June 18: general update and happy decision
Picking up the Fridays at work has really tired me out. While I expected to be a bit more fatigued, working four days a week has corresponded with things changing in the office as well. We are in the process of switching over to EMR: electronic medical records. This is a necessity in today's world, and the doctors put it off as long as possible to allow for better systems to be created. Insurance companies, as well as Medicare, have been giving deadlines for physician offices to change over, after which there is a penalty if you are still using paper charts. We knew it was going to be an adjustment, but it's a colossal PIA, as is any major system change. Additionally, many insurance companies are now refusing stress tests without prior authorization, and one wretched company in particular (starts with an 'A') is requiring peer-to-peer reviews for every test. So both of these things are now eating into whatever down time there was between tests. So I'm coming home totally exhausted.
A 'normal' month will mean working two Fridays, but I've asked Lora, the nurse who works Tuesdays and with whom Fridays are split, for some extra days. Since she can always pick up extra shifts at the hospital she's been very gracious about giving me some of her days. So, happier checking account, more tired me. But everything in life is a trade-off.
I've made a decision which is not fiscally wise, but is making me very happy: another big trip. The same history professor with whom I went to Egypt is doing a tour of Greece & Istanbul (Turkey) in October. While I went to Greece along with my mother with her work group in 1997 this tour will cover areas that we didn't see or weren't there at that point, such as the new Acropolis Museum. Istanbul has long been on my list of places to visit. It's a one shot deal as Ken, the guy who runs these tours, is in his mid-60s and winding down. I checked with my travel agent and she couldn't find anything equivalent. So, despite the fact that I've just gotten back on my feet financially and this will really stretch things, it's just too exciting to me not to go. My mood and incentive to exercise immediately increased, so that means five months of happier me even before going, and then all the lovely pictures and memories afterwards. This is going to require some sacrifices and juggling, but it's something I very much want to do. While no one knows when they will have physical problems it's more a given with me at some point. A part of me thinks that socking as much money away as possible is the most important plan, there are just some times when you have to go with impractical but fulfilling. My decision was made and money already spent before the riots in Athens started this week and increasing unrest in the border of Turkey next to Syria began. I purchased trip insurance, which kicks in if the US declares a travel warning, so things are as covered as they can be.
One of the first sacrifices is the family vacation in NH. Not as much a sacrifice as maybe it should be, based on my venting in the last post..... I told them all along that my presence was only tentative, and there aren't any arrangements that change because of my coming or not. Susan will be disappointed, but will understand. Since that week was already scheduled off (July 4th week) and Lora already changed her hospital schedule to cover the office, I'm going to do the increasingly popular 'staycation'. There are a lot of things in the area I've never seen; Valley Forge Park is only 4 miles away and while several hikes and drivethroughs are regular for me I've never been on the official tour. There are crystal caves in Lehigh, and I haven't been to the Phila Art Museum in years.... So that week I'm not going to think about organizing or paperwork or anything pragmatic, it will be a true week off from normal stuff, just staying at home. I'm actually very excited about it.
Leaving the house shortly for Joanne's: her one son just graduated high school (making her feel very old!) and the other one middle school. And then there's a summer solstice/full moon party at Fellowship.
Thanks for checking in, Laurie
A 'normal' month will mean working two Fridays, but I've asked Lora, the nurse who works Tuesdays and with whom Fridays are split, for some extra days. Since she can always pick up extra shifts at the hospital she's been very gracious about giving me some of her days. So, happier checking account, more tired me. But everything in life is a trade-off.
I've made a decision which is not fiscally wise, but is making me very happy: another big trip. The same history professor with whom I went to Egypt is doing a tour of Greece & Istanbul (Turkey) in October. While I went to Greece along with my mother with her work group in 1997 this tour will cover areas that we didn't see or weren't there at that point, such as the new Acropolis Museum. Istanbul has long been on my list of places to visit. It's a one shot deal as Ken, the guy who runs these tours, is in his mid-60s and winding down. I checked with my travel agent and she couldn't find anything equivalent. So, despite the fact that I've just gotten back on my feet financially and this will really stretch things, it's just too exciting to me not to go. My mood and incentive to exercise immediately increased, so that means five months of happier me even before going, and then all the lovely pictures and memories afterwards. This is going to require some sacrifices and juggling, but it's something I very much want to do. While no one knows when they will have physical problems it's more a given with me at some point. A part of me thinks that socking as much money away as possible is the most important plan, there are just some times when you have to go with impractical but fulfilling. My decision was made and money already spent before the riots in Athens started this week and increasing unrest in the border of Turkey next to Syria began. I purchased trip insurance, which kicks in if the US declares a travel warning, so things are as covered as they can be.
One of the first sacrifices is the family vacation in NH. Not as much a sacrifice as maybe it should be, based on my venting in the last post..... I told them all along that my presence was only tentative, and there aren't any arrangements that change because of my coming or not. Susan will be disappointed, but will understand. Since that week was already scheduled off (July 4th week) and Lora already changed her hospital schedule to cover the office, I'm going to do the increasingly popular 'staycation'. There are a lot of things in the area I've never seen; Valley Forge Park is only 4 miles away and while several hikes and drivethroughs are regular for me I've never been on the official tour. There are crystal caves in Lehigh, and I haven't been to the Phila Art Museum in years.... So that week I'm not going to think about organizing or paperwork or anything pragmatic, it will be a true week off from normal stuff, just staying at home. I'm actually very excited about it.
Leaving the house shortly for Joanne's: her one son just graduated high school (making her feel very old!) and the other one middle school. And then there's a summer solstice/full moon party at Fellowship.
Thanks for checking in, Laurie
posted by Laurie @ 1:47 PM
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