Thursday Thirteen ed 14



Thirteen Things about Alzheimers Residents

Thank you to Casa Sosegad for the header!


I work in an Alzheimers Dementia Care Unit and I adore the residents I work with. Especially when they come up with witty comments, interesting comebacks, and compliments. If you have a relative with Alzheimers this list might not be for you, as it is sad to see your loved one go downhill, but for the caregivers and nurses these comments make us smile. We only know the person after they have Alzheimers so we can love them where they are at, without the feeling of loss.

Witty Comments:

1…. "I don't need a bath" (odor indicates otherwise)

2. "I haven't had anything to eat all day" (after exiting the dining room and eating a full meal)

3. "We haven't met have we" (I have talked to this one everyday for 2 years about the news, weather etc)

4. "Can I come in?" (means can I come sit by you and keep you company)

5. "Its nice to lose your mind cause each day brings new things" (said to office staff one morning)

6. Resident: "I want a pumpkin" Staff: "look in your bag" Resident: "Wow how did that get in there?" (at the pumpkin patch after picking pumpkins)


Comebacks:

7.. "Am I supposed to be impressed?" (after my husband sang to them to decrease the sundowners) (sundowners happens usually in the evening when the sun is going down and the residents get more restless and more confused)

8. "If I wanted you to speak I would have thrown you a bone" (after asking a resident where she was hurting)

9. "I have a right to get up and walk and I have a right to fall" (from a former nurse and she is right. It's in the Residents Bill of Rights)


Compliments: (I received a lot of compliments as a nurse in hospital and home settings but never as many as I do now. Heres a small sampling)

10. "Thank you pretty girl" (everyday after I ask how a certain lady is doing)

11. "Did you give that shot already? I didn't even feel a thing" (after almost every injection I give)

12. She is THE NURSE (Said from one resident to another as if I am the Queen of England)

BEST EVER comment:

13. My all time favorite "I thank God everyday that I do not have Alzheimers" (Spoken by an Alzheimers resident to her table mates who also have Alzheimers)




Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)




Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants



Wednesday Works for Me

Catching the invisible child. You know the one who leaves their wet towel laying around. dirties 50 glasses in one day, or doesn't put the bath mat down so the bathroom floor and your socks get soaking wet? No one in the family seems to know who does these things. So what works for me this week is separating the towels by color and assigning a color to each person, using photo coasters with a picture of each family member that they put their glass on, and requiring that if Mom's socks get wet from the bathroom floor then everyone is taking baths next week!

For more great ideas head on over to Shannon's blog Rocks in my Dryer

Kiara's Top of the Class Grades

Kiara has worked really hard on her grades this year and loves it when she has more then 100 percent in a class. She looked up on line before school started this year on how to get good grades and found out that taking notes was a big part. Her classmates even ask her why she take s notes or why she cares. She says cause she wants to get into a good college. Very mature thinking for an 8^th grader. I am so proud of you Kiara!

Wii want to play

This Saturday night we got the priviledge of standing in a line from 10:50 to midnight in hopes of getting a Wii. Fortunately we were in the right place at the right time and when they started a line we were right there. We ended up being 3^rd 4^th and 5^th in line as my mother and sister's in laws wanted one as well. It is soooo FUN!!! And since it is an active thing, you don't feel like your kids brains are turning to mush. I played bowling and golf this morning. I did great at the bowling. My golf needs a lot of work. As I am writing this, my son has figured out how to sit on the couch and play baseball. Only my family would figure out how to make an “active game” turn into a “couch potato game”. Sigh.

Tuesday Talk

Well we are stepping out in faith and attempting to raise almost 1825.00 each to go on our churches mission trip to Ecuador. My father has donated 100.00 each for Braden and Kiara so only 7100.00 left to go! My sweet father also offered to help us do car washes once a month to help raise money. Plus our church is going to have a “pay to Bowl” party, Battle of the praise bands, and a few other things. Its scary to me because I have a hard time accepting help from others, but I really believe that God is leading us to go.

Mondays Musings: Health Benefits of Garlic

Garlic is a powerful antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal. It can prevent Cancer, reduce heart disease, fight parasites and viral infections, has antioxidant effects, reduces fungal infections, and reduces bites from insects. In order for garlic to be effective it must be taken within an hour of crushing and not be exposed to cooking or heat. The best way to take it is in a teapoon of honey (sounds funky but is not that bad) Also its best if the whole family does it, because then you wont notice the smell as much. I have read that if you take parsley it deoderizes the smell. For more detailed info check out Dr Mercola's Site.

Tune in tomorrow for our Mission Trip update, Go Kiara, and Wii would like to play.

