Two Special Christmas Gifts

Not surprisingly, the holidays were busy and full of excitement. Anastasia asked for just a couple of things from Santa.

1. Magic Tree House Books
2. A stroller for her baby doll
3. A display case for her stuffed dogs

Orlando and I were a bit perplexed by the list, but Santa came through with a shelf that fits into her already full room.



The grown ups received gifts, too. It's always fun to think about what would be a perfect present for the important people in our lives. Our gifts to our mothers were not really pricey, they just took a bit of combined legwork, and we managed to surprise both of them.

For Myney's gift Orlando and I got in touch with Brent Nixon, the naturalist we first met on our Alaska Cruise in 2008. Myney was very taken with his engaging style of presentation. He was the naturalist on our 2013 Alaska cruise, as well, and we attended every lecture. He mentioned during that trip that he likes to stay with fans when he travels, so Orlando and I hatched a plan. On a layover between cruise commitments, we've arranged to have Nixon stay at our house for 3 days and present a private lecture at our house (he'll also do a talk at Anastasia's school). She opened a copy of his latest DVD and when we explained her gift, she was very excited. His October visit will be here before we know it.

For my mother, Sandi, Rob, Orlando, and I pooled our efforts. Through a silent auction fundraiser for Anastasia's school, I was able to arrange for a flag to be flown over the Capitol for my Dad. Sandi and Rob sent the flag that was presented to Mom at his memorial service. We arranged for it to be flown on Dad's birthday, November 27. It was a grey day, blustery, raining, and snowing at various points. Orlando and I made our way to the Capitol, and we were able to get some great pictures, in which the only real color is the flag itself. We picked the best one and had it blown up on canvas to send to Mom along with the certificate describing Dad's service as a Capitol Page and Air Force Staff Sargent.



Sandi and Rob delivered it to Mom during a quiet time on Christmas afternoon, while the kids were occupied with their gifts from Santa. It was the perfect time for her to open it, and she loved her gift from all of us.

A Merry Christmas was had by all.

The case for health insurance

Things that are outside of our control happen to us every day and the hit to the pocketbook can be bigger than I ever imagined. A couple months ago, just a few weeks into the school year, Anastasia took a header off of her scooter and crashed hard on the sidewalk about halfway up the block. Her friend, Josephine, who was playing with her, rushed down to our house, where Orlando was sitting on the porch, then up to her own house where I was hanging out with her mother. Little girl was in pain, and there was an obvious bump on her forearm. It didn't take long for Orlando and me to decide that our Friday evening was going to be spent at the emergency room.

The ER docs were great, waiting until she had some strong pain relief on board before taking her for an x-ray. Once the pain killers had taken effect, she switched back into goofy mode.



After a couple hours, we were sent home with a very sleepy little girl in a cast up to her shoulder.



Bill to us for the evening (ER Co-pay): $50
Bill to insurance for the evening: $3,197.85

Two weeks later, we were back at the orthopedics office for a check up. The x-ray showed she was healing well, and Dr. Friend (I couldn't make that up) gave the okay to swap the big cast for a shorter one. Predictably, Anastasia picked a pink cast, which she wore for the following 5 weeks.



At the end of the 5 weeks, it was time to go back and have the pink one cut off.

Total co-pays for follow up visits: $40
Bill to insurance for follow ups: $2,401

We're a generally very healthy family, but this single accident could have cost us more than $5,500 out of pocket. Not exactly affordable.

One more example. I'm allergic to bees. I haven't been stung since high school, but I should still carry adrenaline with me all the time, just in case. This week, it was time to replace my Epi-Pen. It's been quite some time since I've gotten a new one, so I was surprised to find that the co-payment was more than three times the typical $10 fee for prescriptions. A quick look at the receipt showed that the non-insurance price for this lifesaving medication is

$827.95

I was shocked. Say what you want about the Affordable Care Act, but no one will convince me that anyone should be allowed to choose not to have health insurance. The ACA makes sure that those with pre-existing conditions can't be turned away and that everyone will be able to find a plan that covers the basics (like my two examples) that they can afford. Surely knowing you can afford to see a doctor, or have the lifesaving medication is worth more than a $4 latte every day?

Nutcracker Fun

This weekend Myney and I took Anastasia to see the Nutcracker at the Warner Theater. We went last year, and Anastasia really enjoyed it. It's an unusual performance, in that it's set in Washington, DC, and features many American Historical Figures, including Betsy Ross and George Washington (as the Nutcracker).

