side-effects

I am so tired of the drugs the docs give me. I beg them to find ones that don't make me gain more weight! Well, that is futile. Every time they add a new one, I cringe. I refuse to take it and then I seem to become more ill. So, rock and a hard place. Which road do I travel. Ten different pills and steroids, to boot, or be miserable and wait for the inevitable as my organs start to shut down.

I try to convince myself it is better to be well. But, then I ask the doc "What is the choice? Die from my overlapping autoimmune diseases or from obesity?" They never have an answer. They just keep typing into that computer, looking incredibly important and too busy to justify the reason they just gave me a second death trap.

I don't even recognize myself, nor do others. When I see a pic, so often, I gasp. But, in the middle of my pity party, feeling sorry for myself, my husband tells me he loves all of me. That I am cushiony and comfortable to cuddle with. And, HE is the reason I will add those pounds to stay alive. In sickness and in health, we will get through this, too.

And, when those grandkids crawl all over me, just wanting my attention, it makes it worth it.

hmm Hannah went blonde and back.

Say it's not true...Cancer you get from HOTDOGS

Does Hot Dog-Cancer Ad Go Too Far?

"An advertisement linking kids with colon cancer to eating hot dogs for lunch has drawn fire from critics for featuring children who don't actually have cancer, and for overstating the link between colon cancer and cafeteria hot dogs. While eating processed meats might increase some risk of the disease, experts say it's a very small percentage." Source: AOL news, Top Headlines

All processed meat can lead to cancer. But, what true choices do we have? Not everyone can raise beef, turkey, chicken and pork in their neighborhood backyard. I cook a turkey once every 2 weeks. But we get tired of turkey. And hotdogs are yummy. Every thing gives us cancer. Now we just have to choose our weapon of death.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPaxW3BrgIY

There is the youtube link to watch it for yourselves.

Have fun, it's a beautiful day. I think we will bbq! Yes, hotdogs.

Gabe, darling grandson, roasting marshmallows

My Gabriel, was roasting marshmallows on his front porch. It was a very hot day!

At the Fair with My Family and Sisters

Personal Opinion Only....on Bratz dolls

I was reading about Mattel being awarded multi-millions for the Bratz dolls...and below the article was the forum for everyone to comment. Most of the comments were how they would never have their child/grandchild play with Bratz or the "prostitute" dolls. But, I don't see it.

Hmmm...it's been over 50 years and I never wanted to look like Barbie. It was just pretend. The clothes were fun. I don't think that the Bratz dolls do anything to anyone. They just look pretty comical with huge heads, hands and feet, and have clothes more like teenagers/runway models/all-American tv shows and magazine ads of today. And, if we want to chat about the makeup...I put makeup on like that about 45 years ago...so I could look like all the other moms! Red lipstick and rouge, and bright eyeshadows! It's been the rage since at least the times of Cleopatra.

I have 5 children and none of them were traumatized by any doll or toy, nor wanted to look like a bratz doll. It's silly to blame a toy. Blame TV and magazines before you blame a toy for the preferred destruction of your daughters dress apparel. And, that final selection of dress apparel is on the parent, not the toy.


And, the whole idea of believing a child will be turned into a clone of their doll is bizarre. That would mean that playing with a baby doll will make that daughter start wetting her pants and saying "mama" all the time. It's how you raise them, what you instill ethically and morally that hopefully guides your child into being a productive human being....not a toy doll that looks comical.

Or, how about your young man playing with popguns? Will that make him an assassin? All three sons have played with toy guns. They don't even hunt, let alone enjoy guns at all, now. Just because he played with GI Joe won't make him a soldier later in life. It's pretend.

I think there is too much negative emphasis on something so minor. I could understand not playing with a ouija board, which is definitely satanic by all biblical standards. But, dolls do not create who we are or will become. Nor does any toy.

Who to Vote for President?

I am voting for Jon, my husband. He is clear of moral and ethical wrong doing. He has no priors of any kind. He is the most fair and honest person I know. He is learned of American history and politics. He is a war veteran from Iraq. He has effectively processed multimillions in finances. He has been awarded many accommodations as an amazing leader in the military. He does not treat one person differently over another, regardless of race, gender, religion, or rank.

My choice for president, Jon.

ADULTS need shots/vaccines too!

There are 4 shots/vaccines that we should get as adults according to Parade.com Health info Dr. Ranit Mishori

Vaccine Alert!

