Our Life, In Living Color

You're team is toast

2012-01-01T12:45:00.001-06:00

My new toaster makes cool toast!

Awwww

2011-11-18T12:42:00.000-06:00

I tried to get a picture because she was smiling at me. Then when I got out the camera, she wouldn't look at me. But I love this one.

You know Christmas is coming when:

2011-11-07T10:50:00.000-06:00

You see bells and stars at the store! Some of the best prepackaged cookies you'll ever have!

Sweet Home Alabama

2011-10-27T21:24:00.000-05:00

I love the music of Lynryd Skynyrd. Sweet Home Alabama rocked the place. Freebird was the encore. Love it! Gotta love me some Southern Rock.

Mmmmm guitar tastes good

2011-10-25T17:14:00.001-05:00

What's the best thing on the menu at the Rock? Plastic Guitars

Bonding

2011-10-24T15:37:00.001-05:00

Mitchel was asked to keep Layla distracted for a few moments for Emily. So he was explaining to her the new car he had on his xbox racing game. He was very into it, and she seemed somewhat excited he was talking to her.

How cute?

2011-10-21T00:19:00.001-05:00

Totally cute is the answer!

Sometimes eating is just tiring

2011-08-24T13:50:00.001-05:00

Saying goodbye Animal Kingdom

2011-08-18T08:16:00.001-05:00

We had a good stay, but now it's over. On to key west.

Fell asleep on my lap

2011-07-28T16:21:00.001-05:00

I guess I'm not moving anywhere for awhile.

Random picture

2011-07-07T10:22:00.001-05:00

Do you see a theme?

2011-04-17T16:35:00.002-05:00

She's getting sooo big!

2011-04-12T10:43:00.001-05:00

You can be a boot or a sandal, not both, pick one

2011-03-30T17:16:00.001-05:00

New Header

2011-03-26T16:14:00.002-05:00

Like the new header?? I had to add all our family members, now that there's more of us.

Mitchel calming a crying baby

2011-03-24T09:51:00.001-05:00

How cute is this?

2011-03-23T11:10:00.001-05:00

Emily has mastered multitasking

2011-03-21T21:37:00.002-05:00

Happy St Patricks Day

2011-03-17T09:51:00.002-05:00

Notice, Chicago Bears St Pats Shirt

Baby feet are too cute

2011-03-15T09:27:00.001-05:00

Mitchel gets Braces

2011-03-09T14:26:00.001-06:00

Let's all pray he is over the chewing stage.... For the sake of my furniture.

2011-02-16T20:25:00.002-06:00

Worst Hotel

2011-02-03T07:58:00.000-06:00

To go along with the no scrappy inn, the worst hotel to ever stay in is the Baymont Inn and suites. I would rather stay at an econolodge. We had the pleasure of listening to the people above us all night. It sounded like they were running up and down the stairs all night and moving furniture. By the time I got to sleep, I got about an hour and a half of sleep. But by no means was it all at once.... that would be silly.20 minutes at a time is surely sufficient.
But the girl at the front desk was really sorry.
She offered to let the manager know. I offered to call her at home and wake her up, so she could get the feel for what its like. Then I'd call her again in 10 minutes.
But they wouldn't let me do that.

Kerri

Sent from my Droid Incredible GO BEARS

The Way Things Should Be

2010-12-10T09:32:00.000-06:00

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful you will win some false friends and true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.

–Mother Teresa

Dr Evil comes to lunch!

2010-11-06T13:26:00.002-05:00

Kerri

Sent from my Droid Incredible GO BEARS

That's my girl

2010-11-02T09:12:00.002-05:00

Emily and I went shopping at Kohl's and she was trying to decide which Bears hat to buy. There were no mirrors so I took her pic to show her. In the end we bought both hats.

Kerri

Sent from my Droid Incredible GO BEARS

Coolest Birthday Cake Ever

2010-10-17T18:59:00.002-05:00

I love Star Wars.
I told Scott all I wanted was a cool cake, and he delivered. Best.Cake.Ever.

The last day in my 30's.

2010-10-14T12:39:00.001-05:00

Dont I look absolutely thrilled?????

Kerri

Sent from my Droid Incredible GO BEARS

What you find on your desk

2010-09-17T13:13:00.000-05:00

I'm cleaning off my desk, ad we are getting need carpet and I need to clear this out. Just a sample of the amazing things I find along the way that has accumulated over 20 years.

