Did I mention I love my neighborhood? Diverse, vocal, intelligent, educated, opinionated as hell, and although apparently liberal, there is a very odd thread of southern ideology that runs through the conversations. We have several medical people in the group, and we are a middle class neighborhood, so Health care, rightly, is a hot topic.
So where do we, as a family, neighborhood, society and community stand on health care? All over the map, apparently. And as educated as we all are, it is still a very emotional issue. This I have noticed in our neighborhood, and in the media. The mostly hotly debated reasons for not having a public option are deeply emotional and have very little to do with the actual topic on the table.
WE should NOT have to pay for people to have insurance when they are too lazy, drug addicted, drinking whatever to work. (meaning the welfare set). News flash. We ALREADY pay for those people. The health care debate is not about people on medicaid. It is not even about the 20% of the population that are uninsured. It is about the millions of people that have insurance, but cannot afford to go to the doctor because their deductibles or co-pays are so high.
For example - I have spent 15 of the last 20 years uninsured. My husband's new job does not offer insurance, but pays their employees a small amount to seek their own. So we now have insurance. It is only a $425/month premium. We can do that. It has a $7,500/person deductible. We are, essentially paying out of pocket for every doctor's visit. Do you really think any of us are getting routine health screenings or going to the doctor's visit for flu symptoms? We do add $300/month into the health savings account, so in approximately 2 years, if no one gets sick, or goes to a doctor, we will be able to pay our deductible if any major tragedy happens. 3 years from now, this will be a good plan, and our family will benefit from it. Then I got a job. WhoooHooo good money, good benefits, big company, Yay! The premiums for a family of 4 (my expense) is $725/mo. My co-pays are $50/visit. None of that money is mine. It all goes to insurance companies, and at that price, I won't go to the doctor anymore often, and cough up $50 on top of the $725. At least on the high deductible plan, I can take money out of the HSA if I really need to go. I would love to have a public OPTION. I might not change my insurance - but at least let me have a chance to look at something else.
WE must guard against SOCIALIZATION. it is the root of all evil. Except - we have socialized education, we have socialized protective forces (police, fire department), we have socialized road maintenance (who would not BITCH if our tax dollars did not pay for road maintenance)? We socialize things that we consider basic rights. Why is health care not a basic right? And seriously - we pay for the health needs of people all the time. Fun, scary little story from last night: Guy has leg pain. Guy has insurance, but it is expensive, and he isn't going to the doctor for something so minor. Leg pain lessens, Guy has numbness. Guy continues to work part time (company couldn't afford to keep him full time, but held onto insurance for him). Guy's retired-doctor sister gets him an appointment with a friend who is a doctor and sees him at deep discount. Guy is HOURS from losing his leg. Goes to emergency surgery at Tampa General (did I mention he is broke at this point, considered indigent, ended up losing his insurance because he could not pay for the group health insurance his company tried to hold onto for him)? Does not lose his leg, is in hospital for two weeks, Rehab for 3, home health for longer. Here is a $350,000 bill that gets paid with tax-payer money, that would have been avoided if he could afford to go to the doctor. I would have rather paid for his doctor visits and meds 6 months ago - but hey, socialization is EVIL!
WE cannot let some government panel make health decisions!!!!! Why not? We currently have panels of executives not only making health-care decisions, but making them with the priority being lowering the pay-out. People pay for insurance, then get denied procedures by their insurance companies. People live in constant fear that if something goes wrong, health wise, the insurance will get more expensive, or they will be dropped completely. They can't change companies, they have a pre-existing health condition that cannot be covered. Doctors do not make our decisions now. HMO's hire panels of people to dig through record. If you forgot that 4 years ago you were having a stressful day and your blood pressure was up a little at the doctor's office. You did not write it down on the new forms for the new insurance. You Liar - you had an unreported pre-existing condition! They do not have to pay for your newly diagnosed high blood pressure problems.
