Caring Today Magazine and Home Instead Senior Care Announce Third Annual Caregiver Essay Contest

The Home Instead Senior Care office serving Birmingham, Michigan has announced Caring Today magazine’s third annual “Give a Caregiver a Break” essay contest to honor family caregivers for their tireless service and dedication. The contest is sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care and will award $16,000 in free caregiving services to the winning essay writers.

In 500 words or less, non-professional family caregivers can relate their caregiving experiences, including the challenges they’ve faced, how they’ve embraced their role as a caregiver for a senior loved one and inspired others, all demonstrating how a Home Instead CAREGiver^SM could make a difference.  Entries can be submitted starting May 1, 2008.  Entry deadline is July 16, 2008.

Grand Prize is $5,000 of free care from Home Instead Senior Care, the world’s largest provider of non-medical companionship and home care for seniors.  Two First Prize winners will each receive $2,500 of free care from Home Instead Senior Care.  In addition, 12 Extraordinary Caregivers will each receive $500 in service as part of a new category established this year.  The top three winning essays will be published in the November/December issue of Caring Today and all 15 winning essays will appear on www.caringtoday.com.

Last year’s Grand Prize winner was Teresa Hooper, a devoted daughter and sister from Sylva, N.C., who put her career on hold and gave up most of her free time to help care for her 83-year-old mother, Sara.  Hooper said she was just venting her feelings when she wrote about her caregiving role, which she shares with two sisters.

“We have learned that we are all vulnerable, and that old age and sickness is not an easy issue to be dealt with under any circumstances,” says Hooper. “We have learned to admire and respect our mother for all that she gave us in her ‘good’ years and for trying to be so strong for us in her fragile years.  We are still learning – one day at a time.”

According to her Grand Prize essay, Hooper and her sisters have been caring full time for their mother, who has multiple health problems, is on oxygen and needs round-the-clock care.  Hooper’s family is trying to meet all their mother’s needs on a rotating basis, so Sara can stay at home.  The demands are both physically and emotionally daunting, Hooper said.  

 “The hardest impact of this situation is seeing our mother in this condition, unable to see, hear, bathe, eat or even walk without assistance,” Hooper wrote in her essay.  “We see her often confused, forgetful and frightened.  We have cried and felt guilty and helpless.  We’ve prayed and talked.  Despite the challenges, the rewards of caregiving have been worthwhile,” Hooper added.  “It’s been rewarding to see her return to her home after being on the verge of death.  We’re giving her back some quality in her last days.”   

To enter the “Give a Caregiver a Break” essay contest, you must be 18 years old or over, be providing non-professional care for a person 65 years of age or older, and be a legal resident of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia.  Only one entry per person is allowed.  Entrants must be located in a Home Instead Senior Care franchise service territory to receive free services.  (Franchise service areas are available by logging on to www.homeinstead.com.)  Entrant must be a non-paid caregiver of a person 65 years of age or older and not a third party.  Typed entries may be submitted online at www.caringtoday.com/hicontest or by mail to Caring Today, 34 Sherman Court, Fairfield, CT 06824.  Complete rules can be found in the May/June issue of Caring Today or online at www.caringtoday.com or www.homeinstead.com. 

Caring Today is the premier national magazine offering practical advice for the family caregiver.  It provides expert, up-to-date information on medical, social, financial, legal, lifestyle and support issues – and, in each issue, reinforces the importance of caregiver well-being and self-care.  With a circulation of 750,000, Caring Today is published six times a year and distributed primarily through doctor’s offices, hospitals, CVS/pharmacies and professional home-care services.  The magazine’s offices are located at 34 Sherman Court, Fairfield, CT 06824, and it’s newly designed, interactive website is at www.caringtoday.com. 

Home Instead Senior Care is the world's largest provider of comprehensive companionship and home care services for seniors.  These services are provided through a network of franchise offices located throughout the United States, Canada, Japan, Portugal, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Taiwan, Spain, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Germany.  The company’s services are designed for practically any living arrangement where an older adult simply needs human interaction and help with day-to-day activities.  For more information, visit www.homeinstead.com.

