SCORE! I was FINALLY able to rope my husband into going to a play.

Yes, you can quit rubbing your eyes - you read that right.

As I mentioned in my last post, we recently attended a play.  (Well...really a musical, which you should know is something that usually isn't my cup of tea.  I find that it can be difficult to catch all the words if they are being sung - plus, how many of us actually break into song in the middle of a sentence?)  And, as usual, I found out about it right before the show closed by reading a rave review in the local paper last Thursday.

Considering the paper also lists local events well in advance, you'd think I'd notice these things earlier...but no.  Usually, I read a review that interests me, look up the schedule and discover there are only two or three more performances.

My usual partner in crime for these types of events was out of town.  So I began to look around to see if any of my other friends might be free for the Sunday matinee at the last minute.  And I struck out on every score.  One friend said she would check but knew that her son had an event that she had to attend and wasn't sure of the timing.

I was convinced I wouldn't get to see this one.

So when I got home, I looked at The Husband and declared that he needed to take me on a date.  He looked surprised but agreed.  Apparently, the element of surprise is what it took to swing this around in my favor as he agreed before he even knew what I had up my sleeve.

After securing his agreement, I informed him that we would be going to lunch downtown - this was meet with enthusiasm.  And then informed him that we would be going to the musical - this wasn't taken in with any enthusiasm...but he didn't refuse.

I explained that I had tried to find another date and that I really wanted to see this show and being the gentleman he is - he fell on the sword for me.  My hero.

Then he asked how long the program would be...

After a pause, I quickly spit out the fact that these shows usually run about two hours.  His response?  He gave a sigh and asked if alcohol would be available.  Not knowing if that would be true or not for a matinee, I fudged my answer and said that there usually is a cash bar available.

So when Sunday rolled around, he took it on the chin.  We had a lovely lunch at a local Irish pub.  Afterwards we strolled around downtown and checked out a quaint, quirky independent bookstore - where I was able to pick up a great book by a local author.

As a side note, it is great fun to be reading a book that highlights local towns and places that you know...since you live there.

Then it was time to head to the theater - because this particular theater is an intimate space, we were unable to choose our seats when we bought the tickets - we determined that in order for The Husband to get an aisle seat (his only real demand) we needed to get there as soon as the box office opened.  This strategy paid off AND there was a cash bar available, in The Husband's eyes things were beginning to look up...until he began to get fidgety while we waited for the show to start.

Eventually, the show started and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  When asked The Husband said that it wasn't bad.  Granted, he never laughed out loud, I did catch him grinning a few times throughout, so I know he was paying attention.  All in all, I would say we had a successful date - albeit one that he was not an enthusiastic about - which is what marriage is all about - sometimes you do something you really don't want to do just to make your partner happy.  And he made me very happy.

So, I suppose after all that I should tell you what we saw...

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.  One of the fun aspects of this Tony-award winning play is that four members of the audience are invited on stage to participate in the spelling bee.  During our show, the majority of the four were given fairly easy words at first gradually getting a little harder as the play went on until three were eliminated.  The fourth one was pretty good with spelling and they kept calling her back until they came up with some wild word that stumped her.

Our cast consisted of people ranging in age from 13-21 - for such a young cast, they were stellar.  Truly.  Even The Husband was impressed with their ability.

Should this program show up at your community theater, I would recommend that you attend...even if you have to coerce your other half to attend.

Breaking Night...another book review.

Yeah, I wasn't kidding when I told you I'd been reading more lately.  Turns out when you read more, you find more books to love...who knew?  Also, it turns out when you realize you are down to the second to the last season of a show you love (Parenthood...seriously, even if you aren't a parent this is an AMAZING show - okay, Netflix...I'm done sending you all this love for free) you tend to slow down on the binge watching in order to "savor" it.  True story.

But back to the reason you are here....

Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard by Liz Murray is a compelling read.

And by "compelling" I mean this should be required reading for every high school across the land.  I almost think it should be required reading for every middle school but some of the content would be hard for most middle schoolers to comprehend unless they were living a parallel existence...and the fact that there ARE middle schoolers out there (or younger) who ARE living a parallel existence breaks my heart.

