Friday, October 24, 2008

Go McCain?

Thank you Cheryl for sending this to me! It's the funniest damned thing.

Basically it says get your butt out there and vote...

It's also saying vote Obama...which I am not going to do.

But it's funny all the same!!

http://www.cnnbcvideo.com/index.html?nid=8UZ340XDBLtt9l.gIActETQxNTY3MzU-&referred_by=11347962-H3GKuNx

Friday, August 29, 2008

Growing Pains (In the ARSE) - Ugh

Wow. How do you know when a young person is ready for added responsibility? Do they take their chores seriously or do they slack and not follow through?

I am a delighted mother of 2 boys. 10 and 3 years old...the ten year old is itching for independence. At first I thought I was the one that wasn't ready for such independence...but today clearly shouted out that he isn't either.

I have arranged for after school care complete with transportation for the 2 hours (give or take) after school that corresponds with me getting off work, picking up the youngest and then getting the oldest.

Today, Mr. 10 decides that he isn't going to take the transportation and head on home so he can hang with his friends. Mom drives to the after school site and no one has seen Mr. 10 and verified he never got on the bus. (He claims to have forgotten that he needed to get on said transportation...)

After driving home, checking neighbors, calling the sheriff...he rides up on his bike with one of his buddies. I wanted to hug and kiss him and beat the living daylights out of him all in the same momentary emotion. I chose to hug him. I called his Dad...since we are co-parenting now and we handled this in an impressive way. We agreed on the punishment and actually talked like civilized adults. (Knowing full well he is blaming me for this the whole way...but that's another blog!)

I explained to Mr. 10 about the dangers that are out there when Mom and Dad are not around and shared with him my understanding that he wants more independence but he must realize the boundaries that exists for his protection. (That went over like a fart in an elevator let me tell you!) Um, I am talking to a 5Th grader now...and don't you know...you and I are not smarter than 5Th graders...sh uh....

Crisis is over and I am sipping on a yummy beverage whilst Mr. 10 is cleaning his room and occasionally popping up here to my room to verify said terms of punishment. No you can't play outside, no you can't watch TV even if it's with your brother, yes you can read, yes you can do math, no you can't ride your bike by yourself, no you can have no friends over...for ONE WEEK. That means next Friday night when Dad's parenting time begins.

So there.

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

CA State Budget Woes and Your Medical Care

This may not seem like a big deal to some...but it is to me. California hospitals and their fiscal wellness are my bread and butter. I own my own Medical Coding and Auditing company in Southern California. While my work keeps me very busy, hospitals just can't survive more budget cuts. I received this today in my corporate email:


Today is July 1, and the new state fiscal year has started without a state budget. There is little expectation that we will have a budget soon. As the deliberations continue, the proposed 10% cut for hospitals and health care spending remains part of the package. The severe budget cuts increase the number of uninsured patients in California’s already overcrowded and overburdened hospital emergency rooms. The result would be longer wait times and higher health care costs for everyone.

If you've been watching television this week, you might have noticed a new a campaign supporting California's hospitals. The ads are part of the California Hospital Association's (CHA) ongoing public advocacy effort to stop $1.5 billion in cuts to Medi-Cal, CHA is launching an aggressive statewide advertising campaign -- SaveMyEmergencyRoom.com. This call-to-action campaign features a 30-second television commercial, supporting print ads and a website at SaveMyEmergencyRoom.com.

If the cuts are not restored, Scripps Health could lose $2.3 million, severely impacting Scripps Mercy Hospital's two campuses.

The goal of the campaign is to educate voters and stakeholders; build a coalition of support; and mobilize that support with a call-to-action to stop the cuts by signing a petition to the governor and e-mailing letters to legislators.

The television ad began airing June 24 with print ads also appearing over the next couple of weeks in newspapers around the state, including the San Diego Union Tribune. The ads will direct viewers to the new advocacy website to view a list of hospitals in their area impacted by the cuts, sign a petition to the governor, and e-mail advocacy letters to legislators. To lend your support to the effort, visit https://mail.scripps.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.savemyemergencyroom.com and encourage others to do the same.

***
If you have a moment to particpate, I would appreciate it.

Thanks,
Michellene

Parents Job Description

This isn't mine, I didn't write it but am glad someone did.

If this was provided to me before I had children, I would have still signed up! I love my boys. They are my loves, my life and my heroes.

*****

PARENT

This is hysterical. If it had been presented this way, I don't believe any of us would have done it!!!!

POSITION :Mom, Mommy, Mama, MaDad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop

JOB DESCRIPTION :Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekend s and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities! Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES :The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION :None. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE :None required unfortunately.On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION :Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS :While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.

** AND A FOOTNOTE **

THERE IS NO RETIREMENT -- EVER!!!**

If you are fortunate enough you will become grandparents.

AND YOU MAY HAVE TO RAISE THEM TOO!!!