Adults also need vaccines--to boost that initial immunization or to take advantage of newly developed protection.

Yet many adults tend to neglect this important area of preventive medicine.

But it's a mistake to let the matter slide. Just because you made it through childhood, you don't want to risk getting diseases for which you can easily find protection. Vaccinations are one of the simplest and least costly ways to stay well. Here's what I recommend to my adult patients.

The Shingles Vaccine.
The vaccine for herpes zoster, better known as shingles, has been on the market only since 2006. It is intended for adults 60 and up who have had chicken pox. That disease can reactivate later in life as shingles, with the hallmark painful rash. For many, it also has a nasty aftereffect--severe pain that can last for months. One expert estimates that, if used as recommended, the vaccine could eliminate some 280,000 cases of shingles a year.

Pneumonia Vaccine.
This vaccine guards against 23 of the most common strains of bacterial pneumonia, which is responsible for 40,000 deaths a year in the U.S. The pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) also protects against some bacterial infections of the blood. It is given as a one-time shot for all adults 65 or older and for younger people with lowered immunity.

Tetanus Booster.
A tetanus shot prevents "lockjaw" or muscle paralysis, which can lead to death. Booster shots are needed every 10 years--don't wait until there's the threat of infection from an open puncture wound. (That's when adults usually get the shot.) In 2005, a combination booster, called Tdap, was introduced. In addition to tetanus, it contains low concentrations of diphtheria and whooping cough vaccines. Whooping cough was added because of a surge in cases in recent years and the realization that if the vaccine is given in childhood, its effectiveness may wear off. Giving the vaccine to adults and adolescents provides "a double benefit," says Dr. Jeanne Santoli, deputy director of immunization services at the CDC, because adults who care for or live with young children are the No. 1 source of infections for kids.

HPV Vaccine.
The Gardasil vaccine was created to counter human papillomavirus (HPV), responsible for genital warts and, more important, cervical cancer. In fact, about 70% of cases of cervical cancer in the U.S. are associated with HPV. A series of three shots currently is recommended for women through age 26 or before they become sexually active. Studies now are looking at how the vaccine might work in women older than 26 and in men.

Flu Shot.
This is the best- known vaccine--and also the most "popular"--among adults. Nearly 60% of adult Americans get it each year, although each year's formula is different from what came before. This is because the virus that causes influenza keeps changing, making itself a moving target, and the scientists developing the vaccine have to anticipate which strains they'll likely be up against in any given year. "There's no other vaccine that we give that's like that," says Dr. Myron Levine of the University of Maryland's School of Medicine Center for Vaccine Development.

So, all of you wise, weary and wary, need to get these vaccines even as an adult. Make it happen!

Source: Parade Magazine Dr. Ranit Mishori

Hand and body lotion causes cancer.

Yes, they have found that regular hand and body lotion causes non-life threatening skin cancer. How nice.

Lotions Linked to Skin Tumors:
Certain commonly available skin creams may cause skin tumors, at least in mice, and experts should be checking to see if they might cause growths in people as well, researchers reported on Thursday.
They found several creams caused skin cancer in the specially bred mice, which had been pre-treated with ultraviolet radiation.

The cancers are not melanoma, the deadliest kind of skin cancer, they stressed in their report in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, but another type called squamous cell carcinoma. Such tumors are slow growing, highly treatable and only fatal if patients fail to have them removed.

Allan Conney and colleagues at Rutgers University in New Jersey said they discovered the risk while testing a theory that caffeine could prevent skin cancer.

"We sort of got into this by accident," Conney said in a telephone interview. "We wanted a safe cream that we could put the caffeine into."

They were testing specially bred albino mice, which are prone to develop skin cancer. The mice are pre-treated with ultraviolet radiation to simulate the effects of a human who has had heavy sun exposure in the past but then stopped -- something that may be happening in the population as people realize the risks of getting a tan.

Conney's team decided to test the creams first and found that all four they tested caused tumors to grow on the mice.
He said he does not know why, but suspects two ingredients -- mineral oil and sodium laurel sulfate.

"This is a pretty artificial situation with the mouse skin primed by a lot of UV light to develop cancer," Karol Sikora, Medical Director of Cancer Partners U.K. in Britain, said in a statement.
Dr. Jonathan Rees, an expert in dermatology at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, said squamous cell carcinoma was not a big health worry. What a silly statement.

