Vision Insurance and Prescription Glasses

A lot of people wonder whether their insurance policy covers prescription glasses too. The answer to this question will depend, of course, on the type and breadth of your policy. Generally, unless you have a specific vision insurance policy, prescription glasses will not be covered.

In most policies, vision and things related to it (glasses, contact lenses, etc.) are covered only if there is any damage to your eye due to an accident or injury. Routine eye problems are not covered under most plans. Therefore, it is recommended that you get a group or individual vision insurance policy - a small add on to your general plan that will significantly lower the costs of regular eye exams. Additionally, most plans also subsidize the cost of prescription glasses or lenses along with any surgery such as LASIK, etc. The only condition is that you have to procure the glasses from specified opticians only.

The add on cost of vision insurance over your existing policy is generally small (around $150 p.a. - less than $15 per month) There is usually a deductible which is under $50 in most cases. This is a significantly small price to pay for the rewards, which can include coverage for routine eye exams, prescription glasses, lenses, and even surgery such as LASIK, etc.

A group or individual vision insurance policy is a great choice for those who have a history of vision related problems. With the amount of time spent before computer and TV screens, the chances of damaging the eyesight have only increased. Keeping these factors in mind, it is recommended that you get a vision policy in addition to your regular insurance plan. The costs are minuscule compared to the benefits. Not only will it cover your eye exams, but also help you save money on glasses, contacts, and even surgery.

A Letter to Those Who Would Be Bloggers

Everyone talks about how "Quality is King" but they never really define that. Quality is something you'd end up being proud you have written. Something you would go to another blog's website and read. At least, that's how I define it.

Most well written blogs, that are truly a joy to read, follow one simple creed. They write what they would read, thusly writing for themselves. A blog like mine, which is quite personal, I know this is how it has to be. Which is fine, because that's what I want to do. When I think of my audience, I think of myself first. What would I want to read?

And that gets into the realm of fun, because the best joy you can have in your life, as a writer, is truly enjoying what you've written, and then having others enjoy it as well. More often than not you will find that what you like to read, others will enjoy it as well. But it also boils down into simply enjoying what you write for the sake of writing.

On a blog entitled, "Aphorism of the Day," I found an aphorism posted on November 7th, 2012, and it said, "Blessed is the nightbird that sings for joy and not to be heard." We always try to relate the human experience to the animal kingdom, and there's no denying listening to birds chirp can be a wonderfully calming experience, as long as you don't have some annoying species of birds in the back yard...

Birds simply sing their songs, sure they probably have some kind of genetic drive to do so, but its something they just simply do. They don't do it for recognition or because human's like to hear it... And that's what blogging should be in the end, I believe.

Sure, you can have niche blogs that are blogging about a subject to help or educate people. But I write sheerly for entertainment. I write because I enjoy it. The serious subjects I get into, I get into in hopes that people reading them can find a commonality with their own lives and maybe get comfort or help from knowing that there others out there who experience such things. I write to get things off my chest, and maybe, just maybe someone out there will read what I've written and smile, or maybe they'll laugh, or maybe they'll cry.

Whatever my readers do, I just hope they enjoy the time they spend on my site, because though I think of myself as the main audience, I am only part of that audience, of which I pander to.

A Look at Fractional Jet Ownership

We've all experienced it - the commercial flight. After a mad dash to make it to the airport on time, including the hours allotted for getting through security, where you'll have to take off your shoes, empty your pockets, and prove that your laptop is not a bomb, you sit and wait for a couple hours before they decide to start boarding, and give you the privilege of sitting in the cramped seat that you paid a couple hundred dollars for.

The mega-rich have always had the option of private aircraft available to them. If you're Donald Trump, you can think nothing of equipping yourself with a Boeing 727 that costs probably close to $50 Million (not including the costs of pilots, flight attendants, support staff, insurance, fuel, maintenance, etc.). For others, however, the idea of a private jet has been outside the realm of possibility. An exciting concept in private aviation, however, is allowing private jet travel to make more sense for those who have seriously considered it as a possibility.

