(This is a copy of a note I posted to facebook earlier today as I was researching the health reform legislation.)
As we've all heard, one of the things this reform does is to prohibit those deep-pocketed insurance companies from imposing limits on coverage of pre existing conditions. And they will now have to accept anyone who applies for coverage, no questions asked.
Now everyone has to purchase coverage (or will, as of some future date). If you work for a large employer, they have to offer it or pay a penalty. If you work for a small employer or you're self employed, you have to purchase the coverage for yourself. The penalty if you don't? $95. That's annually. Yep $95 per year. So the young healthy person has a choice, pay several hundred $ per month for insurance coverage or pay a $95 penalty once a year.
If I'm that young healthy person and I know that if I ever got really sick I could get coverage any time, I'm going to take my chances and pay $95 per year.
Now what do you think is going to happen to the cost PER PERSON for the folks who are covered?
To be continued...
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Response to President Obama's Health Care Speech
This is a duplicate of the note I posted on my facebook page:
Let me preface this by saying these are my own views and not necessarily the views of my company. I have a general disclaimer on my profile, but because this hits "close to home" I feel the need to repeat it here.
For those who missed it, the text of the speech can be found here: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/06/15/politics/main5090277.shtml
1. Agreed. We HAVE to do something to help our uninsured. To me this is nothing less than a moral obligation for a company with our size and wealth compared to the rest of the world.
2. The numbers. I'm not convinced the proposed changes are going to happen quickly enough to achieve the kind of savings he is talking about. Is he even TALKING to any actuaries?
And then, seriously, 900 billion is supposed to equal recent tax cuts on the "wealthiest Americans"? I'm curious as to what income level puts a family in that category? Be prepared, it may be MUCH lower than any of us "middle class" Americans thinks.
On the other hand, I've always known #1 would cost, and we as a country have to bear that cost one way or another. We just need to be honest about who is paying for it, and not say that it is just "the wealthiest Americans" when it is more likely the "wealthiest" 80% or so.
3. I did not appreciate his dig against insurance companies. For months AHIP, the health insurance association, has been saying exactly what he proposed, that if there is an individual mandate there would be no need for the pre-existing conditions exclusions that currently exist. Yet the way he said it, it was as if he was "forcing" this upon the industry, as if health insurers are the adversaries. AHIP, under a different form, was adversarial towards "Hillary Care" but they have taken a different stance this time, SINCE BEFORE THE ELECTION, and have endeavored to be partners on this. It may score political points in a speech to paint insurance companies as the enemy, but it's dishonest, or at least disingenuous. This is not "speaking plainly" to the American public.
For more on AHIP's Campaign for an American Solution, click here: http://www.americanhealthsolution.org/
4. There was not enough meat. I still don't know what the proposed Health Reform Bill DOES. I know there is a public option, which I was unsure about previously, but that's about the only thing I know tonight that I didn't know this morning.
Let me preface this by saying these are my own views and not necessarily the views of my company. I have a general disclaimer on my profile, but because this hits "close to home" I feel the need to repeat it here.
For those who missed it, the text of the speech can be found here: http://www.cbsnews.com/sto
1. Agreed. We HAVE to do something to help our uninsured. To me this is nothing less than a moral obligation for a company with our size and wealth compared to the rest of the world.
2. The numbers. I'm not convinced the proposed changes are going to happen quickly enough to achieve the kind of savings he is talking about. Is he even TALKING to any actuaries?
And then, seriously, 900 billion is supposed to equal recent tax cuts on the "wealthiest Americans"? I'm curious as to what income level puts a family in that category? Be prepared, it may be MUCH lower than any of us "middle class" Americans thinks.
On the other hand, I've always known #1 would cost, and we as a country have to bear that cost one way or another. We just need to be honest about who is paying for it, and not say that it is just "the wealthiest Americans" when it is more likely the "wealthiest" 80% or so.
