Chatbug Karen

I feel like I am in an adventure movie! I am visiting my daughter in Florida and while she has appointments with work and such, I am trying to find my way around this area. It is so helpful to have a free web directory to help me find some things to do while I am here.

I found a wonderful bookstore that I could hibernate in. It has three floors full of used books, a cafe and free wireless internet service. I love to drink my coffee and read while sitting in a big comfy chair, which they provide.

I have decided to read Twilight to see what the big deal is with this story. I read two chapters at bedtime last night and got myself intrigued enough that I want to get right to reading at every moment now. I wonder if this is the first in a series of books and if so, how many books there are. Time to settle in and read. I could get used to this life! Have a great day everyone.

I was recently looking at a website for online programs. My son is studying for another degree, and I thought that it might be a good idea for me to get an online degree. The world changes so much from year to year, and it’s a good idea to spend some time keeping up so that you don’t stay stagnant. I think that online universities are great for people who aren’t typical students. For me, there aren’t many educational opportunities nearby, so www.wgu.edu seems like a great option. They have accelerated programs, so it won’t take an exorbitant amount of time to complete a degree. They also have scholarships available. That’s really important in this economy. If you’re thinking about boosting your resume with some more education, this might be a great option for you.

My husband and I just received a letter from our insurance company letting us know that our health insurance premium for April will be $876.00. I am so disgusted. We have a policy with a $5000.00 deductible. This is crazy and if it didn’t hit us right in the wallet, would be laughable. There is not a darn thing we can do about it. We are at the age where we have a few health issues with cholesterol and blood pressure so no other insurer will cover us. They have us where they want us.

Unlike carinsurancelist.com where one can go to find out about numerous companies with which to insure an auto, we are stuck with Anthem. Yes Anthem, the business with the fancy high rise, glass fronted buildings that have ponds and beautiful landscaping.

Here is an excerpt from President Obama’s recent speech given at Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania.

And the insurance companies continue to ration health care based on who’s sick and who’s healthy; on who can pay and who can’t pay. That’s the status quo in America, and it is a status quo that is unsustainable for this country. We can’t have a system that works better for the insurance companies than it does for the American people. We need to give families and businesses more control over their own health insurance. And that’s why we need to pass health care reform — not next year, not five years from now, not 10 years from now, but now.

I never thought I would be for national health care but it is getting to the point of choosing to buy food or making enough money to pay our insurance premiums. I don’t know where else we can cut our budget.

I’m depressed.

The weatherman said it was going to rain all week so those of us with snow grit and salt on our cars have been waiting to wash our cars. I for one, hoped the rain would wash all the crud from my car so I could wash it without all that dirt ending up on the garage floor. I got a surprise yesterday when I got the oil changed in my car. Not only was my oil change free because I had reached that magic number on my kiosk card but after the oil was changed, the dealership washed my car! It wasn’t a great job but at least all the caked on stuff is on their garage floor instead of mine.

And! Guess what I got to do today?

Yes, the weather is so nice today that I got to hang out my bed sheets. Sorry Corrin. I know you hate the smell of line dried sheets. Anyway, I am so happy to be able to hang them out and pretty soon will be hanging my hip hop clothing for all the neighbors to gawk at! LOL

Spring weather just makes me feel better. I have more energy and motivation. I think I’ll go cut some fabric.

I was torn on whether to list this bag because I truly wanted to keep it for myself. I have too many bags though and so I just listed this on my Etsy site.

Don’t forget to sign up to win a Snowman Purse from Kreated by Karen. Ends March 15th.

I don’t know why but I never knew that March 8 was a day set aside to recognize women. I admire women who make a difference but didn’t know there was a specific day to honor them. Did you know it before the media talked about it? So, I’ll be taking my head out of the sand and remember my friend Kay’s mother who was one of the original women pilots. My friend, Kay, is also a pilot having been raised with a mom who knew no boundaries when it came to doing something she loved. Writing fat burner reviews was just not going to cut it when it came to what women were and are capable of accomplishing.

