Healing my Gut, Just Between Us, and Mid-Week Update

Several had asked me to do this video – my gut healing journey, how I handle and quickly resolve any diverticulitis or IBS flares. I’m not a doctor, but I’m sharing with you what I do, because of the requests I’ve had. You can watch it HERE. Even if you are occasionally constipated or found to have frequent bowel related issues, you might find this helpful. This is getting personal, of course, so it’s Just Between Us! 😉

Mid-Week Update

Oh my gosh it has been a nightmare trying to get some sort of information on my insurance. I was told I’d be covered but yet nothing provided. As of Monday, I’d been told “yeah we’ve tried to get in touch with the people at the Cobra office last week and again this week but it hadn’t happened yet. (Could it be b/c no one does phones, or answers emails, lol). How can one set an appointment if no one is ever available to communicate. Oh. My. Gosh. So I had little hope as I’ve been trying to get this going and resolved for the last two weeks- all month if you include the first conversation at the beginning of the month. :-O I knew in my heart months ago this would or could be an issue.

Finally on Tuesday morning I sent a final email to the benefit lady at the new company including my former CEO and CFO, still there from the old company, and specified exactly what I needed by end of business day: insurance card (temporary was ok), exact cost, information where to send payment, and how long the coverage would last to (I said this part could come later). I said I would be seeking legal help if not given by end of day. It’s sad that you have to give “do that or this will result” boundaries to get people’s attention and up on the to do list. My CFO and CEO were very kind and the CEO was very reassuring with his this is urgent and you will be covered so no problem there and I’ll follow up on it.

His email alone made me feel much better. It’s the first time I’ve had anything in writing stating it was a sure thing. So that made me feel better and that email came around noon. He was very pleasant and said he hoped I was enjoying retirement. I was so appreciative of the help that my boss Deb, Starla the local HR for trying to stir the pot, for my CFO following up on it a couple of times, and for the CEO for getting involved and for letting me know in writing it’s all going to be ok.

By end of day, I had the information. Thank the Lord as well, because he had to orchestrate it and give me wisdom how to handle and when to say what, and what to do. I had tried to be patient all month and nothing was happening. So every day I had to determine, what I was going to do today, who to reach out to, what to say, how stern to be, and also consulting with George each day as to what we would do alternatively (temporary insurance), who we would go to for that and what day, prepared to cancel my Wednesday plans if needed. So George did some research on where we would go first, second, and third today if yesterday had not come through. I was considering who to contact for legal help so we were tossing that around. It’s just been a hairy hectic week trying to navigate this mess of confusion. I also battled my anger every morning when I got up and saw my to do list “find out about insurance today” on my list every morning. But all good now. We are enrolled, I have my member number and coverage information – all the things that show up on a card. I wonder how long this would have taken if I didn’t get others involved. I mean I had to. I didn’t even know who to call. lol

Going Back to Work PT?

Also my boss asked me yesterday if I would consider coming back to work and closing out Transport’s quarter end/year end for 2024. I was shocked it hadn’t been done yet but they let the person that replaced me go before this was done. I thought she was kidding but she said “I’m serious”. I slept on it last night. I would not want to go back full time – even if temporary, but I have been seriously pondering what it would be like to go back on a PT basis as a contracted employee to finish out my old company’s quarter end and year end reports and help get any late fees paid. I can’t imagine that this has gone this long. And the w-2’s need to be reported. I feel so bad for them. I keep saying no to myself but then it keeps rising up with me again to possibly say yes to this to bring in a few bucks into our month – which would help us and also help them. Then I remember the stress and Mom, and all we are trying to do here and how the days are already busy and then I say no to myself. I don’t want to have to drive in. I don’t want to have a set schedule (Mom’s changing doc appointments and things we want to do). But I did sort of entertain the thought of trying to help them out a day or two a week. So I told her I wanted to help but was really enjoying retirement. I am just mixed on it at the moment. I mentioned it to George but at the time I don’t think either of us thought I’d really do it. I’m still sleeping on it. But I have very mixed feelings about it. There’s something to be said of “finishing a work to its completion” and “helping your fellow man” and those are the things that keep pushing it to possibility. But then I remember how frustrated I get with things, how everything is in the other person’s name, and how everything would be a fight to even get back into each account. And I think of the fact that “well, someone has to do it” and it might be easier for me, than someone else. So….I just don’t know. I would love to see people again and it’s not a busy part of the year like Nov and Dec. So I don’t know. I’m not sure what God wants me to do. So I guess for now it’s NO. I’m not sure everyone would want my “I need this now” mentality back on the scene. lol. I’m very particular, needy, and get frustrated easily when things don’t go as I think they should. So maybe it’s better I stay away as I don’t think this will be an easy task and I’d likely be frustrated.

Other happenings

Mom and I are getting nails done today, going to lunch and she likes to go to a Dollar Tree as well. I also have to run by Lowe’s and get some tiling pieces for the kitchen backsplash. We bought all this Lowe’s had so I’m hoping to get the rest we need close to where Mom lives.

George and I went to the landscaping place to buy plants yesterday. Since I’m retired I wanted some extra to put on the front porch that I’ve been working on so hard to make look better. Cushions are washed, wasps have been fought, and I bought a couple of cute planters too and a new Welcome rug for the front porch. I’ve taped down the existing rugs with double sided tape because they would not stay in place. So George is drilling holes in the planters for me and then I’ll plant the flowers, maybe today when I get home. I had ChatGPT to come up with a “variety” that would work well in the planter. It’s going to be a long day today. But hopefully a fun one.

The hall and dining room have been painted and now we are starting on the kitchen. I say “we” but it is “he”. He has his system and while I’m glad to help if he wants, he seems to enjoy doing it little by little and that is fine as I can keep everything else going.

The camera is working out well. I love it.

The puzzle is worked. I will likely start a new one at some point, but will wait probably until the kitchen and den are done b/c I think we may need the table space to put things on while the work is being done.

I can’t believe April is coming to a close. And I can’t believe that I seriously considered helping out at work. lol. May is coming and I will enjoy getting some things done on my to do list.

Hope you all are having a great week.