We started with brunch across the street from the theater. Anastasia was very happy to enjoy waffles and biegnets with chocolate milk. I didn't complain about having biscuits and gravy, either.



We got tickets to "Family Day" this year. The doors opened an hour and a half before showtime to offer a sneak peak behind the scenes of the show. The Rat King met us at the door, signing autographs and posing for pictures. It was very exciting to be able to take pictures of the sets, and the dancers.



We made our way into the theater where Drosselmeyer was signing autographs. We got his signature then headed over to meet Clara. We found our seats (in the second row, not sure how we lucked into those) just in time to see Septime Webre lead a rehearsal of the Toy Soldiers.



After the rehearsal, Anastasia and I headed back out to see some more of the dancers. She posed with the Sugar Plum Fairy, made an ornament and found Lady Liberty posing for pictures, too. Meanwhile, Myney watched the clowns rehearse and got us refreshments to tide us over through the first act.



Anastasia really loved the show, she sat on the edge of her seat for most of it. At intermission, we went out to get an ornament (pretty, sparkly ballerina) and drinks for the second act. She told me how she was enjoying the show, and how much she like the character of Clara. The second act features some of my favorite dances, but much less story. Nevermind, Anastasia was enthralled. She is also particularly interested in learning more about her own connection to the story.

A few years ago, Orlando and I learned that the original story of the Nutcracker was written for (and about) two Hitzig children. The author, E.T.A. Hoffman, was a family friend to Julius Hitzig. Hoffman felt that the Hitzigs (and most parents of the time) were too strict with their children, stifling their creativity. So, in 1816, he wrote a fairy tale for the children, Marie and Fritz, that was as much a commentary on the parenting style of the day as an opportunity to entertain the children. We don't know the exact genealogy that connects Anastasia, through Orlando, to Marie and Fritz Hitzig, that's research for the future. For now, we're very happy to have a little Nutcracker in our holiday preparations.

Giving Thanks

Thursday was Thanksgiving, and the beginning of a long weekend for the whole family. It was lovely and busy, and also a lot of fun. Sometimes I think we take for granted all that we are blessed with. There's lots to be thankful for, starting with the overall health and happiness of our family. There are big things like freedom and little things like indoor plumbing.

I'd like to take this opportunity to name a few of the things I'm thankful for. We are so fortunate to live where we live, to have the freedom our nation affords us, and to have the comfort and security of knowing that we are loved. In addition, here are a few of the more tangible things I'm thankful to have had in my life, even as we miss those who are no longer with us.

This guy and the girl with the toothless grin


Grandmothers and Grandfathers




Brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews.



These three

All of our friends, near and far, those who've been with us since we were small, and the ones who've joined our particular crazy train more recently.

And much more. Next year, I'd like to try to be a bit better at expressing my gratitude throughout the year. There's so much to be thankful for.

It's Been So Long Since Last We Met

It's been so long since last we met ...

That's the first line of the Georgetown fight song, and I think it sums things up nicely.

It's been a long time, but Orlando has inspired me to try to get back into the writing of the blog. Apparently he was bored the other day and read the entire thing from the beginning, and was sad that I had gotten out of the habit of writing it. So, today seems to be as good a day as any to pick it back up.

A friend gave Orlando two tickets to the Georgetown basketball game for today. He suggested that I take Anastasia, maybe to balance out the Maryland indoctrination with a little Hoya Saxa. She's had 7 full years of learning about Maryland sports, and I've been a bit lax in my teaching of Georgetown lore.

This morning I sang her the whole fight song (she thinks it's too long) and she finally put on the Georgetown t-shirt that I bought her months ago (to go with a very stylish maxi skirt, because that's how she rolls).

It may have been pricey, but lunch was very delicious, and almost too big for little stuff to eat.



Next, it was on to our seats. We had section 225 to ourselves. Not the closest seats, but we had a good view of the action. Anastasia has a pretty good understanding of football, but she really knew nothing about basketball. So, it was up to me to school her a bit. She's a quick study and within a few minutes of the first half, she was really into the game.



The Hoyas won, and we took the short metro ride home, arriving in plenty of time to see Maryland win their last regular season football game. Yep, that's a good day.