Okay, ladies—let’s get real. When most of us gals over fifty say we’re “hanging loose,” the phrase has taken on an entirely new meaning. Yes, I must confess that a lot of me has morphed into flesh that settles into loose folds whenever I sit, bend, or button a waistband. I do try to keep up with my aerobics and even lift weights a couple of times a week. Yet, despite my efforts, gravity seems to be tugging extra hard these days.

Thankfully, the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in American authors and they are writing a number of books to cash in on aging boomers and our worries over the visible signs of growing older. Not long ago, I came across an article in USA Today that discussed the latest crop of anti-aging books filled with dos and don’ts for the mature woman. Each of them looks interesting to me as I’m hoping to hang on to whatever looks I have left. But, I do have my limits!

The article suggests that a woman in her fifties or sixties is pleased to be alive (rather than dead by this age of decrepitude) but that she can’t pass a mirror without averting her eyes. Now, maybe my vision is going faster than I’d thought but I can still look myself in the mirror without gagging or fleeing the scene totally repulsed by the appallingly wizened reflection.

Shockingly, I like myself better now than when I was younger and so do most of my friends. Why not write a book about that? Yes, it may be important to look our best at any age. And, yes, looks do affect our self-esteem but so does a lifetime of growth and development. I may not wear my wrinkles proudly but I don’t despise them either. A lifetime of friends and laughter, memories and family, and challenges and triumphs more than makes up for a few lines. And, no one need avert her eyes at that!

Acid reflux is another term for a condition many people commonly call heartburn. This complaint affects the food pathways or digestive tract but is often called other names. Each of us uses hydrochloric acid in our gut to breakdown the food we eat and ideally that is where it should stay. When stomach contents try to go back up the esophagus, it causes the feeling of heartburn.

When food enters your stomach, a valve called the lower esophageal sphincter opens to allow food into the stomach which normally remains closed so that stomach food and acid do not flow back up into your esophagus area. The esophageal sphincter should close and trap the acid but when this doesn't happen and the acid escapes back up the digestive tract the condition of acid reflux or heartburn is the result. Doctors abbreviate the condition to GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disorder. At the moment it is considered that a poor diet is the underlying reason for the acid reflux problem but not the main cause of the condition; overeating could also add to the problem and cause unnecessary stress on the stomach and its ability to process food.

Eating large amounts of food at any meal can put a lot of pressure on your abdominal walls. This in turn causes the esophageal valve to behave erratically leading to stomach fluids rising and causing the awful burning feeling in the chest. The aim is to lessen the stress on your stomach and stop any damage the stomach acid will cause to your esophagus. If this is a problem you have to live with then you should eat smaller meals during the day which will help the situation. This situation can be a problem for the health of the body as the stomach, esophagus and mouth all need to be in good working order. The stomach carries out not only the breaking down of food but processing it into nutrients that can be absorbed by the body.

Whilst an immediate solution may be to use the well advertised acid calming drugs available they are not designed for long term usage. These can create additional nutritional deficiencies and disease that a doctor may have a problem when diagnosing the cause. A more permanent approach to treating the acid reflux condition is required by changing the way you eat. The idea is not to overload your stomach, which will give it time to recover. You might find that once the heartburn incidents have been reduced you can gradually start eating some of the dishes you did before, remembering to take things easily.

Lifestyle changes extend beyond those of just eating habits as other contributing factors to acid reflux can be:

• Smoking
• Having allergies to particular foods e.g. peanuts
• Prescription medicines
• Alcohol
• After meal napping

All this comes down to a lifestyle change which ultimately only you can control. If you need an incentive to stop the occasions where you suffer with heartburn then this should be it! This is how you may be able to clear your acid reflux disorder completely. Ultimately the choice is yours to make!

Novella concludes, "this episode serves to expose the outrageous hypocrisy of the purveyors of unscientific or unproven treatments who are happy to be champions of consumer protection when it suits their needs, and then the next moment to decry consumer protection laws as fascist while transforming themselves into paragons of free-market virtue. Their ideological flexibility is impressive."

There is nothing in Bill C-51 that changes the regulatory status of natural health products from over-the-counter (as they are now) to prescription. Under Bill C-51, Canadians will continue to have access to natural health products that are safe, effective and of high quality. 

