By far the best part of the day came when my husband spontaneously asked me if I'd like to join him in the neighbor's hot tub (he was asked to take care of their cats for the weekend and was offered use of the tub). I seldom get spontaneous anymore, so of course I said yes to him and NO to the kids when they begged to come along. Just in case, you know...*winkwink* ;)

It was niiiiiice. :D I gotta get me one of those. Someday!

The sun was shining today. Of course, I was working and couldn't get out to enjoy it. Tomorrow, rain again, and the day after that and the day after that..... We aren't supposed to get a dry stretch until next week, and then there may be 3 consecutive days of all day sunshine with zero chance of precipitation. If it happens, it'll be the first time this summer, I do believe.

Not like I'll have the time to be in the sun anyway since I have 2 days off in the next 14, and those two days will be spent largely on getting the back-to-school shopping done. *sings it's the most won-der-ful time of the yearrrr!*

So if you don't hear from me, that's why. Darn those responsibilities!

Bwahahahahaa! Check out my co-star!

Which movie? by travel_crazy
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Hmmm....I'm not familiar with this movie. I don't suppose there are any romantic encounters? Just in case....lay off the garlic rolls, ok tysk? ;)

Gacked from Tooky.

You Know You're From Upstate New York When...

You refer to downtown Albany as "The City." well, it is

"Vacation" means going to Lake Ontario or Niagra for the weekend. um, no

There is a mini-mall every 1/4 mile, if not, you are in Vermont. true!

There are 7 empty cars running in the parking lot at the Hannaford at any given time. make that 10 in the winter

You know to avoid tractor trailers (or cars for that matter!) on the Northway with Canadian plates. no, no. you want to get behind them. the cops will pull them over first going 90 and leave you alone at 80.

You don't consider what Domino's or Pizza Hut sell as pizza. the best NY pizza is always in the tiny joint on the corner

You know that "First Night" isn't a Sean Connery movie. naw...it's the new liquor-free family friendly New Year's Eve.

There is no such thing as waiting for the left turn arrow at an intersection. if there is one, sure - I'll wait for it - unless, of course, it's clear to go right away.

Your career ambition is to work for NY State. nope

Even with the slightest threat of snow, you know that Ichobob Crane schools are closed. it's IchoboD - and yes, they chicken out first.

You think everyone from down-state has an accent. esp those from LongGuyland and Joizy

Down-State starts just south of the Thruway. nope. It starts in Kingston

You're in line to get the first custard cone when summer comes. most places near me have that softserve stuff that starts melting 10 seconds after it's handed to you, and you end up asking for a cup 'cause you just can't deal with it

You actually get these jokes and pass them on to other friends from Upstate NY. they weren't really that funny

but not as close as plaidpjs doll is to her likeness. Best I can do, though.

That doll thing is fun! I could waste a whole day on that! Here's mine, captured in mid-wink.



There's somewhat of a resemblance between my doll and the younger, trimmer, fitter me. Except the blue eyes - never had those. But I did wear my hair that way (spirals), and had a cap just like that. I would also go barefoot in that setting rather than wear shoes. And I always dress for comfort - no sense of style whatsoever.

Seems that way. Hi. I'm back after a very long week of camping in the Adirondacks (the weather was ick!), and another long week of working full time hours and cleaning up all our camping equipment that got soaking wet and dirty because on our last day of vacation the heavens opened up and the ensuing torrential rain made it impossible to transport our stuff off the island clean and dry. What a mess we had to deal with!

( more vacation woes )

See ya'll in a week or so!

Have I been that busy I let my lj account expire?

Why yes, I have. Doesn't make much sense to renew it now as we're leaving Saturday on our week-long camping trip, and I've been wanting to redo all my icons, but need some peace and quiet in the house to work on them. Can I make it until September with just 3 icons? Time will tell.

( warning - pet talk ahead - skip if you like )

OMG patsie is making me late for work this morning...

( here's why )

*blinkblink*

I see fandom has gone bonkers again. Any good clips from that press conference in Prague, or just the embarrassing pic in the envelope thing?

Sometimes I really wonder why I stick around.....

I want the unmarked version of this, please.



