boredom

Over the past 2-3 weeks I have seen maybe 40-50 patients. It's really hard for a girl who actually likes to work and use her degree. I've been known to see up to 30 patients a day during flu season. Needless to say, I'm bored.

Plus with our new compensation plan, I completely freaked out that come October 1st (beginning of the new fiscal year) I won't have a job. (They are going to add up all the RVUs from the year and see if I can keep my salary or if I haven't seen enough patients have the potential to lower my salary. See why I freaked?) See they (the crazy administrative people) started a new compensation plan that was supposed to start April 1st. It actually started January 1st. Instead of being based on visits and cash receipts, our new plan is based on RVUs. That stands for Relative Value Units. Something Medicare came up with therefore must be good. (Wrong)

I need to make 2500 RVUs in one year. To make benchmark, or 80%, that's 2000 RVUs. That's 167 per month or about 8-9 per day.

Each level 3 visit is 0.67 RVUs. A level 3 visit is pretty much what I see. If you go to the doctor and have a problem, he/she does an exam and prescribes you medication then you are charged a level 3. If he/she does less then you get charged a level 2, less RVUs. If you have more problems or the doc/PA takes longer with you, he/she can charge a level 4 or even a level 5.

All that groundwork is needed because the doc I work with doesn't like to do Sports Physicals. And you know how many RVUs I get for a Sports Physical? 0.17. That's right. Do you know how many kids I would need to see to come close to my 8-9 RVUs per day? A LOT.

So this time of year, what do kids need? Sports Physicals. But herein lies the issue, I feel like I do a lot more than 0.17 RVUs for each Sports Physical. I'm not going to sign off on a form and have something happen to a kid.

Anyway, it's been a real struggle at work. Problem is, I was being moved around last year around this time, working with docs who wouldn't let me see patients. So I really don't know if this is common this time of year. Or if the docs are so stressed out about the compensation plan that they are seeing all the patients. And I want them to stay busy. I just want both of us busy.

And my office staff hates it when I'm not busy. I start organizing stuff. Usually it's the drug sample closet. Then I start 'going off' on the staff because all the drugs are out of date. These past two weeks I've been helping our manager get the ordering stuff organized into 'kanban.' An interesting "lean" ordering system based on a similar system at Toyota.

I've been going into every room in our clinic and writing down everything we could ever need to order. Like every suture, we have 12, every bandaid, we have 4 types in two versions--latex free and fabric, and it goes on and on. I actually finished the project today. So what lies in store for tomorrow I don't know.

I've never been in a place in my life where I have nothing to do. First it was high school, always doing homework or working or studying for AP tests. In college I was always studying. And after college, studying for the GRE so I could get into PA school. And then I was always studying in PA school and felt guilty if I even turned on the tv. I only saw 3 movies while I was in PA school--in the theater. Then I graduated and was studying for my Certification Exam. See, I'm just a busy body. I always need things to do. I don't do well with boredom.

the 1st dp

Well, Kylie finally had a DP. She had it on her 30th. I haven't asked if she's had more. She's become quite the water drinker since she's breastfeeding. I'm quite proud. Here are some pics of the event:

And the kid who started it all slept through the whole thing.

Now, who doesn't like to drink their calories? Eh?

handy woman

I think I'm a pretty handy girl. I first discovered this when I clogged up my kitchen sink in B'ville. I really needed my father to come fix it but he was out of town. So I had to go find a wrench, I even knew what to call it, and unclogged the sink all by myself. (I did call my father and tell him all about it. He was proud.) I even knew to put a bucket underneath the drain so after I opened it I wouldn't be sloshed in the face. Then I flushed the "stuffing" down the toilet--because it has a larger opening and I didn't want to clog the sink again.

The second handy thing I've done is fix my constantly running toilet all by myself. This time I did ask my dad for some help, but he told me he really didn't think I needed a whole new flushing mechanism. (How he's showed me many times to fix a leaking toilet.) I even looked on-line for some guidelines. (No help.) So I opened the lid and tinkered with the knob on top. AND IT STOPPED RUNNING!!

My latest attempt was at my Smith and Hawkens nozzle. I was watering one day and after I released the lever, it continued to run. So I unscrewed it from the hose and there was a lot of calcium build-up. After cleaning it up I tried it again, no help. So I unscrewed the knob thing (just so you know, to be handy you don't have to know all the names of things) and a spring launched out. I tried to take all the calcium deposits off of it as well. Then I reattached everything. Still not working.

