Kids

Sometimes I miss my kids so much. They are all so far away it is hard. Loradona is the closest, but she is a good three hour drive (not something you can do in an evening).
Clifford and Jill are the farthest of course, but even with Jill in Atlanta right now, she might as well be in Japan for all the good it does me.
Jeanette is the same, I just miss them.
Clifford called today and you would think that would have helped. In a way it made it worse.
I miss them coming home and telling me all the good and bad stuff that went on at school.
I think it would be better if I think of the things I don't miss.
Okay, here are the things I DON'T miss:
* Driving to three soccer games on a Saturday.
* Waiting up until they got home at night.
* All the money that was needed for EVERYTHING.
* All the stuff dropped at the front door.
* Dirty dishes - lots of them.
I'm sure there are more. Okay, I'm feeling better.
Love to you all.

It's keeping me busy and out of trouble

As most of you know, for the past three years or so I have been subbing at the local school district in the non-certified positions. Last year was really sparse as far as jobs went. This year the first week was looking the same way. But I just figured that the first week was going to be slow, so it's a wait and see. This last week (the second week of school) I was called to a job on Wednesday. I immediately thought, "Oh no, I've got my visiting teacher coming over and I'm going to go on a walk with my friend that morning". Then they said the hours: 11:30am until 3:30pm. I could do that and still do all I needed in the morning. I wasn't there an hour when one of the other aids asked if I could sub for her on Friday (8:30 - 12:30), I said I could do that. Trying to make this short, I ended up subbing again on Thursday (11:30 - 3:30) and then working 8:30 - 3:30 today. Taking on both jobs. I also am scheduled to work there next week, possibly as long as I want to. Sometime or another it could turn into a "permanent" temporary position. In the mean time, I will have some spending money for Japan. And that makes this grandma very happy.

Health Care

I want to say up front that I am a registered Democrat. Not that I agree with everything that is said by the D's, but I have to be registered as something and the day that I registered (on or near my 18th birthday), my mother took me to the closest place to register. They asked me "Democrat or Republican" (I don't remember if there were other choices, there may have been). I answered "Democrat". My mother was outraged, "How could a daughter of mine...". Our country was at probably the worst time in political history for our country. President Nixon had resigned and all that Watergate stuff (in case you are too young or don't remember, Nixon was a R.) . So I decided that Democrat was it.
Now Health Care. I happen to believe that HC should not be a privilege. A person doesn't choose to be sick or unemployed or underemployed. Yes, we all know exceptions.
Why should a person that say, slipped carrying groceries up their apartment stairs, put off going to the doctor because they know that it will cost them a months rent?
For those who say it will take away your "Freedom", I say that is a fear that is not based on reality. We will always have freedom to go to any doctor we choose, if we have the money (which most of us have). But where is the freedom for those whose only choice is the emergency room? They don't get to choose a doctor and they may not be even able to choose care of any kind.
I've heard it said "Let the churches help people more". No church I know will pay for chemo or a mammogram. And the "private industry"? I know that some doctors do a lot for the poor. But they can't and shouldn't be asked to do it all for free. Some people have said to me "Private sector is much better at taking care of the poor and needy than the government", that may be true if they are hungry or need clothes or even a place to sleep. But when it comes to HC the "Private Sector" (whatever that is) has done a poor job of taking care of the neediest. The government on the other hand, has done a good job with the Veterans Administration for veterans and Medicare for the elderly. Are there problems? Of course! Can changes be made to benefit those programs? Yes!
Now if we could be like Jesus and just heal people, that would be wonderful. But how about we try and be like Jesus and take care of everyone, and not be a respecter of persons.
Thank you for listening.

The School of Life

Some things I've learned in the last few months:

• Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself. Even if it is someone else that is getting forgiven.
• It is not Judgment Day, therefore I should not judge. And if it is Judgment Day I don't have to be the Judge, so I don't have to worry about it.
• You cannot change yourself by wishing only by doing.
• I am a worthy person.
• I am loved and I deserve that love.
• Even if I never lose an ounce, I still have a worthwhile life.
• Family is everything, but I'm important too.

Love to you all.