Inequality. Unfair benefits! I want to know why Federal employees are not covered by the same Medicare plan that they foist off on the rest of us? I’d like to see ONE health plan for all Americans. Since coverage is better for federal employees….I want to be covered by THAT policy!
Of course, the next question is, how do we get them to do it?
Another issue I’d like to see addressed is the pension the legislators “earn.” Awarding a person a pension for life without regard to length of service is a gross misuse of funds. Each year I get a note from Social Security about what they will pay me IF I continue to work until I’m 70. Medicare is afraid to do the same sort of mailing because it’s likely the legislators will have spent everything before it’s time for me to retire!
Perhaps we need to consider one year of reimbursement for each year served. And perhaps we need to average their income over that time, rather than basing the pension on the salary of the last year in office. Our government is like a good old boys club, with members voting in as many freebies and benefits as they can, despite the fact that we are just beginning to rise out of a recession. They are handing out golden parachutes right and left, when people barely above poverty level are being taxed to pay for those benefits.
Amy, the Advice Lady
I’ve found an advice column that I really enjoy. “Ask Amy” appears in the Chicago Tribune. Amy Dickinson writes a daily column in a fresh way. She clearly has a sense of humor, which she uses liberally, but she is usually spot on with her suggestions.
Saturday, November 22, she responded to a question about wedding ettiquette. I’m not sure if I agree with her or not. A woman who has married a man with grown children wrote for help. His daughter and his wife do not get along. He is paying for half the wedding, but his daughter has made it clear that his wife is NOT invited. Daddy told his daughter that she is wrong, and that she should be civil and include his wife. The daughter refuses.
Herbal Stuff
About six weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit a Restoration Hardware. I want one of everything! I came across a wonderful product that appeals to me on several levels. It’s a bottle of beach glass that has been scented with lavender. Herbs and recyling are a big part of my life.
A Quirky Test
I “borrowed” this from Jamie’s site. Jamie, hon……there has to be something seriously wrong with this test if the two of us came up as Gweneveire!
Your medieval name is: Gweneveire. You are
innocent, quiet, beautiful and angelic. You
harbor an inner beauty and you usually keep to
yourself, following the lines of conformity.
You’re totally innocent and loyal.
What is your Medieval name?
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Statistics
Dear Abby reprinted these statistics from the American Cancer Society today. They tell a compelling story.
“When smokers quit, the benefits begin immediately. Twenty minutes after the last cigarette, blood pressure drops to a level close to that before the last cigarette. Eight hours after quitting, carbon monoxide levels in the blood drop to normal. Twenty four hours later , the chance of heart attack decreases.
After one to nine months, coughing, sinus congestion, fatique and shortness of breath decrease, and cilia regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs and reduce infection. One year later, excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.
After five years, stroke risk is reduced to that of a non-smoker. After ten years, the lung cancer fatality rate is about half that of a smoker’s and the risk of oral, throat, esophageal, bladder, kidney and pancreatic cancer also decreases.”
I brought these statistics to you because my sister was diagnosed with lung cancer. Her doctor didn’t even let her go home. Two days later she was recuperating from having the lower third of her right lung removed. I’m delighted to tell you that she is (at least) an eight year survivor. The important thing is, that she lived to see all three of her sons become dads.
Her experience has helped almost everyone in my family to quit smoking. When we built our home we announced that it was a non-smoking area. My mother would stand out in the semi-enclosed entryway to smoke, even during the coldest winter weather. When my sister had her surgery, Mother made the decision to quit.
I have had asthma due to allergies almost all my life. For me, the trend toward not smoking is one of the best things that could have happened. My family always made sure to seat me upwind of their smoke, but that doesn’t eliminate second hand smoke.
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and today is the 27th Great American Smokeout. If you smoke, I hope you tried to do without them today. It could be the best thing you’ll ever do for yourself….and your loved ones!
Exercise
About four years ago I signed my mother up for a senior exercise class. She was going to make a trip to England to see the Chelsea Flower show, so I thought it would be a good idea to get her in shape. Since I have to take her to class, I decided to ask if I could attend too.
Last year we had a switch in teachers, and our new teacher brings a lot of Asian philosophy to her exercises. We start with stretching and we work from head to toe. She picks the pace up for cardio work, and throws in a little Tai Bo, and then we do fifteen minutes that is a mix of balance, resistance and weight training.
Thanksgiving 1
Are you ready for Thanksgiving?
Perkier Post
I’m delighted to announce that my oldest sister’s youngest son is now a dad! I have 13 nieces and nephews. As a group they have now made me a GREAT aunt seventeen times! And there’s one more headed our way in May. I can hardly wait to meet the newest member of our family! I guess you could say we have a lot to be thankful for.
The Blahs
The cat is sitting at my elbow. The dog is across the room, snoring, and Dear Husband is watching the Nova on the Earth’s magnetic field. It’s been a long day, and I’m thinking about bed.
I was going to sleep in this morning. I wanted to get up at 6:30, but Defer arfed me up at 5:40. I figured I might as well get up and get going. Mother was hosting a group of ladies who were making fleece hats for cancer patients, and I had a dental appointment at 1:15. My niece and her boys joined us for dinner, and DH had a hair cut at 6:00. It was a busy day.
I began with a few loads of laundry, and while that was perking, I cleaned the kitchen. We readied the table, and I boiled a pot of multi-colored rotini. As it cooled, I put dishes away and started chopping veggies.
I cut up red pepper, broccoli, julienned carrots and pepperoni, and added it to the pasta. I threw in some cherry tomatoes and poured part of a bottle of Paul Newman’s Light Italian dressing over it. A quick toss, and it went back into the fridge to chill.
Then I cut up veggies for minnestrone and put that on to cook. I had cartons of red raspberries and blueberries, so I rinsed and mixed them and put them in a crystal dish. Last, I sliced some banana nut bread.
My mother had planned to make tomato soup with roasted red pepper for her guests. She also made oatmeal cookies. I thought she might appreciate the pasta and fruit to round out the meal. I set a pot of Iced tea to perc and went to get dressed for the day.
My periodontist is happy with my new crown, so my visit was a good one. I don’t have to see them for another six months.
My niece and her boys joined us, and we chatted about everyone’s week. I added mozerella to the pasta. I think the boys were underwhelmed by the soup, but were too well mannered to say anything. Besides, garlic bread, pasta, fruit and cookies seemed to fill in the chinks.
All in all….it was a typical day. Not the kind of thing you hope to read about here, but a slice of my life. I need to get a different life (sigh).
It’s Official….
Christmas season 2003 has opened. Today I received my FIRST e-mail from Jamie trying to finagle some sugar crisp. Of course, she said Q14 (her son) needed them.
Riiiiiiiiiiiight!
I’ll think about it Jamie. It’s possible. *S*