Birthday week

A long birthday week. It all started in Chicago for business. I usually dread these 5-day trips away from family but Chicago is such a great city it made it more bearable.

I got to walk in Millenium Park and see some pretty cool video installations. There were these two screens about two or three stories high facing each other. Crazy.We also went to see Billy Elliott, which was visually amazing. I forgot how much I love live theater.

Finally, I got to visit the Art Institute, but for a really short period of time. I wish I could have had a full day there.


All week, everyone kept asking what I was going to do for my birthday. I had no plans but to be home after a week away. So we went to see Shrek in 3D, walked around Lake Merritt and played in the playgrounds along the way.

We went to Little Shin Shin's for dinner and came home for a chocolate cake.

I ended the evening watching Planet of The Apes with BZ. He bought me the full series on DVD, sweet.
One of the themes in Shrek was about appreciating what you have. The movie wasn't so good but thematically it hit me hard. Sometimes the everyday can be difficult, frustrating, boring, stressful...fill in the blank. And, its very easy to dream back to "before all this...". So today, post trip, post birthday, I may be dreading the preschool birthday party that looms ahead of us...but what's the alternative? Not having these kids? Not being with BZ?

When I was single, I dreamed of meeting someone, I dreamed of having kids. I also dreamed of saving the world. And now, I sometimes fantasize of the glory that is being single, the freedom mainly to do whatever I wanted to do....I suppose that's life, really. We cannot have it all. Or, we need to redefine "all." I still dream of saving the world but it might have to wait a bit.

Mother's Day 2010

Happy Mother's Day.

This morning, we drove down to Los Gatos for a 5K Fun Run, organized by The Mother's Milk Bank of San Jose. I know I've run (and walked) other 5Ks but this one was different and far more meaningful to me.

When Aiden was born, I had to return to work much quicker than expected (or originally agreed to). I was unprepared. I was without childcare and without backup milk. It was around Christmas that I was told that I had to return the 1st week of the new year. In addition to the stress of trying to hire someone to help out during a major holiday, I had to begin pumping like a mad woman. Stick with me, I swear this is related to the 5K....

OK, so now back to work but, since I was nursing, and, since I was the only source of food for my baby Aiden (he was around 2 months old at the time), I was freaked about producing enough for him to live on when I was on the road. And, as it turned out, the stress reduced what I could pump while away from home. I couldn't keep up. In addition, I had business trips. Aiden came along. Still, not enough milk.

Sorry, I forgot to mention that Aiden was allergic to any supplement, any formula, anything other than milk from nursing. I am not trying to be super Earth Mom here but I am telling you, anything other than water and mother's milk made the Exorcist look tame. I couldn't really afford to quit my job nor did I want to feed him water as a meal, but it seemed like the only choice. Until.....I was told about The Mother's Milk Bank of San Jose. They are one of just a few milk banks across the country, and as of this year, they have been around for 36 yrs. They provide mother's milk, donated by over-producing (and very generous) lactating women. They test, pasteurize, bottle and freeze milk in 3oz bottles. The milk is only available with a prescription from a doctor.

I commuted down to San Jose every few weeks to pick up my tray of bottles at $3/oz. I spent a lot on milk. Finally, at 16 months, we discovered that Aiden could tolerate goat's milk and my spending spree came to an end.

So the 5K. When I saw this race listed, I knew I had to run. So this morning, I ran. And ran, beyond the 5K distance since the route was so ill-marked. It was worth it. I got to meet the executive director and of course, burst into tears.

I introduced her to Aiden and I cried some more, again, in gratitude. I returned home with two balloons, a runner's medal and sore muscles. I also returned home feeling really good and mom-ish.

Lego Death Star Part 2

The Lego Death Star kit arrived on April 19th. Max finished building on May 1st. A great project, and impressive all around.


Lots of pieces, over 3800...



While building, its really fun to play on since it comes with loads of guys...








This is the final deal, boys posing, apparently as Jedi...

Lego Death Star Part 1

Max has been saving up for over a year to buy the Lego Death Star. Finally last week, he had saved the $400 needed. Yes, $400. I called the Lego store in advance, and found out to my horror that the Death Star was on back order. I prepared Max for the let down and of course, he cried...and cried. So we went to the store anyway, placed the order AND bought a small little "in the meantime kit" to hold him over. That was purchased with the points earned from the Death Star...wow.

The guy at the checkout counter couldn't have been much over 20 yrs old. He was very impressed at 7 yr old Max and his $400 savings. I am over 45 and I cannot imagine having $400 in my wallet either. I am amazed when I can keep over $40 for more than a few days. I know its different for a kid who has nothing to buy but still....

We were told the kit would be shipped on April 29 or May 1st. We just got an update today and found out it should arrive within a week, by April 19th. We are all very excited. Part 2 coming soon!

Easter Seder

So I started the day as the Easter Bunny and ended the day with a small simple Seder.


In the middle of the day, I went to a yoga class where I learned a yoga-style hulu dance. At the end, when we were in the relaxation pose (laying down, eyes closed), the instructur quoted Marianne Williamson, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." It is exactly what I needed to hear.

Health Care Reform

In case you are unsure of where this new bill leaves us...

There are no death panels, no mandatory abortions, no mandated government controlled healthcare. You can relax, the insurance companies still get to make giant profits and in fact make more now that health care will be mandated. But this bill, as disappointing as it is to us lefties, and as scary as it is to conservatives, has some good stuff in it.