Then of course, from the stand point of a business/owner provider. I spent the last 10 years in business for myself. My billing was consistent throughout the lat 5 years. But, each year, I saw my patients paying more and more of that bill out of pocket, and my profit margins sink lower and lower. I went from 85% recovery of billed (pretty amazing for a health care practice). To 60%. My patients started out paying about 10% of billed, ended up paying on the average 40% of billed. And I was losing more and more money.
I treated conditions that were often un-reimbursed by insurances. Insurance companies notoriously do not recognize chronic pain conditions. My population of patients need a public option.
OK that's my rant. I want (over my deeply republican principals) a public health option. It is unacceptable that we have working productive citizens that do not have basic health care available. But, I also think we need to move forward somewhere, somehow. If we have to shelve public health until our society implodes from a flu epidemic that could have been avoided if people could go to the doctor, then so be it. But do SOMETHING. Standing around whining about it for another 25 years, and handing it back to private insurors is even less acceptable.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Mucking Stalls
When I was a kid I occassionally had to muck out the milking stall. We did not have a "barn" like most people think when the think "farm." There were various shelters around that the animals used in inclement weather, rabbit hutches and chicken sheds, and milking stations scattered willy-nilly about the place. It actually served to keep the concentration of "ick" down. The stall where we milked the cow was the one place that would get thick and deep. Luckily, as it was hard, backbreaking type labor, it usually was my brother's job - you know, a "manly" endeavor. Then he graduated and left home. Being the youngest means EVERYTHING gets handed down, including chores.
Living on a fairly dysfunctional farm taught me a lot, and the joy of working all day on physically difficult, mind-numbing projects, that end in obvious accomplishment is one of my favorite lessons. A lesson that I was able to pass on to my daughter yesterday. We spent the day cleaning her room. Really cleaning. We threw out 3 large bags of stuff, have 5 more ready to go to Goodwill. Vacuumed, dusted, pulled the old carpet out of her closet, rearranged furniture, debated over what stayed, what got tossed. And it is DONE.
Realize - her room is never "dirty" but, she may have acquired the pack-rat gene that runs strong in my family, and stronger in her Dad's. Yet, she overcame most of it, and we spent the day with only one 5-minute tense moment, followed by her having lunch, and us getting back to work. She is a child that thrives on organization, and she is now prepared for "back-to-school." I love having a happy child. She expressed (hugs and verbalized!) appreciation for my help, and a sense of pride that includes REALLY wanting her friends to come see her "new" room.
On another note - we are days from ordering the 2010 WildChildPics calendars. Yay - it is all coming together.
Living on a fairly dysfunctional farm taught me a lot, and the joy of working all day on physically difficult, mind-numbing projects, that end in obvious accomplishment is one of my favorite lessons. A lesson that I was able to pass on to my daughter yesterday. We spent the day cleaning her room. Really cleaning. We threw out 3 large bags of stuff, have 5 more ready to go to Goodwill. Vacuumed, dusted, pulled the old carpet out of her closet, rearranged furniture, debated over what stayed, what got tossed. And it is DONE.
Realize - her room is never "dirty" but, she may have acquired the pack-rat gene that runs strong in my family, and stronger in her Dad's. Yet, she overcame most of it, and we spent the day with only one 5-minute tense moment, followed by her having lunch, and us getting back to work. She is a child that thrives on organization, and she is now prepared for "back-to-school." I love having a happy child. She expressed (hugs and verbalized!) appreciation for my help, and a sense of pride that includes REALLY wanting her friends to come see her "new" room.
On another note - we are days from ordering the 2010 WildChildPics calendars. Yay - it is all coming together.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Bait and switch.
We first noticed it when we were kids buying candy bars with our own money. All of a sudden Snicker bars were huge! they seemed enormous, and were worth the jacked up price to $.25. And if you couldn't HANDLE it (wimp) the $.15 baby ones were around. But who wanted them? a little extra home chores, saving the allowance, picking up soda bottles, and you got the BIG bar. Hardly even noticed when the little bars disappeared. Candy bars are $.25. Completely didn't notice when the bars got smaller, less than a year later we were paying $.25 for the $.15 bar, and no one even flinched. After many of these cycles candy bars are what $.98? by the way - whatever happen to the "cents" key? this decimal dollar thing is annoying.
