When I went to church on Sunday, the Pastor made an announcement that kind of surprised me. He told the congregation we could now pay our tithes online.
I assume this is a trend more and more churches are following, which makes it easier to collect the one-tenth we are supposed to give from the financial blessings God has given us.
Why should paying our tithes online be any different than paying our bills online? Paying our bills online not only saves us a stamp but it also saves us gas money since we don't have to drive to the location to pay in person.
Is that what's going to happen with the church? Are some of us going to start paying our tithes online so we don't have to drive to the House of God to pay in person?
Paying online seems like an "opt out" clause to me. You can still honor your tithing commitment, without having to be in church. Will this trend form a new generation of the Bedside Baptists.
What do you think?
Monday, May 10, 2010
Saturday, May 08, 2010
Baby Boomers and The Country Club Mentality
Prior to leaving campus for the summer my daughter asked me to come visit so I could go apartment hunting with her.
Much to my surprise, every apartment complex she liked at had a pool and fitness center. The landscaping was impeccable and some were gated communitities---which means a security guard had to approve your entrance. Rent ranged from $595 to $800.
My, how college life has changed!
My first apartment in college was on the upper floor of a two bedroom house. It wasn't in the best condition but it was liveable and it was quiet. It had a stove and refrigerator but no fancy carpet and certainly no pool in the back yard. My fitness workout was the distance I had to walk from my apartment to campus. My rent was $100/mo plus utilities.
OK, so that was more than 30 years ago and I do understand the cost of living and all but what happened to the little mom and pop landlords who just want to help out students who are trying to advance in life? Do they exist anymore?
But then I thought maybe that's not the issue. Maybe my daughter didn't seek them out because she has become accustomed to a certain lifestyle. She has never known what "second hand" is or had to live in a less than desireable home. She grew up with a country club mentality because of her parents.
I believe we, as baby boomer parents, have to look at ourselves when it comes to how our children are growing up. Many young people today feel a sense of entitlement. Why? Because we have given it to them. A lot of them have no clue as to what it's like to struggle for anything because we constantly provide for them---even to a fault.
To my daughter's credit though, she does have a job and has been operating on a budget. She is also mindful of the fact that she has a son for whom she must provide for.
By the end of our apartment hunting, she came to the conclusion that she needed to give it more thought and work out a financial plan.
Pretty smart for a young lady who came from a country club mentality.
Much to my surprise, every apartment complex she liked at had a pool and fitness center. The landscaping was impeccable and some were gated communitities---which means a security guard had to approve your entrance. Rent ranged from $595 to $800.
My, how college life has changed!
My first apartment in college was on the upper floor of a two bedroom house. It wasn't in the best condition but it was liveable and it was quiet. It had a stove and refrigerator but no fancy carpet and certainly no pool in the back yard. My fitness workout was the distance I had to walk from my apartment to campus. My rent was $100/mo plus utilities.
OK, so that was more than 30 years ago and I do understand the cost of living and all but what happened to the little mom and pop landlords who just want to help out students who are trying to advance in life? Do they exist anymore?
But then I thought maybe that's not the issue. Maybe my daughter didn't seek them out because she has become accustomed to a certain lifestyle. She has never known what "second hand" is or had to live in a less than desireable home. She grew up with a country club mentality because of her parents.
I believe we, as baby boomer parents, have to look at ourselves when it comes to how our children are growing up. Many young people today feel a sense of entitlement. Why? Because we have given it to them. A lot of them have no clue as to what it's like to struggle for anything because we constantly provide for them---even to a fault.
To my daughter's credit though, she does have a job and has been operating on a budget. She is also mindful of the fact that she has a son for whom she must provide for.
By the end of our apartment hunting, she came to the conclusion that she needed to give it more thought and work out a financial plan.
Pretty smart for a young lady who came from a country club mentality.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
3 Rules for Work
Each day as I'm driving my grandson to daycare, I feel it necessary to reinforce the Grandma Rules for Daycare.
1) "Don't let Miss Candy have to call me about your behavior."
2) "Don't be mean to others and make sure you share."
3) "Have a good day!"
Today, this little three-year-old decided to give ME some rules as I was preparing to meet a client.
1) He said, "Don't get in a fight with nobody."