Kerri

Sent from my Droid Incredible. GO BEARS!

Mitchel Goes To High School

2010-08-25T11:43:00.002-05:00

Today was Mitchel's first day of School!

I can't believe he is a Freshman at Hononegah now. Time has flown!

He ended up having four integrated classes (with an aid) and two life skills classes. That's actually pretty good for someone in the life skills program, many of them don't have but one 'integrated' class, a lot of them don't have any.

They did say after the summer program that he was high on the academic scale of their program, however, socially he is pretty low - so hopefully he can get all he needs to be successful in high school. I feel that if he is properly challenged in classes he will do better, if he gets bored, I think that's where the trouble starts. And we also picked a computer class and a science class that we hope he'll enjoy. Those are his areas that he really loves.

He also gets the pleasure of having Emily in his gym class and lunchtime! Hopefully that will help the transition to high school for him.

Follow Friday

2010-08-06T07:12:00.000-05:00

A cousin to Awkward Family Photos:

Awkward Family Pet Photos

Gotta Love it!

Working for the summer

2010-08-03T09:48:00.001-05:00

My mom has come to KTI and wants to clean things up, so Emily has been embezzling dirt out of here every night. She is working on stripping the wallpaper out of the office bathrooms and re painting them both. Doesn't she look like she's having fun? She will when she gets her check.

Kerri
Sent from my Verizon Wireless Droid

Hair Cut!

2010-07-29T13:30:00.002-05:00

He just looks so old now! I love the shorter hair on him.

Kerri
Sent from my Verizon Wireless Droid

Candy Coburn

2010-07-16T13:52:00.001-05:00

Candy opened up for Danny Gokey last night. She is an up and coming country star. She put on a fabulous show and was the nicest person ever. Later I will post pics of her in a an ambulance posing w police and fire. She kept coming up with funny stuff. Scott and I walked her down to Rockton and bought her a bottle of wine and she brought us on her tour bus to sign her wall.
Really a lot of fun, she was awesome.

Kerri
Sent from my Verizon Wireless Droid

Football!

2010-07-15T14:52:00.000-05:00

This makes me happy

Kerri
Sent from my Verizon Wireless Droid

Pretty

2010-07-11T13:35:00.001-05:00

Sample of flowers out at the farm.

Kerri
Sent from my Verizon Wireless Droid

How Cool Is She

2010-07-06T18:29:00.001-05:00

Her hat is on upside down.... yet she doesn't care.

Kerri
Sent from my Verizon Wireless Droid

Happy Independence Day

2010-07-04T15:12:00.000-05:00

May God Bless America

Kerri
Sent from my Verizon Wireless Droid

Happy Independence Day

2010-07-04T15:08:00.001-05:00

From last night in Madison - Rhythm & Booms. They filled the sky!

Kerri
Sent from my Verizon Wireless Droid

Happy Independence Day

2010-07-04T15:07:00.000-05:00

Kerri
Sent from my Verizon Wireless Droid

No vomit here

2010-06-29T21:00:00.001-05:00

Holly will apparently eat green vomit but won't eat fried cheese, there is something seriously wrong here

Kerri
Sent from my Verizon Wireless Droid

Ugliest. Shoe. Ever.

2010-06-28T18:32:00.002-05:00

I have a problem with crocs anyway.... this just pushes me over the edge.

Kerri
Sent from my Verizon Wireless Droid

A sad week

2010-06-19T13:22:00.002-05:00

This is the flag at work. We will all miss John.

Kerri
Sent from my Verizon Wireless Droid

Follow Friday

2010-06-18T08:02:00.000-05:00

From Hollyann (and if you have a suggestion email it to me... cause I need some more funny ones)

http://myexwifesweddingdress.com/

Suggestions for what to do with the Bitch's dress.....

These get me through the sweet craving.

2010-06-14T12:07:00.002-05:00

Sugar free gummies were harder to find on this trip.

Kerri
Sent from my Verizon Wireless Droid

Follow Friday

2010-06-11T10:01:00.000-05:00

This is Jen's blog... Jen is the creator of the Cakewrecks blog which I've had here before, and is hilarious.

Well she's a lover of all things geeky and needed a place to talk about that stuff. Epbot

Little Pink Houses

2010-06-10T20:16:00.004-05:00

We rented a house this time out - got a FABULOUS deal - 5 bedrooms and a private pool 5 minutes from Disney!!