Generally, I don't do memoirs...I don't know why, but I don't.  I'm more of a fiction kind of girl.  But this story caught my interest when a co-worker mentioned she was reading it after seeing the author speak at a luncheon she attended.  She gave me a brief synopsis of the book and I was intrigued.  The coworker offered to lend me the book after she finished - although she had promised it to another first - because she knew I was a fast reader.

And let me tell you, once you pick this one up you won't be able to put it down!  I started the first chapter Friday night and by Sunday afternoon with only about 40 or so pages to go, I was reluctant to put it down to attend a play I had actually talked my husband into attending with me!

Yes, I know.  You are absolutely shocked that he agreed to go to a play with me...I was too!!  I'll try to post about that next time.

Here's the synopsis that Amazon has on their website:

Breaking night: (Urban slang) staying up through the night, until the sun rises.

Breaking Night is the stunning memoir of a young woman who at age fifteen was living on the streets, and who eventually made it into Harvard.

Liz Murray was born to loving but drug-addicted parents in the Bronx.  In school she was taunted for her dirty clothing and lice-infested hair, eventually skipping so many classes that she was put into a girls' home.  At age fifteen, Liz found herself on the streets when her family finally unraveled.  She learned to scrape by, foraging for food and riding subways all night to have a warm place to sleep.

When Liz's mother died of AIDS, she decided to take control of her own destiny and go back to high school, often completing her assignments in the hallways and subway stations where she slept.  Liz squeezed four years of high school into two, while homeless; won a New York Times scholarship; and made it into the Ivy League.  Breaking Night is an unforgettable and beautifully written story of one young woman's indomitable spirit to survive and prevail, against all odds.

This blurb doesn't begin to do this book justice.  What this woman/child went through is heart wrenching.  But what amazed me the most?  Was the child's ability (because she WAS a child when this all began) to see things as they were and her will to try to change them.

*mini spoiler alert - but really if the sub-title didn't give away the ending to you then we have bigger things to talk about...*




As a mere child, she tried to will the safety of her parents as they scavenged for drugs in the middle of the night...figuring if she could stay up until they got home they would be okay.

It was also frightening to think that, up until she was shown a different lifestyle, she thought this was normal behavior for most families.

This little girl figured out ways to make money in order to eat when she was hungry.

What this child/woman has accomplished, in spite of all the obstacles standing in her way, leave me in awe.

This book is a testament to what we can do - if we put our minds, hearts and souls into the endeavor - when we seek a goal to achieve.

I would definitely, without reservation, say that if you only read ONE book - ever... (which honestly?  I can't even finish that sentence because...who can only read ONE book in their lifetime?! It would be a crime to limit oneself to one book)...

Okay, let me re-phrase that...

If you are looking for a book to inspire you...one to remind you of what kind of good mankind has to offer (and aren't we all looking for that right now, with all that is going on?) and one to remind you that forgiveness and love really does conquer all...then this is a book you need to read.

Honesty and Kindness...

After work today, I stopped at the grocery store to pick up an item or two.  As I stepped into the checkout line, I looked down to rummage for my wallet and happened to notice a lone dollar bill sitting on the floor.

I bent down and picked it up and then said to the customer at the front of the line, "Sir, I believe this is yours."  The startled man turned around, with a handful of bills, and accepted the money saying, "Yes, it probably is.  I'm always losing money.  My wife keeps telling me to use a wallet."

Apparently, he just shoves the cash in his front pocket and bills keep tumbling from his pocket when he tries to pull it out.

He thanked me, paid for his groceries and walked away.  I proceeded to have my groceries scanned and paid for them.  At this point, I had completely forgotten about the exchange.  I thanked the cashier, picked up my bag and headed toward the exit.

It was there the man met me and handed me a slip of paper.  It was a lottery ticket.  He informed me that as often as he lost money, it was very rare that he ever got it back.

I was touched.  As, apparently, so was he.