Sundays Festivus ed 4

This weeks grievances...hmmmm oh yes. I have not been able to post all week as I added too many slide shows to my blog and it froze up my computer each time I signed on. I finally went to my mom's house and disabled them so I can post again. YEAH!!! Little Dude (our Chihuahua with a personal potty problem) has been behaving himself and going potty in the acceptable places (outside). Another yeah! I did get mildly frustrated this week at my family after they take showers. They do not put down the absorbent bath mat, so I walk into the bathroom with my socks on and feel the cold moisture soaking in. Plus the last person in the shower is supposed to pick up the bath mat and hang to dry, close the shower curtain and push the button on the Dow Automatic Shower Cleaner (which I might add is a wonderful invention, it sprays Dow Bathroom Cleaner all over. The scrubbing bubbles work hard so I don't have to!) In addition there is always a pile of newspapers. SO last week I posted the rules. #1 Each person has there own color of towel (useful in many ways of detective work) and if you use someone else's towel you can help with all towel washing the next week. #2 If you do not put down the floor mat the you are to wear socks into the kitchen where I will pour some water and you can walk through it (HAHA) and you can clean the bathrooms the next week. #3 If you left a mess in the bathroom and did not pick up the bathmat or push the cleaner button you will be taking baths in the other bathroom for a week! I am amused to report that my entire family other than me (and the rules were posted in the bathroom next to the shower) will be taking baths instead of showers, walking around in wet socks, cleaning the bathrooms and washing/ folding towels for an entire week! YEAH FOR ME!!!!!

What are your grievances? Leave a message in comments and I will link to your site.

Tune in tomorrow for What smell is both great and awful, and what can it do for your health?

Saturdays Hope

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Psalms 62: 5-7

Monday's Musings: 7 Health Habits

Want to live longer? The following 7 health habits are associated with long life.

1. Sleep 7 to 8 hours
2. No eating between meals
3. Eat breakfast regularly
4. Maintain proper weight
5. Regular exercise
6. Moderate or no use of alcohol
7. No smoking

Count up how many habits you are following then see below for your adjusted age (add or subtract from your age according to the plus or minus signs).
Habits..0-2.........3...........4...........5...........6...........7

20.....+14.3......+7.4.......+0.5.......-1.1......-4.2.......-9.4
30.....+16.9......+9.1.......+3.0.......-0.6......-4.7.......-11.1
40.....+19.4......+10.7......+5.4.......-0.1......-5.2.......-12.9
50.....+20.8......+12.4......+7.9.......+0.3......-5.7.......-14.7
60.....+24.5......+14.0......+10.4......+0.8......-6.2.......-16.4
70.....+27.1......+15.7......+12.8......+1.3......-6.8.......-18.2


My dad is a perfect example of how this works. He has followed all these rules for as long as I can remember. He is 71 and he doesn't look a day over 50. He works as hard as a teen and is sharp as a tack. He was a teacher for 40 years and still teaches computers part time.




Here a picture of him last summer when he rode a mule all the way to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. He was suppose to hit the mule with that stick he is holding but he said "My mule is walking on a small pathway in the side of the mountain and it is straight down on one side. I am not going to make this mule mad!"

Sundays Festivus Ed 3

This weeks festivus once again includes our littlest Chihuahua "Little Dude" he finally got over his intestinal problems from the swallowed wrapper. Now however he enjoys retrieving choice things out of the bathroom trash. He runs all over with these choice items and some of them even stain the hallway carpet. So while I picked my trash and my hubby cleaned the carpets. The moment he was done he let the dogs back in and our huge chocolate lab ran all the way to the bedroom with muddy feet. I will post a pic of them and their sweet sister in just a little bit. Then you will see why we put up with them. Especially Little Dude as he is cuddly and cute. What is your grievances this week? If you leave a comment I will leave a link to your site.

Check out more Sundays Festivus Participants:
Stacitee

Our Seven Qtpies

Tune in tomorrow for the 7 health habits that are associated with long life

Saturdays Hope

Becasue HOPE has always been my favorite word!

Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand, and allow no evil to dwell in your home, then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear. You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. You will be secure, because there is hope; You will look about you and take your rest in safety. You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor. But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; their hope will become a dying gasp. Job 11: 13 - 20

Fridays Photo

My friends and I at our 10 year reunion from high school.

Thursday Thirteen ed 13

Thirteen Things about MY FAVORITE SONGS

Thank you to Chaotic Mom for the beautiful header!


