Blogging is still a bit of a struggle for me, but I want to blog, so I was thinking of going back to a Monday round up of what I've been up to and see if that jump starts me.
LIFEThe Kaiser insurance saga continues. I haven't been able to access my online account (I can see past records but not do anything new - including contacting my Dr and filling prescriptions) for over 5 months. As of my last phone call in November, they told me it would take 30-45 days to add me back to the account. So I waited and it, of course - was not fixed so I called. Welp, they were never working on it because it somehow got listed as a billing issue that they resolved (They did have my wrong mailing address that also had to be fixed but that's not THE problem). I am at my wits end and have no idea how to get them to fix this. They know what the problem is but it somehow never goes to the right people in IT to get fixed.
We got a new refrigerator but the door got dented coming up the stairs. I'm not upset about that at all - because it's a bitch lugging something that heavy up our winding stairs. However, I need a new door and OF COURSE they are so sorry and want to make it right but don't actually make it right or respond.
The weather has been rainy and I've been stuck inside a lot which makes things worse but it has finally cleared out and we've been able to get out with the dogs a little more often.
But...whatever - I'm just tired of it all and that's just me venting into the void lol
Moving on...
I HAVE BEEN READING!!!!
I've read 1 ARC, 2 graphic novels and I'm listening to an audiobook. Go me!
Volumes #2&3 of The Heartstopper series by Alice Oseman is just pure sweetness (even though it does tackle more serious issues - bullying, eating disorders, coming out, cutting - just to name a few things that have been touched on so far but mostly from the side of supportive family and friends - not the actual events as much). Also, my brain can't handle too much and breezing through the graphic novels has been nice. I'll be starting #4 today and then I'll be all caught up.
I also want to start Oseman's Radio Silence at some point. Greg's Book Haven features and recommends that one quite a bit and I have it on my Kindle.
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert is the first arc I've requested in a very long time. I love Hibbert's snarky and witty banter, ability to incorporate real life issues (like disability and mental illness) while still delivering low angst romance. This is her first YA novel and (mostly) delivered the goods. I hope to have a review up soon.
Partners in Crime but Alisha Rai is described on Goodreads as Indian matchmaking meets Date Night and the audiobook is a lot of fun so far. It's sort of a second chance romance while on the run and it's a nice change of pace for romance.
Strange World on Disney - this movie had so much bad press and reviews and, really, the trailer didn't do it any favors but it was so cute! Glad we gave it a chance. It was a great story about family and expectations, had a fun twist and was a fun adventure. The Rig Amazon Prime - Kevin was really the one who watched this, I was mostly reading in the background lol - but it was kind of cool and kept grabbing my attention. Kevin liked it. Described as eco-horror - an oil rig team has to survive a looming storm and an attack on their crew by an unknown entity.
The Pale Blue Eye on Netlfix - a detective (Christian Bale) investigates the grisly murders at the US Military Academy with the help of Edgar Allan Poe - who is a West Point cadet at the time. Moody, dark and twisted - it has an interesting premise but I thought it was just ok. But I'm also not big on period pieces.
Misc...
I've also been cooking a lot more. I've mostly been using my bread machine or finding easy, healthier make ahead things for Kevin to take to work. Would anyone be interested in seeing more of those types of posts?
We saw otters on our walk at the local park yesterday! I saw them 2 weeks ago too, but I could get close enough to take a picture because the dogs were spooking them. Kevin didn't believe me lol so I'm glad he saw them too this time.
That's it for now. I'd love to hear what you've been up to - reading, watching etc... I've trying to be better at blog hopping too.
I think I would be frustrated if it was taking 5 months to fix something that should not be that hard to fix. You need to complain. Demand a manger call you. That's ridiculous, and I work in complaints, so I see ridiculous stuff all the time. Good luck! Hey, it's great you're reading. I have heard a lot of great things about the Hibbert book.
ReplyDeleteI've had 4 tickets for the problem, had 2 complaints filed with Kaiser (they just sent me a letter saying sorry, hope it was resolved). Jen (ryland) gave me a # to file a complaint with the insurance board. So that might be my next step.
DeleteYes! I'M READING!! It's a 2023 miracle lol
Otters? That is so cool.
ReplyDeleteI love all kinds of posts so yes, I would love to see more of that.
I hope they can get the insurance stuff figured out soon. That is just ridiculous that it is taking so long to figure out.
I had heard rumors about otters being in there but had never seen them myself. So to see them twice in two weeks was fun. There were also a few Great Herons. And it's just a park right int he middle of a (small) city so even weirder and cooler.
DeleteI think you might get a variety of posts just because I don't think I can do a straight up book blog anymore lol
Because I just said that and my brain is so contrary - I'll read non stop and do dozens of reviews now lol
Sorry about the insurance mess - that's frustrating! I'm dealing with a few of my own billing / medical / insurance issues right now so I now how not fun that is. I hope the fridge door replacement gets sorted out soon too! Ooh I always enjoy posts about with cooking and especially healthy cooking easier !