2) "If you get some popcorn make sure you share it with everybody."
3) "Have a good day!"
Yes, our children do watch and listen.
1) "Don't let Miss Candy have to call me about your behavior."
2) "Don't be mean to others and make sure you share."
3) "Have a good day!"
Today, this little three-year-old decided to give ME some rules as I was preparing to meet a client.
1) He said, "Don't get in a fight with nobody."
2) "If you get some popcorn make sure you share it with everybody."
3) "Have a good day!"
Yes, our children do watch and listen.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Don't Let the Lack of Gray Hair Fool You
I used to believe stress was the reason our hair turned gray but if that was, indeed, the case I'd have a headful about right now.
But don't let the lack of gray hair fool you.
Being the primary caregiver for my three-year-old grandson is as challenging as any obstacle course I would ever compete in. My physical and mental abilities are called into question EVERY DAY. No, he's not a bad child by any means---because grandma don't play that---but he is so full of energy and life and seems to be on overdrive from the moment he wakes up until it's time to go to bed at night. And even then, it's a fight to get him to actually get in bed and close his eyes. Poor grandma has to resort to lying about a make-believe bogeyman who will take him away if he doesn't go to sleep.
OK, so here's what I've discovered...Stress won't turn hair white overnight. That's an old wives' tale. But according to Tyler Cymet, a researcher at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, consistent mental and physical stress—over the course of many years—may cause premature aging of the body, including hair.
Hair turns gray when the cells that produce pigment stop doing their job. Stress doesn't directly cause these cells to bow out, but it does affect how quickly hair is shed. The faster hair falls out and regrows, the more quickly pigment cells break down.
Cymet thinks that on average people today are going gray about five years earlier than they did in 1970. He attributes the difference to a faster lifestyle, poor diet and lack of sleep.
Like I said, don't let the lack of gray hair fool you.
But don't let the lack of gray hair fool you.
Being the primary caregiver for my three-year-old grandson is as challenging as any obstacle course I would ever compete in. My physical and mental abilities are called into question EVERY DAY. No, he's not a bad child by any means---because grandma don't play that---but he is so full of energy and life and seems to be on overdrive from the moment he wakes up until it's time to go to bed at night. And even then, it's a fight to get him to actually get in bed and close his eyes. Poor grandma has to resort to lying about a make-believe bogeyman who will take him away if he doesn't go to sleep.
OK, so here's what I've discovered...Stress won't turn hair white overnight. That's an old wives' tale. But according to Tyler Cymet, a researcher at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, consistent mental and physical stress—over the course of many years—may cause premature aging of the body, including hair.
Hair turns gray when the cells that produce pigment stop doing their job. Stress doesn't directly cause these cells to bow out, but it does affect how quickly hair is shed. The faster hair falls out and regrows, the more quickly pigment cells break down.
Cymet thinks that on average people today are going gray about five years earlier than they did in 1970. He attributes the difference to a faster lifestyle, poor diet and lack of sleep.
Like I said, don't let the lack of gray hair fool you.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
The Tea Party May Be for Boomers But Not For Babies
Last month, my three-year-old grandson joined our neighborhood youth soccer league. I wanted him involved in some type of sport so he could burn off some energy and learn how to play with others. So far---so good.
But what I have come to discover is, his coach---"Coach John"---is a proud member of the Tea Party. You know them---the gun toting, we don't like anything President Obama does, Sarah Palin supporters who are stockpiling weapons and daring anyone to take away their second amendment rights.
How did I find this out? When I created a Facebook Fan Page for the soccer group the other day, I invited everyone involved to become a fan. He did. I then went to his profile page and read his comments and also saw the people he was connected too--very scary.
This is certainly not someone I would want to be an influence in my grandson's life but so far, he hasn't been anything but decent and helpful to the kids, who are mostly African American.
I'm writing this post as an advisory to parents and grandparents. With social media being as prevelant as it is today, you can find out about anybody with a little research. Do your homework and know who your children are associating with---even if it's for the little activities like soccer.
But what I have come to discover is, his coach---"Coach John"---is a proud member of the Tea Party. You know them---the gun toting, we don't like anything President Obama does, Sarah Palin supporters who are stockpiling weapons and daring anyone to take away their second amendment rights.
