Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium
May 2009
This is an elephant skin which is amazingly soft and very wrinkled. Hands (from to right): Renee, Cassandra, mine, Cameron (left & right).
20 Healthy Snacks For a Healthy New Year
7 months ago
Make Me Laugh Monday - Old Lady Gets Back
Join me in the fun and giggles of making Mondays a better day by sharing some laughs. Add your link to your Make Me Laugh Monday post to Mr. Linky below. (All links not leading directly to your post will be deleted.) All posts should be funny in some way. Yes, this is up to interpretation. Ideas include riddles, funny family stories, comic strips, jokes, silly graphics, funny lyrics, hilarious photos, etc. Please don't leave me to snicker all alone. I'm sure YOU have something funny to share.
Thought of the Day - 6/8/09
Being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect, it means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!
QOTW - Camping
Did you ever go camping as a kid? Or attend an overnight camp?
As a young kid, I went camping with my family to Kinzua Dam. It is some of my most memorable times as a kid. We went for a month at a time. The car and boat were packed to the gills. We would set up camp away from the masses, in a secluded spot, and the only way to get there was by boat. It would take my father several trips to get everyone to the camping site because there were so many of us and with the boat being packed full of food, camping supplies, clothes, etc. There would be 4 - 5 tents because friends, uncles, aunts, grandparents, and us (7) were all there.
One of my best memories is catching newts after it rained. We would catch 100s in a short amount of time and fill up our buckets -- and sometimes pillowcases -- full of newts. The next day they would all be gone. I sure hope someone released them all. Poor little newts.
Another memory is picking blackberries. Yummo! We'd get in the boat and ride for a good 20 minutes to get to our destination. You could pick all the blackberries you wanted for free. The bramble bushes were unfortunately next to a graveyard and that was kind of creepy.
Another fun time is learning to water ski. I didn't get very far in learning this before the camping at Kinzua stopped. All the kids learned to ski (except my sister since she was the youngest of the bunch). Two of my brothers could do all kinds of fancy tricks and spins.
One thing I hated about camping was the outhouse. The smell, -- ewww, gross! -- the heat, the smell, the lack of toilet paper, the smell, the long walk to get there, the smell, the bugs. Did I mention the horrible smell?
Camping at Kinzua Dam is one of the very few memories of my childhood that I can actually remember.
During my tween and teenage years, I attended Deep Valley Christian Camp in Slippery Rock, PA. I attended as a camper as well as worked there for several summers.
Later I would teach classes there -- not realizing, at first, it was the same place I attended as a child.
Thought of the Day - 6/7/09
I have been both wise and foolish. I have been loved, and betrayed, and abandoned. And much to my despair, I have unwittingly wounded others, and I humbly beg their forgiveness. I have loved much, and given of my whole heart and sole. Even when badly wounded, I have continued on the path, with faith, and hope, and even blind relief, toward love and freedom.
The journey continues.
Thought of the Day - 6/6/09
Happiness can be found in the darkest of times.
~~ Professor Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban ~~
Family Minute #53
What Are Your Child's Strengths and Weaknesses?
Get out a piece of paper and write three things that you see as your child's strengths. Next, jot down three of their most aggravating weak points. After you've done that, think about which list was easier to make? If you're like most, it was their weaknesses. It's much easier to list the negatives. Your child would probably also find it easier to list the negative things about themselves. That's why it's so important for us parents to praise our kids for their unique personalities, and their unique abilities.
Remember, your family first.
Thought of the Day - 6/5/09
Patience with others is love.
Patience with self is hope.
Patience with God is faith.
Daily Living - 6/4/09
Over the last month, life at our house has become almost too overwhelming... again! Medications and behavior modifications are not working. Diagnoses of Renee have been altered with additional complications. There are days it seems too much.
As Renee continues to get worse in many areas of life, so is Cameron.
Renee continues to lie on average 50 times per day. She still refuses to use the toilet. She is 9 and it is a control issue. I had to give her two enemas today. Ewww! And lucky me -- what?! -- I get to do it again tomorrow.
Cameron has started to have regular temper tantrums again due to the stress Renee brings into the house. Major, explosive, out-of-control tantrums.
I wonder how I will manage this day or the next or the next. But I do, because my family is grounded in love... and I pray it cannot be broken. We depend on our faith.
But my love and faith are being tested. Tested, it seems, too much.
Yes, I know that God only gives us what we can handle... but am I truthfully handling it well??? I sincerely don't know.
Thought of the Day - 6/4/09
It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities
~~ Joanne Rowling ~~
Thought of the Day - 6/3/09
God is more interested in our character than our comfort.
~~ My friend, Chris ~~
Today I Am Thankful - 6/3/09
For years, on and off, I have kept a Gratitude journal. Instead of writing down what I am thankful for in my journal (because it is now full) I will periodically share what I am thankful for here at All Things Cherished.
Today I am thankful for...
1. For the stimulus money I received so I could pay to get my car inspected (which was two months overdue).
2. For the TV that distracts me when I get frustrated or depressed.
3. For friends that keep me on task.
Top Ten Tuesday - Favorite Ways to Pass the Time
Past times and hobbies that I cherish are (in no particular order)...
- Sleeping, especially naps.
- Eating chocolate.
- Cuddling with my Chihuahuas.
- Cuddling with my children.
- Reading mystery novels and best sellers.
- Blogging.
- Reading others' blogs.
- Watching my favorite TV shows.
- Taking photographs with my new Kodak EasyShare camera. (Thank goodness for rental businesses like Aaron's.)
- Scrapbooking. (Check out my scrapbooking cards and layouts at 365 Day of Memories.)
For more list on many topics, go Oh Amanda.
Thought of the Day - 6/2/09
Love is like a butterfly . . .
it goes where it pleases
and pleases wherever it goes.
Family Minute #52
What Is the Most Vicious, Competitive Sport In the World?
Parenting. That’s right, parenting. I mean, think about it...we fight to make sure our children go to the best school, get the best teacher and make the best grades. We compete to get our child the lead role in the school play. We fight to get them on three different sports teams at one time... then fight to make sure they’re in the starting line-up. And we do it all to give our child the competitive edge and a better life, right? Or, is it really us parents who competing with one another? And who is the winner in the end? Think about it...
Remember your family first.
Make Me Laugh Monday - Laughter
Here's something so cute it's guaranteed to relieve your stress. When the little boy appears on your screen, use your mouse to move him across the page. Make sure your speakers are on. This is sure to make you laugh.
Join me in the fun and giggles of making Mondays a better day by sharing some laughs. Add your link to your Make Me Laugh Monday post to Mr. Linky below. (All links not leading directly to your post will be deleted.) All posts should be funny in some way. Yes, this is up to interpretation. Ideas include riddles, funny family stories, comic strips, jokes, silly graphics, funny lyrics, hilarious photos, etc. Please don't leave me to snicker all alone. I'm sure YOU have something funny to share.
