OK So I don't miss New Jersey exactly. I actually miss my amazing health insurance. #ObamaCareSucks
#FLloveObamaCare
I had my first meeting with an insurance agent this morning. Like first ever in my life. Shocker - we don't qualify for any subsidy because my and Dave's employer offers group coverage.
"But it's cost is half a paycheck"
"I understand and unfortunately the calculation only considers the cost of the employees coverage and since you both are 100% covered, you do not qualify for a subsidy for Faith"
My employer offers coverage that we could use for Faith and I, for the low cost of $300/month. SOUNDS GREAT RIGHT!?!?! Except that's the bronze plan with super duper deductibles ($4000) and coinsurance (40%). Thankfully the agent actually explained those things to me since I'd actually NEVER encountered such a thing with NJDirect. Hospitalizations were always covered 100% after the copay, bloodwork 100%, scripts $3. I have literally never even known what our deductible was because it really never affected us, except her ambulance ride last year.
When I told the agent this, he knew we were from the Northeast and public sector, because apparently they are the only states with this luxury left. And even though the guy knew he probably wasn't getting a sale from me, he still walked me through the differences between Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum...and after all of that conversation it seems our best option will end up with each of us on different plans. Gold or Platinum for the kid, as her asthma usually causes a hospital visit, then follow-ups to tweak meds. Dave and I are good with Bronze/Silver (ie whatever is free from our employers), and probably a health savings account.
This is one instance where I DO miss NJ. I miss the simplicity of picking between two awesome options and knowing I don't need to keep a couple grand aside for emergency medical expenses...
Thank you ObamaCare for pulling our subsidy because "group coverage is offered" and for not considering the fact that it's offered at full-boat cost. The whole thing is kind of a joke for families like us who have always worked to stay covered, even if it meant I worked the overnight at Wawa or the phones for Hilton when Dave wasn't offered affordable coverage or any at all...
If any of my private sector/non-NJ friends are looking for coverage, the agent showed me
This Website
It gives a really good breakdown to understand it all...
This was one of the few times I felt completely lost about the whole stupid process...but we're getting there.
In other news, Dave had his first experience picking the kidlet up via the "Car Riders Line"...lol. He couldn't understand why it always took me so long. I called him 20 minutes in to check on progress (and make sure he hadn't given anyone the finger) and heard "I've just breached the outer fence...this is *&^%$# ridiculous". Welcome to my world my love!!!
Family Resolution
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Friday, February 28, 2014
Nobody works on Fridays...oh wait
It appears to me that no one works in Tampa on Fridays. I got to work SO quickly that I am now 45 minutes early. Thank goodness for great break rooms with computers, TV's, couches...if only I was one of those people who could sleep anywhere...
In my short stint of traffic, jamming to some country guy playing live on the radio, I had a "This is my life" moment. We're not wealthy by any means. We cross our fingers each time we start a car, hoping it hangs in there. We use coupons constantly. We really really are starting to like it here. Granted, I *did* have to turn on the heat this morning, but if a bit of crappy weather is the worst thing going for us, then I think we're doing alright.
3 more weeks I will be working my 4X10 shift and NOT driving to Tampa every single day. Soon after that we may have some new adventures to work on. It's awesome to feel like there's really good stuff just within reach.
In my short stint of traffic, jamming to some country guy playing live on the radio, I had a "This is my life" moment. We're not wealthy by any means. We cross our fingers each time we start a car, hoping it hangs in there. We use coupons constantly. We really really are starting to like it here. Granted, I *did* have to turn on the heat this morning, but if a bit of crappy weather is the worst thing going for us, then I think we're doing alright.
3 more weeks I will be working my 4X10 shift and NOT driving to Tampa every single day. Soon after that we may have some new adventures to work on. It's awesome to feel like there's really good stuff just within reach.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Phillies Spring Training
What a DAY!!!!
Today was the day...
As in the day we finally remembered we wanted to get to a Phillies practice before it was over. It was close, we got there around Noon. Lucky for us, they were still practicing and there were a bunch of people in Phillies garb watching. Such a cool experience to be around people who also dig the Phillies.
Faith had her shirt and hat on and was ready to ask for an autograph. Her first one signature was Larry Bowa!!
After that, she was ready to ask ANYONE. We got to ask Jimmy Rollins, Ruben Amaro, and another coach guy (no disrespect...I just have no clue.).