3. I did not appreciate his dig against insurance companies. For months AHIP, the health insurance association, has been saying exactly what he proposed, that if there is an individual mandate there would be no need for the pre-existing conditions exclusions that currently exist. Yet the way he said it, it was as if he was "forcing" this upon the industry, as if health insurers are the adversaries. AHIP, under a different form, was adversarial towards "Hillary Care" but they have taken a different stance this time, SINCE BEFORE THE ELECTION, and have endeavored to be partners on this. It may score political points in a speech to paint insurance companies as the enemy, but it's dishonest, or at least disingenuous. This is not "speaking plainly" to the American public.
For more on AHIP's Campaign for an American Solution, click here: http://www.americanhealths
4. There was not enough meat. I still don't know what the proposed Health Reform Bill DOES. I know there is a public option, which I was unsure about previously, but that's about the only thing I know tonight that I didn't know this morning.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Inaugural Thoughts
I received a phone call last week. It was from some political survey group. I had thought those guys were finished for a while, but I guess not.
"Are you a registered Republican?" he asked.
Reluctantly, I answered yes. Reluctantly, because while I consider myself a conservative, I don't like aligning myself with any party. I reserve the right to consider each issue separately, and I'm equally suspicious of all politicians, regardless of party affiliation. Nevertheless, when I was younger and more sure of myself, I did register as a Republican.
So then he asked, "Do you agree that Republicans need to unite and stand strong against Obama's policies?"
"No," I told him. "I don't agree. I would prefer to wait and see what he actually intends to do before I join forces with anyone to stop him." I mean come on, this was last week, when he was still President Elect.
This morning I bought a newspaper, USA Today. It's the second day in a row that I've done that, but I can't remember the last time I bought one (before yesterday, I mean). The newspaper is full of hope. Even the political cartoon was the word "hope" printed over and over again in the shape of the 48 contiguous states. People seem to be really positive that President Obama will be able to fix everything that's wrong with America. They think that the election of a black president means the end of racial divides. For the first time in a long time, Americans seem to be taking an optimistic view of things. They seem to be saying, "Yes, it will be hard, but we can do this thing together." That's nice.
But if our hope is dependent on the man who sits in the Oval Office, we are going to be disappointed. As a nation we are facing some real challenges, and the solutions won't be easy to implement. Changing policies is often a zero sum game where there are winners and losers. Someone is going to be unhappy about the changes. Will they blame the president when that happens?
As for me, I do have hope in this country, and I am willing to make some sacrifices "for the greater good". But I had hope before yesterday's inauguration. I had hope before the election last fall. I had hope when the stock market fell and I had hope when the World Trade Center came down. I spent my childhood idolizing George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and I believe in our system of government.
But my true hope is not in my government. My true hope is not in my country or my president. My true hope is not in my 401k, or in my cash savings. "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness." That, my friends, is the only hope that will never disappoint you.
Today, I am putting this newspaper away in my desk drawer. Sometime in the future, when I'm in the middle of something else, I'll find this paper, and I'll reflect on the hope of this day, and how it has played out. But whatever happens, there is one thing I know for sure, two things I can count on: God is still God, and Christ is the Solid Rock on which I stand.
"Are you a registered Republican?" he asked.
Reluctantly, I answered yes. Reluctantly, because while I consider myself a conservative, I don't like aligning myself with any party. I reserve the right to consider each issue separately, and I'm equally suspicious of all politicians, regardless of party affiliation. Nevertheless, when I was younger and more sure of myself, I did register as a Republican.
So then he asked, "Do you agree that Republicans need to unite and stand strong against Obama's policies?"
"No," I told him. "I don't agree. I would prefer to wait and see what he actually intends to do before I join forces with anyone to stop him." I mean come on, this was last week, when he was still President Elect.
This morning I bought a newspaper, USA Today. It's the second day in a row that I've done that, but I can't remember the last time I bought one (before yesterday, I mean). The newspaper is full of hope. Even the political cartoon was the word "hope" printed over and over again in the shape of the 48 contiguous states. People seem to be really positive that President Obama will be able to fix everything that's wrong with America. They think that the election of a black president means the end of racial divides. For the first time in a long time, Americans seem to be taking an optimistic view of things. They seem to be saying, "Yes, it will be hard, but we can do this thing together." That's nice.