Outside pool view:

Nice!View of Emily peeking down at us from upstairs:

from the living room towards the front door:
same spot just turned around:

King sized master suite:

view from kitchen:

Mitchel's room - king sized bed right of the front door - even has his own TV and bathroom.
upstairs, queen room Emily chose, has bathroom just off of it and again, her own TV -
Mickey room:
Garage turned into a game room:

another twin room - off the downstairs, really the room is no bigger than the beds, but if you had little kids, it would work, still has a tv, closet, dresser and bath just off of it.
if you saw emily earlier, you this would have been her view down:

Flo Rida

2010-06-08T21:07:00.004-05:00

Some pics from our trip so far:

Emily with the British Invasion - she loves the Beatles but had never seen this show... She was excited. And showed them her Beatles purse.

At Germany - eating and watching the show
OI OI OI!!!!!
OI OI OI!!!!
All Smiles
Jungle Cruise -
5 am getting ready to leave Day 1 -

Waiting for toy story mania

2010-06-07T19:40:00.001-05:00

Kerri
Sent from my Verizon Wireless Droid

Follow Friday

2010-06-04T09:57:00.000-05:00

All Things Geeky :)

Great White Snark

Love Walgreens, but I just don't get it.

2010-05-30T15:23:00.002-05:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless Droid

Take me out to the ball game

2010-05-25T18:31:00.004-05:00

A Few weeks ago we took the kids to the Brewer/ Cub game at Miller park. It's really a great park, a lot of fun, and it's close enough that we fill it with more Cub fans than Brewer fans.

The cubs won by a ton that night. If the Brewers got a homerun their mascot will get to slide down - but that didn't happen this night.

Mom and Dad - with our one and only beer that night. We're too cheap to get more.

I feel like all those foam fingers are mocking me.

On our way up, Mitchel was watching intently for a 'punch bug' his new favorite car game.

Here's a rare site, we're all rooting for the same team!

Follow Friday

2010-05-21T16:49:00.000-05:00

Thanks to LaRelle for turning me onto this one: Hyperbole and a Half

If you have time, go back and read the whole thing - very funny.

For Natalie

2010-05-20T20:53:00.002-05:00

For Natalie because she won't get a facebook account :

Follow Friday

2010-05-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

Because there's not enough stress while planning a wedding - let's just go nutz and break all the rules.

http://wedinator.com/

Follow Friday

2010-05-07T07:08:00.000-05:00

This just in from Pasty White Girl: (that's me!)

http://www.paleisthenewtan.com/

The blog of bad tans - awesome!

Follow Friday

2010-04-30T05:09:00.000-05:00

The Burbia

Because life is different in the 'burbs

Follow Friday

2010-04-23T06:56:00.000-05:00

It's like a train wreck... like those walmart people, but out in the real world.

http://poorlydressed.com/

A Day in the Life - Part Three:

2010-04-22T16:34:00.000-05:00

After all the lighting of food products on fire - it was time for a game. You have to envision this to music too, since I connected the ipod to the garage system, and opened the screen. We have this bag game that you often see at tailgating.

Depending where you live it's called, bags, the bean bag game, cornhole (and there's an actual 'society' for this http://www.playcornhole.org/ ), tailgate toss, bean bag toss, etc. Basically you throw bean bags onto a wooden 'thing' and try to get it into the bean hole. Fun for hours. Probably more fun if you've been drinking, but I only had diet pepsi and tacos in me.

Look I toss! I actually got a few right in, which is remarking since I have Zero aim.

Note the concentration -
Emily kept losing - and she was the one who wanted to play... it pretty much irritated her.
Remember a few posts back where I said Mitchel liked to burn things that shouldn't be burned? this is a piece of plastic - that SCOTT put on the fire.

Yea, apple, tree, doesn't fall far eh?

And since we started the fire/festivities about 6:30 when it was light out, about the time it got dark, we were tired, sore, and cold... so we went inside. Usually the time people wander outside for a fire. We'll get it right one of these times I'm sure.

A Day in the Life - Part Two

2010-04-21T17:04:00.002-05:00

After Mass we came home and had been promising Mitchel we'd have a fire. Boys love fire. Mitchel just loves throwing stuff in the fire. However, he doesn't throw actual flammable stuff in the fire. He pics like styrofoam plates, and plastic wrap. These things dont' burn well, and we constantly have the same lecture on what burns and what doesn't. Now for a kid who doesn't forget anything he reads in his books or on the internet - this he can't seem to contain in his brain.

