DeAnne

Gilmer, Texas, UNITED STATES


Joined July 22nd 2007

Number of Posts:
297

Number of Comments:
113

Karma:
10



patriotic - adj. - having or showing great love of one's country A person can be patriotic without agreeing with his or her government.

About Me
I'm a forty-something-year-old woman with a wide variety of interests. I enjoy writing on many topics and enjoy being part of a community.

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Recent Posts

Same Salad - Three Ways

October 18th 2009 17:02
I've noticed that I frequently try to change the plating of something as simple as a salad, just to make it look different. Here is an example of one simple dinner salad plated three different ways. Each looks different, but it is really the same exact salad - lettuce, cucumber, tomato, and orange slice.

Classy Lettuce Wedge
Classy Letuce Wedge


This first plating has the lettuce kept as a wedge - seems to be all the rage in restaurants these days. The other items are simply circled around the wedge on the plate.

Traditional Dinner Salad
Traditional Dinner Salad


The second plating is just a traditional dinner salad, tear up the lettuce, and place the cucumber and tomato slices on top. Place the orange wedge to the side.

Homestyle Dinner Salad
Homestyle Dinner Salad


Our final plating is similar to the second one. The lettuce is torn, but we've added more cucumber slices and circled the entire plate with them. The tomatoes are diced, and cover the inner portion of the salad. The orange wedge was eliminated for this plating, but could still be served on the side.


Just one example of how to change the plating of certain dishes to change the appearance. You can make something look classier, more traditional, or more homey just by plating it differently.

Happy Cooking!
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Obama's Heath Care Plan

October 18th 2009 16:42
The White House website has a video posted: The Obama Plan in 4 Minutes. It's his health care plan as presented to Congress. Below is an outline of his plan, but I encourage you to watch the video.

The Obama plan isn't exactly what I'm hoping for (a national health care plan, Medicare for All), but it's a lot better than what we have now.

The video can be found here: The Obama Health Plan in 4 Minutes.

Basically, this is what the plan includes:

If You Have Insurance

If you have insurance, you can keep it. The only changes will be for your protection:

* No denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions.
* No dropped coverage when you get sick.
* Eliminates yearly and lifetime caps on coverage.
* DOES put a cap on your out-of-pocket expenses.
* Requires insurance to cover preventative care.

If You Don't Have Insurance

If you don't have insurance, there will be many new, quality, affordable ways for you to get it:

* New insurance marketplace - the Exchange.
* Tax credits for businesses and individuals who need help paying.
* Low-cost coverage for those previously unable to obtain coverage due to pre-existing conditions.
* Public option - available for those who want it. Not-for-profit health insurance run by the government. No one will be required to choose this option, it will just be available for those who want it. It will keep the private insurance companies honest.

The President has promised that he won't sign any bill that adds to the deficit. All the provisions of this plan can be paid for by eliminating waste.

Again, I encourage you to watch the video here: The Obama Health Plan in 4 Minutes. Even if you've seen it on TV, watch it again. Especially now that the insurance companies have let us know that they want to raise prices even more.


----------------------------- -----------------

This week (a month or so since the President presented his plan to Congress) the insurance companies have said that the only way they could offer all that the President has said would be required of them would be to increase premiums even more. Just more proof that all they care about is profit. They don't want anything to interfere with their 7 figure incomes for all the execs. All the more reason to dump this plan and go with a National Plan. Just go ahead and put all the insurance companies out of business right from the start! They don't care about us, why should we care about them?!?

A National Health Care plan would cover everyone. We wouldn't have to pay premiums, we'd have to pay more taxes. I'm ok with that. The increase in taxes would be less than what we pay for premiums now, and the coverage will be better than any insurance plan I've ever had.
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Gifts Under $10 - Fuzzy Socks

October 18th 2009 16:08
I've been on the lookout for inexpensive gifts (because I don't have any money to spend this year) and I noticed these adorable fuzzy socks. They are probably worthless for wearing with shoes, but make great "slippers" for wearing around the house. At my local Wal-Mart, they are $3 for a pack of two - and would make a great gift for teen girls, tween girls, or even older women.

Doing a web search for them, I found a lot of them online, but not as cute as the ones at Wal-Mart. They are the cutest bright designs. But, any color or design will be just as functional.

Fuzzy Socks
Warm and cozy gift for her!


Wherever you find them, they probably are under $10, and would be a nice gift for a special girl!

