Fall 2016 "Good News" Group Challenge

[Bigleyj]

Ok I have really good news and I'm really quite proud of myself.

I had approached my supervisor, the CEO, 2 years ago about my pay. I thought I was being underpaid and explained that I would like it checked and I would like backpay if it turned out I was correct. I explained I just wanted what I'm entitled to and not asking for a pay rise willy nilly.  It didn't go down too well and it has taken him 2 years and lots of reminders to him from me he has finally had it checked and I was right. I am to be paid the new correct rate and will get back pay.  I found out today.  I really feel like this is a win for all employees and for women ... Stand up for your rights!

Have a great day everyone.
Jo 😀

[Bucky]

Day #10 "Good News" Challenge

Woohoo . . . it's Friday!!    I'm ready for the weekend.

Warmwaters - you've had several busy days with a birthday celebration, mentoring, and library books (think of the money saved by borrowing them versus buying them!).  When our son was little he liked to watch the kids show Arthur on TV. Arthur had a song "having fun isn't hard, when you've got a library card" . . . I use to sing it to our son and he hated it!!  LOL

Jo - yay for standing up for your rights in the workplace and getting the pay you deserve!  Party time!! 

I'm looking forward to sharing some "good news" soon as yesterday at McDonald's I bought three of their Halloween Treat Packs ($1 each) which are 12 coupons for free items at McDonald's for children 12 and under.  The coupons are good for a bag of apple slices, small apple juice or milk jug, small vanilla cone, or a hamburger.

I'm not going to use these for Halloween, but I'm planning on giving these coupons out to kids I see who are being good when I'm out and about.  They can be used from 10/31 to 12/31.

It will be fun to give them to 36 unsuspecting little ones.   

If your local McDonald's is selling these packs too, feel free to do the same thing . . . share the joy!

Have a good day . . . enjoy!

Bucky

"The bad news is, your life will never be perfect.  The good news is, you don't need a perfect life to be happy."       PictureQuotes.com

[Bucky]

Day #11 "Good News" Challenge

Happy Saturday to everyone!   

We're winding down our group challenge - today and tomorrow are our last days.  If you have any "good news" to share, we'd love to hear it.

Last night on ABC World News "Person(s) of the Week" were two high school boys who were attending a high school cross country race in Iowa along with 900 other runners.  One of the runners, Adam - who is a junior that has epilepsy & autism became confused during the race and got off track.  Another runner, Evan - who is a sophomore, realized that Adam was confused.  In a display of true sportsmanship, Evan went back and ran beside Adam getting him back on track, and they held hands for the last mile-and-a-half of the race, where Evan kept telling Adam that they had this, that it was only a little farther to go.  Together they crossed the finish line, where Evan made sure that Adam crossed the finish line before he did.

Evan's parents can surely be proud of their son as he reached out to another person in a gesture of kindness.  I'm sure both boys, and those spectators and other runners who were there and witnessed all of this will remember it for a long time.

It only takes a small gesture of kindness to make a huge impact on someone.

Have a good day - I'll see you tomorrow as we finish up our "Good News" Challenge.

Bucky

"For what it's worth:  It's never too late to be whoever you want to be.  I hope you live a life you're proud of, and if you find that you're not, I hope you have the strength to start over."     F. Scott Fitzgerald

[Bucky]

Day #12 "Good News" Challenge

Hi - Happy Sunday to everyone.   

Today is our final day for the "Good News" Challenge.  Thanks to those who participated in our group challenge.

I hope you find good things to celebrate each day.

Yesterday was a beautiful fall day here in Central Illinois.  It started out with a light fog and windy, but as the day wore on, it became sunny and windy.

My husband and I had planned on attending Punkin Chuckin' 2016.  We got up early, ate breakfast and watched as the branches of the trees were swaying in the wind.  When I went outside to feed the cats, there was a little mist from the fog.  When it's really windy out it really bothers my eyes and I'm not fond of being chilly sitting in the wind (been there, done that with sons sports in school).  The weather wasn't good for taking photos, which my husband planned on doing, so we didn't go.   

However, we ran some errands (big mistake to take hubby grocery shopping), and I even got a short nap in - so it was all good.  Yay!