To Vent or Not to Vent
For most of us, we began our blogging experience with one, two, or both of the following goals in mind:
1. As an outlet to vent our frustrations of motherhood, womanhood, and adulthood.
2. To chronicle the everyday life, as well as the milestones and special memories, of our children as so we never forget.
As our blogs grow in popularity, not only strangers (now our "blogger" buddies), but our family and close friends have begun reading and commenting. It is no longer possible to really vent about the things we want and need to in order to maintain some balance of sanity. We don't want to offend a friend, insult a teacher, embarrass our children, or start a family feud... so we don't write about some of the things we are feeling. We just sit and wonder why we don't feel we have the freedom to write and say what we want on our own blog.
Kinzua Dam
Pronounced "kin-zoo" by local residents and "kin-zew-uh" in the Seneca language. Its construction in the 1960's was controversial because it involved the breaking of one of the country's oldest treaties. It forced the departure of Pennsylvania's last Native Americans, the Senecas, who now live nearby on the northern shores of the flooded land near Salamanca, New York. In addition to flood control and power generation, it created Pennsylvania's deepest inland lake, the Allegheny Reservoir, also known as Kinzua Lake.
Kinzua Dam is one of the largest dams in the United States east of the Mississippi River. A lawsuit against breaking the U.S. treaty which guaranteed perpetual Seneca ownership of the land had been argued by the Society of Friends (Quakers) but it lost in Federal Court. The creation of the dam also forced the displacement of the Boy Scout Camp Olmsted, owned by the Chief Cornplanter Council. The camp had once been located along the Allegheny River bottom but had to be moved up the hillside some distance. The once-nearly flat camp now has one of the steepest grades of any Boy Scout Camp in America.
Authorized by the Flood Control Acts of 1936, 1938, and 1941, actual construction on the dam was begun by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1960 and completed in 1965. The main purpose of the dam is flood control on the Allegheny River and Ohio River. This dam controls drainage on a watershed of 2,180 square miles (5,646 km) or an area twice the size of the state of Rhode Island. Side benefits derived from the dam include drought control, hydroelectric power production, and recreation. The total cost of construction was approximately $108 million. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kinzua more than paid for itself in 1972 when tropical storm Agnes dumped continual heavy rains on the watershed, bringing the reservoir to within three feet of its maximum storage capacity. Over $247 million in downstream damages were prevented.
Engineering Data:
Length of dam: 1,897 feet (578 m)
Maximum height of dam: 179 feet (55 m)
Earthfill: 3,000,000 cubic yards (2,293,635 m)
Concrete: 500,000 cubic yards (382,272 m)
Penstocks (pipes through dam),diameter:19 feet (5.8 m)
The nearest city to the dam is Warren, Pennsylvania and is the dam is situated six miles east of the city on Route 59. It was open for public tours (until 9/11/2001) but now is closed for "national security". It is located within the 500,000 acres (2,023 km) Allegheny National forest in northwestern Pennsylvania. A boat marina and beach are located nearby.
Completely surrounded by lush forest, the Kinzua Dam and Allegheny Reservoir are the heart of one of the largest and most popular outdoor recreation areas in the northeastern United States. The Allegheny Reservoir spans the border between western Pennsylvania and New York, and offers year-round 
recreational opportunities including swimming, boating, camping, fishing, and stunning fall foliage.
I write about Kinzua Dam because as I was growing up my family and I went camping near the lake for weeks/months at a time during the summer. We could only access "our" camp site via boat. It would take about 8 trips from the dock to the camp site due to all the gear, clothes, and people. The best part of camping was the many people that gathered -- parents, maternal grandparents, paternal grandmother, uncles, aunts, cousins, siblings, friends of parents, friends of siblings, LOTS of people. We fished, skied, hiked, caught newts, had scavenger hunts, went sight-seeing via the boat, picked blackberries, visited local historical sites and stores . . . and most of all had fun and were together.
Thought of the Day - 5/31/09
Music, artwork, or any kind of creative expression is an excellent escape.
QOTW - Music
Each week, starting today, I will be posting a QOTW (Question of the Week) so you can join in and so we can get to know each other better.
Today's question:
What kind of music do you enjoy?
I listen to various genres... today's country, classic country, oldies from the 50s & 60s, Christmas, contemporary Christian, 80's soft rock, pop. Pretty much anything but heavy metal, rap, and opera.
Around the 'Net - iMom
iMOM Helps Mothers of All Ages by Providing Advice and Encouragement Where and When They Need It
Family First, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing research, resources and advice aimed at strengthening the family, launched iMOM, a motherhood program to complement the organization’s popular All Pro Dad program. iMOM is designed for mothers of all ages and backgrounds who seek to build lasting, meaningful relationships with their children. The program supports mothers on this journey by providing them with information, ideas, and encouragement to help nurture their children into becoming wise, healthy, purposeful, and relationally-focused.
iMOM already is receiving support from notable moms, including Kathy Ireland – supermodel turned lifestyle designer – who is an official ambassador for the organization. Serving as Ambassadors with Kathy Ireland are Lauren Dungy, a mom and the wife of Indianapolis Colts Coach Tony Dungy, and acclaimed actress, vocalist, and mom, Mary Donnelly Haskell.
ADHD and Organization
ADHD & Organization - Can They co-Exist?
Just because you have ADHD doesn't mean you have to be disorganized. In fact there are many people with ADHD who are incredibly well organized. Being organized has helped them thrive. However, if you have ADHD it is often more difficult for you to get organized and stay that way.
What does being organized mean?
Being organized is not about putting things away and everything being neat and ready for company. It is about how you function in your environment. It means that you control your environment, your things and your time, instead of your environment controlling you. Organization is how you manage your things, your time, and your tasks.
What about ADHD contributes to disorganization?
ADHD involves your brain's frontal lobe which acts as the "executive functioning" area of your brain. This is the part of your brain that allows you to make decisions, set rules, prioritize, assign responsibilities, help you focus and remember.
Getting organized involves several steps that are often done in a specific order.
1. Decision Making -- Decide what you need and what you don't need.
2. Setting Rules -- Categorize what you have left.
3. Assigning Responsibilities -- Assign a place to keep these things and put them away
4. Focusing and Remembering -- Keep everything organized on an ongoing basis.
To follow these steps to get organized and then to stay "organized" once you must have systems in place and keep on track while you are performing tasks which are less than stimulating. When you look at it this way it is no wonder that people with ADHD have trouble being organized.
People with ADHD have trouble focusing on routine tasks...is there anything more routine (and boring) than opening mail, paying bills and filing? How about doing laundry and putting away clothes?
