Pencil Thin

Here it is the end of October and already my children have been into the doctors for their first sick child visits. I love fall and winter but hate the fact that we are guaranteed to have an endless season of colds and illnesses. Short of packing them up and moving to the Outer Banks where it is warm and sunny there isn’t much I can do to prevent this from happening. It seems that I find myself in the minority when it comes to keeping my children home when they are sick. It is so frustrating to take my children to different school or other functions and see child after child who is sick. Honestly, I think many parents don’t really care what happens to other people and don’t want to bother with interrupting their own social schedules to stay home and care for their children. I actually know one mother who thinks that once her child is already sick what difference does it make if she takes them out. I would love to sit each and every one of these parents down for a good long lecture in epidemiology.

One of the things I find that keeps me motivated to exercise is journaling my fitness activities. I use a couple of different websites to do this. Many sites offer graphs you can print out detailing weekly, monthly, or yearly activities. What I think is cool is to compare the distance I have walked over a certain time frame to distances from home home to various global destinations. For example in two years I will have walked to Las Vegas and back. That really puts things in perspective when you consider that Vegas is well over a thousand miles one way from my home? What global destination have to traveled towards?

I have never considered myself a particularly courageous person. When it comes to social occasions I often feel awkward and out of place. My opinion is something I tend to keep to myself because debate makes me uncomfortable. The other day when someone referred to me as courageous it left me taken aback. The truth is that we are all courageous in some way. Whether we are making serious efforts to change our lives or simply trying to muddle through each day as best we can. Courage may not lead you on a path to fame or to retire to Arizona luxury real estate but it is in just about everything we do. Even the smallest decisions may take monumental courage. It goes to show that how we perceive ourselves is often dramatically different from how the rest of the world may be viewing our actions.

No matter how much I exercise there is one part of my body that I cannot seem to get well toned. It could be the result of 3 pregnancies and two c-sections but my tummy is just as if I never began exercising. It has become clear since having children my body will be forever changed. This is something I am completely fine with but it would be nice to think that at some point my exercise might have at least a slight impact on the reflection I see in the mirror.

Until I had more than one child I couldn’t appreciate it when someone would describe themselves as a “natural risk taker”. Our littlest son has really put that statement into perspective. Both my husband and myself are careful people who prefer to consider the ramifications of a decision prior to acting. Our older son is very similar. I can already see that our little son is one of these natural risk takers. If he gets any more daring I believe we should consider children insurance because he is sure to encounter and accident or two over the coming years. Hopefully, we can steer him to make thoughtful decisions without changing who he truly is.

Our family very much enjoys being active. Among our favorite activities is camping. We would love to have a little spot of our own somewhere in a remote patch of wilderness. In our area there is quite a bit of land for sale that would be perfect for this purpose. It would be so nice to build a cabin in the woods where we could go on weekends and leave the craziness of the city behind us. While this plan will probably not become a reality for a few years it is so nice to think about given the chaos that life often involves on a daily basis.

It seems like everywhere you turn today there is someone whose life has been impacted on some level by drug abuse. When you first think about it substance abuse doesn’t seem like something that should have a rippling effect but it does. Substance abuse not only impacts those using drugs but also their families, friends, and others around them. The chaotic lifestyle of those addicted to drugs is pretty hard to ignore when it invades your life. For those that are fortunate enough not to have first hand experience with those dealing with addiction problems it may seem an easy problem to fix. If you spend any time reading about drug rehab, or know someone who has been in rehab, you learn very quickly what an uphill battle sobriety can be. I highly recommend spending time learning more about addiction by reading blogs such as Drug Rehab Mobile before jumping to quick conclusions about those addicted to drugs. This blog offers insight from a variety of perspectives about drug addiction, rehab, and the lives of those touched by this destructive problem. Drug Rehab Mobile openly and honestly discusses drug addiction, and incredible effort it takes to overcome it, in an honest and eye opening way that readers can relate too.

Short of getting Van Halen tickets and going to a concert to dance your rear off most of us now rely on MP3s when working out. Did you know that listening to music while working out can actually improve the quality of your workout? It has been suggested that depending on your musical selection that you may feel more energized and put more into your workout. Those who lift weights on a regular basis may find that loud angry music gives them that extra drive to keep pushing themselves. I know that my stride is considerably different when I am listening to fast paced dance music versus a country ballad. If you have found yourself at a fitness plateau it may be time to shake up not only your workout routine but also your music collection.

My mom asked me the other day what the deal is with trans fats. She noted that everything you buy in the grocery store is now labeled to identify the trans fat content. I attempted to find a good answer for her that might make sense the next time she went grocery shopping. It really would be helpful if products not only showed what trans fats are present but maybe a little blurb about how they impact your health. Obviously this might hurt sales on many products because if people really understood the truth about trans fats they might just put down that bag of potato chips.