Fractional jet ownership is a fairly new concept. It is based on the idea that an individual can purchase a fraction of a plane, and pay management and operation fees to a company that will be responsible for safety, pilot training, hiring of crew, and all those other things that you don't want (or wouldn't know how) to deal with. Fractional ownership can substantially cut the costs of owning your own aircraft.

Fractional jet ownership is provided by a number of companies, including Cessna's CitationShares, Bombardier's Flexjet, and NetJets, the company that started the trend. As consumer interest in fractional jet ownership has increased, so has the competition between these companies. CitationShares and Flexjet are owned by aircraft manufacturers, their respective fleets composed mainly (if not entirely) of the planes they make. NetJets, on the other hand features a broader spectrum of aircraft, and is the industry leader. As such, that's who we'll be focusing on today.

It is true that the fractionals substantially cut the costs related to owning an aircraft. That's not to say that private jet ownership is for everyone, however. The primary target of the fractionals consists of those who have considered owning (or sharing) a jet, but found the arrangements too complicated or expensive to justify, as well as those who are used to first class air travel, but want to make a step up. The fractionals are also an attractive deal for mid-sized companies who need the convenience of a private aircraft without the premium price. According to NetJets's website, purchasing a 1/8 share in a Raytheon Hawker 400XP would set you back $793,750 plus a $10,582 monthly maintenance fee, and an hourly charge of $1,501. That 1/8 share works out to about 100 occupied hours per year. Yeah, it's expensive, but when you consider the price of seven first class tickets from New York to Miami, it suddenly becomes more reasonable. In fact, as a little experiment, I attempted to get the price on such a flight on very short notice. NetJets claims that your plane will be waiting on the tarmac within 6-12 hours notice. With a commercial carrier, I was unable to find a next-day flight, I was unable to find first class seating, and on one airline, I was informed that a return flight wouldn't be available until a week after the date I requested. If short notice flights are commonplace in your life, NetJets offers the solution.

Let's say, however, that you aren't interested in a small aircraft like the 400XP. What if you want something that can fly from New York to London non-stop? Well, just step into one of NetJets's large cabin aircraft. If you are lucky enough to afford these multi-million dollar jets, you will enjoy the highest degree of luxury. The Gulfstream 550, for example, is the latest and greatest in Gulfstream's line of long-haul private aircraft. Aboard, you will find a satellite telephone, video monitors, a DVD entertainment system, data ports, a fax machine, and whatever else you need to run your operations (or enjoy some well-deserved down time) at 30,000 ft. Naturally, the Gulfstream 550 also offers a full service galley, as well as a flight attendant for you and 13 others.

The final frontier in fractional ownership is the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ). If you've ever flown on Boeing's popular line of 737 airliners, you know how big the BBJ is. That's because the BBJ is actually a gutted 737, which is then outfitted with the latest in in-flight luxury. In fact, the BBJ is even available with a boardroom, bedrooms, and a shower. Yeah..... a shower. Nothing says success like the ability to roll out of bed, take a shower, eat a nice breakfast - all while you cut through the air at 528 mph. If the $50,000,000.00 price tag (full price) is a little disturbing, owning a fraction with NetJets can take a large chunk out of it.

Fractional shares start at 1/16 of a share, which can be as low as $369,875 in a Hawker 400XP. That's 50 hours of flying time. For those who don't want the commitment (or the cost) of buying a fraction, NetJets has implemented a lower-cost solution that they call the Marquis Jet Card. The Marquis Jet Card starts at $109,900 for 25 hours in a Cessna Citation V. With the Marquis Jet Card, required notice jumps up to 10 hours, which is still much better than anything the airlines can offer. The card offers the convenience of chartering an aircraft, with the peace of mind that you get from NetJets's safety standards. Other fractional carriers also have prepaid jet cards, so this is a [somewhat] affordable solution for those who don't want to deal with the monthly or upfront costs of ownership.

