Insurance sucks!!!

Let me be the first to admit, I am not the sharpest tool in the shed. So would someone explain the purpose of insurance...medical or auto. For now I will concentrate on medical.

How is it you pay (or they deduct from your wages) an UNGODLY amount for insurance to cover your medical bill in the event of a sickness or injury and when said malady happens the insurance company actually decides what they will actually pay or not pay for.

One of the regulars at the restaurant where I work has recently found themselves in a very bad medical position. They find themselves there because they could not afford insurance therefore, when they weren't feeling well, they didn't go to the doctor because they knew they couldn't afford it. Well, putting it off was the worst thing to do because they finally ended up in the hospital, with part of the long intestines taken out, then resulting in a major infection, jaundice and heart problems. This has been a six week stay and I can't help but think, if America was like every other major country and we had social medicine...this person would have gone when there was pain and avoided all the rest. It seemed the gall bladder needed to come out...but since it was put off...other problems arose and now they might not make it out seeing this person is older and their body might not be able to take it.

Is there a system if checks and balances for the insurance industry or are they allowed to keep fleecing the public? Seriously...somebody please...we need reform.

Love Me if you Must

Love Me If You Must is apparently the first novel for Nicole Young. When I look for books to read, I always read the first couple of pages. If I am interested I read the book, if I can't get past the first page or two, I know I will never get into the book.

So when I read the first page of this book, I thought that it would be a great mystery with some humor.

This book is about Patricia "Tish" Amble. She has moved to a small town in my home state of Michigan. She buys old Victorians and renovates them. Tish has a past that she's running from and ends up moving in next to a cop, Brad. Her other neighbors include a nosey community watch lady (she's serious about that job) and a very handsome David, British and recently separated. As Tish sets about renovating the Victorian, she finds an old cistern in the basement she wants to demolish. She has a crew come in to help and finds out she needs permission from the city council since it is a historical house. As she is discussing the details with the crew, she sees a body trapped in the cement of the cistern. It seems however she is the only one that sees it. Adding to the apparent mystery of the body, she also looks like someone who used to live in this small town, someone who left under bad circumstances.

Add to the mix that both Brad and David seem enamored with her, there's a lot going on in this book, maybe too much. It was an enjoyable read and I understand why she threw out so many characters, but sometimes it seemed like to much. The ending was harsh to say the least. She has so much going on throughout the book, it feels like she just ran out of steam and creativity at the end and just slapped it together to be done with it.

She does have a sequel Kill Me If You Can which I may read, but I'm not sure if I really care enough about her character to read on...





I give it a 2 out of 5

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

I just finished reading The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate Dicamillo with my 9 year old. It was a wonderful story about a china rabbit doll named Edward Tulane, owned, dearly loved and cared for by Abilene Tulane. We hear Edward's innermost thoughts and learn that he really doesn't care about anyone other than himself. Abilene's grandmother tells a story one night to Edward and Abilene. She tells a tale of a princess who loves no one but herself and happens upon a witch when she's lost in the woods. The witch turns her into a warthog to teach her about love. When Abilene's grandmother finished the story, she leans over and whispers in Edwards ear that he disappoints her, as if she knows he's alive and that he is self-centered.

The next day the family sets out on a cruise to England. Poor Edward is tossed overboard by two boys playing keep-away from Abilene. This begins Edwards journey to discover emotions he thought were beneath him. He learns to love, but that sometimes it hurts. He finds that maybe it was better not to have loved. He meets sweet characters, and others that are at the bottom of what the human race has to offer. He is something different to each "owner" he meets...a friend, a child, hope. He not only learns to love, but he learns sorrow, frustration, despair, joy and heartbreak.

This was a wonderful story with short chapters, so it was a great night time book. We made it through in a couple of days. Be warned, though, we did cry at one point. Its a tough one for the tender-hearted...but it encompasses lessons we would all do well to learn.

I give it a 5 out of 5.

Customer = Guest

Why are customers now "guests"? Like I have invited them to my home? I don't understand this form of pc-ness. Let's face it...they are customers, they come in to buy something. In my case its food, brought to them, drinks continually full, and a smile with "yes sir" for every whim they have. Sounds more like heaven to me, but I digress.

If they are guests, I would tell them to help themselves to anything in the kitchen whenever they wanted something. I'm not big into the home-entertaining that involves serving elaborate foods, and appetizers. If your thirsty - you know what a fridge looks like, open it up and get something.

If you think about it, "guest" is a downgrade.

At work, I listen to more than my fair share of complaining and griping. (Again, something I really wouldn't get from a "guest" at my house....cause I don't ask those people to come over.) People try to get something for nothing a lot of the time at our restaurant. Honestly, when can you go to a restaurant, order something off the menu, then decide you don't like it, for no other reason than your specific palate preferences, and then expect to order something else at no cost??? I had no idea you could order food and "taste-test" with out having to pay for each entree.

Seriously...you're killing me.