What is Punkin Chuckin' you ask?  Here in the Midwest it's our little form of entertainment - ha ha.  Well, - there is a big farm that each year has a Punkin Chuckin' contest where they toss, catapult, or shoot pumpkins out of machines.  It's all about the distance that your pumpkin sails through the air.  There is usually some sort of target out in the field (old car) that is the goal to aim for.  I don't know if they win any prizes or anything - it's mostly the honor of bragging rights that you won!  People come from surrounding states, etc., it's a big deal.

Here's a video that explains it (scroll to the bottom of the page):  http://www.mortonmagnet.com/punkin_chuckin.php

I hope you each have a good Sunday today.  Keep looking for the good things in each day.

Bucky

"Surround yourself with people who make you hungry for life, touch your heart, and nourish your soul."     ~~Unknown~~

[Linda196]

My last few bits of "good news" to share for this challenge:

A friend who is on a hiking expedition in Bhutan and Nepal had mentioned how the heavy rains had washed out roads and left the remaining roads quite unsafe. He let us know that he has continued travelling, remains safe, and has found the entire journey enriching and fulfilling in so many ways!


A friend who was in Bermuda when Hurricane Nicole hit, was safe the whole time and is now home with a great story to tell.

Friends travelling in Nevada told tales of what the wife called a "terrifying few days" as her husband explored right along the edge of the Grand Canyon, in an area with no safety fences, and they read warning signs about "rattlesnakes, lizards, spiders, centipedes, scorpions, etc...". They are now home safe and sound as well, and as she says, there's no lace like home!

[SjoDry]

Not sure if the good news challenge is still on or not?? But I am going to share anyway...I had the most amazing day this week.

First,my PCP retired this past September, which necessitated me calling to get a copy for all of my records (I had been going to this doc for over 10 years). The office has a policy that if a patient moves to another doctor, they will send the records for free to the new doctor. In my case, however, I have so many other specialists and a great Rheumy who will cover most of my prescriptions. Also, because my case is so complex...I wanted to take my time researching to find a physician to handle all of my needs. I will add that when my doctor moved from the first location I started seeing her in, she inherited a very snarky and snippy staff. They were so rude and nasty on so many occasions, that I contemplated leaving a number of times, but liked my doctor and stuck it out.

But back to my story...I called to let them know I would need a copy of all of my records..their first response is, who is your new doctor? Well I explained that I do not have one yet, and want to take my time finding one. I told them that I wanted them to please send me the a copy of all of my files The lady sniped that I would have to pay for them. I asked if they charge when they send them to new physicians? No they don't. I said well okay...please let me know the cost. She sniped that I needed to sign a release..so I did and faxed it over immediately. I waited for at least 2 weeks or so before getting a call-back.

I missed the call but called her back as soon as I heard the message. The lady informed me that I would need to send them a check (for almost $150.00). I said Wow..that seems like a lot..I expected a $30.00 or $40.00 charge..but that seems a bit excessive. She became very nasty and spat well, that's what it is. I said..Geez..is that even legal (I didn't mean to say it out loud)..this really ticked her off..she practically screamed into the phone, Why of course it's legal. I told her I would be in touch. I immediately did my research to see if there are limits to what a physician's office can charge for a patient's medical records. For PA., this office was charging me the maximum amount that they can charge.

Now granted..truly...$150.00 in the big scheme of things is not much...but when you are carrying lots of medical debt, pay $950.00 a MONTH for insurance..have my expensive IVIG infusions and all the rest of it...well you get it. This made me decide to research & see who owned the medical office. I found the doctor's name & continued to research. I knew if I sent him a letter at work, he would never see it. So I found his home address & sent my letter there explaining my situation. I told him that I am perfectly happy to pay for the records, that the amount just seemed a bit high and almost felt like punishment in the way the lady snarled at me.

And...so there you have it the lead up to my good day call from the medical office. A very nice woman said the doctor had read my letter & felt terrible about it. They are going to copy my entire record without any charge. I asked if they would call when it was ready for pick-up. She said, Oh no, we will send it to you.

So my patient advocacy paid off.

That is part I of Sjodry's very good, excellent day.
SjoDry