juditupp's space - Homeschool Blogger

econbusters giveaway!

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:59:00 -0500

I would love to win the diapers that econobuster is giving away! Here are the details! Check out all of the great frugal baby care tips in the comments!

Health reform thoughts

Tue, 6 Oct 2009 16:33:00 -0500

I've been watching the debate on health care reform with great concern. This article from the Washington Examiner does an excellent job of challenging conservatives to fight for real solutions instead of defending the insurance companies. Here are some excerpts along with my thoughts.

"Insurance companies lobby for big-government regulations, subsidies, mandates, and tax-code distortions that funnel them money, keep out competition, and stultify innovation. These policies preserve the employer-based health-care system that mocks the idea of free-market competition. Then they cry "unfair competition" when government threatens to encroach on their government-protected monopolies."

One, seemingly unrelated, change we could make is to pass the fairtax so that all health care spending is made with pre-tax dollars. This would eliminate the disadvantage that workers who must buy their own health insurance have under the current tax system. We certainly could change the income tax system to remove this disadvantage but other advantages of the fairtax would stimulate the economy and provide more spendable income to the average American family making healthcare and all of the other expenses of living more affordable without tax subsidies or additional regulations.

"This is an industry that thrives on government protection. But still many conservatives and Republicans stand up for it and speak as if we have an obligation to protect it. We don't.

Shadegg agrees: "I don't think that they are our friends, and that we ought to be protecting them."

While a government insurance option should be opposed, we should not defend their right to exist, but instead we ought to be threatening their near-monopolies with a force as powerful as the federal government: the free market."

Free market loving conservatives need to pressure our representatives to offer real free market solutions instead of defending the insurance companies. Gov't should be neutral in the battle for companies to make a profit. Companies must provide a service or product at a price people are willing to pay without gov't forcible limiting people's choices. What would a true free market health care industry look like?? Here are some possibilities the article's author offers for our consideration.

"A freer market might yield a more retail-oriented health-care market in which insurance is used more as insurance--guarding against large, unexpected expenses--and less as a way of pre-paying for health care. Such insurers would have to actually compete on price and on quality of service. Current law disadvantages such plans.

Alternatively, a freer market could yield more Kaiser Permanentes: you buy in at a set price, and they provide all your health-care needs, giving the company an incentive to actually keep you healthy at the lowest cost."

There will always be those who can't afford things they need and that includes health care but opening the industry to true free market forces can make it affordable for the vast majority of working Americans. Our current system where health care is unaffordable for even middle class families isn't sensible and makes it harder to confront the issues facing the least fortunate among us.

September is Emergency Preparedness month.

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:21:00 -0500

I didn't know that but in honor of the occasion I received this in my inbox. It's so good that I decided to share it with anyone who reads my blog. That also makes the info. easy for me to find when I'm ready to assemble my kit. Here's the article!

Prepare for Auto Emergencies in 15 Easy Steps

When little boys around America join the Boy Scouts, one of the first things they learn is the Scout motto — BE PREPARED.

But what has a boy to be prepared for, other than sword fighting with friends, playing video games, and pestering their sisters?

Funny you should wonder this, in fact, as someone asked Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, that very question: "Be prepared for what?"

"Why, for any old thing," Baden-Powell replied.

In this same spirit, every September, National Preparedness Month serves as a gentle reminder that we should do our best to get organized for potential catastrophes, both the big ones and small ones!

The following list will help you ready your wheels for breakdowns, bump-ups, and more.

Vehicle Emergency Kit Supplies

(1) Buy or put together a first aid kit.

(2) Include a AAA or roadside emergency card and/or insurance card.

(3) Throw in all the necessary equipment to change a tire: working jack, spare tire (with air in it!), lug nut wrench or tire iron, and pipe for leverage. Note: Most of this should already be stored in its designated place in the trunk or hatchback.

(4) Have a flashlight with *fresh* batteries. Note: Check the batteries every few months; extreme heat and cold can drain battery power more quickly than usual.

(5) Include triangle reflectors and flares.

(6) Add rags and a funnel. Note: You can make a simple, inexpensive funnel by using the top of a 2-liter soda bottle.