When it comes to fat, trans fat is considered by some doctors to be the worst of them all because of its double-barreled impact on your cholesterol levels. Unlike other fats, trans fat — also called trans fatty acids — both raises your “bad” (LDL) cholesterol and lowers your “good” (HDL) cholesterol.

When our oldest son was very little he did not want to stay in his room alone at night. Eventually we found out that he felt safe and secure when we played music in his room. As he has gotten older his continues to want music to play while he sleeps. In an effort to keep his music fresh and interesting we are constantly looking for new albums to add to his collection. That is why when I received the opportunity to have a personalized cd made for him I jumped at the chance.

PersonalizedStories.com offers a wide selection of items that you can have created just for the special children in your life. These items include personalized childrens books, compact discs, and dvd’s. The cd that I received was absolutely perfect for our son. When the cd arrived I was so impressed with the product on a variety of levels. The actual inscription on the disc was beautifully created and yet on target for a child’s gift. Our son was thrilled when he opened the case and saw his name on it. The quality of the product is top notch. I have no doubts it will hold up to what are sure to be countless listening sessions because the disc is already among his favorites.

With Christmas just around the corner I have already begun a shopping list of children I know would love to receive a personalized book, cd, or dvd. This wonderful company hasn’t left out the big kids and also offers personalized books for the adult and teens in your life. Be sure to check out PersonalizedStories.com for great gifts for holidays, birthdays, or just because.

The drop in the temperature always makes me feel motivated to bake. This, of course, is counter productive to keeping a slim waistline. With caution you can keep the calories and fat in check. Try this yummy recipe~

LOW-FAT, LOW-CHOLESTEROL OATMEAL DROP
COOKIES

1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 T molasses
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
3/4 c. firmly packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 c. Quaker Oats
1/2 c. corn oil
1 egg, beaten
2 tbsp. water
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. raisins

In a medium-size bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Add sugar, stir in oats.

Make a well in the center; add oil, egg, water, vanilla and raisins. Stir vigorously until dry ingredients are moistened.

Drop by tablespoons 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 13 to 15 minutes or until done. Remove cookies at once to wire rack to cool.

Yield: 2 1/2 to 3 dozen cookies.

Soft, tender, flavorful oatmeal cookie and healthy! A really good, non-sweet, oatmeal-raisin cookie.

Good cookie, soft, chewy.

We have a couple of friends who work very odd shifts. One of these friends has to be to work at around 3 am in the morning. In order to get in a workout he often goes jogging around 1 am in the morning. I personally find this a bit dangerous. There really is only so much reflective gear and outdoor lighting can do make you visible to the world around. Apparently the police feel the same way because they have stopped him on more than one occasion out of concern for his safety. After questioning him about exactly what he was running from at this hour of the morning they then lectured him about the dangers of this activity. Many people like to get in a workout before starting their day but try to exercise caution. In his case he is a prime target for drunk drivers.

Littlest boy is tugging at his ears and crying. He has no other symptoms of a cold but I think that his ears are bothering him. It could be referred pain from a tooth coming in but I am not convinced. This is just about the time of year when my kids start getting colds and ear aches. These are the symptoms of an ear infection:

In infants and toddlers look for:

* pulling or scratching at the ear, especially if accompanied by the following…

1. hearing problems
2. crying, irritability
3. fever
4. vomiting
5. ear drainage

He only has one of them aside from the crying. I imagine the next 24 hours will tell us more.

There are certain items I think definitely make working out nice. For instance an MP3 player or Bluetooth headset are very handy when walking or jogging. On the other hand I question the need for special workout gear like sneakers that you hook up to your computer to track your workouts. A friend of mine just shelled out over one hundred dollars for sneakers that log her workouts so that she can download the information to her computer. Does the average person really need this kind of information? Isn’t knowing that you worked out a certain number of minutes good enough. Maybe I am just not as much of a fitness junkie as I would like to think.

Do you use this type of makeup? If you do use it or have tried it please share what you think of it. I have started to notice just about every makeup company out there now has a product line. My skin is pretty sensitive and I would hate to spend the money on yet another product I can’t use. The ads I see for this stuff look pretty impressive but then again what advertisement doesn’t?

If you are dreaming about loosing weight be sure to account for it in your monthly budget. This may come as a surprise but getting healthier and thinner costs money. Not only will you need to make changes in your monthly food budget but in other areas as well. Until I lost weight I never realized how many areas of my life would be impacted. I am seriously considering getting budgeting software to better plan my expenses. Loosing weight means being more active which costs money. Being a smaller size means needing new clothes and eating better costs money as well. Unless you work out at home there will be gym or fitness class fee to plan for. I do feel that no matter what the cost getting healthier is worth the expense but don’t be surprised if that new figure trims your wallet.

Before giving your child any over the counter cold medicine be sure to check with your doctor. A number of over the counter medicines have been voluntarily recalled. The FDA has stated that many of these medicines pose a risk when given to children under two years of age. Even if you have given these medicines without incident in the past discussing the matter with your child’s doctor is a must.

