yep, it was expensive.

As the picture clearly shows, this echo- cardiagram the doctor ordered was expensive—$3037.43 American.

I called and told them I had no insurance and was paying cash. They reduced it 66%. That's probably what the insurance companies pay. Still a lot, but more doable. There goes the kitchen floor money, again.

Then I went to leave for school and the car is dead. I used it earlier and it was fine. When AAA came they jumped it and I took it to the garage. Fords apparently have expensive batteries. Can't use cheap ones. So with an oil change it's about $212. Eek.

And finally, my suspicions about mice in my house were confirmed. They must have got stuck and I could hear this eerie scratching coming from the either the drop ceiling or way upper cupboards are both. I've been in denial. The mouse turds have been showing up in the kitchen. One day there was some shredded paper towel—another bad sign—I learned that in girl scout camp. The rose colored glasses are off. Anybody know a mouse-buster? I could really use a hero. Or a husband. Or a handy-man. I don't do well with rodents. Or dead animals. Freaked-out doesn't nearly begin to describe me. I bought some of those traps that the mouse is hidden. They were expensive. I bet they don't work. I also bought a big pack of the old fashion snap-the-neck- (and your fingers) off types. The mouse-buster or someone else will need to hide those out of my view and come empty them daily. I'll feed him.

Is it April yet?

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Update 4/2

Today I got another bill from the Cardiologist group that read the test. Another $400. I'm hoping they reduce it also when I call Monday.

I WILL NEVER TAKE A TEST AGAIN UNTIL I GET INSURANCE. I know many of you hate the idea of universal health care. AKA Obamacare. But for me, anything has got to be better than this.

the mouse-in-the-house diet plan

Last Saturday I was at home, using the computer in my office and having a fine evening with anticipation of the Olympics. Then I heard a crinkle, crinkle, crinkle noise. When I looked down there was a mouse perched up on the top of my waste basket, with a look on his little face that said "hello there".

I know what he was after. Saturdays are usually fend for yourself days around here, and I didn't eat well at all. And I was craving sweet. About a half-hour before I had taken a Taskykake Kandy Kake out of the freezer, ate it frozen and thrown the wrapper in the wastebasket. The smell of peanut butter still lingered and "mikey" smelled it.

I got up, threw on the light and "mickey" fell into the basket. I grabbed a book and stuck it on top. (Advertising and Brand Marketing). Told my roommate what was going on and then took the basket outside. A little while later I retrieved the book. Did I mention that it was under freezing, the mouse perished. I thought I was setting him free.

I was unsettled and grossed out. But okay. I could deal. Then the next day, at midnight I turned off the Olympics, turned off the lights, and headed up the dark stairs in my bare feet. The stairs are white and as I ran up them I noticed something dark on the step. When I got to the top I flicked on the lights and it was a mouse. I freaked. I went into full panic mode. I was being invaded. I couldn't sleep. I was a mess.

That started the mouse-in-the-house diet plan.

Until that day I ate a lot at my desk. I never cared what I threw in the basket. My keyboard is full of crumbs, and my desk gets cleared of them regularly. It all stopped that night. I won't even eat in the living room any more.  Hell, I'm afraid to even go in the kitchen after dinner. I'm afraid of eating anywhere but at the table lest I drop a crumb. I'm a mess.

Yesterday I was in the supermarket and I went to pick up candy. Put it back. Mice would get it. Went to pick up these really tasty multi grain tortilla chips. Again put them back.

Mice have changed everything. The way I shop. The way I impulse buy, the way I eat. At least till spring.