New Look For The New Year! Come Take A Peek.

Well, at least this one isn't too complicated to work with. While I have loved the unique design of my blog that I have had for some time now, thanks to CheapskateMom, I felt it was time for a change and to freshen things up a bit to coincide with the new year starting.

As most of my friends know, I am a coffee fanatic. So what better theme to choose than to log on to find a hot, fresh-looking, steamy cup of joe?

At some point today (with the help from my daughter, Hayley) I will be doing the first installment of the Bible Q&A series (that will take place on Wed.'s and Sun.'s). I will be typing out the question and answer WORD FOR WORD from the book, "500 Questions And Answers From The Bible"...If some answers are VERY long (as like with the first post), then I will give my *personal* statements/views on the answers within the COMMENT section.

So with that all said, I shall be back later on today or this evening. Until then, I hope you all like the new look and have a great Wednesday.

Extreme Blog Makeover....Thanks to Angel and to Tamara.

First off, I need to thank my sweet friend, Angel over at Angel Believes (http://singedwingangel.blogspot.com/). She had apparently won a contest that gave her a new blog button and header from Tamara (Cheapskatemom over at http://proudtobecheap.blogspot.com/). And knowing she was already getting a set up from someone else, she decided to let me have the new blog button and header.

After Tamara and I had communicated (A LOT), she got to work. Not only did I get fitted with a new header and Blog Button, but a COMPLETE overhaul. Button, header, a feed, a counter and a whole new overall look (background and all). She decided that with the color schemes, and the way I was already set up, along with what I lacked (and really wanted, but didn't know how to get them), that she would entirely redo my page for me.

I've gone semi-retro, brighter and with more attractive colors, a "happy" looking header that is inviting (as is the blog button). And at the bottom of the posts, it says, "__ People Have Made Me Happy".

I LOVE IT!

Tamara is a true artist when it comes to blog page set-ups. She has a true gift. And I cannot thank her, or Angel enough for the opportunity to receive such a BEAUTIFUL page.,,,Again, thank you to BOTH LADIES! A million to infinity times over.

*COPY* Of My NEWEST letter to the Gov. of Virgina

April 20, 2010

Dear Gov. McDonnell,

Once before, I had written to you personally to ask that you help me, my son, our family and other families like ours in the fight to place Vyvanse back on the Medicaid's list of available options to treat mental disorders (written on Feb. 5th, 2010). I had received a "round about" reply, and to be honest, it hurt me, thinking that maybe you didn't really care as to what your Virginia Citizens had to say.

But, just a moment ago, I had read an article, via the Roanoke Times (http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/243974)  that indeed you wish to fight FOR our families, not against us. And for that I do thank you.

I can only hope that you, sir took my words in to consideration as to your decision to fight for medications to help treat mental illnesses and disorders placed on (or back on) to Medicaid's Preferred Drug/Drug Availability/Coverage List.

Now, I am begging, not just asking, Mr. Governor, that you take this fight all the way. Do NOT stop. To stop is to fail. Not only yourself or this state. But you would be failing my son and countless other children that require Drug Therapy to help them lead a more "normal" life outside of their mental illness/disorder/disability.

I'm not scared to go up against "professionals" who feel that withholding services from my son is alright. I would take on the Government if I had to myself. My life has been too much filled with adversity from the start for me to back down now. Not for myself. Not for my children.

Please, Mr. McDonnell, give our children the best chance at a good life. Make it easier for me, and other parents to be able to go to the Pharmacy without having to fight for THREE WEEKS between them and Medicaid just to get our children's medicine. No child should have to go that length of time WITHOUT their medication because insurance decided it is in THEIR best interest to no longer cover that medication in their Drug Coverage Plan for it's consumers.

I've now got a renewed faith in you, Governor McDonnell. Please know that I will back you 100%. But I want to see you do your part. I know that you received much flack from us parents (primarily mothers) for letting Medicaid take advantage and in the end, disadvantage our children. I can only hope that WE were your driving force for going up against Medicaid.

Keep fighting the good fight, Mr. Governor. And thank you, from a mom with a very special little guy.

Sincerely,

Melissa A. Cowart (Lynchburg, Virginia)

Like what you read here and are a Facebook member? You're in for a treat!

Are you a Facebook member? Like what you read here in "The N(Not Always) Happy Homemaker Diary"? Then have I got a treat for you!

Please join me at my new Fan Page on Facebook. There, you will find links to my latest entries, can post links to posts of months past that you want others to read, post Fan Pictures and talk about posts and other everyday things.

Also, feel free to "Suggest To Friends" and tell others about both the blog, and the Fan Page.

Thanks to each and every one of you that are following me. Both on Facebook, as well as through Blogger, or other means of following my blog.

To access and join my Facebook Fan Page, please click on the follwoing link...

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/The-Not-Always-Happy-Homemaker-Diary/107802929255760?ref=mf

Thinking of changing WACKY WEDNESDAYS... (CONTEST TIME!!!)

If I decide to change Wacky Wednesdays to another Wednesday theme post, what should it be?

Please give me your BEST idea(s). The winner (picked by yours truly) will recieve a promotion of their blog, I will FOLLOW the winner's blog, and if you have one, place a BLOG BUTTON up for the world to see on my page.

So start shelling out those ideas for a new Wednesday theme and see if you can get the grand poobah prize!!!

Good luck everyone.