People with ADHD have trouble filtering out distractions. Going through old clothes in your closet is just not that exciting. How can you stay focused on the one thing that you are trying to get done when you hear "You've got mail!" or the phone rings? Not only do you lose your place on the stack of papers you were working on but you get pulled completely off task. It might be hours, days or even weeks until you get back to that pile.
If it is so hard to be organized why should I bother?
One of the ironies of ADHD life is that the more organized you are and the more routines you have in your schedule and life, the easier it will be for you to function. What organization does is allow you to NOT have to focus on this minutia. Once organizing becomes routine you don't have to think about where something goes or where to find something that you put away. Once you have a schedule for getting up and out of the house in the morning you don't have to worry about what to do 1st, 2nd, and 3rd or whether or not you will make it to work on time. Once you have schedules and routines you don't have to hunt all over the house for your bills and when you finally track them all down pay them late.
Let's get organized:
Realize that you are NOT perfect. You don't have to have a perfect system and there are no set rules to follow. The system you create only needs to make sense to you.
Be yourself. Don't try to fit someone else's mold. Instead, create systems and routines that reflect your personality and make them fun. Remember that one great thing about ADHD is the ability to be creative and brainstorm. Come up with the wackiest way to organize your environment. That will probably the way it will work best for you.
Learn to say "NO.” Before deciding to take on a new responsibility make sure you have the time and ability to add it to your current schedule. If you don't have the time decide which activity from your current schedule you will stop.
Use broad categories for filing and organizing. Depending on how you think you can file all banking things together and all credit cards together. They don't need individual files unless that would help you.
Label everything. Remember people with ADHD tend not to remember "unimportant" details like which drawer they put their bank statements in or which refrigerator drawer holds the fruit or which list is for phone calls. Labeling helps you to find things and put them away.
Create Mini-Tasks. Break up all tasks into mini-tasks that take 10 - 15 minutes each. Smaller tasks are easier to do and to schedule.
Manage organization energy bursts. Work for 5, 10 or 20 minutes and then, even if you aren't done, stop. If you have a list of mini-tasks set up you should have a list of things you can accomplish fairly quickly.
If it works stick with it. When you are faced with organizing something new, look at the systems you have that work and try to figure out why it works. Build onto these systems or create new ones that are similar.
Use memory tricks. Don't just try to remember things, use multiple senses. Say it aloud to yourself, tell someone, sing it, write it down and keep the note somewhere that you will really see. If it is a routine or habit you are trying to create make a rhyme out of the sequence of things you want to accomplish, create a sign and post the new habit where you will be doing it.
Ask for help. Often having someone to keep you company is enough to get many people moving and stay on task. Maybe you can volunteer to keep a friend company if they keep you company?
Get your kids help. Tell your kids what you are going to do. They love catching parents "misbehaving." Most people will do anything to avoid being caught by their children.
Be Flexible. Remember life happens. Sometimes despite your best planning things don't always work out the way you want them to. There are many ways to be organized - you just need to find the way that works for you.
P.S. I have ADD.
What's Your Inner Color?
Your Inner Color is Blue |
 Your Personality: Your natural warmth and intuition nurtures those around you. You are accepting and always follow your heart. You in Love: Relationships are your top priority, and this includes love. You are most happy when you are serious with someone. Your Career: You need to help others in your job to feel satisfied. You would be a great nurse, psychologist, or counselor. |
Family Minute #51
In his book, Quiet Strength, Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy talks about how he didn’t get to hug his son, Jamie, when Jamie left the house for the airport after the Thanksgiving holiday. Jamie was in a rush to catch his flight. But Tony knew he’d see his son again soon and would get his hug then. Well, Tony never got to hug Jamie again. And at his son’s funeral, Tony said “Parents, hug your kids every chance you get. Tell them that you love them every chance you get. You don’t know when it’s going to be the last time.” Mom, Dad, you never know what tomorrow will bring, so remember . . . hug your child today and remember . . .
Remember your family first.
Abundance
Abundance: What It Is and What It Isn't
Here's a concept that is the basis of many of my thoughts and practices about abundance: Abundance and money are not the same. Nor is either the same as prosperity. We can learn about abundance using money as a vehicle, but the two are not synonymous. I believe that if we all unhook from the belief that money and prosperity and abundance are the same, we will experience more of all three! Each of us has a right to be inundated with all three, if that is our desire.
Someone can have lots of money, yet live in poverty consciousness. Someone can easily meet financial commitments, yet feel sadly lacking in confidence or friends or competence or joy. We can use anything to experience abundance: the ocean, food, mountains, paper, trust, money, confidence, skills, anything! Abundance is about unlimited consciousness, not physical things. The consciousness of abundance creates those things.
What Season Are You?
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Rules of Chocolate
If you’ve got melted chocolate all over your hands, you’re eating it too slowly.
Chocolate covered raisins, cherries, orange slices, and strawberries all count as fruit, so eat as many as you want.
The problem: How to get 2 pounds of chocolate home from the store in a hot car. The Solution: Eat it in the parking lot.
Diet tip: Eat a chocolate bar before each meal. It’ll take the edge off your appetite and you’ll eat less.
A nice box of chocolates can provide your total daily intake of calories in one place. Isn't that handy?
If you can’t eat all your chocolate, it will keep in the freezer. But if you can’t eat all your chocolate, what’s wrong with you?
If I eat equal amounts of dark chocolate and white chocolate, is that a balanced diet? Don’t they actually counteract each other?
Money talks. Chocolate sings.
Chocolate has many preservatives. Preservatives make you look younger.
Q. Why is there no such organization as Chocoholics Anonymous?
A. Because no one wants to quit.
If not for chocolate, there would be no need for control top pantyhose. An entire garment industry would be devastated.
Put "eat chocolate" at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least, you’ll get one thing done.
What Color Nail Polish Best Fits You?
Your Nail Polish Color is Red |
 How you're unique: You have an incredible eye for style and art Why your style rocks: You are classic and classy - and that's hot! What this color says about you: "I'm smart, sassy, and sexy. And I know it." |
Thought of the Day - 5/30/09
I am going to concentrate on what's important in life. I'm going to strive everyday to be a kind and generous and loving person.
~~ Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider ~~
I too want to strive to be a kind and generous and loving person every day. How about you?
Around the 'Net - The Random Acts of Kindness
"The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation inspires people to practice kindness and to 'pass it on' to others." With all of the pressures of everyday living, too often we forget the difference that simple acts of kindness can make to others and to ourselves. Now there is a resource that will help you remember and even define 'Acts of Kindness,' all the while helping make clearer the importance of these acts. You'll have the opportunity to see what others in your area are doing and even build a website of your own 'Acts of Kindness.' Naturally, there are kindness quotations, inspirational stories, and even articles on the health benefits of kindness. For those of you involved in the educational process, there's a 'Teacher's Corner' for 'Shared Ideas' and 'Resource Guides.' As Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, "You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late." What better incentive to remind you to perform your Acts of Kindness today.
