tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75181870458834292762023-06-15T10:30:56.876-05:00Inspired day by dayA blog for myself, an inspiration seekerThe Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16974717192873929184noreply@blogger.comBlogger174125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518187045883429276.post-64616025202057206332016-06-07T14:29:00.004-05:002016-06-07T14:36:19.000-05:00Detox UpdateWell, I didn't die. I didn't make the whole 10 days. I did do 8 of them though. Let me tell you why...After the first day, I decided I couldn't stomach drinking the lemon detox concoction cold. I don't like hot drinks in the afternoon on hot days. I ended up drinking about a mug (1 1/2 cups) per day in the morning. I just couldn't take any more after day 8.<br />
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If you have absolutely no idea what I'm referring to, see <a href="http://inspireddaybyday.blogspot.com/2016/05/trying-detox-concoction.html" target="_blank">Trying a Detox Concoction</a>.<br />
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I'm going to get right to the point here. I know the mix cleaned out my system. I'm sure you get the idea, so no TMI from me. Is my "Boring" belly gone? Not exactly. BUT, the pans I used to make the drink in are super clean now!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oa2AS884gBE/V1cZEBkiz_I/AAAAAAAAAwM/vkA-cOCK0EgorqkKTFATqZH4MlY97tOOACLcB/s1600/20160602_060534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oa2AS884gBE/V1cZEBkiz_I/AAAAAAAAAwM/vkA-cOCK0EgorqkKTFATqZH4MlY97tOOACLcB/s400/20160602_060534.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The pan on the left in the top picture was not used to make the drink yet.</div>
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(I didn't get a before picture of the pan on the right.) </div>
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I had to make the drink in pan left just to prove how well the lemon detox drink cleans.</div>
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The bottom picture shows the after of both. </div>
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Here's my take, if that stuff can make my pans look like new, then I'm sure it can make my intestines look new too. I think the only way to really lose the belly is to eat right and exercise. adding a little lemon detox concoction to the mix, in moderation, might be good too.<br />
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This drink is all natural, you know what you're putting in it, no surprises. I may do the lemon detox every 3 months or so. But I'm only going to do it for a week. I also tweaked the recipe, reducing all the spices down to 1/2 teaspoon each. I kept the water and lemon the same. I didn't change my diet in any way. I did feel less hungry drinking the mixture, even with the changes.<br />
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I think the spices just kick things up a notch. The lemon is the actual detoxing agent here. But, who am I to say. I'm not a doctor or a scientist. If you wan to try the lemon detox, read my <a href="http://inspireddaybyday.blogspot.com/2016/05/trying-detox-concoction.html" target="_blank">Trying a Detox Concoction</a> post.<br />
<br />The Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16974717192873929184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518187045883429276.post-28232982904548305832016-05-28T08:44:00.000-05:002016-06-07T14:32:29.284-05:00Trying a Detox ConcoctionI have to admit I am a Pinterest junkie. Every morning I wake up, get the family moving, and head to Pinterest to see what's new on my feed. The other day there was a pin about a drink you make from a wide variety of ingredients. The title boasted that it would rid you of your "Boring" drooping belly.<br />
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Well, I ran right out and picked up the ingredients I didn't already have stashed in my cabinet.<br />
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I have had two kids. My stomach is not what it used to be. And, to be perfectly honest, I have not been exercising like I used to. I just got over a bout of bursitis in my hip that has been quite the pain in the butt.<br />
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This detox recipe pin was from another blogger here on blogspot, <a href="http://water-detox.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Water-Detox</a>. But it seems they got the recipe from another site called <a href="http://www.homehealthyrecipes.com/this-aromatic-drink-will-rid-you-of-that-boring-drooping-belly/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Home Healthy Recipe</a><a href="http://www.homehealthyrecipes.com/this-aromatic-drink-will-rid-you-of-that-boring-drooping-belly/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">s</a>. I actually found the recipe, or a version of it, a lot of places, so forgive me if I don't give everyone a little credit.<br />
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Today, May 28, 2016, I'm trying it for the first time. I'm posting this because when I did my due diligence to research the concoction, no one posted any results or even if they tried the drink.<br />
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Here's the recipe:<br />
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1/2 tbsp <a href="http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-662-turmeric.aspx?activeingredientid=662" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tumeric</a> powder<br />
1/2 tbsp <a href="http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-961-ginger.aspx?activeingredientid=961" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ginger</a> powder<br />
1/2 tsp <a href="http://draxe.com/cayenne-pepper-benefits/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cayenne</a> pepper<br />
5 tbsp <a href="http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-545-lemon.aspx?activeingredientid=545&" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">lemon juice</a><br />
1 tbsp <a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/328911-what-are-the-benefits-of-stevia-leaf/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stevia</a><br />
1 liter <a href="http://www.webmd.com/diet/6-reasons-to-drink-water?page=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">water</a><br />
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Boil the water. Let it sit 5 minutes to cool. While it cools put the other ingredients in a container then pour the water over them. Mix. Drink over the course of the day.<br />
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Here's what it looks like:<br />
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Now you're supposed to drink this every day for ten days. I read varying accounts about how you drink it over the course of the day. One reply to the Water-Detox blog said drink one cup a day. I don't think that's right. Unless they were telling how they did it. The original posting says to drink the mix over the course of the day.<br />
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I'm going to do it over the day. In the morning I'm going to drink it warm, like hot coffee or tea. In fact, I'm drinking it as I write this. I'm thinking of replacing my morning coffee with it because I rather like the flavor over bitter coffee.<br />
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About the flavor. It's spicy. I like spicy food, so that's a good thing for me. You can also taste the lemon very well. To be honest, I only put in 1/2 tsp, instead of 1 tbsp, of the Stevia because I don't like those sweeteners. But I can taste a hint of the sweetness.<br />
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When I first tasted the drink, it reminded me of the hot and sour soup you get a a really good old Chinese restaurant (just the broth). It does have a bit of texture because of the amount of spices you put in there.<br />
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After the first few sips I started feeling a warming sensation in my stomach. This feeling gradually increased as I drank. Toward the end I started feeling really full. In fact, I don't think I want to eat any breakfast.<br />
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Just for the sake of shortening this post, I linked the ingredients in the recipe to the benefits of each. You should do your due diligence to research before you try something like this. I am not a doctor, so I can't give you any health information or diagnose anything. I'm just posting my thoughts here.<br />
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Speaking of which, I am starting this over Memorial Day weekend. My husband is home all weekend, plus Monday, just in case anything happens to me.<br />
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I'll post an update in 10 days or so...<a href="http://inspireddaybyday.blogspot.com/2016/06/detox-update.html" target="_blank">UPDATE HERE</a>.<br />
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<br />The Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16974717192873929184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518187045883429276.post-49106003307122109922016-05-03T07:18:00.000-05:002016-05-03T07:18:12.024-05:00Hail Storms Across Texas<br />
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Texas has been getting plummeted by weather lately.
