snolan2

So, it's Summer. And in the Summer, Jeannie aint happy unless yard work is being done. Before I go on, I just wanna say the end result is really looking nice.

OK, remember awhile back, the blog entry about the rail ties we removed? Remember I put my foot down and said we would be hiring out for major projects like that again? Welllll….we all know what happens when Steve puts his foot down…

I have been running again, trying to get back into shape. The other day at the gym, I did about 5 miles on the treadmill and my t-shirt was as wet as it would be if I dipped in the pool. When we got home, I took my soaking wet t-shirt off and draped it on the front porch so it could dry without stinking up the house.

Go inside, change, hydrate and hit the yard work. We were finishing the garden we put around the big tree in front. Moving a lot of dirt, digging holes and transplanting plants. I started to sweat again and I jokingly told Jeannie "I am only allowed to get one shirt sweaty per day" … she didn't miss a beat, didn't blink an eye…didn't pause to think about it for one nano second and simply replied while pointing towards the porch…"quick, go put back on the other t-shirt"

So, the doc gives me an Rx. It's long term, in one month amounts.

First Month - Go to Right Aid, get told they don't have any on stock, they can order and it will be there in a few days or they can recommend another of their stores (They have a "national network" don't cha know). I explain that the next day, I am traveling out out town, and ask if I can pick it up at the store in the town I am going to. "You can pick up now, we have some at our Manchester Lakes store". OK, so I drive over to Manchester Lakes. "We don't have any, but there is some at Rose Hill". Rose Hill is the first store I was at…so…I go back, and sure enough, they had it.

Second Month - Almost the same thing. Day before trip to Rome, NY. "We don't have any, but you can check with one of our other stores". I see the sign above the Pharmacists' head that advertises their national network…you know, pick up your Rx anywhere in the US…well, again, I ask…"can I pick it up in Rome NY?". They give me the number to the Rome NY store so that I can call and ask.. Hmmm, I guess the "network" is not the modern sense of the word. So I call the store in Rome and explain that the store in VA doesn't have it and I will be there for 10 days starting the next day. The Rome Pharmacist tells me "we don't have any, we’d have to order and it will take 2 or 3 days" I explain that this is OK, can we order it now? She tells me "No, you have to bring in your prescription" Oh bother….OK, so I explain I will bring it in a day or two. She then explains "But sir, if you bring it in today, we can place the order today" I just love repeating myself, so I explained "I am in Virginia, I will be there tomorrow or the next day" She said "Oh? Virginia? We can't take a prescription written in another state" I look above the counter at the Rose Hill store I am standing in and ponder "just what the heck is that sign mean anyway???" I said never mind, I will go to Wallgreens. When I hung up, the Pharmacist there explained that they do have a months supply after all.

Third Month - I go to the same store… I know, shame on me… but trust me…that is the last time. The Pharmacist tells me they can not fill the prescription because my insurance company requires any Rx's that repeat more than 2 months requires mail order. Gee…could have used that info before I was down to 4 days worth. OK, how do I do the mail order. Oh, simple, you fax in the doctors prescription with this form and your credit card information… only one problem. They can't take the Right Aid renewal Rx, it has to be the doctor's original. Keep in mind, I am getting this info from Right Aid… not my mail order company.

Doc has a policy, no Rx's written without a visit each time - NO EXCEPTIONS. Visit costs me $20 and the Insurance $120. (Note: The Insurance company is the same as the Rx Mail Order). So I call the Rx Mail Order for possible work arounds. . They confirm it…need Doc to write a new prescription…they won't take the Right Refill Rx. They won't take a transfer from Right Aid… I told they guy on the phone "good thing there's no work around and you are the same company as the insurance company…YOU get to pay the Docs office visit bill, I only pay the co-pay,,,way to keep costs down"

Despite my sarcasm, the guy did explain this happens all the time, people just don't realize they have a mail order policy for long term Rx's, so they built into the plan, a 15 day supply policy…I can go back to Right Aid and get 15 days worth…I pay the co pay, the Pharmacy gives me 15 days and discards the other 15 doses as they won't be able to sell them unless someone else has the same need the same day…get this…and the Insurance Company pays the Pharmacy the FULL PRICE. Reread last paragraph about way to cut those costs.