(7) Purchase all the necessary fluids: 2 qts. of oil, a gallon of water and antifreeze, brake fluid, power-steering fluid (if applicable), and automatic transmission fluid (if applicable).

(8) Add flat and Phillips-head screwdrivers, pliers, and an adjustable wrench. Note: only to be used in an emergency — adjustable wrenches can easily round the head of bolts.

(9) Buy jumper cables. Note: at least eight feet long.

(10) Toss in work gloves or latex gloves, duct tape, a blanket, spare fuses, and a can of Fix-a-Flat.

(11) Purchase a fire extinguisher. Note: Periodically check the expiration date of the extinguisher, replacing when necessary.

Other Tips & Warnings

(12) As a woman, I like to keep pepper spray on my key chain or in my glove box. Maybe I watch a little too much CSI, but sometimes I'm a little wary of strangers trying to help me out, especially on the highway. Better to be safe than sorry, although I'm sad to say it...

(13) If you live in an area with freezing temperatures, keep a collapsible shovel in the car in case you need to dig out of ice or snow. Stash a few extra blankets, warm clothes, and a pair of thick boots and/or snow shoes.

(14) Some other items to consider:

- A knife: can be used in many situations, and if kept in an easy-to-reach location such as a front console, it can cut your seat belt if it gets stuck during an emergency.

- A good book: to pass the time while waiting for service crew.

- A credit card: to pay the service crew in case you have no cash.

- A pillow: naps are also a wonderful way to pass the time.

- A jug of water: to keep hydrated.

- A tasty non-perishable snack or two: in case you're stranded longer than expected or hoped.

- A collapsible beach chair: to enjoy some fresh air and a stretch of the legs.

- A pair of clean underwear: to make momma happy.

(15) Once you have rounded up all your items, invest in a sturdy basket or bin in which to store everything. Be sure to secure the container itself so that it doesn't move freely around your trunk.

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

A pictoral review of the last few months.

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:17:00 -0500

Here are some (not so great) shots from Amanda's 17th birthday party in Feb. I forgot to charge the camera before the party!! Sometimes I'm not a good mom in the memory dept.

Here's the cake which she decorated herself. In retrospect we realized that it looks like a pentagram but really she was just trying to make a star.

Here she is with her best buddy! Don't they look lovely!

The day after her birthday we drove over to the airport to visit with my Grammy and my Uncle Brian. They were flying to Chile to visit my cousin and had a long layover at DIA. Uncle Brian went for Stuart right away! He's a natural grandpa. We took pictures!

Here's the whole group, taken by friendly travelers nearby. Notice who has the baby, lol!

Uncle Brian is a shutterbug. I'm still waiting for his pictures of our visit! I'm sure they're better then mine.

Here I am chatting with my beloved Grammy. She's 93 yrs. old btw!

Bryan interned with Mike Rosen (a conservative talk radio guy/columnist) at a local radio station for the first few months of the year. He came to the conclusion that radio wasn't his cup of tea (in spite of how fabulous his speaking voice sounds). In spite of that it was a neat experience and both of our teens got to come to the station and check it out. Amanda met the governor (not one of our favorite politicians but still pretty cool). Here she is with Governor Ritter.

When Matthew went the day's guest was Mayor Hickenlooper of Denver.

He also took some pretty cool pictures of the displays they have at the station. KOA is one of the oldest stations here in the area and they have a small museum type area in the Clear Channel building. Here's a picture of some old equipment from the station.

These were pretty cool field trips for my teens! A very special opportunity.

That's all I have time to share right now but stay tuned, lol!! I'll post more another day.

What we've been up to.

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 21:45:00 -0500

Things have been pretty busy around here! I just haven't had time to do any blogging. I'm going to try and post some pictures and brief blurbs on some of the stuff we've been doing for the last few months. It's pretty pathetic that my last entry was on my oldest dd's 17th birthday and she didn't even get a mention. I'd planned on posting pictures, etc. of her party but never got a chance. A quick follow up on that last entry. Stuart saw the urologist one more time in May after a follow up U/S. His kidneys looked much improved (although still somewhat swollen) so he won't be going back until early next year. We'll continue with a very small does of antibiotics to protect him from infection but he's just fine otherwise. We're relieved that he seems to be outgrowing the issue and will be spared surgery.