So this year I bought the annual ticket to Oregon for me and the girl child. It was expensive, more than I am used to paying. Of course, booking dates were more specific than usual, I bought far enough in advance to be sure I could get there and back with minimal problems, etc. Besides, gas prices are back up, the economy is in the tanker, and I'm doing my little part to boost the national morale. Then the airlines decided that they needed me to pay for bags. OK - I get the second bag. I try to travel light, I never take two bags, sometimes I bring two home, because I sort of raid my Mom's closet when I am gone, or bring home rocks, or wine, or whatever. But the first bag? They were selling tickets at the super reduced price, so people were not really complaining about the bag fees (sound familiar?) I got my ticket before prices went down, and I wasn't eligible for the waived bag fee, because I bought through an on-line discount thingy.
The girl child and I checked the big bags, took our little carry-ons - you know the ones that fit appropriately under the seat and in those little testers that insist "carry-on bags cannot be any bigger than this?" up to the plane. Chaos ensued. Americans are smart. And cheap. And have suffered the bait and switch too often. Everybody had those big rolling "carry-ons" that business travelers use as their only luggage. It took forever to board the plane. People that came on later had to check bags at the gate. People getting on the plane earlier had to maneuver around patrons and stewardesses going up and down the aisles looking for places to put all of these huge bags. We started boarding on time. Left the gate 13 minutes late. then sat on the tarmac, waiting to take off, because we had missed our window.
Brilliant! Casual travelers ought to check bags. Baggage ought to be included in the price of a ticket. Business travelers are typically frequent flyers, and typically the people that do not have time to check baggage. Give them a frequent flyer break, and don't link it to the number of bags. Raise ticket prices if you need to. We all understand inflation, we will bitch, but still fly when necessary. Ticket prices will go up, and we will all budget for the change; but let us have a bag, let the frequent business flyers get in and out with their bigger-than-regulation carry-ons, but don't penalize the rest of us for being courteous by checking baggage. Or - if you are taking the harsh line, make everyone put their bags in the little measuring boxes at check in. If it doesn't fit, check it! And if it is the only bag - let them check it for the price of the ticket.
So this year I bought the annual ticket to Oregon for me and the girl child. It was expensive, more than I am used to paying. Of course, booking dates were more specific than usual, I bought far enough in advance to be sure I could get there and back with minimal problems, etc. Besides, gas prices are back up, the economy is in the tanker, and I'm doing my little part to boost the national morale. Then the airlines decided that they needed me to pay for bags. OK - I get the second bag. I try to travel light, I never take two bags, sometimes I bring two home, because I sort of raid my Mom's closet when I am gone, or bring home rocks, or wine, or whatever. But the first bag? They were selling tickets at the super reduced price, so people were not really complaining about the bag fees (sound familiar?) I got my ticket before prices went down, and I wasn't eligible for the waived bag fee, because I bought through an on-line discount thingy.
The girl child and I checked the big bags, took our little carry-ons - you know the ones that fit appropriately under the seat and in those little testers that insist "carry-on bags cannot be any bigger than this?" up to the plane. Chaos ensued. Americans are smart. And cheap. And have suffered the bait and switch too often. Everybody had those big rolling "carry-ons" that business travelers use as their only luggage. It took forever to board the plane. People that came on later had to check bags at the gate. People getting on the plane earlier had to maneuver around patrons and stewardesses going up and down the aisles looking for places to put all of these huge bags. We started boarding on time. Left the gate 13 minutes late. then sat on the tarmac, waiting to take off, because we had missed our window.
