For the blood tests for this insurance thing, it looks like I'm going to have to get some totally superfluous ones done. I get my cholesterol tested yearly anyway, but for this, the test has to be done within a certain period if it's done by your regular doctor rather than by them, and my last test was just before that period started, and it ended last month. (No, I have no idea why the period for getting the test done by your regular doctor ended before they told us that we'd need to have it done.)

~ma, Maria!

We have optional health assessments and whatnot at work. For a while I was also receiving letters saying, basically, "You're a fat cow, so let this person with questionable medical credentials call you up and shame you regularly." I ignored them, and when someone in HR mentioned the practice (generally, not at me specifically) I told her I found them creepy and intrusive, and that discussions about my health would be between me and my doctor. The letters have since stopped. (And not because I've become magically slender.)

I'm nearly positive that, if they send automated letters with health advice based on our test results, then mine will say that I should eat less red meat and dairy. That's what automated health letters always tell me.

Calli,

You're a fat cow, so let this person with questionable medical credentials call you up and shame you regularly

You remind me of the nurse that assisted my previous, beloved doctor. She gave me really bad info that my doctor had to correct.

when someone in HR mentioned the practice (generally, not at me specifically) I told her I found them creepy and intrusive, and that discussions about my health would be between me and my doctor

I liked that you said this.

In regard to scaring listeners:

Nothing Rhymes With “Episiotomy”

Janie and I went to Marcia’s shower
expecting some pre-baby fun.
We arrived at her house at the agreed upon hour
and immediately wanted to run.
Marcia’s round belly was surrounded by girls who
regaled her with tales of their labor,
while Marcia grew paler and tried to grab onto
her wits, a life raft, or a saber.
“I pooped on the table,” said plump, old Aunt Pat,
(She made it sound like a boast).
Said Tiffany-Sue: “Oh, everyone does that.”
Marcia turned white as a ghost.
“For shame, now girls,” said reserved cousin Flo,
“Who cares ’bout your old lady bits?
Babies do much more damage as they grow.
Good heavens, just look at my tits!”
Within a half-hour I needed a shower
and Marcia and Janie looked faint.
“Why, that’s nothing” said gran, who fluttered her fan,
“You should see what they did to my taint!”
Of blood and of bile they prattled on blindly,
(By now Marcia was starting to heave.)
They showed c-section scars (a little unkindly).
It was clear that we needed to leave.
The talk of the girls
caused great twisting of pearls
and left us all thinking of options.
Janie’s decided to stay on the pill,
And I’m looking into adoption.

by Jenny Lawson edited to add line breaks

I think I'll remember the bit about "I have been seeing a doctor about my issues for several years, I prefer to have these discussions with him." Maybe some hints about HIPAA would be useful.

Also, hot flashes suck.

The 3 on the digital fingerpad for our oven won't work -- you have to press BAKE and then manually program the time, or hit AutoSet to get it to 350. There are no up and down arrows to adjust temperature.

The banana bread I want to make requires 375, for 40-50 min. Would it be better to do it on 400 for a shorter time, or 350 (because I'm pretty sure the AutoSet will work) for shorter?

Suggestions?

Probably preheated to 350.

And bake a little longer? (I accidentally put shorter above.)

can someone send Jesse some eye candy to put up at eyecandy.