Around the 'Net - Planet Giggle
Once you arrive on Planet Giggle you are instructed to stay tuned to GiggleVision, the alternative to television, a media where you 'Dream it! Believe it! Create it! Got it!' This interactive site helps kids and teens begin on a lifelong course to realize their dreams. The developers quit their regular jobs, "loaded up an RV and traveled across the country in search of kids who could inspire the world to live their dreams, . . . [kids who could] inspire YOU to get off your bum and get out there to discover your own dreams!" You'll have access to Kidvision, actual examples of kids who are changing the world with their dreams, suggestions for helping you 'Color Outside the Lines,' taking a traditional idea and putting your own twist on it, links to other creative sites, and an opportunity to share your dreams with other teens. Tune in soon so you can really 'Get It!'
Around the 'Net - Bright Side
Whether you are dealing with depression, grief, suicide, mental illness, emotional crisis, or are just feeling overwhelmed with life, you are not alone! We all go through difficult periods in our lives, when everyday life feels like it's just too much to bear. A little support can go a long way towards helping us cope. The Bright Side is the Internet site that can help visitors with the coping process, one that can provide support from everyday stress as well as education on specific mental health issues. There is no problem finding the information with the search facility on the site and directories providing links to outside support and information. Now there is a Bright Side to help everyone "clear the clouds."
Thought of the Day - 5/28/09
Ask yourself: Have you been kind today? Make kindness your daily modus operandi and change your world.
~~ Annie Lennox ~~
Thought of the Day - 5/27/09
The key question in life is not "How strong am I?" but rather "How strong is God?"
~~ Max Lucado ~~
The Gift of Life
Do a nice thing for yourself and watch this stunning video about miracles inside the human body.
Top Ten Tuesday - Why I Love My Home
A little over four years ago I moved into this house. The last house I lived in had flooded five times in an 8 week period. At times, my washer and dryer were floating in the basement. There were so many things wrong with that house but I had run out of time to find a HUD approved place before I lost my HUD status, so for a few years we lived in a house where dust in the pipe-work regularly caught on fire, where we dealt with a dirt basement floor, where mold had grown so badly that my daughter became allergic. Ugh.
Thankfully, I finally found a better place, physically, literally, emotionally. Hooray!
Why I Love My Home
- Comfortable.
- Cement floor in basement.
- Clean.
- Dining Room transformed into office and craft studio.
- New windows.
- Old, beautiful woodwork.
- Closets (old house only had one).
- Wraparound front porch.
- Back porch.
- Eat-in kitchen.
To join the Top Ten Tuesday meme, go to Oh Amanda.
Thought of the Day - 5/26/09
I believe our background & circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we're responsible for who we become.
How Much Do You Cost?
How much do you cost? Add up your points.
Natural Hair Color:
[ ] Red/Auburn - $50
[x] Brown - $75
[ ] Blonde - $50
[ ] Black - $15
[ ] Bald - $5
Eye Color:
[x]Blue - $100
[ ] Green - $75
[ ]Brown - $20
[ ]Hazel - $50
[ ]Other - $15
Height:
[ ] Over 7' - $200
[ ] 6'8" to 7' - $175
[ ] 6'0" to 6'7" - $150
[ ] 5'5" to 5'11" - $75
[x] 5'0" to 5'4" - $100
[ ] Under 5-$75
Age:
[x] 31 to 40 - $100
[ ] 26 to 30 - $75
[ ] 21 to 25 - $50
[ ] 18 to 20 - $125
[ ] 0 to 17 - $150
Total so far: $375
Current Education:
[ ] PhD - $500
[ ] Masters - $450
[x] Bachelors - $400
[ ] Associates - $350
[ ] In College/Some College - $300
[ ] High School Graduate - $250
[ ] In High School - $200
[ ] Middle school - $150
[ ] High School Dropout - $100
[ ] What is School - $Bankrupt$
Birth Order:
[ ] Twins or more than twins - $300
[ ] First born - $300*
[x] Only child - $250*
[ ] Second born-$150
[ ] Middle child -$100
[x] Second to last born- $75*
[ ] Last Born - $50
[ ] Other - $25
*I am my father's only child. I am part of 5 siblings that my mother has.
Vision?
[ ] No correction $75
[x] Glasses $50
[x] Contacts $25
[ ] Surgical correction $10
Total so far: $1,175
Car Color:
[ ]Orange - $1000
[ ]Gold - $700
[ ]Gray - $600
[ ] Blue - $500
[x] White - $475
[ ] Black - $450
[ ] Red - $400
[ ] Green- $350
[ ] Silver - $300
[ ] Purple- $250
[ ] Metallic - $200
[ ] Yellow - $100
[ ] Primer - $75
[x] Rusted - $15
[ ] No Car - $0
Shoe Size:
[ ] 13+ - $300
[ ] 11 to 12 - $200
[x] 7 to 10 - $100
[ ] Under 7- $50
Room Colors:
[ ] Black - $500
[ ] Blue - $475
[ ] Brown - $450
[ ] Purple - $425
[x] White - $450
[ ] Green - $350
[ ] Orange - $300
[ ] Yellow - $200
[ ] Pink - $100
[ ] Other - $ 50
Total: $2,215
How much do YOU cost? Let us know in the comments.
Thought of the Day - 5/25/09
Kids naturally WANT to behave. Nurturing their goodness and guiding their behavior is the best way to help empower kids to make the right choices on their own.
Make Me Laugh Monday - Words from the Scale
Avoid any diet that discourages the use of hot fudge.
~~ Don Kardong ~~
I've decided that perhaps I'm bulimic and just keep forgetting to purge.
~~ Paula Poundstone ~~
You can't lose weight by talking about it. You have to keep your mouth shut.
~~ Author Unknown ~~
I think I just ate my willpower.
~~ Author Unknown ~~
Dieting is not a piece of cake.
~~ Author Unknown ~~
I'm not overweight. I'm just nine inches too short.
~~ Shelley Winters ~~
When I buy cookies I eat just four and throw the rest away. But first I spray them with Raid so I won't dig them out of the garbage later. Be careful, though, because that Raid really doesn't taste that bad.
~~ Janette Barber ~~
Join me in the fun and giggles of making Mondays a better day by sharing some laughs. Add your link to your Make Me Laugh Monday post to Mr. Linky below. (All links not leading directly to your post will be deleted.) All posts should be funny in some way. Yes, this is up to interpretation. Ideas include riddles, funny family stories, comic strips, jokes, silly graphics, funny lyrics, hilarious photos, etc. Please don't leave me to snicker all alone. I'm sure YOU have something funny to share.
All these quotes were found at The Quote Garden.
What I Did... What Did You Do?
I did the macarena with a homeless guy because I'm sexy and I do what I want.