All the players were pretty cool. Even if they weren't signing, they'd chat with the little old ladies, kids, whoever.
One particularly cool thing was Ben Revere, holding a kids hand and talking to him through the fence on a break. I don't know if they knew each other but Ben Revere seemed to know just how to talk to the young man, while the mom signed in ASL and the boy tried to communicate with him. He must have spent about 10 minutes with this kid, asking him "I'm trying to do a good job for you...am I doing alright out there? Are you having a good time?" Such a sweet moment.
If you've never been to the training facility next to Brighthouse Stadium to watch the Phillies practice, you're missing out. With four full-sized fields, meeting in the center with a clubhouse, netted bleachers, concessions and just really friendly people, it was worth the 30 minute drive. Free parking and free entry made it an awesome affordable day!
Today was the day...
As in the day we finally remembered we wanted to get to a Phillies practice before it was over. It was close, we got there around Noon. Lucky for us, they were still practicing and there were a bunch of people in Phillies garb watching. Such a cool experience to be around people who also dig the Phillies.
Faith had her shirt and hat on and was ready to ask for an autograph. Her first one signature was Larry Bowa!!
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| Larry Bowa's signature. |
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| Jimmy Rollins signing Faith's hat. |
All the players were pretty cool. Even if they weren't signing, they'd chat with the little old ladies, kids, whoever.
One particularly cool thing was Ben Revere, holding a kids hand and talking to him through the fence on a break. I don't know if they knew each other but Ben Revere seemed to know just how to talk to the young man, while the mom signed in ASL and the boy tried to communicate with him. He must have spent about 10 minutes with this kid, asking him "I'm trying to do a good job for you...am I doing alright out there? Are you having a good time?" Such a sweet moment.
If you've never been to the training facility next to Brighthouse Stadium to watch the Phillies practice, you're missing out. With four full-sized fields, meeting in the center with a clubhouse, netted bleachers, concessions and just really friendly people, it was worth the 30 minute drive. Free parking and free entry made it an awesome affordable day!
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| This was the farthest they were...slide practice. |
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| Dave was a happy guy! |
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Help!!
Dear Florida:
Your state is beautiful. The economy is flourishing. Jobs everywhere. Real estate is on the upswing. Children are smart. But your traffic issues are bordering on inappropriate. There is no reason Tampa is not covered with signs stating "don't block the box". Actually it should be common sense and yet every friggin intersection is full of cars halfway somewhere, totally screwing up the travel of thousands of people. And nobody honks!!! Lets go people! I honked today, mainly because I still have NJ tags and can get away with it.
I have never spent hours going a few miles...except in NYC, where there's public transportation, so really it's my own dumb fault. And while I am terrified of public transportation, I would certainly ride a train, bus, subway, trolley, carriage, camel, to NOT sit in traffic for two hours everyday.
In all fairness, most of the counties are actually hiring traffic engineers. So if you know anyone smart enough to figure this crap out, send them south before I cry. Only 21 more days training in Tampa!
Your state is beautiful. The economy is flourishing. Jobs everywhere. Real estate is on the upswing. Children are smart. But your traffic issues are bordering on inappropriate. There is no reason Tampa is not covered with signs stating "don't block the box". Actually it should be common sense and yet every friggin intersection is full of cars halfway somewhere, totally screwing up the travel of thousands of people. And nobody honks!!! Lets go people! I honked today, mainly because I still have NJ tags and can get away with it.
I have never spent hours going a few miles...except in NYC, where there's public transportation, so really it's my own dumb fault. And while I am terrified of public transportation, I would certainly ride a train, bus, subway, trolley, carriage, camel, to NOT sit in traffic for two hours everyday.
In all fairness, most of the counties are actually hiring traffic engineers. So if you know anyone smart enough to figure this crap out, send them south before I cry. Only 21 more days training in Tampa!
Monday, February 17, 2014
Pompano Beach is beautiful!
This weekend my girl learned how to snorkel like a boss. She wanted to try it so badly. Luckily my mom and her guy had their own gear and Faith fit into her Mimi's stuff. Frank geared up with her and next thing I knew, homegirl was cruising. The helicopter mom in me was panicking because I knew she was out over her head without a vest (with an avid swimmer...), but she was an expert. She saw some fish, learned all the hand-signals, learned how to dive down, come up and clear her snorkel...she was hardcore.
