So, I'm abnormal and I really dislike the folks at the DMV in California

A couple of months and some change ago, I went to see the dermatologist because I had an area of blue discoloration return on my lower lip. The reason it drove me in was a previous year or two I had another dermatologist diagnose a pre-cancerous area in the same spot. While I was there it was a, "Hey, the doctor said I should probably have you look at this mole, too..." Turns out, the blue-ish area was a venous lake, totally harmless, but I left with that "by the way" spot cut off. The report: benign! Heal up and you're good to go.

Fast-forward a couple of months and my husband said, "Huh, you know, you should go back and have this looked at."

I did. The dermatologist was a little surprised. It seems my benign mole regrew via some missed cells from the shave biopsy. Something I understand as being not all that uncommon. He also took it out, again, this time via a punch biopsy.

At the same time, my husband happened to be retiring from the Air Force. When you go from active duty to retiree, you have to actually re-enroll in Tri-Care. We had been to the Tri-Care office several times during the decision process of what plans to use, and at that time they said that the referral I was using would be transferable. "Just bring it in when you enroll and we'll do the paperwork then!" It's only when we're sitting at the desk, doing the paperwork and I have three stitches in my back that this other lady says, "Oh, no. The referral expires automatically when you retire. No, you need to go to your PCM and get a new referral."

Uh. Right. Anyone in the military world knows this isn't a process that takes place overnight. Especially not when they have to process the enrollment paperwork and assign us a new PCM and oh, by the way, Monday is a holiday so...

Despite those hurdles, we did get the enrollment processed today (no, it had not been done prior to my husband following up with it today), we did get a PCM assigned to us, and though the PCM stuttered a bit about, "You're not in our system yet," which of course, we wouldn't, as everything has been done literally in hours today but if I call the dermatologist and just get the report results over the phone, my PCM's office will take out the stitches for me. So, I call, and explain the insurance issue with the referral, and they say that suture removals are free so there won't be a bill generated from that visit but make sure the doctor doesn't do anything else until a new referral is generated at which point I'm thinking...hmmm, if the report was benign there would certainly be nothing to do. I ask and do find out that it was irregular. Abnormal. But no mention of cancer so I'm not all that worked up over it. Abnormal cells are a part of living in this world and if anything, it just means I'll be less likely to have skin cancer run rampant because now I've earned a "follow closely" note in my record. I go back on Thursday to get my stitches out and this time I will actually try to ask questions so I know what to tell everyone in the family. Bottom line though, I'm not dying. That's always good to know.

Now, bear in mind, all of the above was done while I'm driving to and fro, dropping children off at music lessons and picking up children. Then I had to take child #3 to orthodontist and deal with yet more insurance hassles as our dental insurance changed. His appointment took less than five minutes. I was there for over thirty waiting to get the receptionist free to deal with the insurance issues. Hurry up and wait, if you don't know this mantra yet, learn it. Fact. Of. Life. You will be that much better off if you just accept it now.

I finally get home and find an envelope from the California DMV. Back in the end of July I mistakenly sent off my registration and a $91 check. Completely forgetting that with husband retiring we had to do a local registration. The sticker arrives right as we are processing the SC registration and titling. We contact the DMV and explain the mix-up, explain we never even put the new sticker on. She said, "Submit the paperwork and you'll probably get it back, but I really can't say for sure." I figured, come on, we never even used it! We sent the paperwork in August, early August at that. So, like only a week or two after we got the new registration.

Do you know they denied the refund because it was after the time-of-effect for the new registration. The meany, money-mongering bureaucrats didn't even pro-rate it! I had a mad impulse to phone them and mention something about highway robbery and I hoped they enjoyed my $91 with extra helpings of guilt on the side.

Anyway, Tuesday -- we spent the morning doing art and music. Afternoon consisted of music lessons. Husband left with oldest two boys for Civil Air Patrol leaving me and the two youngers for some quiet time. Eureka is on tonight and I need the laughs!

Comments: I'm still learning how to use this blogger and I can't seem to see a way to actually reply to the comments, so a) Help! and b) I'll answer them here for the time being.

Christine: You know the saying, misery loves company, from one chaotic home to the other. ::shameless grinning::

atlantisfannew1: Thanks for the offer, unfortunately, I'm about tapped out on free time. Good luck with the forums!