If you decide that fractional ownership is for you, be warned, you should thoroughly investigate the pilot training, safety procedures, aircraft, and management services that each company offers before making a decision. The big three, NetJets, CitationShares, and Flexjet, offer excellence in each, but some newer fractional start-ups may not be up to snuff. Remember that your security and safety is paramount, and if you feel that it's inadequate with a particular company, take your business elsewhere. If you're serious about making a fractional jet purchase, and live nearby to their operations, don't hesitate to ask for a tour of their aircraft and facilities, they should be more than happy to accommodate you. Many fractional operators hold regular events around the country in which prospective buyers can take a look around the aircraft and the service that they offer.

Fractional jet ownership offers the best of luxury, security, and functionality without the premium total ownership requires. If you've been considering buying or chartering private aircraft, fractional ownership just may be for you.

Health Benefits of Hot Tubs

There is no greater feeling than stretching out in the warm, steaming water of a hot tub on a cold winter evening. Hot tubs are most famously known for their recreational purposes; however the soothing hot water and massaging jets offer many therapeutic health benefits and relief from pain. The first tub was developed in the early 1940's by a gentleman named Candido Jacuzzi, who was intent on creating a therapeutic device to reduce his son's suffering at the hands of rheumatoid arthritis. These days, hot water spa is considered more of a pleasurable and entertaining past time, the medical effects are still as evident as they were back when Jacuzzi was able to provide relief for his son.

Wooden hot tubs have long been known to relieve muscle tightness and pain and are often used by professional sportsmen and women, such as baseball players, divers and long distance runners. The warmth of the water carries the same effect as placing a hot water bottle or heating pad on a sore area. The way in which water surrounds an individual's body, allows for the body to loosen and relax, and for sore muscles to unwind. The pressurized jets that define the hot water spa tubs are the perfect mini massagers, relieving pain and stiffness when applied directly to a tense or painful area of your body. Also, the buoyancy of the water allows for you to stretch out sore muscles and perform light exercises in order to heal long standing or recurrent injuries.

Cedar hot tubs have been known to offer relief of arthritis, just as Candido Jacuzzi discovered back in the day. Joints are able to move around freely, once again due to the buoyancy of the water, as our bodies are virtually weightless when we are submerged in water. Activity in water has proven to be so successful and beneficial for sufferers of arthritis, that the Arthritis Foundation has now made it a best practice for arthritis sufferers to participate in water related therapy.

The warm water and massaging jets are also good for your heart, as indicated by the American Heart Association and Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. When submerged in warm water, blood vessels dilate increasing the flow and pressure of blood throughout t body, greatly reducing risk of heart attack and stroke.

Lastly, hot tubs ate a great resource for anyone suffering from insomnia or if you are just simply not tired enough for bed. By soaking in a warm swim spa before bedtime, your body has an easier time of transitioning into deeper sleep. If you are ever up at night pacing and dreading the thought of facing another day with inadequate sleep, try soaking in a spa for 15 minutes before bedtime.

Hot tubs are most famously known for their recreational purposes; however the soothing hot water and massaging jets offer many therapeutic health benefits and relief from pain. If you are looking to improve your overall health, consider the possibility of a hot tub's therapy.

Shannon O'Toole Author of Wedded to The Game & Wife of a NFL Player and Coach Interviewed

Author: Shannon O'Toole

ISBN: 0803286252

Good day Shannon and thanks for agreeing to participate in our interview.

Thank you for the invitation!

Norm:

Shannon, please tell our readers a little bit about your personal and professional background.

Shannon:

I received my master's degree in sociology at Western Michigan University. My master's thesis was entitled "Professional Football Players' Attitudes Relating Toward Women and Violence." When I was 19 years old and playing softball at Western Michigan University I met John Morton. For the past 14 years, John has been involved with professional football. He played for 5 years and now he is a coach. (In February 2006, he signed a 2-year contract with the New Orleans Saints as their "Passing Game Assistant"). My academic background combined with my personal experience made me very interested in the topic of NFL Women.

Norm:

How did your Masters degree in sociology help you with your research and in the writing of your book?

