Living Rural

It is official - I have completed the first leg of my journey … by completing my Associate Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Health-care Management. Whew, I did it. The next step began on Monday, July 21, when I began my Batchelors Degree.

As I traveled, the journey seemed long, now looking back it was a fleeting span of time. A time of hard work, new friends, late nights, “Hubby” taking over cooking, cleaning, and everything in between! Thank you, honey!! Anyway, this is a milestone for me, one I am proud of and wanted to share with you … *patting myself on my back*

Most everybody has one … and in most, at some time there is turmoil.

This is my year for turmoil. Did I ask for it? No. Do I want it? No. Yet, I have turmoil. The kind that feels like a tornado with hurricane force winds just rolled right over the top of you. Was there damage? Yes. Is it repairable? No. Am I sad? Yes. Is my heart broken? Definitely! 

 Check out what parenting experts at Successful Parenting: God’s Way have to say.  

I am an only child and both of my parents are deceased. Somehow this makes the pain hurt more - I guess because there is no one left to share it. Especially, since the turmoil is with my children. At the ripe age of fifty-eight, I have come to realize that children do not always like, much less, love their parents AND the feeling goes both ways. Am I proud of making that statement? No, but does it make it less true, no.

I am the mother of four grown and very different women which is probably the reason for the turmoil! They are never all pleased and satisfied at the same time. And strangely it is always my fault. Or at least I thought so until now. I have finally accepted that it is not my fault, nor theirs, either. It is human nature in today’s world to be kind to people you do not know and treat those you call “family” like CRAP! 

Today I am taking a well deserved, long overdue VACATION -  from family. Physically, I am not going anywhere, but I am not going to be available for a while. No phone calls. No visits. I will,  after a time be available again, but not today, tomorrow, or the day after that … I will be selfish. I will do ONLY the things I want to do. I am re-grouping, taking stock of my priorities and finding out what makes me feel good about ME,  without first thinking will this work for “the children”.  

Frankly, my dear, I do not give a d***! Harsh words, you bet! Do I feel better just saying them out loud (in print)? You bet! 

Have a happy week. I am!                                                                                                      

My goodness, it can not be … but it is … another Monday! Maxine says it best, “The only thing worse than a Monday is a decaffeinated Monday!” Old Maxine always says what I feel and it is getting scary! My college, AIU, started back today. I am taking Medical Terminology and Accounting. Both classes are very detailed and lots of material to cover in five (5) weeks - wish me luck. The weather has turned cold again … a freeze warning tonight … March 20 was the FIRST DAY of SPRING, right? Daylight savings time screws up everything, doesn’t it! My days and nights are a little mixed up since the change which makes the time to study interesting.   Even with the chill in the air, my “little piece of heaven” is a nice place to be! I’m headed out …Remember, “Y’all come back, ya’ here!” 

Has it affected you, a family member, friend, co-worker, or an acquaintance through one of the aforementioned?                                            Chances are that it has, or will. My father-in-law suffered from MS for over 30 years, passing in 1982. He was a brilliant man that could not voice or make his brilliancy known, as his ability to communicate was slowly taken away. Oh, but those eyes!  How they could talk!  For those of us privileged to be close to him, we knew what he meant - each sparkle, each blink, every tear.  I feel privileged to have known him and loved him …. here, it comes …. BUT, I would not wish his life with MS on anyone. 

Official PR Announcement:        

The Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre (MSRC) www.msrc.co.uk and cre8Buzz http://cre8buzz.com/ announce the launch of a unique and inclusive Multiple Sclerosis Community on the Internet, providing not only up to date MS News and Stories, but a place where those affected by Multiple Sclerosis can communicate with others affected by the disease, and the wider public, by means of Online Blogs, Discussion Forums and Net-based social interaction.

To find out more please visit the cre8Buzz Multiple Sclerosis Community at: http://www.cre8buzz.com/multiple_sclerosis

 About the cre8Buzz MS community:

The place for families and friends affected by Multiple Sclerosis to Connect, Share, and Promote.

Connect:

Connect with others with MS. Talk, befriend, engage.

Share:

Share your stories, pictures, ideas experiences, give a little of yourself to others

Promote: 

Promote the wonderful community of MSers, family, friends, and supporters who are all fighting this disease

By partnering,

cre8Buzz/MSRC will create THE single “HUB” for family, friends and those affected by MS to come together and drive public awareness of the disease. By leveraging the power of social networking MSRC and cre8Buzz are excited about the ability to give a voice to those with MS and empower them to interact with others with the disease in a safe and supportive environment, breaking down the barriers of isolation which can occur for those suffering from a chronic disease.

 About cre8Buzz:

cre8Buzz is a social network, designed to connect and promote the voice, talents, and ideas of people and communities to the world. cre8Buzz wants to change the world by bringing people together over common interests, and ideas to provide information, interaction, and entertainment.

About MSRC - Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre:

Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre (MSRC) is a proactive and innovative charity, passionately committed to supporting anyone affected by Multiple Sclerosis through access to unbiased information and advice. Our approach is to encourage  make choices that are appropriate to their daily lives, empowering them to   potential.