I am just loving all the new EW pics. The ones on patsie's journal of him with the three OLDER *ahem* women are too cute.

Went to see the fireworks last night. It's a small town show, nothing elaborate, but they were nice. One shot up and burst into a gold ring which turned red before dissolving. My son yelled out really LOUD - "It's The One Ring!" LOL

Looks like I picked a great day to check LJ - new EW pics at undone27's and patsie's journals!!! Wheeeeee!! *twirls* I like ( this one )

My little world has been incredibly busy with hosting weekend bbq's, sleepovers, and a birthday party for my son. One of his friends gave him, of all things, a new computer game, which severly cuts into my web surfing time. The nerve of that kid! Ah well... I knew the summer was going to be busy, but I thought I'd still be able to keep up with lj and GH. Unfortunately, it's probably going to be in and out, post and run all summer long. Between my job, the kids and their friends, plus getting ready for our camping trip later this month, I'm pretty well worn by the end of the day. Like now. *yawns* Hope all is well with everyone on my flist - I think of you often (I really do!) Goodnight!

Just because it's Froday, I was messing around in image editing and I want to pic spam. :D

( illuminated Frodo )

( Geek Bearing Gift )

Here!

http://de.f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/maiky711/detail?.dir=/261e&.dnm=91e9.jpg

Looks like it was taken on set - check out the suit and hairstyle. Omg - he looks so much like my high school math teacher (whom I had a crush on). :D

Only a kid of mine would pick the word "zyzzyva" to define and display for a "wear a vocabulary word" parade at school.

Now tell me what that is without looking it up.

Anyone?

In other news, I went visiting a place on the net I hadn't been to in months while GH was down.

Oy.

*is soooo happy GH is back up*

PJ on MTVMA = Ahhhhhahahahahaaahhhaa!

The home improvement vacation is over - boy, that went quick - and though we didn't get everything done we wanted to, we got quite a lot accomplished and now I've got a new floor in the dining room. Wheeee!!

I know at least one person asked if there would be photos, so I'll put that stuff in another post.

I did manage to sneak out with the kids one day and see the new Harry Potter movie, which I thought was really well done. I've not read any of the books, so I don't know how closely it follows them, but I enjoyed it so much more than the first two. POA has more of an adult appeal, I think. I may even start reading the series now.

Going to have a look around and see what I've been missing out on, and maybe even watch ROTK again while I have the house to myself. Hope everyone is having a great Woodsday!

Gacked from Tooky -


Congratulations! You know both your Tolkien and
your Peter Jackson. May I call you a fellow
Lord of the Rings geek?


How Well Do You Know Your Lord of the Rings?
brought to you by Quizilla

Hello fellow geeks!

So I was all set for singing orcs last night and got Tom and Jerry instead. Bah! For some reason, Cartoon Network pulled "The Return of the King" off their line up and replaced it with a rather long mouse and cat movie. About a magic ring, no less.

I know it was no great loss since I've read the reviews of the animated ROTK. Seems people either loved it or hated it. I'm just curious about it, that's all. But I will not, repeat NOT got to Walmart and buy the dvd 'cause it's only $7.99. Nope nope nope.

Hope everyone has a hobbity good weekend. I have 2 more days of drudgery, then I'm on vacation. Wheeeeee!!!

Well, it'll be a working vacation with the home improvement project we're planning, but still - it's a needed break from the job.

And of course I'll be sure to include plenty of time for hobbit viewing. ;)

I trust everyone has their very own copy of ROTK, and is thoroughly enjoying it? The extras were a little blah, imo, but I'm expecting much better for the EE. *crosses fingers for a blooper segment*

A multitude of t-storms has kept me off lj over the past couple of days. We'd no sooner get over one, then another would roll through - I couldn't even watch the dvd until late at night and I feel asleep half-way through. Auughhhh!

It feels more like July here than May with the warm humid days and frequent t-storms. The foliage on the trees is so green and lush and dense - like it's been that way for a hundred years. Hard to believe that just a few short weeks ago, most of the trees were bare with only a hint of green in the buds. Hmmmmm...the grass is growing at a rapid rate too. *sigh* I suppose I should go mow, but not before I do the meme thingy I've seen everywhere.