Happy Gifting!
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Progress on Health Insurance Reform

October 18th 2009 15:50
WEEKLY ADDRESS: President Obama Calls Hails Progress on Health Insurance Reform Despite Defenders of the Status Quo

WASHINGTON – In his weekly address, President Barack Obama praised the progress that has been made on health insurance reform, and spoke out against those who defend the status quo in order to score political points and protect their profits. With reform the closest it has ever been to becoming law, the insurance companies are rolling out deceptive ads, paying for misleading studies, and flooding Capitol Hill with lobbyists. Now, Washington needs to serve the American people, not the special interests


[ Click here to read more ]
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What do you want from health care?

September 15th 2009 04:32
I'm really wondering why we have such a problem with the health care reform issue. What do people really want? Most of the people I've heard bashing a "government run" healthcare system are already on Medicare. What do they think that is?

And the biggest problems with Medicare came when the government allowed PRIVATE insurance companies in to compete with it


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Homemade Gift Bags

September 15th 2009 03:38
One of the best parts about gifts is the wrapping! Here's an adorable homemade snowman gift bag (and a link to the instructions to make it).

snowman gift bag
Snowman Gift Bag

[ Click here to read more ]
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Been really busy - no time to post

September 15th 2009 03:13
I barely have time to cook these days, much less post about it. I just went back to work.

After three years just doing my thing - being a housewife, mom, carpool driver, etc. I'm back in the work place. No time to experiment with new recipes, or write about the old ones I'm cooking from memory. Actually, the kids and hubby are doing most of the cooking, because I'm working odd hours


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Tired of Politicians

September 15th 2009 03:08
I'm so tired of politicians. Do they know what the term "constituent" means? It doesn't mean someone who voted for them, or someone who agrees with them, it means someone whom they represent.

I've written to all my representatives about the health care issue. The problem is, none of them agree with me, or even come close. I can live with that


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I just don't understand. We had all these bailouts for banks, insurance companies, auto manufacturers, etc. Congress and our President are doing everything they can to protect the health insurance companies with the supposed health care reform, but the drilling industry is just left to die. I don't like Sarah Palin, but I liked one thing she said - DRILL, BABY, DRILL!

Don't get me wrong, I don't think we should have bailed out any corporations. I don't get it. People are all upset because of the health care thing - "the government shouldn't compete with private business." But, it's just fine for the government to bail them out of financial trouble


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Pork Wellington

August 15th 2009 05:45
My husband has been asking me to try cooking a wellington recipe. Not really a traditional southern dish, but I thought I could give it a try. I looked some up online, and didn't think I'd like them. Wellington is a beef or pork loin wrapped in puff pastry. So far, nothing I don't like.

Traditionally, between the pastry and the meat, there is a liver pate, or foie gras. I don't think I'd like that. Alternative recipes I found used chopped mushrooms instead. I'm not really crazy about mushrooms either. I can usually tolerate most recipes made with cream of mushroom soup, though. (And it is traditional southern cooking to make anything with cream of mushroom soup


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Recent Comments

Comment by DeAnne
on Hoax? Reality? You decide!

October 10th 2009 04:29
I"m sure it was real. I've been a teacher (Jr. High) and that was actually a lot better than some writing samples I've seen from that age kids. The saddest part is that the writer didn't seem to understand that any "mean" or "hateful" comments made about the first letter were most likely just saying that the letter proves the point that kids need more time in school. I don't know if more time in school would help the situation though. What is needed - more than extra time - is extra emphasis on the core subjects, especially grammar. Grammar isn't even a big part of the curriculum (at least in Texas) anymore. When I was in school, grammar was really important, and stressed in several different grade levels. Now it is barely touched upon past elementary school. All the emphasis now, when it comes to written work, is on what is written, not how it is written. By those standards, the first letter above is very well written. The point is there - fairly easily found and understood. If you "assume" the punctuation, you could even say the letter has a varied sentence structure. The problem is, spelling doesn't count anymore. Proper punctuation doesn't count. Proper grammar doesn't count, either. It's all about the "message" and the "feelings." Those are important parts of language, but all those other things are just as important when it comes to written language. More time in school won't solve the problem. Higher standards, more time devoted to academics and less to electives, and stricter requirements for advancing from one grade level to the next (and graduating) are some solutions to the problem. More time in school would be good too, but not without those more essential solutions.

Comment by DeAnne
on We Americans are all

September 21st 2009 01:18
Great post, Jim.