Between floods and hail, insurance companies are bogged down with
claims. Up until last Saturday we had a run of good luck avoiding
damage.</div>
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Early Saturday morning my husband bolted from
our bed. I could hear thunder and hail pounding our home. Then crashing
and cracking noises filled my ears. It was evident when lightening lit
up the sky, our home was suffering.</div>
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In the daylight we found both skylights
cracked. Three sides of our vinyl siding destroyed. And the roofs on all
three structures on our property are done for. All three cars got
pelted and we lost two windshields. </div>
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The insurance
adjuster came out yesterday. Homeowners does not cover the damage to the
vehicles. Guess what? We just canceled the full coverage auto a few
months ago. Go figure. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Well, the next few weeks
there's going to be a lot of construction activity around here. But
that's okay because our home deserves to continue to look good. I just
hope the contractor we hire does a good job.</div>
The Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16974717192873929184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518187045883429276.post-66361140198590625302016-04-27T07:16:00.000-05:002016-04-28T05:41:27.745-05:00Half Price Books: My Experience SellingYesterday, I went to Half Price Books to sell some books, CDs and electronics. I had some good stuff Suze Orman, Suzanne Summers, among others for books (about 10 of them). Some new-age talk tapes and lower ranking motivational books that I threw in the batch. I put about 20 pop, rock, and rap CDs in the mix (Brittney Spears, Kesha, and Coolio et. al.). And, Some great Leap Pad and Leapsters games and consoles that I even still had the boxes and paperwork for.<br />
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Everything was in better than good condition, most of it was "like new". <br />
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$10.50<br />
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Yep, that's it, ten dollars and 50 cents. I had decided before I went in, I was taking whatever they offered. Otherwise, the stuff was going to the Salvation Army.<br />
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My assumption about that place is they give you about 10% of what they are going to sell the stuff for. Had I the time, or want to, I would have sold the stuff on Ebay or had a garage sale.<br />
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But, it is what it is.<br />
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If you just want to get rid of your old books, you're only going to get pennies on the dollar and Half Price Books. If you want more, you're going to have to put some effort in it and sell the stuff yourself. <br />
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<br />The Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16974717192873929184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518187045883429276.post-14133188539948369402016-04-26T07:03:00.000-05:002016-04-27T07:17:18.302-05:00Dealing with the Loft<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm still dredging through my Spring Cleaning. I'm really taking my
time this year because I have set a few personal goals that are
dependent on great results. Yesterday I started tackling the loft.</div>
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The
loft used to be the nursery. When the oldest went to college, the
little one took over her room. The loft became a big old storage dump.
Whatever I couldn't get rid of, or didn't know what to do with, got put
in the loft.</div>
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It hasn't been pleasant walking by and
seeing boxes of unused stuff just sitting there. Granted, because of my
little problem with OCD, it's been organized chaos. Organized chaos is
still chaos in my book. Well this spring, I'm fixing the problem.</div>
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Today
I'm going to donate several boxes of baby items to our local help
center. After that I'm heading to Half Price Books to see what I can get
for some old books, CDs, and electronic games. I'll follow up this post
with how that turns out.</div>
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Wish me luck!</div>
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<br />The Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16974717192873929184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518187045883429276.post-74622669800573296862016-04-22T09:35:00.000-05:002016-04-22T09:35:58.046-05:00Who are You?<div style="text-align: justify;">
We have decided that aliens have abducted our youngest daughter and replaced her with and evil clone. Now, this is not our first rodeo with a pre-teen. But, this time around I swear we're dealing with needing to get an exorcist.</div>
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The other day, after one of many arguments, I looked at her and she gives me the deer in the headlights stare. I told her, "I don't know who you are, but would you please bring my daughter back?" </div>
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She laughed. Does that mean she is a clone?<br />
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Here with Grandpa</div>
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(The good old days)</div>
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The Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16974717192873929184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518187045883429276.post-88786894547495635232016-04-20T14:32:00.000-05:002016-04-22T09:35:43.850-05:00Soup 'n' Sam-itch<div style="text-align: justify;">
After yesterday's post, I made a dish pinned a lot on Pinterest called Carrabba's Sausage and Lentil soup. Lately, I've been serving up a, what we like to call, "Soup 'n' Sam-itch" night. (Spelling issues are purely intentional). The whole Sam-itch thing came about watching an episode of Duck Dynasty and Godwin called a Sandwich, a Sam-itch. </div>
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My spelling may be off, but the phonics aren't. He actually said what sounded like "Sam-itch." If you've ever watched the show, you know what I'm talking about.</div>
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Anyhoo, my oldest daughter had actually wanted me to make it. She had tried the soup at Carrabba's and sought out the recipe. She made it and said it was delicious! (I don't know how her version could have been good, she omitted all the good stuff).</div>
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It's called <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/carrabbas-sausage-and-lentil-soup-162864" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Carrabba's Sausage and Lentil soup</a>. The copycat recipe is on <a href="http://www.food.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Food</a>. So, I made it and there were all kinds of good smells going on in the house all afternoon!</div>
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I read through some of the comments and ratings for the recipe and opted to make some changes to the original recipe. I will definitely make this soup again on a future Soup 'n' Sam-itch night. </div>
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Next time I'm going to take a lot pictures so I can post my recipe changes on my <a href="http://family-night-dinner-ideas.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Family Night Dinner Ideas</a> blog. </div>
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Yummy!</div>
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*Note: the picture I took was right after I threw all the ingredients in the crock-pot. I had to take a picture to text my daughter to prove I was making the soup. I didn't take anymore pictures after it was done because we sat down to eat our Soup 'n' Sam-itch! </div>
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Bon Appetit!</div>
The Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16974717192873929184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518187045883429276.post-82312010998860105452016-04-19T10:59:00.000-05:002016-04-19T10:59:25.456-05:00My Etsy Shop is Live!<div style="text-align: justify;">
I did it! I opened an <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TrulyUniqueBaby?ref=hdr_shop_menu" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a>! You can see my hand crafted items on the side bar over there. It's been a lot of work putting it all together. Like I said in my post, "<a href="http://inspireddaybyday.blogspot.com/2016/02/planning-today.html" target="_blank">Planning Today</a>," I want to do it right, if I'm going to do it.</div>
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There's a whole lot more to opening an Etsy shop than one would think. Not only do you have to make what you're going to sell, you have to list it, and promote it. Okay, that did make it all sound simple, but when you get down to the nitty gritty, there's really a lot to it.</div>
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Etsy suggests listing 10 items to start with. Well, for me at least, what I want to sell requires a lot of thought, sewing, drawing, assembling, and supplies. For example, one piece I made to sell requires upwards of $70 worth of supplies and equipment just to make it.</div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/275045000/hey-diddle-diddle-nursery-wall-decor?ref=shop_home_listings" target="_blank">Hey Diddle, Diddle</a>!</div>
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Given all that, and the time it took me to make it, I decided to make smaller pieces to help even the scales.<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/288562121/twinkle-twinkle-little-star-baby?ref=listing-shop-header-1" target="_blank">Twinkle, Twinkle little Star</a>!</div>
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Hubby and I discussed the cost of overhead, time, and the "what ifs" prior to opening shop. The idea of starting with 10 items flew out the window. However, I'm working on more inventory anyway.</div>
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So, in an effort to help with branding, I started a blog just for my Etsy shop: <a href="http://trulyuniquebaby.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Truly Unique Baby</a>. (Notice how the new blog and my store have the same name? Cute huh?) Check it out if you have some time. Right now there's only a couple of posts. But, I'm working on creating more.</div>
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Along with all that, I'm still cleaning up this blog. The Internet has evolved so much since I started it, a lot of the old links don't work anymore. If only there were more hours in a day...</div>
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Well, if I'm going to get anything done, I better get to it.</div>
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Take care!</div>
The Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16974717192873929184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518187045883429276.post-40653204873098815642016-04-14T11:26:00.001-05:002016-04-14T11:28:08.447-05:00Piles of PaperSpring cleaning continues in my world. How does one accumulate so much stuff? I think secretly I'm a pack rat.<br />
<br />
This
week I've been tackling paperwork. Since hubby had to do the taxes, I
figured I'd do my part too. It's long overdue. What do you keep? Well,
who knows? For instance, bank statements. Please don't ask me why we
still get these, I've wanted to go paperless for years. Some say keep
bank statements for three years. Some say one year. I decided to be safe
and do three.<br />
<br />
Tax returns seven years. Jeez that's
a lot of paper to keep around for that long. When you're young,
childless, and single you're looking at a couple of pieces of paper.