Some of the women who are able to make the trip to our nation’s capital are being awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for their efforts in helping the U.S. effort in World War II. The corps of female pilots able to fill all types of flying jobs at home enabled male military pilots to travel to the front. After much persuasion, women were allowed to fly as enlisted service women and were an instrumental part of the war effort during World War II, becoming the first women to fly U.S. military aircraft.

My hat’s off to women who make a difference.

We were able to choose from any past theme on Heads or Tails for this weeks theme. I chose Sweet or Sour and want to tell you about sweet!

They are out to get me. I absolutely love chocolate but it gives me headaches. I am almost willing to suffer the headache to taste those wonderful Cadbury eggs that are advertised so heavily this time of year. They are made of a milk chocolate shell, housing a white and yellow filling made from egg, cream, sugars and other additives. They are just the right consistency of chocolate versus filling, in my opinion. I can see my need for the best acne treatment already! Ha!

Another of my favorite candies are those little bird eggs. They taste like they are made of white chocolate that have a little malt flavoring. The inside is a milk chocolate. I have to eat ten of these to make up enough to satisfy my needs and wants.

From the minute we drove up to the new Lucas Oil Stadium, I was in awe. It is a huge stadium! It looks old fashioned from the outside, a bit like Hinkle Field House at Butler University. I think the architect was hoping to bring back memories of good old fashioned ball games and times when families enjoyed going to the games together.

When making our plans to attend the patio show, we decided to have my mother in-law ride in a wheelchair so that her back wouldn’t hurt at the end of the day. The handicap parking was farther away from the entrance than regular parking so we opted for a spot right up front next to the entrance. We were very lucky to get that spot. Access into the building was easy and all the guides did their jobs well. They were helpful in directing us to the nearest elevator. Once we got off the elevator, we were in a maze of hallways. We hoped we’d be able to find our way back!

Once inside the building, we found lots of cement and metal. There was very little advertising to take away from the sports memorabilia and athletic feeling. I liked that.

The show was set up with wide aisles and plenty of room for us to manuveur a wheelchair. Each access point had a ramp that made it easy to get mil everywhere we wanted to visit.

It is hard to imagine the same space is used in so many ways. Just last weekend, there was a motorcycle race in the venue! I want to go back to see a Colt’s game.

I told you I would get back to you with my review of our visit to the flower and patio show at Lucas Oil Stadium. It was called a flower show but it was more of a home show with vendors selling their wares. There were many booths selling roofing, siding and windows. We saw our share of covering for bathtubs that would make an old tub look new. There was even a booth selling anti wrinkle cream products. A bit disappointing because of all the hawkers but still we had a good time. The number of displays with gardening and patio tips was small but they made up for the amount in their awesome displays.

I am so excited because our weather turned a bit warmer yesterday and it feels like spring might actually be at our doorstep. The tulips and crocus will be peeking their heads out of the soil and that is always a good sign that warm temperatures are just around the corner. I haven’t spotted a robin yet but I am guessing I will in a day or so.

Today, hubby and I are picking up his mom and are heading to Indianapolis to have fun at the Home and Flower Show at the Lucas Oil Stadium. This is a brand new stadium that we have not seen so that will be an added adventure. All the walking we will do today will be the best sleep aid to help me battle my insomnia. I am excited to be able to get outside and walk.

From the Lucas Oil Stadium website:
Skywalks link the Indiana Convention Center to eight premium hotels – Westin, Hyatt, Marriott, Conrad Hilton, Omni, Crowne Plaza, Embassy Suites and Canterbury Hotel. Add those to the numerous other downtown hotels with varying price ranges and you have a grand total of over 5,156 hotel rooms within a six-block radius. The compactness of downtown Indianapolis puts you within steps of dozens of restaurants including Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, St. Elmo’s, Oceanaire, Palomino Euro Bistro and Shula’s. You are also steps away from theaters, nightclubs, museums and shopping in the Circle Centre Shopping and Entertainment Complex, where you will find Nordstrom’s and Carson Pirie Scott among the 100 outlets. Even the airport is only a quick 12-minute ride away.

I cannot wait to tell you about our trip today. I am sure I will come home wanting to get my hands dirty and get some things planted!