Natural health products will continue to be regulated in the same way under the Natural Health Products Regulations, which have been in force since January 1, 2004. See this link, it explains everything and more about what this bill is really about.

Please pass this on so that the misinformation stops.

Not that I was planning to go swimsuit shopping in any case, but it's nice to know I could possibly (venture back into the water?) if I really wanted to, without risking a full-color glossy magazine shot of myself as the biggest fashion DON'T ever!

. . .The spotted halter top called up images of Norma Jeane Baker (pre Marilyn Monroe) or Janet Leigh sunning atop a float in the Rose Bowl parade. It was just saying howdy-do to a high-waist black bikini bottom. How civilized.

As swimsuit season approaches, women are discovering that many of this summer’s suits represent a sharp turnaround from the crass arrangement of string and sequins that in recent years has made the Hamptons shore look like a Vegas sideshow.

Probably for the first time since Lindsay Lohan was born, fashion designers, from the high-end likes of Miuccia Prada and Stella McCartney to mainstream classics like Jantzen, have taken a more refined approach to swimwear, emphasizing one-piece looks, halter tops, high-waist boy shorts and ruffles and ruching as camouflaging details.

. . .“The extra coverage feels really right,” said the designer Shoshanna Gruss. “What more people are realizing is that these shapes are beautiful, and more women can wear these. More is more.”

Now one could argue that the covered-up direction in swimwear has something to do with the tanking economy (ahem, tankini), or perhaps it is a precautionary statement against too much sun exposure.
More likely, such looks have come around again for the same reason they were popular a half-century ago.

As the Macy’s window display of historic Jantzen suits would suggest, leaving a little to the imagination imparts a lot of allure.

But now I am home & should get back on track & keep the physical activity up!

• Calories -
• Pedometer -
• Miles –
• Exercise –
• Blood Pressure –
• Pulse –
• Waist –
• BMI - 32.7
• Weight - 190.4
• Notes on the day-

One of our colleagues recently hit a snag at the pharmacy when she requested a refill of her allergy prescription in advance of a business trip. Upon returning home, and running out of her meds, our staffer realized that the refilled pills were a different color and size – she had received the wrong drugs! The pharmacist was extremely apologetic, and issued the correct pills on the spot. Fortunately, since our colleague hadn't taken any of the wrong pills, or had to suffer without them, all ended well.

This is a lesson for us all though: whenever taking drugs of any kind, prescribed, behind-the-counter, or over-the-counter, we need to pay attention! If something seems off to you—with the drugs themselves, if you notice any new side effects, or if you have any questions—talk to your doctor or pharmacist!

Have you experienced any hiccups at the pharmacy? Are you a fellow allergy sufferer? Feel free share your story here!

1-fascination

2- friendship

3-frustration

4- fulfilment

From my previous entries you are aware that stages one  and two are ever present in my life, they are what makes me me...may it never stop ( ever the child!) However the last few days in SL, I have felt like I’m entering  stage 3, nothing too serious, settling in, living here some things have got to me. Like the  lack of recycling and littering thro’ to basic human rights. I know it is part of the challenge I’d face by working in a developing country but some days it just gets to me. So if you get an e mail or text from me off loading-  I’m having a moan - thanks for reading.

 Now what else has been going on, well Stanley from VSO transport dept...sorry programme office support (checked the welcome folder!)more like Stan laurel! delivered my wheels on Friday. Yep Barbie has a bike she is pleased to report it is not pink, it’s silver actually, a ladies bog standard bike, 3 gears, basket and the all important BELL! A test ride on Sunday saw me ,to the amusement of the locals negotiating the pot holes ( road maintenance not a Gov priority at the moment or ever it would appear)in first gear to shout s of “sudu”  = whitey. The ride to work is 15 mins I do manage to get in to 3^rd but 2nd is ok. It is a fairly quiet stretch of road not too many buses, I have used the bell but it appears the cows are deeff!  Sadly they are not the healthiest specimens; even as a “vegetable” I can see that!