OK, so I make an appointment for the doc, and return to Right Aid to get 15 days worth. The Pharmacist explains they can't do what the Insurance/Mail Order Pharmacy describers. I re-explain and ask if we can call the Insurance Company together. She pretty assuredly stated "no". I thanked her and I thanked God that my prescription wasn't necessary to save my life.

So, I come home and on the porch (not in the mailbox of appropriate size right next to the porch) is a brown box. Yes, there was people home to sign for it… no, nobody had to sign for it. The delivery person just dropped it on the porch. OK, benefit of the doubt…for all I know, he gently set it down. What was it? Oh… Asthma medicine and a medicine for girls only intended for my daughter in Utica NY (Note, I am in Alexandria VA)…from …yup, the same Rx/Insurance company. ..so, I out of pocket rush mailed that off to Utica NY.

When I get home from the post office… there's a voice mail. Hey, it's Right Aid… "Mr Nolan, please call the Rose Hill Right Aid Store at …..". So I took a deep breath and called them, putting on my best smiley face. "Hi, this is Steve Nolan, returning your call" The voice on the other end..the same voice as I had spoken too a few times before at the same store says "Mr. Nolan, after thinking about it, I called your Insurance company and you were right, they will pay for the month's supply and allow me to issue you 15 days worth. So, I have opened the box and separated 15 days worth, would you like to come in and pick up your prescription?"

Hmmm…..already opened the box? Can not sell unless someone buys it that day? Costs over $300 without insurance???? My turn!!!! "Oh, no thank you, I decided you were right and it's not important that I get that medicine"

She faked a disconnect "Hello? Mr Nolan? I am sorry I can't hear you? Are you there?

I smiled and hung up the phone. Went to my docs, paid another Co-pay, got the re-written prescription, sent it off with form complete. Note…Credit card information on the form. Expect the charge to show up any day… a few days went by, no charge…then they call and left a voice mail.

I returned their call, they had no record of them attempting to call me…I gave all my information and gave them my work cell phone to call me back at as the work cell phone is always with me. That was Friday.

They called the house again on Monday "Call us back by Wednesday or we will be forced to cancel your order.

OK, so I call them back. This time, the lady said that my order was on hold because the first order was pending bill payment. I explained that I've only had ONE order. She said, "No, this is your second and neither has been paid"…then it occurred to me…my daughters Rx that was dropped off on the porch 400 miles away was my "first bill".

Oh, I am sorry…I thought they paid that at the doctors office or my mom's credit card.

"No sir, I have no payment information for either prescription." Having filled out mine myself, I asked her to check again…. "oops, I am sorry…both your first order and your second order DO have credit card information, shall I process those credit card numbers?

*blink blink*

You mean you have the first form with credit card information and you are waiting to see how I am going to pay it?

*blink blink*

"Sir, I apologize for the inconvieniance, I will place a rush on your order"

Thank you, just please don't rush it off to Utica.

What does all this mean?

Will we be knocked back to the 1920's soon?

If I understand it correctly, Govt gives big business big tax breaks -> bigger tax breaks for the big companies that ship US jobs overseas -> big business stumbles on Wall Street -> Govt bails out big business with increased income taxes on the middle class American.

Do I have it right?

Is this a Bush plan or a Democratic Congress plan? Is it a good plan? I really don't understand who is at fault, who is to blame or what it all means????

I mean, I understand companies on wall street have to thrive for the economy to thrive, but it seems to me that the rich are still getting richer and the poor are still getting poorer.

On the surface, I mean, without really understanding it, it seems to be, we should treat Wall with the same tough love we are trying with adult children.

We love our free market system, we love our adult children

If we give our adult children endless bail outs and free rides, they don't learn and grow…is this not the same as the free market?

If we allow Wall Street to struggle and work it out for themselves, many companies will fail, but companies that watch for that pot hole the second time around will work it out and succeed….right?