The problem is, too many people are just followers, and will follow anyone or anything. They don't have a clue what socialism is, or facisim either, for that matter. I know that our country is considered capitalist, but it's a lot more facist than most folks would like to admit. That's what scares me!

I really like your analogies. I've used the public school argument before, but hadn't ever thought about the public roadways. I know, here in Texas, there was a big uproar about privatized toll roads that are being considered.

Comment by DeAnne
on America chooses to hate and fear

September 8th 2009 19:27
I feel your pain, Jim. Most of my family is also conservative. Thankfully, most aren't so extreme. My parents, though they have been Republicans forever, are not so extreme. They believe in a single-payer insurance reform, but on most other issues are more conservative. They don't believe all the hype about our current president, but they really liked Bush. I know many people, however, who do believe all the hype about President Obama. I live in a community that doesn't like him at all. In fact, our school district was one of those that didn't even allow students to watch his speech today. I can understand giving the option to not watch, but not allowing any of them to watch, I just can't understand.

My family is in the same type of situation with health insurance. We have "uninsurable" conditions, so are not ABLE to purchace decent insurance, even if we can afford it. I am very disappointed with where this health reform is going. The public option seems to be out. Mandates are most likely going to be in. What a dream for the insurance companies - everyone will be REQUIRED to buy insurance. I hope they get it all worked out, but it's starting to look like whatever they do is going to make it worse. I honestly believe that single-payer is the only way to go. (I'm sure I'll be blasted by everyone else who reads your blog!)

Comment by DeAnne
on Preview of an article

August 12th 2009 04:27
You might like to look at this one too. It's a myth/fact sheet about HR 3200.

Really Long Link

Comment by DeAnne
on Preview of an article

August 12th 2009 04:19
Great cartoon, Jim.

rickb_georgia, I did a search for HR 3200, and the very first thing that came up was a PDF version of the bill.
Really Long Link (try this)

Comment by DeAnne
on From Home Data Entry

July 27th 2009 16:17
Carolyn,
That sounds interesting. Can you tell us more about that. I checked out the link, but I'd like to hear more from someone who actually participates in it.

Thanks,

DeAnne

Comment by DeAnne
on Spicy Hamburger Steak with Mushroom Gravy

July 26th 2009 22:12
Thanks, Kayzzz - that's why I have a cartoon instead of a picture of the "real" me! No one wants to see a picture of an old woman! LOL

Jalapeno peppers - hot chili peppers. (I haven't figured out how to put the squiggly thing over the n for Spanish words.) Wikipedia link.

Comment by DeAnne
on Inbox Dollars

July 25th 2009 19:07
Thanks for the comment.

Yes, I started to do thenetpanel - it's a Nielson web rating system. But - it requires you to install software that tracks EVERYTHING you do on your computer. I immediately uninstalled it - because even though they promise not to use any private or sensitive material, I don't want anything tracking everything I do with my computer -- too many sensitive files, passwords, accounts, etc.

I'm planning a post about that one soon. Again, thanks for the comment and suggestions.

Comment by DeAnne
on A third Bridget Jones movie?

July 18th 2009 18:21
I love the Bridget Jones movies! I must admit, I relate to Bridget because she's on the heavy side, but I'm sure Renee Zelwegger could pull off something that let her be a little more fit. Afterall, after the second movie, she's blissfully happy! Either way, I hope they do the third movie.

Comment by DeAnne
on The need for accountability

July 17th 2009 19:59
I'm really torn on this issue. I DO feel that they should be held accountable, as should all administrations that do wrong. But I don't want to take the risk of important reform issues being held back in order to find out what happened in the past. Health care and the economic problems are far more important - right now. Also, this isn't the first time there has been cause to investigate the prior administration. There was the Iran-Contra thing with Reagan/Bush, and the Watergate thing with Nixon. (All Republicans?) Clinton was investigated while he was still in office, and look at the problems that caused -- what more could have been accomplished if he hadn't had to deal with that investigation. I haven't ever seen any former president actually punished for any crimes committed while in office. So, if they're not going to be punished anyway, why should we go through all the pain and expense of investigating/trying them for the crimes?

I agree that we should know the truth, but not at the expense of putting the more important stuff on the back burner. If it is discovered, however, that they actually did commit crimes, I think they should be subject to punishment. Maybe if former presidents are held accountable AND punished for their wrong doings, future presidents will think twice before they commit the same sorts of crimes.