When you grow a family you've got to keep seven book thick bundles of
paper in your file cabinet.<br />
<br />
Medical statements. Do you
have to keep these? I've been holding on to stuff from twelve years
back! Enough is enough, I decided to let them go. From now on I'm only
going to keep medical stuff for one year to make sure insurance and
payments are processed.<br />
<br />
Mortgage statements. We've got
a lot of those. Every single one from the first payment we made on the
house. Plus, we've got another batch starting from a land purchase.
We're keeping all those. Why? Because we heard a Clark Howard radio show
saying you should. You must keep every single statement and payment
receipt (stapled together) just in case. His theory: on the day you pay
off your house, what if they come back and say you missed a payment?
You'll have proof.<br />
<br />
Funny how when you hear stuff like that you remember it forever.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I'm off to the store. My paper shredder blew up. <br />
<br />
The Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16974717192873929184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518187045883429276.post-83376579718043205052016-02-26T06:35:00.000-06:002016-04-19T10:15:35.651-05:00How Do They Do It?When you look around at different sites, do you see what I see? Given my <a href="http://inspireddaybyday.blogspot.com/2016/02/planning-today.html">latest research</a>, I see a lot of Mommy blogs and sites talking about all the stuff they do. They're crafting, writing a blog, selling stuff, promoting stuff, etc. How in the heck do they find time to do any housework, let alone spend time with the family?<br />
<br />
I mean, some of these women have itty bitty babies. Some have more than one, even THREE, in diapers. I remember when my little girl was a baby. I didn't have time to shower some days!<br />
<br />
Take today, for instance, after I get hubby off to work and the girl off to school, I have to go do all the grocery shopping (which involves a whole lot more driving than shopping), then put everything away, and spruce up the house for the weekend. All that takes up pretty much the whole day.<br />
<br />
When everyone gets home, there's dinner to prepare, more cleaning up, eating, cleaning up, and getting people to bed. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.<br />
<br />
Now I did all that, and more, when I had a baby in the house. But I do not think I could take on doing what all these women talk about they're doing online with babies to care for.<br />
<br />
I know...They're all multi-millionaire moms with a nanny, personal chef, and they pay for content writers. No...that can't be it.<br />
<br />
Maybe grandma lives with them?<br />
<br />
Hubby works from home and can do daddy duty?<br />
<br />
I guess it's all in their time management skills. Kudos to them!<br />
<img alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" border="0" src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-wh-3d-88x31.gif" height="31" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape." width="88" />The Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16974717192873929184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518187045883429276.post-46462581217867926962016-02-25T12:38:00.000-06:002016-04-19T10:17:38.125-05:00Planning TodayToday I'm still spring cleaning up my Internet ventures. I found some place called Superblinky that has a lot of my content. I don't know why it's there but I know it used to be on AC. Well AC was taken over by Yahoo Voices and when Yahoo Voices went away, I guess, Superblinky got it.<br />
<br />
It's not like the content was ground breaking, or anything like that, but it was mine. The byline just says "editor". Doesn't even mention little 'ole me. Alas, I didn't keep up with it so shame on me.<br />
<br />
On the bright side, I got to do a ton of things with my little girl! I will never regret that.<br />
<br />
I've been thinking about embarking on a new venture. I've taken to creating gifts for my family and friends rather then buying stock stuff from the big box stores. And, doling out gift cards just seems so impersonal. They seem to like them and some have even suggested I sell my creations.<br />
<br />
I actually started researching different things that go along with selling stuff. Of course, like most people, I have a profile on Ebay and I have sold some stuff we didn't need anymore there. But, I think Ebay is too big for handcrafted goods.<br />
<br />
Now Etsy seems promising to me because they have carved out a niche in handmade. So, being the way I am, I decided "if I'm going to do this, I'm going to do it right!" I started working on a plan.<br />
<br />
Etsy sellers have a "store" they sell from. To me, that's like big business on a small scale--Love it! If you plan on opening a store, what do you do? You dream about the name. The name. Hmmm.<br />
<br />
That brought me back to the blog today. I was thinking about all the research I did way back when with SEO and Keywords. Hey, If I'm going to open an <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TrulyUniqueBaby?ref=hdr_shop_menu" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a> you know I'm going to utilize all that, and more!<br />
<br />
I came up with a name that Google adwords liked and guess what? Somebody already has it. Back to the drawing board... <br />
<img alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" border="0" src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-wh-3d-88x31.gif" height="31" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape." width="88" />The Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16974717192873929184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518187045883429276.post-3097891117702473042016-02-24T15:47:00.000-06:002016-02-24T15:47:25.667-06:00Wow! I haven't seen This place in a while!I started spring cleaning. I'm doing the usual, you know, cleaning. I've made it my mission to change a few things in the house and my life. Today I've been focusing on my computer stuff.<br />
<br />
...Wait...<br />
<br />
Let me catch you up. Here's the short list:<br />
<ul>
<li>Husband is fine now and back to work.</li>
<li>The little one is growing up and in middle school now.</li>
<li>I took a long break from any writing so I could get the youngest into and through elementary school; and, the oldest on to graduate not only high school but college too.</li>
</ul>
There it is, the short list. Now, one might ask, why did those things keep me from writing, releasing whatever I'm thinking about on paper, um, blogging, or whatever? I just found myself always having something else to do.<br />
<br />
Well, everyone has to have an excuse. Back then, I found myself using this blog as more of a technical journal. Something to link everything else to. Anyone can see what was going on. I was writing on AC, Shared Reviews, Squidoo...Trying ever so hard to learn all the ropes about SEO, html, and such, I lost myself.<br />
<br />
Then the accident happened--the wake-up call. You just never know when those life-changing events will occur. A moment in time that you get a notion you have so much on your plate that things better change or you brain is going to explode.<br />
<br />
Then there's my beautiful little girl. I wanted to enjoy watching her grow up. I wanted to be the mommy helping at the class parties, going on field trips, and volunteering in the library.<br />
<br />
We did all the cool stuff: aquariums, costumes, dollar summer movies, museums, and zoos! You name it, we probably did it.<br />
<br />
All that kid stuff was a fun ride!<br />
<br />
So, I'm back to where I started, spring cleaning...Yesterday I sorted through clothes, today I sorted through my blogs, tomorrow is another day. I'll let you know how it goes with my spring cleaning...<br />
<br />
