Dentist update, our weekend of wine tasting, and a job update
Take THAT, dentist!
elena23 has kindly reminded me that I haven't yet updated you about Ian's dental work. He got a quote from a second dentist who is inside Ian's insurance network. The second dentist actually recommends more work than the out-of-network dentist did. Ian's now had three dental diagnoses between the two dentists and the endodontist who actually did the root canal. Two out of three recommend the same amount of work, so we'll get that done first, then consider options and diagnosis for what remains. Perhaps what remains can be pushed off to 2014 -- we'll see. In any case, the whole lot of accepted work which would have cost $14,000 OON will now be closer to $6,000 total, including some of the work Ian already had done out-of-network! Best yet, that amount can be split between 2012 and 2013 and the benefits for those years including flexible spending plans for pre-tax dollars, and the in-network dentist offers 12 mos. 0% financing for whatever we have to pay out of pocket. WHEW!
Ian had one root canal (out-of-network) 2 weeks ago, and it went painlessly and smoothly, which is great news for Ian. He had a temporary crown, part of which broke off this past Saturday, which was a minor bummer. Fortunately he has the appointment for the permanent crown tonight after work -- The in-network dentist even keeps hours until 7:00 pm three nights a week!
The morals to this story are therefore:
1. Always get a second opinion for any major medical or dental diagnosis.
2. Whenever you have the opportunity, go in-network on your insurance.
What an instantaneous relief to us, as you can imagine!
With that in mind, we went on vacation...
Truthfully we had already committed to this little weekend away. Now with the spectre of potential heinous debt looming over us, we were able to enjoy our relaxing weekend away rather than stress over every penny -- not that it was a terribly expensive jaunt in the first place. Along with Jose and Kristen, Team "Morivedo" headed out west to Grand Junction, Colorado, which is almost at the border with Utah. There are wineries in that area. We rented a vacation rental home for the weekend, and went wine tasting on Saturday.
The whole area looks like Mars! Where the northeastern quadrant of the state where I live is high desert plains, that's just plain high desert out there! It's not like the Mojave Desert where I grew up, which has lots of plant life, and is relatively "lush" as deserts go. This is crazy-crazy mesa jutting up out of nowhere in a rainbow of geological layers, and grey or red dry, rocky, dusty soil. Like I said -- Mars! Oddly, however, the areas near rivers are apparently suitable for growing grapes which I find so very odd. I normally associate grape-growing with areas like Central or Northern California, or Upstate New York which are verdant and much more lush in general. Don't ask me - I just drink here!
We went to about 6 or 7 wineries for tastings on Saturday. Not a dud in the bunch! I recall from having toured the wineries around Watkins Glen, NY, that it seemed you'd get 1 good one for ever 4 or so you visited. Maybe it was just good luck out west, but every one we went to was lovely... not all were fabulous, but none of them sucked! I tried not to go whole-hog with my purchases, and I spent about $115, give or take, to bring home 7 bottles of wine -- 2 of which are gifts. The others will last our household (by which I mean guests and me, as Ian does not care for wine) quite a long time. We don't own a wine rack since I rarely have more than 2 bottles on hand at any time -- Perhaps now is a good time to take a look for one. I think I'll start with Goodwill, and see if I can score some treasure there! Its "things made out of metal" section usually produces good results if you bear in mind that a $3 can of matte black spraypaint can transform many Goodwill castaways into an object of contemporary art!
We left right after work on Friday, so most of the 4-hour drive laterally across the state was in darkness. We took the whole afternoon to come home Sunday, however. Ian and I hadn't yet explored virtually any of that area, and WOW. I know I beat you over the head with continual commentary on the striking natural beauty of Colorado, but it's just breathtaking out here. I've lived a lot of places I loved which in turn were lovely in their own ways. Colorado is the only place I've visited which is just overwhelmed by majesty at every turn -- and of such variety! The drive down I-70 across the state through the Rockies proper was just... well, I've just never seen anything like it anywhere. Amazing. This past weekend was also the peak of the leaves turning, and our timing could not have been better.
