Did you catch the Style network's new reality show? The 9 episode series is about a 487 lb Southern belle with type 2 diabetes who's been warned she's a "metabolic time bomb". You can see the first one here, if you missed it.

The show didn't discuss her diabetes in depth, the doctor just mentioned that she wasn't able to control her blood sugars. Ruby repeated something else later that her doctor had said.  It compared high sugars with turning your blood to syrup and how that syrup damages the kidneys, the eyes, et al. That image of blood as syrup has stuck with me.

It's mentioned a couple times that Ruby has weighed over 700 lbs sometime in the past. I'll be interested to hear how she lost 200+ lbs already. She seems very motivated by the numerous threats to her health. I think the series is Tivo-worthy.  (READ MORE)

My job will be ending sometime this summer. Consequently, I am investigating our health insurance options. Since hubby is self-employed, we have always covered the family under my work policy.

Now, I know that "health care in this country is in crisis"!  I know this is a huge touchpoint for political candidates.  Yes, I know all this intellectually. 

Now it's PERSONAL.  COBRA, offered by my employer by federal mandate, is more than a house note EVERY month.  Private insurance is still pricey - more than what we paid on 2 car notes.  And it carries a $2000 deductible per person.  Some sloppy math later and it could be $15,000 a year before they pay any expenses for us.

  (READ MORE)