Brilliant! Casual travelers ought to check bags. Baggage ought to be included in the price of a ticket. Business travelers are typically frequent flyers, and typically the people that do not have time to check baggage. Give them a frequent flyer break, and don't link it to the number of bags. Raise ticket prices if you need to. We all understand inflation, we will bitch, but still fly when necessary. Ticket prices will go up, and we will all budget for the change; but let us have a bag, let the frequent business flyers get in and out with their bigger-than-regulation carry-ons, but don't penalize the rest of us for being courteous by checking baggage. Or - if you are taking the harsh line, make everyone put their bags in the little measuring boxes at check in. If it doesn't fit, check it! And if it is the only bag - let them check it for the price of the ticket.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Urban Interface
I live in the city. Admittedly, 80 years ago my house was sort of on the edge of the city, but it is a decidedly urban neighborhood. 20 years ago it was a somewhat scary urban neighborhood. It is absolutely NOT the 'burbs.
I grew up in the middle of no-where. 1.5 miles to the nearest paved road. 7 miles to the nearest "town." 180 people does not qualify as a town in most American minds, but 30 miles away there was a town with a stop light, and 7 miles farther and actual town, with a hospital and cross streets.
I miss the interaction with wild creatures. Snakes, 'coons, Hawks, Owls, coyotes, everybody slipping into the farm for easy picken at the chickens. So - on a farm the wild is something to be pushed out, protected against. Predators are bad for chickens, baby ducks, bunnies, even small lambs and goats. Wild rabbits, deer and antelope need to be kept from crops. We could walk or ride our horse up the creek, miles from home, and enjoy the natural experience all we wanted - but we could not keep the injured wild animals we rescued, or babies we caught. Feeding or encouraging their presence was a no-no, and a danger to the family's food supply.
In town these creatures are a "nuisance." Exterminators get called when they show up; they are a possible threat to our very life an health. But they are so darned cute! If raccoons want to hang on my porch and eat rabbit food, I cannot force myself to have a problem with that. If a baby possum runs across the road, I will try to help it. Turtles, hawks, and dolphins in the river are wild creatures, learning to cope with man's manipulation of their world. They are beautiful to watch, and not considered a threat to humans. Even the bats in the neighborhood have support from the people. But my adorable raccoon family that keeps me awake at night fighting and makin' babies in the trees? They have adapted too well. Perhaps even dependent on us. I just hope when the city removes them, they are relocated, not "disappeared." If anyone knows different, please don't tell me.
And 'coon friends - I will not rat you out, you were never here. I saw nothing.
I grew up in the middle of no-where. 1.5 miles to the nearest paved road. 7 miles to the nearest "town." 180 people does not qualify as a town in most American minds, but 30 miles away there was a town with a stop light, and 7 miles farther and actual town, with a hospital and cross streets.
I miss the interaction with wild creatures. Snakes, 'coons, Hawks, Owls, coyotes, everybody slipping into the farm for easy picken at the chickens. So - on a farm the wild is something to be pushed out, protected against. Predators are bad for chickens, baby ducks, bunnies, even small lambs and goats. Wild rabbits, deer and antelope need to be kept from crops. We could walk or ride our horse up the creek, miles from home, and enjoy the natural experience all we wanted - but we could not keep the injured wild animals we rescued, or babies we caught. Feeding or encouraging their presence was a no-no, and a danger to the family's food supply.
In town these creatures are a "nuisance." Exterminators get called when they show up; they are a possible threat to our very life an health. But they are so darned cute! If raccoons want to hang on my porch and eat rabbit food, I cannot force myself to have a problem with that. If a baby possum runs across the road, I will try to help it. Turtles, hawks, and dolphins in the river are wild creatures, learning to cope with man's manipulation of their world. They are beautiful to watch, and not considered a threat to humans. Even the bats in the neighborhood have support from the people. But my adorable raccoon family that keeps me awake at night fighting and makin' babies in the trees? They have adapted too well. Perhaps even dependent on us. I just hope when the city removes them, they are relocated, not "disappeared." If anyone knows different, please don't tell me.
