Can I vent about one little thing that's totally a First World Problem?

Book reviewers/bloggers who receive ARCs from the publisher and put up a rating on a site like GoodReads WITHOUT the benefit of a review. And yes, I will be completely honest and say that it bugs me because they're three-star ratings. I don't care about receiving nothing but ratings once the book is out-- not everyone is going to review the book and that's okay. And I don't care if a reviewer opts not to review a book, because that's totally their call as well.

But to give JUST the ratings and no review before the freakin' book is out?

Okay.

Done now.

Feel free to tell me I'm being a neurotic author.

t /neurotic author moment

that package in the mail is on its way to you.

It got here today!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! It is now living on the fireplace mantel with the other Oz-themed snowglobes and some camels. Can never have too many of either, IMHO.

Seriously, thank you so much.

If you'd like another officiant's input, I'd be happy to offer some of the cool stuff I've been able to use in ceremonies.

Thanks! I may do that.

but I haven't felt right about how to communicate the two goals of the letter.

I think maybe the problem is that the issues you are addressing should really be in two separate letters. One, you need to set up a plan to pay. Two, you have problems with your treatment there. I'd think these would be handled by two different departments.

I had to set up a payment plan w/ Hopkins to pay for the stuff my insurance didn't pay when I was a patient there a few years ago. It was not a big deal at all. I just called the financial office and was able to set up a payment plan through a website. I don't know if that's standard or what.

My experience has been that the billing departments of hospitals are very used to folks with sudden, debilitating financial burdens. The insurance company accountants should be staked out over red ant hills, but I've never run into anyone other than considerate, helpful people in the billing department itself.

It's true that the offices I've called about payment plans have been lovely and patient. That isn't my current problem.

I do see the point that there are two different issues but honestly feel that one informs the other. I need Hospital 1 to help with the expenses incurred at Hospital 2 which were incurred as a result of incompetence at Hospital 1. I don't know how to explain that need/expectation without going into the details of the poor care.

And, the longer I struggle with the lasting effects of the pneumonia, the angrier I get.

Eh. Maybe I need to ask an attorney to write the letter for me. Perhaps dispassion would be more effective.

Maybe I need to ask an attorney to write the letter for me. Perhaps dispassion would be more effective.

This is probably a good idea. Good luck!

I think having a lawyer write a letter is best, bonny. I don't think it's standard policy for a hospital to admit incompetence regarding patient care, so getting them to pony up to pay for hospital #2 is unlikely without legal help.

Dinner tonight - before leaving for work, put a pork roast in the crock pot - roast had been seared with s&p and thyme. In searing pan, threw in some onions and ground ginger. Deglazed with some water added the water and two eighthed honeycrisp apples. It's been cooking since this morning. The pork is falling apart and there is a lovely chunky apple-y sauce. In the oven are some potatoes tossed with s&p, lemon oil, fresh rosemary and wild onion (courtesy of my across the street neighbor). When the potatoes are done roasting, I'm going to be a happy girl.

I can't find a copy center that can copy my 5 1/2 and 8 1/2 wedding announcements. "Our old machines could do that, but the new ones can't. t panicking