The Tax Man Cometh

So we're in a Boston Market, sitting down to enjoy our dinner, and Ellie is just about done with the day (we had taken a day trip to visit the Yankee Candle flagship store in Western Mass.). Having just smiled and charmed a man in his late 30s or early 40s, she begins to fuss. On his way back to his seat, said charmed man responds to the crying, "Oh come on, kiddo, you're too young to even know what a 1040 form is..."

Much laughter.

Hello!

Ellie has figured out how to stand still, bend over and look behind her between her legs. Needless to say, the scene is hilarious.

To My Editors, Whomever You May Be

Hello everyone.

After an eventful flight experience both to and from the Pacific Northwest I decided a letter to Delta was required. Having never written such a letter as this I thought perhaps I could get some much needed help from family and friends who may or may not have written letters like this:

Draft 7: (Thanks to those who have helped out so far. I tried to keep your comments in mind when making my changes)

And per Laura's advice I hope to write to the following people:

Edward H. Bastian (President, Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

Glen W. Hauenstein (Executive Vice President of Network Planning and Revenue Management)

Richard H. Anderson (Chief Executive Officer and Director)

Daniel A. Carp (Chairman on the Board of Directors)

Richard H. Anderson (Chief Executive Officer, and Director on the Board of Directors)

Edward H. Budd (Director, Chairman of Audit Committee, Member of Executive Committee, Member of Finance Committee and Member of Personnel & Compensation Committee on the board of Directors)

John F. Smith Jr. (Director, Chairman of Finance Committee, Member of Audit Committee, Member of Executive Committee and Member of Corporate Governance Committee on the Board of Directors)

David R. Goode (Director, Chairman of Personnel & Compensation Committee, Member of Executive Committee and Member of Finance Committee on the Board of Directors)

Dear Sir:

I am not the sort of person to complain or be “disgruntled” in anyway. In fact, I am by personality quite the opposite. However, my family’s (My husband, 2 year old daughter, and 1 year old daughter) and my recent journey from Manchester, NH to Portland, OR has given me no choice, but to make my small voice heard as loudly as I am capable of making it.

Now I could spend the rest of the letter going on a long 10 page diatribe of our Delta Experience, but instead of wasting both your time and mine, I will simply give you the lowlights.

• Our original flights were changed by your company. I spent 2 hours on the phone rearranging our flights so that we would have a layover longer than 30 minutes .

• The first flight (12/15/07, Delta Flight 4465 from MHT to ATL) didn’t get to Atlanta until almost an hour and a half late due to a “fuel spill” and flight traffic, which may not have been solely Delta’s fault, but was frustrating none the less.

• We made it to the next flight (12/15/07, Delta Flight 1287 from ATL to PDX) just as they were boarding. However, our luggage wasn’t so lucky. We waited to see if our luggage came on the next flight from Atlanta. When, our luggage did arrive in Portland, it was drenched and the car seats were covered in road grime. Our girls rode home late at night in sopping, cold, wet seats thanks to your baggage handlers. We stayed up a few hours just washing the once clean clothing, that was now dripping wet.

• Our return flight (1/01/08, Delta Flight 698 from PDX to CIN) went perfectly with one exception, the film choice. Honestly, when you have families on board your plane, do you think it appropriate to show RUSH HOUR 3 on every screen so that whether or not you want to see naked women, you are forced to? What a true lack of class.

• Now for the worst flight, Delta Flight 5169 from CIN to MHT (scheduled 1/1/08 left 1/2/08). We should have departed at 7:35pm, instead we waited 5 hours before we were actually on the plane and ready to take off. Our first take off attempt failed, and was followed several minutes later by a shaky, 1 am take off. We arrived in Manchester around 2:30 am.

• When picking up our luggage we found one of our car seats was destroyed. We received a loaner, and claim form with instructions. The following day we were told to disregard the original instructions and instead to purchase a new seat, then return to the airport with the loaner, old seat and receipt (mind you it takes us over an hour to get to Manchester). Once, at the counter we handed over the seats and receipt, waiting for a check. Instead they said they would send it to us. We requested a copy of our receipt and are now waiting for our check.

What a hassle to get back a little of what we had going into this!

Now, I understand that things such as fuel spills and air traffic delays are not directly your company’s fault, but you must understand that as a low income family of four, trying to get by while my husband works his way through seminary, the Delta Experience we had is simply unacceptable. Please, know I won’t be picketing outside your doors. I just want to be heard and to tell you that everyone I know will hear about what a horrible airline Delta Air Lines is and why I will not be flying with you again anytime soon!

Please note that I am posting this letter and picture of our car seat as well as any subsequent replies (with your permission) on my blog.

Hoping to See Changes for the Better to Come,

Stephanie Hutchison
Hopeful future Delta Customer
(insert my address here)

Thoughts?

Name

Lizzie used to call her sister, "Anna".


Now, apparently, it's "Annie."

Lizzie's car seat

Thank you Delta Airlines for buying Lizzie a new car seat. Mainly because you destroyed her original one.

Huckleberries Anyone?