( meme here )

Hugs to the ones on my flist who are going through rough patches right now. I think of you often and hope that time will heal. An extra big hug for Harmony 'cause she needs one. {{{{{{HUG}}}}}}

More rumbling is approaching.
I better quit rambling.
Meh.

Look what Mr. Mailman left for me today!

( Squeeeee!! )

to the high priestess of pickles.

( if you ask it of me... )

I received a notification that my ROTK dvd was shipped today!! Wheeee!!! Maybe I'll actually have a chance of getting it by Tuesday. I wasn't gonna preorder, then got to pondering whether or not the stores in my area would have the widescreen versions of the movie. Not knowing for certain was producing a great deal of anxiety, so when I looked at TORn this morning and saw the blurb about walmart.com having the lowest prices, I was instantly sold. Wasn't expecting it to be shipped so soon, but I'm not complaining! \0/

In anticipation of ROTK, I've started watching FOTR EE again. Today's Froday picspam is from one of my favorite scenes in the entire trilogy.

( Leaving Rivendell )

Here's my contribution to froday picspam - credit to
bullroarert for the original cap.



More personal stuff at the cut...

( Read more... )

Elijah Wood is rubbish between the goalposts
[from Leeds Today]

( Read more... )

Oh, and Happy Froday! I'd post a piccie, but photobucket is being a pill. Maybe later....

from bullroarert.





Which flock do you follow?

this quiz was made by alanna

This really dates me, huh? :o

They won BA and BSA at the Saturn Awards. scifi.com



They are SO deserving of this recognition.

( ETA )

How is everyone?

Haven't updated in a while because I was using all my free time working on that photo/music CD for my husband, and I wanted it finished today, because....

( Read more... )

The visit with mom was as expected. Not really bad, but tiring nonetheless. I kinda feel like

( this )

Since I won't be here tomorrow, I thought I'd jump ahead to Froday and put up a couple of pics. Anoyone here mind that? Didn't think so. Credit to undone27 for the caps.
( Read more... )

I'll be leaving for a couple of days tomorrow. I'm going to visit my mother, and not looking forward to it much at all. If you want to know why, I've tried to explain at the cut.

( Read more... )

Hope you all have a great week! Check out undone27's journal for a couple of new (not too pretty) Lij pics.

I don't have any new Lij pics, but I can give you a new twist on one of the adidas pics. :-)

( enjoy )

Four of my user pics weren't working earlier. I had to delete them and reload them after renaming the pics on my hard drive. Anyone know why this happened, and if there's anything simpler I can do to rectify the problem?

Nothing new, nothing retouched, but just because I'll never get tired of Frodo pics. Plus, I'm a geek.

( Read more... )

Is it May 25th yet?

Gacked from rpp



I love the way he wiggles his nose!

My turn. Gacked from everyone else.

( Read more... )

*Whew!* That took a long time!

I absolutely cannot stand western attire, but on him, it's tolerable. ;)

This is shaping up to be a good weekend.

( Read more... )

Oh, and a reminder - Viggo is going to be on The Late Show with David Letterman tonite.
http://www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/
I believe that's a rerun of the episode I failed to tape before. This time, I will hit the "record" button before I fall asleep!

So what is it we are saving daylight for, exactly?

Does it earn interest?

No.

Is it endangered?

No. (although... if you live in upstate NY you may think that sunlight is)

Can you snack on it later?

No.

Does it make any difference at all other than make a few million people miserable on a Sunday morning?

NO.

Someone enlighten me, please.

The most exciting thing I've done all week is go shopping for flooring with the hubby. Hold me back, I just might take off. *yawns*

( warning - rant ahead )

I could really use a strawberry daquiri and a dose of Elijah right about now.

From plaidpjs

Can't wait to see what it turns into!

Ya know, I started off doing Frodo pics with nary a pervy thought in mind.

Then I did a little cropping on this one and....



*blush*

I really need to see this movie again. *sniff*

On a cloudy day no less. It was a really good movie - I'm so happy that Elijah was in it, because otherwise I wouldn't have bothered (not a big Jim Carey fan) and it truly was worth seeing.

( Read more... )