Sunday, November 17, 2013

Toni Christina Jenkins

 http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/10/tennessee-man-denies-writing-n-word-on-red-lobster-receipt/


Ugh.  She was definitely doing this for attention.  I've seen her facebook page.  She has a young child, multiple posts about how "dire" her own health is recently, new tattoo, etc - and it's all completely public.  Granted, some people forget to put their facebook to private...but there is a LOT of personal shit on there open for ALL to see.  She also linked and provided a photo of her accepting the $10k check and asked people to "spread the word".  She's in it for the attention/money.  (She even wrote that everyone she knows is getting knocked up lately.  Not exactly pillars of society.)

As per the couple: I do not tip when I am doing a To Go order.  All you did was put the food in a box, like any McDonald's worker.  You get tipped for your shining personality, making sure I have everything I need to enjoy my meal (refilling glasses, napkins, doing the dishes), and for your service.  Since I am not eating in the actual restaurant, and taking care of my own needs most likely at my own home (which means I'm basically my own server)...you don't get tipped.  It's not like you are delivering a pizza to my home and wasting gas on me.  You are walking 5 feet to the kitchen and putting my shit in a box.  Not. That. Hard.  (I am a 20% tipper when dining in a restaurant, IF they are a good server.  If they are gossiping in a corner with their coworkers the entire time instead of serving me, they get maybe 10% and a complaint to management)  I also write NONE in the tip line if I pay with a debit card, too easy to try to STEAL money from me if your service is garbage.

I am happy that a handwriting analysis was concluded, and I am REALLY happy that he is suing.  She should never have posted his personal information on the internet, nor should she have omitted details of what really happened.  (She didn't mention originally that it was To Go, etc)  This should not of been a big deal, except for the fact that *someone* wrote a slur on there.

Even if they completely ignored her attempting to wait on them, that's her JOB.  You are a waitress, the couple was 1) busy trying to figure out if they had to leave or not, 2) trying to figure out what they were going to order or 3) in their own world completely ignoring her.  Also, I don't think it's a crime that they didn't want dessert.  She seemed to make a big deal out of the dessert aspect.  This couple can completely treat her like dirt, and unless management removes them from the restaurant...it's her JOB to deal with it.  (I mean really, how long did she have to put up with their supposedly nasty attitudes when they eventually ordered it To Go?  Not long at all, I'd imagine.)

Also, she kept her job and was suspended WITH pay. She wasn't punished at all. She was "warned", but not punished. Her suspension was a mini-vacation.

Personally, I am waiting for HER handwriting to be checked out.  I don't buy her story one bit.

Friday, November 15, 2013

North Ogden Animal Hospital


1580 N Washington Blvd
Ogden, UT 84404
(801) 782-4401

Our little chihuahua/terrier mix had a broken femur on her right hind leg, the vet sent us home with our broken dog and no splint on the leg.  We needed to find someone almost immediately to get her treated, as the vet sent us home without proper long term care.

We live in Logan, and were initially referred to a veterinary orthopedic surgeon in Salt Lake City.  We were quoted $1200 for her surgery via the intial vet, which was completely FALSE.  Upon calling Dr. Smith (the surgeon in SLC), we were informed that her surgery would cost anywhere from $2500-$5000, when he didn't even see the xrays yet.  That was just outrageous and we were sorely tempted to just have the leg amputated due to cost.  Dr. Smith even told me that he was going on a cruise and could not do the surgery until either Monday or Tues.  That is over 6 days from the initial injury date, and absolutely insane to make a dog wait that long while in massive pain.

I called around 45 different vet clinics and animal hospitals (all the way from Northern Utah down to Midvale).  Each one told me the same thing: they would most likely refer me back to Dr. Smith, OR that they could try to do the surgery but no promises on not referring me back to Dr. Smith.

Finally, I spoke with Sandy at North Ogden Animal Hospital (still a long drive, but worth it if they can do the surgery and save my dog's leg).  She gave me a quote of $1600 to pin, or $2000 to plate the leg.  (Still, a LOT cheaper then Dr. Smith.)  She took the time to even get Dr. Evans on the phone with me to figure out an almost exact cost, and IF he could do the surgery (without the original xrays).  They scheduled me the very NEXT DAY!!!  Wow!  Dr. Evans told me that because my puppy's leg was NOT splinted, that she was in dire need of emergency care.