If you have never tried listening to PRAISE music you are really missing out on some wonderful music. The newer praise music has rythym, great uplifting lyrics, and wont leave you with the following (I actually like most all types of music)

Blues: Feeling blue of course
Rock: Feeling great unless you break up with someone then you realize they all make you cry
Country: Play it backwards to get your wife back, children back, job back and dog back
New Age: Feeling a little spacey
Hip Hop: What was that they were saying?
Rap: Try my Sunday Festivus instead, check last weeks Festivus post and come back on Sunday to join in

Thirteen of my favorite praise songs (if you haven't heard them then listen and soon, they are so uplifting. Better than Prozac, I promise)

1.My God is an Awesome God by Rich Mulliens (because its the first song my husband sang in front of church and it was so good people stopped talking in the foyer to ask “who is that?”)
2.Indescribable by Chris Tomlin (My Daughters Favorite)
3.He Reigns by the News Boys (I had a dream where I saw Jesus returning in the clouds and this song was playing)
4.Prince of Peace by Michael W Smith
5.I can only imagine by Mercy Me or Casting Crowns (Great song with a bit of country)
6.Blessed be by Tree 63 (because i never get tired of hearing my husband sing it)
7.Golden City by Phil Baggaley & Ian Blythe (because its the most recent one my husband has sung and it was so awesome!)
8.Days of Elijah by Robin Mark
9.How Can I Keep from Singing your praise by Chris Tonlin
10.Never Gonna stop by Tommy Walker
11.Everlasting God by Brenton Brown
12. Shine on by Need to Breathe
13. All Day by Hillsong United




Links to other Thursday Thirteens!I am having trouble with my template so no Mr Linky this week, I will add you if you leave a comment.
1. KarenW
2. Org junkie
3. Amy
4. Debbie
5. Chupieandj'smama
6. Stacitee
7. Ms George
8. Krissy
9. Ancsweetnsassygal
10. Our 7 Qtpies


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Snowballs!

My boy Braden throwing snowballs at me while I ducked in and out of the house to protect myself

What Super Hero are you?

I saw the link to Super Hero's over at Our Seven QTpies.

Your results:
You are Superman

Superman 100% Robin 85% Green Lantern 80% Spider-Man 65% Supergirl 65% Wonder Woman 60% The Flash 60% Hulk 45% Iron Man 45% Batman 40% Catwoman 20%

You are mild-mannered, good, strong and you love to help others.

Click here to take the "Which Superhero are you?" quiz...

Works for me Wednesday

What works for me this week is Revlon Diamond Grip Slant Tip Tweezer. They are a little spendy at 12.99, but SOOO worth it. They will grab the finest of hairs easily. And make the obnoxious chore of shaping your brows a little easier. You can find them at your local drugstore that carries Revlon products. Diamonds are a girls best friend....even if it is just the dust. That is what works for me. What works for you?
For more great ideas head on over to Shannon's blog Rocks in my Dryer

My American Idol

Here is my hubby singing "We Will Meet in the Golden City". The visual is poor because our Church dims the lights. And the sound from a camera video is not the best, but I am sure you get the idea of why I LOVE to hear him sing!

Snow Day

Its a snow day. Anything can happen on a snow day!!!! We hardly EVER get snow days. I have already been plummeled with snow balls as I was trying to take pictures! The best part was my 15 year old son jumping with joy down the hallway this morning after he saw the snow. I wish I had a video of that!

Tag I am it!

Staci over at Stacitee tagged me for this meme... so here goes...

1. If you had to choose one vice in exclusion of all others what would it be?
Office supplies: Pens especially, but also paper and notebooks and post its. Oh my!

2. If you could change one specific thing about the world what would it be?
I would make sure everyone was warm, clean and had food to eat. Then I would make sure they were loved.

3. Name the cartoon character you identify with the most.
Rabbit on Pooh. He is so busy doing the things that need to be done, he doesn't stop to enjoy himself.

4. If you could live one day in your life over again which one would it be?
1. My wedding day. 2 and 3. the birth of my son and daughter 4.The first time we took a cruise to Bahama's and my husband and I were sitting at the front of the boat watching the flying fish fly out. The sun was shining and we were by ourselves. 5.When we went to Hawaii, the entire week was like a dream come true! 6. This Christmas because my hubby, who hates Christmas, made it very special for me by WILLINGLY going to get a Christmas tree, helping put it up, downloading Christmas songs, singing Christmas songs at Church and giving me the best gift ever, the gift of helping others who aren't as fortunate.

