Focus on the Candidates – John Kasich

This blog is part of the series that focuses on the candidates who are running for President of the United States in 2016. This blog focuses on John Kasich. John Kasich is the 69th Governor of Ohio. He was first elected to that position in 2010, and he won re-election in 2014. Health Care According to his official website, John Kasich believes that “Obamacare” must be repealed and replaced. He wants to replace it with what he calls “A New, Conservative Vision”. That vision includes “having a primary care system that helps promote long term good health instead of just … Continue reading

Focus on the Candidates – Rand Paul

This blog is part of the series that focuses on the candidates who are running for President of the United States in 2016. This blog focuses on Rand Paul. Rand Paul is the son of Ron Paul (who ran unsuccessful campaigns for President of the United States in 1988, 2008, and 2012.) Rand Paul is running for President of the United States in 2016, and is also running for Senate in Kentucky at the same time. Rand Paul was elected as a Senator of Kentucky in 2011 and he would need to be re-elected in order to keep his seat … Continue reading

Focus on the Candidates – Ben Carson

This blog is part of the series that focuses on the candidates who are running for President of the United States in 2016. This blog focuses on Ben Carson. Ben Carson is a former pediatric neurosurgeon who worked at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. He is known for the first successful separation of craniopagus twins that were joined at the back of the head in 1987. In 2001, he was selected by the Library of Congress as one of 89 “Living Legends”. Ben Carson does not have a political background. Health Care On his official website, Ben Carson calls Obamacare … Continue reading

Going to School with Kids

I have been asked several times over the last year how I could possibly manage to continue going to school with a child all while parenting alone. “How do you have time to do homework?” “Who watches your son for you?” “How do you find time to study?” “How do you keep your grades up?” All questions that have continued to come up time and time again. For the record, it hasn’t been an easy task, but here are some things that may help you attempt the college journey as a single mother. First off, don’t forget to check out … Continue reading

Mother’s Blog About Mentally Ill Son Goes Viral

A mother has written a blog that has been passed around the internet via Facebook and in links in several other blogs and news articles. In it, she discusses her fear that her son will someday do something similar to what Adam Lanza did in Connecticut. It is an eye-opening piece of writing. Yesterday, I wrote a blog that clarified that not all people who have Asperger’s Syndrome are violent. Some can, and do, express loud, verbal, outbursts or may push someone away from them. Typically, the violence that people with Asperger’s Syndrome express is not premeditated or planned out. … Continue reading

Do You Support Your Spouse’s Healthy Habits?

I’ve mentioned before that my husband is the health nut and I’m the sugar addict. Lately, I’ve made major changes to my lifestyle and am no longer eating sugar. I’ve lost fifty pounds. How great is that? Because my husband understands how important it is to be healthy, he’s supported me all along the way and has never once sabotaged what I’m doing—we’re doing it together. But you know what, I’ve had friends tell me, “I’m trying to lose weight, but my husband eats junk food in front of me all the time.” Or, “My husband laughs when I tell … Continue reading

Where Did My Support System Go?

When I first decided to try the Atkins diet, I planned ahead. I knew that dieting is easier when you have a good support system that is backing you up. Luckily, I had two friends who were also doing the Atkins diet at the time that I started. Although this support structure worked well at first, it seems to have disappeared as time has gone on. Most people have at least a little bit if difficulty when they are making major changes in their lives. When you start the Atkins diet, you go from your accustomed, comfortable, way of eating … Continue reading

Find Your Support System

Before you make a big change in your life it is a good idea to find yourself a support system. Starting a diet, whether it is the Atkins diet or a different one, is going to require you to change the way you are currently eating. It is possible that there will be times when you find yourself struggling. That is why it is important to have people who can help motivate you and encourage you to keep going. One of the first things I learned about the Atkins diet was that it would require me to make a lot … Continue reading

Another Take on Gold

We keep hearing people talk about gold. I had a question to pose to my friend, financial advisor John Hauserman of RetirementQuest. I asked, “I keep seeing people advise us to buy gold, but I have a question. What if I end up with all kinds of gold, but there’s nothing to spend it on? What if no one will take my gold? What other ways do you advise us to prepare for future economic downturns?” John replied, “I am really glad you asked this question. While someone could write an entire book on this subject, which I actually did … Continue reading

Who Shares My Happiness Now?

One of the saddest parts of being a single parent is not having anyone to share my happiness. Of course I have a support system, friends and family who are delighted when my daughter reaches a milestone or achieves something she has been working towards. They patiently listen when I tell them how smart she is, how kind, how incredibly amazing. It’s not the same as sharing those things with the one other person in the world who has the same intense love for your child that you have. I remember talking with my ex husband when our daughter was … Continue reading