Though I struggle to say his name, Mike Huckabee is quickly gaining my interest. I am not a politically savvy person, so of course the thing that most impresses me about him is his faith. I was also impressed when I read that after being diagnosed with Type II diabetes in 2003, he lost 110 pounds and then barely two years later, he completed four marathons (and he plays bass guitar in a band:-)). Anyhow, when thinking about presidential candidates, keep him in mind.

Ellie's 1st birthday pics

Ellie's snow shoes are a bit big still

She liked being held by Daddy, not a huge fan of the snow!

Our pink snowgirls with Daddy

Lizzie suited up

We Learn

Today on Ellie's first birthday we learned just what "Wintry Mix" means. Pictures to come. Stay Tuned!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELIANA!!!!!!!!!!!

Wintry Mix...Is that like Trail Mix?

So anyone who has known me for awhile knows my obsession with checking the weather forecast often (and when I say often, I'm not talkin' daily, but many times throughout the day to be sure I am "up to date"). Anyhow, the latest weather forecast for Ellie's birthday (Dec. 3rd) is

A Wintry Mix

Not having lived anywhere that snow had more than one name, I am not sure what that means, but it is exciting for anyone, who like me, is a WEATHER JUNKY!

Update:
According to Wikipedia a wintry mix is as follows:

"Many factors influence the form precipitation will take, and atmospheric temperatures are influential as well as ground conditions. Sometimes, near the rain/snow interface a region of sleet or freezing rain will occur. It is difficult to predict what form this precipitation will take, and it may alternate between rain and snow. Therefore, weather forecasters just predict a "wintry mix". usually, this type of precipitation occurs at temperatures between -2°C and 2°C (28°F–36°F)."

Update #2:

We are now expecting Straight up snow...no wintry mix..no snow. Boy, I wish they would make up their mind, the suspense is killing me!

Doctor Lingo

Last month we took Lizzie to her 1st Boston Children's Hospital Pediatric Cardiology appointment. Today we received a letter in the mail (a copy of what had been sent to Lizzie's primary care doctor). We had quite the time decoding it, what with all the medical jargon used. Thought we would share it not only to inform, but to give you something to do if you are bored (or really curious like us).

Dear Dr. Lenhardt

We had the pleasure of seeing Elizabeth in the pediatric cardiology clinic at Children's Hospital Boston on October 30th, 2007. As you know, she is a 2-year old girl who was born with Tetralogy of Fallot/pulmonary atresia, which was repaired at one week of age with a transannular patch and placement of a monocuspid valve. She also had her VSD closed at that time. She had been followed at Doernbecher Children's Hospital but is transferring care here as the family is settling in the Massachusetts area for Dad to finish his schooling.

Elizabeth had an uncomplicated postoperative course and has been doing well since her operation. She was negative for FISH 22Q11 deletion. She is growing along her projected growth curve and has a normal activity level. She is currently on no medications. Her only other medical history is left sided hydronephrosis. She has had a normal VCUG and normal renal function.

Her family history is negative for congenital heart disease and sudden unexpected death. Dad has a history of sinus arrhythmia and an innocent murmur. There is also a family history of Type 2 diabetes and asthma.

On exam, Elizabeth is a well appearing young girl in no apparent distress. Her weight is 11.8 kg with a height of 84.7 cm. Heart rate was 102 with oxygen saturation of 92% on room air. Her chest was clear to auscultation bilaterally. Cardiovascular exam revealed a normal active precordium with a normal S1 and a single S2. She has a 3/6 to-and-fro murmur heard loudest at the left sternal border but it can be heard throughout her precordium and radiating to her back. Her abdomen is soft, non-tender, and non-distended with normal bowel sounds and no hepatosplenomegaly. Her extremities are warm and well perfused with pulses 2+ and capillary refill less than 2 seconds.

An EKG done in clinic shows a normal sinus rhythm of 102 beats per minute. She has a complete right bundle branch block and has a right axis deviation. QRS duration is 120 milliseconds. Echocardiogram done which showed a PFO with bidirectional flow. No significant mitral or tricuspid regurgitation. She has severe pulmonary regurgitation and mild pulmonary stenosis with a 20-25 mm Hg maximal instantaneous gradient. She has good biventricular function. The aorta is slightly dilated with no aortic stenosis or regurgitation. There is no residula VSD flow. Her branch pulmonary arteries were not well seen.

Our assessment is the Elizabeth is a young girl with Tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary atresia, which was completely repaired with a transannular patch, monocuspid valve, and closure of her VSD. She is clinically doing well and there has not been any significant change in her echocardiogram from her last echo done in May of 2007. We will continue to followup with Elizabeth on a yearly basis. We advised the parents to contact us sooner should they have any concerns or notice any worrisome symptoms including failure to gain weight, shortness of breath, dizziness, or syncope. We also discussed with them the possiblity of doing an MRI in the future (when she is able to undergo an MRI without sedation) that would help us better assess her right ventricular size. Although this will not play any acute role in her management, it may help with future decisions when she gets older in terms of pulmonary valve replacement.

Thank you for allowing us to participate in the care of this patient. Please do not hesitate to contact us in the future should you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Douglas Mah, M.D.
Cardiology Fellow

Lisa B. Bergersen, M.D.
Associate in Cardiology