On Saturday 10^th I visited Kurunegala hospital and the rehabilitation facilities in its district north east of Colombo. It was a 3 hour drive heading on the A1 towards Kandy. My   12 colleagues were social workers, nurses, support staff and a doctor. I was collected an hour and ¾’s  later than arranged...umm a few phone calls and text after an hour I found out the transport had not turned up hey ho Sri Lankan organisation not... so after lots of apologies we were on the way ,out came breakfast ,so they were all forgiven . My family will know my love of eating on journeys, as a child heard to ask “can we eat yet” havin’ not even gone a mile! There was loads of small eats really tasty veg rolls, roti - spicy stuffed chapati, and sandwiches, as my porridge had been well and truly digested whilst waiting, I tucked in.

I really enjoyed the drive the time to contemplate (as they were all talking SL) my situation in comparison to UK it had been a long time since I had worked a Saturday, being here I had done 2(no worries I get the time back) the SL tend to work a 6 day week, nurses do many long stretches to gain days off so they can travel back to their family homes. The social workers get over time to supplement their low salaries. Talking to one of the docs the other day about working terms and conditions, he gets 26,000 rupees plus 12,000 for on call etc  = 36,000 (remember I get 30,000 which is  £142)  4 weeks holiday which they usually work to get extra money as they cant really afford to go anywhere they do take the odd day off for weddings and some of the many festival/bank holidays (26 of them ) I thought about the privileged life  and choices I, or should I say “us” westerners have. Don’t worry I’m not going to get all philosophical, but just sharing my thoughts with you.

Every body was chattering away, laughing, I did not feel excluded, quite the opposite they made every effort to include me telling me bits of history or sharing a joke, they are such a generous race of people despite the war torn country, its political situation,  lack of funding to health services and development, they get on with living. It has to be more than just the weather, I  digress to thoughts of my travels around Australia with Stephen my bro in 1988, I drove him to distraction (and to drink I’m sure) with my daily “Ooh its looks like its going to be another nice day, makes you feel good when the sunshine’s  don’t  it ! As we approached Kurunegela I spied a huge Buddha sitting atop of the hill side, I pondered upon religious beliefs, mental note to read about Buddhism, I’m here for 2 years, I need to understand what makes these folk tick...

The sights you see, back at the bus stop ( flat tyre after one day) I mused about road safety the number of people that can be squashed in to a tri shaw, 6  is the most I've seen so far ,plus the weekly shopping. Then on a motorbike, a family of 4, youngest child, the dad driving with an infant sandwiched between him and mum at the back...amazing. Cycling  well that’s another thing  no wonder I was stared at, there was only me on the bike ,usually its 2 ,one on the cross bar or handle bars, plus what ever you need for the days work -  6ft pieces of plastic piping, a large bundle of some crop or other...brilliant !

So that’s been my week fairly quiet, went to the laundrette (got bitten by the mossies, so now taking piriton and using hydrocortisone as I have reacted to them badly ... (the sensitive girly that I am!) to be met by the LL and wife who kindly informed me they had taken my bike to have it repaired and that they had a washing machine I could use at anytime...bless ‘em!

Had a lovely evening of hospitality yesterday at the home of Mike (Vol of 5 months) and wife Natasha (2 kids, in bed 9 and 11) in Colombo. Very civilised, great food and conversation went with Podi, Jo Anne, and Jesse.

 That was after we had been to visit Riza who in hospital in Colombo been investigated for a “fever”. Thankfully she is ok feeling much better; they think it is viral, but needed to rule out Malaria and Dengue fever! She made us laugh at her experienced of being seen by a local Dr. who asked her questions looked at her ,no pulse ,temp or BP taken, did not examine her in anyway, then proceeded to prescribe 6 different types of medication. This is apparently standard practise, go to the Dr’s; you usually come away with 3 types of meds, some white ones, a couple of blue ones and 3 days of anti biotics!

Work not too bad, saw the boss today got a bit of clarity, (I think I’m missing supervision – it just does not exist here) anyway we seem to be talking about the same issues and priorities which is tickety boo! Then we went to a ceremony he opened a Buddhist place of worship in the hospital grounds.

So its all good, as I e mailed to Alistair the other day I wouldn’t change it for Rotherham that’s for sure... the weekend beckons ,we are heading off to the coast don’t you know, details next week.

Best wishes to all, I believe you are having some fine weather at the moment - ENJOY!

