THE GINGER QUILL

(Now I know what I'm getting hubs this Christmas!)



Beer for the lazy sports fan.

By CAROLYN at 5/15/2008 03:28:00 PM | 4 Friendly Faces  

Up to my neck in alligators!

Be back soon.


Meanwhile: BILL CLINTON, please stop calling me-- I know you're only after one thing and I'm not interested! Capish?


God, I'll be soooooo glad when the Primary is over! ;-)

By CAROLYN at 5/11/2008 10:18:00 AM | 6 Friendly Faces  

Labels: A Shot of Sarcasm, Poli-Tics;

Paying bills is a sure fire way to raise my B/P. Once in a blue moon a bill comes that contains a nice surprise. Yesterday was a half blue moon day. I opened the annual home insurance policy from Nationwide and was pleasantly surprised to see they had raised the coverage amounts on our policy, but what was even more pleasant was the annual rate had actually lowered. I'm sure our membership in the Farm Bureau helped with that, but still, it was nice!

The other half of the blue moon quickly turned black when I found myself writing both the hospital and our insurance company. Last September the hospital billed me for my surgery and 3-day stay, along with all the other jumbled itemized meds and gizmo's they say I had the advantage of being treated to while there. In going over their statement, I realized they had charged me for my prescription meds that I had brought from home and administered to myself daily. What I had paid $5.00 - $15.00 per bottle for, they charged me $5.00 - $15.00 per pill! I called them on it at the time and of course it had to be 'looked into.' A few weeks later someone called back and told me they were sending my bill in for a nurses audit, and after it came back they would send me a revised statement minus the overcharges for those meds.

The revised statement came back and they billed me even MORE than the first time! I called them on it again, but in the Christmas rush I was forgotten. So I 'forgot' about paying them. Meanwhile, I watched for any new statements from my insurance company showing what the new charges they added on were for. I never received anything. Finally, I spoke to someone in the hospital billing department and was told that they charged off the meds I brought with me, but found they had 'forgot' to add a few things the hospital provided. Of course no one can tell me what those few things are. So, I'm formally writing them and my insurance company to tell them my position on the matter is that I am not willing to pay for things they 'tacked on' to the revised bill after their final bill was sent me earlier. Especially since they failed to turn it in to my insurance company first. I am only going to pay the first bill minus my prescription meds. I'm also asking for proof that they contacted my insurance company about their mistake, because initially my insurance covered those prescriptions once already when I bought them at the pharmacy. I threw in a line about 'double billing ones insurance' and a few other legal-beagle things to stir the pot.

I have small veins that are difficult to get blood from, but that doesn't mean I can't draw blood from someone else! That's right baby, bring it!

I went to the grocery store last night, which is not a favorite chore. It's even less fun now that prices have skyrocketed. Do you pay over $5.00 for a gallon of milk in your area? I bought 1% at $3.89 on special. My entire bill was $114.35 which is ridiculous for 2 people in under a week of meals. It was mainly fresh veggies (cauliflower, zucchini, an eggplant, lettuce, green beans, green onions), red grapes and 2 baskets of strawberries, bread, bagels, eggs, yogurt, cheese, milk, Corn Chex, meatless soy sausages, apricot jam, tuna, 1 pack of 4 pork chops, low fat ice cream, dog food and Q-tips. And this was Walmart where prices are low- everyday. Yeah, right :( And I hate Walmart. I only went there because I was already in that shopping center, it was late, and I didn't feel like driving across town to Food City. When I know I'll be dragging groceries in at 9:00 pm I tend to cave to the nearest grocers.

There is a Krogers right above my house, so why didn't I just come home and go there? Because it's more expensive. I only go there for meat because they have the best butcher. At that time of night the butcher is gone though. And Krogers is in WV, where we have higher tax. The others are in VA and are a bit cheaper all around. (Yes, I'm a borderline shopper! Shh...)

Our Governor complains about West Virginian's living in border counties crossing to the other states to shop. It may not look good that the wife of one of his employees shops over the border too, but a buck saved is a buck saved. I not only buy groceries in VA but we shop Lowes and other stores there, and I always fuel my car over there because gas is still cheaper 3 miles away than it is here. I'd go tell him that to his face but I'm too cheap to pay the I-77 turnpike fees between here and Charleston to get there and back. Fees that our tax dollars already pay for the upkeep of, only to stop 3 times coming and going to support a turnpike commission that barely salts the darn thing in the winter! Funny, but the northern part of the state doesn't have tolls from the panhandles south to Charleston. Picture a bunch of robust men in tight plaid suits with cigars and gold watch fobs and you've got the idea of the self-employed dip shits that created a money pot for themselves in the name of better highways for WV. Then think about that while you're dodging and thumping potholes during your scenic drive through 'almost heaven.' Yes, it's beautiful here in Spring, Summer, & Fall but I suggest a walking trail or hike off the highway to fully enjoy the view and keep your car alignment in check.


Ok, I'm done bitchin' now ;-p

By CAROLYN at 5/07/2008 08:57:00 AM | 8 Friendly Faces  

Labels: A Shot of Sarcasm, Discussion; Musing; Ponderance;

Howdy! Looks like I have some catching up here.

Backtrack: Yesterday I waitressed at the Red Cross Bloodmobile canteen. It was fun and I was glad to help out. I was also quite proud of myself for not spilling anything on anyone! ;-)

Wednesday night I attended the African Children's Choir concert here in town. It was fantastic! The Choir was founded in 1984 in Uganda to fund education and relief efforts for African children affected by poverty and disease. Over 7000 children in several African nations are currently being supported through the program. These kids have appeared on American Idol with Josh Groban during Idol Gives Back, Oprah, Ellen, and other shows. The children range in age 7-12, but the ones who performed Wednesday were 7, 8, & 9, all of them orphans as a result of war/poverty stricken areas of Africa.

