By Rita R. Robison
When I figured out how to make progress with a tough yard
project, I was happy. However, I’ve been working to resolve a doctor’s bill for
months.
My best consumer experience: Finding a way to separate rocks
from dirt and weeds
Since the weeds in my yard got away from me this spring, I
decided I was going to do some work so I wouldn’t have to weed areas in my yard
over and over.
However, one project I took on has turned out to be very
difficult.
About five years ago, I put down weed fabric with rocks on
top on each side of my house.
A lot of weeds were growing on one side of the house because
an inch or two of dirt had blown in among the rocks. I decided to replace the
black plastic weed fabric.
To get started, I raked the rocks into the dirt and weeds
next to the black plastic. A big mistake. The rocks got mixed with dirt and
bits of weeds, moss, and straw. It’s a big mess.
I thought it would be easy to get a screen and separate the
rocks from the dirt. Not so.
I bought a piece screen used in screen doors. The holes were
too small.
Next, I tried chicken wire. The holes were too big. A lot of
the smaller rocks fell through, and I spent a lot of picking the bits of stuff
out of the bigger rocks.
I got my hairdryer out and tried blowing the dirt and debris
out of the rocks. It improved things, but wasn’t strong enough.
Next, I tried a paint screen I bought. It worked fairly well.
The pile of rocks on the left in the photo above doesn’t have as much debris in
it as the pile on the right. But, again, the small rocks, dirt, and weeks fell
through.
I spent a lot of time picking out the weeds, moss, and straw
by hand, almost a garbage bag full.
Friday, I decided to buy a leaf blower. I put three shovels
of dirt on the chicken wire, then use the blower. It’s working much better.
Today, I was able to sift about 10 buckets of rocks,
probably as much I’ve done all together using other methods.
I’m getting near the end of my project, thank goodness. When
it rains and makes mud, things are going to be a big mess.
I wish my kids and their spouses lived closer. I’d beg them
to come and help me. Bending over the wheel barrel to remove bits of stuff and moving bags of rocks are giving me back pain.
My worst consumer experience: Trying to get a doctor’s bill
settled.
Since I have osteoarthritis in my hands and elsewhere, my
general practitioner referred me to a rheumatologist when I had some unusual
numbing in my hands in the middle of the night and had to call 911 twice.
The rheumatologist told me there was nothing that could have
been done to keep me from getting arthritis, and there was nothing he could for
me. He said he couldn’t rule out the possibility that the numbness in my hand
that day was caused by something else.
I had hoped for a more insightful visit, but have learned in
my consumer work that you pay your medical bill regardless of the outcome.
What was strange was trying to get my bill paid. I have two
insurances, and I couldn’t get the doctor’s office to send the bill to the
second one.
When I called, the receptionist said Monday was the only day
the billing clerk came to the office. I called five times. I wrote a note on
the bill and sent it back.
When I received a bill highlighted in orange that I was
going to be sent to collection if I didn’t pay the $82 in 10 days, I was
exasperated.
I called the receptionist and told her I’d never had a
problem like this with a doctor bill. I was willing to pay the bill, if it was
the correct amount.
Finally, a message was left on my answering machine saying
my bill had been “taken care of awhile back.”
If so, I wonder why they sent a bill early this month saying
I was going to be turned over to collection.