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After a few hours of that, she remembered that she was supposed to teach me to paddleboard. So we grabbed Mimi and 2 boards and walked a block down where you could paddle board. For the record, those suckers are HEAVY.
After a short lesson and me trying like hell to get past the break, I finally stood up!! It may have only lasted about 1.8 seconds, but I got the paddle in the water, so it's official. It was a fun little adventure but I was nearly a lobster and my flight was in a few short hours. We grabbed dinner at JB's on the Beach, packed up the truck and dropped me at the airport.
This flight wasn't canceled, but the airport was a flipping mess. I was so grateful for my obsession with being on time. The lines to check-in, drop luggage and security weaved all around the front of the airport. Had I checked luggage, I'd have missed my flight (like about 22 other people...). I can't complain too much, as the flight was exactly 36 minutes. After finding my car, I was tucked in bed by 11:15pm.
Tomorrow, I pick Faith and her Mimi up from the same flight. Hope my girl has a great time with her Mimi and Frank!
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| That's her and Frank in their pre-snorkel safety briefing...or he's just teaching her how to clean her mask with spit... |
After a few hours of that, she remembered that she was supposed to teach me to paddleboard. So we grabbed Mimi and 2 boards and walked a block down where you could paddle board. For the record, those suckers are HEAVY.
After a short lesson and me trying like hell to get past the break, I finally stood up!! It may have only lasted about 1.8 seconds, but I got the paddle in the water, so it's official. It was a fun little adventure but I was nearly a lobster and my flight was in a few short hours. We grabbed dinner at JB's on the Beach, packed up the truck and dropped me at the airport.
This flight wasn't canceled, but the airport was a flipping mess. I was so grateful for my obsession with being on time. The lines to check-in, drop luggage and security weaved all around the front of the airport. Had I checked luggage, I'd have missed my flight (like about 22 other people...). I can't complain too much, as the flight was exactly 36 minutes. After finding my car, I was tucked in bed by 11:15pm.
Tomorrow, I pick Faith and her Mimi up from the same flight. Hope my girl has a great time with her Mimi and Frank!
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| JB's on the Beach - Yumma! |
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| Tired and happy girl! |
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Seriously....we just want to see Mimi.
We just want to get to Fort Lauderdale.
We got to Tampa airport super early for our 0830 flight to Fort Laudedale. All excited, ready to go. Except when we checked in it said "cancelled, please see agent".
When we got to the desk, the nice woman said "I'm sorry but your flight is cancelled." Ok. Options?? "We have shuttles leaving at 830, or we can refund, or we can rebook for Monday...wait she's not flying alone right", looking at Faith, suddenly panicked. No ma'am. I will not be sending my 8 year old on a 4 hour bus trip with strangers.
Ugh, and considering this child has been looking forward to this trip for weeks and I'm booked to return tomorrow...looks like we're going for a ride. I snuck over to the Southwest desk and they very quickly said they were already booked. I looked at the Silver desk (no clue who that is but they were going to ft lauderdale too) and there were already a few angry people over there...so I signed their little bus trip sheet and sucked it up.
Faith and I enjoyed some $12 airport Burger King breakfast. I tried to score us a meal voucher since I was now stuck with Spirit for 5 hours instead of 1 but the manager was too busy to speak to me. After another $5 in airport water bottles, we finally loaded our shuttle van. I should say one positive thing, Faith sat next to another little girl and they played babies and animals. Thank god for small favors.
We finally got into Fort Lauderdale airport at 1:15pm. Mimi picked us right up, fed us and got us right on to the boat for our scheduled play and fishing trip. A short fishing trip yielded a half dozen pretty unknown fish and about 3 massive big boys who were just too big for our lines. Faith fought one for nearly 10 minutes before we lost it.
We came back in to have dinner at the Beachcomber, right across the street from Mimi's condo. The place was gorgeous, the food and ambiance amazing...although the meal took about 2+hours. After 4 hours in a van, I was pretty much done. After an awesome desert of deep fried banana cheesecake and apple turnover, I practically begged for us to go back to the condo. Saturday night. Happening place. But we were exhausted.
I'm so grateful that Faith can stay until Tuesday night. She needed this time. I did too, but she really did.
