J getaway in Palm Springs!

HI All,
Whew....our "J" Spa getaway/convention in Palm Springs is over!
Teaching last night was fun and full of 'tough love' for sure! I think JF and KT wore you all out over the weekend (in a good way)!!! Thanks to both wonderful ladies for covering my classes!
Our trip started at the CRACK of dawn on Thursday...car was on time to pick us up and we got to the airport in plenty of time. Since we were not checking bags (and I totally recommend that-NOT checking bags) it was a breeze (plus we printed our boarding passes online the night before).
Thankfully all flights were on time...the only wrinkle? The flight on a propellor plane from
Phoenix to Palm Springs. Lots of turbulence + 110 heat + NO A/C on the plane = upset tummy! (I will not elaborate but it was NOT pretty!) This is the pic of the, ahem, offending plane with NO A/C!
The resort (La Quinta Resort and Spa) was FAB! Each section of 4 buildings was built around a pool and jacuzzi so you didn't have to go to the 'main' pool! It was great!

Here's a pic of bougenvilla, my FAVORITE flower! (They also grow all over SB, my hometown!) In the middle is a pic of the architecture of the resort! On the right is a pic of the mountains surrounding our resort...beautiful!
The food? AWESOME! Guacamole made at the table, yummy seafood and wonderful outside dining! (They have sprayers to spritz you while you dine...can you say 115 degrees??!!)
The "J" part of the weekend?
Also TERRIFIC! Judi, Shanna and the taping team were so wonderful as usual and the taping went off professionally and the upcoming new routines ROCK! Judi even specially (and last minute) choreo'd a routine to a Michael Jackson song the evening he passed as a tribute. SHE ROCKS!
Pics are (on left is a group shot of the taping, middle is the taping team on stage and the right is two tired friends during the taping)
Dawn and I met up with 3 friends from our online business group and it was wonderful to see them, in person, and hang out. Plus, since the carpet in our room was damp and we called the office (simply to let them know-really NOT to complain because it was no big deal), we got a HUGE meal credit so we ate free!

This pic? Just a funny one we saw driving around. I just got a kick out of it every time we passed it!
The flights home were uneventful (thank God) and we got home on time and happy to have had a GREAT time with GREAT friends and our FAB program! Seeing Judi and the crew is always so inspiring and uplifting.
Oh and we DID try and bring your warm weather back, but that piece of luggage got lost! TEEHEE
See you in class!
PS Remember to check our July 4th weekend schedule...

1 year ago today...

I got up as usual and hung out with Ally. She had been having some weezing and wasn't eating well but we'd taken her in and everything seemed ok. They told us to keep an eye on her...
I went upstairs to get dressed for the day and when I came down she was laying on the living room sofa (she rarely did that) and looked...not good.
I immediately called Dr. D and drove there to bring her in. Within 30 minutes our lives were changed forever.
I remember she collapsed in the exam room and Dr. J had to carry her to the table for oxygen. The ultrasound showed a mass. I watched them highlight it and I just knew it was bad. I called Mr. P&P at work and told him to come meet me. I was a horrible, crying mess. I called K to cover my class (I ultimately did teach) and within 1 hour (on a pouring rainy day like this one) we were winging our way to Tufts. Mr. P&P was in the back seat with Ally and I was driving and trying NOT to think.
They saved her that night and we got to bring our baby home within a few days. It was the longest week of our lives. We visited 2x per day (me in the AM and Mr. in the PM). She was an angel for them and so good with all the procedures. All we wanted was to have her home though we knew her diagnosis was grave.
We got 6 months and we are so greatful to have had it. She is still a huge part of our family and always will be.
Truth be told...we have a photo of Ally next to a photo of our new baby, Lilly, on a table in our living room. Lilly has ALWAYS (without coaching by the way) hit Ally's collar (we have that hanging on the frame) with her nose. Every day she wants to get out in that room and say HI to her Sissy. We did that today together and I'm sure she and her Dad will tonight.
Lilly is a little bit of Ally with a dash of sass. We are so lucky.
So, today we think of Ally...and remember that special 6 months...we love you Ally!
XOXO
Mom and Dad

Seriously...

Hi All,
It's Thursday and the weather folks are telling us it's going to be rainy/cloudy/pouring/drizzling through next Tuesday. Oh good...not!
Anyway...
You guys are all doing GREAT keeping up with your classes-don't forget you get to 60 classes with your teammate and you get that fabulous tote FREE! (While supplies last) Have fun with it...

Now, I think everyone knows that I LOVE animals. Mr. P&P and I are the proud parents of a 7 month old baby yellow Lab and to say we miss our 8 year old Lab, Ally, after she passed from cancer is a severe understatement. We treated Ally for months with the newest and best medications at the BEST place...TUFTS and we would do it again in a heartbeat. We also supported Paws 4 a Cure-the walk to fight canine cancer. Lilly has health insurance, every toy known to man, lives in her own room and is fed only organic food and treats. Her pediatrician is THE BEST vet in our State and we love her to BITS!!! Just the other day, I saved a baby bird (their nest is in a shrub near our front door) from a crow by standing over it in my yard for almost 30 minutes until the Mommie Bird came back. I love all animals (well, except snakes maybe) and believe they should be protected and never abused.
However...
PETA came out today admonishing President Obama for killing a FLY during a recent interview. The fly was annoyingly buzzing around the President during his interview and he waited until it landed on his hand and he whacked it. The decedent then fell to the floor where the President picked it up, with a tissue, after the interview. PETA says it's going to send the President a device that will allow him to catch insects and then safely release them outside.
Uh...
Seriously?
PETA, here's a newflash...this totally ruins your street cred. As an organization you do a great deal to help animals but stuff like this? Time to rethink. And, while we're at it, I do not agree with anyone throwing fake blood on anyone else. If someone chooses to wear fur, EDUCATE them, do not throw things at them. There again-street cred=0. Please stick to educating the public through your organization and maybe start in the schools with information on how to save animals, treat them well and take care of them. And, I have to be honest, the next time a GD fly is buzzing around ME, I will whack it just like the President and I will not feel bad.