<img alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" border="0" src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-wh-3d-88x31.gif" height="31" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape." width="88" />The Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16974717192873929184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518187045883429276.post-28082415850332883242010-05-13T08:05:00.003-05:002010-05-13T08:43:26.488-05:00The Saga Continues...It's been awhile since I've been here. I thought I better post a little update on my situation. My husband is still suffering from complications of his injuries. Surprisingly, the broken clavicle is healing swimmingly. Though the plate the surgeon installed has lifted.<br /><br />The plate lifting was my husband's fault. He felt he was up to replacing the hubs on our truck. While working on the second hub, he lifted the tire too quickly, twisted, and felt a pop. The surgeon took Xrays and discovered the plate screw on the outer part of the clavicle pulled out some.<br /><br />Of course the doctor scolded him. I also had a few choice words for him. The end result is the plate is still in, though not seated. At some point in the future he may have to have it removed. This is not causing him any pain.<br /><br />On the other hand, his foot is giving him a lot of trouble. The ankle was getting better and suddenly it started swelling again. It is almost unbearable for him to walk on. Since he works on his feet all day, every day, he is having a lot of issues. I took him back to the doctor and they say the bone is fused and looks good. This does not go along with what he's feeling.<br /><br />We are frustrated. We are looking at another doctor to check his foot out. On my last post, I received a comment from a fellow blogger about how they had to get operated on twice for their broken foot. I hope this is not the case for my husband.<br /><br />At this point, he is missing about a day of work a week. Thankfully his employer is sympathetic and he has some vacation. He is thinking about getting a desk job...<br /><br />The teen is a licensed driver now. We bought her a car, a <a href="http://sharedreviews.com/automotive/sedans/the-accord-coupe-is-the-car-for-our-teen">Honda Accord</a>, and she seems to be doing quite well. However, I only let her drive to and from school and on school related activities. She also must call me upon arrival and departure.<br /><br />I cannot believe I survived teaching the teen to drive. My heart is doing well and my blood pressure is pretty much back to normal.<br /><br />I really miss keeping my blog and reading all my favorites' posts. I hope to get back to normal after we see the new doctor.<br /><br />I hope everyone is doing well. Take care!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-wh-3d-88x31.gif" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape." width="88" border="0" height="31" /></a>The Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16974717192873929184noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518187045883429276.post-38335480251713885192009-09-27T06:33:00.006-05:002009-09-27T07:21:31.422-05:00My Crazy LifeI'm living a crazy life right now. Not only have I been dealing with teaching the teen how to drive, I'm stuck with a husband in a wheelchair.<br /><br />In the early part of August my husband had an accident. He broke his clavicle in three places, his ankle in three places, and his big toe. He's in a wheelchair because you can't use crutches with a broken clavicle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ey31nEGgqUo/Sr9WCEW9dqI/AAAAAAAAAg8/7NY3YHNhjfI/s1600-h/clavicle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 333px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ey31nEGgqUo/Sr9WCEW9dqI/AAAAAAAAAg8/7NY3YHNhjfI/s400/clavicle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386118272888174242" border="0" /></a><br />He's had two surgeries since. The first put his shoulder back together. The scar is nasty and big.<br /><br />The second surgery put his foot back together. He was in a cast for the first two weeks but they decided to put him in a boot for the remainder of his healing. He hates the boot and never wears it unless we have to leave the house. He says it irritates him.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ey31nEGgqUo/Sr9XNE1SpcI/AAAAAAAAAhE/l8z9YnZ3MPU/s1600-h/foot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ey31nEGgqUo/Sr9XNE1SpcI/AAAAAAAAAhE/l8z9YnZ3MPU/s400/foot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386119561505580482" border="0" /></a>The Xrays are my husbands. The clavicle is pretty obvious, but I still really don't see what's up with the foot. I suppose the doctor knows what he's doing.<br /><br />Anyhow, he's slowly recovering.<br /><br />Needless to say, he is home from work. He can't do what he does for a living from a wheelchair. Between having him home and dealing with every aspect of home life and keeping it all together I'm going crazy.<br /><br />The wheelchair will hopefully be traded for crutches in two weeks. Since this occurred, we discovered our home is NOT handicap accessible or friendly in any way, shape, or form. If anything were to happen to us in our golden years we would have to make some major changes around here or move.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-wh-3d-88x31.gif" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape." border="0" width="88" height="31" /></a>The Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16974717192873929184noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518187045883429276.post-25474969696429812012009-07-23T07:43:00.007-05:002009-07-27T11:21:03.585-05:00Driving with a TeenSaturday, July 18, marked the official end of class instructed Driver's Education for our teen. She scored an 86 in class. (Is that good enough? I am beginning to think: NO!) Now we have to complete the required 50 hours of her driving with us before she can get her license.<br /><br />So far we have ticked off about 10 hours. In those 10 hours I think my heart has stopped at least twice. The first incident occurred turning off a major thorough fare onto a rural road. I told her way before the turn what she had to do: Slow down enough to execute the turn but do not stop unless there is oncoming traffic.<br /><br />There was no oncoming traffic but there were vehicles coming up behind us. She took the left turn at about 40 mph. The truck almost flipped. My heart stopped beating for an instant.<br /><br />I explained to her what she did wrong. Do you know how annoying it is to hear "I know, MOM, you don't have to tell me!" I try to give her constructive criticism and I get that. All along, I am sitting in the passenger seat wondering if I wet my pants and checking to see if my heart started beating again. Well, at least she knows what she is doing, yeah right.<br /><br />In the same driving session, we arrived at our destination. I told her to park. Her first attempt failed. She was over the line and crooked. I let her do it her way that time. I told her to back out and try my way.<br /><br />I explained, for a straight in spot you should pull out a bit left or right then swing in between the lines using the center of the hood and the lines as your guide. Sure enough she did it my way and parked just fine. Then she proceeded to accelerate rather than brake and drove up over the curb and almost into a light post.<br /><br />This was the last straw for me. I took over the wheel and vowed my husband would ride shotgun for the remainder of her hours with us.<br /><br />Stay tuned for my next installment: Driving on the highway<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-wh-3d-88x31.gif" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape." border="0" width="88" height="31" /></a>The Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16974717192873929184noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518187045883429276.post-56089815876465146322009-06-11T08:09:00.003-05:002009-06-11T08:45:14.511-05:00Driver's EducationMy teen has begun driver's education. Woe is me. We were going to do self-taught but decided to put her in the school classes at the last minute. We found out that insurance companies offer discounts to teen drivers that take the classes.<br /><br />Having a kid in these classes ride in a car with you is trying on your patients. The other day she was telling me about her friend taking her driving test, which she failed the first go around. She said one thing she did not do is signal when she turned into a parking space.