If we're connected on Facebook, check out photos there. If we're not yet connected, I invite you to reach out to me there.
This was in fulfillment of a joint New Year's Resolution which Ian and I made together. We wished to explore at least two destinations in Colorado at least 2 hours away from our home. We wanted to explore more of this fantastic state where we've chosen to settle. Our first tip was actually destined in northern New Mexico when we met the Calis in Taos over Memorial Day -- we had to drive through a whole lotta Colorado to get there, however, so we're counting that!
Year of the Enterprise Update
On the drive out to Grand Junction on Friday night, each of us in the car had a little check-in with our resolutions and chosen themes for personal exploration in 2012. New applications for my "Year of the Enterprise" were pointed out, and came to mind. It's actually been quite a geeky year for me -- making some new acquaintances in the local chapter of Starfleet, and in the steampunk community. This has also been a somewhat unanticipated year of focus on my job, and literal enterprise. It's a little funny how sometimes the theme chooses YOU, or takes you in directions you neither expected nor intended -- and I like it!
Now it's back to work...
Last quarter, which was Q1 of my company's fiscal year, I kept a running total of mistakes I identified in contracts before they happened, or other ways that I "saved" the company money. That term is a slight misnomer since sometimes the company spent the money anyhow, but close enough! My goal was to save the company at least my annual salary during a full year. During Q1 alone, my little contribution was $78,803.50! YOWZA! Needless to say, that covers not only my salary and bonus, but probably most of the cost of my benefits, too, and all just in one quarter! I'm very proud of myself.
On Tuesday, I have a "stay interview" scheduled with my boss. The company is interview all its employees about why we stay here, what would make us leave, what would make us change our minds and stay, and so forth. I plan to discuss my career path at this company with my boss while we're at it. I'm looking forward to the discussion. There have been some changes at the company which will affect a good chunk of my duties. I'm eager to form a new plan after that point.
Trace
elena23 has kindly reminded me that I haven't yet updated you about Ian's dental work. He got a quote from a second dentist who is inside Ian's insurance network. The second dentist actually recommends more work than the out-of-network dentist did. Ian's now had three dental diagnoses between the two dentists and the endodontist who actually did the root canal. Two out of three recommend the same amount of work, so we'll get that done first, then consider options and diagnosis for what remains. Perhaps what remains can be pushed off to 2014 -- we'll see. In any case, the whole lot of accepted work which would have cost $14,000 OON will now be closer to $6,000 total, including some of the work Ian already had done out-of-network! Best yet, that amount can be split between 2012 and 2013 and the benefits for those years including flexible spending plans for pre-tax dollars, and the in-network dentist offers 12 mos. 0% financing for whatever we have to pay out of pocket. WHEW!
Ian had one root canal (out-of-network) 2 weeks ago, and it went painlessly and smoothly, which is great news for Ian. He had a temporary crown, part of which broke off this past Saturday, which was a minor bummer. Fortunately he has the appointment for the permanent crown tonight after work -- The in-network dentist even keeps hours until 7:00 pm three nights a week!
The morals to this story are therefore:
1. Always get a second opinion for any major medical or dental diagnosis.
2. Whenever you have the opportunity, go in-network on your insurance.
What an instantaneous relief to us, as you can imagine!
With that in mind, we went on vacation...
Truthfully we had already committed to this little weekend away. Now with the spectre of potential heinous debt looming over us, we were able to enjoy our relaxing weekend away rather than stress over every penny -- not that it was a terribly expensive jaunt in the first place. Along with Jose and Kristen, Team "Morivedo" headed out west to Grand Junction, Colorado, which is almost at the border with Utah. There are wineries in that area. We rented a vacation rental home for the weekend, and went wine tasting on Saturday.