5. If you could go back in history and spend a day with one person who would it be?
I would be there in the stable the night Jesus was born. I want to see the star, hear the angels singing, see the three kings with their gifts, see the shepherds who came to worship, smell the hay and hear the breathing of the donkey and cow and sheep. It would be so amazing to be there.
(that was my sisters, but it was so amazing, I want the same)

6. What is the one thing you lost, sold or threw away that you wish you could have back?
I decided I was all grown up when I was about 17 and I threw out my childhood stuffed purple dog with a red plaid jacket. My Dad gave it to me when I was really small and I wish I still had it.

7. What is your one most important contribution to this world?
Teaching my son and daughter to be loving, caring helpful individuals that love Jesus with all their hearts and souls and minds.

8. What is your one hidden talent that nearly no one knows about?
I snore so bad the dogs think I am barking at them and they bark back, waking me up. Ok that was only once, but it is so funny, I had to use it.

9. What is your most cherished possession?
My Bible, My family, My computer and My camera

10. What one person influenced your life the most when growing up?
My parents, my sister because I loved her from the moment she was born, we have been best friends ever since, and because she had very definite ideas about things, and I am more like an blank open book. Also my teachers; sabbath school and 1st grade

11. What one word describes you better than any other?
Peacemaker (I am the GLUE in my family and with my friends and co-workers) and Service, sometimes its more in thought than in action, but if I had more energy I would be "at your service".

Obviously I also dont follow instructions well, as when a question asks for one thing, I put one to six things. Oh well....

I tag Our Seven QTpies

Monday Musings

Monday's Musings... Garlic, Oatmeal water, Water Therapy and Hydrogen Peroxide for preventing and treating colds and infections.

In all my reading I have come across some ways to help prevent and treat infections. This is what I will be doing next winter to prevent my annual 3 sicknesses in a row.

Garlic is such a powerful antibiotic, and antiviral that if you place a garlic clove close (not even touching) to a petri dish full of bacteria the bacteria will die. The best way to take garlic is raw crushed as cooking destroys the antibiotic properties and crushing activates them. Not many people I know can just munch on raw garlic so put your raw garlic in a teaspoon of honey or mix in with a little cream cheese and put on a cracker.

Oatmeal water can prevent sickness. In the early 1900's (I think, maybe it was 1800's) when the railroad was being built the men were working 12 hour days and couldn't afford to be sick so they gave them oatmeal water to drink. They made history because not a single man missed work due to sickness. Here is the recipe Take 2 T of instant rolled oats and place in 2 quarts of water in a pot on the stove. Bring to a boil, then turn down and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain and drink. Sounds a little weird but doesn't taste that bad, even if oatmeal is not your thing.

Water therapy can improve your immune function. When you feel a sickness coming on, take a hot/cold alternating shower then go to bed for 30 to 45 minutes. In the shower use hot water as hot as you can stand for 2 minutes then as cold as you can stand, without getting a chill, for 30 seconds. repeat three times and end with cold. Get in bed and relax for 30 to 45 minutes. You will probably sweat so when you are done save your friends noses and shower again :)

Hydrogen Peroxide in your ears can stop a cold! When you first start feeling a cold coming on place a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in each ear. I understand this is very effective.

Tomorrow: "My own American Idol" AND "Welcome home and wish you were here"

Sunday Festivus Ed 2

A day to air grievances

Festivus is suppose to be how others have disappointed you, however I prefer my version, which is how myself and my circumstances have disappointed me. This weeks grievances include: My littlest Chihuahua “Little Dude” Has continuing problems this week. He has decided that it is too cold to relief himself outside so it would be just as good to do it in the house. I have been washing out laundry, throw rugs and slippers all week. The kicker was when I woke up in the middle of the night to “the pose” at the end of my bed. I got up and washed out my big King sized comforter and as I was slipping into bed I slipped on more than what I had planned on. Now I had to wash off the down comforter and ready it for the dry cleaners. Take a long hot shower and try to disinfect the spot on my leg and then try to find more bedding. AHHHH I feel better now. What are your grievances? Leave a positive accounting of your grievances in comments. You'll feel better, I promise!

Here's some more worthy festivus participants to check out

Stacitee

Tomorrow: what do Garlic, Oatmeal, Water and Hydrogen Peroxide have in common?

How much are you worth?

I am worth $2,076,052 on HumanForSale.com
How much are you worth?

I did not complete the entire test as one question is your score on a singles dating site and the other was my SAT score and I have no idea what it was. I just left those blank. Leave me a message with your score!

Saturday's Hope

Because "hope" has always been my favorite word!

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. Psalms 62:5

Fridays Photos

Kiara and I doing the "matchy" thing. When she was 4 and 10. I wish there was more but Kiara went through quite a few years where she didn't want to match with anyone not even her friends. She likes being her own person and I am proud of her for that.