Loving yourself is not some ego trip either.  It is really embracing who you are as a human being and knowing just how special you are.  It's funny...we so easily define ourselves by what possessions we have, by what other people think of us (aka our "reputation), and our behaviors.  Let me say this in the simplest of terms.  WE ARE NONE OF THESE!!!

If our possessions define who we are, then what happens when we no longer have these things?

If our reputation defines who we are, then aren't we constantly worried about what others think of us and always saying what we think others want to hear?

If our behaviors define who we are, then what happens when we make mistakes and act inappropriately?  Does this weaken our ability to love ourselves? I think not!

More on this subject next time...

Yours in good health,

Joe Gettman

In addition, I have a "job interview" today.  I am using quotes because it is actually with an agency.  I thought it was a real job when I set up the interview.  Now that I've looked up the company, I realize that it is just an agency and I'll probably just go in, take some administrative assistant tests, and talk to someone about my experiences.  Still, you never know - bad experiences with agencies in the past don't mean that this agency won't be able to help me.  (I still hate the interview process...)

Here's hoping something works out soon.

Now back to the purpose of this blog/rant:

The world getting fatter!

What I don't understand is why it is so difficult to understand why the world is becoming fatter by the day, especially in North America. Well, its simple to me- TIME!

This day in age you have two working parents for the most part, or a single parent trying to run a household on their own. Who has the ability to spend time cooking three meals a day like we used to??? Years ago, I spent the majority of time in the kitchen; cooking, preparing, freezing, yes even canning. Now I do well to prepare a base meal with the main ingredient consisting of something like canned cream of mushroom soup, and call that a home cooked meal. Gone are the days when I prepared home made cream of mushroom soup the day before to use in the recipe.

Now, I run to McDonald's on my lunch break, throw a frozen pizza in the oven. Rather than preparing a fruit smoothie for my husband and children, I find myself spreading jam on bread or scooping ice cream from the freezer.

To me the "fat epidemic" is a result of an over worked society with no time to cook, prepare and go to the gym, we walk around exhausted and stressed just wondering how we will get from appointment to appointment the following day, what we will actually consume rarely crosses our minds, we just grab and go.

Maybe this sounds pretty backwards to all those feminists (Uh oh there I am using that word!) out there, but I for one miss the days of being barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen, doing what needs to be done, making a home. I wish sometimes I had the nerve to join an Amish community, since popping my whole family into a time machine is much less likely, so many mock their lifestyle, but maybe, just maybe, they are the ones who really get it.

Alison Rhodes

Researchers examined the effects green tea polyphenols (GTP), administered through drinking water, on rats who were intermittently deprived of oxygen during 12-hour “night” cycles, mimicking the intermittent hypoxia (IH) that humans with OSA experience.

People with OSA have been reported to have increased markers of oxidative stress and exhibit architectural changes in their brain tissue in areas involved in learning and memory. Chronic IH in rats produce similar neurological deficit patterns.

“OSA has been increasingly recognized as a serious and frequent health condition with potential long-term morbidities that include learning and psychological disabilities […],” wrote David Gozal, M.D., professor and director of Kosair Children’s Hospital Research Institute at the University of Louisville, lead author of the article. “A growing body of evidence suggests that the adverse neurobehavioral consequences imposed by IH stem, at least in part, from oxidative stress and inflammatory signaling cascades.”

GTPs are known to possess anti-oxidant properties, acting as a free radical scavengers, and research has shown that the compounds may reduce the risk of a variety of different diseases.

“Recent studies have demonstrated the neuroprotective activity of GTP in animal models of neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease,” wrote Dr. Gozal.

In this study, the researchers divided 106 male rats into two groups that underwent intermittent oxygen depletion during the 12-hour “night” cycle for 14 days. One group received drinking water treated with GTP; the other received plain drinking water.

They were then tested for markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, as well as for performance in spatial learning and memory tasks—namely a water “maze” in which the rat had to memorize the location of a hidden platform.

The IH-rats that received the green tea-treated water performed significantly better in a water maze than the rats that drank plain water. “GTP-treated rats exposed to IH displayed significantly greater spatial bias for the previous hidden platform position, indicating that GTPs are capable of attenuating IH-induced spatial learning deficits,” wrote Dr. Gozal, adding that GTPs “may represent a potential interventional strategy for patients” with sleep-disordered breathing.

