Trouble

Look at those eyes. Seriously. We are in big trouble.

Snow Days

I'm all for having snow days and staying home from work, but who the hell thought it would be fun to close daycare?? Being snowed in with a 2-year-old is not as fun as it sounds, people, mark my words.

Today was better, we got to play in the snow and since Kaia had boots to keep her feet dry this time, she liked it a lot more than at xmas. She actually didn't want to come in. I think she liked listening to the crunch under her feet. She wasn't too thrilled with our snowman though, I think she was afraid of him. Since the Fletcher incident, when she doesn't like something, she says, real quiet, "snowman bite?" or "backpack bite?"



:( It's the saddest little voice, too.

Other than that though, she had fun. She just didn't really want to stand next to the little frozen dude for a picture.



I've eaten everything under the sun the past few days. Made chocolate chip cookies (from scratch!) and ate at least half a dozen already. Then tonight we went out to eat. Ugh. I'm hoping the damage won't be as bad as I think it will be...

The job is still going great. I love it. I am getting to do so much more writing than I had anticipated... I've received a ton of good feedback about my writing skills too, which is nice. I haven't heard that since... geez, I can't remember really.

House hunting is kind of on hold. We have only had one viewing of our house. Open house is on Sunday. Here's hoping. :\

Honor Roll

Last night, Kaia and I were sitting in bed, reading stories. After we read (4 books), she started drinking her milk. She guzzled and guzzled, like little kids do, then she stopped, looked up at me and said, breathless, "Ilda?"

And I said, "Ilda is at home."

To which she replied, "Ilda?"

So I repeated myself. She then asked for "Paula?" (which sounds like podda). Then "Mark?"

And I said, "Ilda is home. Mark is at home."

So she went on.

"Candice?"

"Candice is at home with Mark."

Today, I picked her up from daycare, a rarity for me, and on the way home she said, "Mark? Candice?"

So I said, "Mark and Candice are at home. They live in Texas."

"Texas?"

Yep. I think that she might remember you all. ;)

I can't believe she's 2

What a wonderful, beautiful, sweet, smart, funny little girl. The love of my life. :)

She's running around in circles, birthday balloons in tow, giggling and having the best time. The first time that balloon pops and terrifies her, I hope I can comfort her and not make her scared of them for the rest of her childhood!

What a way to start 2010

If you Tulsans haven't eaten at Doe's Eat Place on Cherry Street, I highly recommend it. Our bill was more than the hotel but it was worth it. One of the best steaks I've ever had and the atmosphere was just how we like it...like an old pub somewhere. Its one of the most eclectic menus too...we had tamales with a cup o chili as an app. Then salad, I had boiled new potatoes with my filet, Cory had mashed and we shared grilled asparagus. Southern style drop biscuits came with the meal...I thought they were gross tho. More donut than roll really. We both had a beer but I already forgot what it was called. K-something.

We had a drink at the hotel, then I was out by 11. Kaia's been sick for a week now. So much for Cory's vacation. I took her to the walk-in this morning. Two ear infections plus bronchitis-like something or other. So I just dropped $120 at the pharmacy. Between xmas, NYE and today, I've spent a gazillion bucks. And trying to get Kaia to use an inhaler thing is going to be even more challenging than the nebulizer when she was little...

So anyway, I bought Cory dinner, he had his way with me and he ate my Doubletree cookie. Then he left me with a sick baby to go to the Cotton Bowl. Typical!

(rofl, he's so gonna kill me for that paragraph but I couldn't resist)

My 2 Cents About Health Care Reform

Since graduating from college, I've worked for a hospital, the state health department and now an insurance company. You would think if anyone would know the right answer for health care reform, I'd have it. Of course, if I did, you'd have heard of it by now.

The truth is, I support the idea and the need for change. It is a broken system. But what is even more broken than that is our nation's disregard for our health. People under the age of 50 should not be on 12 different medications. Kids should not be overweight, never mind obese, with diabetes and high blood pressure. It makes me sad. And sick.

When I taught at the high school here, kids were clueless about what is healthy and what is not. I think it's hard for people to decipher some things but there's one unmistakable, undeniable truth: moving more makes you more healthy. As a personal trainer, I heard all kinds of bullshit excuses as to why and they are all just that: bullshit. If you're lazy, at least admit it.

But I digress. This was meant to be a post about reform.

Making insurance more affordable is good. People should have a medical home. Families need to have a family doctor, not the emergency room. But giving more people access to care is not going to reduce health care costs.

We have an aging workforce. People get sick more as they age. 60% of the country is overweight or obese. 30% of kids are now overweight or obese. What's going to happen when those overweight kids grow up and get jobs? Will they all of a sudden be healthy and thin and active? It's not likely. They'll come to college with chronic disease, then go out into the workforce with chronic disease. Things will likely get worse before they get better.

What we need is more PE in schools; trails and fitness options in every community; flexible hours so people can exercise during the work day; safe routes to schools so kids can walk or bike to school again; nutrition education for every age group because even after all this time, people still don't get it. Cafeterias on worksites and in school need to serve healthy food. You know, I grew up on crap like fried chicken and fries just like the rest of you but things are different now. Kids don't play like they did when we were kids. I was outside constantly as a kid, riding my bike or playing basketball or exploring... kids have to eat better at a younger age.

Last but not least, parents need to suck it up and be parents. As in, you are in charge of your kid, not the other way around. You buy the food, you determine the rules, you sit on your butt every night watching reality TV or you get up and walk or play or move.

There are so many things that need to change before things will get better, I just don't think the President's focus is on the right part of reform. It will be interesting to watch it all play out over the next ten years.

This Just In...

Kaia & I just woke up from an almost four-hour nap. I think maybe we needed it...

The job is great, the house hunt is frustrating and Kaia is fabulous.

That's the update. :)