MSRC Services

Personal MS Support

24 Hour Telephone Counselling within the UK on 0800 783 0518 (Option 1)

Specialist MS Advisor

New Pathways Magazine

MS Discussion Boards

 Live MS Chat Room

 MS Information Leaflets  

MSRC Insurance Services

Please Contact Us:

Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre,

7 Peartree Business Centre,

Peartree Road,  Stanway, Colchester, Essex. CO3 0JN

Telephone 01206 505444 Non UK - +441206505444    Fax 01206 505449

Website: www.msrc.co.uk  Email: info@msrc.co.uk    

Special thanks to Antman for buzz’n this info and being a huge part of our world at cre8Buzz.                              Remember, “Ya’ll come back, ya’ hear!”

as I sat thinking, my friend Mona sent this email … talk about timing, pretty good!

Enjoy, please read to the end.

Q: I’ve heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this
true?

A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that’s it… don’t
waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up
your heart will not make you live longer; that’s like saying you can
extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer?
Take a nap.

———————————————————————-

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?

A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay
and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more
than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system.
Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass
(green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your
recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

———————————————————————-

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?

A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine,
that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even
more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms
up!

———————————————————————-

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?

A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to
one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

———————————————————————-

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular
exercise program?

A: Can’t think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain…Good!

———————————————————————-

Q: Aren’t fried foods bad for you?

A: YOU’RE NOT LISTENING!!!…. Foods are fried these days in vegetable
oil. In fact, they’re permeated in it. How could getting more
vegetables be bad for you?

———————————————————————-

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the
middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger: you
should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

———————————————————————-

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It’s the
best feel-good food around!

———————————————————————-

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?

A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

———————————————————————-

Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?

A: Hey! ‘Round’ is a shape!

——————————————————————————–

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you might have had
about food and diets.

And remember:
“Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of
arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather
to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one ha nd - chocolate in the other
- body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “WOO HOO!
What a Ride”

AND……

For those of you who watch what you eat, here’s the final word on
nutrition and health. It’s a relief to know the truth after all those
conflicting nutritional studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks
than Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than
Americans.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart
attacks than Americans.

4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks
than Americans.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION

Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is what kills you.

Kudos to my friend! Enjoy your afternoon … BUT WATCH WHAT YOU EAT!

Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that
nobody’s going to know whether you did it or not.
– Oprah Winfrey

We must be the change we want to see in the world.
– Mahatma Gandhi

The most important human endeavor is the striving for morality in our actions. Our inner balance and even our very existence depend on it. Only morality in our actions can give beauty and dignity to life. - Einstein

Triumph often is nearest when defeat seems inescapable. -
B. C. Forbes

A few of the quotes that I have read over the past few days that have stayed with me. I kept a ‘Book of Quotes’ in my youth, what fun it would be if I could find the book now! If I ever find it, we will read it together …

Until then, check out Wisdom Quotes. Quotes for every one.

This has nothing to do with quotes, but it made me laugh!

“Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

Like I said … mercy me!

You know you laughed, OK, it is PG-13, but it is so funny. Girls, especially, if you are there, been there or headed there …

“Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

Exercising in the South!

Thanks, Sally for the humor!

chewing gum, exercise, South, humor, Balance Ball

it is a true winter day,

crisp and clear with a forecast for colder weather tonight.

WINTER finally made it to South Carolina!

Normally, depression will strike some readers when winter arrives. Why?

The reasons are vast, but most physicians say lack of sunshine/daylight is causing SAD.

Seasonal Affective Disorder sufferers have feelings of sadness, experience lethargy, and fatigue. DO NOT ASSUME it is “winter blues.” SAD is a depression disorder and should be treated. The link above is to the Mayo Clinic site and it has tons of helpful information!

Now it is simple to bask in artificial sunlight in your home or office. Check out this site. LampsUSA

winter, South Carolina, SAD, Mayo Clinic, Lamps USA, depression

If you have knowledge of the meaning of MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant- Staphylococcus aureus), then you will appreciate this very simple sheet of facts from the CDC.   MRSA  The most important thing is washing your hands as often as you can. Follow the guidelines on the fact sheet and you and your family should be fine. The reason this has been on my mind  … a family member in the health care field has had several outbreaks. Health care workers need to be especially careful due to contact with patients, bed linens, door knobs, phones, fixtures, etc. Thank goodness, if treated by a physician in the early stages with a series of antibiotics, then recovery is possible. Can it reoccur? Unfortunately, YES ! Be diligent with hygiene, avoid contact, and seek medical attention at first sign of symptoms. (Another good reason for livingrural … not exposed to lots of people and their germs contact, LOL, JK!). I hope you are enjoying 451Press and that you read all (OK, the ones of interest to you) our blogs. The list and links appear at the bottom of each blog page and at 451PRESS . We have professional writers and bloggers who are dedicated to informing you of the very best information possible from art to yoga!  Also, support the writer’s strike! Those writers deserve their fair share of the profits being made because of their writing skills. Can you see my soapbox?  Remember, “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

MRSA, CDC, health care, Staphylococcus, medical treatment, 451PRESS blogs, writers’ strike