I'm scheduled to go home tomorrow night. Pray they don't cancel because I have my first day of work about 10hours after my flights arrival...
#wetookthelongway #missedmymommy #wheresmyhusband
We got to Tampa airport super early for our 0830 flight to Fort Laudedale. All excited, ready to go. Except when we checked in it said "cancelled, please see agent".
When we got to the desk, the nice woman said "I'm sorry but your flight is cancelled." Ok. Options?? "We have shuttles leaving at 830, or we can refund, or we can rebook for Monday...wait she's not flying alone right", looking at Faith, suddenly panicked. No ma'am. I will not be sending my 8 year old on a 4 hour bus trip with strangers.
Ugh, and considering this child has been looking forward to this trip for weeks and I'm booked to return tomorrow...looks like we're going for a ride. I snuck over to the Southwest desk and they very quickly said they were already booked. I looked at the Silver desk (no clue who that is but they were going to ft lauderdale too) and there were already a few angry people over there...so I signed their little bus trip sheet and sucked it up.
Faith and I enjoyed some $12 airport Burger King breakfast. I tried to score us a meal voucher since I was now stuck with Spirit for 5 hours instead of 1 but the manager was too busy to speak to me. After another $5 in airport water bottles, we finally loaded our shuttle van. I should say one positive thing, Faith sat next to another little girl and they played babies and animals. Thank god for small favors.
We finally got into Fort Lauderdale airport at 1:15pm. Mimi picked us right up, fed us and got us right on to the boat for our scheduled play and fishing trip. A short fishing trip yielded a half dozen pretty unknown fish and about 3 massive big boys who were just too big for our lines. Faith fought one for nearly 10 minutes before we lost it.
We came back in to have dinner at the Beachcomber, right across the street from Mimi's condo. The place was gorgeous, the food and ambiance amazing...although the meal took about 2+hours. After 4 hours in a van, I was pretty much done. After an awesome desert of deep fried banana cheesecake and apple turnover, I practically begged for us to go back to the condo. Saturday night. Happening place. But we were exhausted.
I'm so grateful that Faith can stay until Tuesday night. She needed this time. I did too, but she really did.
I'm scheduled to go home tomorrow night. Pray they don't cancel because I have my first day of work about 10hours after my flights arrival...
#wetookthelongway #missedmymommy #wheresmyhusband
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Warning - Tears ahead
This morning, Faith and I were going over her valentines to make sure she didn't miss anyone, when she asked if she could make something special for a boy. "Really...do you have a crush on this boy?"
"No mommy...he has leukemia cancer and hasn't been to school in a couple weeks. I feel bad because he can't have friends over or swim in the pool or come to school or go ride his bike. He's gotta sit in the hospital or his house. I mean, I know he'll be fine in a couple months but I just want to give him something special."
The part that made me get emotional, MORE than her wanting to do something nice, was the fact that she knows he'll be fine in a while but it's probably hard now. Whether or not that happens, she sees cancer so differently than I used to. She's watched her aunt fight, be 'a little' sick, not be able to hug for a bit and miss some things....but "Aunt was fine mom...so he'll be fine, he'll just be a little sick like her."
Well, it was more than 'a little sick' but the thought that that is what Faith remembers and interpreted...is just mind-blowing.
Cancer meant something so different to me when I was young...but for her, all she sees is a crappy time, followed by some so-so time, and then back to normal. Apparently her Aunt made that look easy.
"No mommy...he has leukemia cancer and hasn't been to school in a couple weeks. I feel bad because he can't have friends over or swim in the pool or come to school or go ride his bike. He's gotta sit in the hospital or his house. I mean, I know he'll be fine in a couple months but I just want to give him something special."
The part that made me get emotional, MORE than her wanting to do something nice, was the fact that she knows he'll be fine in a while but it's probably hard now. Whether or not that happens, she sees cancer so differently than I used to. She's watched her aunt fight, be 'a little' sick, not be able to hug for a bit and miss some things....but "Aunt was fine mom...so he'll be fine, he'll just be a little sick like her."
Well, it was more than 'a little sick' but the thought that that is what Faith remembers and interpreted...is just mind-blowing.
Cancer meant something so different to me when I was young...but for her, all she sees is a crappy time, followed by some so-so time, and then back to normal. Apparently her Aunt made that look easy.
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