And 'coon friends - I will not rat you out, you were never here. I saw nothing.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Moderation
OK - I think I have achieved some personal insight into American politics. Not earth-shattering, but at least I feel like things make a little more sense in my head.
Moderates are most likely the only people that can truly get anything accomplished. We live in a democracy (sort of), so any push of the pendulum is good media, but not really effective politics. But, in our two party system there is a serious shift in approach to moderates. You can be a moderate republican. It is not easy, and during inter party campaigning, it may seem like catering to the right is the only way to win an election, hence McCain's choice of Palin. But, had McCain won the election, for all of the Right's grumbling about him not being a "true republican" they would have absolutely supported him. He is, after all, a REPUBLICAN. The democrats would have cautiously gone with some of his ideas, he is, after all, trying to meet them part way. The whole hulking mass of progress would have lumbared forward, slow, painful, hunching progress. There would be grumbling. Left, Right, some Center, but; down-played by the media, the focus would be on the crumbling economy, not on what the current administration was or was not doing to fix it.
Enter Obama. Certainly not moderate. He has an unique ability to look forward beyond his left leaning idealism to the future needs of a growing, aging, dis-illusinoned population. He understands the need to build consensus, to find a middle ground (that sounds rather moderate doesn't it)? and he is willing to sacrifice many of his left leaning hopes to do it. WHAT!?! moderate democrat? His own party whines and picks him apart like they have been abandoned. He, as the highest elected citizen in our DEMOCRACY should just tell everyone what to do, and by the sheer force of his position, it should happen. How dare he compromise on a health care bill that never happened when Clinton was in office 12-20 years ago? A reform that many in our country NEED, NOW, even if it is a watered down bill. Progressives want massive change, but some progress is progress, posturing is just standing dead in the water, wishing something had changed. How dare he collaborate with the military when reaching a time-line for pulling out of Iraq? now that he has access to all the facts, he should just rip our troops out of there - citizens and stability in the middle east be damned. And the republicans - they love this. Give the Dem's enough rope and they will lynch their own. It doesn't matter how crazy conspiracy comments and birther rhetoric get spread around, when the next election shows up, a moderate republican will sound like the voice of reason to his own party.
Obama said in every speech that recovery would be a long, arduous, painful process. I'm a farm-girl, I get what that means. Fortifying depleted soil, especially organically, does not happen in a season, or a year. It takes a lot of work, and a lot of shit to produce fertile ground. Never, since the economy tanked in October, did I think that our next president would wave a magic wand and fix stuff. Even with the best, most fiscally conservative plans, I expected things to get significantly worse for 2-3 years, with a slow upturn at the end of this president's term. I honestly think if we stepped back and let him do his job, in eight years things will be significantly better, with a stable frame work for growth. Never, in my lifetime, has a president captured the hearts and minds of the citizenry, and if democracy works, it is that sort of populace support that should drive our future, not watching the center get eaten up by attacks from the left and right.
So why are people grumbling that things aren't better? and blaming Obama? Because democrats don't understand party loyalty, and republicans, as the minority party, can afford to step back and throw fuel on fires. But we can't let him do his job. In a very important press conference about health-care, he was asked his opinion about the Gates arrest. Stupidly, he answered. It was obviously a personal opinion, based on the same media drivel that we have all heard, and all bantered our opinions around. He answered like any American citizen. I know, he is the president, held to a higher standard, yadyada. The president's opinion on this subject is no more important than mine. Why was the question even asked? Because we would rather hear his opinion, then listen to pundits pick it apart for weeks, than have a real news story about things that will actually effect our lives. Can't blame the media entirely - we tune in and they give us what we want to hear.
Question for the day - When did "compromise" become a dirty word in a democracy?