Shannon:

It helped immensely. It is an excellent discipline for examining social issues and dynamics. In the book I delve into sexism and racism in context to professional football. Sociology has opened my eyes to societal inequities and injustice and it has molded me into the woman I am today.

Norm:

What is the underlying message or theme of Wedded to the Game: The Real Lives of NFL Women?

Shannon:

The message is clear: these women are not the stereotypical shallow, gold-digging, Barbie dolls. They are sharp, strong-willed and opinionated. They are multi-tasking, talented women who take on and conquer the challenges that NFL life throws at them. In fact, they are tough, if not tougher than the men who play and coach the game. The percentage of women who fit the negative stereotype is probably less than ten percent - and these types of women never last for long. Those who learn to cope with the NFL's immense difficulties become stubborn, resilient and wise survivors.

Norm:

Do you believe that the sampling of interviews was sufficient to come to some of your conclusions?

Shannon:

I do, mainly because I was very careful to select women whose experiences ran the gamut of NFL life. While I spoke with Jackie Rice who is married to All-Everything Jerry Rice, I also interviewed the girlfriend of a rookie free agent who was simply hoping her boyfriend would be on the roster so they would have health insurance at the time of their baby's birth. Ultimately, I knew there was an adequate sample when I began to hear the same answers to my numerous questions. We really are a sisterhood with shared experiences unique to professional sports life.

Norm:

Why did you feel compelled to write this book?

Shannon:

To quote the preface:

When I began my research for this book I had an ulterior motive. Although I have been in the NFL for twelve years now and I know very well what this life is like, I was also seeking the advice and hard-earned wisdom of women who had already found solutions to my numerous concerns. I still struggle with the life I've chosen, and so I wanted to know: How do other women deal with the NFL? How do they cope and survive? What are their experiences?

I knew these women did not fit the stereotype. I wanted other people to know it too.

Norm:

Can you explain some of your research techniques, and how you found sources for your book? I notice there is an absence at the end of the book of a selected bibliography. Any reason for this omission?

Shannon:

To quote the preface:

I sent an anonymous survey to over 150 women and got back an amazing 75 responses. Out of those 75 responses, I chose 30 women to interview in depth. Their stores make up the heart of this book. About half were willing to go on record and let their names be used, and about half wanted to remain anonymous. In the initial anonymous survey, I asked respondents to either "agree strongly, agree mildly, disagree mildly, or disagree strongly" to a myriad of statements regarding NFL life. These responses form the basis of some of my general statements and conclusions about what off-the-field life is like for women. Then, over the course of my thirty one-on-one interviews, I received full, in-depth answers to these often difficult, complex questions.

Regarding the absence of a bibliography, the current literature on professional sports spouses is minimal. Most of the published works are salacious, racy novels that simply serve to perpetuate the unfair stereotypes. My book is the only book on the market (that I am aware of) that is part insiders tell-all and part sociological study.

Norm:

What obstacles did you have in writing and researching your book?

Shannon:

There were very few obstacles during the research process. I was surprised by the willingness and the eagerness of the women willing to speak about their experiences. They wanted to talk, not just about the good times, but about some of their most dreadful and unbearable experiences. NFL Women are almost universally overlooked by the public and the media, and what I discovered is that they have things to say and they want to be heard.

My difficulties arose during the writing process. Before I began this book I was completely naïve regarding the art of writing. I had NO IDEA how difficult a task it is to write well. Writing well is a true skill and I did not have the needed training. I lost count of the number of major revisions. But I did have a goal to see my name on a book cover, and I was completely and thoroughly determined to reach that goal. (I also have a coach for a husband and he knew all the right motivational buttons to push!) Like millions of writers, my proposal was rejected again and again before it finally found a home at the University of Nebraska Press. And even then, I needed the skill of a fantastic outside developmental editor, Jeff Campbell in San Francisco. I am forever in his debt for the beautiful things he did with my manuscript.

It took me 5 years from start of research to the final finished product. That is a long time. But the feeling of self-fulfillment that I have right now, makes every day of those 5 years well worth it.

Norm:

How has the feedback been so far? What are your hopes for this book?