<br /><br />My lovely teen pointed out to me I do not signal when I park. I said, "I do when there is a car behind me." Her response, "NO, you don't ever signal in a parking lot! You're supposed to." I told her again that I do, but she must not have seen me or noticed.<br /><br />Now she watches every move I make when I am driving. Considering this, I am doing everything from signaling when there is not another car in sight, stopping completely at every stop sign, and putting my hands at 10 and 2 on the steering wheel.<br /><br />For the last year or so, I have been enlightening her on specific traffic laws. For instance, there is a little known law that requires you to have your headlights on if your windshield wipers are on. I did not know about the law until I heard it on the radio. Apparently, the DJ was pulled over and got a ticket for it. So, I guess it's a good thing to know.<br /><br />I hope I can survive driver's education. We are coming to the end of the second week with two more to go. She is getting her learner's permit next week. God, help me!<br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-wh-3d-88x31.gif" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape." border="0" width="88" height="31" /></a>The Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16974717192873929184noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518187045883429276.post-7853362234928259002009-05-29T10:14:00.007-05:002009-05-29T11:11:20.235-05:00The 2009 Spelling Bee<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ey31nEGgqUo/SiAHznr0vCI/AAAAAAAAAaE/rJ2lAnBb8_Y/s1600-h/My+Girl.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ey31nEGgqUo/SiAHznr0vCI/AAAAAAAAAaE/rJ2lAnBb8_Y/s400/My+Girl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341277741468924962" border="0" /></a><br />Do you remember your first spelling bee? I kinda do. It was nothing like the 2009 event won by 13 year old <strong style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kavya Shivashanka</span>r</strong>. She won a whopping $40,000 and a huge trophy. I think I got a ribbon and a cookie.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.spellingbee.com/">Scripps National Spelling Bee</a> is an annual event. It has been running for 82 years! Check out some of the <a href="http://www.spellingbee.com/champions-and-their-winning-words">past champions and their winning words</a>. I was looking over the list and my jaw about dropped as I perused the winning words.<br /><br /><strong style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kavya Shivashankar won the 2009 spelling bee with:</span> </strong><span style="font-weight: bold;">Laodicean</span>, which means <span style="font-style: italic;">indifferent or lukewarm, especially in matters of religion</span>. How interesting! I mean, ironic, with all the religious turmoil everywhere.<br /><br />Since I have two girls, I am always interested in expanding their horizons. The oldest is going to driving school this summer, so she has lost interest in a lot of what I have to say outside of driving.<br /><br />Now, the little one I still have tuned in. We have been working on writing and spelling. I know words like cat and dog are not spelling bee quality, but it is a start. Everyone has to start somewhere.<br /><br /><strong style="font-weight: normal;"></strong>The other day my youngster brought me a letter. It read: <span style="font-style: italic;">NO ME HONOMO GO</span>. There were also some cute little drawings of a couple of creatures holding hands and walking on a beach. I asked her to read it to me. She said, "Mom, take me to the pool please!"<br /><br />So, with the illustrations I could have, maybe, gotten that. I really think I have a future spelling bee winner on my hands.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-wh-3d-88x31.gif" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape." border="0" width="88" height="31" /></a>The Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16974717192873929184noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518187045883429276.post-655829849788211912009-05-21T06:34:00.002-05:002009-05-21T06:34:00.504-05:00Dealing with High Blood Pressure: The Continuing SagaA few posts back I mentioned I have <a href="http://inspireddaybyday.blogspot.com/2009/04/my-high-blood-pressure-follow-up.html">high blood pressure</a>. On Tuesday afternoon I went for a follow up and got my blood test results. The doctor was impressed with how healthy I am. He said, "<span style="font-style: italic;">I wish my blood looked like yours</span>".<br /><br />He thought my tests would come back indicating I have high cholesterol. Nope, don't have it. Both my good and bad cholesterols are perfect. I don't have diabetes or anything wrong with my kidneys, liver, and (get this) my thyroid is perfectly within normal range. So, there you have it, I'm as healthy as a horse.<br /><br />This is mind boggling information. <span style="font-style: italic;">"How come my blood pressure is off the charts</span>"? I asked him. He said he did not have a clue.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I'm beginning to think I might be a freak of nature.<br /></div><br />I'm working on losing the weight he wants me to drop because that's all there is left to do. I'm not that over weight. Sure, I'm not within those chart guidelines. But, I'm not 20 years old and I've had two kids.<br /><br />Then we started going through the changes he wanted to make in my medications. He's taking me off the Procardia and increasing the dosage on the Prinzide. While he was writing this up, I asked him if he could prescribe a new inhaler for my asthma. I had a horrible attack over the weekend and no inhaler (long story, I won't go into it here).<br /><br />He asked me what I had been doing since my inhaler ran out. "<span style="font-style: italic;">Oh, I've been taking Primatene</span>", I said. "<span style="font-style: italic;">I need something faster acting though. The pills are not cutting it</span>".<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">He about fell out of his chair.<br /></div><br />Primatene has Ephedrine in it. Ephedrine makes your blood pressure go up. Well, of course I knew this. However, I never considered it a contributing factor to my high blood pressure since I only take it when I need it.<br /><br />He cursed Primatene and stated he cannot believe it is still being sold. He said it is the worst drug ever!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">When I got home I threw the Primatene in the trash.<br /></div><br />I'm to continue monitoring my blood pressure at home. He wants to see me again in a month. The way I see it, the Primatene is the culprit of my high blood pressure.<br /><br />The moral of the high blood pressure story: Tell your doctor everything. You never know if one small thing you are doing is causing your body harm. Given my background, one would think I should know this. I guess not. Live and learn...<br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-wh-3d-88x31.gif" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape." border="0" width="88" height="31" /></a>The Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16974717192873929184noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518187045883429276.post-56897009348705591712009-05-13T09:39:00.000-05:002009-05-13T09:39:00.531-05:00Adding Related Posts Widget to Blogger Blogs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ey31nEGgqUo/Se86loKQtjI/AAAAAAAAAVk/kO9WufkZNF4/s1600-h/related+posts+widget.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ey31nEGgqUo/Se86loKQtjI/AAAAAAAAAVk/kO9WufkZNF4/s400/related+posts+widget.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327541302312613426" border="0" /></a><br />While doing some SEO research I found that having related posts at the end of your blog posts is a good thing to do. It helps keep readers at your site longer. It gives readers additional posts to peruse on your subject matter. Among other SEO things, It also looks kind of cool.