As I'm sure you are aware, honesty and kind gestures are rare in the world we live in today.  But they are there - we just have to look for them.  And we have to create them. Can you imagine how much nicer life would be if everyone was honest and kind?

Now, if I actually hit the $15,0000 jackpot tonight, I'm going to have to hang out at that grocery store, until he shows up again - so I can repay him for his small kind gesture.

What are some of your favorite blogs?

I am in need of some different blogs to check out.  Chances are you do too.

If you are anything like me you have noticed a new trend in blogging.  Most of the blogs I come across nowadays seem to involve "lists" and "how to (insert whatever here)" - which is fine.  I mean sure; I am always up for learning new ways to keep my house clean or to learn the fool proof way to hang a gallery wall or the 5 things I need to do to FINALLY get organized or how to get my laundry to fold itself - but it seems like a large majority of blogs are doing this now - along with these "Pinnable" images and flat lay pictures. 

I guess this comes from the influence of Pinterest and possibly, Instagram.  That's all well and good but...they ALL look the same; with the very rare exception.  And?  Even worse?

There are some blogs that exist solely to provide links to other blogs, which I really don't understand.  No real content at all!  Sure, I completely agree we need to support the blogs we love by sharing them.  But to have absolutely no fresh content; just links?  I'm thinking these blogs must exist solely to provide revenue somehow.

Where have all the personal blogs gone?  The ones that talk about life?  

Sure, most of the blogs I follow are personal - but it seems that any newer blogs that I've stumbled across aren't.  I suppose that's where blogging is now.  Who knows, maybe it will swing back.  We shall have to wait and see.

So while we are waiting for the pendulum to swing back, please share.  What are some of your favorites that aren't completely commercialized?  The ones that are personal.  Or insightful?  Or funny?  

A few of my favorites can be found over there on the right side of the page (thank goodness I checked before I hit publish!  Apparently, the little widget thing doesn't automatically update when I follow a new blog - so it was seriously out of date.  Like YEARS out of date - yikes!  All fixed now).  There are a few that I will admit, I tend to skip unless the headline is intriguing, but for the most part of the ones still active, I read every time they post something.

So what about you...what are some of your favorites? 

A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty / Accidents of Marriage....book reviews

I just looked - the last book review I did was in August 2015!  I've surely been slacking around here.  I have read many, many books since then and mostly likely read a couple that should have merited a mention here.

When we were living without the Internet like Luddites for, oh so, long I found myself reading actual books more than I have in a while.  Oh sure, pre-Internet loss, I read books - but generally a page or two - a chapter if I was lucky before I went to bed (that's what binge watching Parenthood on Netflix will do to you - I'm only up to Season Four, so no spoilers please!).  During and after the Internet loss, I have found myself ensconced on the back porch with a couple of very good books (and, if the current one continues on its current trajectory we can add it to the list).

But I finished A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty by Joshilyn Jackson a few days ago and my first thought was to come tell you about it.

When I first picked up this book, I assumed it was a quick, easy read.  You know the kind that doesn't require that the reader actually pay attention.  Until I turned it over and read the summary,

"A GROWN-UP KIND OF PRETTY is a powerful saga of three generations of women, plagued by hardships and torn by a devastating secret, yet inextricably joined by the bonds of family.  Fifteen-year-old Mosey Slocumb-spirited, sassy, and on the cusp of womanhood-is shaken when a small grave is unearthed in the backyard, and determined to figure out why it's there.  Liza, her stroke-ravaged mother, is haunted by choices she made as a teenager.  But it is Jenny, Mosey's strong and big-hearted grandmother, whose maternal love braids together the strands of the women's shared past--and will stop at nothing to defend their future."

Interesting...the Amazon review that I pulled has spelled Ginny wrong.

At any rate, it seemed like an interesting read so it came home with me.  I cracked it open the other day and was hooked.  In fact, I believe I spent about a day and a half on the back porch with my nose stuck in it.  This is the kind of story that pulls you back to it every chance you get because you need to find out what happens next - it's a ""the laundry can wait" kind of book.