But if our hope is dependent on the man who sits in the Oval Office, we are going to be disappointed. As a nation we are facing some real challenges, and the solutions won't be easy to implement. Changing policies is often a zero sum game where there are winners and losers. Someone is going to be unhappy about the changes. Will they blame the president when that happens?
As for me, I do have hope in this country, and I am willing to make some sacrifices "for the greater good". But I had hope before yesterday's inauguration. I had hope before the election last fall. I had hope when the stock market fell and I had hope when the World Trade Center came down. I spent my childhood idolizing George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and I believe in our system of government.
But my true hope is not in my government. My true hope is not in my country or my president. My true hope is not in my 401k, or in my cash savings. "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness." That, my friends, is the only hope that will never disappoint you.
Today, I am putting this newspaper away in my desk drawer. Sometime in the future, when I'm in the middle of something else, I'll find this paper, and I'll reflect on the hope of this day, and how it has played out. But whatever happens, there is one thing I know for sure, two things I can count on: God is still God, and Christ is the Solid Rock on which I stand.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Obviously I got distracted
Not that I've stopped thinking about health care and the uninsured and all, but I'm just not sure I have anything new to say about the situation right now. With the current state of the economy, health care reform may take a back seat to other economic issues. Right now there's not much to do except to continue to learn about the issues and wait to see what proposals will come about. So that is what I am doing and if I learn anything significant I will be sure to share it here.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
In case you haven't noticed...
ToooooooooooooMORROW TOMORROW
I love ya
ToMORROW
You're always a day A-way!
PS - Just in case you were wondering, the stock market is volatile right now b/c it's volatile. It's gonna be like this for a good while. We had the biggest 2 day loss after an election day b/c we had the biggest gain for an election day. It wouldn't have mattered if Mickey Mouse had won the election. Wall Street would have reacted the same way. It's not nearly as significant as the media seems to want it to be.
PPS - The gas price thing just has me scratching my head. They say it is supply and demand, but I do not see more people on the road with $2/gallon gas nor did I see fewer people on the road with $4/gallon gas. The same people are on the road every day. I think the supply and demand thing is actually for futures, but I still don't quite understand what the price of futures has to do with the price of gas at the pump. So if you can explain it to me, I'd love to be enlightened.
I love ya
ToMORROW
You're always a day A-way!
PS - Just in case you were wondering, the stock market is volatile right now b/c it's volatile. It's gonna be like this for a good while. We had the biggest 2 day loss after an election day b/c we had the biggest gain for an election day. It wouldn't have mattered if Mickey Mouse had won the election. Wall Street would have reacted the same way. It's not nearly as significant as the media seems to want it to be.
PPS - The gas price thing just has me scratching my head. They say it is supply and demand, but I do not see more people on the road with $2/gallon gas nor did I see fewer people on the road with $4/gallon gas. The same people are on the road every day. I think the supply and demand thing is actually for futures, but I still don't quite understand what the price of futures has to do with the price of gas at the pump. So if you can explain it to me, I'd love to be enlightened.
Monday, October 27, 2008
My thoughts on health care
As promised, here are my thoughts on the health care issue.
Many years ago, I was a staunch believer in personal responsibility where health care and health insurance are concerned. I reasoned that it is not right for a person to go along through life, "self insuring" as long as she or he is young and healthy, and then suddenly expect others to pay her or his way once the first signs of aging and disease begin. I still believe that.
However, the more I study this issue, the more I have come to realize that there is a whole segment of the American public -- many of whom WORK for a living and just scrape by -- for whom the concept of health insurance doesn't work. They simply can't afford it. And I'm not talking about only those people whose income is below that artificial line that we officially call "poverty". I'm talking about people who feel that they can choose to buy food or insurance. They can buy secondhand clothes and shoes for their kids, or they can buy insurance. I believe I have a moral obligation to do what I can to help those people.