The whole area looks like Mars! Where the northeastern quadrant of the state where I live is high desert plains, that's just plain high desert out there! It's not like the Mojave Desert where I grew up, which has lots of plant life, and is relatively "lush" as deserts go. This is crazy-crazy mesa jutting up out of nowhere in a rainbow of geological layers, and grey or red dry, rocky, dusty soil. Like I said -- Mars! Oddly, however, the areas near rivers are apparently suitable for growing grapes which I find so very odd. I normally associate grape-growing with areas like Central or Northern California, or Upstate New York which are verdant and much more lush in general. Don't ask me - I just drink here!
We went to about 6 or 7 wineries for tastings on Saturday. Not a dud in the bunch! I recall from having toured the wineries around Watkins Glen, NY, that it seemed you'd get 1 good one for ever 4 or so you visited. Maybe it was just good luck out west, but every one we went to was lovely... not all were fabulous, but none of them sucked! I tried not to go whole-hog with my purchases, and I spent about $115, give or take, to bring home 7 bottles of wine -- 2 of which are gifts. The others will last our household (by which I mean guests and me, as Ian does not care for wine) quite a long time. We don't own a wine rack since I rarely have more than 2 bottles on hand at any time -- Perhaps now is a good time to take a look for one. I think I'll start with Goodwill, and see if I can score some treasure there! Its "things made out of metal" section usually produces good results if you bear in mind that a $3 can of matte black spraypaint can transform many Goodwill castaways into an object of contemporary art!
We left right after work on Friday, so most of the 4-hour drive laterally across the state was in darkness. We took the whole afternoon to come home Sunday, however. Ian and I hadn't yet explored virtually any of that area, and WOW. I know I beat you over the head with continual commentary on the striking natural beauty of Colorado, but it's just breathtaking out here. I've lived a lot of places I loved which in turn were lovely in their own ways. Colorado is the only place I've visited which is just overwhelmed by majesty at every turn -- and of such variety! The drive down I-70 across the state through the Rockies proper was just... well, I've just never seen anything like it anywhere. Amazing. This past weekend was also the peak of the leaves turning, and our timing could not have been better.
If we're connected on Facebook, check out photos there. If we're not yet connected, I invite you to reach out to me there.
This was in fulfillment of a joint New Year's Resolution which Ian and I made together. We wished to explore at least two destinations in Colorado at least 2 hours away from our home. We wanted to explore more of this fantastic state where we've chosen to settle. Our first tip was actually destined in northern New Mexico when we met the Calis in Taos over Memorial Day -- we had to drive through a whole lotta Colorado to get there, however, so we're counting that!
Year of the Enterprise Update
On the drive out to Grand Junction on Friday night, each of us in the car had a little check-in with our resolutions and chosen themes for personal exploration in 2012. New applications for my "Year of the Enterprise" were pointed out, and came to mind. It's actually been quite a geeky year for me -- making some new acquaintances in the local chapter of Starfleet, and in the steampunk community. This has also been a somewhat unanticipated year of focus on my job, and literal enterprise. It's a little funny how sometimes the theme chooses YOU, or takes you in directions you neither expected nor intended -- and I like it!
Now it's back to work...
Last quarter, which was Q1 of my company's fiscal year, I kept a running total of mistakes I identified in contracts before they happened, or other ways that I "saved" the company money. That term is a slight misnomer since sometimes the company spent the money anyhow, but close enough! My goal was to save the company at least my annual salary during a full year. During Q1 alone, my little contribution was $78,803.50! YOWZA! Needless to say, that covers not only my salary and bonus, but probably most of the cost of my benefits, too, and all just in one quarter! I'm very proud of myself.
On Tuesday, I have a "stay interview" scheduled with my boss. The company is interview all its employees about why we stay here, what would make us leave, what would make us change our minds and stay, and so forth. I plan to discuss my career path at this company with my boss while we're at it. I'm looking forward to the discussion. There have been some changes at the company which will affect a good chunk of my duties. I'm eager to form a new plan after that point.
Trace