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I've received surprising news that the 'autism insurance reform bill' passed unanimously out of the Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance committee late Tuesday. The HB 2160 will be heard on the Senate Floor at 2:30 p.m. today - Thursday, March 18th.

Senator contact information can be found at www.kslegislature.org - choose "Find Your Senator" from the menu on the list on the left hand side of the site, a list of senators and contact numbers should then present itself.

A simple, essential, call letting your Senator know you want a Yes vote for Substitute House Bill 2160 would be key to getting it passed. Anyone who lives in Kansas can make the call.

For live coverage of the debate, go to www.kslegislature.org - click, "Listen in Live", at 2:30.

For additional information on House Bill 2160, or the movement on autism insurance reform in Kansas, visit: www.autismvots.org/Kansas

Let's help these families with children of special needs with this issue. Thanks!

I wrote this blog over a year ago. Has this idea been discussed? It has been working well in other stated and for big business as well. N0 schools need to be closed.

Just think of the savings! School buses run only four days a week, thermostats and air conditioners could be turned to a minimum temperature for a three day weekend instead of two. Payment for cooks, janitors, paras, bus drivers, and crossing guards would go down.

It is difficult to comprehend just how much savings the state of Kansas might have if it jumped on the same bus that eleven other states are riding.

And just maybe parents of children who had either Friday or Monday off would also start working four day weeks - adding up to even bigger savings for their personal pocket books. These savings might include childcare, gasoline for transportation to and from their job, less meals out, etc., etc.

What ways can you think of that a four day work and school week would provide higher savings for all of us?

Should we add that to our ballot this fall?

I know I would love a three day weekend to take mini vacations (oops - there went my extra savings), but it would still be worth it!

It would have slid right by me if a certain online persona hadn't made mention of it in my blog about chili. And to think I'm having tea with her at an upcoming party!

Sarah was born February 11th of 1964. I believe that makes her 46 as of today's birthday. Wonder how she's spending her special day?

So here's the blog topic. If you could give Sarah something for her birthday, what would it be?

I think I'd give her some peace of mind with that intended son in law that didn't happen. The guy who is telling all, and showing more than he has, as he rakes in the big bucks. What's his name? Levi?

Be kind, be polite. What would you give Sarah Palin for her birthday if you could give her anything you wanted?

I've never been one to live within a budget. I guess I have been fortunate enough to never really have needed one to live comfortably. I have started budgeting recently though and am finding it is a very good thing. And, I would add, that it should be something we all learn to utilize early in our lives - whether we 'think' we need to or not.

As we approach our twilight years, we often find we should have saved, sweated, and budgeted far more than we did. Therein is where the confusion lies for me. Why does Obama want us to wait a year to begin a budget? (Maybe I don't get it because I'm more of a Republican at heart) I understand that if someone, whether that someone is a person or a country, can't budget what they don't have, but our President is spending money as though it grows as quickly as leaves on trees in a rain forest. Why do we have to wait to begin budgeting/constraining our spending habits? Maybe I'm not the only one who didn't understand or appreciate his comments - there really weren't many laughs except those President Obama seemed to be having.

I was also confused how asking the banks that were bailed out with Obama's huge spending are now to pay back some of that debt. How does that help us, you know, the little common people? Aren't those banks making their money off of us - those of us who are unemployed, homeless, up to their eyes in debt? Aren't credit card fees much of the reason behind why people are losing their homes and unable to pay debt now? I don't understand why all credit card fees haven't been capped at something reasonable (six to ten percent). I don't understand why they can now charge people an inactivity fee. There is a lot I don't understand. I guess there is a little bit of the 'Irish' in all of us.

I would like to ask that you be kind in explaining these matters to me. I just paid bills and seem to be over budget!

The Fox channel had its debut showing of "The Moment of Truth" Weds. evening following American Idol.

The show works something like this: pick a contestant and ask them fifty personal questions behind the scenes to get to know them and their vices and flaws.

Next, hook them up to a lie detector test in front of an audience, their spouse, their friends, and even their employer. Then comes the fun part as the contestant is asked the first six questions, which answered truthfully puts 10,000 dollars in their pocket.

It isn't as easy as it sounds, however, because some of the questions are down right demented! Some random questions from last night's show were

:"Are you addicted to gambling?"

"Are you currently a member of the hair club for men?"

"As a personal trainer, have you touched a female client more than was required of you?"

"Have you used the internet to flirt with other women?"

"Have you stolen a peek at another man's privates during a shower?"

"Have you had a sexual fantasy during mass?"

"Have you gone through a co-workers belongings without their knowledge?"

"Have you delayed having children because you don't think your spouse is your lifelong partner?"

The friends/spouse/employers have one out - they can push a large button that is centered between them (one time only) if they do not want to hear the person answer the question that was asked. The problem with that is it will be replaced with another question and the other question just might be worse then the first.

After the initial six questions, that can earn the contestant 10,000 if answered correctly, the next five questions, if answered truthfully, can get the contestant up to the 25,000 dollar mark. The higher you go, the harder and more revealing the question. Answer all 21 questions truthfully and you have $500,000 in your pocket. You may not have a job to go back to, your wife, husband, and friends have probably abandoned you, but you decide how important money really is in your life.

This show is destined to be a hit - audiences love to see people squirm in the hot seat, see their lives (and their friends and families lives) destroyed right in front of them - and the contestant most probably will end up leaving with nothing.

This reminded me of the games we played as teenagers: truth or dare and twenty questions.

Would you risk it all and tell the truth for $500,000?

Obama may look like the winning horse leading the pack at the beginning of this year's Presidential race, but he won't be able to keep up the pace all the way to the finish line. He isn't seasoned. He isn't experienced.

Neither he or Edwards have the lineage behind them that would be required to go the distance.

Still, Obama is working the track and has picked his way from the back of the pack and moved into a key position to make a run for the final stretch. It hasn't been an easy task. He has been hit by dirt and mud as much as any of his opponents. He seems to be gaining speed. He is a full length ahead of Edwards and Edwards is a nose in front of Clinton.

I am glad I have my bet on Clinton though. She is saving herself for the finish line. She has great stamina, loves to be pushed for a grand finish and is well seasoned and confident. She stands head and shoulders above the competition because of her previous experiences in other races such as these - some of which she watched from the sidelines.

Obama has blinders on; he won't be able to see the filly passing him on the inside track until he begins to taste the dust that is stirred up as she leaves him far behind.

And she hasn't even begun to work up a lather.