So much going on

We've temporarily shelved the new coop idea, in favor of slowly renovating the shed coop. To do so we'll end up taking over the entire shed which means we'll have to arrange storage elsewhere at some point in the future. I'll worry about that in the back recesses of my mind and see what percolates there.

Last night I came home to Josh and Kevin working on the chicken pen. We're doing this in three stages, the first stage on the far side of the shed. The upright supports are in place, as is the chicken coop fencing (my specialty, go figure). The pen door remains to be finished, hopefully today as does the roofing which I hope to get finished next weekend. Once the door and roofing is in place, we can allow the chicks to use the pen to scratch and exercise.

Picy goodness later this afternoon. :)

Look, Mom, no Socialism!

As I'm tired of the rampant fear-mongering going on so here's the list of what the new health care reform act will do, broken down by year.

WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF ENACTMENT

*Insurance companies will be barred from dropping people from coverage when they get sick. Lifetime coverage limits will be eliminated and annual limits are to be restricted.

*Insurers will be barred from excluding children for coverage because of pre-existing conditions.

*Young adults will be able to stay on their parents' health plans until the age of 26. Many health plans currently drop dependents from coverage when they turn 19 or finish college.

*Uninsured adults with a pre-existing conditions will be able to obtain health coverage through a new program that will expire once new insurance exchanges begin operating in 2014.

*A temporary reinsurance program is created to help companies maintain health coverage for early retirees between the ages of 55 and 64. This also expires in 2014.

*Medicare drug beneficiaries who fall into the "doughnut hole" coverage gap will get a $250 rebate. The bill eventually closes that gap which currently begins after $2,700 is spent on drugs. Coverage starts again after $6,154 is spent.

*A tax credit becomes available for some small businesses to help provide coverage for workers.

*A 10 percent tax on indoor tanning services that use ultraviolet lamps goes into effect on July 1.

( Click for Specify )