Then there are those who can't get insurance because of what we call "Pre-Existing Conditions". Insurance companies won't cover them because to do so would threaten their entire block of business. I would be happy to explain this further if anyone is truly looking for an explanation, but for now I'll leave it right there. Some of these people are the ones I talked about in the first paragraph. They were initially out of the system by choice, and now they cannot get in. However, others may have lost their coverage because of a job change or similar circumstance. These, too, I feel need assistance and as it is impossible to sort out who may be deserving and who may not be, we'll have to err on the side of including them all.
To cover these people, there is going to be a cost. Perhaps a portion of the cost could be borne by the individuals themselves, if they have the means. However, the bulk of the cost will have to be picked up by the taxpayer.
Meanwhile, for those with insurance, costs keep going higher and higher. I keep thinking that they can't continue to increase forever, but except for a few years in the late 90's (if memory serves correctly) they have certainly been rising for my entire adult life. This too needs to be addressed, and the means of addressing it may very well be a fundamental change in the current system. We may in fact need to turn the system on end and build a new one from the ground up.
More tomorrow...
Many years ago, I was a staunch believer in personal responsibility where health care and health insurance are concerned. I reasoned that it is not right for a person to go along through life, "self insuring" as long as she or he is young and healthy, and then suddenly expect others to pay her or his way once the first signs of aging and disease begin. I still believe that.
However, the more I study this issue, the more I have come to realize that there is a whole segment of the American public -- many of whom WORK for a living and just scrape by -- for whom the concept of health insurance doesn't work. They simply can't afford it. And I'm not talking about only those people whose income is below that artificial line that we officially call "poverty". I'm talking about people who feel that they can choose to buy food or insurance. They can buy secondhand clothes and shoes for their kids, or they can buy insurance. I believe I have a moral obligation to do what I can to help those people.
Then there are those who can't get insurance because of what we call "Pre-Existing Conditions". Insurance companies won't cover them because to do so would threaten their entire block of business. I would be happy to explain this further if anyone is truly looking for an explanation, but for now I'll leave it right there. Some of these people are the ones I talked about in the first paragraph. They were initially out of the system by choice, and now they cannot get in. However, others may have lost their coverage because of a job change or similar circumstance. These, too, I feel need assistance and as it is impossible to sort out who may be deserving and who may not be, we'll have to err on the side of including them all.
To cover these people, there is going to be a cost. Perhaps a portion of the cost could be borne by the individuals themselves, if they have the means. However, the bulk of the cost will have to be picked up by the taxpayer.
Meanwhile, for those with insurance, costs keep going higher and higher. I keep thinking that they can't continue to increase forever, but except for a few years in the late 90's (if memory serves correctly) they have certainly been rising for my entire adult life. This too needs to be addressed, and the means of addressing it may very well be a fundamental change in the current system. We may in fact need to turn the system on end and build a new one from the ground up.
More tomorrow...
Saturday, October 25, 2008
A Halloween Link
The internetmonk has some things to say about Halloween, and I heartily agree.
I'll get back to politics tomorrow. Really.
PS, I got that link from this blog.
I'll get back to politics tomorrow. Really.
PS, I got that link from this blog.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Presidential Proposals
Just in case anyone is really reading this, I thought I'd post a brief summary of the presidential health care proposals. This is off the top of my head, and comes mostly from a professional meeting I attended this week. The speakers were campaign workers for each candidate.
Obama's plan: Obama's plan is NOT universal health insurance, as some have stated. If you have health insurance already, great, you can keep it. The "national plan" that Obama is proposing is not intended to cover everyone, but to give the uninsured an opportunity to purchase comprehensive coverage at an affordable price.
There are other things, changing laws which might help reduce the cost of prescription drugs, setting up a new government agency to oversee the whole thing, subsidies for the poor or those whose coverage is very expensive due to pre-existing conditions, etc., mandated coverage for children, etc.
