Middle School Discrimination??

I have seen this happen first hand.

Right before my eyes.

My children are mixed race (aren't we all to a varying degree??).

My son made a friend at his new school the first week and that friend wrote his name on notebook paper. He wrote out my son's name in a graffiti style. Note this is ON PAPER and my son then placed it in his binder cover.

This happened the first week of school back in August 2009.

What date is it now? What year is it now?

Today was the last day of school.

Yesterday the above mentioned paper was confiscated from my son. He was told it would be up to the school to decide if he should be given a day of in-class suspension. (What? For something he didn't write?? Something he didn't write on paper??)

He had to miss his class field trip yesterday because of poor grades. He had to sit in a classroom with other kids that had to miss too. Many were also for poor grades but others were behavioral problems (fighting, other infractions). Those that know my kiddo...know that he doesn't fall into that group. He just didn't do what he was supposed to in class and didn't do his homework. (That my dear reader is for another post for another day!)

I wrote to this particular teacher and was advised yes it was taken from him and that it was catalogued in the event it shows up around school (i.e. on walls etc).

Really? As IF he would write his OWN name on walls at school.

Because he didn't do his homework...doesn't make him STUPID.

So, where is the kid that drew it? What kind of trouble would he be in?

I know we have free speech in this country...what happened to freedom of expression? ON PAPER NO LESS?

I am afraid my young man has been singled out for something he didn't do but something he had...and it was HIS NAME. No profanity... his name.

I am composing a letter to the principal, the assistant principal (who returned the picture to me), the school district. This is ridiculous.

This may not be racial profiling but I do feel this is some level of discrimination that I refuse to teach my son totolerate.

23.9 kilograms = 52.6904807 pounds

Well, Kai's cf appointment went good, then it went bad.....sort of.

Good news: Kai's lungs are clear and the remain clear! YAY! Praise God!
Good news: last visit in August Kai was in the 5Th percentile for weight...he is now....DRUM ROLL PLEASE....in the 95Th!! (I have been working my butt off to give him a butt!) All this on liquid nutritional supplements!

Bad news: Kai's pulmonary function test (pft) according to the Dr's is not good. It isn't where they want it to be. (Kai is unable to perform the test adequately or accurately so I personally think this may be incorrect.)

They want to start him on Pulmozyme. The pft is low enough to indicate there may be an obstruction so they want to use this special treatment to break up mucus in his lungs and have him cough it out.

Now that we have this huge gain in weight...they want to push regular food on him. Yep...you got it...Kai still doesn't eat regular foods like the rest of the family. So if we can get him to eat and use this weight cushion to get him to eat then we will be doing well all the way around. They think his not eating is behavioral. So they want him and me to see a behavioral specialist. Hmm...
So...it is no wonder I cannot pick this kid up anymore to put him in his own bed at night!!

Thank you God for continued health and for the advances in medicine today. I don't think Kai has the obstructive mucus in his lungs the Dr. thinks he does...but hey...I am just the mom right?

Righhhhhhht.

I am going to chat more with Dr's regarding this and see what the consensus is.

Thanks for reading and keep praying for Kai.

The walk is on May 2! Moonlight Beach.

Hugs!

Medical Humor...(or not) Irish Medical Dictionary

Why Irish? I don't know exactly but per a recently received email:
"The Irish have a low stress rate because they do not take medical terminology seriously. You are going to die anyway, so live life."

Artery.................. The study of paintings
Bacteria.................Back door to cafeteria
Barium...................What doctors do when patients die
Benign....................What you be, after you be eight
Caesarean Section......A neighbourhood in Rome
Catscan..................Searching for Kitty
Cauterize................Made eye contact with her
Colic......................A sheep dog
Coma.....................A punctuation mark
Dilate....................To live long
Enema....................Not a friend
Fester....................Quicker than someone else
Fibula.....................A small lie
Impotent.................Distinguished, well known
Labour Pain..............Getting hurt at work
Medical Staff...........A Doctor's cane
Morbid....................A higher offer
Nitrates..................Cheaper than day rates
Node......................I knew it
Outpatient................A person who has fainted
Pelvis......................Cousin to Elvis
Post Operative...........A letter carrier
Recovery Room...........Place to do upholstery
Rectum....................Nearly killed him
Secretion.................Hiding something
Seizure...................Roman emperor
Tablet....................A small table
Terminal Illness.........Getting sick at the airport
Tumour...................One plus one more
Urine.....................Opposite of you're out
2 x Condoms.............To be sure, to be sure

There's a Gazelle on the Lawn

I love words.