In a meeting a few weeks ago, we were asked that those who have bedrooms to spare with at least queen-size beds and preferably no pets (some children were allergic), and who were willing to host up to 4 children and a chaperone for a couple of nights to sign up. The reasons for this requirement is that the children don't like to be separated. They are still going through some trauma due to their homeland conditions and they need to stay in small groups together. They sleep 4 to a bed for comfort. They ask host families not to question them about their homeland or families because some of them witnessed their parents death or don't know what happened to their families. Their little lives were shattered early on, but thanks to the Music for Life Organization they have a chance at life with plenty of food, health, and education. I so wanted to host, but we don't have the bed space right now and we have pets.

My neighbor lived in Africa with her husband up until a few short years ago when the government overtook their game preserve and shot and killed her husband. He was a very prominent orthopedic surgeon from here. She kept 4 of the children this week in her home and was overcome with how polite and well behaved they are. She said they always thanked her for the food at every meal, played politely together never raising voices or running through her house like banchees, and honored the otherwise structured lifestyle they lived with prayer, readings, and in bed by 8:30 p.m.

After the show was over and the crowd let out, we couldn't help notice some of our own local kids running around outside kicking empty water bottles into the street, screaming and running all over the place, shoving each other, and their chaperones yelling at them to pick up their trash, get back with their group and get to their bus. What a contrast!!

I can't even begin to tell you about their show without overusing the word "amazing" and "beautiful." They sang, played drums, and danced a very high energy style performance for 1/2 hour, took a 15-minute intermission for water and a change of costume, then did another 1/2 hour of same. The songs and dances were native to Africa, and while some of it was in their native tongue, most songs were in English. Several songs were the same ones most of us learned as kids growing up in church such as "Let It Shine." Their songs were so upbeat we all stood up clapping and dancing along. Just couldn't help ourselves, lol!!

Each of the 25 took time to tell us what they want to be when they grow up, mainly doctors, lawyers, teachers, with the exception of 1 who wants to be a plumber and another who wants to be a "rich doctor" ;-D What they all want in common is a good eduction so when grown they can help those still suffering in Africa. Part of their proceeds from this tour goes to that cause. I highly recommend you see them if the oppportunity arises in your area. Most of their shows are free but you can donate a love offering of your chosen amount. For more information on The African Children's Choir visit this link.

Speaking of dancing- we're watching Dancing With The Stars again. I still watch Idol too (kick me!) and felt bad for Brooke White this week when she got voted off (should've been Jason!) She is a good singer, but needs a little more work to season herself though. I'm hoping David Cook wins because he's "the package." Yes, David A. is good too, but he's still a child and needs a lot of work to ready himself for the big bad world. (It isn't "just" about the vocals in that biz folks!). But I digress...

Back to Dancing-- one of the celeb dancers, R&B singer Mario, is in town prepping for a concert tonite. I'm sure he'll get a good crowd at the Armory. We're not going though because we aren't "into him" and tickets are $80.00/person. There are other things I'd rather spend $160 to see. Besides, in my book he just can't top the African Children's Choir.

That said, I'll leave you to enjoy-- THE AFRICAN CHILDREN'S CHOIR:

By CAROLYN at 5/02/2008 09:00:00 AM | 5 Friendly Faces  

Labels: Catching Up, Discussion; Musing; Ponderance;, News and Muse

This is a busy busy week. Haircuts for the dogs (photos coming!); hoping to get one myself (photo NOT coming! ;); trying to get some Spring cleaning done; tons of laundry; practicing a faux pa paint technique I'm trying in the half bath; medical checkup; attending an African childrens choir concert tonite; serving food at the Red Cross Blood Mobile on Thursday; baking on Friday-- *coming up for air* ;)

It all cuts into my blogging time! I have photos of my new kitchen and will post them once I incorporate them into a slide show. Shouldn't take long, right? Right! If only!

'Till then, here's some more funnies for ya. My friend Toby sent the one explaining Male/Female, I think it's pretty accurate, what about you? :)

You might not have known this,but a lot of non-living objects are actually either male or female. Here are some examples:

FREEZER BAGS: They are male, because they hold everything in, but you can see right through them.

PHOTOCOPIERS: These are female, because once turned off; it takes a while to warm them up again. They are an effective reproductive device if the right buttons are pushed, but can also wreak havoc if you push the wrong Buttons.

TIRES: Tires are male, because they go bald easily and are often over inflated.

HOT AIR BALLOONS: Also a male object, because to get them to go anywhere, you have to light a fire under them.

SPONGES: These are female, because they are soft, squeezable and retain water.

WEB PAGES: Female, because they're constantly being looked at and frequently getting hit on.

TRAINS: Definitely male, because they always use the same old lines for picking up people.

EGG TIMERS: Egg timers are female because, over time, all the weight shifts to the bottom.

HAMMERS: Male, because in the last 5000 years, they've hardly changed at all, and are occasionally handy to have around.

THE REMOTE CONTROL: Female. Ha! You probably thought it would be male, but consider this: It easily gives a man pleasure, he'd be lost without it, and while he doesn't always know which buttons to push, he just keeps trying.






What did the buddhist say to the hot dog vendor?

Make me one with everything.

well... (click HERE; downloads as an MPEG)

Have fun today ya'll ;-D

By CAROLYN at 4/30/2008 08:15:00 AM | 6 Friendly Faces  

Labels: A Shot of Sarcasm, Blogging, Yucks 'n HaHa's