My Update

I know I kind of fell off the face of the Earth, so I just wanted to update you all on what's going on.

I'm TRYING to get into the mindset of blogging at least once a day, whether it's a personal update, a money update, a poker update or a how I saved money update.

So, after my last blog, I went and got the chicken pox vaccine! It was a hefty price ($120) since my insurance didn't cover it as I'm over 18 and that vaccine is only covered up to 18. Oh well. So I got it a few weeks ago and kept it in the freezer waiting for the perfect time to get the shot. I went last Friday and took my best friend with me for support...and to hold my hand :) I squeezed his hand so hard, but I didn't feel a thing!!!!! So it wasn't as bad as I thought...so far. I got back in a few weeks for my second dose, then I'm all done!

I've been working hard lately and working Overtime and earning some comp time for days off. I like that better, getting comp time as opposed to OT (more taxes!), so that's good. So far, I really like my job so I'm trying to enjoy it as much as I can before I get to that point where I can't stand my job hahahaha.

I think I'm going to try Frances' HULU plus trial, if I can. I think I will make it a 'project' to see how many of the shows we 'have to watch' are streamed through Hulu. I know one isn't (The Amazing Race) but they stream that on CBS.com as well. I'm always looking for ways to save money, and in a few months, the awesome deal I got from my cable company is up and if this Hulu works, I may just cancel cable (I think I just heard my DH collapse after I typed that lol). So I will aim to update you everyday on how the Hulu Plus trial/project works out.

We haven't done much on weekends, but veg out. I try to set goals for cleaning and spring cleaning, but the couch and TV are just killer for me! I'll sit on the couch and the TV just goes on and puts on some good shows, and before I know it, I wasted the whole day doing NOTHING. I guess it's good I do it now b/c once we start having kids, I won't be able to do that anymore..yikes!

I also gave up poker (gasp) for Lent! I'm not a huge religious person, but I like following the Lent rule because it makes me see that the small things in life aren't worth the sweat. I try to give up things that I know are bad for me. One year, I gave up soda and for the longest time, I never craved or wanted it. Every blue moon I may have a diet soda, but other then that, it's not an everyday vice anymore. I decided to give up poker b/c it's a huge part of my life and in giving it up, I am able to put my focus on other things in my life (family, friends, DH, myself, etc.). I know I have another two weeks, and let me tell you, we haven't even been to AC in about 6 weeks now. We can still go and not play (we can play blackjack, slots, etc) but we have no urge. I'm starting to get the urge now. The new casino is opening up down there, and the day before Easter we are going to see a show down there...so I'm tempted at 12:01 on Easter morning (if we are still there) to hop on a poker table! I've also reached out to a friend of ours who is a pro player and asked if he would be my mentor/coach, and he accepted...so I'm totally psyched to start playing again!

I'm also trying to overcome this stupid fear of flying. I found a few flights I'd like to take, and in April, there is a fear of flying class in NY...it's quite a hike for me, but I'm trying to find one here in Jersey. i'd LOVE to overcome this fear so that way I can possibly hopefully for my husband's birthday in August go to VEGAS for his 35th! So we'll see!!!!! Any advice (other then taking pills...I have them, but want to do it with my own mind!)?

To Vaccinate or Not?

So, my newest worry as of late is Chicken Pox (weird, yes, I know). I never got it as a child, and I got tested a few years back to see if I'm immune, my dr. says I am not. I went to go get the vaccine a few years back, but chickened out at the clinic. Too many young kids there screaming, the place looked really shady (as did the doctors) and when I told the people why I was there, they looked at my like I had 2 heads. I think that's weird b/c the CDC recommends adults to get the vaccine if they never got it and are not immune.

So now, I'm ready to have a baby. But I'm afraid of one day catching chickenpox, primarily while pregnant (many birth defects, I'd be sick as a dog, etc). Even if not pregnant, it's not something fun to deal with as an adult.

So I'm on my kick again to get vaccinated. My dr. gave me a script, after questioning why I wanted it, then the front desk lady came in saying to sue my mother (i'm not kidding) for not getting me the vaccine when I was young. I've done a ton of research on this. They started with the vaccine in 1995, and not to date myself, but I was 15 at the time, so I wasn't getting a vaccine, esp so early on when they rolled it out. It was never a big deal in my family (chicken pox).

So back on my kick, I went and got the script refilled (couldn't get it at my pharmacy OR Rite Aid, but my best friend has a pharmacy across from his shop and were able to get it). It was $120, and I have a second dose waiting for me to pick up as I need 2 doses. So I have to go back to my doctor (who I don't like and am looking to switch doctors as well) and have him inject me with it. It's a live vaccine, so the chicken pox will be injected into me. Not fun. I think I'll be okay with the needle part (I have given blood and was the guinea pig for medical students to practice on my arm pretending to take blood) so that's good. But I'm terrified of the 'side effects'. I know they say a very low percentage will get a breakthough chickenpox (less then 50 blisters, low or no fever, etc). The pharmacist I got it from said he got his on a friday, and on Saturday, he was run done, very tired, fever, and had about 10 or so blisters on him. By Sunday he was fine.

I don't know....should I even do it? I mean it's so rare to see someone with chickenpox nowadays since the vaccine and people having it as a child. I haven't heard anyone having it in many years...but still. I do worry that later in life I may be exposed to it, and the older I get, the worse it will get. I will get it done on a Friday, so that way if anything happens, hopefully it will happen on a weekend and not have to miss work, or only a day or two if I do get the blister things (they say I am contagious with them, so to not go to work or school). I already told my boss that if I call out for chickenpox, I'm not lying. I'm just a worrywart I guess. I should just go friday and get it done right? But then again...do I go to my doctor who I'm not too keen on, or switch doctors?