Next Tuesday we head up to Frisco to see a orthopedic specialist for the oldest guys elbow. We called Steadman Hawkins, the world famous clinic where the misses went for her neck, and asked who we should take him to here in Denver. To our surprise we were told that they really can’t recommend anyone down here it if was their child. So next week we’re off to Frisco to see Dr.Viola. Hopefully he won’t need surgery.
Thanks to Obama Care our insurance policy’s fine print has deductibles apparently for different types of medical procedures. We had thought we had met our family deductible when we paid $6000 months ago but for specific types of doctors such as a ortho doc for the oldest, there apparently is a separate deductible. The insurance company yesterday told us the oldest hadn’t met his portion for this particular type of doctor. This is surprising as he’s had a few visits this year that included other specialists and lab work that we know we’ve paid for. Apparently the classification is different. One example is we get 4 office visits covered throughout the year with paying a $30 deductible. We’ve used those up so now we pay for the entire visit on our own, regardless of what we’ve paid this year. So long story short is that we’re “covered” meaning we pay the first $750 of this doc and then 20% after that! The insurance lady confided to us that this all changed when Obama Care went into affect. They had to change some rules and classifications to “get around” the Presidents new law, super.
Earlier in the day we went to the misses doctor but not for what you think. You see about 5 years ago, the misses doctor and our long time friend, started her own skin care line that has won all kinds of national and international awards for being the best all natural skin care line as it has nothing in it that is bad for you. Turns out all the stuff most women use and buy (like at Nordstroms and Neiman Marcus) all have ingredients that have been linked to various diseases like cancer. These products of hers are the best and were developed by Christine who had breast cancer herself. She developed these with the main focus of them being good for her patients. She’s tried to launch these on a national level for almost 5 years but unfortunately has been taken by every charlatan there is from New York to Los Angeles. She’s paid out probably $250K to people that have told her they’d do this or that or introduce her to this person or get her in this store or that one and none of it came true. We’ve been talking to her for months about the challenges she has and have known her for years and she’s been asking if I’d take a look at where she’s at and give her my thoughts. So after researching the industry for the past month (which is quite a racket) we met with her to give her our assessment of where she’s at, what her main problems are (packaging, distribution channels, pricing, etc.) and what I think she should do now. The meeting went for a couple hours, which is an hour longer than we all had scheduled, but was quite productive. She’s now going to re-package, re-brand and re-launch. This alone will set her back over $500K but after hearing my views that if she continues on the path she’s on, she’s just wasting more money, and hearing my thoughts on what to do, she agreed that my suggestions are the way to go. Now I’m not charging her any money now as I told her I’d take a look at this initially as a favor. She has however asked if the misses and I would join her and help implement the changes I recommended and of course volunteered to pay us. I told her I really don’t have the time but would see what I could do. This is something the misses could definitely do and do well, once she understands all the ins and outs of the suggestions. So, we’ll keep you posted here as we’re sort of in the skin care business.
We made it home around 4pm and had to rush to get the boys. Grandma Dixie has been commenting but for some reason they are going to my email and not here so I need to check my spam file and put these in. I’ll make sure to find any future comments from her as we enjoy them very much. She and all of you folks that are older than us, are very respected as we value your wisdom from having lived through things we have not. Keep it coming as we do listen to you even if it doesn’t always seem like it.
Our new bed which we ordered in May has finally arrived. It’s at a Marriott sitting in a guest room as they had no place to store it. If you remember, our friends who operate 200 hotels across the country with the ranch in Saratoga, ordered it for us in May at their price which is about 80% off the best price any consumer can find! We’re so excited. Uncle T has agreed to help me move the old one out and the new one in. Thanks much as we’re sure it’ll help the misses neck and my back.
Today is a flex day meaning the kids are out at 11:15. Hard to believe it’s the first week of school and they’re already getting time off!
We’ve almost made it through another week, we just need to take everything one day at a time. The misses is getting better, the oldest one too, work is doing well and our future plans are coming together. Lacey the lab barked at 5:15 to go out so we were all up early but it is what it is. Time to run as we have a big day ahead of us. Take care and God Bless and thank all of you for your various help and encouragement these days, it means a lot!