Just a saturday

Got my results back.. strange that even though it was good news (I passed the stone) the Doctor himself was the one who called. Very cool.

Went to the International festival today after work, it was alright, but there just wasn't a whole lot going on – though a LOT of food! Finally got my gyro though!!

Weary

I am quite aware that I have done this to myself. My health problems, for the most part, are due to my own foolishness – as a young woman and as an older woman.

Now, as I have been dealing with the repercussions of my own stupidity, I wonder how much more I'll have to face.

I have never liked telling people, "Oh I have this, I had that, this, happened to me, that happened to me…" Drives me crazy when people almost BRAG about their illnesses and diseases – and to be quite frank - growing up in my family it never seemed that anyone really cared anyway, so it's hard to move past that.

Now, today, one more thing hit my plate of crappy health issues. Nothing serious or long term, or should be anyway, but one more thing I have to keep in my mind as I live my daily life… and again I await test results… is it something big? Is it something small?

I grow weary.

The Big Wedding!

We got back to the hotel at about 2:30 pm to finally meet up with Debbie and Terry in the Casino, got to sit and have a cup of coffee (or tea for dear Debbie) and talked for a few minutes before Mike, Joie and I had to get showered for the wedding.

The Wedding… wow!

AMAZING! BEAUTIFUL!

Jamie looked like one of those brides right out of the magazine, Chris looked exceedingly nervous.

The wedding itself was informal, but still had an incredibly sacred element to it. The scenery at the club was outstanding.. There was a guitarist strumming in the background

All together – it was breathtaking.

Unfortunately – being the dingbat I am, I forgot my camera – but here is a photo of the bride and groom from the reception - which also was amazing!

Reno day 2

Let me see, where were we??

Oh yes, Reno!!

After waking up on Friday morning, I text family and in a few met for breakfast at Biscotti’s. (by the way.. great potatoes) and I was very excited to find out the waitress could get soy for my coffee.

Mike and Joie and I decided to get ourselves together to go to Virginia City, NV.

There we met all sorts of interesting people.

Here you see Diamond Jim

He was in the visitors center – helping people find things to do and tours to go on. He made suggestions for a stagecoach ride and a mine tour.

After we bought our tickets and headed down the street, I began to hear “ching, ching, ching” the sound of spurs kept getting louder. I looked up and the first thing I saw was a red sash. It was a COWBOY ala Tombstone!

He challenged me to tell him who he was and if I was right, he’d allow me take a photo with him. Well that was easy.. the mustache, the sleek hair, the dark clothing, why it was JOHNNY RINGO!!! Having guessed correctly – I got my prize!

Yes, strange as it seems, it excited me greatly to have photo taken with this man.

We stayed in Virginia City for a few hours, but then headed back to Reno for the main event. The WEDDING!!!

My Trip to Reno

I am sitting here with one sore back. I’ll get in to that in a bit.

Early, early Thursday morn, I flew out of OKC to attend my nephews wedding. It was an easy trip to Reno, the flights were easy, no problems, and I landed in Reno at just after 10am. The weather was B-E-A-UTIFUL! I missed the shuttle to the Peppermill by just minutes so I had to sit and wait for the next one. Normally that would be irritating, but I found myself sitting next to a wonderful older woman and her husband. She regaled me with stories about her many trips to Reno and all the things I really should spend time doing while I was there. Sadly, there is no possible way I could do all the things she suggested, but promised her I would try and do at least one.

I had reservations at the Peppermill Spa/hotel/casino and hoped that I would be able to check in early, so with my hopes in hand, I made the call. YES! They had a room available as soon as I got there! WOO-HOO!

When the shuttle stopped, I all but ran inside this beautiful hotel – well at least on the outside it exuded class. Wonderful Tuscan designs were the backdrop to many, many statues and water fountains. I was so excited to see the hotel – only to find the inside was definitely a casino. Neon flashed and the sound of clinking coins filled the air.

That’s OK – once I got in my fabulous room, nothing else mattered. It didn’t take long for my sister, Joie to find me. I was only in my room for a few minutes when I got her text.

We got together, hugged and did the “OMG!” thing grabbed some suits and went to the pool!! An AMAZING POOL!!! Warm and with beautiful statues and waterfalls. ~sigh~

Joie and her husband Mike were heading up to Virginia City on Friday and asked if I wanted to go along… I'll blog about that, THE WEDDING, the Aunties, Uncle and my cuz later!!

Stay Tuned!!

A Movie Review

Today we went to see the new Quinton Tarantino film

Inglourious Bastards.

This film stars Brad Pitt as Lieutenant Aldo Raine, who takes great pleasure in bringing together eight Jewish soldiers on a mission behind the lines of Nazi occupied France.

Their goal? To Kill and Terrorize the Nazi Army.

They (and a few extras they find along the way) become a rather painful thorn in the side of Nazi Germany and in particular, the German hierarchy.

At the same time, we watch another story line of how a scared young Jewish girl finds herself in the situation of having to play hostess to the man who murdered her family, as well as Hitler himself.

The two stories parallel one another until finally explosively colliding in a very fictional (but cheer worthy) ending to WW2.

As any Terantino film, there is an immense amount of violence, far too much blood and a whole lot of great energy.

Would I recommend – yes, but remember – it is Quinton Terantino – the man who brought us Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction and the Kill Bills – not for the faint of heart and definitely not for children.

An open Letter

Dear Mr President, Members of  Congress and all who wish to read:

As I have been watching the Town Hall meetings, reading the editorials, watching the endless commercials and reading blogs from both sides of the health care debate, there are few things I would like to add.

We were a military family for 17 years,  both suffering through and benefiting from the Military Health Care system.

With this care, we have been able to get surgeries, casts, medication, and MRI’s for no cost, and these are good things.  There are also many, many other things that we need to consider.

I have gotten on the phone at 7 am hoping to get a same day appointment for urgent care for UTI’s and being told to call back in the morning or go to the ER and waiting 7 hours there because so many people are coming in who couldn’t get in and see their Primary care physician

I have dealt with  doctors who push you through because they are only allowed 15 minutes per patient but yet were 1 hour or more past our appointment time.  

After leaving the military – our family has no health care insurance.. my husband did through VA, for what’s that worth. 

After some time we did get health insurance, and though it does cost quite a bit, we can see a doctor when we want, and have prescription coverage, dental coverage and eye exams. Some of it is rather confusing, but we do muddle through

The VA health care… well that’s another thing. The VA has been good to my husband as far as dealing with service related injuries, however, to make an appointment for urgent care, or even a follow-up for something more going on with his service related injuries we are told it takes TWO MONTHS to see his doctor. 

Please,  when considering health care reform, please understand, you are a high level government official, getting in to see a doctor is easier for you and faster.  Your name alone would bump me and my family (as we were several times while in the military when a Generals kid was ill)

Government run health care is a travesty for those who are not in power, regardless of the form. 

You cannot get into your physician, and in the end, the cost to the individual, through taxes, will hurt our personal finances. 

If you tax the rich, they would either pass that down to us in cost or lower wages, or even move out of the country.  There are not tax cuts in the world will pay for this monstrosity.

Start over.  Move slowly,  find cost savings so insurance and physicians can both lower cost..

It can be done, but not by pushing it through to keep egos intact.

Thank you,

Vicki in Oklahoma