I love word games.

I love word puzzles.

I love trivia related to words.

One of my favorite shows is A Way With Words.

Lets say you have a guest over for dinner and someone in your family has food on their face....a way to tell them is saying out loud "there is a gazelle on the lawn"...it draws attention away from the person with the food on their face and out to the lawn... or to you where your guest will think you just lost your marbles...obviously while searching for a gazelle.

The Blechs

This week started off really rough.

Blindsided by a judge that has a heart for incompetent and fake fathers. Either that or his BS detector was forgotten at home that day.

I have been feeling kind of gross since Monday. I am not looking forward to the shift in the new custody order. I call it an order because it's definitely not an agreement.

I am strong. I know I will overcome this period of blechness.

A friend told me recently to put my energy toward thinking positive. Positive thoughts...think of what I want...and not what I don't want. Something about the universe hearing what you are putting out there. It doesn't catch the word don't though. For instance, "I don't want my boys to have overnight visits during the week with their bio-dad" is just saying "I WANT my boys....etc..." See what I am saying?

Instead of focusing on what I "don't" want....I will put my thoughts and energy into...

I want my sons to be happy.
I want my sons to be well taken care of.

My sons will be happy.
My sons will be well taken care of.
My sons will know that their mommy loves them with all her heart even if I am not physically there.

God is so good. He has really brought this for a reason. This is an answered prayer. It is. I am sure. I have been praying for my sons bio-dad to really be a better dad. To desire to spend more time with his sons. To be a more active parent. To not be so angry and mean with our eldest when he doesn't get homework right....or is just being a pubertal butt-head.

Judge ordered parenting classes for the dad...and once the classes are complete, he can have the increased parenting time and the decrease in child support.

I continue to pray for him. That he has asked for this for the right reasons. I want to believe he desires more time with his sons and not just the financial break he was seeking. But that would be most unwise for be to believe considering his history.

God will provide. God loves. God answers prayers.

New Biz

I have loved the ambiance of candles for years.

These particular candles are so clean burning they do not smoke so NO SOOT...and they do not irritate K-mans lungs. He can't be around smoke or smokers...so this is a perfect match.

I am becoming a rep just to earn a little extra cash...and perhaps just provide myself with some candles to enjoy for myself since things have been so tight.

Its only a catalog party...so your presence is not required!

Jo Williams' personal website

Scientists Restore Some Function to Cells from Cystic Fibrosis Patients

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091206162959.htm

Great news for our lil cf-er Kai!

I am so happy that the organization I contract for has a research institute and has the funding to work on such things as cystic fibrosis. When you think about it...the total number of Americans alone with this disease couldn't even fill up our local stadium.

There are an estimated 30,000 people in the US with cystic fibrosis.

Qualcomm Stadium = Baseball capacity: 67544 Football capacity: 60794
Petco Park = Baseball capacity: 46000
Dodgers Stadium = Baseball capacity: 56000

They couldn't even fill Fenway with the number.
Fenway = Baseball capacity: 34218

So, our little K-man who is our precious boy with cystic fibrosis is part of a swell little club.

If you get around to it...we are walking again this year for Kai. First Sunday in May. Save the date! If you can walk with us that would be great! If not, could you sponsor me?

Check our my page:
http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/dsp_DonationPage.cfm?walkid=6359&idUser=158911

Lots of love!
Michellene

Thankful

Well, this year started off rough. Lost a dear aunt...well, I lost her the last 15 minutes of 2009...I am still a bit raw from that experience. Thankful I was able to spend time in Hawaii with her and her family for a few days. Loved that I could do some things for her before we said "See you Later."