I enjoyed this one so much, I will be seeking out other books by this author.

Next up we have Accidents of Marriage by Randy Susan Meyers.  This one really captured my attention.  Other than the title, the thing that piqued my interest was the blurb on the front cover:

"One of those rare novels that is both unputdownable and unforgettable."  - Liane Moriarty, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Husband's Secret

Although I can't remember off the top of my head, I know I have read some Liane Moriarty's books and thoroughly enjoyed them, so I was ready to buy this one before I even read the summary on the back...

"Maddy is a social worker trying to balance her career and three children.  Years ago, she fell in love with Ben, a public defender, drawn to his fiery passion, but now he's lashing out at her during his periodic verbal furies.  She vacillates between tiptoeing around him and asserting herself for the sake of their kids - which works to keep a fragile peace - until the rainy day when they're together in the car and Ben's volatile temper gets the best of him, leaving Maddy in the hospital fighting for her life.  Accidents of Marriage is a provocative and stunning novel that will resonate deeply with women from all walks of life, ultimately revealing the challenges of family, faith, and forgiveness."

The only nit I had with this book is that the ending was ambiguous...which isn't a bad thing; I just really wanted to know how this one ended, not be left wondering - but other than that, yes, I enjoyed it so much, I spent a little over a day on the back porch with this one.

So if you are on the hunt for something new to read, I would definitely recommend both of these books.

SIX days without internet...we survived...barely.

When I woke up last Friday, The Husband informed me that we didn't have internet...lovely.  After twenty-five years of marriage, I was aware that this meant that I needed to fix it.

So I bought a new router.  Because surely our router had been taken out by the storm we'd experienced the Thursday night before.

But then I  brought the router home and was unable to connect.  I called the manufacturer, they were unable to help.  In fact, they recited, verbatim, what the screen was telling me  So basically, they were reading from an instruction manual.  Next, I returned to the store, along with the computer AND the router.

After going through three technicians, they advised me to confer with my provider, as there seemed to be nothing wrong with my computer OR the router.

OH MY GOD!  They expected ME to deal with AT&T...my sworn enemy?!

Yes, they apparently did.  In fact, they flat out refused to call them for me and asked me to leave the store immediately.

So I went back home and called.  After much swearing at the automated system (which claimed it "could understand and respond to any questions" - which it obviously couldn't since I had to scream yes or no in response to its questions...after telling me that I needed to speak up or it would tell me that it didn't understand) eventually I made it to an actual person.

Now, despite previous rants about AT&T (and my obvious disdain for automated systems - come on AT&T...would it really be that onerous to have an actual human answer the phone and route the call?) I have to say that AT&T has stepped up its customer service game.  Yes, I actually said that (AND put it in writing).

The rep I spoke to explained that she did see a problem with our line...but didn't think it was the router.  She set up an appointment to send a technician out - the earliest time she could offer was Monday.  I wasn't happy that no one could come out over the weekend, but agreed.  Then she gave me a telephone number, along with a PIN number, and informed me that it went directly to voicemail.  And that any message left would be responded to within the hour.  I was doubtful...because look at who I was dealing with here.

Monday comes along and the technician actually showed up in the earlier end of the 8-12 block they gave me.  He poked around outside for a bit and then informed me that the outside box wasn't receiving power and, unfortunately, he couldn't fix the problem but would escalate the ticket.  I asked if it would be dealt with that day.  He seemed to think it would since it was so early in the day.

As you are probably (rightly) assuming, it was not fixed on Monday.  I called the magic voicemail number, left a message and you can imagine my immense shock when I actually received a call back.  They informed me that the technician was working until 9 pm (so apparently, AT&T has no problem making their techs work late - why not have them work staggered shifts which would cover weekends?) and our ticket was next.  She swore that she would call me with an update.

I ended up going to bed because, hello?!  I have a job.

Lo and behold I actually had a voicemail from her when I woke up - imagine my shock.  This message informed me that the tech was unable to get to our ticket on Monday but we would be first on the list for Tuesday.  YAY!