Here's Dad - master of the fire... watching his creation burn... burn... BURN! He is all powerful - mwhahahaha.

At the same time - I'm inside rustling up some grub... Tacos... I know, it sounds like really exciting campfire food - but Mitchel picked it and I had the stuff, which is how I cook - Hey I have the stuff!

After dinner - it's marshmallow time!! I even bought actually fire sticks - because I don't have any trees that would have proper sticks I could cut off - so I have fancy schmancy metal ones.

It seems Mitchel wants to roast the marshmallow, but doesn't want any smoke in his face.

Emily was all about the hot dog cooker - although the stick wasn't that long and the fire was hot, but she was brave and not only did she not cover her mouth, but she kept it wide open too.

Because I amuse easily

2010-04-21T16:17:00.001-05:00

I can't help it. Two sudafed and an ibuprophen smiled at me.
_______________________
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

A Day in the Life - Part One:

2010-04-20T18:36:00.004-05:00

I took off Friday to clean the house - which on Saturday meant two things - the first is that I didn't want anyone just hanging out at the house and getting it all dirty - and that my legs hurt.

I don't know why - most likely cause my body wants to constantly remind me that 40 is around the corner and any kind of labor beyond reaching for my diet pepsi is going to be strenuous and that I'd regret it later.

Mitchel was bored, so we went to the park. We used to have this GREAT jungle jim in the backyard - the kind that all the kids drive by and say 'ooooh I wanna play THERE' (and most of the dad's too) but for some reason (cash) Scott sold it, thinking our kids were too old for it. However swinging is a great way for Mitch to get out that extra energy he has - which is otherwise expressed by constant pacing around the living room.

So.. again we were at the park. You can tell Mitch has grown a lot since the last time we were there. He's about as long as the pole is.

Step one: hold on the the top of the pole - as the fall from the 99th floor of this jungle gym is deadly.

Slide the body down, while still holding on to the top of the pole. Falling here could still cause unknown damage - the fact that our feet are inches from the ground is just an illusion.
oh. well that wasn't as far down as I thought... maybe I'll go swing for 20 minutes.

....next up, fires and food, and marshmallows.

Follow Friday

2010-04-16T07:29:00.000-05:00

Um, I don't even know what to say on this one

rentafriend.com

AWARENESS

2010-04-10T10:00:00.000-05:00

April is Autism Awareness Month.

Yes, we are aware, we are always aware.

Every single day in our life is autism awareness.

I found this blog post, written by parents of a 22 year old autistic young man. They spell out many of my thoughts and fears in a perfect way,
http://blog.autismspeaks.org/2010/04/08/itow-finland/

After that article, I don't think there's much more I can write. Just a little insight into me.

Follow Friday

2010-04-09T07:27:00.000-05:00

I have no idea WHY this blog exists...

It's "Nicolas Cage as everyone"

They photoshop him different scenarios.. but it can oddly be amusing

http://niccageaseveryone.blogspot.com/

Follow Friday

2010-04-02T07:33:00.000-05:00

Because there are A LOT of crazy people out there!!

http://dontevenreply.com/

My view

2010-03-31T09:33:00.001-05:00

The daily view from my desk. I probably should put some newer pics up, but I do like the older ones of the kids.
_______________________
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Follow Friday

2010-03-26T07:35:00.000-05:00

For the crazy puppy lady in your life

http://ihasahotdog.com/

First day of spring

2010-03-20T11:43:00.001-05:00

Well one year ago we were in Bristol. Here it is first day of spring and after 4 days of 60 degrees its now snowing.
Oh joy.
_______________________
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Follow Friday

2010-03-19T07:33:00.000-05:00

Making fun of Celebrities looking stupid is ALWAYS fun.

http://roflrazzi.com/

Follow Friday

2010-03-12T06:30:00.000-06:00

When you get a strange sense of Deja Vu

http://totallylookslike.com/

Follow Friday

2010-03-05T15:28:00.000-06:00

For all you sports enthusiasts

http://upnextinsports.com/

Follow Friday

2010-02-26T07:00:00.000-06:00

It made my day - little moments of win

http://itmademyday.com/

Randomness

2010-02-21T11:27:00.001-06:00

This is Emily's 15th Birthday at JMK Nippon With all her grandparents.
Our favorite picture ever.. Dad giving her a bath with the duckie in her mouth

Father daughter dance for Girl Scouts.

