Government Health Care-VA As A Rolemodel?

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I accompanied my husband to the VA hospital in Des Moines today where he had an optometry appointment. He had also been able to schedule consecutive appointments to have a pair of diabetic shoes fit in physical therapy, and a new c-pap unit programmed specifically for him by the sleep clinic. I was incredibly impressed, as he was treated with such professionalism, by caring individuals who were empathetic, thorough and extremely knowledgable within their fields. He arrived exactly on time for each appointment and was seen immediately. Each practicianer took the time to review his records online and confer with him regarding the history that applied to the area he was being treated for. He was given detailed explanations on what procedures were being implemented and why, as well as how to utilize the various supplies and equipment that he was being issued.

I was equally impressed by a partial conversation I overheard by an orderly with the supply clerk, and although I did not catch the details, I heard the orderly question the clerk on whether something or the other was not a waste of resources. The clerk replied that it was something that should be brought up in their next staff meeting.

I wondered if this same careful evaluation of resourse management was taken by other medical facilities, somehow doubting it. Maybe, just maybe...our government knows enough about finding the right people to run an efficient and effective health care system after all!

Until next time......

My List

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Three beautiful children, and their families
Three great step children, and their families
A husband of 21 years who's young at heart
My Mother, Father and Sisters
My Grandmother who's over 100 years old
My large pool of Aunts, Uncles and Cousins
My Nieces and Nephews
My friends in Minnesota
My friends in Georgia
My friends in Iowa
My friends on Facebook
An exciting lifestyle of travel and workamping
Sunrises and sunsets
My new home on wheels
An absolutely beautiful sunny day
The gift of laughter
A full refrigerator
A full gas tank
A smile on the face of a child
My sight
My hearing
My smell
My feeling
My taste
My intuition
My unique ability to adapt
My intellect
Hot and Cold running water
A private shower
Ice Cubes
...............never mind me, I'm just counting my blessings for the next time I'm feeling sorry for myself.............
A comfortable bed
A community of like-minded neighbors
My spirituality
Having enough to share
Potlucks
Green grass and blue skies
Animals
Trees for shade
Real mayonnaise
Strawberries
Cream Cheese
My garden
My firepit
My computer
Books
etc....
etc...
etc..
etc.


Until next time.....

Therapeutic Relaxation

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This blogging has actually become quite fun! It is kind of like thinking out loud. I feel like I have found a great outlet for all of my passions, frustrations and ideas alike, only wish I could have found it long ago.

I am somewhat of a soloist with my thoughts, sometimes feeling like I have come up with a really original idea, or a very unique way of looking at a situation in my life, but not really sure with whom I should share it. Now I just share it with my blog. How therapeutically relaxing it has become. All I need to do is to write it out, and whether someone else agrees or not is no longer an important part of sharing it to me. If someone else can align themselves or something in their lives with my thought process, I am glad that they got something out of it, but it is basically for clearing my own mind.

I find myself stockpiling different ideas that I come across in everyday life to share with my blog. I feel like I have found a new best friend! It listens intensely, remembers from post to post and never judges. It only shares my secrets with those I choose to share them with and never talks behind my back. The best part is that it doesn't even charge me for clinic visits!

Until next time......

My Find is Hubby's Delight!

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After finding a beautiful new good quality electric fry pan at a garage sale yesterday, I bought it for $5.00, brought it home and couldn't wait to try it out. But what to make...........hummmm! As I checked out the refrigerator I found some thawed chicken breasts, some left over broccoli and a bag of shredded parmesan cheese that needed to be used up. So I started in!

I breaded my chicken breasts with cracker crumbs and fried them up in a little olive oil. I removed them, added a little butter, onion, garlic and the chopped up broccoli. Then I deglazed the pan with a little white wine that was just sitting there, and after cooking it down a bit, added a can of chicken broth. Now this whole time, I am checking out the fridge for other throw ins. I debated about adding the cream of chicken soup, but decided to use up the half and half instead. Then I mixed in the parmesan cheese.

