Premier Redford: Promise Breaker?

Alberta Premier campaigned on a promise of an extra $400 of AISH. So we thought we'd get a little breathing room.













Not much, but some.













Because the hard truth is, any time we get an increase in AISH, Alberta Health Services usually forces the hands of assisted living facilities, tellng them what to charge residents so that they (the assisted living providers) can continue to receive funding and services. The good people who run the institutions are therefore forced to don black hats and raise our rents.









If the AISH increase would be the $400 dollars Premier Redford promised us when she was running, we would have some breathing room if our rents were increased.









But yesterday the premier revealed that the increase would in fact be $100.









Again, enough left over for incidentals, a can of tomato soup, and maybe a box of Kraft Dinner.









But not much else.









Thankfully, some have friends and family they can turn to for a few bucks here and there, or help with food and transportation.









But not everybody has that option, Madam Premier.









By breaking your promise to Alberta's disabled community, you have alienated a significant portion of our province's population.









You are probably looking to stay on as premier through the next election, but I don't see how you will.









Unless you embrace the following four words:









Cost Of Living Increase.









That would mean you wouldn't be tied to a concrete number.









You probably won't take up the initiative, as tied up with corporate interests as you seem to be.









But I know that Danielle Smith has taken up a cost of living increase initiative regarding AISH, and plans to follow through should Wildrose be elected.

I receive $2015 per month in modified AISH because I live in an assisted living facility. I pay just over $1700 in rent, which covers three meals in a cafeteria, as well as great care, three daily snacks, and recreational activities. So I don't mind paying that.

Except that leaves me about $315 for bills and incidentals. So a cost of living increase sounds good to me, as I'm sure it would to you if you were im my situation. Yes, I know a lot of our medical and dental is paid for, but some isn't.

You have the opportunity to bump the AISH increase back to $400 and become a hero to Alberta's disabled community and the country at large, by giving us a fair shake.

Or you can leave the increase at $100, in effect telling the disabled to eat cake and going down in history as Alberta's Marie Antoinette.

The choice is yours.

Your Partner In Life

Friends

A lifelong friend is a person to treasure

Who can bring enjoyment to your life

And you to theirs

Beyond measure

And though you may both agree

That it will last forever

Often this crazy world

Will give you

Something to weather

So my friends

If I have not seen you

In like, forever

No worries

Because

Whenever it was

You enriched my life

And I will remember

And thank you

Forever


Your Partner In Life

A KFC New Year's

Last year at Christmas, we didn't get our days straight for the big Hebert family get-together.

This year, we got the day straight a week in advance.

So today, sister and brother-in-law got KFC.

Dad and Aunt Louise also got KFC.

The result?

A very plentiful feast suitable for the combined casts of Immortals and Game of Thrones.

Chicken, chicken and more chicken.

Anyone who knows me knows that I love my chicken.

Little Penelope was the star.

She saw KFC red.

She saw Pepsi blue.

But alas, as she hits the cereal milestone next month...

...she could only look, not touch or (sigh) eat.

Poor Penelope!

She could only hungrily eye Auntie Shawna's coleslaw as she sat on Auntie Shawna's lap.

And I almost dipped a fry into my Pepsi, I was having so much fun.

The raging debate around the table:

Is there actual tea in iced tea?

We didn't think so.

I didn't take any pop home down my shirt or at my back.

Dad will be eating leftovers for a week.

Happy New Year everyone!

Your Partner In Life

One More Thing, Penelope...

Hello Penelope!

It's Uncle Mike again.

Remember what I told you about being goofy when life gets you down? That is important, sweetie. But the fact is, sometimes when life gets you down, sometimes you can start to feel crappy. And when that happens and your spirits need a lift, you can listen to this song called Perfect by the singer Pink. She wrote it for her little girl, and now I'm sharing it with you, because you are special, no matter what anyone may tell you as you grow up.

I love you.

Uncle Mike

PS. Don't stay up this late until you're at least 18 :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BIye98Ryic

Welcome Penelope!

As she turned a month old a couple of days ago, I would like to take a moment to say a big hi to our new niece Penelope. Hi sweetheart! You are already so big and strong, and were born into a huge ocean of love.

As for who you got to be your mother, you really lucked out, kiddo. Your mom waited a long time for you to come into her life, and she is thrilled that you're here! She is a loyal friend to all who know her, and an absolutely fierce warrior who will go to bat every time for those she loves. And you, dear Penelope, are now at the top of that list. And that's a great place to be. I don't tell this to too many people, but I have a feeling I can trust you, so here goes. There have been times in my life when I have felt unsure and helpless, and she was there for me every time. I can tell you that whenever you have a problem, she will be there to listen, to offer advice, and to hug you. And whenever you step out of line as all kids do, she will let you know with firm but loving words, and often another hug, just like Grandma Annie did when she raised us. We learned from the best!

I haven't known your dad for as long as I've known your mom, but I've noticed four things about him:

1) You are the apple of his eye.
2) He is hard working.
3) He is really really tall
4) He will know when it's time to just drop everything and run in the yard with you and be goofy.

That is my first bit of Unclely Advice to you, sweet Penelope: As you go through life, when things get you down, sometimes it pays to be a little goofy. Your Auntie Shawna is still teaching me that one. Which reminds me, no matter how old you get, you can always learn more. But for now, you have games of "Heel, Toe, Away We Go!" on Grandpa Paul's knee to get to!

I'm probably rambling by now, so let me finish by saying thanks for letting your mom go to the Keith Urban concert. I know she appreciated it. And have fun next Sunday, when you will most definitely be the star!

I love you.

Uncle Mike

Congratulations Dr. Sherman!

Tonight Dr. Raj Sherman, former embattled Conservative MLA and health critic, has won the leadership of the Alberta Liberals. I offer my most heartfelt congratulations to him, and look forward to seeing what he does to bring them back from the political wilderness, by infusing them with a plan, focus, and heart.

Your Partner In Life

Grandma Lucy's Words of Wisdom

At my mom's retirement party earlier this summer, my 88-year-old maternal grandmother was asked what she thought of Tweeting.





Her response? "I only tweet when I drink too much at Christmas!".





As I was smiling, I asked Grandma Lucy what she thought of social media. To my surprise, she said that there was a lot of good in social media, and that the good tended to outweigh the bad when it is used to keep in touch with family. But she did caution that "there is a lot of crap mixed in with the good", and we would be wise to know the difference. I spent many hours in her company listening to stories of family parties she attended as a young girl, where people just sat around and talked, enjoying each other's company. I have been to enough family parties of my own as the practice passed down through my generation and the next, and when the lightning-fast pace of society infrequently gets me down, these memories are there to calm and sustain me as I take a minute to plan my strategy for climbing the next mountain.

I love you Grandma!

Your Partner In Life