Pick the month you were born in:
Jan–I kicked
Feb–I loved
Mar–I karate chopped
Apr–I licked
May–I jumped on
Jun–I smelled
Jul–I did the macarena with
Aug–I had lunch with
Sep–I danced with
Oct–I sang to
Nov–I yelled at
Dec–I ran over
Pick the date you were born on:
1–a birdbath
2–a monster
3–a phone
4–a fork
5–a snowman
6–a gangster
7–my cell phone
8–my dog
9–my best friends’ boyfriend
10–my neighbor
11–my science teacher
12–a banana
13–a fireman
14–a stuffed animal
15–a goat
16–a pickle
17–your mom
18–a spoon
19–a smurf
20–a baseball bat
21–a ninja
22–Chuck Norris
23–a noodle
24–a squirrel
25–a football player
26–my sister
27–my brother
28–an ipod
29–a surfer
30–a llama
31–a homeless guy
Pick the color of shirt you are wearing:
White–because I’m cool like that.
Black–because that’s how I roll.
Pink–because I’m not crazy.
Red–because the voices told me to.
Blue–because I’m sexy and I do what I want.
Green–because I think I need some serious help.
Purple–because I’m awesome.
Gray–because Big Bird said to and he’s my leader.
Yellow–because someone offered me $1.
Orange–because my family thinks I’m crazy.
Brown–because I can.
Other–because I’m a Ninja.
None–because I can ‘t control myself.
Let me know what YOU did by leaving a comment below.
A Part of Ourselves
There is that part of ourselves that feels ugly, deformed, unacceptable. That part, above all, we must learn to cherish, embrace, and call by name. Each of us has characteristics we define as good and those we define as bad. The parts of ourselves that we continually reject want to be acknowledged and loved. Until we honor these aspects, they will continue to assert themselves. They will do whatever they can to get our attention.
What aspects of yourself do you reject?
Take a few moments to open to the parts of yourself that you do not love. See each one honestly for what it is. Explore the wounds and the motives that gave rise to its condition. Love a wounded part of yourself and it will heal.
The first step toward change is acceptance. Once you accept yourself, you open the door to change. That's all you have to do. Change is not something you do, it's something you allow.
Thought of the Day - 5/24/09
The Grammar of Life
Said a Professor of English:
Live in the active voice, not the passive.
Thank more about what you make happen
than what happens to you.
Live in the indicative mood,
rather than the subjunctive.
Be concerned with things as they are
rather than as they might be.
Live in the present tense,
facing the duty at hand
Without regret for the past
or worry for the future.
Live in the first person, criticizing yourself
rather than finding fault with others.
Live in the singular number,
Caring more for the approval of your own conscience
than for the applause of the crowd.
And if you want a verb to conjugate,
You cannot do better than to take The verb ‘to love’.
~~ Author Unknown ~~
What Color Green Are You?
You Are Olive Green |
 You are the most real of all the green shades. You're always true to yourself. For you, authenticity and honesty are very important... both in others and yourself. You are grounded and secure. It takes a lot to shake you. People see you as dependable, probably the most dependable person they know. |
Unintended Consequences of Mom Blogging
It is my assertion that every mom blogger has the right to run her blog the way she sees fit without public condemnation and wayward judgments. Beyond honesty, there are no concrete standards by which all mom bloggers should adhere. Read more at Mom Bloggers Club.
I believe as mom bloggers we have the innate capacity to rise to greater levels of compassion and appreciation for one another
No Matter How Much
I have a huge 'to do' list for this weekend. A good chunk of today is already gone, and I've gotten majorly sidetracked. Sometimes it is plain hard to find the energy just to get up in the morning! Seems like no matter how much I get accomplished, the list just gets longer.
Thought of the Day - 5/23/09
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity. It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.
~~ Melodie Beattie ~~
Thought of the Day - 5/22/09
We cannot live for ourselves alone. Our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads, and along these sympathetic fibers, our actions run as causes and return to us as results.
~~ Herman Melville ~~
Thought of the Day - 5/21/09
Making a decision to have a child – it’s momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.
~~ Elizabeth Stone ~~
Works for Me Wednesday #18
Tech 911
Quick fixes to try before calling customer support or the repair shop.
Dropped Cell Phone in Water
If you act fast, your phone might not call it quits. Remove the battery and SIM card then wipe everything off. Use a vacuum to suck out the moisture, and let air-dry for a day or two (or more) before reassembling. Don't power up before then, or it could short out. It still may not work, but what do you have to lose -- other than a busted phone?
CD Stuck in Computer
For a PC, poke the end of a paper clip into the small hole on the CD/DVD drive to depress the internal button. Hold it in until the tray pops open. On a Mac, if dragging the disc icon to the trash icon doesn't do it, quit all applications and restart computer while holding down the mouse button while rebooting.
Spilled Drink on Keyboard
Turn the keyboard upside down and disconnect it. Let dry, at least, 24 to 48 hours before plugging it back in. A blow-dryer set on cool can help. Take a premoistened wipe to the surface.
DVR Didn't Tape Show
If you are certain the show was in your queue, it may have been recorded but deleted. Check the settings: The DVR may be saving only one episode, so the newest one overwrites what's stored. To catch what you missed, try the network's Website or a video site like Hulu.
To get more tips for just about everything, check out We Are THAT Family.
All Pro Dad Teams Up with Head Start
All Pro Dad has started a new partnership with Head Start. Head Start is a nationwide government agency that exists to help over one million young, at-risk children prepare for school so they do not fall behind when they begin kindergarten.
"We are pleased to be working with All Pro Dad to help the Head Start Programs build strong bonds between fathers and their children", says Head Start Executive Director Michael McGrady.
All Pro Dad will be rolling out its father and kids monthly breakfast program with Head Starts all across the country. This event features good food, fun and meaningful, relationship-building activities between dads and their kids
Thought of the Day - 5/20/09
Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity.
~~ Kahlil Gibran ~~
Thought of the Day - 5/19/09
The more you have,the more you're occupied; the less you have, the more free you are.
~~ Mother Teresa ~~
Stress Busters for Busy Parents
Always have a 'Plan B.'
Make copies of important papers.
Praise other people.
Look at a work of art.
Quit trying to fix other people.
Keep a journal.
Ask for help when you need it.
Watch a good movie.
Kiss your child.
Eat a meal by candlelight.
Clean out a closet.
Learn something new.
Make duplicate keys.
Get enough sleep.
Have a support network.
Talk less.
Smile.
Prepare for the morning the night before.
Feed the birds.
Have realistic goals for yourself.
Be a better listener.
Avoid negative people.
Plant a flower.
Repair something that doesn't work.
Find the "silver lining."
Dance.
Avoid tight fitting clothes.
Be gentle.
Remember you are human.
Originally written for Parents Page, Fall 2003.
Thought of the Day - 5/18/09
What I do today is important because I'm exchanging a day of my life for it.