I am on bedrest due to SPD during my pregnancy.  My doctor has informed me to not even drive longer then 5 minutes.  Dr. Evans completely understood and worked with my brother to get the proper care/updates.  (This is also why SLC was out of the question)  Even during a blizzard, Dr. Evans worked in surgery on my puppy and went beyond what he needed to do.  He called me and talked to me at length about our options before even suggesting anything.

He isn't a fan of amputation, but suggested it upon seeing the cost and the injury.  However, I opted to pay $2300 to get the plates put in and they did the surgery.  I got the call an hour ago that my baby is out of surgery, and will be fully functional in 6-8 weeks.  He even spent an additional 30 minutes joking around on the phone with me, and informed me that the price might be LESS then $2300.  He told me that because the surgery was VERY costly (and not at all difficult) that he tried to save me money as best as he could.  (They accept Care Credit)

My baby comes home tomorrow.  Three total days after the injury.  I couldn't ask for a better vet!!!  This doctor was fantastic!  The entire office was speedy, informative, and fantastic!


Update 11/18/13:  My baby is home now.  The total cost for the surgery was $1990.  WAY cheaper then what even he quoted me for.  He went out of his way to try to save me any money he could, and made sure that I knew I could call him for ANYTHING.  He has even offered us a free amputation if something goes sour.  He answered a lot of questions I had, and even walked me through several "worst case" solutions (so we didn't have to make the drive again).  He even joked with me about even though my baby was completely doped up, that she was still bouncy.  He told me EVERYTHING that happened while she was in their care for that 12 hours (she went potty outside, licked a nurse - who gave her a cute scarf, and she was excited to come home).

My puppy is currently on day 4 of her bedrest, and comes off of it tomorrow.  She will be able to walk for a week, without any jumping still.  After that week is over, we can slowly start to play with her again.  We expect a full recovery in 4-6 weeks.  Stitches will come out after her recovery, but I'm fairly certain we won't need to drive back down there ever again.  He saved me a lot of time, aggravation, and a lot of money!

Oh...and ALL of this was done during a SEVERE winter storm.  The drive was miserable for my brother, but Dr. Evans stayed IN OFFICE during this mini-ice blizzard going on.  He went above and beyond the call of duty.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Kids Going To School Sick

http://www.examiner.com/article/10-reasons-why-parents-send-sick-kids-to-school

I HATE this article.  These aren't reasons, these are excuses. I know if my child is sick from day 1. I know if they are contagious. I know if they are going to get other children sick. I keep them home if they are sick. I have seen parents send their kids to school vomiting and with diarrhea. I'm not expecting you to keep your child out if they have a common cold. I DO expect you to keep them out if they are a walking vial of the flu. My kids get puked on EVERY year, I've had it with the excuses. If I have to keep MINE out, you keep YOURS out. Disgusting, lazy, entitled parenting.

(*Note* If your child has a common cold, it's not near as bad as the flu.  If your kid is vomiting and has diarrhea, then keep your fucking sick little shit out of school.  Don't send it.  Get it a flu shot, get it well, THEN send it to school.)

My girls constantly come home with new random diseases/viruses/bacterias.  For three years running, we have had one of my kids puked on by other students.  You heard me correctly: some jackass parent sent their kid to school, and their kid puked on my kid.  This has happened every year for three years now.  We JUST got over the flu (it even spread to our dog, thanks!!!), and the day my kids went back to school...they got puked on again!!!!

I work 3 fulltime jobs, 7 months pregnant (supposed to be on bedrest), and my husband is AD Army (stationed in another state).  Therefore, I don't really care if you "need a paycheck", or your kid can't miss anymore days.  These are excuses for your LACK of parenting.

If your kid pukes on mine again, I'm going to cause the biggest stink with the school, social services, and anyone else that will listen.  You are neglectful and entitled!!  You are the WORST type of parent I have ever seen!!!


I need a paycheck, my kids need to go to school, my husband needs his paycheck.  I have a LIFE outside of my kids being sick.  When you make my ENTIRE household sick, WE can't call out of work either!  Your excuse that you only get so many sick days from work, is LAUGHABLE!  I don't care!  We all work too, and even if we didn't, stay at home parents WORK at home TOO!  You are entitled!!!

