Wednesday

CharmedPam

How’s everyone’s hump day turning out?

Last week I bought the Good American jeans that were on sale, since the 5’9 model looked like they were long enough on her.  I got them yesterday.  They are long enough! 33.5” and 34” inseam. Why did I think I needed a 36”? That was a little exaggerated.  And they’re the perfect fit.  They are the pull on ones and I’m seeing them EVERYWHERE. On Monday at work, we were talking about how uncomfortable jeans are. I mentioned how the pull on ones are comfortable and dont have the zipper or button and they all laughed at me. But they’re in style!!!! Especially if the Kardashians tell me they are lol.

Tonight is the bunco party and this morning I went to make my cemetery brownies. I went into my decorating kit and I had completely forgot I already had tombstone molds. And a candy warmer!  I was going to pipe them out and use a double boiler to melt them but now I have perfect tombstones without the aggravation.  A bit big, but oh well.  I love when things work out! 

charlotte989875

I also really like the Good American jeans @CharmedPam! 

ILoveBeachMusic

I should tell DD about those jeans but they might still be too short. She is almost 6' tall. 

I think H and I are going to go out this afternoon and explore a part of town we haven't been to in a really long time. However, if it starts raining we will regroup. Loving this warmer weather though.

charlotte989875

H and I had to assess health insurance last night. My company is changing our vendor so we have to change anyway. His open enrollment ends before mine begins so it’s fun trying to figure out what to do. And have everything in place with my January due date. So I’m tired because we were up figuring this out last night. 

banana468

@charlotte989875 that is my least favorite time of year.  DH and I have to do this soon and our open enrollment periods have maybe  1 day overlap.  His company assesses a financial penalty and charges their employees who are eligible to have insurance through their employers an additional cost on top of the 'insure the family fee' so as of 7 years ago I went on my employer's insurance.  

They don't ask if you're a SAHM by choice or if you run your own company and don't offer yourself insurance.  Nope - let's only penalize the spouses who work.  Screw you patriarchy.

Now we need to figure out if my coverage or his will be better for Chiquita.  It's still likely  his but we know we're in for at least 4 more years of expensive visits so we need to look into this with fine eyes and see which is better AND make sure that we spot any changes in policy and # well before Chiquita's next appointment.    In September we had an epic game of phone tag to make sure her infusion was covered and I don't want to show up to a late January appointment wondering if 2024 is going to start this game again. 

charlotte989875

That’s infuriating @banana468, I can’t believe they charge a fee for family plans (in addition to it in general costing more). 

My company only offers a high deductible plan, but his offers that plus two different PPO plans so it was impossible trying to figure out where we’d be better off given we know we’ll hit any deductible (and likely an OOPM) in the first month of the year. Im still not sure we made the right choice. 

banana468

charlotte989875 said:

That’s infuriating @banana468, I can’t believe they charge a fee for family plans (in addition to it in general costing more). 

My company only offers a high deductible plan, but his offers that plus two different PPO plans so it was impossible trying to figure out where we’d be better off given we know we’ll hit any deductible (and likely an OOPM) in the first month of the year. Im still not sure we made the right choice. 

They have the family plan cost plus a surcharge if you elect to be on their plan AND you decline the coverage your employer offers.

We calculated that it would cost us an additional $1300 / year for me to be on DH's insurance.  So instead I'm on my company's health insurance and the kids and he are on his insurance.   I stay on his for vision and dental. 

The kicker?  He has one coworker whose wife is a SAHM and quit her high paying job by choice.  No penalty when she's making a choice to not be a working person.  And his other coworker runs her own company creating vacation tours to a European destination.  She's her own employer and does not offer herself insurance.  

It's more and more common for companies to do it but I hate it and strongly dislike that it's legalized ways to offer different benefits to your employees. 

STARMOON44

charlotte989875 said:

That’s infuriating @banana468, I can’t believe they charge a fee for family plans (in addition to it in general costing more). 

My company only offers a high deductible plan, but his offers that plus two different PPO plans so it was impossible trying to figure out where we’d be better off given we know we’ll hit any deductible (and likely an OOPM) in the first month of the year. Im still not sure we made the right choice. 