I went to work with a hopeful heart...until I received a text from The Husband around lunch time.  He had come home for lunch and discovered that we still didn't have internet.  And upon returning home that evening we STILL didn't have internet.  So I called the magical number again.  They informed me that they would "monitor" the situation and let me know what was going on.

Yesterday, I finally received another voicemail...it still wasn't fixed and they couldn't tell me when it would be done; again promising to follow up.  I can honestly tell you that by this time I was BEYOND fed up.

Until I arrived home and we had internet service!  We both did a happy dance!

And then the phone rang...guess who?

Yes, it was AT&T informing me that we were back online and, after I inquired about a credit for being without for six days, was told that we would receive a credit.  But considering our past bad blood, I made a point of calling the billing office today to confirm - yes, we are getting a credit.

So while AT&T is still not on my "Favorite" list they have removed themselves from my "I HATE You So Much - I Wish You Were Not In Existence" list (yes, I really have such a list for companies that drive me insane) - all because they put forth the extra effort in the customer service department.  Kudos, AT&T.

If they want to be catapulted  to the "Favorite" list I would suggest that they rid themselves of the automated phone system and figure out a work schedule that includes having people available to work on weekends, because living without internet makes people twitchy.

Procrastination at it's finest...

I have taken procrastination to the nth degree.  I am not proud of this...but I share this story only as a cautionary tale to you, dear reader.

Today, a co-worker commented on my wedding rings.  In fact, her very words were, "I've never seen you wear that ring before..."

She was talking about my wedding rings.

Here's the deal.  About a week ago, I went to the jeweler as I needed to have a necklace fixed.  On a whim, I grabbed my rings and took them along.  Upon arriving at the jeweler's I told them to fix the necklace (a quick and easy fix, I figured) and asked them to call me with an estimate to fix the rings (a very expensive fix, I assumed).

Fast forward to a few days ago - I received a call from the jeweler to inform me that my "items" were ready.  WHAT?!  No call about an estimate?  I drove to the jeweler's in a snit - ready to argue the charge for fixing the rings.

Upon arrival, they apologized for the oversight and offered me a price too good to be true that I folded and just paid for it.

And then today, when the co-worker commented on my rings, I realized...those rings that had been languishing in my jewelry box for over ELEVEN years!

Yes, you read that right.  ELEVEN years!  

Right after I joined the Legal Department, one of my diamonds went missing; which explains why my co-worker had never seen them.  Granted, a small diamond, but still...

I tucked those rings away for safekeeping until I had the opportunity to get to the jewelry store.  In the meantime, I wore the anniversary band that The Husband gave me to commemorate our ten year anniversary.  It is a beautiful band that incorporates my birthstone interspersed with diamonds.  A band that I couldn't wear with my wedding rings because of their unusual shape.  To be honest, I was kinda happy that this band got some "show time."

Cue to today, when my co-worker commented on my rings,,,and that when it hit me...it's been ELEVEN years since I've worn my wedding rings.  ELEVEN years!!

HOW the hell did I allow THAT to happen?!

One of these days, I'm actually going to get my life in order.  One of these days...

Man-Child...a source of constant worry.

After such a dry spell, what are the odds that Man-Child would be the source of yet another post?  Three in a row - what a streak!

Not this past weekend, but the previous one, found me driving up the mountain to get a glimpse of my boy.  This summer has found him in school and working thus leaving precious little family time.  We spent the day together and all was well.  As I left, I reminded him that this past weekend was Father's Day and that he should really make an attempt to come home to celebrate.  He agreed and a plan was set.

The following Monday, The Husband was chatting with him and it was revealed that Man-Child wasn't feeling very well.  A joke was made that the last time I went to see him Man-Child was ill after I left; turned out allergies were to blame, if I recall.

Carrying the joke just a bit further - that same weekend I had visited with a friend - who complained to The Husband when he dropped by to see the progress her husband was making on the wall that he was installing, that she wasn't feeling well...luckily her issues turned out to be allergy related.  Phew...I don't need any reason for everyone to think I'm the bearer of the plague.