Your excuse that the school district only allows a certain amount of excused days is RETARDED!  At the very least, you get 5-8 excused days, and 10-15 nonexcused days!  That is a lot of days!  There are MORE then enough days they can be absent before you are reported for being traunt!  Yet another excuse!

What about not having childcare, you ask?  Well too bad.  You have emergency contacts, and usually family/friends who will help out.  I have no one but myself!  My husband is stationed in another state.  He can't just go AWOL for three days because I am sick in bed, due YOUR actions.  If you have no one to take care of your kids, find a babysitter or childcare!  It is NOT my responsibility to teach you how to handle your kids if they are sick!  Figure it the fuck out!

Or guess what...get your kid vaccinated or get them the flu shot!  You put so many people at risk with your negligence!  You have no idea what it is like having SPD (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction), working 3 jobs, being basically a single parent, AND having my ENTIRE household from pets on up...infected with the FLU!  You should be ashamed of yourself!

PS.  Thanks Charlie's parents for being entitled jerks that send their kid to school with the flu. We just spent a week getting over it after you puked on Peyton. (Yes, even puppy got sick with the flu because of you)
Thanks again Charlie (and your parents) for ripping Peyton's necklace off her neck and sticking it in your mouth. You know, because she didn't JUST get over the other cold you gave her... Now I have to disinfect her necklace and watch for any more signs of a recurrence.

You have awesome parents that send you to school sick AND don't teach you about BOUNDARIES. One of these days, I will make a print of out listing obvious things for parents: 1) don't send your kids to school while contagious!!!!, and 2) you don't touch other kids' personal belongings that are ON THEM!

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Pullyallup, WA Police Department on 20/20

http://www.hulu.com/watch/556780#i0,p0,d1

I was arrested in Pullyallup, WA for a bogus charge that was later dropped two days after my arrest..  While being arrested, they called social services to "inspect" my then 1 yr old daughter.  They used my ONE small laundry pile as an excuse to enter my home and check her welfare (didn't you know that a single laundry pile means there is feces all over the apartment?).  It was a fucking pile of laundry with cloth diapers, give me a break.  No, they did not have a warrant nor probable cause to enter my apartment.  I never gave them permission, but they went in anyways.

When they were putting on the handcuffs on me, two male officers body slammed me into my front door and put me into a cop car.  My daughter was left alone in my apartment, while I was being arrested.  My mother had to drive two hours to make sure she was okay.  During those two hours, my 1 yr old daughter was alone in the apartment.  (By the way, even social services told the police it was bogus and they didn't need to be there...hence they left immediately.)

Those "holding cells" are used for even over night "guests".  I refused to change my clothes and did not use the bathroom AT ALL.  We were warned about the cameras, and I didn't want to have my personals on display.  Even current cellmates, and there were 4 in the same holding cell with me, warned me about the cameras and how to "hide" my personals.

Yes, they DO monitor those cameras.  When my husband called from Iraq to figure out why I was being held and what he could do...they taunted me over their intercom system.  When they told me I couldn't speak to him, and started to cry...they made fun of me.  When they fed us the next day at lunch, we were informed to eat the ENTIRE meal (it was a pretty big meal, and when I'm stressed I don't eat), or there "would be consequences".  We only had a set time limit to eat too.  When I was taking too long to eat, they kept making even more comments over the intercom. I did eventually force myself to eat it all.  They DO watch those cameras, and those cops on this video are fucking full of shit.

In the end, I was let free the next day on a $200 bail.  My case was dismissed two days after that.  Still no idea what they were arresting me for.  Even my attorney was baffled.  The official charges were assault, but who did I assault?  The listed person I supposedly assault never even showed up for court, and I have no idea who the hell the guy even was/is.

To this day, I'm pretty sure they had the wrong apartment and just didn't want to admit their mistake.  (After my arrest, cop cars would sit outside my apartment and stare in my windows.  I'm pretty sure that is police harassment.  I moved out of that hellhole within the month because of their treatment.)