Attack of the Q-tips!

Happy Wednesday everyone!
First, I plan to try and blog from the Palm Springs "J" convention next weekend (June 25-27) and I promise to try and get pics of Judi, Shanna and the gang. I will miss you all but know you will be in good hands with Jill and Kristen!
Second, RHONJ. If you do not know this acronym please comment and I will fill you in. Needless to say the finale of this show was crazy and I cannot wait for the reunion show tomorrow night!
What does "Attack of the Q-tips" mean?
I'm sure we've all heard in the news that elderly drivers (some call them Q-tips since you can only see the white tuft of hair above the steering wheel) have been wrecking havoc on the roads lately. Sadly, a little girl was killed earlier this week and countless businesses and people have been damaged and injured by these drivers.
Let me first say that I do understand these folks want their independence. Let me also say that my MIL has been in NO SHAPE to drive for years and we just got her to stop driving (and took the car) this year. For the last year she has barely driven, but that makes no difference. She should NOT have been on the road. I know it's tough for families to handle this but you just have to DO IT to save your family member and others.
And, let me say that if you pass a driving test, you are entitled to drive...at any age. (Well, at least starting at the age when you are able to start driving...)
Today I saw/drove near/behind 4 Q-tips that should clearly not have been driving. How do I know?
1. Q-tip pulled out of the doctor offices near St. Mary's (I had to SLAM on my brakes) and then literally proceeded to CREEP down the street, so slowly I had to honk as the cars behind ME were honking! Q-tip paid no mind and turned LEFT onto Chelmsford St....continuing to CREEP while futzing around with his GPS. He literally almost hit a car IN the parking lot of the hair salon and I, thankfully, turned into the PO so I didn't have to continue to follow him. However, when I pulled out of the PO and back onto Chelmsford St. the same Q-tip was coming TOWARDS me, having turned around in DD and was still futzing with the GPS. GAH.
2. Next Q-tip pulled out of the business parking lot I was in and ran over the entire curb. He could barely see over the steering wheel.
3. Sitting at my desk at the Center when Q-tip (last night) banged a U-turn and almost hit the white Lexus parked at the fence.
4. Today? Q-tip and wife pulling up at about 40 mph to park in the handicapped spot (which really is NO LONGER the handicapped spot) in front of the Travel Agency. I thought, "This is it...they're going to hit the building." Thankfully, they stopped, building intact and went to have their Chinese food. Sidebar-Q-tip can barely walk TO the restaurant but I'm sure he's fine driving...SIGH.
And you just thought a Q-tip would just hurt your eardrum if you stick it IN your ear! No, in fact, a Q-tip can KILL you if they shouldn't be behind the wheel!

My ear is numb!

HI All,
Well, I'm sure that makes you wonder what the heck I'm talking about!
I was on the phone over 1 hour today with my insurance/the lab company and back again!
Now, though these types of days aggravate the crap out of me-I am still a HUGE believer in doing your regular checkups and physicals (although your BP might be up like mine when dealing with the BILLING!).
First I'll say I'm very lucky because my husband and I have very good insurance and I know that makes us very fortunate.
Second I'll say that our insurance company folks are VERY nice and helpful!
Now, I'll say that a certain lab company in this area s*cks big time!
Every January I have to call my insurance company and let them know that I DO NOT HAVE other insurance. I always forget and my husband usually accidentally throws out the form they send to confirm that.
So, when I had my physical in January all the billing for labs and my mammo (screening) got all messed up. I waded through that in March and called this particular lab company (Q*est) and said, "Hey, my insurance company is resubmitting so it'll be paid, please do NOT send it into collections."(My insurance told me NOT to pay it, they'd process it and Q*est should rebill me.)
Q*est agreed and we moved on...
Until today.
I got my 'explanation of benefits' and a radiology bill (cool) and an invoice FROM A COLLECTION agent....horrors!
I immediately called my insurance who immediately called the offending collection's people. They truly did not give a rat's a**. (I was on the line too.) They said it was my problem. I begged to differ and magically when I mentioned the STATE AG's office, they all of a sudden noticed my bill had been updated as paid...TODAY! Really? Miracle!
But, I still had to call the offending Q*est.
Oh and they take LUNCH from 12-1pm...no phone calls.
Really?
How nice.
So, at 1:01pm I called them.
"Oh, Stacy didn't note on your account what was happening when you called months ago so that's why it went to collections."
WELL TAKE IT OFF.
"Oh you don't need to worry about it."
I BEG TO DIFFER and maybe the AG's office would like an earful of this!
"Oh, we'll immediately send you a letter stating it's NOT on your credit and it has been fully resolved."
I BET YOU WILL.
So, my ear may be numb but my squeaky wheel still gets the grease!