So, I thought to myself, "Well it works when the spring isn't loaded in there. Maybe it needs some grease." But I didn't have any grease or WD-40. But I did have some Pam. Similar, right? And you know what, it worked.

So just a few minutes and some patience and handiness and I saved myself $25 dollars for another nozzle. Pretty impressed with myself so I'm now sharing all my handy tips: If you are out of WD-40, Pam works well.

See you don't need a man for everything . . . .

taboo

What person doesn't know it is not proper to ask someone if she is pregnant without knowing first if she is. But what if a person rubs your stomach? I was so shocked at work this week when it happened to me. A fellow female rubbed my stomach. I had to say, "Nope, just fat."

How embarrassing. And if anyone wants that shirt--if someone doesn't take it, it's going in the fireplace to be burned.

And the sad note, I've lost 10 pounds. How crummy do I feel about myself??

And then the new neighbors next door asked me, "Do you live here all by yourself?"

Could you rub it in a little more that I'm 30 and single (and look pregnant)? Doesn't do a lot for the self esteem. I could've started on the Snickers Ice Cream Bars (right Ra-Ra?). But I didn't. I got dressed and mowed the lawn. Nothing good comes out of pouting on the couch. And many more pounds are put on when I do that.

Just so you know, don't ask someone about being pregnant and don't even think about rubbing her stomach.

I'm still shaking my head.

rock the reception

The summer is always a bummer when there are no new shows on TV. One of my new favorites is Rock the Reception on TLC. (It comes on after Say Yes to the Dress, another of my favorites, on Tuesday evenings.) Couples are getting ready for their wedding and two dance instructors choreograph their first dance. It is really fun.

Last week, there was a couple who danced to MC Hammer. Their wedding was really emotional because the bride had been diagnosed with breast cancer and they really wanted to liven up the mood of reception. They wore gold high tops. It was really good. If you can TiVo/DVR it, you should.

So on that note, if I ever find a guy and get to have a dance at my reception I'm going to Rock the Reception to Ordinary Love by TobyMac (see previous post). I've added it to the music so I hope you like it. It will be choreographed and awesome so watch out!!

(The "get to" comment is regarding a comment I made many moons ago about wanted to get married in Hawaii--since then no one has let me live it down. Most family/friends are counting on me to get married someday so they can get to Hawaii. We'll see. I can't see dancing on a beach to TobyMac but weirder things have happened.)

tobyMac

Liz and Bryan took me to the tobyMac concert for my birthday this past fall.

IT WAS AWESOME!!!

I tried to take some pictures that didn't turn out so hot. I also tried to record some snippits of toby (I can call him by his first name) and Barlow Girl. They didn't turn out so hot either. But today when I was at Mardel's they had a new tobyMac album, Alive and Transported. I was/am so excited. Not only does it have the live versions of all the songs from his concert, but it also had a DVD. How cool is that. Now, if only Barlow Girl would do the same.

Liz and Bryan when toby took the stage

Quote of the Day: "I bathe in the dark because I don't like to look at myself," Erin's grandmother.

moving

So spending $400-$500 a month on gas makes one question whether loving one's house is worth the cost of gas and commuting 60miles a day. I called my builder last weekend and asked what it looked like to build my exact house in Owasso. How cool would that be?? I could take pictures of all my stuff and just move it there. Would've been awesome.

But, not to be. It would cost more to build this house in Owasso than I could sell my current house for. Plus, I haven't been in it long enough to start making real payments on the mortgage and not just the interest.

So I'm looking in Owasso. Haven't really decided one way or the other. What I really should do is put my house on the market and see what happens. Only problem is, 3 homes on my street have put for sale signs in their front yards in the past 2 weeks.

OMNI says they have no plans to move me from Owasso, but I've heard that before. . . . .

I'm just praying that God leads me exactly where I need to be. With God, all things are possible right??

If you know anyone who is looking for a C-U-T-E home in Bixby you know who to call. Feel free to leave your thoughts . . . .

what's wrong with your eyes

Got to work on Monday and Heather asked me what was wrong with my eyes. Thought to myself, "be honest or lie?" So I told the truth. I could've just told her I left my eyeliner at home, which I had. (It's amazing what eyeliner adds)

I've had this bump on my inner canthus of my right eye for a couple of months. (that's the inside corner of my eye for all you non-medical people) And it's been growing. So I thought it was an inclusion cyst--something that could be opened up. So, I got a needle and tried to poke it. Nothing happened. So I poked a few more times, nothing came out. But it got pretty irritated.

