August Happiness -- Tuesday 21

The lunchtime cruise with my cousin. OK, raise your hand if you saw this coming. I know, I know … I always dread stuff like this and it's never that bad. Maybe it was the sunshine on a day that was supposed to be rainy, or the unusually good lunch or the Bay Breeze I ordered (to get the souvenir glass, of course), but I had a good time.

When I saw how gray Rose was, I realized it's been two years since I saw her last. None of us is getting younger. She loves me very much and is proud of me. I owe her so much. A few pleasant hours on the Lake, enjoying food and booze and watching the city I love go by is really such a tiny way to repay that debt.

I can be a hideous, awful brat. But at least I'm honest. And hopefully I can learn from today and be a better gal going forward.

Heads & Tails #2

This week's meme is about the times luck has played a part in our lives.

For me, the one that's top of mind is HEALTH INSURANCE. I work in an industry -- advertising -- where comprehensive and affordable health insurance is an expected benefit. I think it's because hiring is competitive and agencies know that when a person is interviewing, or considering jumping ship, we compare the benefits different companies offer.

I know, though, that I'm lucky. Very lucky. If I have an ache or pain, I go to the doctor, hand over my insurance card, and only pay a portion of the customary and acceptable charge. If I need a preventative test -- like a mammogram, pap smear or a cholesterol check -- I just go and get it done, confident that if I'm charged at all, it will be minimal. The most I pay for a prescription is $40 -- generics are as little as $5. I recently had restorative dental work done, and much of that was covered by our dental plan.

My sister is not as lucky. She's a stay-at-home mom and her husband works in home maintenance/janitorial service. Their annual deductible is $2,500. He lost his job recently and the COBRA charge is crippling. And, as luck (there's that word again) would have it, now is when my sister has developed health problems. There are diagnostic tests involved, and while more expensive that they can afford, they still not $2,500. And naturally, now is when her tooth broke, and her family has no dental coverage whatsoever. Nor do they have any prescription coverage.

Two sisters/two very different stories. I'm lucky that I'm covered, she's unlucky because she's not. And it has had an impact on both our lives.

For more information about Heads & Tails, and to participate yourself, visit Skittles Place.