Wednesday, November 18, 2009

NEW BREAST CANCER SCREENING GUIDELINES

We have done what we thought was right when it comes to breast health. First they told us to do a BSE (breast self examination) and even gave us handy-dandy how-to cards when we went for our yearly examinations. Some doctor offices even had posters hanging in their examination rooms to further self-educate us.

Then, as we neared the age of 40, the doctor would remind us that since we are now approaching that "magical" age, we need to start having mammograms. "UGH," we responded, with dread in our voices, because, after all, who hasn't heard the horror stories of this procedure! But, again, we pushed past our fears and bravely went ahead and had the mammogram. And, the following year, we'd have another one. And, so on and so on. Because, this is what the medical "professionals" said that we needed to do.

So, now that we have gotten this down pat:
  • 1. Do the BSE regularly, and
  • 2. Have a yearly mammogram after the age of 4-0,,

some moronic Task Force has decided that they are more interested in saving money than in saving lives. This decision literally makes my skin crawl, for lack of a better word (I borrowed that phrase from the author of this article: healthcentral.com/breast-cancer. While I don't support her position on the government's decision, I recognize that everyone has a right to their own opinion.

My opinion is that this is absolutely ridiculous, and if my cousin had followed this new "over 50" guideline, she would be DEAD. At the age of around 42, she was found to have not ONE, but TWO types of breast cancer. She had quite the battle for her life, and so far, she is doing okay. But, only after having chemo, radiation and a double Mastectomy. Saving her life was worth it to our family but obviously not to the government.

God Help Us All and Save Us from Our Government!

Opinions Anyone?? I love to hear from all of you! Even if we have differing opinions on this subject, I still welcome all comments!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

VETERANS DAY 2009


Freedom Isn't Free
by Cadet Major Kelly Strong USAF JROTC

I watched the flag pass by one day
It fluttered in the breeze
A young soldier saluted it, and then
He stood at ease

I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd

I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?

How many Pilots' planes shot down?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No - Freedom isn't free

I heard the sound of taps one night,
When everything was still
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill

I wondered just how many times
That Taps had meant "Amen"
When a flag had draped a coffin
Of a brother or a friend

I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives

I thought about a graveyard at the
Bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No - Freedom isn't free!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

ENVELOPE METHOD OF BUDGETING (THE DAVE RAMSEY WAY)

This is from the Dave Ramsey Website:

"Dave Ramsey's Envelope System"

"On a budget? Still over-spending? Trying to figure out the best way to organize your finances and spend wisely?

Get on a Simple System

I found out that Grandma's way to handle money still works. People used to always use cash envelopes to control their monthly spending, but very few do in today's card swiping culture. The envelope system is a key component of the Total Money Makeover Plan because it works."

Have any of you tried the Envelope Method of budgeting? Have you had success with it? I am always looking for ways to improve my budget, and this type of budgeting makes alot of sense!

**A.Marie**