Pullyallup is one of the WORST places to get arrested.  When they finally deem to show their face to someplace, someone/anyone NEEDS to be arrested.  So happy I got out of that apartment.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Horrible Utard Drivers

We are an active duty military family that has been in the army for over 15 years.  We have lived in over 20 different states (easily) and three different countries.  My husband is actually from ND, but I'm from NJ.  Yes, I used to be a  Jersey driver.  I'm sure you can imagine, Jersey moves, Jersey hand in the air, cursing, lead foot...yeah I was bad before I got married and had kids.  My husband was actually the safer driver of the two of us.  (We are both born and raised LDS)

After having kids, I turned into the safe driver.  I drive 2-4 OVER the speed limit and am the most defensive driver you will EVER see.  I had to become one, after living here for a few months.

We got relocated to Logan, Utah about 4 years ago and bought a house out here.  Boy, was this a shock!  Aside from the entitlement from our neighbors (they petitioned the city to turn our entire property into a "park", because it took over a year to sell to us?), the driving is just INSANE!  Don't get me started on their brats who are completely unsupervised, and most are bullies.

One day, you guys should head over to the schools and watch the "pick up routine".  I call it the car show, as it's a show for me to see who the most idiotic can be.  People are just HORRIBLE at driving.

I drive 2-4 OVER the speed limit, but I've seen people go 15 mph in a 35 mph zone...and not allow anyone to pass them.  Outside the school is a 4 way stop, and NO ONE stops for the stop sign (except apparently me?).  People don't use blinkers at all, and if they do...they turn them on at the last second.  I've seen people swerve into lanes of opposing traffic.  I've even seen the people gawking at car accidents.  (There was one really bad one where a motorcycle driver was run over, and lying in the street.  About 300 people were there filming this poor guy laying in the street while waiting for paramedics...and before you ask, no it wasn't the motorcycles fault.  It was some mother in an SUV who ran a red light.)

I cannot count how many "almost" accidents I have been involved in.  I have seen people even use the opposite flow of traffic left turn lane to turn RIGHT into gas stations.  I have seen so many REAL accidents, that I absolutely cannot stand driving anymore.

These people terrify me.  I even refused to drive for a full YEAR.  EVERY day, I have an issue with some sort of driver.  Most of them are older folks or the Molly Mormon Moms in their assault vehicles.

I take pictures of the parking situations.  Most of these people can't even PARK, let alone drive.  This horrible driving also carries over into stores.  I lost count how many times I have been rammed, or my children have been rammed, with carts at the grocery store.  I HATE going out to do the shopping.

This "horrible driving" extends to EVERY aspect of these people's lives.  It is all about entitlement here, and not many people in Logan realize that they are just assholes!

Soooo happy I am moving back to normal world.

Edit:
Dear neighbor two doors down:

I let you cut me off the first time on the highway because my children were in the car. Though, you should probably learn that just because you put on your blinker last second...that does NOT give you permission to cut people off and almost hit them (or try to drive them off the road entirely). I let you do it another 3 times, while you were weaving in between lanes, just because I didn't want to die driving home. I figured we'd be rid of you soon anyways, how wrong I was.

When you decided to go 90 mph in a 35mph, I just laughed at your stupidity and continued to go the speed limit. I even giggled when you came to a full complete stop at the green light (tho I'm sure you were just being a dick). However, I drew the line when you turned into your driveway...you took up ALL of the road thus blocking EVERYONE in your path (even opposing traffic) when you slammed on your breaks and flicked on your blinker last second. Your turn was obviously done just to be a dick.  You almost hit two kids on bikes, and the honking you were giving ME after you pulled into your driveway?

Well, now I know where you live. Dumb move.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Food Stamps and EBT

Original post:

Over 80% of recipients DO work, and most in full time jobs. The problem is these jobs pay nothing. $10 an hour? Think you could pay your bills on $1200 a month take home. Let"s break that down.
$500 for rent isn't going to get you the Taj Mahal, but you could probably find something for this amount. $50 for power. $ 40 water and garbage. $200 a month for transportation, half that if you take a bus and walk. A phone for $40 a month. So you are going to need clothes. Even if you buy used clothes $50 month seems cheap. Now I don't even know if this could posibly be done at these figures, they are no where close my expenditures. But you are among the lucky one because this leaves you $220 for every other expenditure in your life that month. And that was at $10 an hour. That is 30% more than minimum wage.

