2009 The Year In Review

How do you describe 2009? It was a year where everything happened and nothing happened. Strange, huh?

We started and ended the year with a crappy economy. The 'change' that the new Obama administration promised amounted to very little actual change. Now I'm not entirely blaming President Obama, anyone with half a brain knew he couldn't fix everything at once, but I am a little upset about the planed troop surge in Afghanistan and I think the new "Health Care Reform" amounts to a lot of nothing that doesn't address the real problem with our health care system - cost. It would have been simple and easy to fix everything - just tell all medical providers that if they take ANY government funds, then the most they can charge ANY patient (regardless of their insurance status) is the Medicare/Medicaid 'reasonable and customary". Then the undue burden of excess charges wouldn't have to be laid at the feet of the people least likely to afford it. Seriously people, if I sold my marshmallows to one group and charged them $5.00 but to another group charged $1000.00, how long would you think most people would put up with that? But that's what happens and why the cost of healthcare is astronomical. Insurance companies would still exist (in fact it would help encourage more insurance companies to exist because smaller providers could then compete with the huge conglomerates) and doctors who wanted to charge huge fees would still exist, in fact it would create more 'boutique' and 'concierge' doctors because rich people will still pay more voluntarily. All it would do is create a reasonable pricing structure. Not socialized medicine. We'd still choose our doctors, we'd still have uninsured patients but they would be more likely to be able to afford their bills. Does it solve every problem? No. But it does address the biggest problem without costing a single dime. Feel free to use this, you Washington politicians who have NO CLUE about the realities of dealing with the problem. If you need more advice, call me.

On a personal level, this year was one of huge change and yet I still haven't felt the impact of that change very much. Will and Val got married in May, after much stressful planning on my part. I don't regret a minute of it, the bride got her Masters degree on time, the wedding was beautiful and if I ever find my Mr. Close Enough, I'm eloping. Seriously, I'm so happy for them and I think they are both wonderful people who are committed to making their marriage a great one. It's not always easy, but they know that marriage takes work and communication. Bravo!

The wedding not only let me plan and execute a wedding but simply baking some cookies for the bridal shower led me to a new path on my life journey. Last year at this time I had no idea that I would be a small business owner. But those cookies led to more cookies, that wedding cake led to more wedding cakes and all of that led to a marshmallow empire (okay, not empire but still a thriving marshmallow enterprise.) I'm still in a bit of shock and awe of it all. But it proves to me that if you love something and you are willing to put in the time and effort, the American dream is still alive and well. And it also proves that if you love it, it doesn't feel like work. Plus I get to eat leftover cookies, cupcakes and marshmallows, it's like a dream (of course, considering the size of my ass, it's probably more of a nightmare.)

I also acted in my first feature film this year, and it was a BLAST. Seriously, if you ever get the chance to make a movie with your friends, jump at it. You will have so much fun (and now I know why directors like Wes Anderson, Kevin Smith and Jon Favreau use the same casts over and over again, because playing with your friends is so cool.) I don't think the reality of the movie has hit me yet and it probably won't until I'm sitting in a theater watching it. The first cast and crew screening should happen in January and the film is being sent for consideration at film festivals around the world. Our goal is ten festivals in 2010. So hopefully it will be coming to a theater near you!

The Graminator continues to slowly fade away in memory and this year has been really rough. But she got to go to her grandson's wedding and she continues to teach me patience and understanding. We laugh together every day and she lets me sing my silly songs (I use songs and repetition to help her memory as much as I can) and when I get angry or frustrated or upset, she is compassionate and helpful and encouraging. She is my burden and my blessing in one. So I guess though my family I've gotten the wedding I never thought I'd have and the child I never thought I'd have (although she's my 88 year old baby!) I've learned that you may get everything you want in life, it just might not be the way you thought it would happen.

Okay, so what's up for 2010? With the New Year starting on a full (and blue) moon, who knows? But tomorrow is resolution day!

Favorite Christmas Memory

I have lots of Christmas memories and I hold each one dear in my heart. My family is my blessing and for them I am grateful. This year I have chosen to hold onto and remember forever - me and The Graminator singing loudly (and most decidedly off key) "Meet Me in St. Louis" on Christmas Eve.
I don't know how such a silly little thing can mean so much. Bless you Judy Garland.

Cards and Greetings

Today I go the first my first Christmas card of the season. Or should I say holiday card? Because while I'm not particularly religious (and had parents of varying faiths) I generally adapt to the tradition of a secular Christmas. (But to my Jewish friends and Loyal Readers, Happy Hanukkah!) In past years I have bought cards that had the message "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings" not to be 'politically correct', but out of respect for my friends and their various multitude of religious, spiritual and secular beliefs. Plus it's cheaper than buying Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice and all other kinds of cards. So I can completely understand why the first card I received had "Season's Greetings" on it. Non-denominational means that all of your recipients can place their own meaning on the season and you respect everyone, equally. But it seems that while I took the card in the manner in which I'm pretty sure it was intended, a lot of people are mad about this same card.

Oh, did I mention that the card was from the President and Mrs. Obama? From the White House? Yeah. It's nice and I like it, but I'm pretty sure the Obama's didn't say, "Oh, yeah, don't forget Shae!". I think that I got it because as a Democrat and a caucus volunteer last year I made someone's list and that got me on the White House list. I'm flattered because, no offense intended, I never got one from the Clinton White House (and I voted for that dude twice!)

It's a lovely card, much nicer that any I have bought to send out. I usually get my cards at the Dollar store or on sale for 75% off after Christmas. Heck the last two years, I haven't even sent out cards, I've sent our economical and eco-friendly emails. This one is nice and thick and classy looking so I'm betting the Obama's didn't get them at "99 Cents Only". But I guess a lot of people are mad that the card didn't specifically say "Merry Christmas". Um, okay, but then the White House would have to send all it's Jewish supporters a Hanukkah card. And what if they send the wrong card out? I mean, not all people with 'Jewish sounding' last names are Jews and not all Christian sounding names are Christians. Think of the mess that could lead to. So I think the formal and lovely "Season's Greetings" card is both lovely and appropriate. But Fox News doesn't. So I hope the White House didn't send them one.

I do have one dilemma about this card. Does this mean I have to send the Obama's a holiday card now?