Christmas was goooood.

Risa in Arkansas, planning a move to NY in late January. Spoke to her on the evening of the 24th and again on Christmas morning, Ashley used her phone to do a three way. For a moment, thought the Risa came to NOVA. :(...nope, still in Arkansas.

Ashley spent Christmas afternoon and dinner with us, things went smoothly. We got her a digital camera (so expect her myspace to pick up on the pics. Also got her a bathtub pillow and candles and bath bubbles.

I didn't get to call Drifter, his number is on my personal cell phone, It's currently misplaced, but I will certainly call him as soon as I find it.

Chris and Nicole helped their mom with Christmas dinner in New York and will visit Grandma today. That's when they get the Playstation 2 and DS Lite. I hope they like them.

Adam's Ashlye also spent Christmas afternoon and dinner with us. Adam had to work overnight, but at least got to do dinner with us. Ashlye showed us all up on Ambers new dance video game. I attempted at the extra slow, pre-beginner phase and could not believe I ran a marathon a few years.

Jeannie and I spent our Saturday morning at Red Cross HQ downtown processing holiday greetings to wounded troops. Jeannies shoulder and my blurred face were on CNN, see if you can find us at

When we arrived, I passed the hotel and went a direct route to mom's from the hotel to show  Jeannie the route. Incase she made a trip to or from the hotel without me. So, I point things out that will be easy to remember. Now, keep in mind, Jeannie is from JayHawk territory, JayHawks were the best of their league in the state of PA when she went to school, and Black Nights were the best in our league in New York when I went to school... sometimes we get a little competitive. I point out Fort Stanwix, The parking garage, the old police station, the car wash across from Byrne Dairy and Byrne Dairy, turn left. I point out the Library and the state school for the deaf, and as I am getting ready to point out the old high school, she sniffs twice "I smell crap". This after a 9 hour drive in unseasonably warm weather I think "skunk"? No..."country fresh air"? No, she would have noticed that before S James street....as I am trying to identify what she "smelled", I realize she is laughing. She recognized Black Night territory before I could point it out. ...she is good, but I'll get her for that. (Yoose guys know that JayHawks stole their name from Kansas, right?).

Oh, by the way, RFA lost that night :(

Camden is doing well, had their homecoming on Saturday. Chris looked great in the parade. A couple years ago she was homecoming queen, this year she was a nun from here drama club play. She makes a good nun. They won first prize...drama clubs 8th year in a row getting first prize.

We perspired in the upstate New York October sun like it was August in upstate New York. Mr Gore is onto something. We took a Sunday drive out to Chitenango falls. I will see if I can post the pictures in this blog. 

As always, the vacation was too short, but we had a good time. 4 nights in a row I got a full nights sleep, it was sahweeeet!. Marissa will be going up in late October and Ashley in early November..you know, ...keep grandma on her toes :).

Steven got the cardio results last night, Jeannie still waiting on her MRI results.

Cardio - The heart is A - OK, I just have one of those hearts that beat funny to make a EKG look like I survived a heart attack, but truth is, despite teenagers, ex-wives, smoking, 80 hours a week, the heart has never been arrested (pun intended) and is "normal".

This means I will be running again. - No, I didn't say marathons...just running...2 miles on lazy days, no more than 10 on HOORAH days.

Oh, and the last cardio update I mentioned a new car stereo. The i-Pod thing works just fine...when things work, that's good for the heart. Will be jammin to Beatles, Simon&Garfunkle, Josh Groban, Pink Floyd, Neil Diamond, Michael Buble and others for 9 solid hours without repeating a song (Cept "America", have it by Josh and Simon/Garfunkle).

Will send out my next cardio update in ohhhh, about 30 or 40 years.

You can not (unfortunately) be witness to the conversations I just had with the loving mother of my children, so you are receiving this as witnesses to my intentions.

I, the joint custodial parent to **** and ****, am docking from my next child support payment whatever the costs of the missed dental appointment of May 30th are.