I am writing this now because I have been on this tailspin into an abyss...of I guess without medications would probably be a major depressive episode...but isn't.

I have found out so many things about myself. I am stronger than I ever gave myself credit for...and I am capable of love. Loving someone outside myself and outside my children.

Gods gifts indeed.

I have also found out so many areas that I am lacking which weigh heavily upon my heart. Especially when it hurts those around me. I haven't been very good at being a wife...in fact I think I have been pretty damned selfish. So focused on little things...or actually BIG things...like the bills and rent...that I forget to dole out the hugs and kisses that are needed to get us through the tougher spots in this life.

I haven't been a great mom. Sure I have done all K's treatments...taken him to all his appointments...made attempts at getting T's homework done...trying to give them both all the love and attention they so deserve. I miss the days when they would just snuggle in my bed and we would sleep in. I think we are over due for a sleep over.

I have let K keep a binky until he was 5...oh the horror of it all. Haven't forced him to eat real food because I have been so focused on making sure he has all the calories he possibly can have in one day just so he can keep growing. I have let T play video games and watch TV without making sure his homework is done and believing him when he says it is done...major major mistake. I have learned from that. I am thankful that he is growing... I am sad that his care consumes so much time than a healthy child...which takes away from T. I need some mommy and me time with him. He has been exhibiting symptoms of just missing and needing attention. So that I must and can fix.

I haven't been a great daughter...forgot to call my mom on her birthday despite the fact I told the kids ALL DAY that it was her birthday. I haven't called and seen them as much as I should. I really must spend more time with them...interacting. The kids need to see them...as do I.

I haven't been the best sister I can be. I haven't written or called and didn't attend a family get together....a birthday party for the twins because "I had to work." I put that in quotes...because it always seems to be where I am at or what I need to do when my kids need something or someone asks if I can be there for THEM.

At what point do I need to realize it isn't all about me but about giving back to others around me? The people that I love and cherish. Or "say" I do and don't show it.

I haven't been a good friend. I haven't been out to see Jen and Pete...I love them dearly and have yet to even send them a card or package to their new address. I still have a newborn outfit for Peter in a Christmas wrapping that should have been send 2 Christmas' ago and a glitter nail kit for Nadia...never sent. Then there is my beloveds Cs and B. They get the brunt of everything. They have both been my rock through my divorce. C has even taken my middle of the night phone calls from Hawaii just to talk me through a very horrible day despite having to get up for work at the butt crack of dawn. Sure, she has her phone not accept messages...which drives me insane...but she calls back when she sees that I have called. I do that for her too...I even pick up her calls when I am at work. I think she and my mom & dad are the only ones I do that for. Yet, my tone with all of them...has been short. I am stressed to the seams. Can't see the forest for the trees. I have been just trying to get through each day without crying...so instead I bite someones head off. Usually C's or B's. For that I am sorry. It's like I am stuck...in this place...where I want to embrace those around me...but want to just crawl under a rock and just shut everyone out. But because I know these people around me love me...I don't.

My mom has told me several times (you would think I would get the hint) that if I am busy...just say so...just a quick..."Hey I really want to talk to you...but I am so swamped can I call you later" will be nice instead of feeling like I am being put out by answering the phone.

I am sorry. I am so sorry for all of my inadequacies. So sorry I am falling short in so many places. I am asking God to help...um duh he already is...because my binky-free 5 year old just leaned over to tell me "Mommy, I love you. I love you so much." And here I thought he would hate me for the rest of his life for "donating" his beloved binky to another baby that needs it.

Bottom line is...I have been taking my stress out on everyone because despite the size of my body habitus...I simply cannot fit anymore in here. I am filled to the brim with this crap...and that made my emotional "tank" so small it is always on "E". I feel as if I am just giving giving giving...and I just can't give anymore. I am just drowning.