<br /><br />My blog buddy <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/12097919387041286154">Peter</a> from <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" href="http://stvincentsdarlinghurstmalenurses.blogspot.com/"><strong>St Vincent's Hospital Darlinghurst - Male Nurses</strong></a> asked me about my related posts widget in a comment recently. I thought it might be prudent to post how I went about adding the widget to my blog.<br /><br />First, the SEO blog I found commenting about related posts explained how to get it done at Wordpress. Apparently that platform has the widget as an add-on. Blogger does not. Well, luckily, I'm pretty good searching keywords. I plugged "related posts blogger" into my Google search bar and came up with plenty of resources.<br /><br />The first few did not work for me. Either I did not get the code in right or the instructions left me in a daze. I found this post: <a href="http://anshuldudeja.blogspot.com/2009/03/related-posts-widget-for-blogger.html">Related Posts Widget For Blogger</a> to get the job done for me. Use the second set of instructions. The first did not work.<br /><br />You will also need to host the little plus image on your own image hosting site. I use <a href="http://photobucket.com/">Photobucket</a> and it's proven to be very reliable.<br /><br />Once you get your related posts up you will not be able to view your work in the preview mode, it must be saved and you have to click a post to see it. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ensure you download a copy of your template before you start chopping away at it.</span> Just in case you make any mistakes.<br /><br />If you are still afraid of messing with your template html, you can always make a dummy template account and play with the html at your will. I did this and I'm loving messing with my templates regularly. It's especially beneficial for making those little changes you need to make but are not quite sure about.<br /><br /><ol><li>Create a dummy blog by clicking "<a href="http://www.blogger.com/create-blog.g">Create a Blog</a>" on your dashboard.<br /></li><li>Name your tester blog anything you wish. I call mine <span style="font-style: italic;">Template Tester</span>.<br /></li><li>Once your test blog is live, go to your main blog and copy the entire template html from the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Layout tab: edit html</span> section.</li><li>Once you have copied your entire template html, take it back to your test blog and paste it into the same html section on the test blog.<br /></li><li>Click preview and if everything worked out correctly you should see your main blog's template before you.<br /></li></ol><br />At this point you can make any alterations or additions to the template html without worry.<br /><br />For the <span style="font-weight: bold;">related posts widget</span>, remember your test blog does not have any posts. You will need to make up a few posts and tag or label them so you can view your related posts widget in action.<br /><br />If you like everything you've done to your blog's template in the test blog, copy the entire html code and paste it over your main blog's html. Preview the template to ensure it's there then save it.<br /><br />Double check your widget is there by clicking a post.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Important note:</span> Related post widgets will not work unless you have your posts labeled.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-wh-3d-88x31.gif" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape." border="0" width="88" height="31" /></a>The Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16974717192873929184noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518187045883429276.post-34939354541606875072009-05-06T07:51:00.002-05:002009-05-06T07:51:00.195-05:00Check Out FairShare to Combat PlagiarismI've been reading about plagiarism and checking many of my articles for copies on the Internet. Since I've been working on Shared Reviews, I've found many "writers" don't have any scruples when it comes to copying. I came across an article on Associated Content about an alert tool that may help combat plagiarizers:<br /><br /><b>Using FairShare to Detect Plagiarism of Your Web Content</b><br />If you're a Web content writer, you know how upsetting it is to find that your articles have been plagiarized. It's expensive to use commercial plagiarism checkers and time consuming to set up individual Google Alerts. Want a better way?<br /><a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1657084/using_fairshare_to_detect_plagiarism.html">http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1657084/using_fairshare_to_detect_plagiarism.html</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.fairshare.cc/fairshare/homepage">FairShare</a> limits you to 5 feeds. I can't get it to work on my yahoo home page, but it works beautifully on my Google reader. If your putting your stuff online and are afraid of plagiarizers, FairShare is easy to use, automatic, and free.<br /><br />I will continue to use <a href="http://www.copyscape.com/">CopyScape</a> and <a href="http://www.google.com/alerts">Google Alerts</a>, but you can never be too aware when it comes to plagiarism.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-wh-3d-88x31.gif" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape." border="0" width="88" height="31" /></a>The Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16974717192873929184noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518187045883429276.post-79356895922803372772009-04-29T06:16:00.008-05:002009-05-20T08:00:31.472-05:00Swine Flu Reeks Havoc<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ey31nEGgqUo/SfhCOKGBEcI/AAAAAAAAAW8/owRvNqst6_U/s1600-h/622px-Symptoms_of_swine_flu.svg.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 385px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ey31nEGgqUo/SfhCOKGBEcI/AAAAAAAAAW8/owRvNqst6_U/s400/622px-Symptoms_of_swine_flu.svg.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330082969988174274" border="0" /></a><br />All schools in our district are closed until May 11 due to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swine_influenza">Swine Flu</a> epidemic. We heard this yesterday while watching AFV (America's Funniest Home Videos). Apparently, there are three suspected cases in our school district alone.<br /><br />The Swine Flu claimed the first US victim in Texas yesterday, a 23-month old baby. The child traveled with family to Brownsville, TX from Mexico and died in Houston. Read "<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090429/ap_on_he_me/med_swine_flu">Toddler in Texas Becomes 1st Swine Flu Death in US</a>." The Swine Flu gripped Mexico first claiming about 159 lives.<br /><br />The past weeks San Antonio has been celebrating <a href="http://www.fiesta-sa.org/">Fiesta</a>, which is a big party that brings masses of people together for a week and a half long celebration. I've heard many relatives of San Antonio residents come in from Mexico for Fiesta events. Additionally, many San Antonio residents travel to Mexico to work, shop, visit family, and vacation. This leads me to believe the Swine Flu will only spread around here.<br /><br /><blockquote style="font-weight: bold;">Up until the Texas death, most of the cases here have been mild.</blockquote><br />After reading reports about this, my concern levels have risen. I started looking in to what we can do to prevent the disease from passing our doors. Swine Flu can live on surfaces for an extended time after placement and spreads hand to mouth.<br /><ul><li>Wash your hands frequently with antibacterial, hand sanitizing soap</li><li>Avoid letting people invade your personal space-keep them further than arm's length away</li><li>Do not interact socially</li></ul>So, the kids and I are going to be hermits for the next week and a half. My poor husband has to go to work. I told him to get a face mask, not to touch anything, and avoid all of his co-workers. He told me that's impossible. If he comes home coughing, feverish, or otherwise ill, he will be banished to the garage.