The Sewing Mom

Right now, to say I am frustrated would be putting it mildly.

My daughter has been complaining of a painful shoulder for months. Over the holidays it got so bad she asked me to take her to a doctor which, of course, I did. The doctor ordered an MRI and scheduled it the very next day. Of course, when I got home and visited our medical insurance website, I discovered the MRI facility she was to go to was not covered by our insurance.

So, it took me several days of calling back to the doctor’s office, the insurance, etc, to get her scheduled at an insurance approved facility. Done… or so I thought.

The diagnosis that came from the MRI results was bursitis. This is not overly serious but definitely can cause pain, and, because softball season is once again upon us, it’s important that we try to get her pain free. The family doctor then referred her to an orthopedic specialist which, thankfully, because he IS in our network, my daughter saw this morning.

He confirmed the bursitis diagnosis and is putting her on a daily anti-inflammatory and wants her to start physical therapy. The physical therapist is in the same office, so you’d think we’d be ok with the insurance, right? ummmm NO!

The physical therapist office that she is scheduled at in 2 days, does not appear on our approved provider list for our insurance. What a TOTAL PAIN IN THE ASS!

I have decided to set this aside until tomorrow, giving the Therapy office time to contact our insurance which they said they would do. If I don’t hear from them first, I will call them tomorrow to find out if I need to make alternate arrangements.

Oh, by the way, even though I got the MRI done by an “in network” facility, I still had to pay $500 of the cost plus a copay. I’ve all ready paid $25 copays twice to the family doctor and this morning paid another $50 copay to the orthopedic doctor. So, I’ve all ready paid over $600 and still haven’t started her on a treatment!

In case you’re wondering, all these copays and co-insurance amounts are double what I would have paid last year, thanks to Obama care.

I feel better since I have now vented, wish my wallet wasn’t so empty!

Just so you don’t think I’ve been off doing nothing, I thought I’d share a couple of photos of some of my progress on a quilt I started on. Granted, if I hadn’t sat and watched football games most of today, I would have had the borders cut and sewing on so the quilt top would be finished, but I can’t lie, I sat and watched football instead! Anyway, tomorrow is another day, so will definitely get going on those borders!

The first photo is the blocks, made from 3 different fabrics, using 3 1/2 inch strips. Pieced together with 1/4 inch seams, the end result will be strip 3 inches wide.

The second photo is 6 strip sets of 6 blocks each. These are laying on the floor so I can make sure I’ve sewn them all the correct direction before I sew the strip sets together.

And finally, the quilt top all pieced together, sans borders.

This post brought to you by Walgreens. All opinions are 100% mine.

Walgreens and Express Script have been unsuccessful in their year long negotiations.  Walgreens seems to have made every attempt to keep costs flat and Express Scripts members happy, but to no avail.  The two companies have parted ways.

What does this mean?  Well, anyone who is a member of Express Scrips, as of Jan. 1 must go out and find a new pharmacy to handle their prescriptions, probably at a higher cost and at possibly less convenient locations.  Walgreens are located on almost every corner in America and no matter where you are, you can walk into any Walgreens and get either a new prescription or even get an existing prescription refilled.  Out of town on business?  No problem, Walgreens will take care of you.

Because Walgreens is concerned about people who have their pharmacy coverage through Express Scripts, they are offering a very special discount on the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club.  $10 a year will get a family membership which covers spouses, children 22 and younger and even pets.  Individual memberships are being offered at only $5/year.

Benefits include savings on prescription drugs, both brand-name and generic, discounts on flu shots, diabetic supplies, nebulizers and yes, even pet prescriptions.  Plus, receive bonuses whenever you purchase Walgreens brand products and photofinishing services.

I think it’s a real shame that Express Scripts couldn’t come to some sort of agreement and it’s at the expense of its members.  Show your support by “Liking” Walgreens on Facebook and follow Walgreens on Twitter.

Last Christmas (that’s right, a year ago), my husband gave me a present that I had specifically asked for. I had seen being demonstrated while visiting the Houston Quilt Festival in 2010 and knew that I wanted one for myself. Problem was, I really didn’t want to spend that kind of money on a basic household appliance. Well, I got it under the tree and I have to say, I LOVE IT!

I must admit, because I was somewhat in a creative funk, I haven’t sewn a stitch in over a year, until this week. So, I pulled my new Oliso iron out of it box and unleashed it on all the seams in the quilt top I’m putting together (more on that in a later post). This iron is AWESOME!

This iron always stays horizontal, no need for tilting it precariously on its end, hoping nobody bumps into the ironing board knocking it off. It responds to the lightest touch, as soon as I touch the handle, it retracts its little feet (technically I think it’s called auto-lift) and is ready to press even the thickest and most stubborn seams. It has all sorts of settings and makes quick work of pressing sewn seams. Trust me, I hate to iron, so for me to have positive things to say about an iron tells you just how impressed I am by this!

By the way, I was just excited by the way my iron performed and wanted to share my opinions. I have in no way whatsoever been compensated for this post.

I did it! I started sewing again!

My extra large cutting  mat had been stored under my bed and when I pulled it out I think it had about an inch thick layer of dust on it, it had been so long since it was last put to use!

So, I got everything dusted off, put together and sorted and away I went! I pick a simple pattern and 5 pieces of fabric and got myself busy cutting. I cut 27 strips from 3 of the fabrics and then sewed those together to make 9 strip sets. I’m getting ready to press those and the sub-cut into smaller pieces, those will actually create the blocks of the lap quilt I’m making.

So, just checking in here to let everyone know, after changing the needle, my sewing machine is still operational, even though it’s been close to a year since I last used it.