Drowning in fear...Fear of yet more failures...failure of going to jail for not paying taxes for an ex that's got his own issues. Yet here I find myself sucking at yet another job...accounting. That used to be the "ex's" job...and he sucked at it too I just didn't know it till just before I left...so I am holding the bag of doo-doo that is left behind. Back taxes...already had letters talking about taking money out of my accounts...I am always needing just a little more for gas in the gas tank...even needing to create a note book of IOU's to the kids for their allowance...I think I am three months behind now on that.

Then I have the ex that is suing for custody yet again...for the children...just so he can get out of paying support. All of these things he will use against me...T not doing so great in school...K's teeth needing attention yet he will let NO ONE near his mouth...if you do get close...he is likely to require you to need a change of clothes.

I feel horrible for it all. I am sorry for lashing out at those around me. I am thankful that C had the balls to tell me. That she loved me more than I will ever know, that she felt comfortable to text me that I am falling short. Which means if I am falling short with all these things I am falling short with God. He put C as my angel to do a virtual shaken baby routine with me via the phone. Yep. I think it worked...because I am just shaken up.

I know He will forgive me...I just need to ask. I just hope to have the forgiveness of all those around me. I am sucking at being a person right now...and I am the only one that can take the steps to change that.

I have been so bitter. So angry...I think because of my choices...which were mostly not bad. Just having a heck of time trying to make adjustments. Family and C have reassured me that leaving an abusive situation was smart...and that it is all an adjustment. I am still working through it...and with the grace of God...I will survive without any cerebral or retinal hemorrhaging from all the shaking.

So, I am thankful for my family that loves me unconditionally...my kids that love me just because I breathe (and that is mutual) and for C...that loved me enough to tell me. No she isn't mean.....she was just keeping it real...keeping it 100.

For the love of Michellene.

Blessed with Another Year! Kai is FIVE!

Five years ago, I delivered a gorgeous healthy baby boy. So I thought. A couple days after birth, realizing something wasn't right...he was rushed off to Children's Hospital in San Diego.

There, diagnoses were thrown at me...my head swimming...knowing what the outcome of every disease mentioned was...none of them good. One stuck out...and surely Kai could not have this disease...he isn't but a pinch Caucasian...as this particular disease predominantly impacts Caucasians....doesn't matter any more...not this day in age.

What? Cystic fibrosis? NO WAY. Not our little Korean-Native American-Mexican-Black-Irish baby. Shuh... Whatever!

Well, blood tests showed that he has cystic fibrosis.

I knew my life was going to change with the addition of a little baby...having already had one...adding another to an already strained marriage was surely going to be life changing. I had NO IDEA just how much.

Therapies, nebulizer treatments, medications with every meal, weekly visits with Miss Lisa at occupational therapy(for over 3 years now!), and hand sanitizer up the wazoo...well, it's all normal now. Normal for us. Normal for Kai. Normal for a family with a little guy with cf. I realize that every day is a blessing...each and every breath is a gift from God...each smile...each I love you...every tantrum...all gifts.

A little over a decade ago...children with cf were not even living long enough to get to grade school. Kai is in pre-K. He will start kindergarten in the fall. Praise the Lord!

Advances in medicine have raised the bar and along with it the median age for life expectancy...we are almost at 37 years old I believe. So, with continued advances in medicine and better therapies...Kai is gonna make it to be older than his old-lady mom is now.

I am so grateful for another year with this baby boy. I should say BIG boy. Kai has given up his beloved binkies to a baby named Lucas. Since Lucas is a baby and needs them more than Kai does. Also he started (just last night) drinking his high calorie formula from a straw instead of a bottle! This is HUGE. This was mostly out of necessity since his front teeth are causing him pain. Why? Not from decay said the dentist but because his BIG BOY teeth are already coming in early. Too early...but at least we know the teeth are loose because of that and not because his teeth are rotting out of his head.

Thank you God for another year of oral aversions...all the gagging and the refusal of solid foods...thank you for always providing the finances to afford to not-so-cheap high calorie formula...thank you for providing for his expensive Dr. visits and medicines...thank you for my delightful sometime pain the butt son Kai. Thank you for his continued health. Thank you for an extended family of loved ones that care so much about him and his well-being. He is a blessing. I love him so much and thank you for another year.