My response:
 @AmandaChoate In what world do people spend $50.00 a month on clothing?  Have they never heard of a thrift store or coupons?  What stores and how many people are they trying to clothe?  I spend $50.00 a YEAR on clothes for my three children, husband and I.  (We have never even gotten hand-me-downs or any HELP from ANYONE)

My husband has served our country for well over 15 years (and continues to).  We barely do not qualify for food stamps and WIC, etc, even now after so long.  Being active duty military for this long has taught us MANY tricks to save money, especially when he was a private.  Why are these others not attempting to better their lives too?  I had kids because I could AFFORD them.  I scrimped, saved, and googled my butt off to figure out how to afford certain things (don't get me started on my coupon collection).  Guess what, with even a little effort into it, and it worked.

I even worked parttime at fast food restaurants (because apparently as a military spouse, it's really hard to get HIRED...let alone interviewed), WITH a college degree.  This is what *I* did for MY family.  I bit the bullet and PAID for MY life.  My husband and I have both worked since our teens (that's well over 24 years of working), and even when *I* wasn't working...he was to support us.  You CAN support yourself working FT at McDonald's and 3 kids.  I know.  We've done it.  It's called cutting back on the non-necessities and trying to save money wherever you can.  (Depending on which state we have lived - and there has been over a dozen we've lived in- you can get a 3 bedroom apartment for $450.00 a month.  Not in the best part of town, but it's enough room for you, your kids, AND your wallet.  FT at McDonald's nets you $1336 before taxes, at min. wage and leaves you with roughly $886 for groceries and others.  If you own a cheap car, gas would would about $180 per month.  Which then leaves: $706.  That's a LOT left over for other things like electricity, gas, water, car payment, and groceries.)

My current grocery bill for a family of 5 (and my brother living with us, who was recently laid off) for the ENTIRE month is $325.00.  If I can do it, and have done it for YEARS, then others can do it too.  Explain to me WHY I shouldn't be upset when I am telling my child at the checkout line:  "no sorry, baby, no candy bar today"...all the while some jerk in front of me is buying BULK candy bars, hostess cakes, ice cream, and other "goodies" that my family has gone without...all with their EBT card?  This woman was in a brand new Acura on a brand new cellphone in front of me in line...using an EBT card.  Don't even get me started on how she was chatting up the cashier about how she CAN'T work because her OBESITY is too far out of control.  Yup, she is also on financial assistance because she is TOO fat to work.  Awesome.  All the while I don't have a cellphone, no cable tv, and a car from the 90s.   So much for FAIR.

Use whatever excuses and justifications you want.  We pay our taxes AND serve our country.  We don't use the system, and I am ALWAYS disgusted when someone says that "well, they deserve a treat sometimes.."  No.  WE deserve a fucking treat.  We worked hard for our life.  THEY deserve to get a job, learn how to save, and support themselves.  If you want ice cream that badly, buy it yourself with your own money!

As per my family supposedly not having "contributed enough taxes" to even be angry about one person abusing the system, you are wrong.  To quote a previous posted: "The person on EBT gets $1.50/day for a meal".  Seems like we have put in more then enough to pay for that one person's meal, thus I have a SAY where OUR money goes and it definitely shouldn't go into some entitled, baby breeder's mouth.

I have seen SO much abuse of the EBT/SNAP/WIC system, it'd make your blood boil.  Out of the hundreds I have seen, I have only heard of maybe a handful of people who DESERVE or NEED to be on government assistance.  The rest were abusing the system, and doing it quite blantantly.

In my opinion, for SNAP/EBT, we should be handing out physical food items...not cash.  We give people a set amount of time to get a job (if they still qualify for SNAP after getting a job, let them stay on it), and if they don't have one by the end of the year (or can prove they have at least attempted to get a job)...they should be REMOVED.  (Think of it as how unemployment currently works)  If someone can PROVE they had even an interview for a job, they should remain on it.  But, if they aren't even attempted to better themselves...they need to be removed.

If you physically cannot work, or have hit rough times, I understand.  If you are abusing the system and haven't even attempted to GET OUT OF THE SYSTEM, you should have ALL your gov. benefits CUT OFF.