San Antonio, Texas is the next place to start making the monitoring of Diabetics the city's business as well as the patient and doctor. Following in New York City's footsteps, the San Antonio Metro Health District will run a pilot program consisting of about 50,000 diabetics for 18 months, THEN in September of 2009 they will present their findings to the state legislature who may then choose to mandate this program statewide if it proves successful.

From Junkfood Science:

First it’s a scarlet D, then O, H, C...

Did you hear that San Antonio Metro Health District has decided to create a surveillance program of the lab results on its residents to identify diabetics who aren’t keeping their indices to government-approved levels? Health officials there are initiating a program to make it mandatory that all laboratories electronically turn over hemoglobin A1c results (along with the people’s names, addresses and dates of birth) to its government agency for a database of diabetics.

~snipped~

Vermedx is already laying the groundwork for monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol, depression, health literacy, etc. and working to lay the plans for national public health surveillance of those with chronic diseases.

Read the FULL STORY here.

What I want to know is are the patients being told this up front? Are they being asked to sign a consent form to this kind of surveillance?

And the San Antonio Business Journal posted this on May 12th, and according to the article the program rolls out in MAY. Gee, nice warning eh?

San Antonio's pilot program is starting in May and will run over the next 18 months. It will involve at least 50,000 active diabetic patients and four major testing labs. Metro Health will present a detailed summary of the pilot program to the Texas Legislature in September 2009. If the pilot program is successful, state lawmakers may consider similar programs in other major Texas metropolitan areas.

All contents of this site © American City Business Journals Inc. All rights reserved.

How any free thinking person can think this is a great idea is beyond me. Seriously, MY healthcare is between me and my doctor. I'll be damned if I need a city or state nanny hovering over my shoulder and deciding what my proper blood sugar level is supposed to be.

Seriously, considering how they lowered the BMI to create the obesity epidemic (overnight 30 million people became obese) and lowered the cholesterol levels do you honestly think they will know what everyone's blood sugar is supposed to be? There is NO room for individuality in this. The 3rd party is creating a 'one size fits all' acceptable level and God/Goddess help you if you are one of those people who don't fit the norm. AND don't think for one moment they won't threaten you into compliance IF you happen to be receiving any kind of assistance from the city or state.

I can't believe this is happening and everyone is just sitting back and going "oh that's a good idea"....................WAKE UP!!!! Take back YOUR life.

Look at items such as shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste. It doesn't take a hand full of shampoo to do the job. Actually if you are getting a good lather, you are using way too much. My hair is a good length and I only use a dime size of shampoo and a nickel size of conditioner. You should only be shampooing your scalp area anyway. This is where the oils collect. Anything other than that area you are just drying it out. Conditioner adds moisture back, your scalp does not need this. In fact adding conditioner to this area will make it look oily. Only condition the roots. Shampoo and conditioner should last a few months even with daily showers. This is great to teach to kids to learn moderation. Toothpaste is the same way, just a dab will do it. You can always add more if it doesn't do the job, but it is easier to add than take away.

Weight today is up a half pound. BP 138/80, and yesterday, I had 2740 cc in, and 3375 out. Maybe my weight isn't coming down because of inactivity and eating better? I decided I will start walking short distances. Today is a good day to start, as I will be walking over to the nearby clinic for blood work. It's a little longer distance than I would like, but it shouldn't be a problem.

I definitely still have a lot of fluid "on board". I just put my leg splints on for the first time since before the surgery, and they are very snug. Prior to surgery, there was actually a lot of room in the calf portion of each; today, I had a hard time fitting my leg in them, especially the left splint. That will get better over time, so I'm not worried. it's actually reassuring, because it confirms that my weight gain is mostly fluid.

My right arm continues to be bothersome. I was up several times during the night with significant pain in my middle arm, and now have shoulder pain as well. I'll talk to the doctor on Monday about it, but I don't think there's much he can do about it.