Thursday Thirteen ed 12

Thirteen Things that should never be said
Thank you to Le Laquet for the header!
Here are a few of the comments that have been said to my sister, my self and my daughter....

1.You look awful! (Even if you were sick, this comment can make you feel your worst)
2.So when is the baby due? (I have been asked this question when I was skinny and wore a size 6 and worked on my abs at a gym 6 days a week)
3.When are you and your hubby going to have kids? (Some may be waiting but others may be infertile and this question will bring tears to their eyes)
4.Have you gained weight? (Another depressing comment as everyone I know, does not set out to GAIN weight)
5.You used to live in a mobile home didn't you? (puts you back in your place, if you have ever had to live in one)
6.You could do better. (when talking about another persons choice of boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse)
7.Its time to retire that shirt. It makes you look old. (if you didn't realize you were old this comment will make you feel it)
8.Your daughter has such dark hair! Is she adopted?" (Just because mom has light hair doesn't mean dad does)
9.Guess what! We are having a baby! Hey, hows the infertility treatments going?" (self explanatory)
10.Your daughter has such dark hair! Is her dad......????" (Is her dad what? Dark haired? Why yes, he is!)" (Shamefully inappropriate)
11."You just need to relax... then you will get pregnant." (appropriate only for newlyweds that have been trying for less than a month)
12.How much weight have you lost? Wow! You must feel SO much better now! (no actually I feel about the same, I might feel great when I am a size 2 however)
13.Do you have my size 2 jeans? (Why I thought I put on my size 14 jeans this morning but could you check the tag back there? )

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Works for Me Wednesday

Works for Me Wednesday
Healthy recipe: We have been trying to get away from eating so many eggs and we LOVE egg and cheese burrito's so as a substitute, I make scrambled tofu (see recipe below), place inside a whole wheat tortilla with La Victoria Green Taco Sauce and just a little cheese. Roll up and place in George Foreman grill till hot. Also tastes good to add some Morningstar Farms Sausage Substitute. For Weight Watchers there is a whole wheat flour tortilla that is only 1 point that I found at Win co and Walmart Superstores. Make sure you are using a no calorie non stick spray to make your scrambled tofu (and of course add no extra oil), and use non fat shredded cheese. The sausage substitute is only a point per serving I believe. I will try to figure out the points if you want to check back later. My husband who despised tofu and loved eggs almost more than anything, will eat this and even enjoys it. That is what works for me. What works for you?

Scambled Tofu from the Lifestyle to Health Recipes

1 lb fresh tofu (2 cups) drain and rinse
1/2 t ground sage
1 1/2 t chicken style seasoning
3 T Nutritional yeast flakes
1 1/2 t onion powder
1/2 t salt
1/2 t turmeric
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 t sweet basil

Mash tofu with fork till texture of scrambled eggs. Add remaining ingredients. Place in skillet and simmer uncovered till moisture is evaporated about 10 to 14 minutes. Serves 6-- 2 points per serving. (add 1 to 3 points for tortilla depending on which one you get, a point of non fat cheese, and a point of Morningstar Farms sausage substitute) and you still have points left for a fruit!

The 1 point tortilla's are made by La Tortilla factory and are the whole grain ones. They seem a little moist right out of the package but if you grill them or put in fry pan they turn out great!

For more great ideas head on over to Shannon's Works for Me Wednesday Meme at Rocks in my Dryer

What To Do With Teens Who Are Not Acting So Terrific

What To Do With Teens Who Are Not Acting So Terrific



The best and most effect book I have found is “Parenting your Out of Control Teenager 7 steps to reestablish Authority and Reclaim Love” by Scott P Sells PhD. Yes, I thought the same thing, MY TEEN is not OUT OF CONTROL. But the girl who showed me the book said it will help even if your teen is a good one. So I bought it and started reading. The main concept is “contracts” that you make with your teen. these contracts have the behavior that is not acceptable, consequences and rewards listed. (you make them up according to what is important to you and your teen. It is important to have a backup plan 4 levels deep, as teens are very resourceful. In other words if you have a consequence you will need a consequence to back it up and one to back up that one and so on. The book gives samples of forms or you can write your own. The teen and you sign them. It even tells you what to do should your teen refuse to sign. It has a regular section and a section for teens that are WAY out of control. It gives the reasons why sending them away to a “boot camp” does not work.

Although my teens would never admit it, I think they liked the PIR's the best. PIR stands for Positive Incident Report. You mark the teens good behavior that you notice and post them.