Moderates are most likely the only people that can truly get anything accomplished. We live in a democracy (sort of), so any push of the pendulum is good media, but not really effective politics. But, in our two party system there is a serious shift in approach to moderates. You can be a moderate republican. It is not easy, and during inter party campaigning, it may seem like catering to the right is the only way to win an election, hence McCain's choice of Palin. But, had McCain won the election, for all of the Right's grumbling about him not being a "true republican" they would have absolutely supported him. He is, after all, a REPUBLICAN. The democrats would have cautiously gone with some of his ideas, he is, after all, trying to meet them part way. The whole hulking mass of progress would have lumbared forward, slow, painful, hunching progress. There would be grumbling. Left, Right, some Center, but; down-played by the media, the focus would be on the crumbling economy, not on what the current administration was or was not doing to fix it.
Enter Obama. Certainly not moderate. He has an unique ability to look forward beyond his left leaning idealism to the future needs of a growing, aging, dis-illusinoned population. He understands the need to build consensus, to find a middle ground (that sounds rather moderate doesn't it)? and he is willing to sacrifice many of his left leaning hopes to do it. WHAT!?! moderate democrat? His own party whines and picks him apart like they have been abandoned. He, as the highest elected citizen in our DEMOCRACY should just tell everyone what to do, and by the sheer force of his position, it should happen. How dare he compromise on a health care bill that never happened when Clinton was in office 12-20 years ago? A reform that many in our country NEED, NOW, even if it is a watered down bill. Progressives want massive change, but some progress is progress, posturing is just standing dead in the water, wishing something had changed. How dare he collaborate with the military when reaching a time-line for pulling out of Iraq? now that he has access to all the facts, he should just rip our troops out of there - citizens and stability in the middle east be damned. And the republicans - they love this. Give the Dem's enough rope and they will lynch their own. It doesn't matter how crazy conspiracy comments and birther rhetoric get spread around, when the next election shows up, a moderate republican will sound like the voice of reason to his own party.
Obama said in every speech that recovery would be a long, arduous, painful process. I'm a farm-girl, I get what that means. Fortifying depleted soil, especially organically, does not happen in a season, or a year. It takes a lot of work, and a lot of shit to produce fertile ground. Never, since the economy tanked in October, did I think that our next president would wave a magic wand and fix stuff. Even with the best, most fiscally conservative plans, I expected things to get significantly worse for 2-3 years, with a slow upturn at the end of this president's term. I honestly think if we stepped back and let him do his job, in eight years things will be significantly better, with a stable frame work for growth. Never, in my lifetime, has a president captured the hearts and minds of the citizenry, and if democracy works, it is that sort of populace support that should drive our future, not watching the center get eaten up by attacks from the left and right.
So why are people grumbling that things aren't better? and blaming Obama? Because democrats don't understand party loyalty, and republicans, as the minority party, can afford to step back and throw fuel on fires. But we can't let him do his job. In a very important press conference about health-care, he was asked his opinion about the Gates arrest. Stupidly, he answered. It was obviously a personal opinion, based on the same media drivel that we have all heard, and all bantered our opinions around. He answered like any American citizen. I know, he is the president, held to a higher standard, yadyada. The president's opinion on this subject is no more important than mine. Why was the question even asked? Because we would rather hear his opinion, then listen to pundits pick it apart for weeks, than have a real news story about things that will actually effect our lives. Can't blame the media entirely - we tune in and they give us what we want to hear.
Question for the day - When did "compromise" become a dirty word in a democracy?
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Absence makes the heart grow stale.
Truthfully, I haven't blogged in months. why? Not busy. I am super-duper deluxe busy, but that is when I usually write - to clear the brain. You know, sort of dump the craziness in my head onto something concrete, black and white, tangible.
So Why not? Guilt. I have always prided myself on not being ruled by guilt. Just doesn't work on me. People that try to manipulate me with guilt get away with a few times, then, well, I have to "unleash the bitch," and go a little psycho. Or not, sometimes I just write them off as not worth the effort, and they fade into the distance of people I "usedta" deal with. Or, I politely sypmathise with their plight, and let them know that with more time, information and planning, I may be able to help them out next time. This last works best in work scenarios, the psycho scene is what I often resort to with family.