~~ Author Unknown ~~
Thought of the Day - 5/17/09
Do something for somebody every day for which you don't get paid.
~~ Albert Schweitzer ~~
Save an Hour, Give an Hour
We all have the same amount of hours in the day. It doesn't matter what you need or want to get done or how noble your intentions are. Each of us only has 24 hours in a day--for good or bad, to waste or to use efficiently.We will see on TV or read in the paper about people who give generously of their time to help others. Examples are people who volunteer to serve food to the homeless or rock those babies to sleep who have no one to love them.
Often, these are people who have families, careers, and commitments. What makes them special is that they have managed to figure out a way to make time in order to give their time and themselves.
Saving time requires some effort. How do you make time?
Thought of the Day - 5/16/09
Look at a man in the midst of doubt and danger and you will learn in his hour of adversity what he really is.
~~ Lucretius, Roman philosopher ~~
Fibromyalgia Resources
Find a new place to learn, share your story, and do something about your fibromyalgia:
- Fibromyalgia Health Center
- Fibromyalgia Health Manager
- National Fibromyalgia Association
- Fibromyalgia Focused
- Fibromyalgia at Medline Plus
- Fibromyalgia Support Center
- Fibromyalgia Network
- About Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers, Inc.
- Patients Like Me Fibromyalgia Community
I hope you liked the articles and resources I shared this week in honor of National Fibromyalgia Day (12th).
Bodywork for Treating Fibromyalgia
Have you had or considered bodywork for treating fibromyalgia (FMS) or chronic fatigue syndrome? Are you asking, "What in the world is bodywork?"
The term bodywork is used for any therapeutic or healing methods that involve touching or physical manipulation. Chiropractic and physical therapy fall into this category and are widely used for FMS, but bodywork also covers a lot of alternative treatments, including massage, Rolfing, the Bowen Technique, and Reiki.
You can find claims about each of the alternative forms of bodywork as a treatment for FMS or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but some have more scientific backing than others.
To help you make informed decisions about your treatment options, continue reading.
What is Bodywork?
The term bodywork is used for any therapeutic or healing methods that involve touching or physical manipulation. Bodywork encompasses a wide range of alternative-medicine techniques, including all types of massage, Rolfing, the Bowen Technique, and Reiki.
Doctors usually recommend bodywork as a complementary treatment, not as the only treatment. While you may want to try alternative treatments your doctor doesn't recommend or endorse, you should include him/her in your decisions and report back to your doctor on your experience with the treatment.
Whether bodywork will help you with fibromyalgia depends both on the form of bodywork and on your specific symptoms.
What is Massage Therapy?
First, you need to understand the difference between Swedish massage, which is primarily for relaxation, and therapeutic massage, which is aimed at helping the body function better. A clinical massage therapist uses techniques such as myofascial release and neuromuscular therapy to get muscles and connective tissues to relax and function properly.
Research shows therapeutic massage can help people with FMS if it's the correct type of massage for the specific symptoms. Experts say massage is especially useful for people who can't exercise because it has similar effects on your tissues and circulatory system.
Make sure you're going to a licensed massage therapist (LMT) and be sure to discuss any other pain conditions or health problems you have.
Massage as a Fibromyalgia Treatment
Because FMS causes pain and makes your body extremely sensitive to touch and pressure, you probably won't be able to tolerate any kind of deep-tissue massage. Open lines of communication are vital when it comes to how much pressure the massage therapist can put on your muscles. Make sure your massage therapist is familiar with the gentle touch required for treating FMS or is willing to do some research on it.
After a massage, you're likely to feel more relaxed and get a better night's sleep, which in turn can help alleviate your symptoms.
What is Rolfing?
Rolfing is a form of deep-tissue work with the goal of bringing segments of the body into proper alignment. It's based on the belief that the fascia (fibrous connective tissue that covers muscles and runs throughout the entire body) can get stiff, shortens, and becomes less elastic, and thereby lead to a lot of musculoskeletal problems.
Rolfing as a Fibromyalgia Treatment
Rolfing generally involves high amounts of pressure and very deep tissue work, so while some practitioners may claim it's beneficial for fibromyalgia, most experts agree that this kind of bodywork will cause huge amounts of pain for people with FMS.
What is the Bowen Technique?
The Bowen Technique involves gentle rubbing techniques that practitioners say send impulses to the brain and nervous system that alleviate pain, help relax your muscles, restore normal movement to joints and connective tissues, and increase blood flow. The underlying theory is similar to acupuncture, and several Bowen moves involve acupuncture points that are believed to bring your body's energy in balance. When the treatment is effective, relief is often immediate.
The Bowen Technique as a Fibromyalgia Treatment
In a study conducted by Jo Anne Whitaker, MD, of the American College of Rheumatology, almost all FMS participants had some relief, which lasted from a few days to several weeks. After several sessions, a few people reported a complete remission of FMS symptoms. Benefits can include better sleep, less neck pain, better balance, and less dizziness.
What is Reiki?
Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.
Reiki as a Treatment for Fibromyalgia
Reiki is a Japanese technique based on the belief that spiritual energy, properly channeled, can heal the physical body. It can be done through light touch or even at a distance. Reiki is most often used for stress reduction and relaxation but also has many other applications. Practitioners say it can help with pain, sleep, muscle tension, anxiety, depression, circulation, and poor immune function. Some practitioners recommend against using Reiki on anyone with a psychological disorder.
Researchers from the University of Washington and Seattle's Harborview Medical Center, published in the Fall of 2008, studied Reiki as a fibromyalgia treatment and found it was not effective at reducing symptoms, using either touch or distance methods. The researchers recommend more research before Reiki is recommended as a fibromyalgia treatment.
Some practitioners and patients say they've seen results from Reiki. As with Bowen treatments, risk is low.
What types of bodywork have helped you? Have you tried any that didn't work? Share your experiences here.
Sources:
Cathy Wong, About.com: Alternative Medicine, Rolfing, 2007.
Rolf Institute of Structural Integration, About Rolfing, 2007.
Ruth Werner, Lippincott Williams, & Wilkins, A Massage Therapist's Guide to Pathology, 3rd Edition.
Julie Deardorff for The Chicago Tribune, Massage Therapy Rubs Sufferers the Right Way, 2005.
http://www.reiki.org/
Adapted from Adrienne Dellwo, http://chronicfatigue.about.com.
Neurotransmitter Glutamate Tied to Fibromyalgia Pain
Another neurotransmitter is joining the ranks of those that are not quite right in people with fibromyalgia (FMS) - but while serotonin and norepinephrine levels are too low, glutamate is too high.
In a recently published study, researchers at the University of Michigan Health Systems have discovered that pain goes down when they reduce levels of glutamate in an area of the brain. Led by well-known FMS researcher Daniel Clauw, MD, they say this information could be useful for finding new medications and monitoring their effectiveness.