Here is an example of a contract I have with my teens. This came out of the frustrating “laundry habit” of saying on Sunday morning “no mom I don't have any laundry” when asked and then nagged repeatedly to get it. Then at 9:30pm saying “here's my clothes and I NEED them by tomorrow if I am going to school”. So the contracts reads that “clothes are to be to the laundry area and sorted by 10am if I was going to wash them, and if not ,they were responsible for washing their own.” And only after I got done with whatever laundry I was doing. It took about 3 weeks, and all of a sudden first thing Sunday morning the clothes were out and sorted without a word from me. What this book does it gives you the freedom to be a mom without nagging. It is such a relief. We have done contracts for being disrespectful, chores, and schoolwork. it is difficult at first because they will resist change but I noticed once they realized there was no way out, and mom is nagging less, we haven't need to use them as much. I highly recommend this for ANYONE with teens.

And finally the best place I have found to buy books is AMAZON. You can buy good used books for a fraction of the cost or buy them new. They arrive in a timely manner, and you don't even have to leave the house. they store all your info too so the next time you shop you can just click and state yes when asked if you want to use the card on file. It works for me! Oh I guess that should be in tomorrows post.

Dont forget to tune into Sunday Festivus right here. Air you grievances this week in a positive way. You'll feel better I promise! And I will link to your site! See below for this weeks Festivus.

Coming in tomorrow's Wednesday Works for Me.....what is metal, has a bit of diamond and is very useful for staying beautiful? Check in tomorrow to see.

Tuesday's Child

Michael Job Orphanage (taken from the website)

The Michael Job Orphanage is a unique orphanage that stands as a promise of hope, a symbol of the right to live for the girl child and a blessing to each child who comes there hopeless, abandoned and a victim of persecution.

Rising from the ashes of a tragedy, the vision of this orphanage was seen and developed by Dr. P. P. Job when he lost his younger son, Michael Job, who was killed by religious fanatics because his father is a preacher of the Word of God.
In the words of Dr. Job, " There are more than one billion people in India. Out of them 400 million are children. Half of these are girls and a substantial portion of these are often abandoned at birth or not given any education. Nothing is done for these girls whose birth is considered a calamity. When my son was martyred, I thought of doing something for these children. I have started a project "Hope for the Girl Child". In this project we have an orphanage, a School, a college and a University which is in its planning stages. God took away my son, but he gave me 80 other children."
Today the Michael Job Orphanage, is home to 80 girl children ranging from the age group of 2 - 15. These young orphans are either children of persecuted Christians or of the persecutors or those who have lost their parents in natural calamities like floods and earthquakes.


Located in the southern state of Tamil Nadu the orphanage provides a safe, and clean environment for the growth of the children. The orphanage is unique in its total dedication to the development of the girl child. Apart from attending to the personal needs of the children it gives to each girl the best facilities in accommodation and care.
The aim of the Center is " to increase the girl child's capacity to define, analyze and act on their own problems until they become independent participants in society." At this impressive educational centre, the girls will also be given an opportunity to pursue higher studies even up to a doctorate level with an emphasis on learning and creativity.
These young girls are the missionaries of the next generation. When they leave our orphanage they will have a professional degree in one hand and a theological degree in the other. We have 80 young missionaries and our target is 1000! At present we have 320 children awaiting sponsorship.

Ramani is the child that I am sponsoring although it takes 4 people to fully sponsor a child. Her parents were missionary's and they and Ramani's sister lost their lifes in a freak accident. These accidents happen a lot to Christian families over in India. If you would like to help please go to The Michael job Center site and search for Ramani or any of the other girls there. Then you can fill out your sponsorship.

Monday Musings--Microwaves are they safe?

While looking up some health information this year I came across an article on Microwave safety. I had always heard that Microwaves were safe unless the radiation was leaking from a faulty seal. Almost all sites that report Microwave safety, are reporting just that. They do not report what microwaves do to the food that is cooked or warmed in them. An experiment you can try at home if you are skeptical is this. Plant two pots with seeds and water one with microwaved, cooled water and the other with tap water. The seeds in the microwave watered plant will not sprout. You can also water an existing plant with Microwaved water and it will die.

More supporting evidence:

A nurse microwaved a pint of blood to warm it before giving it to a patient who had hip surgery and the patient died.