But - self imposed guilt. That, I have a hard time working around. If I am writing here more than I write on the "real blog" I am not filling my professional duties. I am not really working in the field that I write about, so I have not been inspired to write. If I am struggling with some old, dark demon, I might say things that would hurt someone that reads this - OK, my mom is the only one that reads this, but she is my dominate psychological figure, and personally knows most of my demons.
I still have not written in Road to Slainte. But at least now I have ideas. I have to wait on most of them, because they come out of a research study that has not been released to the public yet, so I can't go off on my little editorial rant, yet. Ohhhhh - but I will. Alluding to the communication confusion of professional and public use of like terms. Where IS your shoulder?
Hopefully I am back. Maybe even semi-regularly. It feels good to tap-tap-tap, releasing the "monkey-mind" to play and grow.
So Why not? Guilt. I have always prided myself on not being ruled by guilt. Just doesn't work on me. People that try to manipulate me with guilt get away with a few times, then, well, I have to "unleash the bitch," and go a little psycho. Or not, sometimes I just write them off as not worth the effort, and they fade into the distance of people I "usedta" deal with. Or, I politely sypmathise with their plight, and let them know that with more time, information and planning, I may be able to help them out next time. This last works best in work scenarios, the psycho scene is what I often resort to with family.
But - self imposed guilt. That, I have a hard time working around. If I am writing here more than I write on the "real blog" I am not filling my professional duties. I am not really working in the field that I write about, so I have not been inspired to write. If I am struggling with some old, dark demon, I might say things that would hurt someone that reads this - OK, my mom is the only one that reads this, but she is my dominate psychological figure, and personally knows most of my demons.
I still have not written in Road to Slainte. But at least now I have ideas. I have to wait on most of them, because they come out of a research study that has not been released to the public yet, so I can't go off on my little editorial rant, yet. Ohhhhh - but I will. Alluding to the communication confusion of professional and public use of like terms. Where IS your shoulder?
Hopefully I am back. Maybe even semi-regularly. It feels good to tap-tap-tap, releasing the "monkey-mind" to play and grow.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Rockin' it
OK - totally the proud mom here - Gym Girl was awesome at her state meet. I have to admit, I like it when she brings home those metals and stuff - when she gets a "State Champion" title, it is pretty awesome. Now that she is competing elite division, there are fewer medals, and each one is VERY well earned. She pulled an amazing bar routine. 9.5 her best score ever, on any event, ever. It only earned her a tie for 2nd - but it was the first time that I have ever seen her happy about her score. Truly proud of her self. She did an excellent routine, corrected all of the glitches that she has been working really hard on at practice, and ROCKED it. Go Girl!
Our gym recieved 1st in level 5 large team. I do not think any of our girls recieved 1st place AA in any division. I may be wrong, I haven't talked to everyone (it is a big team, and we had 5's in probably 12 different age and class groupings), but the 1st place teams shows a quality of dedication, in both athletes and coaches that has to be commended. Our gym is unique in that it is very athlete based, and our girls move up when they are ready to perform the skills, even if it doesn't raise team standings. So we have a whole bunch of consistent, well trained, well rounded athletes, coaches that love them, and parents that are just tickled pink when any of our girls do well.
The life of a gym mom is very very good.
Our gym recieved 1st in level 5 large team. I do not think any of our girls recieved 1st place AA in any division. I may be wrong, I haven't talked to everyone (it is a big team, and we had 5's in probably 12 different age and class groupings), but the 1st place teams shows a quality of dedication, in both athletes and coaches that has to be commended. Our gym is unique in that it is very athlete based, and our girls move up when they are ready to perform the skills, even if it doesn't raise team standings. So we have a whole bunch of consistent, well trained, well rounded athletes, coaches that love them, and parents that are just tickled pink when any of our girls do well.
The life of a gym mom is very very good.
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