Health Care Reform

I have a good friend who is in an unfortunate situation. It involves the health care dilemma in America. She is an example of what many people are going through and I asked her permission to share her story. She said I could.

My friend and her husband have two children. He works two part-time jobs, more hours than a full-time job, but has no access to health insurance through either employer. She was employed for a health care clinic, and they offered health care to her, but not her family. Because my friend has a history of health issues, she of course purchased a plan through her employer for herself. They were working hard to make ends meet.

Six weeks ago, she got injured. She fell and broke her ankle. She had to have surgery to repair it, and it included seven pins and a plate to put it back together. Her husband did the best he could to pick up extra hours to cover the difference, but it's obviously been very difficult. During her medical leave (unpaid), she was laid off. Not only does she now have no prospect for income in the near future, she also lost her health insurance.

The State of Minnesota is currently paying 60% of Cobra for nine months if you lose your job. She and her husband are going to be able to cover the expense of Cobra for those nine months then, but have no idea what they'll do beyond that. She is not yet in good enough health to find another job, and isn't sure when they will be.

Here you have a hard-working family who cannot afford to buy private insurance for themselves. It's not because they're lazy (which seems to be the code word for anyone who would benefit from a government option) or want someone to just hand it to them.

My opinion always has been that we should have a government program, with affordable premiums, available to all Americans so that people like my friend and her family do not have to go without health insurance. I cannot even imagine what would happen if something else happened to any of them!

For those of you who oppose a plan like this, what do you suggest? They are not alone. If you look around, you'll find countless people who do not have access to health insurance through their employer.

I'm just so sad that the proposed plans are weak. That they're really not going to help anyone in this tough time. I'm sad that we're not taking care of each other.

It's been awhile since we talked about this. Anyone up for a discussion? (As always, anonymous comments are not allowed.)

Coffee or Tea?

Some people use fancy methods of drawing winners for giveaways. There are some online applications like random.org. Not me. Here's my humble drawing.

Step 1:

Step 2:

Rooliegirl! What'll it be...coffee or tea? Thanks to all for participating!

Did you feel your boobs??

The drawing for this giveaway is tomorrow at noon(ish). Last chance to do your monthly self-exam!

Raking Leaves

I don't know when I fell in love with yardwork. This is the first year I sort of took it over from Cory. He's a yardwork genius, but his schedule is crazy and I don't mind doing it. I love being outside with the kids, so I've done most of the mowing and now the raking this fall. I suspect I'll do much of the shoveling this winter, too.

The thing is, Jack is two and a half. It's not hard to be out there with them anymore. He does disappear from time to time, but it's nothing like the past years when he's been in an exersaucer or 18 months and unsure of boundaries. They love it, and I love it. Especially when I am able to capture this moment:

Plus, how fun is it to photograph these colors? I can't get enough. They go as fast as they come, so I'm soaking them up.

Today I raked 14 bags of leaves. With one shoe on. If you're not on facebook, you don't know that I have a neuroma on my right foot and it's super painful when I wear a shoe. So after 15 - 20 minutes, the shoe came off, the sock stayed on, and we got the job done! I feel accomplished, but sore. Cory can have the next turn!

Fall

Just before she puts hers to sleep,

Mother Nature gives us one last gift.

I think she hopes it'll last us

Until everything comes to life again.

Wild Rice Soup

I'm posting this recipe for Amy. And whoever else wants it. It's my mom's recipe, and it's DELICIOUS.

6 T butter
1/2 flour
1 T chopped onion
3 c chicken broth
2 c cooked wild rice
1/2 c diced ham
1/2 c finely chopped carrots
3 T slivered almonds (optional)
1/2 tsp salt
1 c half and half

Sautee onion in butter. Stir in flour, let it cook until smooth. Add broth. Cook together, stirring. Boil one minute. (I add my carrots at this point and let them boil to soften them a bit.) Add ham, wild rice, almonds, and salt. Stir in half and half. Heat only to serving temperature; do not boil once you've added the half and half or it will separate.

ENJOY!

Be Aware.

I'm sure you're aware that it's Breast Cancer Awareness month. Because early detection is so important, I'm doing an Amy's Blend giveaway.

All you have to do is tell me that you've done your monthly self-exam and I'll enter you in the drawing for a bag of Amy's Blend coffee or tea (and if you drink neither, there are some cool water bottles available). And if you're a man, and you read my blog, then tell me you've reminded your wife, or your mom, or another important woman in your life to do hers. Actually, it's a good idea for you to do it, too! I saw this story in the news this week. Breast cancer can affect anyone.

Drawing will be held next Friday, October 30 at noon.

*Note: I am aware that if my coffee hadn't dripped all over, this photo would have been a lot better. It was really full. And it was raining.