My beef with Obama's plan? He contends this is all going to save us money. When questioned on this point, the representative stated that the prescription drug savings would be the source of the savings. OK, she said "A" source, but she didn't offer up any alternatives. IS HE SERIOUS? When is the last time a government agency was created and American taxpayers SAVED money?
I liked a lot of the Obama plan. But I wish he would be up front with us about the true cost, and how he intends to fund this thing.
McCain's Plan: McCain's plan does NOT do away with employer sponsored health plans, as some have suggested. NOR does it take away the tax favored status of such plans. It does change the way the tax status is handled. By making it a tax CREDIT, those with employer sponsored coverage may well take home less in their paychecks, but at the end of the year they would owe less in taxes. Surely the withholding tables would be adjusted to fix this. I venture that many people currently covered would see little change, although some of us would find ourselves paying taxes on a portion of that premium that is currently sheltered.
McCain also expands the tax credit to folks who buy health insurance on their own. Currently, if you buy your own coverage, you only get a tax break if your premiums plus any out of pocket expenses exceed a certain percentage each year. (I think it's 7.5%, but I'm not positive.) This is a huge break to those already purchasing individual coverage, but I'm not sure it's enough to convince the "working uninsured" to purchase coverage. I mean, it basically amounts to a 15% "discount" on the cost of the coverage (assuming a 15% tax bracket) and with the cost of individual coverage being so high, is this really much of an incentive?
My take: will have to wait a day, b/c it's late and my alarm clock is going haywire and I can sense my husband's tension all the way from the other end of the house.
Obama's plan: Obama's plan is NOT universal health insurance, as some have stated. If you have health insurance already, great, you can keep it. The "national plan" that Obama is proposing is not intended to cover everyone, but to give the uninsured an opportunity to purchase comprehensive coverage at an affordable price.
There are other things, changing laws which might help reduce the cost of prescription drugs, setting up a new government agency to oversee the whole thing, subsidies for the poor or those whose coverage is very expensive due to pre-existing conditions, etc., mandated coverage for children, etc.
My beef with Obama's plan? He contends this is all going to save us money. When questioned on this point, the representative stated that the prescription drug savings would be the source of the savings. OK, she said "A" source, but she didn't offer up any alternatives. IS HE SERIOUS? When is the last time a government agency was created and American taxpayers SAVED money?
I liked a lot of the Obama plan. But I wish he would be up front with us about the true cost, and how he intends to fund this thing.
McCain's Plan: McCain's plan does NOT do away with employer sponsored health plans, as some have suggested. NOR does it take away the tax favored status of such plans. It does change the way the tax status is handled. By making it a tax CREDIT, those with employer sponsored coverage may well take home less in their paychecks, but at the end of the year they would owe less in taxes. Surely the withholding tables would be adjusted to fix this. I venture that many people currently covered would see little change, although some of us would find ourselves paying taxes on a portion of that premium that is currently sheltered.
McCain also expands the tax credit to folks who buy health insurance on their own. Currently, if you buy your own coverage, you only get a tax break if your premiums plus any out of pocket expenses exceed a certain percentage each year. (I think it's 7.5%, but I'm not positive.) This is a huge break to those already purchasing individual coverage, but I'm not sure it's enough to convince the "working uninsured" to purchase coverage. I mean, it basically amounts to a 15% "discount" on the cost of the coverage (assuming a 15% tax bracket) and with the cost of individual coverage being so high, is this really much of an incentive?
My take: will have to wait a day, b/c it's late and my alarm clock is going haywire and I can sense my husband's tension all the way from the other end of the house.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Wow, I thought I had deleted this thing!
Has it really been over 2 years since I posted anything? Well, maybe I will start up again. It HAS been kind of a crazy busy 2 years. And the crazy busy-ness never seems to end.
I think if I'm going to do this, I'm going to HAVE to find someone to show me how to make it look "cooler". This is pretty boring.
I think if I'm going to do this, I'm going to HAVE to find someone to show me how to make it look "cooler". This is pretty boring.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
So proud of myself!
