Let's Socialize!

Well, actually lets not. Don't get me wrong, I think communication is a good thing. But lets keep the -isms off the ending on those important words. Lets face it, our country is becoming more socialistic as the grass grows after a good spring rain. All the liberal thinkers of our nation are seeding the idea that everyone should share everything, all shall be equal, and love and peace will prevail across the land. Everyone should be assigned a pair of rose colored lenses while were at it. The thing is this. The law of consecration (meaning God's law of equality where everyone is righteous and works at it continually and therefore shares all they have) is a perfect concept. I mean concept as in IDEA. When we have the whole nation/world on the same page with all selfishness being abolished and having a supreme perfect leader (The Savior) to guide us, then let socialism abound. However, therein lies the problem. We don't have these key components at this time to make it work. Being in health care I see things from a behind the scenes approach. I was at lunch the other day chatting with a colleague from Brazil. We were talking about CT scans and MRI scans from a lecture we just heard on sinus surgery. So she asked me how long it took to get a CT scan here in the states. I told her 2-3 days in an out-patient setting. When I asked her, she said about 6 months. Then if you needed an MRI after that, you get on the list and it's another 6 months. They are discouraged from getting MRI's because they are expensive. So to work up a case of surgical sinusitis may take many months to years. Can your sinus head-aches wait that long? So, on went our discussion. Apparently if you don't have any dire or acute illness it's great. Women can get free breast augmentation paid for by the state since it's "free". You just get on a waiting list, and in 3-4 years you'll be every man's dream. Just hope and pray you don't get any complications. Remember, if they become infected or start eroding out... it takes 6 months to get some sort of imaging. Of course there is always the ER to bail you out in emergent cases (infections and trauma), but for the other stuff... just be prepared to pay with lots of T.I.M.E. (Tincture of Immediate Medical Exclusion). My father always uses the quote "There is no such thing as a free lunch, someone will always pay". But oh Richard, our health care system is so unfair for the poor who can't afford health insurance! Ha! Does anyone realize how many people are on state assistance programs? Try 46.8 million! (Click here to see the quoted article) Do you realize how easy it is to get on medicaid (state assisted health care)? Personally, I got on as a medical student being the poor rodent that I was. Of course, it is meant for people who will only be on it for a few years during their trek up the rungs of life. However, it seems to collect those who are born to mooch the rest of their lives. Yes, I am heartless at times. But what about those who are disabled! Well, there are several options here too... For veterans, there is the VA. For those who get shot by police after they had committed an egregious crime, there is federal disability insurance ready to wipe your backside 24/7. The real question to the latter is how they drink and smoke such unholy amounts on a daily basis. That still baffles me. If you know, then please leave your comment. I'm sure you're as happy as I am though paying for all of their ER visits after their token once a month bar brawl. So, in summary... For all who don't fall into those categories above and still want "free" health care, join the Army, or go to Brazil.

Granola heaven

Well, random post time. I came home from Nebraska visiting wife and kids and in-laws. They let me go home with some awesome (how's that for spelling deb) granola. It just needed a little oven toasting and BAM! I had toasted granola for dinner tonight and loved every bite of it. Thanks Marielle!

I'll look into the recipe for you Jennerator. It's actually one of my other sister-in-law's recipes.

My mom has a good one too. I'll email it to you though. I'd feel way too metro by posting a recipe.

An ode to the stay at home mom

Incredible by definition: difficult to believe or extraordinary. That is what a "stay at home mother is". I was at church sunday (not my home ward) and was talking with a mother who had recently moved into that ward. While chatting, she mentioned how she was going to get daycare for her child two days a week whether she found a job or not, just for some "alone time". Now I don't blame her because I would feel the same way due to my unruly lack of patience. And what can I say, I'm a guy and a guy needs his cave time.

But I also thought, how very sad to hear that from a mother with her above average cute baby in her arms. Why have children if you only want to raise them part time?

Then I look at my wife, sisters, and sisters in law. All of which are hard working, full time mothers. I see the women they associate with and how amazing they are with their children. The amount of energy, stamina, patience, love, and understanding continues to blow me away. Having time away from home allows me to reflect on how amazing the "stay at home" mom really is. She doesn't have a job to where she can "escape". She can't come home and have dinner all hot and warm ready to eat without doing it herself. The mountains of laundry to do due to messy children (husband included) are never ending. Scheduling in play groups, swim time, zoo time, and reading time is all part of the normal routine.

It's amazing the house gets cleaned, the mountain of toys remains minimal throughout the house, finances are closely examined, and bills miraculously get paid on time. The juggle with screaming children while carrying on a phone conversation is nearly impossible but somehow is accomplished. Most of the "me time" is eaten up if a child is teething, sick, or decides not to take a nap. To squeeze in a blog post and a quick run is a lofty yet somehow obtainable goal.

A thankless job indeed, and having only one mothers day a year definitely is not enough. I just wanted to thank all the "stay at home" mothers out there for providing the greatest sacrifice for your children... you. And a thank you to all who are not full time mothers (due to unavoidable circumstances), but yet are aspiring to such a noble sacrifice. Our nation of closely monitored and cared-for-youth whom you raise will be our societal pillars of tomorrow.

Thanks and no thanks Jennerator.

Yes Cassie, I don't think that's what Brigham Young had in mind (leave the family so she could go work...)when he spoke about his desire for all women to have an education. By the way, I admire you for being a teacher. It's such a noble profession indeed. Teachers have so much power to do so much good for the children of our nation. I know mine had a great influence on me.

The Cottonwood Borer

Click here for the story.

Ritalin me this Ritalin me that

Methylphenidate the ADD drug...It's amazing to me how many parents turn to "fixing" their hyperactive child using this drug. I was in the clinic a couple of days ago seeing my usual patients, and I hear a little boy with a BIG personality getting his sutures removed a couple of rooms down. I happened to assist my attending in doing his surgery so I naturally took interest in seeing the healing process after our surgical insult. He was about 7 years old and knew what he did and didn't want. He wanted to go swimming, and he didn't want me looking at his ear. So, he proceeded to try and make a deal with me as he bounced to and from the examination chair. I couldn't promise him anything but a sticker at the end of the visit. With some coaxing from his mother and myself, I was able to take a look in his ear. I couldn't keep from chuckling and smiling the whole time while making deals and watching his wild, yet directed behavior.

After the visit, more than once the mother told us that she was taking him next to his doctors appointment where he will get his prescription for Ritalin. It amazed me to hear a mom trying to give us an excuse for his behavior, albeit very funny, being outlandish and inappropriate. It seems the knee jerk reflex to the unmanageable child is Ritalin, or one of it's cousins that calm the "ADD (attention deficit disorder)". It made me contemplate on how children were managed when we didn't have the mind altering drugs available...

I can think of a few things that stopped my wild child behavior. 1. Lots of outdoor recess time. 2. A disappointed mother. 3. Being involved in sporting events. 4. Given much time to be creative.

5. And last but not least of all-A father with a paddle with the know-how to use it.

So, let me know what stopped your wild child behavior.

SAVED at last! Deb finally arrived to her fan club at 10:30pm. She was greeted by her over-joyous children. That is, over-joyous if they had been awake. I tried to keep them busy enough to keep them worn out which seemed to work. Anyway, here are some shots of them...

At the park, Brock asked to be put "in jail" with Emma. I hope this doesn't carry over to later in life. If only our prisoners were to be encarcerated like this...I wonder what our crime rate would be.

Doesn't that look like fun?

Yes, Emma has some serious singing talent. She can even sing upside down. She actually refused to allow me to turn the book around. And yes, that is the same dress she is wearing at the park. Good thing her mother has returned.