Follow Friday

2010-02-19T07:00:00.000-06:00

WTF Picture and Video - strange and funny random photos

http://pictureisunrelated.com/

Open Letter on Valentine's Day

2010-02-13T10:54:00.003-06:00

Maybe it's because I've grown old and cynical, but I think many people take holidays like Valentine's day way too seriously.

In many ways it's a way for insecure women to put too much pressure on their [clueless] man to make the day resemble their favorite sappy chick flick. (I realize clueless man is redundant, much like the phrase "frozen tundra" but we live in a world of redundancy, so deal with it).

Let's face it, nobody could live up to those expectations. Ever. There's no way you can capture movie montage magic complete with complimenting soundtrack in real life. Just isn't going to happen.

How seriously can we really take this holiday anyway? We grew up in the age where every February in school we got to decorate our 'valentine mailbox' perhaps it was really a box, or maybe just a paper bag. If you were lucky at least it would be a white bag and not a brown one, but we made due. And then we went through all our valentines (which rarely had cartoon or movie characters on them, they were actually cute ones!) and went through the painstaking decision of who gets what..... oh, it was serious business. And we have the party with candy and putting the cards in the boxes. And opening them... while everyone had to give them to everyone else, you just knew that cute boy put extra care in yours... right? right? yea probably not.

Even now, I bet in office buildings everywhere, there is some chick who longs for grade school, as she passes out chocolates to everyone in the office. It does beg the question... where do you stop that.... how far down the food chain do you pass out valentine's greetings? It could go on endlessly there. And there's probably not a card for the UPS man, or the safe guy.. etc. But I digress.

My thoughts on this holiday are, if he didn't love you yesterday, he won't love you tomorrow, don't make him fake it today. And if he did love you yesterday he will love you tomorrow, don't make him suffer through trying to miraculously read the mind of a woman today. Because sweety you don't even know what you want, do you?

Give the boy a break, look for the ways he tells you he loves you all year long. Who started your car in the cold so it would be warm for you when you left? You know, things like that.

Just remember, life is not a romantic comedy - it's better.

Follow Friday

2010-02-12T07:43:00.002-06:00

You've seen those motivational posters that are supposed to lift you up and inspire you? Yea, these aren't those.

http://verydemotivational.com/

Follow Friday

2010-02-05T07:41:00.000-06:00

Oddly Specific Signs Some of these made me laugh pretty hard.

Follow Friday

2010-01-29T09:39:00.000-06:00

http://emailsfromcrazypeople.com/

Cause we all know someone crazy

Follow Friday

2010-01-22T08:55:00.002-06:00

http://listverse.com/

The ultimate Top 10 List Site!

Follow Friday

2010-01-15T04:35:00.000-06:00

Today's Follow Friday is brought to you by the Letter H, the number 12, and Amber...

http://autocompleteme.com/

Snapshots of some of the funniest suggestions from google's autocomplete feature.

Follow Friday

2010-01-08T06:00:00.000-06:00

This could be any town I suppose... but it's fitting it's Minneapolis (Hey Tom!!) home of the Viqueens and The Devil's Spawn ;)

http://www.overheardinminneapolis.com/

The Senate Rules Protecting Us From Government Run Medicine

2010-01-07T07:41:00.001-06:00

The Senate Rules Protecting Us From Government Run Medicine

Regardless of what any Majority party in the Senate may think, they have rules, and they should be followed. The American People should also be listed to, but they don't seem to care about that either.

They Say It's Your Birthday!

2010-01-06T05:00:00.000-06:00

My "baby" turns 17 today!!! Where does the time go??? She's so OLD now!

Here's a look back, and 9, 8, and 7:

One day you think you'd like to have a baby - the next they are driving, and taller than you and thinking of college! WOW!

Toy Story Mania!!!!!!!

2010-01-05T07:00:00.002-06:00

Santa Claus now brings 'family' gifts now that the kids are older. This year one of the things he brought was "Toy Story Mania" for the Wii. It's based on the attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando. (Look how I didn't say MGM studios.. oop, but I just did ha!)

It's a lot of fun, you have to hit targets and play against each other.

Mitchelism of the day

2010-01-04T16:38:00.003-06:00

While watching Lion King today (Just can't wait to be king) Mitchel walks through the room and says "ant eaters aren't native to Africa, they are native to South America." And he's pretty adamant and disgusted at this.

I tell him to write the company and let him know.

He says "well a lot of good that will do NOW."

That kid cracks me up every time.