I think a better way of doing this is giving employees an incentive to opt out of company insurance if they have another option. Feels much less punitive. 

banana468

STARMOON44 said:

charlotte989875 said:

That’s infuriating @banana468, I can’t believe they charge a fee for family plans (in addition to it in general costing more). 

My company only offers a high deductible plan, but his offers that plus two different PPO plans so it was impossible trying to figure out where we’d be better off given we know we’ll hit any deductible (and likely an OOPM) in the first month of the year. Im still not sure we made the right choice. 

I think a better way of doing this is giving employees an incentive to opt out of company insurance if they have another option. Feels much less punitive. 

I agree and wish my prior employer did that when I *was* on DH's insurance.

Fundamentally I loathe that it's a benefit companies offer with legal strings that they can attach.   I don't know that I'm in favor of single payer but I also have a strong dislike of the current system and protocols. 

CharmedPam

ILoveBeachMusic said:

I should tell DD about those jeans but they might still be too short. She is almost 6' tall. 

That’s what I thought too, when i saw 34”.  My other long jeans are 36”.  Granted, I’m not all leg but I am 5’11.8 lol. These good Americans are plenty long (the flare design) even with boots! I’m wondering if they’re even 34 (and 35.5)?

ugh, you have a lot to think about this year @banana468.  I’m actually surprised I haven’t been invited for a open enrollment seminar yet either.

VarunaTT

I am thankful every year that I don't have to worry about anyone but myself when it comes to health insurance.

I need to get in for an eyeball appointment, badly, but I just don't want to.  I'm really ready for these weekly allergy shots to be over b/c it's interrupting my regular medical care.  Ijust hate going to the doctor right now because I"m doing it once a week.  Got my flu shot this morning at work, so happy about that.

I'm so excited for WuTang Clan!!!!  I got my clear backpack to take in, my outfit planned, hotel is booked, just need to get a clear plastic water bottle now and i'll be set!  Ready for the end of this week, honestly.

CharmedPam

For those who had to put their heat on - did you have to turn the air on again? I did!!! It was just too hot in my place and it’ll be that way till Friday. 73 on Friday!

Casadena

@charlotte989875 and @banana468 good luck with insurance stuff. It's a total racket. 

@CharmedPam I will cut any expense needed except utlities. I will flip back and forth all fall/spring if needed. I absolutely loathe being uncomfortable in my house. So yes our air is on all week after having heat for the last 2, lol. 

ei34

Ugh hate all the health insurance bs! My insurance is good, the snafu when exH lost his job that murked up some things is fixed, my main irk is that my union offers a $7,000 payout, annually, to anyone who opts out. Kind of automatically excludes anyone ages 26-64 who is not married. The Union reps all benefit of course and refuse to change it, but I definitely get pangs of jealousy at the clips of conversations I overhear “were between Disney and universal with this year’s opt out money” “okay, we set aside four years of the opt out, time to renovate the basement”. Boooo

I am happy to share that oldest has been in a strong place, emotionally, this past while.  She had a breakthrough in counseling last month and her counselor told me yesterday that she is ready to start weaning off from every week, to 3 weeks on, one week off, with an eventual goal of working down to every other week.  She’s seemed calmer for a while, but I was thrilled to hear it out loud. (And DD is excited to go straight from school to trick or treating next week, since next week will be the first skip and it’s Halloween.)

Casadena

Just finished a special project that our division VP pulled me into yesterday. Kind of a pet project for the CEO, so that made me feel pretty good. Kind of annoyed and bored with my job so hopefully more fun projects come up soon. 

G has outpatient chemo tomorrow and start his hard week of meds. H will be home with him Friday and i'm home with him Monday and Tuesday. Hoping he feels good enough to go to his halloween party Tuesday morning at least for a little bit. He's so excited about it. If he feels good this round we might try the zoo on Saturday! Otherwise just hanging out.

ei34

Sending healthiest vibes G’s way @Casadena

short+sassy

@CharmedPam, congrats on finding good jeans and your cookie molds.  We put the heat on occasionally a couple weeks ago (I think), but are back to running the a/c at night and occasionally during the day.  