Russian research at the Institute of Radio Technology at Klinsk, Byelorussia showed that microwaved foods lead to a higher percentage of cancer causing substances in the bloodstream and microwaved foods lower the body's ability to utilize Vit B complex, C, E, essential minerals and Lipotropics

Kinesiologist David Bridgeman states “99.9 percent of people I test for allergies show an allergy to microwaved food”

Russian research reported by the Journal of Natural Sciences in 1998 found that people who ate microwaved foods have statically higher incidence of stomach and intestinal cancers

A Spanish study published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture in 2003 states that microwaved broccoli lost 87m to 97 percent of three cancer protecting antioxidants

Japanese research reported in Science News in 1998 stated that microwaving destroys at least half of the B 12 in dairy and meat


Stanford researchers reported in the Journal of Pediatrics that re heating human breast milk in the microwave, even at low settings ,can destroy lypozome, a compound that fights bacterial infections.

In 1976 Russia banned the use of microwaves due to the results of studies, however after Perestroika the ban was lifted.

Microwaved plastic wrap has 10,000,000 times the FDA limits of carcinogens.

Standing in front of a microwave is also damaging to your health. Cells explode in the microwave so imagine how many are getting damaged if you stand in front of the microwave for 5 to 10 minutes.

You ask why you have not heard any of this? Most of the time if an item is popular or profitable, it is treated with the adage. “What they don't know wont hurt them” For example, Swiss scientist Dr. Hertel and researcher Blanc did research on the effects of microwave cooking and found changes in the blood that are similar to the blood of patients who have cancer. When they tried to publish their finding a “gag order” was issued. Blanc recanted. Hertel demanded a jury trial and finally in 1998 the gag order was lifted.

If their findings were not valid, why were they not just proven wrong? Do your own research, just type in “Micowaves are they safe?” into a search engine and see what comes up.

Now for how to survive without one.

We obtained a George Foreman grill, even though we are vegetarian, because it cooks both sides of a vegetarian burger at the same time. We also grill vegetables, rewarm pizza, cook vegetarian bacon and sausage substitutes.

An idea for keeping food warm if your spouse is late coming home is to cover the plate with a saucepan lid and place the plate on the sauce pan with simmering water in it. (make sure the plate can withstand the heat) This will keep it warm without drying it out. We have also learned to eat as soon as the food is done. Crock pots are great for warming food without it sticking and rice cookers come with a timer so the rice can be done exactly when you need it to be. I found it to be slightly more work at first, but fell into a routine quickly, and I have not regretted the choice to get rid of the microwave.

Coming tomorrow: Tuesdays Child and What to do if your Teen is not acting so terrific.

Sundays Festivus ed 1

Sunday's Festivus

A day to air my grievances

Festivus is suppose to be how others have disappointed you, however I prefer my version, which is how myself and my circumstances have disappointed me. This weeks grievances include #1. My annual sickness of three illnesses in a row is in the 4th week and I am so tired of being sick! (note to self --start anti sickness routines in November and continue through January next year) #2. It is Jan 7 and I still have to take down my outdoor lights. ( a blog I read recently mentioned watching to see how long it takes people to take down their lights) and #3 RAIN. I usually don't mind, but we have had more than our share this year! The backyard has miniature lakes and the dogs have to be pushed out the door to go potty even with raincoats on. Not to mention the mess their feet make upon reentry.

Addendum: Today has more grievances than I can imagine. First of all Our littlest Chihuahua, who has continually made our Chocolate lab and other Chihuhua look like "model" dogs that should charge a premium for their offspring, managed to pee on himself (dont even ask) and needed a bath first thing this morning. Less than an hour later he poo'd on the family room carpet. Which brings me to my next grievance. He also ate two throat lozenges with the wrappers this last week. As I trying to grab the wrapper out of his mouth he turned and did this "gulping as fast as he could" thing and the wrapper was gone. SO now he has an extreme case of the "trots". In the midlle of the night he so kindly decided to let us sleep and relieved himself on our dirty laundry, so I have been washing out clothes all morning. As a result, he was banned to the huge kennel we use on occasion for our labrador. He is let out at regular intervals to do his business outside. You would think we had put him in a straight jacket for all the noise he is making about not being able to be part of the "pack" and climb all over us when we are sitting. You would also think that as some point he would figure out that if he asked to go outside (and actually do the business outside), he would not be in such a predicament. But NO.... Less than a minute from coming in from one of his outdoor adventures, he poo'd in the kennel, and then danced through it trying to get our attention. Effective I must say. I cleaned it up and flushed it only to have the toilet start to overflow. As I was plunging the toilet and my husband was cleaning carpets I mentioned that I was so happy I declared a Festivus so I could "Air my Grievances". The laughter that ensued was SOOO worth it! I am wondering what MESSES the rest of the day has for me. AHHHH I feel better now. What are you grievances? Leave a positive accounting of your grievances in comments. You'll feel better, I promise!

