I've been unemployed since April 2009. In January of this year I started taking the prerequisite classes for medical billing and medical coding. I started both classes in June for an intense summer of reading and studying and - very occasionally - going out for dinner or a round of miniature… Read full post »

The visions of oil-soaked birds are heartbreaking. We are seeing frightening projections regading how far this oil could go. Tar balls at Cape Hatteras, anyone? Oil washing up on the White Cliffs of Dover? Cheerio!

What will it take to convince Conservatives (there's an ironic name, isn't it!) and B… Read full post »

Earlier today I was watching "The Chris Matthews Show" in which he discusses current issues with a panel of news writers and presenters. One of the questions he asked his panel: Are the Republicans going back to their "Southern Strategy?

I'm wondering why anyone thought that had ever changed. Last… Read full post »

The governor of Virginia just "restated" his proclamation which had made April "Confederate History Month." After getting a lot of criticism for ignoring slavery, he amended his proclamation, making sure we all knew how sincere he was about finding slavery totally abhorrent and wrong.

What a relief!… Read full post »

All this time, I thought I could read and write fairly well. All this time I thought I understood the fundamentals of voting. I even thought I could spell the word "vote." Turns out I can't. Duh, I'm just another illiterate who voted for Obama. Wait, I need a tea… Read full post »

This picture appeared on CNN's The Cafferty File. Interestingly enough, the post "When it comes to obesity, where are we headed?" seems to have been removed. That is unfortunate because I believe that this is a subject that is far from exhausted. Jack Cafferty asked the reader if… Read full post »

My husband went off to Vietnam less than 8 months after our wedding. This was after Nixon took office, promising a "secret plan" to end the war. Yes, it was definitely a secret. The "plan" - to send yet more troops and, oh, yes, bomb Cambodia. Of course we all know… Read full post »

"Good Morning, America!" recently featured a breathless expose on the breakfast cereals that are marketed to kids. Diane Sawyer and Jake Tapper were SHOCKED, SHOCKED that cereals with lots of sugar were being marketed to children.

As any parent who has shopped with kids will tell you, there is nothi… Read full post »

Tom Ridge has come forward with a new book. He has finally decided to come clean with the American people.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/20/tom-ridge-i-was-pressured_n_264127.html

It was pretty obvious to a lot of people that the color coding system was being ratcheted up as the election cam… Read full post »

 I'm not particularly a fan of Kelly Clarkson. However the big "flap" over her retouched picture in "Self" magazine was something that I have been thinking about. I'm not sure why. Perhaps it's my obsession with all things related to my body right now. 

 I will c… Read full post »

Recently my son said that he thought he might have Asperger's Syndrome. I read this short article: http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/tc/aspergers-syndrome-topic-overview

Admittedly, I haven't done much research. However, I can't help but wonder not just about him, but about myself and my family. You… Read full post »

My husband is a retired federal worker. We have always had good health insurance. For years we didn't use it very much. A few years ago, he changed his health insurance slightly to a PPO program which means we have to stick to certain doctors. Luckily we live in an area… Read full post »

A lot of people say that Obese Americans are the last unprotected class in the USA. This week ABC's "Good Morning, America"featured a segment about young women rejecting society's obsession with"thin." Marianne Kirby is opinionated and wants the world to know it. Her blog: www.therotund.com is defini… Read full post »

Apparently a "study" found that 60% of bankruptcies are caused by medical bills. This story came as no surprise to me. As a former real estate agent, I sold many homes for people who had to move because they were selling their home in order to pay bills. The most tragic… Read full post »

"There you go again" GOP

Even before he spoke, Mitt Romney accused Obama of  making an "apology" tour. Obama was also accused of too much "reaching out" to the Iranians. 

I realize that Republicans need to find things to criticize. However, just once I would like someone with stature in the… Read full post »

 Twisted Logic of Terrorism

 Check out the "Army of God" at www.armyofgod.com, and you'll see a celebration of twisted logic and hate. The jihadists of Osama Bin Laden could learn a thing or two from these people. Their website is featuring a photo of Dr Tiller's murderer as a hero.

Althoug… Read full post »

 Twisted Logic of Terrorism

 Check out the "Army of God" at www.armyofgod.com, and you'll see a celebration of twisted logic and hate. The jihadists of Osama Bin Laden could learn a thing or two from these people. Their website is featuring a photo of Dr Tiller's murderer as a hero.

Althoug… Read full post »

....And the RNC Goes Ballistic?

Yesterday evening the Obamas went to New York to have dinner and see a show. They went by airplane, a smaller airplane, NOT Air Force One. This was the fulfillment of a "campaign promise" Mr. Obama made to his wife. 

The RNC complained that in… Read full post »

"For The Woman I Love"

Father Alberto Cutié decides it's better to be an Episcopalian. Oh, yes, and he CERTAINLY is living up to his name - especially if you used my preferred Anglo version.

I mean is this a good looking guy or WHAT? No wonder he… Read full post »

President Obama went to Europe - and was roundly criticized by the Right for being "soft." I haven't paid attention to criticism of his South American trip, but I can only begin to imagine how much of a lather the handshake with Chavez must be causing. I did switch briefly… Read full post »

The video featuring Susan Boyle singing her heart out on Britain Has Talent has, as they say, swept the Internet. I sent links to a lot of people on my email list. Whether Ms. Boyle, a self-proclaimed "never-been-kissed," goes beyond this television program really doesn't matter in the end. You could… Read full post »

I recently read an article by a former real estate agent. The follow up letters (including mine) were mostly unsympathetic. However I was surprised to see some of the vitriolic letters directed against real estate agents.

I spent twenty-two years selling real estate. I wish I could say I got… Read full post »

Now I Understand!

My son recently turned 30. He works for a non-profit in Philadelphia as their marketing and communications director. He has been married for just over a year to a wonderful young woman.

He bought his first home in South Philadelphia (Yo, Adrian! Yeah, yeah!) when he… Read full post »

Friday Was My

Last Day At Work

Yes!!!!!

 Losing a job is hardly ever a good thing. If nothing else it's a blow to  one's ego. I'll be the first to admit that I could have handled things better. However, I've been on a collision course there for the last… Read full post »

In the nick of time

Maryland Pols Step In

 The U of MD Student Union decided to present a XXX movie - swashbucklers, pirates, and, I'm sure, lots of nudity and gratuitous sex. However their precious young eyes and ears were saved by none other than State Senator Andy Harris who… Read full post »