Health Care Reform Bill....How Does This Apply to Me?

   Today the Health Care Reform Bill has been signed by President Obama. As I see it a STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION!
   If you have been living under a rock the past couple days, then I am sure you have missed the big controversy surrounding the Health Care Reform Bill. It was a close vote, and people who oppose it are calling it socialist and unconstitutional. The part they are calling unconstitutional is that with this bill by 2014 there is a mandate that we must have health insurance or you will have to pay a  $95 fine or 1% of your income (whichever is greater). People are saying this is crossing lines, and that it offends the constitution.
   However, there are some great things about this bill, that I think most people will agree.
   First, Children can stay on their parent's policies until they are 26. This is a great thing for students going to college, or who have just graduated and are starting out on their own, and can not afford their own insurance.
   Second, there will be prescription drug discounts for seniors, I believe it was $250, and this will be effective this year.
   Third, their will be no cancellations and no denials for pre-existing conditions. This to me is the most important. I was diagnosed with Asthma at a young age, and I could not have imagined if the insurance would have denied me coverage, because I was ill. Also, with a Lupus and Myasthenia Gravis diagnosis, and several medical treatments including a Thymectomy all by the age of 19, if it weren't for my father's excellent insurance (he is a teacher) I would be drowning in debt from medical costs. I think that this is a wonderful thing, and defnitely a step in the right direction.
    There are a few other things that this bill includes. If your income is less than $29,327 you qualify for Medicaid. If your income is between $29,327 - $88,200 you qualify for the state insurance exchange.
    If you are a family of 4 or more your premums will be subsidized.
    Now, if you are wealthy (over $250,00/year) you are going to have to pay an additional 3.8% tax on investment income.
    If you have "cadillac coverage" there will be a 40% tax on premiums exceeding $27,500.
    For most of those who are insured presently, your premiums should stay the same.  Effective in 2013 there will be a flex spending account limit of $2500.
    If you pay more than 9.5% of your income on your premium you can buy insurance through the state exchange program.
   These are a few points of what is covered in this bill. I know that President Obama is going to travel around the nation answering questions and trying to "sell" this as best he can to America. I do not consider myself very knowledgable on this subject by any means, and have a lot of questions myself. What do you think about the Health Care Reform Bill? Please leave your questions and comments.

Weight Loss Journey

Hi, my name is Sally, and I am addicted to food. I started gaining weight when I was diagnosed with Lupus at 17. I suddenly went from a 3 season athlete, to being completely bed-ridden/couch-ridden. It was hard for me to get around without severe intense pain. Between the lack of movement, prednisone (steroids), and depression that followed...I ballooned up to a whopping 195 pounds. It took me several years (about 4-5) and it was actually one year of weight loss, where I just re-evaluated my servings of food, and made healthier choices. I still wasn't physically able to move as much, but I made it count in other areas. I got down to 145 pounds and got pregnant. I didn't gain that much weight, at first, during the pregnancy, but by the 3rd trimester I was eating cheese on everything....not literally, but you get my point. I was 194 when I delivered and afterwards was down to 182. I suffered post-partum depression...not extreme, but I was very depressed. My daughter was my world and was so wonderful, but there was something missing. I went to work for a little while, but my Lupus and MG flared up and I was unable to return. I started eating very unhealthy...chocolate, soda, lots of junk. I gained weight and eventually found myself topping the scale at 210 pounds. 210 pounds...can you believe it? I am 5' 5" and I had never been that large before. I felt awful. I needed to be more for my daughter who was now over a year old. I took off 20 pounds in a few months by cutting out some of the junk I was eating. I still had a ways to go. I started moving more, and this was aided eventually in October of 2009 when I received a Nintendo Wii and Wii Fit as part of a sweepstakes that I had won. I started the Wii Fit at 190ish pounds and am now at 175. There have been ups and downs, but this last month I have been consistently shedding the pounds despite unhealthy eating habits. I am hoping that I can continue to have success, and can make wiser choices when it comes to my diet. I would love to be at 145 and am hoping to atleast lose 15 more pounds by the end of May...I think I can do more than that, and am working towards that. May will be the month that I actually started working towards weight loss last year. It has not been a smooth-sailing year, but I have continued to lose weight despite everything. I would like to be held accountable and that is why I am going to start blogging about my weight loss journey. Any hints or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and wish me LUCK!

Yo Gabba Gabba Live!