It is no stress for me on choosing my annual benefits.  But that's only because I have no choices (sigh).  My H doesn't have a f/t job, so no benefits.  And my company only has one high-deductible option for medical insurance. 

Every year just MY portion of the insurance is about $3K/year, that's for both me and my H.  My employer's portion is substantially more.  Then another $2-$4K/year OOP.  And every year the only thing my insurance pays for is a wellness visit/pap smear with my OB/GYN.  I don't spend enough OOP for them to cover anything else.  BUT, I do get the "discounts" they've negotiated with pharmaceutical companies and medical providers which does save me over $8K/year.

Speaking of which, I'm skipping out of work tomorrow morning to get fasting bloodwork for my endocrinologist appointment next week.  I'm planning to swing by a nearby grocery store on my way back to work to finally get my flu and COVID booster shot.

For the first time in my life, I am really excited about and can't wait for this doctor's visit to hear about my bloodwork stats, lol.  I've been taking two new medications since my last visit and I think every stat is going to be a marked improvement.  Some of the differences I can literally see.  Like my weight loss, taking substantially less insulin, and better blood glucose numbers.  And some I suspect will be better because those are better, like my cholesterol levels. 

I also think my thyroid levels are normal because, of all weird things, I'm growing hair on my arms and legs again.  I usually have zero hair on my arms and legs but on the rare occasions when my thyroid levels have been normal, that is the only time I do.

climbingsingle

Hi everyone! I’ve been MIA and I have some updates. 

A little over 3 weeks ago, I was fired from my job. To say it was a shock would be an understatement. In all my years I have never been let go from a job. I wasn’t really given a reason; just that they were going “in a different direction”. 

But for the good news - I accepted a new job yesterday! My commute is much, much shorter. The company has so many great perks (free lunch, on-site yoga, amazing benefits) and I’m so excited. I start next Monday!! 

Casadena

omg @climbingsingle what a shitshow!!! I'm so glad you were able to find another job (especially with great sounds perks!) so quickly!!!  

CharmedPam

Wow, @climbingsingle! What a month!  I’m also glad you got a job so quickly.  One of my friends was let go too, and got a job almost right away.  Higher pay, better benefits, also work from home.  One of her friends said she just got the revenge body of jobs! Lol.  Sounds like you did too!

hope your results are great @short+sassy! I, too, finally have better #’s for the first time in years. 

MNNEBride

Oh @climbingsingle losing a job out of the blue really sucks but it can take you places you never dreamed of.  Sounds like your next adventure is a good one!

climbingsingle

Haha it definitely feels like the revenge body is jobs! And great for your friend too! 

STARMOON44

climbingsingle said:

Haha it definitely feels like the revenge body is jobs! And great for your friend too! 

So happy to hear the good news and hope you’re doing ok after what must have been a very busy few weeks!

short+sassy

@climbingsingle, that's amazing!  I'm excited for you.  It's so upsetting to suddenly lose a job out of nowhere.  But when it opens the door to an even better opportunity, it makes me believe in the positive side of karma.

I had that happen to me years ago.  I was unexpectedly laid off from one job.  They'd even had a company-wide meeting only one month earlier that "even though times are tough right now, we have no intention of letting anyone go because we've worked so hard to build the great staff we have".  AHs.

I was in the first round of layoffs. It was a Wednesday.  I snagged a better, higher paying job that was closer to my house the next week.  Started on Monday.  I was only out of work for 10 days and my previous employer had given me two weeks severance pay, so I didn't even lose any income.

ei34

What an emotional roller coaster @climbingsingle! Congrats on already finding a new job and the improved commute. The old place sounded like it could be a dumpster fire sometimes, hoping your new workplace is a better environment 

levioosa

I’m sorry your last month has been so stressful @climbingsingle but I’m happy you found a much better place! If I remember correctly there were a lot of annoying politics and shenanigans at your old job. 

climbingsingle

ei34 said:

What an emotional roller coaster @climbingsingle! Congrats on already finding a new job and the improved commute. The old place sounded like it could be a dumpster fire sometimes, hoping your new workplace is a better environment 

Thanks everyone! 

Yeah, honestly I could see things really going bad there. This place seems like a breath of fresh air.