Update on Stuart's visit to Children's hospital.

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:21:00 -0600

It's been over a week since Stuart went for his U/S and VCUG at Children's and I haven't had a bit of time to come and update my blog. The U/S showed that he still has hydronephrosis so they followed that up with the VCUG. This test is for reflux. They put a catheter into his bladder and put in a special dye. This dye shows up under an xray machine. Then they xray his kidneys to check for dye. His left kidney had a lot of dye in it! His reflux was given a grade of 4 on that side. There was a much smaller amount in the right kidney and that side was given a grade of 3. Reflux is graded 1-5 with 5 being the most severe. Results in hand, our pediatrician referred us to a Pediatric urologist. We have an appt. to see him on Mar. 5. He will decide on a treatment once he's seen us. According to info. we've been given, severe cases are treated with surgery. I'm not sure if Stuart's will require surgery. We'll have to wait and see. Meanwhile I continue to give him a daily dose of antibiotics to prevent kidney infection. He is doing well otherwise. He's constantly eating and has gained just over a lb. since he was born. He's becoming more alert and social and we're enjoying him.

Kidney update.

Wed, 4 Feb 2009 13:09:00 -0600

I continue to give Stuart a dose of antibiotics everyday to protect his kidneys from infection. That led to a yeast infection so now we've added an antifungal cream for his rash. Hopefully we'll be done with all of the extra stuff after next Wed. Children's hospital called and we have scheduled a renal U/S and another test for next Wed. We're praying the tests will find everything is normal and healthy. We continue to adjust to our new family member. He is a sweet baby who likes to be snuggled a lot! I'm still quite sore from the surgery and I've been told to expect some soreness for a few months. I think that being so sore has been a much more difficult adjustment for me then the baby. He's really not a lot of trouble if I wear him throughout the day.

So far so good.

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 11:45:00 -0600

I went to the OB for my post op yesterday. He was very pleased with my recovery. My incision is almost completely healed and I'm moving around fairly well. I'm still feeling a good bit of pulling inside but he said that was normal and would last for a while. He released me to drive (yippee) and said I could gradually increase my physical activity. I weighed in and was very excited to discover how much weight I've lost! I gained 15 lbs. with this pregnancy and I've lost 23 lbs. since my final prenatal check up. That's a good start towards the large amount of weight (over 100 lbs.) I need to lose to be healthy. I'm actually looking forward to the time when I can start doing walk away the pounds again. Since I had to have a c-section I'm going to wait until after my 6 week check up before I attempt that. I will start with the 1 mile, 3 days a week and gradually increase the intensity. I hope to be up to the 3 mile tape 3 times a week and the 2 mile 3 times a week in 6 months. Stuart and I are starting to establish a routine. I'm remembering all the little things that make life with a newborn easier. He really seems to sleep better at night when I wear him most of the day. Last night he actually slept for 3 hours in his own bed!!! I didn't sleep very well during that time though! I kept waiting for him to wake up, lol. Hopefully he'll make that a nightly habit so I can get some rest.

He's here!!!

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:07:00 -0600

The newest addition to our family has arrived!! He was born by c-section. The dr. told dh that the placenta was abrupted. She originally said I should do a c-section because his heart rate dropped every time I pushed and after an hour of pushing he wasn't moving down like he needed to. I'm tired and sore and a little anemic but I'm recovering. He had a renal U/S on Friday and he still has some hydronephrosis in his left kidney. The pediatrician prescribed oral antibiotics for 2 weeks and a follow up U/S then. He's doing really well and other then the daily routine of giving him his antibiotic he's like any of my other newborns. Here are his stats and a picture. Stuart Leonidas born January 7, 2009 at 7:15 AM. He weighed in at 8 lbs. 12 oz and was 21" long. Now, here's a couple of pictures! Here is one taken just a couple of hours after he was born.

Here's another one when he headed home on Saturday.

Look how they've grown!!

Sun, 4 Jan 2009 19:40:00 -0600

Here's a group photo of the kids on Christmas. My oldest wanted everyone to dress for dinner so I took the opportunity to get a current group photo. It took quite a few shots to get one I liked and then I had to crop it some! The results aren't too bad in my opinion.