My LSS (that's "Local Scrapbook Store" for those who don't know scrapspeak) had a challenge every day for the month of June. If you completed 10 layouts you could get a coupon and if you completed all 30 by July 7 your name goes in a drawing for the grand prize.
Today I finished my 30th layout. I am so proud of myself. For one thing, I was gone for an entire week in the middle of the month. And then I had to really stretch myself with these layouts.
Whether I win the grand prize or not, I will feel I have won b/c I have all these lo's to put in my albums.
Today I finished my 30th layout. I am so proud of myself. For one thing, I was gone for an entire week in the middle of the month. And then I had to really stretch myself with these layouts.
Whether I win the grand prize or not, I will feel I have won b/c I have all these lo's to put in my albums.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
YES! We made the paper!
Woohoo! This image was printed in today's paper, with a caption explaining the mural that DH has been working on for months. The mural is at the girls' elementary school. It features a teacher and 6 students, along with 27 famous Oklahomans. (That's gymnast Shannon Miller with the Olympic medal.) Of course DH couldn't resist including our own girls in the mural, and here Sarah is pointing to her portrait.
I e-mailed the pictures to the paper on a whim. I love that our paper publishes pictures taken by proud wives & moms!
Monday, May 15, 2006
This made my weekend
I came home Saturday afternoon to a Birthday/Mother's Day party, a flashing tiara, a decorated kitchen, a fresh baked cake, and (later) silly string. (Hey, you can't have a party without games.) Really, I have the BEST family. I am so lucky! And hey, my 10yo DD is getting to be a pretty good photographer, isn't she?
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Tonight's Verse
Has anyone seen my May CK?
I've lost my May CK.
I needed it to scrap today.
Where is that May CK?
I was going to post a picture but it looked too much like the real me, so I decided not to...
I've lost my May CK.
I needed it to scrap today.
Where is that May CK?
I was going to post a picture but it looked too much like the real me, so I decided not to...
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Has Anyone Seen...
As I was looking for yet another scrapbooking tool that I'd misplaced, I was inspired:
Has anyone seen my punch, my punch,
Has anyone seen my punch?
I had it here before I ate lunch.
Has anyone seen my punch?
Has anyone seen my pen, my pen,
Has anyone seen my pen?
I had it here; I don’t know when.
Has anyone seen my pen?
Has anyone seen my book, my book,
Has anyone seen my book?
It was right in this little nook.
Has anyone seen my book?
Has anyone seen my blade, my blade,
Has anyone seen my blade,
I must have forgotten where it was laid.
Has anyone seen my blade?
Has anyone seen my chalk, my chalk,
Has anyone seen my chalk?
It was right here before my walk.
Has anyone seen my chalk?
Has anyone seen my ink, my ink,
Has anyone seen my ink?
What’s it doing in the sink?
Has anyone seen my ink?
Has anyone seen my die, my die,
Has anyone seen my die?
If I don’t find it, I will cry.
Has anyone seen my die?
Has anyone seen my brain, my brain,
Has anyone seen my brain?
It must have gone right down the drain.
Has anyone seen my brain?
Has anyone seen my punch, my punch,
Has anyone seen my punch?
I had it here before I ate lunch.
Has anyone seen my punch?
Has anyone seen my pen, my pen,
Has anyone seen my pen?
I had it here; I don’t know when.
Has anyone seen my pen?
Has anyone seen my book, my book,
Has anyone seen my book?
It was right in this little nook.
Has anyone seen my book?
Has anyone seen my blade, my blade,
Has anyone seen my blade,
I must have forgotten where it was laid.
Has anyone seen my blade?
Has anyone seen my chalk, my chalk,
Has anyone seen my chalk?
It was right here before my walk.
Has anyone seen my chalk?
Has anyone seen my ink, my ink,
Has anyone seen my ink?
What’s it doing in the sink?
Has anyone seen my ink?
Has anyone seen my die, my die,
Has anyone seen my die?
If I don’t find it, I will cry.
Has anyone seen my die?