Please join me in wishing Kai a very happy birthday.

Happy Birthday BIG BOY Kai. You are such a wonderful gift from heaven and God is going to always be with us carrying us through the toughest times and holding our hands and hugging us through every good time.

I love you son.

Love,
Mommy

Eviction Notices

Once upon a time...a young woman(me) was fretting over something trivial. So trivial in fact, I can't recall the exact circumstances but I do recall sharing it with my Auntie Linda. She was being a very good listener. She gave me some advice I carry around with me to this very day. She told me, "Don't let anyone live rent free in your head." Hmmm. Sit back for a moment. Let it really sink in. What are those things you are carrying around with you and dwelling on that really don't make a difference either way except that they are taking up precious time and space in your head? Time and space that you can be using to reach out to a loved one and just say I love you...or making a card...paying a bill...reading a book...you name it...

If I am thinking about someone or something...and it's not paying rent... it's getting evicted.

So eviction notices are going out tonight on several things. I am tired of all these people and things just squatting in my head. Pay up or shut up. So there! lol Pfffft!

I love Apple

There are so many things lacking today. Customer service for one has really taken a nose dive with the economy. That's not the case with Apple.

I bought a used 160GB iPod from a dear friend. She was going on a trip to Israel and needed the spending money. I purchased it and it was packed full of different music genres that I may not have tried out otherwise.

About a month ago, I had received a sample of a hair product for Troi. That was in my purse with my iPod. Can you tell this is not going so good right? Well, the product leaked in the docking part of my iPod. So sad indeed.

I cleaned it up...and it seemed to be working just fine. I breathed a huge sigh of relief...since I can't afford to replace it. Two nights ago I was trying to play a movie on it via a Monster cable attached to the TV. My iPod just shot off and got really hot. I packed it up in it's original packaging and slipped it into it's snug box - manual included and decided to see about a repair.

I made an appointment for the next day to see someone at the Genius Bar. I begged them to use a defibrillator or just anything to get it to come to life again. They tried everything to no avail. It remained dead. The young man could see my sadness. Especially when he had to share with me that it is out of warranty. I sighed and was ready to provide my iPod with a proper burial or perhaps use it as a paper weight. He then said, "Well it it evident you take really good care of it and the battery overheated and fried everything inside. So I am going to take care of it for you." I thought wow...a repair...sweet. He then said they will just replace the one I have. I am sure it's a refurb but it's better than not having one at all or having just a very once-expensive paperweight.

Gotta love Apple.

My next computer endeavor is a Mac. Handsdown.

How to Display the American Flag

I had to post this because I had seen a car in my area that was displaying the American flag on the bumper.

It didn't look right, so I posted the photo on Facebook and had some comments.

I thought it was wrong.

While link doesn't address "bumper sticker" display rules, it did confirm many things I knew already about the flag.

Check it out.

http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html

Breaking Dawn: The Game

I just had fun with this. I am addicted to the entire Twilight series!

Breaking Dawn: The Game

Shared via AddThis

Made to Love

I am in love with this song....It's by Toby Mac and it just sings in my heart.

The dream is fading, now
I'm staring at the doorI know its over cause my feet have hit the cold floor
Check my reflection,
I ain't feelin what I see
It's no mystery
Whatever happened to a passion I could live for
What became of the flame that made me feel more
And when did I forget that...

I was made to love you
I was made to find you
I was made just for you
Made to adore you
I was made to love
And be loved by you
You were here before me
You were waiting on me
And you said you'd keep me
Never would you leave me
I was made to love and be loved by you

The dream's alive with my eyes opened wide
Back in the ring you've got me swinging for the grand prize
I feel the haters spittin vapors on my dreams
But I still believe
I'm reachin out, reachin up, reachin over
I feel a breeze cover me called Jehovah
And daddy I'm on my way
Cause I was made to love...