How did I find this out? When I created a Facebook Fan Page for the soccer group the other day, I invited everyone involved to become a fan. He did. I then went to his profile page and read his comments and also saw the people he was connected too--very scary.
This is certainly not someone I would want to be an influence in my grandson's life but so far, he hasn't been anything but decent and helpful to the kids, who are mostly African American.
I'm writing this post as an advisory to parents and grandparents. With social media being as prevelant as it is today, you can find out about anybody with a little research. Do your homework and know who your children are associating with---even if it's for the little activities like soccer.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
The High Cost to Live
Two weeks ago my 90-year-old mother in law was diagnosed with lung cancer. According to her son/my husband, she never smoked a day in her life so this was surprising news. But that's not what this blog is all about.
This blog is about the prescription charges associated with treating this form of cancer. The doctor who treated her during her stay in the hospital wrote a prescription for a drug called Tarceva and told us the cost for a 30-day supply would be between $5,000 and $7000 depending on her insurance coverage. Medicare, we were told, doesn't cover the expense because it is an experimental drug. We were also told there was no guarantee with the medication. It might prolong her life for six months.
My first question is, what ingredients could be in a pill that would warrant charging that much money?
My mother in law is 90-years-old and spent her entire career as a nurse. If she is being used as a guinea pig, why isn't the drug FREE?
How can a drug company in good conscious charge such an outrageous price for medication knowing the average person who needs it can't afford it?
As caregivers, we don't want to be put in a position where we have decide to let our loved one die because we can't afford the meds.
There are literally thousands of baby boomers just like us who are caring for aging parents and are facing similar situations. Please let us hear from you
And as for those people who remain adamantly opposed to health care reform, may God save you from yourself.
This blog is about the prescription charges associated with treating this form of cancer. The doctor who treated her during her stay in the hospital wrote a prescription for a drug called Tarceva and told us the cost for a 30-day supply would be between $5,000 and $7000 depending on her insurance coverage. Medicare, we were told, doesn't cover the expense because it is an experimental drug. We were also told there was no guarantee with the medication. It might prolong her life for six months.
My first question is, what ingredients could be in a pill that would warrant charging that much money?
My mother in law is 90-years-old and spent her entire career as a nurse. If she is being used as a guinea pig, why isn't the drug FREE?
How can a drug company in good conscious charge such an outrageous price for medication knowing the average person who needs it can't afford it?
As caregivers, we don't want to be put in a position where we have decide to let our loved one die because we can't afford the meds.
There are literally thousands of baby boomers just like us who are caring for aging parents and are facing similar situations. Please let us hear from you
And as for those people who remain adamantly opposed to health care reform, may God save you from yourself.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
My Local Pharmacy versus Prescriptions By Mail
I went to my local pharmacy yesterday and found myself paying $25 more this month for my medication. When I questioned why, the pharmacist said he really didn't know and advised me to contact my insurance company directly to find out what was going on.
I did just that and discovered the extra money I paid was considered a penalty. My insurance company penalized me for patronizing my local pharmacy instead of using the prescriptions by mail plan. Apparently, I can only go to my local pharmacy so many times before the insurance company tacks on their version of a fine. The plan, according to the insurance company, is the one agreed upon by my husband's employer so they are just enforcing it. Is this a part of health reform?
So now, instead of having one on one contact with my local pharmacist, I will be at the mercy of my local mailman. I wonder if he will know what I should do in case of an emergency.
Do you use prescriptions by mail? If so, does it work better for you?
I did just that and discovered the extra money I paid was considered a penalty. My insurance company penalized me for patronizing my local pharmacy instead of using the prescriptions by mail plan. Apparently, I can only go to my local pharmacy so many times before the insurance company tacks on their version of a fine. The plan, according to the insurance company, is the one agreed upon by my husband's employer so they are just enforcing it. Is this a part of health reform?
So now, instead of having one on one contact with my local pharmacist, I will be at the mercy of my local mailman. I wonder if he will know what I should do in case of an emergency.
Do you use prescriptions by mail? If so, does it work better for you?
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Passing the Torch from Baby Boomers to Millennials to Gen Z
Whether baby boomers can accept it or not, a changing of the guard has taken place with millennials and the up and coming Gen Z generations...