Anyone with children is likely very familiar with how attached children become to their stuffed animals. Our son has had several stuffed friends since infancy. These pals have been with him everywhere and through everything. When you consider all the places and events these pals encounter it shouldn’t be surprising that they can be a haven for germs. If I had it to do over again I would probably buy two of every teddy bear because there does come a point when you have to launder them. The problem is in convincing your two or three year old that “Teddy” is still sopping wet and can’t come to bed with him that night. Laundering stuffed animals is a must however not only for controlling the spread of germs but also for children with allergies and asthma.When considering a new pal for your child be sure to consider how well the item will hold up to frequent visits to the washing machine. It is far better to invest in a good quality washable stuffed animal than try to explain to your child that “Teddy” is never going to be the same again because he took a bath.

The temperature here dropped about 25 degrees in the last week. With winter just around the corner it is time to start thinking about your winter health. Something you should put on your list of winter “must do” items is to get a flu shot. This one little thing could save you a week or more of being down for the count~

Flu vaccines, while not always effective in preventing the illness, do reduce the severity of the symptoms and protect against complications that could develop. The shots are strongly recommended for persons 65 years of age and older and those who suffer from such chronic health problems as heart disease, respiratory problems, renal disease, diabetes, anemia or any disease that weakens the body’s immune system. Infants, children and young people up to 18 years of age who are receiving long-term treatment with aspirin should also get a flu shot. Persons allergic to eggs or who have a high fever, however, should avoid or postpone getting a flu shot.

This summer literally seemed to fly by. We accomplished an endless list of things that we needed to get done around the house. I do regret that we didn’t get to spend as much time hiking and camping as we usually do. The only time we made it into the great outdoors was for a week of camping at a rental cabin. This was a really nice getaway but it meant that the majority of our camping equipment went unused. My husband didn’t even get to use his fishing tackle at all because his summer was spent painting the house. We have promised ourselves that next summer we will definitely hit the trails and lakes on a regular basis because we really feel like we missed out on something this year.

Just diverging here for a moment to complain about my neighbors. I fail to understand why people have children if they have no intention of raising them. The woman who has moved in next door to me leaves her children alone for days at a time. We have actually had someone we know who works for CPS look into the matter. It seems that because the children are 14 and 16 years old it is acceptable to leave them alone all night and day (for days at a time). It is amazing to me that someone could live with themselves knowing that their children are raising themselves. At one point she left them alone for two weeks.

There is not much in life that I am really obsessive about. For the most part I can just go with the flow. I do have one thing that I am obsessive about. I absolutely cannot stand filthy kitchen sinks. Nothing grosses me out more than do look down at a sink that is full of food scraps and scum. When you think about how much nastiness could be growing in your sink and how easily that stuff could be transferred around the house it is easy to get obsessive about having a clean sink. I also think having a clean sink sets the stage for having or at least wanting the rest of the kitchen to be clean. It seems there there are a whole lot of people like me who follow the Fly Lady

So I got my hair cut much shorter because I am just sick of spending hours drying and straightening it every day. Of course the first words my husband says are “I liked it long”. Yeah, I know that and I like it when put the toilet seat down. I figure it will grow out just in time to put it up in the summer which is really all I care about. Until then I am going to enjoy not looking at myself all morning long.

Each morning when I go for a walk there are several other people out for their morning exercise that I routinely pass. After a while you get to notice interesting characteristics about people. In my case I am sure people think I must just roll out bed which is entirely the case. There is a couple I pass each morning who walk dressed as if they were headed to work or church. I have to giggle just a little bit because the woman is decked out in dress shoes and costume jewelry at 5:30 in the morning. They get this dressed up even on weekends which just strikes me as odd given how far they walk. It isn’t like they are taking a short stroll around the block. I guess to each his own and it is the exercise that is important rather than the attire.

In our small town there was a time when it seemed like every corner was getting a new workout center or gym. What on earth are people thinking when they buy into these franchises? There are only so many 30 minute womens fitness centers one town can support. You have to wonder if whoever is financing these businesses made anyone do demographic research before handing out the money for the project. If they had they would already have known that several were already in existence or had gone out of business. Since there are 6 defunct gyms on the market right now I would hate to the realtor trying to move any of them. It would take me longer to drive to anyone of these types of 30 minute gyms than I would actually spend working out there. Given the membership fees, gas prices, and our economically depressed area it is easy to see why so many have failed.

One of our family friends is a heavy smoker. This person is also extremely outspoken about “smoker’s rights” and anything to do with smoking. I have no patience what so ever for this nasty habit and am entirely unsympathetic to his complaints about smoking. His most recent diatribe is about the newest increase in child health coverage passed by Congress. This increase in coverage will be finance primarily by a 156 % increase in the federal cigarette tax. Do I care that this will affect poor smokers? No, quit smoking you idiots and put that money to use caring for your family. You probably wouldn’t be so tight on cash if you weren’t buying so many cigarettes.