I was made to love you
I was made to find you
I was made just for you
Made to adore you
I was made to love
And be loved by you
You were here before me
You were waiting on me
And you said you'd keep me
Never would you leave me
I was made to love and be loved by you

Happy Anniversary! Another Year! Walking for Curing Cystic Fibrosis!

Dear Friends, Family, and respected Colleagues,

It's that time of year again! The time of year that marks another year that we walk for Kai and the thousands of other with this genetic disease. Kai has cystic fibrosis. He is 4 now and is a loving, caring, bundle of joy. He enjoys picking on his big brother Troi (11). He loves imitating and mimicking everything he sees and hears. Kai attends school in the Poway school district special education program working on gross motor skills and his speech.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a devastating genetic disease that affects tens of thousands of children and young adults in the United States. Research and care supported by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is making a huge difference in extending the quality of life for those with CF. However, we continue to lose precious lives to CF every day. That's why your help is needed now more than ever to ensure that a cure is found sooner - rather than later. To learn more about CF and the CF Foundation, visit www.cff.org.

CF has mostly impacted Kai's digestive system. Because of this, Kai takes 8-10 pills per day. These pills are filled with the digestive enzymes he needs to digest the foods he eats. They are required with each and every meal or snack. He doesn't object because that's just his "norm". Kai now has The Vest. He calls it "the Jack" which is short for jacket. "The Jack" is one therapy that Kai does twice per day for 20 minutes each time. The vest (Jack) fills with air and then the machine it's connected to vibrates the air providing the percussive pressure neede to loosen up any mucus in Kai's lungs. Kai does his therapies in the morning and evening. His therapies consists of "Jack" and TOBI. TOBI is an inhaled antibiotic to combat a bacteria that keeps lurking in Kai's lungs. This bacteria is Pseudomonas aeruginosa and can really cause serious problems for Kai if it should get out of control. This is the bacteria that destroys the healthy lung tissue resulting in decreased lung function.

So, because of this precious little man, his family and friends walk GREAT STRIDES. They have done this every year since the year he was born. With your help we have received thousands of dollars in donations! We thank you for your continued support. EVERY little bit helps. So, please sponsor our walk again this year if you are in a position to do so. If not, walk with us. If you can't walk, pray for continued health and resources for Kai's care.

GREAT STRIDES is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's largest and most successful national fund-raising event. This year, I'm walking in the GREAT STRIDES walk at the 2009 Carlsbad - Cannon Park walk on 05/17/2009. Please help me meet my fund-raising goal of $3,000.00 by sponsoring me.

Your generous gift will be used efficiently and effectively, as more than $0.88 out of every dollar you contribute will be used to fund the vital programs of the CF Foundation.

Making a donation is easy and secure! Just click the "Click to Donate" button on this page to go to make a donation that will be credited to my team. Any amount you can donate is greatly appreciated!

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those with CF! Thank you for supporting the mission of the CF Foundation and GREAT STRIDES!
Below is a list of donors who have donated to support me. Thanks to everyone for your support!

Be the first one! Click Here to donate.

Team fund-raising goal:
$5,000.00
Money raised to date:
$0.00

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

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.

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!!!

Ten Ways To Sunday

Well, today, the soreness has hit me like a ton of bricks. I went skating today with my dear friend Cheryl. She loves skating. I told her about the Derby Dolls and she is so excited to be attending Boot Camp with me next week. She is going to get her skates out of storage and will be with me.

I had a blast skating around with her. She didn't fall at all...I was taken out by a 9 year old kid! He came out of no where and just took my legs out. I landed on one knee and would have been better prepared had I kept my gear on. I had skated about an hour all padded up...and then the elbow pads were fighting with my sweater. So I took it all off.

Just to be slammed to my knees by a kid! I pray I get better soon.

I enjoyed watching the jam skaters out in the middle of the floor. Their smooth moves to the beats of each song really motivate me to skate more. I hope someday I can just stay on top of my skates and not on top of the floor.

I need a hot bath and some muscle relaxers...

Cheryl said the whole thing today had her laughing ten ways to sunday. She's so crazy. Can't wait to skate with her again.