When glutamate moves through your brain, it makes cells more active. After researchers discovered people with fibromyalgia had a lot of extra activity in the area of the brain called the insula, they theorized that glutamate could be involved.
To test the theory, they used a brain-imaging test called proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-MRS) before and after acupuncture or "sham" acupuncture, because acupuncture is proven effective at inactivating areas of the brain.
After four weeks of treatment, both pain and glutamate levels in the insula were lower, suggesting glutamate plays a part in FMS and could be used as a biological indication of how severe it is. This was a small study, so the research team is calling for more research to verify the role of glutamate.
Think how it would change things to have a biological test showing how severe your FMS is! Do you think it would help people get disability? Would it help you convince your friends and family that you're really sick? Will this discovery lead to new drugs? Does this make you think more seriously about acupuncture?
Adapted from Adrienne Dellwo, http://chronicfatigue.about.com.
10 Terms Everyone with Fibromyalgia Should Know
In spite of fatigue and fibro fog, it's important for us to educate ourselves about fibromyalgia (FMS) in order to understand what's going on in our bodies and learn how to best manage our symptoms.
Below are 10 terms everyone with fibromyalgia should know. Just click on the term to get a definition and learn what it means for your condition. This list certainly isn't complete, but it's a good place to start.
- Central Sensitization
- Cortisol
- Flare-Up
- Glutamate
- HPA Axis
- Melatonin
- Norepinephrine
- Serotonin
- Substance P
- Tender Points
Adapted from Adrienne Dellwo, http://chronicfatigue.about.com.
Who Will End Up Treating Fibromyalgia?
A shift in thinking is underway. With all the research showing fibromyalgia isn't rheumatologic but is actually a neurologic disorder, some doctors say we should no longer see rheumatologists.
It makes some sense - rheumatologists specialize in joints, bones, and muscles. They're not experts on how the brain perceives and processes pain. Neurologists are.
Will neurology welcome us with open arms? Are neurologists thinking how nice it would be to take on the challenge of fibromyalgia? Will their waiting lists accommodate a huge influx of people?
Many of us have had bad luck with general practitioners or internists. Do you suppose they're busily educating themselves so they can diagnose and treat us effectively?
Call me a cynic, but I'd say, not likely. Are we going to get stuck with primary care providers who don't even believe we're sick? Are we going to end up without a "home" as the medical community takes us out of the rheumatologic category without providing a viable alternative?
Adapted from Adrienne Dellwo, http://chronicfatigue.about.com.
Thought of the Day - 5/14/09
Hope is a powerful thing, and I've been able to hold on to enough of it to make a real difference. Blue periods can be tough, but they always result in more self-awareness and contentment.
Thought of the Day - 5/13/09
There are no mistakes. Do what you want. You can always change your mind.
~~ Maira Kalman ~~
What Weird Things Help?
Treating Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - What Weird Things Help?
As varied as symptoms are when it comes to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome one thing is consistent across the board: these conditions are downright weird.
So I ask, does it take weird treatments to deal with a weird disease? For me, some weird things have made a big difference. They're all at least somewhat supported by science, but I hesitate to tell "healthy" people about them for fear of seeming crazy (or, crazier, depending on their point of view.)
Here's my list of off-the-beaten-track treatments:
- Full-spectrum light bulbs (for circadian clock issues)
- Cayenne fruit supplements (a natural pain killer, but not for those with IBS!)
- Dark chocolate (to raise serotonin levels)
As you can tell, my inability to tolerate a lot of medications has made me get creative What weird things work for you? Post a comment here to let us know so we can all be weird together.
Acupuncture for Treating Fibromyalgia
Massage & Other Bodywork for Treating Fibromyalgia
Experimental Protocols for Treating Fibromyalgia
Adapted from Adrienne Dellwo, http://chronicfatigue.about.com.
Space Saving Tips for Kids' Rooms
Between all of the supplies, equipment, and accessories needed for schoolwork and extracurricular activities, it’s easy for your child’s room to become cluttered from time to time. An organized space is the key to focusing on the task at hand which is why it’s essential to find a few space saving storage solutions that will encourage a clean room for kids.
If you are just in the beginning stages of furnishing a bedroom, consider multifunctional bedroom sets that provide an opportunity for extra storage space. Drawers installed within a kids' bed frame are perfect for storing clothing or playtime materials while a bookshelf or compartmentalized headboard doubles as a storage unit for textbooks, toys, or knickknacks.
If your child's room provides enough space for a study or activity center, it’s best to find a desk or table that is equipped with multiple drawers or with an installed shelving unit which is great for holding arts & crafts and school supplies. Open storage bins, foldable baskets, or toy chests can store younger children’s toys, games, puzzles, or DVD collections while staying accessible to kids throughout the day. You can even color code baskets for specific activities such as reading materials, coloring books, games, and stuffed animals in order to make it easier to track down your kid’s favorite toy.
Better Homes and Gardens recommends taking advantage of every square inch of your children’s bedroom space by turning small corner spaces into a workspace and shelving area with L-shaped student desks or corner bookcases.
While you’re on the hunt for the perfect storage solution for your kid’s bedroom, it’s never a bad idea to start with a few refurbished pieces found in your own home or at a local thrift store. Entertainment center armoires can easily be turned into a bookshelf or set of storage drawers with a few simple DIY tweaks. You can always organize this open space with extra bins or baskets in order to create additional toy compartments. As long as you incorporate a handful of simple clutter-free solutions to your children’s space, everyone can look forward to a fun and organized atmosphere that functions well as a bedroom, playroom, and study center.
For some awesome kid-friendly furniture, check out All Children's Furniture.
Thought of the Day - 5/12/09
Asking for help does not make you a weak person! So before things get to the panic phase, you need to seek the assistance that you know you need. Friends who have been there before are waiting for you to ask for help, and they have some wise advice you need to hear. Ask for what you need today. No negative assumptions will be made -- your reputation is stronger than you think! Expressing your needs won't make you needy. It will make you feel empowered.
I have trouble with this. I feel if I ask for help than I am less of a woman, less of a mother. I know this doesn't make sense but it is a true battle within myself.
Do you have trouble asking for help?
Fibromyalgia Awareness Day
Fibromyalgia Awareness Day is Tuesday, May 12, 2009
National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day aims to increase awareness of FM and provide support to those coping with the illness. To view more information about the event, go to Bloggers Unite.
National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day aims to increase awareness of FM and provide support to those coping with the illness. To view more information about the event, go to Bloggers Unite.
Sensitivity to More than Pain
Do loud noises bug you? I mean REALLY bug you, a lot more than they did before you had fibromyalgia (FMS)? According to a new FMS study published in the February issue of the Journal of Pain, the more sensitive you are to pressure on your body, the more sensitive you likely are to sound.