<br /><br />Curious as I am, I wanted to know how this Swine Flu darkened our path. It comes from "intense exposure" to pigs. Pigs can get the flu. (No wonder those creatures always look like they have snotty noses.) However, you can not get Swine Flu by eating pork.<br /><br />How do we get rid of this?<br /><ul><li>The disease must be prevented in pigs through vaccine-<span style="font-style: italic;">they're working on this strain</span>.<br /></li><li>Transfer to humans from pigs must be prevented-<span style="font-style: italic;">this has to do with environmental and cleanliness conditions at the pig farms</span>.</li><li>Passing the flu from human to human must be stopped-<span style="font-style: italic;">wash your hands and avoid sick people</span>.</li></ul>Now, I was wondering if this ever growing situation could be some sinister plot gone array. I'm thinking <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germ_warfare">germ warfare</a>. There is a lot going on in the world today.<br /><ul><li>The borders of Mexico are exploding with stories of horrible acts by drug-Mafia types.</li><li>We still have situations overseas here, there, and everywhere.<br /></li></ul>Well, I'm not going any further with my list. Unless you live under a rock, you know what's happening.<br /><br />Know this, we are on the verge of a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandemic">pandemic</a>. All people need to protect themselves and their families from contracting Swine Flu.<br /><br /><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/swflash.cab" id="Player_0f5e2cb4-16c4-4c6e-9aad-d58bd91b61cd" width="430" height="324"> <param name="movie" value="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fmyfistanadv-20%2F8003%2F0f5e2cb4-16c4-4c6e-9aad-d58bd91b61cd&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></object><div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/swflash.cab" id="Player_0f5e2cb4-16c4-4c6e-9aad-d58bd91b61cd" width="430" height="324"><embed src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fmyfistanadv-20%2F8003%2F0f5e2cb4-16c4-4c6e-9aad-d58bd91b61cd&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate" id="Player_0f5e2cb4-16c4-4c6e-9aad-d58bd91b61cd" quality="high" bgcolor="#ffffff" name="Player_0f5e2cb4-16c4-4c6e-9aad-d58bd91b61cd" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" align="middle" width="430" height="324"></embed></object> <noscript><a href="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fmyfistanadv-20%2F8003%2F0f5e2cb4-16c4-4c6e-9aad-d58bd91b61cd&Operation=NoScript">Amazon.com Widgets</a></noscript><br /></div><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-wh-3d-88x31.gif" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape." border="0" width="88" height="31" /></a>The Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16974717192873929184noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518187045883429276.post-57598604510992302692009-04-24T07:40:00.006-05:002009-05-20T08:00:31.472-05:00My High Blood Pressure Follow-up Appointment<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l23/cmuise/valentine-animated-throbbing-heart.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 116px; height: 104px;" src="http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l23/cmuise/valentine-animated-throbbing-heart.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Yesterday afternoon I went for a follow-up appointment for my <a href="http://inspireddaybyday.blogspot.com/2009/04/if-theres-matchstick-ill-trip-over-it.html">high blood pressure</a>. The doctor prescribed another medication besides <a href="http://www.drugs.com/pdr/procardia-xl.html">Procardia</a>. He wants me off Procardia. I am glad because Procardia costs about $40 bucks a month, even with our insurance.<br /><br />He gave me Prinzide. It's an ACE inhibitor combined with a diuretic. The generic form of <a href="http://www.drugs.com/pdr/prinzide.html">Prinzide</a> (Lisinopril, Hydrochlorothiazide) is only $5 a month.<br /><br />I have to get some blood work done tomorrow morning. I will be fasting tonight. No coffee for me in the morning...I do not know how I'll go without it, but you can be sure I will have some when I get home.<br /><br />The doctor and I were discussing my medical history. It's a long one. I won't bore you with all the details. I will mention about ten years ago I was diagnosed with mild <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypothyroidism/ds00353">hypothyroidism</a>, which I had gotten under control taking prescribed medications and herbal remedies. I was able to eliminate the prescription after a time. Maybe hypothyroidism never goes away?<br /><br />Well, as I am, I quit taking the supplements that were keeping me in check. <span style="font-style: italic;">I really need to stop doing that</span>. After I post this, I'm pulling out my supplement bible to figure out what it was I was taking...<br /><br />He is thinking my thyroid is acting up again and causing my blood pressure to flare. This would be best I think. Of course we will not know anything until I get my blood work done.<br /><br />I did a little hypothyroid search before writing this post and I don't think my thyroid is the case. I do not have any of the noted <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypothyroidism/DS00353/DSECTION=symptoms">symptoms</a>. Okay, maybe I'm a little irritable sometimes...<br /><br />The doctor will also be checking my Cholesterol, kidney and liver functions, screening for diabetes, plus a few other things that escape my memory. (Darn Vampires!) Wait, memory loss is a symptom of hypothyroidism too!<br /><br />He told me he wants me to drop a few pounds. I think I look pretty good, but whatever. Hmmm, unexplained weight gain is a symptom too!<br /><br />Shesh, can a thyroid malfunction cause a person's blood pressure to go that high? I guess we will soon find out.<br /><br />He gave me the standard spiel of cutting salt, caffeine, and monitoring my diet for good and bad stuff. I don't know if I can handle cutting out my coffee. I quit drinking sodas years ago and coffee is all I enjoy.<br /><br />I have to monitor my blood pressure at home for the next few weeks. I've been doing that anyway, but now I have to keep a record for him.<br /><br />As soon as my ankle is healed, I will be returning to my walking regimen and I am going to increase my exercise routine. By the way, he said my ankle looks really good.<br /><br />I'm not going to let this high blood pressure stand in my way.<br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-wh-3d-88x31.gif" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape." border="0" width="88" height="31" /></a>The Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16974717192873929184noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518187045883429276.post-56210347420688124752009-04-20T07:24:00.007-05:002009-05-20T08:00:31.473-05:00If There's a Matchstick, I'll Trip Over ItYesterday I lost my footing and tripped. I felt my ankle go and I went down to the ground to pull off my shoe. The pain radiated up my leg to my hip. I began to cry. I rarely cry.<br /><br />First, I was wearing shoes. I think this was a mistake on my part since I usually wear sandals. In fact, I always wear sandals. I just happened to put on my shoes so I could help my husband cut down a dead tree. I will never wear shoes again.<br /><br />My husband proceeded to help me into the house. He was asking me what happened and I could not really say anything except there may have been a matchstick in the driveway that tripped me.<br /><br />He wanted to take me to the emergency room. I hate going to the emergency room, especially on the weekend, I refused.<br /><br />This morning my ankle is three times it's normal size and black. I had to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. I crawled because I could not stand the pain when I walked. This morning I slid down the stairs on my rump because stairs and a hurt ankle don't mix. I wish I could crawl around downstairs but the wood floors hurt my knees.