Publish Post

Follow Friday

2010-01-01T09:32:00.000-06:00

In the genre of 'lamebook' we give you http://yourstatusisannoying.com/ - more funny stuff!

Top Ten reasons it took Obama 3 days to respond to terror attempt

2009-12-30T17:11:00.000-06:00

Top Ten reasons it took Obama 3 days to respond to terror attempt

William Tate
Barack Obama has received considerable criticism for waiting three days to address the attempted Christmas Day bombing of Northwest Flight 253. In the holiday spirit of giving, I would like to offer Obama ... the Top 10 excuses Obama can use for why it took him so long to speak up.

10. My teleprompter was on vacation last week.

9. Polishing a Nobel Prize takes longer than you think.

8. It was Bush's fault. (Hey, it worked last year.)

7. The waves here in Hawaii are bitchen, dude.

6. Janet Napolitano said the system worked great, even if I couldn't get email on my Blackberry for a while there.

5. This sort of thing just ain't supposed to happen on my watch.

4. It was Bush's fault.

3. Axelrod never told me I'd have to work holidays.

2. I was busy celebrating Festivus.

And the Number One excuse Obama can give for taking so long to respond to the attempted attack on Northwest Flight 253:

I was busy looking for my birth certificate.

Mitchel is amazing

2009-12-27T18:37:00.001-06:00

For someone with no patience and no fine motor skills he defies logic.

He can now put together these intricate Bionicles all by himself. He reads the directions all on his own and gets it done.

Amazing.
_______________________
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Follow Friday

2009-12-25T09:37:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas!!!!

This follow Friday I bring you some Christmas Links:

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03724b.htm - This history of Christmas from the Catholic Encyclopedia.

http://www.northpole.com/ - The North Pole

http://www.santaland.com/

Love Tacky Christmas decorations? This is for you http://tackychristmasyards.com/

How Obama bought 6 senators

2009-12-19T20:30:00.007-06:00

I may keep editing this post as I find more stuff, My stomach is in knots over this. In this time of unemployment, when so many are out of work, and many small businesses are struggling just to get by day to day, this seems like a recipe for disaster. It would be bad in good times, but it's a death nail right now. I don't see a light at the end of the tunnel of this recession. Businesses who were putting off expanding, are going to put it off even further.

How Obama bought 6 senators

Really upsetting how a bad bill is on the verge of getting passed. It's expensive, doesn't fix anything and takes away a lot of your freedoms. Shameful.

Another list of payoffs

And it's still a budget buster

Congress Budget Office's Blog

Bypassing checks and balances

Deficit Neutral Myth

Care pre-determined by the government.... actually unelected government boards

Run down of what you're in for:

Cause many Americans to lose their current health insurance. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that up to 10 million Americans would no longer be covered by their employers.[6] Given the bill's incentives for employers to discontinue job-based coverage, independent analysts expect the loss of employer-based coverage to be much higher.
Bend the cost curve up. According to independent analysts and government actuaries, the bill would substantially increase total health care spending instead of reducing it as promised. Richard Foster, Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), recently judged the projected savings from the Medicare updates as "doubtful" and estimated that the total national spending on health care would increase.[7]
Impose many new taxes on middle-class Americans. The Senate bill contains over a dozen new taxes, including a 40 percent excise tax on high-priced health plans and special fees and taxes on insurance, drugs, medical devices, and anyone who violates the new mandates.[8]
Reduce many seniors' access to Medicare benefits and services. The bill would reduce Medicare payments by an estimated $493 billion over 10 years,[9] including payment reductions for Medicare Advantage, hospital care, home health care, and nursing homes.
Provide federal funding for abortion. Contrary to the President's clear statement to Congress and the nation on health care reform,[10] the Senate bill would provide funding for abortion. The House would prohibit using taxpayers' dollars to finance abortion, but a similar amendment to the Senate bill was tabled without even a floor vote.[11]

The bill has over a dozen new taxes, including:

A 40 percent excise tax on "high value" health care plans of $8,500 or more for an individual and $23,000 or more for a couple ($149.1 billion in new taxes over the next 10 years);
A 0.5 percent hike in the Medicare payroll tax for single earners over $200,000 and joint earners over $250,000 ($53.8 billion);
Changes in health savings accounts (HSAs), Archer Medical Spending Accounts, health flexible spending accounts (FSAs), and health reimbursement arrangements ($5 billion);
A $2,500 cap on FSAs in cafeteria plans ($14.6 billion);
An increase from 10 percent to 20 percent in the penalty for early non-qualified HSA withdrawals ($1.3 billion);
A tax on branded drugs ($22.2 billion);
An annual tax on the health insurers[31] ($60.4 billion);
A tax on companies that manufacture or import medical devices ($19.3 billion);
A 0.5 percent excise tax on cosmetic surgery ($5.8 billion over 10 years);
An increase in the floor of the medical expenses deduction from 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income to 10 percent, except for seniors, who will stay at 7.5 percent ($15.2 billion);
Elimination of the Medicare Part D (prescription drug) deduction ($5.4 billion);
A $500,000 cap on the tax deduction for the salaries of employees of health insurance companies ($0.6 billion over 10 years)[32]; and
A mandate on companies with more than 50 employees to provide health coverage or pay a $750 penalty per employee for those who obtain coverage through the insurance exchange ($36 billion over 10 years) and a mandate on individuals to obtain coverage or pay a tax penalty.[33]

Read More Here:

And if you've been reading how the CBO says this will reduce deficits by $132 Million, that's misleading. Here's an explanation of how they get around that:

Every year, because of congressionally created formulas in Medicare physician payment, Congress must vote to suspend these pre-ordained payment systems that would automatically cut Medicare payments to physicians. If enacted this year, these cuts would reduce physician payment rates by 21 percent.

Physicians believe, correctly, that unless there is a fundamental reform of Medicare payment, many physicians will reduce their Medicare practice or stop seeing new Medicare patients, thereby reducing the accessibility of Medicare beneficiaries to physician care. Both the House and the Senate have acknowledged this as part of their agendas for health care reform.

However, to make their bills appear less costly, the leadership of both houses has removed the doctor fix and its more than $200 billion price tag from their health care bills and presented it as a separate bill. This enables Senator Reid to claim that his bill will reduce the deficit, but the CBO estimates that the House bill (H.R. 3961), combined with the "doctor fix" bill (H.R. 3962), would "add $89 billion to budget deficits over the 2010-2019 period."[13] The Senate bill plays the same shell game, creating the appearance of deficit reduction by ignoring the inevitable cost of the doctor fix.

How the Poor Pay the Price - and don't get the help they need

Please read the above link for the details, but their summary is spot on:

The Bottom Line: Taking Jobs from People Who Need Them the Most

In each case, the bottom line is that the Senate health care bill punishes employers who hire people who need jobs the most -- and by doing so makes it harder for people who need jobs the most to find employment. Because of the way the employer mandate for health insurance is structured, employers in effect face a $3,000-per-year incentive to hire people from higher-income families and smaller families over those from poorer and larger families.

The result would be a particularly insidious and repulsive -- but legally encouraged -- form of job discrimination against applicants who need the jobs the most. Congressional leaders may call this "health care reform" but for many poor families, it would be a one-way ticket to unemployment.

Follow Friday

2009-12-18T04:50:00.000-06:00

Haha!! This one is priceless.

http://antiduckface.com/

I don't even think I need to say anything about it, it speaks for itself.

If you have any suggestions for great funny websites for follow friday - email them to me!

Follow Friday

2009-12-11T06:44:00.000-06:00

This is a fun Blog - FAIL!

Funny story, I have the fail blog app on my itouch and Emily was playing with it and said "My mom knows what Epic Fail means? Apparently that isn't in the mom relm.

Anyway our friend Amber suggested this one, as she can't get enough http://failblog.org/

Enjoy!

or as Amber would say - "Good Times!"

Walking In A Winter Wonderland

2009-12-10T17:30:00.004-06:00

The first snowstorm of the year hit, and it was a big one!

I'm not sure how much snow we got,but it was the big wet heavy stuff and there was a lot of it! When I took these pictures it was right at 32 degrees, and it wasn't too cold out, but the snow was heavy! I guess just north of us a lot of trees were down and some power lines too. But "isn't it pretty"

Ok, we've seen it, now it can melt.

Follow Friday

2009-12-04T06:36:00.000-06:00

For all those that love facebook, but sometimes wonder... What the hell were they thinking posting THAT on facebook?

Well here's a place where you can see all those trainwreck posts in one place www.lamebook.com

I know, you just can't look away!

Is there really a need for commentators?

2009-12-01T18:48:00.003-06:00

Time for a rant. I haven't really ranted in a very long time.

Today's Topic: TV Commentators. Specifically Football.