I AM financially responsible for the medical and dental treatment of my minor children, however, in accordance with the Army Jag Separation, the Civilian Lawyers (paid for by MY FAMILY) that represented Kathy, AND the final divorce decree issued by Liberty County, Georgia, AM NOT FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR HER STUPIDITY! I have enough of my own stupidity to cover financially of my own.

I will contact the dental office today and confirm how much is owed. I will also confirm how much of that is treatment vs. how much is missed appointments without warning. Whatever the amount is for missed appointments, I will take care of, BUT I will get back in docked child support.

I am fully aware that Child Support and any other financial situation can not, by law and court order, have any influence and impact on each other. I am bypassing this loophole for the sole purpose of getting the children further dental treatment as needed.

I have confirmed through their mother, that:

1 - She can not make further appointments due to money owed to the dentist.

2 - She does not accept responsibility for her CHOICE to attend an extra-curricular activity AND not notify the dentist for a FREE rescheduling.

3 - The next Child Support payment she receives is needed 100% plus some to do needed brake repair work to continue getting Tom to and from his job. (I have just confirmed with my divorce decree and custody settlement that there is no "Tom" listed in the minor children I am to be supporting).

4. - She denies ever telling me or my mother that myself and my mother are not permitted to make appointments and transport the kids to dental and medical needs.

I have informed her, although not sure of she received the message through her yelling and hanging up that:

1 - By being a joint custodial parent and responsible for their medical coverage, I take her denial in telling us we can not make appointments and transport the kids and permission and legal authority to do so.

2 - I do not pay Tom or Car support, I pay Child Support, and that is for Children.

3 - I am doing my best to ensure the kids get the best dental treatment while I still have the Red Cross dental coverage. I will continue to do so with the NCI dental coverage, but I will not assume financial responsibility for her choices to miss appointments, choose social activity over the appointments that she misses, and most importantly, issues that SHOULD have been handled LONG before I lost Red Cross bennies.

4 - This is not about me, this is not about her, this is about getting the treatment that the kids both need and she has known about since sometime BEFORE May 30th.

At the end of the day, we can work together on getting the treatment the kids need or we can work against each other. We now know we will be losing a benefit that helps soon. We've known since before May 30th that treatment was needed. I, the parent that is 400 miles away, will get this done one way or the other.

From the sounds of her voice and the words out of her mouth, legal litigation will not surprise me. In her view, I am taking away "HER" money by losing any hours over 40 a week that I have been working for nearly 2 years. In her view, I "cheated" her out of "HER" money when Marissa's Child Support follower her to College. (Yes, Marissa, the one that she told "when you are 18, you are on your own" and was followed on by Tom, "Don't look at me, I'm not your father". ). With Ashley in Virginia, and Marissa in College, She has been receiving support for 2 children that is only a few dollars different from the original amount she was receiving for all 4.

One of the things she screamed at me was "You have been changing the amount WITHOUT court order all along". Well, yes, I agree to that, the only true statement she made. Indeed, I have raised the child support with every single raise, over time and additional jobs over 40 hours without so much as being told by one single judge to do so. When I took on the 2nd job, I upped the support dramatically without saying anything to her for the first 3 months, she never questioned it. Finally, I asked her if she noticed the additional amount, she got real quiet. Realizing that she was scared the "I figured out the overpayment" I let her off the hook and told her "It's OK, you don't owe me anything, I got a 2nd job and that's the kids' share of the additional income", she sighed with relief and in 2 blinks of an eye, it became the expectation.

If this ends up in court, no worries. First, I am documentedly able to prove that at any given time, I am 6 weeks ahead in Child Support. If any judge is unable to see that simple logic, well, a wise man once told me, "hold your hands towards the judge as if they were in cuffs, and inform him that while you are in jail the kids will get support, dental and medical through the tax payers of New York state and those same tax payers will be providing food and housing for you".

What the poor manipulator doesn't realize, is that when the dust settles, the full time job that I will have, will be with the same employer who was so helpful in getting me the time to go to New York to litigate the Ashley custody.