Has anyone seen my brain, my brain,
Has anyone seen my brain?
It must have gone right down the drain.
Has anyone seen my brain?
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Wed night ramblings
#1-It was confirmed today that Mattie has a very minor, very slight hearing loss. Her results were on the low end of normal, and a couple were borderline, if I understand correctly. (DH is the one who took her, so I'm basing this on what he told me plus the report.) We have to wait for the dr to call us back, and he is out the rest of the week. (He did some initial testing and examined her and then ordered the test she had today.)
#2-I've been looking around and my house, and debating some rearranging. MAJOR rearranging. In the past few years my scrap stuff has taken a bigger and bigger portion of the living room. It's not very pretty to look at. I don't know how I would be able to get my stash down to a size that could be easily hidden in a closet or under the pc table. But I'm thinking about that. (Then I could donate my paper rack to the Scrap House my sister & I have been joking about. Hmmm, maybe I could store some of my stuff there. Too bad gas is so expensive...)
I also looked at my kitchen. We have an ant issue and we had ants all over the kitchen table. I had a vinyl tablecloth on it so I just sprayed it and then wrapped the ants up in it and tossed it. My table is so pretty. The reason I keep the vinyl tablecloth is that the table is such a "central" place for us, and I did not want the kids to scuff it up and get playdoh on it and stuff. So I end up hiding it and that is too bad b/c it really is a pretty little table. (It is only about a year old; one of the newest pieces of furniture I have.)
My house, while nothing to show off, is very functional. I love it this way. But sometimes I want pretty. I feel like in order to have pretty I am going to have to give up practical and useable. Is there an affordable way to have both?
Joy
#2-I've been looking around and my house, and debating some rearranging. MAJOR rearranging. In the past few years my scrap stuff has taken a bigger and bigger portion of the living room. It's not very pretty to look at. I don't know how I would be able to get my stash down to a size that could be easily hidden in a closet or under the pc table. But I'm thinking about that. (Then I could donate my paper rack to the Scrap House my sister & I have been joking about. Hmmm, maybe I could store some of my stuff there. Too bad gas is so expensive...)
I also looked at my kitchen. We have an ant issue and we had ants all over the kitchen table. I had a vinyl tablecloth on it so I just sprayed it and then wrapped the ants up in it and tossed it. My table is so pretty. The reason I keep the vinyl tablecloth is that the table is such a "central" place for us, and I did not want the kids to scuff it up and get playdoh on it and stuff. So I end up hiding it and that is too bad b/c it really is a pretty little table. (It is only about a year old; one of the newest pieces of furniture I have.)
My house, while nothing to show off, is very functional. I love it this way. But sometimes I want pretty. I feel like in order to have pretty I am going to have to give up practical and useable. Is there an affordable way to have both?
Joy
Monday, May 08, 2006
Warm Fuzzies
Today I was reminded about just how much I love my little girl. We took a walk at the park today, she entertaining me with stories about school, stopping to pet every dog, to chase a squirrel, racing me, playing tag. A lady called her "a perceptive little girl" after a brief conversation, and we had to talk about what that meant.
And I swear she walked 3 miles to my 1.5. She reminded me of the old Family Circus cartoons showing the funny paths that the kids would take to do something simple.
Anyway, I just got the warm fuzzies as I realized, again, how much I love this little girl, and how lucky I am to be her mom.
And I swear she walked 3 miles to my 1.5. She reminded me of the old Family Circus cartoons showing the funny paths that the kids would take to do something simple.
Anyway, I just got the warm fuzzies as I realized, again, how much I love this little girl, and how lucky I am to be her mom.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Blogging about a blog?
I am a huge fan of Stacy Julian. How excited I was to find her blog today! Here is the link:
http://stacysbigpicture.typepad.com/
I also found out she is teaching an online class on her Big Picture concept, and I'm thinking I might ask for that for Mother's Day/my birthday.
Gotta go scrap now while I'm inspired.
http://stacysbigpicture.typepad.com/
I also found out she is teaching an online class on her Big Picture concept, and I'm thinking I might ask for that for Mother's Day/my birthday.