Fast forward to last Thursday, when I received a phone call from Man-Child.  He was just leaving the student health clinic - that's when I knew this must be pretty bad.  He never goes there unless he has to (we can all take a moment to thank his father for this particular trait.  Okay, okay - I admit I might have the same trait but not to the same extent as these two).  The clinic announced that he had "bacterial pustules" on this throat and sent him away with an antibiotic.  I clucked over him and told him to start the medication and pain relievers immediately and to get some rest.

He was supposed to work on Friday so I wasn't expecting to see him until I woke up on Saturday - as he had planned to drive in after he got off work; meaning I would be sound asleep by the time he arrived.

Imagine my surprise when I drove up to the house after work on Friday to find his car at the house.  Apparently, he was in enough pain that he used the note the clinic gave him to get out of work.  Clue one that something was going on.

Clue two?  His eyes.  You know how when your little ones are really sick their eyes tell the truth?  I could tell he really, really didn't feel well.  When asked if he felt any better, he said, "a little."  I thought, "Okay, it's taking a little while for the antibiotics to kick in...let's give it a little more time."

Clue three?  He went to bed early.

On Saturday, he slept in.  Once he finally got up, he and I took a run into town to find a suitable Father's Day gift (yes, I have been procrastinating again).  Upon returning home a couple hours later, he went to take a very long nap.  Our original plan had been to take The Husband out to eat on Saturday and let him break in his new charcoal grill on Sunday.  Considering how bad Man-Child was feeling we decided to go out to eat on Sunday and plan to christen the grill another day.

By Sunday, I felt that surely there would be some improvement...particularly since Man-Child took to his bed fairly early again on Saturday night.

Come Sunday, I thought he looked a little better and he didn't seem to complain much.  We went out to lunch and I noticed he was only picking at his food and his eyes had "that look" again.  Usually, especially at this particular restaurant, he absolutely DEVOURS his food in record time and is eyeballing my plate with naked interest.

After getting back home, he took another nap.  After sleeping for a few hours, as I was reading on the back porch, I heard him and The Husband using loud voices.  I came in to see what was going on - apparently, The Husband was trying to talk Man-Child into staying since he still felt so ill.  And Man-Child was frustrated that he still didn't feel better and was feeling the need to get back to school for class and work today.

In a flash, I remembered that our doctor's practice has an after hours clinic on weekends.  How I remembered that, I'll never know as we haven't had to use the clinic for years now.  I asked Man-Child if he wanted to see the doctor before he went back and he agreed.  That was when I knew - without a shadow of a doubt - that this kid was sick, sick.

He insisted on following me to the clinic as he was planning on driving back up the mountain afterward.

At the clinic he was not to pleased that upon hearing about his sore throat they made him put on a mask.  Luckily, the clinic was not crowded.  We were in the waiting room for only about five minutes before being called back.  And then another five minutes before the doctor came in.  A miracle to be sure.  Maybe that's the trick - show up at the clinic an hour before they close...

The doctor was great.  Very thorough.  She talked with us and listened.  She examined Man-Child and announced that she wanted to take his blood.  She mentioned that the results would be back in just a few minutes.

True to her word, she came back to the examining room and announced that Man-Child has mono.  Ugghh!

As I mentioned in one of the previous posts - Man-Child is smack in the middle of a lot of stuff...finishing classes this summer and planning on student teaching this fall.  Not to mention, he's been trying to pick up as many hours as he can this summer.

The doctor stopped short of telling him to take the summer off - but stressed that this a viral issue.  Which basically means that we just have to wait it out.  And that the harder he pushes himself the longer it will take to work through.

She prescribed several things to help deal with the pain.  After spending an interminable time at the pharmacy, I felt sure he would wind up following me home.  He didn't.  He insisted on driving the two hours back up the mountain.  *sigh*  Stubborn boy.

