And there is a but. BUT, I’ll get back to that later.
So, let me tell you what’s been happening. As you are aware, I pre-registered with Montgomery County in the beginning of January to get my Covid_19 Vaccination. Updates were being sent but nothing updating my spot on the list.
And after three months, it was becoming quite frustrating.
Time sure flies by quickly-even when you are waiting for an answer!
Flashback to this past Thursday. The Development we live in has a Facebook group. One of our neighbors, a nurse, posted about a vaccine “Pop-Up” shop that was taking place on Saturday, March 13 (yesterday) and posted the link to apply. This pop up was hosted by our local school district and The Medicine Shoppe, a local pharmacy.
Shout out to The Medicine Shoppe in Boyertown. It may be a half hour from our home but moving forward, we’ll be sending our prescriptions here! Thank you for hosting this!
In order to receive the vaccine, one needed to be living in our local school district. Mind you, I was at work when I found out about this so I immediately went on a break and filled out the application. I had very low expectations as the Montgomery County Debacle was driving me crazy.
Lo and behold and there by the grace of God, I ended up being accepted to receive the vaccine. What I find to be absolutely incredible is the County I live in, failed to get in touch with me and within eight hours of applying to receive the vaccination through the school district and pharmacy, I had an appointment.
Ever the skeptic, I was still having issues believing this would take place so I sent a letter to my local congresswoman. I haven’t heard back from her.
I wrote a letter to Melissa Shusterman-I voted for her you know. She’s very pretty. But she pretty-much ignored my humorous but snarky email!
And with my husband getting his second vaccination tomorrow at Paoli Hospital, I was really getting anxious over receiving mine. Well, all doubts were put to rest when I received a second email confirming my appointment with specific instruction on where to go—what building—etc.
And here’s how it rolled:
My Covid-Vaccine ensemble was comfortable and appropriate. A fun tee with short sleeves to roll up so that I could welcome the vaccine. J. Crew Pixie pants because they are stretchy and comfy and J. Crew ballet flats because they are freaking comfortable–especially on long stints of standing. I was dressed for success!
My appointment was 3:45. And as I no longer have children of school age, I had no inkling where the school in which I was receiving the vaccine was. We did a dry-run. And at first it was confusing because it was early—but that was a good thing. We spotted signs leading the direction we were to head to. We saw a police officer and his son happened to be one of the volunteers. We asked if this was the correct place, and they assured us it was. Both men were extremely friendly and helpful. They also said to arrive a few minutes earlier than the appointed time.
So off we went and I felt really good.
Upon returning, things ran smoothly and efficiently. To the point of being perfect. We arrived and our automobile, with us in it naturally, were placed on a line. Then, about five cars would leave the line to make the way to a parking area. I was asked if I had mobility issues. Since I don’t, the car was led to another parking area.
Volunteers abound and leading us to the right spot, it was run like a finely tuned needle (I guess that’s the phrase) and every singly volunteer was so helpful and friendly and the vibe was incredibly positive!
As I exited our parked car, my husband ended up taking a nap as I headed into the building. Once inside, I was greeted with a thermometer to the forehead and was asked for my name. With a normal temp, I took the form given to me, headed into another room and filled the form out.
I filled out the form and headed to wait patiently (and I’m not a patient woman) on the line!
After filling the form, I waited on a line in the corridor of the school. Another volunteer handed all on the line a card and a pen. We were told to take outwear off to make things easier.
The line was single-file, long and went quickly. I felt like I was back in school! And look-there’s an ice cream freezer to the right. Ever the gluttonous piggy, I thought we were being gifted wtih ice cream. The vaccine was actually the gift though!
My Vaccination Card. Best ID I’ve ever had!
Did I mention when applying, it was requested that we have copies of our prescription and medical insurance cars with us. The administrative assistant in me made color copies, front and back and stapled them. I also wrote a cover letter and placed all docs into a yellow folder that I brought with me. Trust me, I was prepared!
Ever the nerd, I was pleased as punch when the volunteer told me I was awesome for copying front and back and stapling. Rather than awesome, I was just desperate to comply because I wanted this vaccine.
Yes. I AM that nerd girl. Even as a child I dared not go outside the lines when I handed my homework in. I also hovered over my papers so nobody else could cheat off of me. It is only befitting that I would make perfect copies and staple them. A + for me!
The wait on the line wasn’t long at all—I swear this was efficiency at best.
There was a quick stop at another table before entering the gym where the shots were being administered. Again, my temperature was taken and I entered the gym to receive another form and stand in another line.
I received the Pfizer vaccine and trust me, drugs never looked so goo!
And then it happened. I was called over to a table and received my vaccine! Took two seconds. A band aid was placed on my arm where the vaccine was injected and I was given the date of the return for the second vaccine.
Don’t mind the bra strap. At least I wore underwear! And just like that–I had my first dose! Ohh I like this camera angle because my upper arm looks so good! IRL its a mud flap!
After receiving the needle, I was led to a desk. On the desk was a timer. The timer was set for fifteen minutes. This is the wait time between receiving the vaccine and exiting the building. Just to make sure there is no reaction.
Can you believe this? I mean, HOW organized is this? A timer no less!
After the fifteen-minute allotment I exited thanking every last volunteer. After I receive my second dose, I want to sign up to volunteer. The positivity and upbeat vibe from the volunteers were truly exceptional.
My favorite volunteer. She’s a music teacher and gave up her Saturday because she is so passionate about everyone receiving the vaccine. I want to be best friends with her! It’s a good thing we had to leave after fifteen minutes. I would have stayed longer just to socialize–it’s been a while!
So, I get into the car and tell Bonaparte the date of my second dose and he looked at me. (This is where the “but” comes in) He very seriously reminded me that on April 10, we will be in Cincinnati to visit Oona, Sam and baby Owen.
How could I possibly forget about this nugget of love and cuteness. WTF is wrong with me? I KNEW I would mess something up. I knew it!
Dumbfounded, I realized I was so stinking excited about receiving the vaccination that I forgot about the trip. And I also realized that I simply cannot—and I repeat CANNOT do any thing right! I couldn’t re-enter the building to correct the date. Surprisingly, I didn’t panic but I got in touch with the woman that I had been corresponding with who was a tremendous help.
Head to the dictionary and look up the word Moron. You will see the description: Catherine Lartigue
I sent and email explaining my dopey error. And it isn’t looking promising for the second dose. But things have a way of working out so I’m not giving up on this.
And last night at dinner, I was still talking about the great experience and Bonaparte told me that was one of the things he loves about Americans. He said no matter what our politics are, we are still willing to assist others with a smile and genuine kindness that you don’t see in France.
I know. I know. I am stereotyping. But the fact is, my husband–at times, IS the cranky Frenchman and he admits it. And that’s what he loves about we Americans. We’re just happy and nice!
I thought that pretty-much summed up how we really are as a people. It’s been a year. There’s hope. We have hope now because we have the vaccine. I’m hopeful that things will return to normal at some point. I’m hopeful that everyone will be vaccinated.
I got a big family. This makes me look forward to a big family par-tay in the future! Or…getting back on a flight to France! But most of all, I can’t wait to see my grandson!
And I’m hopeful that I will receive my second dose!
Have you been vaccinated yet? Are you struggling to find a way to receive it? Is your area organized? I really am quite curiously nosey about this. Do tell!