To see a great story of the damage a 3 year old can do while her Mom is blogging, head on over to Our Seven Qtpies and read "An Essay" and her newest Sunday's Festivus Post

My sister over at Stacitee has joined in. Click here to see her Festivus post


Coming tomorrow on Monday Musings "Microwaves-Are they safe?"

Saturdays Hope

Because "Hope" has always been my favorite word!

We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. Psalms 33:20

Hawaii pictures from 2003 because that is where I wish I was today. Wish Wish Wish......My dad always said "wish in one hand and spit in the other and see which one gets full first". Oh well, at least there is pictures to remember it by....

Braden on a coconut tree


Beach picture I took


Beautiful ocean view

Brady riding a wave

Grandpa and Tessa

Kiara taking a horse ride at Kualoa Ranch

Dad and I waiting for our turn to Parasail

My Sis and her hubby parasailing

Beautiful sunset

My sisters family

Braden and I

My sister and I

Great view from inside the house we stayed in.

Dad and my brother Tim at Pearl Harbor


Where is my mother? She hides from all things photographic.....and it appears she wasn't there but she was..... I think I can prove it....hmmmmm I will be back later.

Friday's Photo's

Here is the Santa Suit that both my kids and my sister's kids have worn.

Braden 7 1/2 months


Kiara 9 months




Tessa 5 1/2 months


Emma 12 1/2 months

Thursday Thirteen ed 11

>Thirteen Things about My New Years Resolutions



1. Listen to “Its just another New Years Eve” by Barry Manilow like my sis and I have done for years, and it just doesn't feel right till I hear it. And now I am adding Clay Aiken singing “What are you doing New Years Eve”

2. Have someone wake me up to see the ball drop like every year since I was a kid, because try as I might I just cant stay awake

3. Go completely vegan, I am almost there I just have a hard time giving up the cheese pizza!

4. Sugary items down to no more than once a week. I am finding out sugar causes cancer, violence and ages the skin!

5. Read my entire bible this year. I always make a great start but never finish all the way

6. Stay off caffeine except for “stay awake” emergencies. And no making up an emergency just to get some

7. De junk my entire house, garage, and shed (no good place for a pile of junk)

8. Plant raspberry bushes (you cant go wrong with a raspberry and then I will have blueberries, cherries and raspberries)

9.Make a rose garden Nothing better than roses on the kitchen table anytime you want.

10.Put more pictures on my blog because the pictures are the interesting things.


11. Save more money to help the poor at Christmas time. 50 percent more than this year

12. Write more thank yous
13. Post a Thursday Thirteen every week!
Links to other Thursday Thirteens!




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Works for me Wednesday

What works for me this week are appliances that have made my life easier.

Kitchen aid: not only mixes while I measure ingredients but when I make a casserole, I just throw the bread in whole and it breaks it up. I throw in chunks of cheese and it breaks it into small pieces, and it has attachments for everything from grating cheese to making pasta. And I can make bread in it!

Vita mix: not only makes great fruit shakes, soups, and ice creams but it chops onions without the tears! And it can grind the flour for your Kitchen aid bread!



Pampered Chef Chopper: chops vegetables, herbs, nuts and then comes completely apart for easy dishwasher clean up!


George Foreman grill: Even though we are vegetarian we cook the vegetarian meat substitutes, warm up pizza and a variety of other things in this wonderful machine. It cooks both sides of the food at the same time so it is quick! After I dropped the current one we went two days before I RAN out to get a new one. My new one has removable hot plates that can be put in the dishwasher! I see they have one with interchangeable plates so you can grill or make waffles or pancakes. I would love that one but I am not willing to spend 129.00 just yet

Spotbot by Bissell. I do not have this one yet but I want it soooooo bad! You put it over a spot and walk away. It does it all. It costs about 130.00

Hoover Floormate: A must have if you have large linoleum or tile areas. It vacuums then with a touch of a button it scrubs, mops and sucks up the liquid. The floor is left shiny clean and all you have to do is empty and fill the very easy to remove containers.


Bissell Power Lifter: A must for carpeted areas when you want to clean the whole carpet. Very easy to use and does a super great job. We got a Bissell carpet cleaner when the kids were little because we had creme carpeting throughout the house. We had a professional carpet cleaner come, and they pointed out all the “permanent" stains that they would not be able to get out. My hubby came home and said phewy, bought a Bissell, re-cleaned the carpet, and not a stain was left. Not even the rust stain that was there when we moved in! Since then, we are never without one. Just make sure it is a Bissell and you use Bissell cleaning products. We use the carpet cleaner for houses with pets and it WORKS FOR ME!!!!!!!!