Here is a good summary of how it plays out in California, not so different around the country:


ANALYSIS: HEALTH REFORM'S BENEFITS FOR CALIFORNIA

As our state has one of the highest rates of uninsured, low-wage families who need help to afford coverage, workers who don't get coverage on the job, and people denied for pre-existing conditions, Californians would especially benefit from this health reform that directly addresses these issues.

On Tuesday, President Obama signed a "reconciliation" package of improvements to the base health reform proposal he approved last week. That package improved the measure for California, increasing aid to the state budget of California and improving subsidies for low- and moderate-income families to afford coverage in this high cost-of-living state.

From the House Energy and Commerce Committee and other sources, here's some analysis of the benefits of the health reform bill to California:

The law prevents the worst abuses of the insurance industry, installing consumer protections that will provide more security to all Californians. It also provide specific help to many Californians. Health reform will:
* Extend health coverage to 3.8 million uninsured Californians and improve coverage for 21 million Californians with employer-based or individual health insurance, ultimately extending coverage to 94% of the population.
* Guarantee that 800,000 Californians with pre-existing conditions can obtain coverage.
* Protect 66,000 California families from bankruptcy due to unaffordable health care costs.
* Allow 3.2 million young adults in California to obtain coverage on their parents’ insurance plans.

Over the next ten years, the state and its residents will receive new federal support for health care worth approximately $124 billion. In California, the law will:
* Provide families with tax credits to purchase health care coverage and other federal health care benefits worth $106 billion.
* Provide small businesses with $4.3 million worth of health care tax credits.
* Fill the donut hole, saving seniors $9.3 billion in drug costs.
* Provide $1.4 billion in new funding to community health centers.
* Reduce uncompensated care costs for California health care providers by $2.6 billion.

Some specific benefits:

Affordability Assistance Through Middle Class Tax Credits and Medi-Cal

California residents that do not receive health care coverage through their employer will be able to purchase coverage at group rates through the new health insurance exchange.

To make this insurance affordable, the new health care reform law provides middle class families with incomes up to $88,000 for a family of four with tax credits to help pay for coverage in the exchange, so that coverage is not more than a certain (sliding scale) percentage of income.

For a family of four making $50,000, the average tax credit will be approximately $5,800. There are 7.2 million households in California that could qualify for these credits if they purchase health insurance through the exchange or, in the case of households with incomes below 133% of poverty, receive coverage through Medi-Cal. These families will receive $106 billion in tax credits and other federal health care assistance over the next decade.

Support for Small Business to Help Purchase Coverage for Their Workers
Small businesses with 25 employees or less and average wages of less than $50,000 will qualify for tax credits of up to 50% of the costs of providing health insurance. There are approximately 775,000 small businesses in California that could qualify for tax credits for providing coverage. These businesses will receive $4.6 billion in tax cuts over the next decade.

Help for Seniors Who Now See a Part D Donut Hole in Their Drug Coverage
There are 465,000 California seniors who have their Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage "run out" each year, dealing with a "donut hole" in their coverage. Under the new law, these beneficiaries will receive a $250 rebate in 2010, 50% discounts on brand name drugs beginning in 2011, and complete closure of the donut hole within a decade. A typical beneficiary who enters the donut hole will see savings of over $700 in 2011 and over $3,000 by 2020. Over the next decade, seniors in California who hit the donut hole will save a total of $9.3 billion.

New Funds for Community Health Centers
There are almost 1,100 community health centers in California that provide health care to the poor and medically under-served. Nationwide, the legislation would provide $11 billion in new funding for these centers. If the community health centers in the state receive the average level of support, the 1,100 centers will receive $1.4 billion in new assistance.

Reducing the Cost of Uncompensated Care
California hospitals and health providers incur billions of dollars in uncompensated costs for providing health care for individuals without health insurance or with inadequate insurance. By providing quality, affordable health care coverage for almost every American, the new health care reform law will reduce the costs of uncompensated care for California health care providers by $2.6 billion over the next decade.
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I believe everyone has a right to health care so I do believe in single payer and this current new law is not that. It's not exactly the bill I supported, I think it doesn't go far enough BUT I do think its important to note that this bill will save billions of dollars over the next 10 years and trillions over the next 20. And, more people will get covered which is also good. Its a start.

The Inaugural Oakland Marathon (and 5K)

Tonight I ran in the Oakland Twilight 5K that kicked off the big Oakland Marathon Weekend. I was going to blow it off since I haven't gone running in months, in fact, haven't exercised in months. Exception, yesterday I went to yoga (1st time since Max was a baby...that's 7 yrs).

The big mistake, other than not running before today, was going on a big family hike this afternoon several hours before the race. So, what little strength I had...became littler.

I finished, I ran the whole way, minus a 45 second walk to drink the water they handed me. Oh, and toward the end, I started to walk but a woman told me, "We're almost there and you are my exact same pace!" So I kept running and finished. A bit disappointing even for being in bad shape.

#2643

Margaret

Schultz

Oakland

CA

45

F

Time: 46:41

576 of 729

(UPDATE: Chip time reported at 41:29)

Embarassing. but now I am inspired to begin running again. I was down to 36 minutes and can get there again. I also think, if I can run on a regular schedule, I can get faster than that, maybe 30 minutes?

Here's Nicole, the woman who kept me going:

And here's me, grateful to be done:
Did I mention that the fire department was handing out cans of beer to finishers? Somehow it struck me as tacky...but I drank anyway.