<br /><br />I broke my ankle marching in the Battle of Flowers Parade when I was a teenager. I think tripped on one of those round yellow bump things in the road. All I can <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> remember was tripping. I marched the rest of the parade in pain. When I got home my father saw my ankle and rushed me to the emergency room.<br /><br />My ankle looks pretty much the way it did back then. However, this time I hope it's only a sprain.<br /><br />I'm waiting here for the clinic to open so I can get an X-ray done...<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">UPDATE</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">:</span> We went to the clinic. The doctor was more concerned about my blood pressure than my ankle! I do have high blood pressure. She said this was too high: 245/180. I explained to her I was, and have been, in an incredible amount of pain. She said she would give me a point or two for pain but not this much.<br /><br />They gave me a dose of Clonidine to lower my BP. I was told at this point they would not release me until my BP went down.<br /><br />Then she looked at my foot. She said, "Ouch, that looks painful!" Then she started pushing on it! I about jumped out of the chair.<br /><br />She then told me it looks broken but they would take X-rays to be sure. I had to wait for X-ray because there were two ahead of me. It didn't matter much since I could not leave anyway.<br /><br />I sat and waited, and waited, and waited. Finally the nurse came back to take my BP. 193/130. The doctor made me take another dose of Clonidine.<br /><br />X-ray came to take pictures of my ankle. I was returned to my cubical to wait. My husband and little girl joined me there. Why should I have to sit there by myself? The little one was not too pleased to be there. In the waiting room there was toys to play with.<br /><br />My husband was upset about my BP being so high. He wanted to know why I hadn't gone to see the family doctor to refill my BP meds. Well I have a reason, it may not be good for some but I have one, he retired.<br /><br />The doctor came back with good news about my ankle, it's only a sprain. This was a relief. I could not imagine wearing a cast for weeks on end.<br /><br />I still had to wait for the second dose of Clonidine to take effect and have my BP checked before I could leave. The nurse came back with a pair of crutches and a splint for my ankle. After he got me fitted and braced I was told I had to wait a bit longer, 20 minutes.<br /><br />In a small cubical, with an impatient child, and a worried husband, 20 minutes is like an eternity...<br /><br />The nurse came back and took my BP. 166/113. He left.<br /><br />The doctor said since there was improvement, I could go. She prescribed Procardia, which I had been taking before my doctor retired. Really, I wanted a new doctor closer to home anyway. She referred me to another doctor up the road. She warned me I could have a stroke or heart attack with BP that high.<br /><br />I realize my heath is important. I take pretty good care of myself. I take vitamins, exercise, and eat right (for the most part). I don't understand the high BP. I guess it's not for me to understand. I just have to take care of it.<br /><br />Before I get chastized for not going to the doctor for the BP, I have been feeling pretty good. I monitor it at home and it's been high but not like what it was at the clinic.<br /><br />Perhaps the sprained ankle was a warning sign. Thanks to it I'll be heading to another doctor for a follow-up...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here's my poor ankle, this is after three days of ice and elevation. Granted it is a lot better than it was.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ey31nEGgqUo/Se3VJDjqOxI/AAAAAAAAAU8/wC7EXuL1G38/s1600-h/sprained+ankle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ey31nEGgqUo/Se3VJDjqOxI/AAAAAAAAAU8/wC7EXuL1G38/s400/sprained+ankle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327148285799578386" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here you can see the difference in size, still three days. I wish it would just go away.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ey31nEGgqUo/Se3UrQuRAuI/AAAAAAAAAU0/nI9M86ODK-Q/s1600-h/ankle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ey31nEGgqUo/Se3UrQuRAuI/AAAAAAAAAU0/nI9M86ODK-Q/s400/ankle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327147773937648354" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-wh-3d-88x31.gif" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape." border="0" height="31" width="88" /></a>The Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16974717192873929184noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518187045883429276.post-80017141399097144822009-04-14T09:29:00.004-05:002009-04-14T10:03:13.210-05:00Try Something NewThe past weeks I've been talking about change and trying new things. As you know I got a <a href="http://inspireddaybyday.blogspot.com/2009/03/poof-i-got-new-computer.html">new computer</a>; so I've been on a rampage trying something new on it every day. Vista isn't so bad, I guess. It has a few oddities, but I'm getting used to it.<br /><br />Recently I've been trying to teach my teenage daughter how to cook. It's not that I have not been trying to do this for years (I have), but this year she's taken a real interest in the art of cooking. In light of this revelation, we've started trying new and different recipes from all the books and card collections I inherited from my Nana.<br /><br />Once a week we will be cooking up a new (old) dish for family night. In honor of this, we created a new blog: <a href="http://family-night-dinner-ideas.blogspot.com/">Family Night Dinner Ideas</a>. I know what your thinking, "<span style="font-style: italic;">Didn't you just start a fish blog</span>?" Well, yes, I did. But like <a href="http://fish-tank-aquarium-care.blogspot.com/">My Fish Tank Adventures</a>, the recipe blog will be a family collaboration.<br /><br />Speaking of family, we had a wonderful Easter celebration. I hope yours was everything you wanted it to be. For the celebration we tried a new recipe from the old collection. I have to talk about it because it was a real winner everyone enjoyed. It was also something new for us.<br /><br />The dish was <a href="http://family-night-dinner-ideas.blogspot.com/2009/04/baked-cheese-tomato-fondue.html">Baked Cheese & Tomato Fondue</a>. We served it as an appetizer, but I think it could be a nice side dish too. If you're planning a party, you might like to try it.<br /><br />Try something new every day, it keeps life interesting.<br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-wh-3d-88x31.gif" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape." border="0" height="31" width="88" /></a>The Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16974717192873929184noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518187045883429276.post-89160715284171520572009-04-12T07:31:00.001-05:002009-04-12T07:31:00.579-05:00Happy Easter!<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l23/cmuise/bunnies_blue_egg.gif" alt="Happy Easter!" border="0" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Who is the Easter bunny? They say he's been around since the 1600's and roots out of Germany. He migrated to America in the 1700's with German settlers. Like Santa Claus, he sure gets a lot done in one night.<br /><br />Of course Easter is a time to celebrate the Resurrection. It occurs during spring and is connected with a time of rebirth and renewal. Easter is many things to many people, the same yet different.<br /><br />Easter is a grand time in our home. We will be celebrating this day with family, reflecting on life, hunting Easter eggs, and breaking bread together.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I hope each and every one of you have an enjoyable Easter!<br /></div></div><br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-wh-3d-88x31.gif" alt="Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape" title="Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape." border="0" height="31" width="88" /></a>The Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16974717192873929184noreply@blogger.com2