I sliced up some left over ham and added a slice over each chicken breast and a slice of swiss cheese over that, then added them back to my sauce, covered the pan and set it on simmer. As this cooked, I realized I was going to have a lot of left over sauce, so I found a half box of shell macaroni in the cupboard and boiled it off. When the chicken and sauce were just about done, I added a can of flaky biscuits around the edges of the pan, sprinkled them with some grated parm, put the cover back on and continued cooking for 10 more minutes.

After removing the chicken and biscuits, I combined the macaroni with the sauce and we ended up with a fabulous "Chicken Cordon Bleu ala Broccoli Pasta Alfredo" dinner with only two pans to clean up! This one was too good NOT to share! Bon Appetite!

Until next time.......

God has Blessed America

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Tomorrow is the 4th of July! As I am able to watch the fireworks from the windows of my home, I have to be extremely grateful that the good Lord blessed me with my birth within this country at this time in history.

Even with the problems we are experiencing with our national economy, we are still the luckiest people on this earth. I believe that too often, our rich and fruitful homeland is too frequently undervalued by her own people. Not only do we have a vast choice in the type of climate and typography where we choose to set up a domicile, our food choices are plentiful, we have a great medical community and we have plenty of people who choose to share via hundreds of charitable means that help others in greater need. Our educational opportunities are outstanding for anyone choosing to seek them out. And our wonderfully brave children, spouses, sisters and brothers are fighting overseas at this very moment to attempt to not only preserve our great way of life, but to provide for others the opportunity to enjoy the same freedoms and blessings that we sometimes so callously take for granted.

Could you possibly imagine being the child of a third world county, where drought and famine dictate how you lived your life, in total survival mode?

God has blessed America, may we remember to give Him thanks!

Until next time........

Georgia On My Mind.........

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We have just confirmed our return to Stone Mountain in Georgia this October and I am really looking forward to it. This area was absolutely beautiful, and the people we met there were the most hospitable, kindest folks we have encountered in a while. The campgrounds overlooking the lake and the mountain itself are a spectacular view.

Located right outside of Atlanta, the location was perfect to be able to engage in any type of recreational activities imaginable. There was way too much to see for just one season. I really hope to get to the zoo, as well as some shows downtown this winter.

We had the best time exploring the actual historic town of Stone Mountain, as well as participating in the activities of the American Legion in Snellville. We met a lot of friends both in and outside of the park, and were invited to house parties and potluck get togethers that were fabulously fun.

Eugene was able to find a cute little place right outside of the park gates to play in a pool tournament every Monday night, where they served up a great Chicken Cordon Bleu, and if you're lucky enough to receive an invitation, the greatest Thanksgiving buffet you could imagine.

Until next time......

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Captain Kirk vs. the Borg......

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There is a kind of lame application on facebook called 'Six Degrees of Separation' which I had read through a couple of weeks ago and although it was very elementary, the thought has stuck in my head. With the internet and all of the new social sites out there, the chances of getting to know hundreds of people from all over the world is right there in front of you.

Is it a coincident when we run into others who share a friend from another area of the country, or as I did, find out that my husband's cousin was my best friend from 4th grade? Wouldn't you be surprised if you just traveled 1000 miles from home and the first place you stopped upon arrival, you are served by a gal from your home town? These things happen to me all the time.

I have to wonder if there is some sort of spiritual message that is being passed through these chance encounters that is written in code. I do believe that we are all just a small cell in the body of life, and that it takes all of us put together to make this world work. I think it will take this message to be understood by all of humanity to bring about the second coming of Christ and Heaven on Earth. Do you suppose we are getting closer?

I can remember watching an old 'Star Trek' episode where Captain Kirk was being assimilated by the Borg. When I first watched it, I thought how horrible that would be. To be a part of everyone else's thoughts and feelings with no individuality? I guess I have evolved over the years, as today I could see so many advantages. Just the shared knowledge alone would be fantastic. The shared experiences, the love for one another, the ability to totally understand just how and where another's personality developed into what it is today would be a joy to behold in my book. To be able to share your own love and understanding when another was in need would be a cherished gift.

For now, I will continue to watch for the coincidences~

Until next time...........