Gotta go scrap now while I'm inspired.
Friday, April 28, 2006
There came a man who was sent from God...
...his name was John. (I John 1:6)
I normally have an unwritten "rule" that I don't post about my work here. But today I am making an exception.
There was a man who was a leader. He was a leader in his workplace. He was a leader in his community. He was a leader in his church and in his family.
He was a man who cared. He cared about his work. He cared about his community. He cared about children and education.
He cared about me. I know, because every time I saw him he said hello to me. He asked about my children. He was important. I was nobody. But he treated me like I was somebody.
I went out to eat one night, and had to wait a few minutes for my reservation. I picked up a magazine about local people and events. There was an article about a couple who gave of themselves by volunteering in the schools, in Boy Scouts, and countless other community and civic organizations. It was about John and his wife. I showed the article to my husband. "They are not exaggerating," I said. I was really proud to know him, to work with him.
John Rex died this week, and he will be greatly missed. He was the President of the company I work for. And he was so much more. His legacy will live on. May I, and those who knew him, uphold his memory by doing likewise.
In loving memory, John Rex, 1933-2006
I normally have an unwritten "rule" that I don't post about my work here. But today I am making an exception.
There was a man who was a leader. He was a leader in his workplace. He was a leader in his community. He was a leader in his church and in his family.
He was a man who cared. He cared about his work. He cared about his community. He cared about children and education.
He cared about me. I know, because every time I saw him he said hello to me. He asked about my children. He was important. I was nobody. But he treated me like I was somebody.
I went out to eat one night, and had to wait a few minutes for my reservation. I picked up a magazine about local people and events. There was an article about a couple who gave of themselves by volunteering in the schools, in Boy Scouts, and countless other community and civic organizations. It was about John and his wife. I showed the article to my husband. "They are not exaggerating," I said. I was really proud to know him, to work with him.
John Rex died this week, and he will be greatly missed. He was the President of the company I work for. And he was so much more. His legacy will live on. May I, and those who knew him, uphold his memory by doing likewise.
In loving memory, John Rex, 1933-2006
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Me
Last night I was reading a scrapbooking book and trying to get motivated to do a layout. One suggestion was to interview your children. So I asked Mattie, "What is your mom's favorite thing to do?" And she replied, "Watch something funny that I did."
I asked Sarah, "What does your mom do when you're not around?" She said, "I don't know; I'm not around."
I asked each of them how tall I was. Mattie said, "I can't measure you," and Sarah said, "5 feet 9." (Of course Sarah thinks that *she* is 4'11". I think she misheard her teacher and she is really 4'7". I'm 5'2-1/2", and I hang on to that half!)
Mattie thinks my favorite food is spaghetti and meatballs, and Sarah thinks it is broccoli. Interesting that they each picked something they don't like!
They both know I "do math" at work.
As far as cartoon characters, Mattie said I was most like the mom on Rolie Polie Olie, and Sarah says I'm like the mom on the Cat in the Hat.
So there you have it, from the experts. :-)
I asked Sarah, "What does your mom do when you're not around?" She said, "I don't know; I'm not around."
I asked each of them how tall I was. Mattie said, "I can't measure you," and Sarah said, "5 feet 9." (Of course Sarah thinks that *she* is 4'11". I think she misheard her teacher and she is really 4'7". I'm 5'2-1/2", and I hang on to that half!)
Mattie thinks my favorite food is spaghetti and meatballs, and Sarah thinks it is broccoli. Interesting that they each picked something they don't like!
They both know I "do math" at work.
As far as cartoon characters, Mattie said I was most like the mom on Rolie Polie Olie, and Sarah says I'm like the mom on the Cat in the Hat.
So there you have it, from the experts. :-)
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
It's been way too long
But I feel like posting tonight. Don't really have much to say, so I'll just post a picture of my sweet girl. Don't know how long she'll have this toothless grin, but I have to say, I love it so much!
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