I am so excited...last month I won tickets to see Yo Gabba Gabba Live! on a blog giveaway, and I went to the Minneapolis show this past weekend with my daughter Lily. We had so much fun! First, I need to send a big "Thank You" to Dexter's Super Savvy Mommy for the amazing giveaway and Michelle Sisco PR for making it happen. Because of them I was able to attend Yo Gabba Gabba Live! and it was AMAZING! We had a BLAST! DJ Lance Rock and the rest of the Gabba Friends (Plex, Foofa, Muno, Toodee, and Brobee) were all there. They sang lots of songs from the previous seasons including: "Party in my Tummy" "Peek-a-Boo" and "Balloons (make me happy)" during the latter of the songs balloons dropped from the ceiling and everyone went crazy. It was such a wonderful event. Biz Markie was there, to perform Biz's Beat of the Day and he got all the kids in the front to try and repeat after him. It was so cute, listening to the little ones try and "beatbox." The special Dancey Dance Friend was Slug and for the Super Music Friends Show the AquaBats performed "Pool Party." It was such a wonderful time, and for my daughter, Lily, who loves Yo Gabba Gabba she is still talking about it. Thank you for making this trip possible, and the memories that I will always have. I really appreciate it. For any of you wanting to go to this, or are considering it.....GO! I give it 5 stars. If your kids love Yo Gabba Gabba! they would go crazy for this show. They really engage the audience and it is non-stop dancing, singing and fun! The show was not too loud or obnoxious, for concerned parents....We Loved IT!!!!

What a Day!

Well I am not one to complain...not too much anyways, but today was one of those days that just wouldn't shine for me! :) Literally, there hasn't been sun around here for about 5 days now and it is gloomy! After a weekend where the sun was shining and the snow was melting...I was ready for spring.
We have all been fighting colds here at the house. I have been taking Zicam in hopes of warding it off. I have a scratchy throat and a semi-plugged nose, but it could be worse. The little one has it the worst. She has been coughing and her nose is like a leaky faucet. Poor thing. It doesn't seem to bother her...so I shouldn't let it bother me too much either. We are keeping her comfortable and she is happy.
I have been expecting a package all week, and was almost positive I was going to get it today. I will fill you all in. I will be doing a review on it later. But, it never arrived. Did check the status of it on USPS.com though and I will have it tomorrow....a ray of sunshine on a not so sunny day!
Ok...so I have major shopping to do...and I took my chance to do it today. My mom stayed home with the little one while I picked up things for next week's St. Patty's Day meal. And of course, all the little additions we needed in the cupboards. Well I was picking up stuff for Grasshoppers...and well one of the bottles fell out of my cart and all over the floor. I was MORTIFIED! Oh my goodness. I apologized over and over again, and offered to pay for it, but my grocery store never lets you pay for something that breaks....but oh my I was so embarassed. I decided it was time to go. I get home and realized I forgot quite a few things. So it looks like I am going to be heading back in after all. Do I show my face there again? Of course, but I will dodge in and dodge out and try not to break anything. What a DAY!

The Kubeczka Family Blog Design Giveaway

As you all can see, I am in desperate need of a blog design makeover....and what do you know?? The Kybeczka Family is Having a Blog Design Giveaway Just follow the previous link and follow the rules to enter to win. This giveaway goes until Sunday Night March 7th. Go ENTER NOW!!!What a great giveaway! Thanks for the chance to win!

This is a Story of a Girl...Blog Design GIVEAWAY

Could you use a blog makeover like me? Well isn't it lucky that you have a chance to win one! Over at this is a story of a girl you can win a blog design giveaway. You can earn 9 entries. What an amazing giveaway. Someone is going to walk away with a beautiful blog! And HOW ABOUT THIS for a second chance to win....ANOTHER BLOG DESIGN GIVEAWAY over at Kreated by Kelsey you can win a blog design! Thanks for the great giveaway! Enter and GOOD LUCK!

Making A Family Home by Shannon Honeybloom Giveaway over at Fairy Blog Mother

Fairy Blog Mother is having a great giveaway. You need to check it out. She is giving away 3 copies of Making a Family Home a book by Shannon Honeybloom. Just follow this link to enter this giveaway http://www.fairyblogmotherblog.com/2010/02/making-family-home-giveaway.html
This book gives hints and tips on how to make a family home room by room. Examples include: how to involve your children in homemaking, how to get more play and leisure use out of your yard, and how to make your home feel warm and cozy. It is a beautiful book about creating a wonderful home for your family.
Read more on this book at http://shannonhoneybloom.com/
The author, Shannon, is a 4th generation educator and lives in Austin, TX with her husband and three children. Thanks for the great giveaway Fairy Blog Mother and Shannon Honeybloom!