Shannon:

From both within and outside of the football world, the favorable feedback has been tremendous. Andrew Yardley of the Washington Post called Wedded to the Game an "intelligent, thoughtful book." Feedback from NFL Women includes phrases like, "great insight as to what life is really like for us" and "invaluable information for rookie wives/girlfriends." The central theme, according to a woman married to a player, "It was comforting to know that while the stories may vary many of our experiences are the same."

Even women who are not fans of the game can relate to many of the book's issues, such as frequent relocation or dealing with a partner's long hours - both common occurrences in today's American work culture.

Currently, I am speaking with two television producers who are interested in the topic of NFL Wives. Check my website for updates on these projects.

Of course, I hope this book continues to grow in popularity and one day reaches the Best Seller List . . . with Oprah's help. (smile)

Norm:

What is next for Shannon O'Toole is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered?

Shannon:

It is my dream to implement and facilitate an NFL Women Mentoring Program. The mission of this program is to lessen the strain and uncertainty, and thereby increase the life satisfaction of women new to the league by formally connecting them with experienced veteran wives/significant others. In these relationships, veteran NFL Women offer advice, answer questions, and guide their mentees in developing skills and methods for copy with the myriad of circumstances unique to NFL life. I am currently speaking with the league office along with the NFLPA about offering this program on a league-wide basis.

In the immediate future, John and I look forward to helping the people and the animals affected by Hurricane Katrina. "Recover, Rebuild, Rebirth" and GO SAINTS!

*Note: Hurricane Katrina dogs and cats continue to need loving homes. Please go to: http://www.petfinder.com to adopt one of these deserving animals.

Crunchy Coleslaw With Roquefort or Blue Cheese

Coleslaw goes with everything. Pulled pork sandwiches are often topped with this crunchy salad. It is also a common "side" for grilled steak, chicken, pork, and fish. Like soup, it is one of those recipes that tastes better the next day.

Though you can buy packaged salad in the grocery store, some nutritionists think pre-cut vegetables lose some of their nutritional value. Instead, they recommend buying whole vegetables and slicing or shredding them yourself. If you're watching your weight as I am, this recipe is a good choice.

Cabbage is filling and a storehouse of nutrients. According to the Nutrition Data website, the raw vegetable is low in calories and contains no cholesterol. One cup of chopped, raw cabbage contains only 22.2 calories. It also contains Vitamins A, C, D, E and K. This common vegetable is also high in calcium, with 35.6 milligrams per serving.

Commercial dressing is an option, but one I try to avoid because of the high sugar and salt content. One brand listed high fructose corn syrup as the first ingredient and that's not for me. I prefer to make my own dressing and used a sugar substitute. You may prefer to add sugar.

I read cookbooks like some people read novels. When I was paging through some of my cookbooks I came across several recipes for this crunchy salad with Roquefort cheese. Since I had made the salad (my husband and I had already eaten half) I added some cheese to the remaining coleslaw. It was so fantastic I decided to serve it for dinner.

To my surprise, the blue cheese flavor was barely there. That's why I recommend adding the cheese just before serving. Most coleslaw recipes call for cider vinegar. Since I didn't have any, I used rice vinegar instead. Bok choy may also be substituted for green cabbage. Are you wondering what to serve with sandwiches or a picnic supper? This sassy coleslaw will please all Roquefort cheese-lovers.

Ingredients

3 cups thinly sliced or shredded green cabbage

3 cups thinly sliced or shredded red cabbage

1 1/2 cups shredded carrots

1/2 cup green onions, white and green parts, chopped

1 cup light mayonnaise

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

2 tablespoons sugar substitute

1/2 teaspoon lower sodium salt

A pinch of pepper

1 cup crumbled Roquefort or Blue cheese

Method

Combine all ingredients, with the exception of cheese, in a large bowl. In a small bowl whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar substitute, salt and pepper. Pour over vegetables and toss gently. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for two hours or more. Add Roquefort or Blue cheese just before serving. This recipe serves about a dozen people.

Copyright 2012 by Harriet Hodgson