ReplyDeleteI think we are all dealing with some sort of complaint these days. I have a few other ones going on but at least they are of less consequence than the insurance so I'm trying to be calm lol
Deleteit all wears you down after a while though.
There is nothing more frustrating that trying to navigate the various departments to get something resolved. We got back from our cruise on Sunday to see that the onboard credits we had were never applied to our final bill. They showed that the credits were lost (non-refundable) and that my card was charged for what the credits should have covered. Of course when I called the company, they told me that the "final bill" I received wasn't yet finalized and that they could see no charges on their end. I have to wait 48 hours for everything to settle before they can do anything. It was a frustrating end to an otherwise relaxing vacation.
ReplyDeleteWhat a *fun* surprise after a relaxing vacation. It seems like it will be fixed so that's great but you really don't know for sure until it is so that's stressful.
DeleteUghh Do you have anything like an ombudsman office that you can escalate the insurance issue to?
ReplyDeleteI enjoy learning what people are cooking
Wishing you a great reading week
I had a complaint filed but the insurance just emailed me back apologizing and saying the hope it is fixed. It is not fixed lol It's like screaming into a void at this point.
DeleteBut...I continue to read so that's awesome!
Your vignettes are so funny and cute! Same goes for the otter pic.
ReplyDeleteThe insurance thing is unbelievable...sometimes it feels like no one is doing their job anymore, regardless of the department or even the country. Everyone doing the bare minimum and not picking up the pieces. I lowkey hope you can get ahold of someone who can solve the issue ("lowkey" in case hoping too fervently sorts the opposite effect LOL). Same for the refrigerator door...
But YAY for reading! 😊
Exactly. I don't know that anyone even cares. My MIL is having the same problem with her insurance for my FIL. It's just phone call after phone call and she even went to the insurance office in person. It seems like they understand and are fixing it but nope.
DeleteIt's like this with EVERYTHING big and small. Just some things , like insurance, are a necessity that must be fixed.
Thank you - I of course doodle around in pic monkey instead of blogging lol but it does motivate me to post after.
Omg those issues, sigh, I would be loosing it
ReplyDeleteYou've had a lot going on too!!
DeleteSometimes posts like this are the easiest to return to blogging with. it sounds like you're having an absolute nightmare with the insurance, why is it so difficult to sort? It sounds like you need to find that amazing person who seems to link all the problems together and get them sorted and it doesn't seem like you've quite got there yet. Hopefully it's sorted soon. Yay for getting some reading done! I know when I was in my who knows what number slump of the year I felt like throwing a party after each book I successfully made it through, it's the little things.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I reach people on the phone who get what my problem is but once it goes to IT then...nothing lol
DeleteI'm not even in a slump. I just really didn't feel like reading anymore. But yes, I find wrap-up style posts are SO much easier!
The insurance issue sounds maddening. I can't believe they cant get it right and just fix it. Ugh. I love seeing Heartstopper and hearing that you've read the first two volumes. I have so much love for those characters. It took me by surprise because I typically pay no mind to graphic novels. I'm so glad I gave those a chance.
ReplyDeleteI read the first graphic novel years ago then watched the series. So, I bout the next 3 volumes. I only have #4 left. IT's such a calming kind of story that feels like a warm hug.
DeleteThat sucks about the fridge. Denting the door good grief.
ReplyDeleteI hope you like Radio Silence! Thanks for the shout out. I should re- read it. Let me know when you get to it (if you want) and maybe we can chat. And yes to food posts!
I'm not surprised about the door at all. Getting up our stairs with something that heavy and large is hard. But it should be fixed.
DeleteI will let you know about Radio Silence!
I can't believe they have let your insurance account be that messed up for so long. 😐
ReplyDeleteUgh, the dark weather... I hear you. 😒 We had no January thaw this year, so I didn't get to have the windows open at all. It's always my time to recharge my mood. It was a bit sunny yesterday, so that was nice and it got up to 40° so I cracked a couple of windows in the afternoon. ☀
Yes, food posts! I've been cooking and baking a lot more, too! 🍞🍪🍪🍪🍰🍕🍜🍲
I have never seen otters in the wild! 😯 That's fantastic! 💦
I had all my windows open too. This mornings is int he 20's but sunny so I have all the curtains/blinds open to let the light in.
DeleteI seem to actually be blogging lol so hopefully I'll find the energy for the food posts.
OMG... It's actually me!! We'll see how long this lasts. And... I don't check blogs for a week and look you have three posts. So exciting.
ReplyDeleteSorry the insurance thing is such a pain. And the refrigerator... It's so frustrating when no one will actually take responsibility and help. I had this to a much lesser degree with Comcast lately. Lots of "we'll look into and get back to you." very frustrating when they don't ever get back to me.
ME is YOU!!! lol
DeleteI know, I'm getting wild and have 4 more in draft!! Comcast is really bad. Luckily, we haven't had to use them in our new house.