I pretty much classify them along with radio DJ's among the most annoying people on earth. Football commentators are made up mostly of people who used to play the game, or coach in some capacity. Or their name is Bob Costas. Essentially they USED to do something really well. Now they talk about those who do.

Take Troy Aikman for instance, I'm guessing he was never very bright, but after 25 concussions, the bulb isn't even considered dim anymore. Yes he was a skilled QB and has some rings. But does that make you a good commentator? I swear sometime I just expect him to stop in mid sentence and start wandering off the set aimlessly. He's not a dynamic speaker.

But specifically watching Bears games can be difficult and painful enough, but the commentators not only make it seem like you're having surgery without anesthesia, but that Carrot Top is performing the surgery on you at the same time.

We can stop with the following:

1. Using the phrase: "Since Sid Luckman" Yes we know, we got it... yadda yadda yadda. Has any other 1950's football players name been mentioned more? I say whenever you hear the phrase - DRINK.

2. The 'QB' list since Favre has been around. Yes we know (still) that we've had well over 20 QB's since Favre first threw for the Packers. BUT I would like to point out that in that time the Packers have now DOUBLED the number of QB's since that time. (small consolation I know but I'm looking for that silver lining).

3. Cris Collinsworth or Troy the Boy saying "I don't know why the coach would do that." We don't care. You're not a coach, maybe just maybe their people are telling them some info that you also don't know? Or maybe they are off their rocker, either way - I don't really care what YOU would do in this situation. I realize when you were a coach... oh wait nevermind.

4. Cris Collinsworth on ANY pregame, during game or post game show. The pencil neck arrogance is really getting to me. Does he have to be on every Network now? Can't anyone do a show without him? And why? He appears he's had so much work done on his face that his eyes will bust out if his head bobbles any more. Speaking of too much plastic surgery, Costas and Michaels look like they've visted Nip/Tuck too many times as well. How them hair plugs doing Al?

5. Get rid of any commentator who has not played for or rooted for the Bears. I realize it's sport to dump on the Bears. And most of my Packer fan friends never realized the dripping drooling love fest that was Brett Favre until their beloved dumped them for the Vikings. NOW they're on the other side of it and realize there is a media bias (yea and just not in football but that's a rant for another day). Yes Cutler is not having a stellar year. Yes he's thrown interceptions. Lets not forget which QB holds the NFL record for interceptions, AND his last throw for GB was a 'we're not going to the superbowl cause he just threw it to the other team' interception. It happens. It especially happens when you have no offensive line to protect said QB.

6. Rehashing every 'story' of the year during every game. The networks must think football fans live under a rock. Cutler was traded to Chicago in April for Orton? Really how did I miss this? There was much anticipation and excitement in Chicago all offseason while Denver was in mourning? Where was I? We lost in Green Bay although we were in it until Jay threw his 4th INT? Was I watching Desperate Housewives that night? The Bears came back to win 3 straight? Holy Damn My Head must be stuck in the freezer. Now we haven't won in a month and Jay leads with 20 INT. Shit... I really shouldn't take such long baths or I may have caught this on TV. Really people - get some new material!!! It's like watching continual repeats. Must every tidbit be re-hashed EVERY time you mention the Bears? Get over it. Entertain me.

7. Joe Buck. Send him to the Arena League. I've had enough.

I'm really close to turning off the TV volume and listening to local Chicago radio for the play by play to go along with my TV. Wont' make the Bears play better but it will surely enhance my viewing pleasure.

Follow Friday

2009-11-27T07:05:00.001-06:00

This site makes me look at the wrinkles forming on my face and think... you know... they can stay.

http://www.awfulplasticsurgery.com/

Follow Friday

2009-11-20T06:50:00.000-06:00

This site is fun - we all love photoshop, we all want to look like models... or do we?

http://photoshopdisasters.blogspot.com/

Follow Friday

2009-11-13T06:00:00.002-06:00

Now THAT's Punny!

If you love a great play on words, these signs will make you giggle.

http://tanksalot.wordpress.com

Wow - Look what he can do!

2009-11-08T12:38:00.002-06:00

Mitchel is in one 'mainstream' class this year at RGS. It's Synergistics. I'm not even sure what it is, all I know is so far they've studied Robots, plastics, soldering, etc. He does seem to enjoy it, and he's doing well.

This last week he learned to solder. He made this little blinky board with very little help. He was very proud of it and showed it off friday.