I texted him this morning to see how he was feeling.  He responded with "meh"  which I assume is better than "arrgggh!"  Apparently, between the "magic mouthwash" and pain pills she prescribed he was feeling just a tiny bit better.  But not enough to attend classes or go to work, according to our most recent texts.

Why, oh why do they get sick when they can't be home?  Where I can make sure he is resting, eating all while monitoring his eyes?

Adult life lessons - apparently, they don't end at twenty-one.

It's been a while since Man-Child has provided blog fodder.  It's about time he coughed up something!

At the end of last month, Man-Child told me he needed to get a physical before he could student teach and asked me to set up an appointment for him, which I promptly took care of,while reminding him that he needed to take the new insurance card with him and asked if he had the updated one.  He assured me that he had it and would make sure to bring it with him.

He then promptly re-scheduled the appointment I had made. *sigh*  Lesson learned, next time, I'm going to have him schedule the appointment himself.

Fast forward to a couple of days ago when we received a bill from the doctor's office for nearly $600.00. Needless to say, The Husband freaked out.  Actually, "freaked out" is an EPIC understatement. Perusing the bill, it seems that they didn't file a claim with our insurance - which was odd as they always have in the past.

Considering his outburst, it was no surprise when he asked me to follow up on this before he left for work this morning.

Oh joy...my favorite thing to do - deal with issues via the telephone.

So when I got to work, I got all my other dreaded tasks dealt with first.  Anything to keep from calling and arguing with the doctor's office about this bill.  Then I spent some time visiting with a co-worker.  And then, when there was no other menial, piddling little task left to waste my time with, I bit the bullet and called.

I spoke with Amy.  She was calm and sweet, which to be honest, in this day and age is a rare find when calling to dispute something.  I explained that we had received this bill and that it didn't seem that any claim had been filed.

She looked at whatever she was looking at on her end and informed me that Man-Child had in fact brought his insurance card...

His dental insurance card. *sigh*

Which will be deemed MY fault by the young master since I didn't specify which card to use.  Despite the fact that the dental card clearly says Dental on it and the health card clearly says Health on it.

She said that I could email her the health card and that should fix the problem.  Yay!

On the other hand, we have this semi-adult.  One that is excelling in his college career.  One that is about to be released into the world.  One that has been making sure his rent and bills are paid on time (granted using our money, but still...). To stand on his own two feet and take the world by the tail.  But I can't trust him decipher between which insurance card should be used when without being specific. *sigh*

Obviously, our "teachable" moments aren't over yet.

A Man-Child Update

I haven't spoken about Man-Child much lately here - mainly because he hasn't been around a lot lately and, to a lesser extent, because I haven't felt comfortable sharing about his life now that he is older.

BUT...I figured it was time to share some of his recent accomplishments (yes, I might be biased but I am one proud mom).

Man-Child is THIS close to graduating college.  He has to finish up some classes this summer and then he moves on to Student Teaching this fall and will graduate in December..  He majored in Physical Education and hopes to coach one day (preferably football, of course).

He has recently received his placement for his Student Teaching at a local elementary school less than three minutes from home (apparently, I will be the only person in this house with an actual "commute." I put it in quotes because even though I drive the farthest, compared to Houston the commute is laughable).  The only better placement he could have hoped for was the local high school (he was praying that he wouldn't get a middle school assignment - and I don't blame him).  My friend, with young children tells me the only better placement would have been at his old elementary school - two minutes away (where her children go now).  So basically, he will be spending his days playing with kids.

Seeing as he's always done well with younger kids, I think he will be fine.  In fact, after the one semester he taught at the elementary school where he goes to school was over last year he told me, "Mom, I'm really going to miss these kids - they are so awesome!"

With a teacher that caring, I can only imagine that they miss him too.

As you can imagine, I can't wait for fall to hurry up and get here so that he will be home and so I can get started on that backyard.

He has a girlfriend that makes him happy.  That's all I will say on that subject.

All in all, Man-Child is doing well, happy and will be home soon - as a mom you can't ask for more than that, right?

*I KNOW!  Two posts in two days?  Miraculous.*