Sundays with Sam is a combination of Sunday Post hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer and Stacking the Shelves hosted by Tynga's Reviews.
My Week in Review
Happy Sunday! I am sad to say that I am writing to your from NJ today. BOOO!
My daughter planned such a wonderful weekend for me. I know I mentioned parts of it. Hello Kitty high tea on Saturday was a definite highlight. Then we did a low key dinner at Hattie B's over by the stadium. On Sunday, we went to see Dirty Dancing: The Musical. They did a good job capturing the spirit of the film. It's an odd musical because almost all the singing was only done by two of the characters. They made some odd additions to the story as well. Not positive why, but it was a fun show, and the theatre was stunning. I adore old theatres. The James M. Nederlander theatre was built in 1926 and is resplendent with art deco elements. We originally had reservations at this restaurant, but then we received an email the night before that their pizza oven was broken. We were going there for the pizza. We pivoted and went to a place in the loop called Parlor Pizza Bar. We went for the pizza, but the star of our meal ended up being the Super Green Salad. It was delicious! Monday, we went to see the Pokemon exhibit at the Field Museum. I thought it was well done. I liked the way they showed the real world tie in. I was disappointed with the shop. They were out of the item I wanted to buy, so I bought nothing. After, Nan Xiang in River North. It was excellent. It's apparently a chain, and there is one not too far from me. I would definitely go again.
Remember how I said I had to pay over $700 for those scans? Apparently, they low-balled me. I had to pay another $300. My share was $1,019, and they want me to do this again in six months???? That's a lot of money. I also found out that my deductible went up. It was $2,000, but now it's $2,100. I suppose I did not pay attention because I honestly try not to go to doctors. It's very expensive. Cue the tears.
On the Blog
Stacking the Shelves
I was excited about this haul because I got a widget for the new Madeline Bell. I LOVED her debut and was hoping to read Much Ado About Everything. It was a nice surprise to get the invite. I already have the Jen Doyle book. I am not familiar with Katie Gergel, but Worth Playing For has a fun concept. Could be good. Finally, I downloaded a freebie of Catherine Cowles. I have yet to read any of her books, but they are very well loved. Want to check her out.
Purchased/Free
- Beautifully Broken Pieces by Catherine Cowles
Invites
- Save a Horse by Jen Doyle
- Worth Playing For by Katie Gergel
- Much Ado About Everything by Madeline Bell
Read Last Week
Despite my DNF, I had a very good reading week. I have read all these authors before with the exception of Curto. All the books were great! In Stormy Weather and If Not You were both rivals-to-lovers, and I was happy the heroines were matched with fantastic heroes who they deserved. Higgins' book was heartbreaking. So. Many. Tears. And the latest by DeLuca was wonderful! It was fantastic to be back in the Well Met world and seeing Caitlin all grown up.
Find all my reviews on Goodreads
Books
- In Stormy Weather by Chelsea Curto - ★★★★ 1/2
- If Not You by Ellen O'Clover - ★★★★ 1/2
- The Me I Used to Be by Kristan Higgins - ★★★★ 1/2
- Well Versed by Jen DeLuca - ★★★★ 1/2
Audiobooks
- Crosby by Sawyer Bennett - ★★★★
Currently Reading
- Good at Being Alive by Elizabeth O'Roark
- The Hot Shot by Cynthia Gunderson
To Be Read
- Trust Fall by Lynn Painter
- You're the One That I Haunt by Katie Jung
- Christmas at Honeycomb Bay by Lilac Mills
Let us know in the comments!
Talk about a packed week...and a fun one! Too bad for the ROBBING (how would you call a $1,019 bill?).
ReplyDeleteThe deductible system is brutal when you don't require a lot of medical treatments. I was fully aware of how much the eye treatments would run me and that insurance would NOT cover any of it. The system is very confusing, and I understand it's an expensive test ($2, 998 total), but I also never understand how they determine what is and isn't covered. And then, why was the estimate wrong? The medical billing should have gotten that number right, and they kept telling me that it could be less after they send it to the insurance company, but it was MORE. It was frustrating to receive a second bill.
DeleteWow, that's a lot of money. Sorry you're going through that. It sucks that fighting with insurance companies becomes a hobby whenever you need a lot of medical care.
ReplyDeleteSure is, and they think I will be doing that twice a year???? I have to have words with my GP when I have my physical.
DeleteI'm so glad you had a good time in Chicago. I LOVE the Field Museum. It was the highlight of my trip! Medical expenses are out of control! How can anyone pay that!?
ReplyDeleteWe don't normally do tourist things when I visit. I am usually only there for her dance show or a concert. This was fun and different for us. I hadn't been downtown is a long while. I need to take a course or something to understand how to navigate the deductible. Still don't understand why my eye treatment didn't count. They couldn't explain that when I called either. Just didn't.
DeleteI am so sorry that doctors cost so much Sam! I know we are privileged in my country. But on the bright side it seems that you had an amazing time with your daughter!
ReplyDeleteI had a great time with the kid. Insurance was a lot better before ACA. That's when all these monster deductibles started and the system began to be difficult to navigate.
DeleteSounds like a wonderful visit with your daughter! I love historical theatres, too! All the art deco details are right up my alley. Bummer about the medical costs and your deductible going up! EVERYTHING is so expensive now!
ReplyDeleteI think you'll enjoy Catherine Cowles. I will be listening to the Kristan Higgins hopefully soon. I sobbed reading Look on the Brightside by her, but it's one of my favorites! She has a way of reaching in and wrenching my heart right out!
Once the government gets involved, costs skyrocket. I remember what it was like before ACA. Much simpler. This Higgins books was tough due to the subject matter, but she did right by the characters. There were some things in the story that worried me, but she righted that ship. It was a beautiful story of friendship. Still sad stuff though.
DeleteI liked Brightside. It did not destroy me like Pack Up the Moon or this book
DeleteSo glad you had a great time in Chicago! I don't understand insurance stuff, either. I actually got a refund from a provider the other day, so that was unexpected but nice!
ReplyDeleteRefunds you don't expect are the best! I think I was more mad because the hospital told me this is the amount, I paid it, then they said it could be less, and it was more. I feel like they should be reaching out to insurance before they send me the pre-payment bill, and it should have the right amount. I thought there was some transparency law or something in NJ too. I don't usually need much with doctors, but getting older. This is what happens when I go for a physical. BOO
DeleteThat's a lot for a scan. Dang. I didn't even know Dirty Dancing had a Musical.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember when they adapted Dirty Dancing, but it's a popular trend with movies and TV shows. I do not believe it ever went to Broadway.
DeleteI'm glad you had a wonderful time in Chicago with your daughter. I'm going to see Dirty Dancing at the end of November, and am really excited. That is terrible about the cost of your tests. Twice a year is tough, I hope you doctor has another alternative for you. Enjoy all your upcoming reads, Sam.
ReplyDelete