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Let There Be Light

I can see it, smell it, and almost touch it. It’s the light at the end of the tunnel. And by tunnel I mean my daughter’s school year. In two weeks I will enjoy a treasured reprieve from the worst mom job ever—packing school lunches. I abhor the near daily ritual, which hurts my brain, as much as it does my wallet. I’ve endured this penitent practice for nearly three years and I still haven’t figured out what I can pack that my now 8-year-old won’t toss into the school’s 80-gallon garbage barrel. Aside from the torment of devising a … Continue reading →

Taking Debt Too Lightly

Why is it so easy to go into debt and so hard to get out of it? I think for modern generations, there has been a culture of taking debt too lightly. Fortunately, for some of us, that culture is changing toward one of getting rid of debt or not getting into it in the first place. Meanwhile, there is still a more corporate culture that encourages debt, and it is one, as individuals, that we have to fight against in order to be solvent and live a good life. Being offered a loan, whether it is a home mortgage, … Continue reading →

Bright Lights, Empty Wallet

Have you seen the oh-so cute, fluffy-looking light-up pink Christmas flamingo that Target is selling in its seasonal section? You know; the one that all the kids are drooling over, including my 8-year-old. You know; the one that is not on sale. Yeah.  That one. What parent can rationalize paying nearly 50 bucks for a knee-high bird wearing a Santa hat?  Sure, he lights up, but so does the inflatable snowman at the Dollar Store… if I place a string of LEDs on him. Newsflash:  I did not win the Powerball jackpot. In other news:  My kid doesn’t care. She … Continue reading →

Let There Be Light

If it were a crime to be eating leftover Halloween candy in late November, I’d be in jail right now. There’s something not quite right about stuffing your face with Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkins while stringing up Christmas lights. Which is why I did the former rather than the latter today. Apparently, I was the only one. It seems all my neighbors were on the same page this weekend: “Let’s add some holiday twinkle to our homes while Michele polishes off her kid’s Halloween treats.” Mission accomplished. On both fronts. Listen, I’m all about decking the halls, but my family … Continue reading →

Lights Out? Work On!

As I sit here writing this evening’s blog posts, the lights in the living room are flickering. With each flicker, I wonder whether that is the moment in which we will lose our electricity to Hurricane Sandy. Since I am in Vermont, there is still plenty of time before the storm passes, so losing power is well within the range of possibilities. In fact, I went through my day today with the notion that it’s not a matter of if the power goes out, but when. After Hurricane Irene struck Vermont last year, we were without electricity for about ten … Continue reading →

More Green Athletes

Yesterday I was blogging about green athletes and I realized there were way more than I knew about, so this turned into a two-part blog. Competitive swimmer Natalie Coughlin needs minerals and vitamins to give her energy, especially during the Olympics. How does she get it? By having her own chickens lay fresh eggs and growing vegetables in her own garden. It’s not only Olympic athletes who try to live green though. NFL linebacker Will Witherspoon, an animal lover, raises Animal Welfare Approved grass-fed cattle. He spoke before Congress against the practice of feeding farm animals antibiotics. NFL fullback Ovie … Continue reading →

Letting Hope Light Your Path

When a teenager decides to take a path you never hoped they would travel, nor did you ever imagine they would, it can result in a mother questioning her abilities. I know because I have been there. You ask yourself what signs you might have missed. I know because I asked myself that. You wonder if you could have changed the course. I know because I have wondered the same thing. You wonder if it will ever get better. I know because I had those concerns. And you ask yourself, “What can I do to make sure this never happens … Continue reading →

Green Athletes

I have blogged about green celebrities, green musicians, and green models, but there are also plenty of green athletes in the world. First, since the London Olympics are still fresh on everyone’s mind, let’s take a look at a few green Olympians. No doubt you heard the name Usain Bolt a few million times during the London Olympics. Okay, maybe not quite that much, but the self-proclaimed Fastest Man of Earth’s name was certainly mentioned a lot. Bolt took home gold in the 100 m, 200 m, and 2×100 m relay. But, he also serves at the ambassador of culture/sport … Continue reading →

Summer Reading Series: Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet

What do Three Billy Goats Gruff and Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet have in common? Believe it or not; an important lesson in parenting. Allow me to explain. A few months ago, my daughter’s second grade class decided to put on a play. Yup. Three Billy Goats Gruff. Tryouts were held and my seven-year-old did her best to score the part she had her heart set on: Baby Goat. Fortunately, I had enough time to emotionally prepare her in case she didn’t get the coveted role. “That’s okay, Mommy,” she reasoned “if I don’t get to be the Baby … Continue reading →

Insurance Blog Week in Review – July 15 – 21, 2012

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Once a week, the Insurance Blog Week in Review brings you an easy way to “ketchup” on the blogs that have been posted here in the past seven days. There could be anywhere between twelve and fourteen blogs that appear. What did you miss? Governor Jay Nixon Vetoes Law Denying Birth Control Coverage Missouri Governor Jay Nixon vetoed a bill that would have allowed health insurers to opt-out of covering birth control even if the employer and employee wanted it to be covered. Missouri already has a law that allows employers or workers opt-out of birth control coverage if it … Continue reading →