He said his team approached Johnson & Johnson to create a cream without the suspect products and they developed one using other readily available ingredients. "They are things that are commonly used in many moisturizing creams," he said.
This cream did not cause the tumors in the mice, they said.
He said Rutgers and Johnson & Johnson had patented the new cream jointly but did not know whether it would be commercially developed. A spokesman at the company was not immediately available for comment.

Source: AOL Health

Jake's girl, Melissa, and 21 in Vegas

My Oldest Son, Lucas...at the same party.

Yes, my older son, he crows, spews water 10ft into the air, and is everyone's best friend, especially his brother's!

Jake's girl, Melissa 21st Birthday in Vegas

My son, Jacob, took his girlfriend, Melissa, to Vegas for her 21st birthday. He flew people in to party with them. She is the most gentle, kind, QUIET sweetheart, then get alcohol in her, and she decides to take the mike from the singer in the band and she jumps on stage and lives the dream. She, also, has some issues walking.

9/11 Memorial...A Must See

http://attacked911.tripod.com/

This is an amazing site that any of us must watch. It will bring you great sadness to watch this again.

My daughter, Shayna, and husband, Stacey, are making big moves and big names in the modeling world

Four of my five kids. They are my heart. Shayna, Adam, Lucas, and Hannah. We were at Stacey and Shayna's grand opening of the new Elite/Pulse Management Model/Xtreme Sports/Movie Actors office in South Salt Lake City, Utah...SoSaLa. The building is under construction, but Pulse and Elite have offices already open in the adjacent building. Elite, who represent some of the most amazing models of our time, i.e. Cindy Crawford, have offices all over the world. Due to the amazing young women and men found in SLC, they decided to open a $500,000,000 office in Utah. Pulse has found some of the most amazing talent to the runways, such as Hy Rim Park, currently one of the top 10 runway/high fashion models in the world today. Stacey and Shayna have worked very hard to make this happen. Their beliefs have sustained them and brought them great joy in watching these events unfold.

I remember

It's funny when moments of your children learning the ins and outs of life surface to give you the giggles. I remember one such time with Lucas, my oldest son.

He must have been about 10 years old, and the mullet was a true fashionable hair-do...egads...shades of Billy Ray Cyrus!

He was quite a vibrant little guy. He was quick-witted and he is still one of the funniest people I know. He speaks the truth with whimsy. He is gifted with his physical comedy. I always felt like I was watching a live cartoon. He reminded me of Calvin and Hobbes.

I was in the back yard pulling weeds and he was squinting into the sun. "Mom, can I get my ear pierced?" I realized he was being very sincere and hoping for the answer he wanted. I didn't just want to dash his hopes by saying a flat "no".

I told him when he was 16 years old, he could get his ear pierced. His shoulders dropped in disgust. In his true wry fashion, he grinned and said, "Awww, I will know better by then!"

Retirement should start at birth.

We live longer than we work.

By the time we hope to retire, we have much longer to live than we did many years ago when the retirement age was set.

More than that, our health is an issue. We feel great the first 35 years. But then about age 35 the aches and pains and weariness start crawling their way into our bodies.

We are looking forward to retiring in our 50's, if we have prepared. But the the cost of living is rising, and our retirement fund is not rising as fast, if at all.

The costs of medical needs and prescriptions heap faster than a speeding locomotive.

Our parents have warned us for years. We thought that being old was a long way off. Not so much.

We are old much longer than we are young. It makes up for more than half our lives. We consider young up to about 35. After that you have another 50 years. Are we prepared for the financial burden? It takes at least 30 years to pay off your home mortgage. Did you buy a home by age 25? Then someone has to keep working till age 55.

Okay, maybe most of us can't set up a retirement fund at birth. But, I think it should be a required educational class in school.

Yes, $48 BILLION on AIDS research

Yes, $48 Billion. Our president just voted in this amazing amount of funding. Not only for research, but for supporting the world to prevent the AIDS virus from exploding. (Has anyone told the world how to prevent AIDS so maybe it will stop spreading? I know, I know, unrealistic to think that people will stop having unprotected sex. Rubbish.) I know that's just a drop in the bucket for our budget. And, I think it is incredible that we are trying to help other countries from being affected by this horrible death. Let's, at least, acknowledge that AIDS is a preventable disease. But, even though not a disease, getting OLD is not preventable.