Since my Magnesium level was low, the surgeon started me on Magnesium Oxide 400 mg, 2 tabs twice/day. They sent the rx to the pharmacy, but I got a call from the pharmacy today that it is over the counter, and they don't fill OTC meds (it's a mail order pharmacy). I'm pretty sure that the doc said that Prograf depletes magnesium. I went out and bought a bottle tonight at Wal Mart (Mag Ox), and it was $15 for 120 tabs. When I got home, I ordered 750 tabs, and with the shipping, it came to $16 and change. If anyone needs to be put on this, check out Wonder Labs. They also have a huge selection of vitamins, minerals, and herbs. Maybe once I'm on this for several days, I'll start to see my blood pressure go down.

As you can see, I'm still playing around with different designs for my blog. Any comments on this one?

I'll post my Prograf level tomorrow.

City officials are going to embark on a 10-year project to see if increasing the number of trees per square kilometre leads to a decline in the number of children suffering from the lung condition.

It appears as if the initial hypothesis is based on observations that a wealthly New York neighbourhood, with a high ratio of trees , had a  low  level of asthma among  young residents; whereas a poor district (with considerably less trees) had a much higher percentage of cases of childhood asthma.

Columbia University researchers found that asthma rates among children aged four and five fell by 25% for every extra 343 trees per square kilometre.

They believe more trees may aid air quality or simply encourage children to play outside, although they say the true reason for the finding is unclear.

The study appears in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

Here is the report from Reuters:

At Body Pump the other night, a group of giggling girls from a not-so-local high school graced us with their presence. I would say there were a veritable "gaggle" of said girls, all honking in unison at a joke no one else understood cared about.

I got it. Fine. High school girls giggle. In gaggles. It's just how they do. They are harmless enough. I guess it wasn't until the end of the class, the cool down, when I had finally had enough. We were all quiet, stretching, lamenting the pain that were in/going to be in the next day. The sappy cool down music was soothing us as we gently released all of our old-people stress. And there they were. Giggling louder than ever. TheyWouldn'tShutTheFuckUp. My evil glares had gone unnoticed. The mimed gun to my head directed was not attracting nearly the reaction I had hoped. So I snapped.

"How about you just shut up?"

Silence.

AWESOME! POWER! I PWN!

I felt bad for like a millisecond until, that is, I realized how lovely it was to finally be pumping in peace.

In the locker room, my class-partner in crime said to me, "Wow! I didn't know you were such a hard ass, Jane!" My response? "I hated them in high school. I hate them now."

Stupid high school girls. Gah.

TALLAHASSEE - Eight people are getting rabies shots after a bobcat attacked three of them and a dog at a Tallahassee park.

The 25-pound bobcat tested positive for rabies Wednesday, health officials said.

A woman was walking two dogs Monday when the bobcat bit her and one of the pets. A man and woman were scratched or bitten when they held the bobcat until police arrived. [Brave, or stupid? You decide.]

Five other people who tried to help may have been exposed to the animal's saliva. The dog had been vaccinated against rabies and will be quarantined for 45 days. The
bobcat was euthanized.

When things in your life seem almost to much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar ... and the beer.
 

A Professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front
of him.  When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and
empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.  He then
asked the students if the jar was full.  They agreed that it was.So the Professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the
jar.  He shook the jar lightly.  The pebbles rolled into the open areas
between the golf balls.  He then asked the students again if the jar was
full.  They agreed it was.

The Professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.  Of
course, the sand filled up everything else.  He asked once more if the jar
was full.  The students responded with an unanimous "Yes."

The Professor then produced two cans of beer from under the table and
poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty
space between the sand.  The students laughed.

"Now," said the Professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to
recognize that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things - your family, your children, your
health, your friends, your favorite passions - things that if everything
else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house,
your car.  The sand is everything else - the small stuff."

"If you put the sand into the jar first", he continued, "there is no room
for the pebbles or the golf balls.  The same goes for life. If you spend all
your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the
things that are important to you.  Pay attention to the things that are
critical to your happiness.  Play with your children.  Take time to get
medical checkups.  Take your partner out to dinner.  Play another 18.  There
will always be time to clean the house, and fix the disposal.  Take care of
the golf balls first, the things that really matter.  Set your priorities.
The rest is just sand."

When he had finished, there was a profound silence.  Then one of the
students raised her hand and with a puzzled expression, inquired what the
beer represented.

The Professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked.  It just goes to show you that no
matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of
beers."