Why is that important? It supports the theory of central sensitization, which is believed to be present in both FMS and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. This means that we have major differences in how our central nervous systems processes not just pain, but all kinds of things. That helps us understand the condition better and may help broaden the view of our doctors. Of course, a huge part of our treatment has to be pain management - if we can't get on top of that, it's hard to make any progress at all - but doctors need to look beyond pain to the other array of symptoms we have so they can help us manage this more effectively. Also, if we're more aware of it, we can use that information to make better choices about our environment.
If you look at our symptoms, central sensitivity explains a lot. We tend to be sensitive to medications, changes in diet, temperature fluctuations, chemicals... just about everything to which the human body can be sensitive.
Personally, this study doesn't surprise me one bit. When I was still able to work full-time, I had to drop my kids off at the babysitters a few days a week. Some mornings, especially during flare-ups, I'd open that door and the noise would hit me in the face like a physical blow. My pain would instantly escalate, and sometimes I'd just about panic and want to run away. By the time the kids were both settled in and I was back in the car, I'd be shaking, aching. and sick to my stomach.
Fibro Pain All Over Your Body? Treat Your Nose!
Did you know that more than 80% of people with fibromyalgia (FMS) have chronic sinus problems? When your body's wracked with pain, you're tired and lost in brain fog, a stuffy nose might seem like the least of your problems.
Do loud noises bug you? I mean REALLY bug you, a lot more than they did before you had fibromyalgia (FMS)? According to a new FMS study published in the February issue of the Journal of Pain, the more sensitive you are to pressure on your body, the more sensitive you likely are to sound.
Why is that important? It supports the theory of central sensitization, which is believed to be present in both FMS and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. This means that we have major differences in how our central nervous systems processes not just pain, but all kinds of things. That helps us understand the condition better and may help broaden the view of our doctors. Of course, a huge part of our treatment has to be pain management - if we can't get on top of that, it's hard to make any progress at all - but doctors need to look beyond pain to the other array of symptoms we have so they can help us manage this more effectively. Also, if we're more aware of it, we can use that information to make better choices about our environment.
If you look at our symptoms, central sensitivity explains a lot. We tend to be sensitive to medications, changes in diet, temperature fluctuations, chemicals... just about everything to which the human body can be sensitive.
Personally, this study doesn't surprise me one bit. When I was still able to work full-time, I had to drop my kids off at the babysitters a few days a week. Some mornings, especially during flare-ups, I'd open that door and the noise would hit me in the face like a physical blow. My pain would instantly escalate, and sometimes I'd just about panic and want to run away. By the time the kids were both settled in and I was back in the car, I'd be shaking, aching. and sick to my stomach.
Fibro Pain All Over Your Body? Treat Your Nose!
Did you know that more than 80% of people with fibromyalgia (FMS) have chronic sinus problems? When your body's wracked with pain, you're tired and lost in brain fog, a stuffy nose might seem like the least of your problems.
Research shows, however, that treating your sinus problems can help alleviate a lot of your FMS symptoms, and can even help you lose weight.
Sound strange? Here's why researchers say it works: yeast problems are common for us, and chronic sinusitis just happens to be one of the main symptoms of yeast overgrowth. The other is spastic colon, which causes gas, bloating, diarrhea and/or constipation. Does that sound familiar? If so, you'll probably want to ask your doctor about yeast overgrowth.
According to Mayo Clinic researchers, your immune system tries to fight the yeast, and that constant immune response may be a cause (or partial cause) of central sensitization, which is the mechanism believed to cause fibromyalgia symptoms (and many chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms as well.)
If you are participating in National Fibromyalgia Day by writing a post, please sign Mr. Linky below.
Adapted from Adrienne Dellwo, http://chronicfatigue.about.com.
In honor of National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, I will be sharing several articles, stories, and resources throughout the week.
Do One Nice Thing
My friend, Debbie, is not fond of acting, but she made a video for a special reason.
She made a bet with ten friends: Debbie would be in a video if they'd donate ten cents for every person who watched it. The cause: Feeding America, the food bank network. Her friends agreed. The dimes add up quickly, 10 people x $10 = 1,000 pounds of groceries. All you have to do is watch the video. Then share the video via email or blogs. More viewers = more groceries. In gratitude for Debbie's new book, Debbie is donating a dime to Feeding America for every view, up to $100.
Just click: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVi0z2eMAGw
My Favorites
Favorite Food:
My mother's pot roast and mashed potatoes, my friend Jonel's potato salad.
Favorite Drink:
My all time favorite is Mt Dew. My favorite alcoholic drink is a Strawberry Daiquiri which I only have like once a year. In the winter, I love my hot chocolate.
Favorite Chocolate/Candy:
Dove chocolate, peanut butter meltaways.
Favorite Season:
Autumn and Spring.
Favorite TV Program:
CSI, CSI: Miami, Criminal Minds, Grey's Anatomy.
Favorite Movie:
American President, Pretty Woman, Santa Clause, Santa Clause II, Santa Clause III.
Favorite Song:
I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me, Mary, Did You Know? by Mark Lowry.
Favorite Color:
Blue, then red.
Favorite Holiday Destination:
My family room.
Favorite Hobby:
Scrapbooking, Christmas decorating.
Favorite Day of the Week:
Monday.
Favorite Animal:
Chihuahua, penguin, and platypus.
Favorite Actor:
Nicholas Cage, John Travolta.
Favorite Actress:
N/A.
Share your favorites on your blog then come back and share the link below via Mr. Linky.
Thought of the Day - 5/11/09
You always pass failure on your way to success.
~~ Mickey Rooney ~~
Isn't that the truth? I have to constantly remind myself that my failures actually mean I've learned at least one thing or how not to do something.
Make Me Laugh Monday - Avoidable Exposure
A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower, when the doorbell rings. The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs.
When she opens the door, there stands Bob, the next-door neighbour. Before she says a word, Bob says, "I'll give you $800 to drop that towel."
After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob, after a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 and leaves.
The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs. When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, "Who was that?"
"It was Bob the next door neighbour," she replies.
"Great," the husband says, "did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?"
Join me in the fun and giggles of making Mondays a better day by sharing some laughs. Add your link to your Make Me Laugh Monday post to Mr. Linky below. (All links not leading directly to your post will be deleted.) All posts should be funny in some way. Yes, this is up to interpretation. Ideas include riddles, funny family stories, comic strips, jokes, silly graphics, funny lyrics, hilarious photos, etc. Please don't leave me to snicker all alone. I'm sure YOU have something funny to share.
Before I Was a Mom
Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on. I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby
just because I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.
Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom.
Happy Mother's Day!
A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take.
~~ Cardinal Mermillod ~~
You are irreplaceable!
On behalf of your children, we thank you for the irreplaceable role of mother you have played this year.
Happy Mother’s Day!
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