So, how come we don't help at home first? At least, for our elderly? The same president just vetoed a bill that would keep premiums lower (thank goodness that Congress overrode him). Those most affected are those seniors/disabled on fixed social security income budgets.

We may disregard this problem now, because we think we are too young to worry about it. But, you don't get to skip this part. We are on our way to becoming the elderly.

Let's not use the words elderly or seniors. We could even use the word Mom in each sentence. Okay, let's use "Mom" in each of these sentences to give a better idea of how you could feel, or use "I" starting with: We have people that are going hungry. Now relate this to..."Mom" is going hungry or "I" am going hungry). These people are going without medications. They are not able to use electricity to keep cool or heat to stay warm. They are becoming homeless. These people have worked and paid for programs that are becoming too expensive to use.

These people will be you and me, someday, and sooner than you would like to think.

I want my family members and friends to know that they will get appropriate medical help and prescriptions that won't take away from the feeble retirement pay they will, or already, receive.

Maybe the answer...and don't scream at me...is socialized medicine for those over the retirement age. Oh, that's right, I think they call that medicare. Well, if it's supposed to be helping, how come only the ones that can afford it get the most benefit from the program. Kind of like, how you can get a loan, if you don't need one.

We should offer all prescriptions at a low discounted rate, like the military receives, which is federally funded from the same money that funds medicare, or just at no cost to the people that would qualify.

The body starts to fall apart over time. As one gets older, more medications are needed to keep the body stay in balance to have a comfortable life.

Maybe the presciption funding isn't the answer but it would sure help. People shouldn't have to give up eating to stay well, or stay alive.

RECIPES...food, how exciting!

I have an amazing recipe for Pumpkin Bread from a friend that is to die for. Jen Barber is the author of this and I am passing it on. I had the cinnamon and sugar topping. The topping ended up being crunchy. YUM!

Pumpkin Bread
3 cups sugar
3 ½ cups flour
1 ½ tsp. salt
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. baking soda
Well in dry ingredients together
4 beaten eggs
1 can pumpkin (15.5 oz)
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients, divide mixture into 2 large bread pans, bake at 350° for 1 hour.
You can put pecans on top or sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.

Family means warm fuzzies.

We all have families that don't meet the criteria for a "Leave it to Beaver" rerun. My family has character, and characters. The word dysfunctional is harsh and should be avoided. It is a sore and silly word. I have never met a family that doesn't have something a little wacky in it. I like it. It makes us more interesting, charming, and wise. My family gives me warm fuzzies.

Bless their hearts, all of mine are just wonderful and a miracle to have in my life. This includes old and new family, extended family, my kids' friends that call me mom, friends that are forever, and there is always a place in my heart for someone who wants to join us!

My favorite location...the marvelous ocean. My favorite place to be with my favorite people.

This is a new project for me...blogging.

I am new to blogging, but I am sure I will pick it up quickly. I want my blog to be a variety of fun, food, family, friends, happy and not-so-happy ideas and concerns.

There will be pieces of news that could have slipped by undetected, but may have real relevance in our lives, and the world coming our way. As caring people, we need to make a difference. It may start at home, but every thought, action and prayer will affect our lives and those around us. The news articles will be open for feedback and opinions that will be posted.

Food is always good for any article. They make books, magazines and TV shows...just on food. I will list tried and true recipes that I or others have really enjoyed. Send me your best to share with others. We reeaally like the quick and easy to make, shortcut recipes. But, if they are awesome, send it. I found out my oldest daughter, Shayna, is the Costco Contessa. She buys Costco foods and creates a new meal with additions that have really made her family happy.

I have a favorite savings site called The Screaming Penny. It is so amazing. PinchingYourPennies.com. It updates every day with new info from savings at Albertson's, how-to's, Black Friday, coupons and so much more. Check it out!

Of course, there are the family pictures. I will change them out, because I want you to come back! No people falling asleep here. But, just so you get to know me, there are my first set of pics of my loved ones.

Hot Shots! My loves...Together is our favorite place to be.

We all think our children and grandchildren are the most amazing people that have ever existed. We pull out our pictures, share our stories and our memories. These blogs are so wonderful in that we are able to share our families without wasting money on pictures that get hidden away!...I can be sooo cheap.



We are not a family that poses for that cute shot, as much as we may be a poser in the moment. We live our lives candidly and that makes for candid shots. Together is our favorite place to be.

My snapshot moments are emotions at a point in time. The trigger that helps me to relive, revel and relate to that flash of memory.