I must have a sign on me

that says, "Mess with me! Make me panic!"

As I was leaving the house this morning, the phone rang. I didn't answer it, but checked my messages on the way to work. The message was from the eye clinic at UIC. They were calling to remind me that I had an appointment tomorrow to fill out paperwork for Hannah's surgery on the 14th, oh, and Cigna is not contracted with us anymore and when we called them they said you would have out of network benefits which means you'll be entered into our system as a self-pay. Pardon me? I called back to UIC and explained that I had filed a Continuance of Care form and had gotten the approval for in-network coverage through Jan 1. She said they had no record of that and when they called Cigna they were told there was no record of that either. Now I have the letter giving me approval. I know right where it is. I call Cigna, with guns drawn. When I finally get a person, they check it and, yep, there it is. I ask her to call UIC, of course she can't do that. I call UIC back, explain that I am just calling to follow up and if they call Cigna they'll get all the approval information they need. She proceeds to look it up and says, "I don't know what the problem is, the letter is right here and HAS BEEN FOR A MONTH." So she's changing the billing back to in-network and my heart rate is slowly returning to normal.
Don't these people understand that when they call and deliver a mistake like this it literally puts people into hysterics???

Gonna blog more....

or at least try to! That is my "Halloween Resolution". Perhaps it will help keep the anxiety level a bit in check. Maybe not.
Today I am fascinated by a continuing issue in our house. Every single morning my children (and I call them that because they are mine, can't deny it) are SHOCKED, SHOCKED I tell you, to realize they have to do the following:
1. Get dressed
2. Eat breakfast
3. Pack a lunch
4. Put their shoes on
5. Brush their hair
6. Brush their teeth
7. Put their coats on

Every day is like a surprise party here. I think I will start saying things like, "Girls, get dressed. SURPRISE!!" "Eat breakfast -- SURPRISE!!"

It must be nice to have every day be a new, exiting adventure with all kinds of intriguing tasks. Unfortunately for me, every day is like the movie Groundhog Day.

p.s. Here are pictures of Emma in her new glasses (or being arrested)

I wanted to let you get the full effect of the green fronts and purple sides

:-D

Why I dislike Halloween

I know Halloween isn't until Friday, but I'm dreading it. Why? Is it because of the obscene amount of money I spend on three costumes? Nope (thanks, Mom!) The neverending doorbell ringing? Not even close. The signal that fall and winter are really here? No.

For me, Halloween signals the end. The end of any real 'free' time I have. There are, from now until after New Years, approximately one kajillion things that need to be done, parties to attend, gifts to buy and wrap. It seems that Halloween, with it's necessary costumes and candy purchases, signals that end for me. And there isn't a thing I can do about it (unless I go on a caramel making strike this year, which I don't think would go over well with all those I have gifted (read addicted) over the years). Sigh.

Guys don't make passes...

Well, it's started. The first of the Markun girls will be getting glasses. For reading the board at school ONLY. Emma is thrilled and picked out a pair with green frames and purple temples. The other girls are already jealous...they don't need to worry, I'm sure it's only a matter of time before they all need glasses, and besides, Hannah has her sunglasses!

p.s. A big thanks to Kelly for pointing me to these cool new backgrounds! Let me know what you think of this one!

Ever have one of those days?

OK...in the grand scheme of things today wasn't that bad, but it was one of those days where everything just kept piling up...
First of all, 2 out of the three girls could not find their gym shoes. Of course it is PE day and it is the end of the world if they don't have their shoes. Where the shoes go, I do not know. We ended up having to make do with older shoes...of course the minute they got home they were able to find their shoes. Uugh. As 'punishment' they had to clean out the bench where the shoes are supposed to be stored of all shoes EXCEPT those that they now wear.
Then I got off work early, which was great! However, I decided to stop to get my favorite candy...Runts. Unfortunately I stopped at three stores and could find NONE. NONE!! BIG EMPTY SPOTS WHERE THEY SHOULD BE.
I was forced to order them from Amazon.com in bulk.

My name is Laura M. and I am an addict.

Oh, and then did I mention that it rained? Sure, rain, no biggie. Except that I have to pick the girls up from school and we have a substantial walk to the car. And it didn't start pouring rain until 3:28....and the girls get out at 3:29.
Welcome to my little world of tragedies....none horrible, but annoying nonetheless.

WE HAVE A SURGERY DATE!!

And, equally as important, WE HAVE INSURANCE APPROVAL!! Whoooooo hooooooo! November 14th is the big day...please keep us all in your prayers!

Picture day - yikes!

Today is picture day. Shouldn't be a big deal, right? WRONG!! Have you seen the order form for picture days lately...allow me to explain....
there are 864 possible choices for your personalized portrait package! That includes adding on extra photos or getting names added to your wallet sized pictures. (Kelly, you may have to check my math!) It took me a good 1/2 hour to decide what package...colored background (which is $4 more) or grey, how many 8x10s? 5x7s? 3 class pictures or just one? Pay for the super deluxe package to get the CD? Get retouching? Oh my God! The INSANITY! In the end, I decided on one of the lower end packages that had my 'requirements' - 1 8x10 for their school book, 2 5x7s for the grandparents and a class picture. Total damages....$108. The good news...the picture companies have entered the year 1990 - you can pay online rather than sending in a check in that funky envelope that never seals properly.