Woke up the next morning and my eye was pretty red and swollen and gooey.

Nice, eh??

There's always something nice to telling the truth.

old stuff in the fridge

Ok, I've found the grossest thing ever. Found a bottle of Ranch in the fridge with expiration date of Aug 06. So, one can learn many things about me from this bit of info:

1. I don't eat a lot of salads, or vegetables. Because I only eat vegetables with Ranch.
2. I didn't check my fridge before dumping it in the cooler to move. Not just once, but twice.
3. I don't clean out my fridge now either. Been here 16 mos.

Maybe it's because there's a REAL Ranch in the fridge. . . or Catalina, my favorite. I'm thinking this may be left from Laura, she moved out in '06.

That's just gross. Thought you might enjoy a laugh.

(and do you know how hard it was to get a focused picture of the bottle to prove it?)

the vacation

Not so much of one of those beach vacations, we went to St. Louis. But we had a great time anyway. By we, I mean Suz and Ed. Not me and the dogs. Just so you know.

Here are some pics highlighting our outings:

the cards game
They actually won in the 9th inning. It was a great game. Homeruns and all!










Mom, Dad and me
It's one of Dad's favorite places.
If he could retire there, he would!










Jonathan and Laura

Us trying to stay dry during a 45-min rain delay.

It was windy, notice Suz's hair!

The quote of the trip by a girl on Cards Vision.

An announcer was asking kids to do their talents.

Announcer: "What's your name?"

Girl: "Ellie"

Announcer: "What's your talent?"

Girl: "I can yodel," then began the worst yodeling we've ever heard. It was NOT yodeling nor was it in any pitch. People in the stadium were cracking up. I just wish I recorded it.

Then (the quote of the trip) "I'm all jacked up on Mountain Dew!"

So, that became the slogan of the trip. Use it, it's funny. But I know, had to be there.

july 4th

If you have never seen fireworks under the Arch, do it! It's one of the top 10 firework displays in the US. (So Laura told us multiple times.) We decided to take the Metro so we wouldn't have to park downtown. It was the thing to do, per the website. The rival Cubs were in town and downtown was packed. It was quick and easy getting there, but 100,000+ people trying to get home on the Metro was another story.

After the fireworks were over, we passed by 3 different Metro stations with very long lines. After waiting in one such line, I saw a Metro Bus with our stop on it's sign. We sprinted to get on it. Paid our $1.75 for the ride back to our car, and 70 minutes later, we arrived.

It was a L-O-N-G ride. But it did give me time to reflect on how blessed I am. To have a vehicle and to be so blessed to go anywhere I want, when I want.

Americans are so spoiled. We'll see how long that lasts with $4.00 a gallon gas!

shopping
Enough said. No pictures are needed. But if you need proof, I can send you a copy of my credit card bill. You can even pay it!

We did get to a Coach outlet. We overheard one lady explaining to her companions that the larger the 'C,' the newer the purse. I would love to afford the 'big C' but my budget can only afford the little C. We got a great deal. Love the outlet stores!

jeff city
I haven't been to Jeff City since my Grandfather's funeral in '92. My Dad's parents are buried there (Herman and Metta-great names). We stopped and checked on their headstones, another way you know you are getting older-visiting cemeteries. And mom wrote down dates from the family members births and deaths for the family tree.

I reminded myself that their bodies may be there but they aren't there. They are in Heaven and I'll get to see them someday. What a Great Promise we have! And how I thank God each day for Christian ancestors and the legacy they have left. Thank you!

My Dad's family came to Jeff City before WWII and were active citizens in the community. A few years ago, they named an alley after them. Not a road; an alley-we're not street naming kind of folk. We're the behind-the-scenes people. I found it quite truthful.

There were some mailboxes with 'Schmidt Way' as an address. That would be cool.

If I moved to Jeff City I would live on Schmidt Way, even if it is an alley.

bella's 1st birthday

July 2, 2008.

I'm so glad she's a part of the family. Bentley has grown to love the company, and sometimes even her. Mom bought her a new collar for her birthday, dark pink instead of pale pink. It got too dirty. No party--not even an extra treat. Poor thing. Guess that what happens with the 2nd dog.

Bella on the day I got her, 8 weeks old.

laura's visit #2

Been awhile since I've posted, sorry.

Laura came back on Sunday and we went to see Cal and Kylie. Then, Laura and I fell asleep on the couch watching a movie at 7pm. How old are we?

Still looking for the Wii Fit and Mario Kart. . .