I've been tagged by Adria
Four Jobs You've had in your life:
~MIS help desk technician at the hospital
~ICD-9 coder and biller for Physicians office
~Receptionist/payroll clerk for a nursing home
~salesperson for Zales Jewlers
Four Movies you would watch over and over:
~Harry Potter-all of them
~Dead Poets Society
~I'll Be Home For Christmas
~How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Four places you have lived:
~Rancho Cordova California
~Sacramento California
~Twin Falls Idaho
~Boise Idaho
Four TV shows you love to watch
~ER
~Crossing Jordan
~Law and Order, CI and SVU
~Iron Chef
Four websites I visit daily
~Nurture-Sustain-Love
~Amity's
~Mama Drama
~Sewing Mamas
Four of my favorite foods:
~tacos
~watermelon
~chocolate cake
~grandmas mashed potatoes
Four places I would rather be right now
~England
~in a different body *wink*
~with my family (extended)
~on vacation
Four bloggers I am tagging
Jo
Elizabeth
Mandy
Tara
Friday, January 20, 2006
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
this is almost scary after the last one
which do you think is the real me??
The Sensual Vampire
What type of vampire are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
The Sensual Vampire
What type of vampire are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
oh in a different world this could be
Congratulations, you are the Noble Queen! Indeed
you are the Queen of Queens! You are elegant,
refined, and magnificently beautiful. You are
famous for your courage, benevolence, and
wisdom. You are just and fair and the perfect
leader! You are also very rare. There are not
many people like you!
Possible
Name: Adela Element: Light
Color: White
What Queen are you? (Beautiful Pics)
brought to you by Quizilla
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
It seems I go in spurts...
Somedays I have tons to say, then I go a month and don't feel like I have anything worthy to say.
Sigh
well, the biggest news is that after lots of prayerful study of the Word Of Wisdom Diet we have decided that as a family we really do need to go vegetarian. The Church teaches in the Word of Wisdom to eat plentiful whole grains, fruits and veggies and to eat of meat sparingly..or in times of famine/cold. So after much study and prayer, we know that this is the right thing to do. We could sit and try to keep justifying our meat consumption or say that the interpretation of the Scripture that states:
Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly;
And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine.
so we are embarking on this new life. We are promised that if we follow it, we will have good health. Lets hope that good health includes losing weight! LOL
Sigh
well, the biggest news is that after lots of prayerful study of the Word Of Wisdom Diet we have decided that as a family we really do need to go vegetarian. The Church teaches in the Word of Wisdom to eat plentiful whole grains, fruits and veggies and to eat of meat sparingly..or in times of famine/cold. So after much study and prayer, we know that this is the right thing to do. We could sit and try to keep justifying our meat consumption or say that the interpretation of the Scripture that states:
Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly;
And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine.
so we are embarking on this new life. We are promised that if we follow it, we will have good health. Lets hope that good health includes losing weight! LOL
Thursday, December 22, 2005
not tacky!
| You Are a Bright Christmas Tree |
 For you, the holidays are all about fun and seasonal favorites. You are into all things Christmas, even if they're a little tacky. |
On cord blood banking....
When I was pregnant with Isabella, I considered cord blood banking. We then discussed just donating it, and was told that the banks charge huge amounts for those in need to actually get it. I was disgusted with that and chose not to do it.
On further contemplation, I now see they can treat stroke victims with cord blood. I had the awful realization that if I had gone ahead and banked Bella's cord blood for ourself (like I wanted too) my grandfather might have been able to get the transplant and have the affects of his stroke reversed.
My grandfather means the world to me. This weighs heavily on my mind today. I know that I cannot go back, and it is useless to beat myself up. But the "if onlys" are big for me today.
On further contemplation, I now see they can treat stroke victims with cord blood. I had the awful realization that if I had gone ahead and banked Bella's cord blood for ourself (like I wanted too) my grandfather might have been able to get the transplant and have the affects of his stroke reversed.
My grandfather means the world to me. This weighs heavily on my mind today. I know that I cannot go back, and it is useless to beat myself up. But the "if onlys" are big for me today.
Massachusetts becomes first state to ban formula bags
Massachusetts Becomes First State to Prohibit Formula Marketing in Hospitals
Boston, December 20, 2005— In a groundbreaking step for mothers and babies, Massachusetts became the first state to prohibit hospitals from giving out free formula company diaper bags to new parents. Giving out these bags reduces the duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding and is considered unethical by many national and international groups, including the World Health Organization. Multiple studies, even from prestigious medical journals such as the Lancet, have shown that the bags interfere with breastfeeding, causing moms to switch to formula sooner, or quit nursing altogether-- even when the bags do not contain formula samples.
For decades, formula companies used hospitals to hand out diaper bags stocked with coupons and free samples. Most parents see these as a “free gift,” but the bags are a marketing technique that implies that the hospital endorses the product, successfully boosting sales of formula at the expense of breastfeeding. “One day, formula marketing in hospitals will go the way of cigarette ads on TV,” said Melissa Bartick, MD, Chair of the Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition.
The new rules on formula marketing are part of a much larger update of existing perinatal regulations written by the Department of Public Health and today approved by the Public Health Council. Hospitals must follow DPH regulations in order to be allowed to operate in the state. The regulations contain many other mandates that help promote and support breastfeeding and otherwise limit formula marketing.
In banning the distribution of these items, the DPH acknowledges that there is no medical justification for the institutional marketing of formula products to new parents. The vast majority of hospitals in Massachusetts and the US give out free diaper bags containing formula to new moms, and also accept free formula for in-hospital use. This marketing practice deviates from the standards followed by health care providers and hospitals in every other respect. For example, hospitals do not give out coupons for name-brand clothing, name-brand foods outside of maternity. “We’d never tolerate the thought of hospitals giving out coupons for Big Macs on the cardiac unit,” said Dr. Bartick, an internist. Since lack of breastfeeding is clearly associated with multiple adverse health outcomes in children and mothers, distribution of formula marketing materials by hospitals and health care providers has been recognized as unethical since at least 1981, when the World Health Organization approved the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.
Members of MBC on the taskforce that drafted the new regulations helped make the case for eliminating the diaper bags. The formula bags may actually cost families money: “Not only is there the expense of formula, but parents and society end up paying for medications and time lost from work to care for a sick child,” says Dr. Kimberly Lee, a neonatologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.
As proof of the companies’ influence, Dr. Lee notes that parents almost always continue to use the brand of formula their baby got in the hospital—and those formulas are typically the most expensive.
These new regulations will go far in improving the quality of care to mothers and their newborns.
source: MBC
Boston, December 20, 2005— In a groundbreaking step for mothers and babies, Massachusetts became the first state to prohibit hospitals from giving out free formula company diaper bags to new parents. Giving out these bags reduces the duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding and is considered unethical by many national and international groups, including the World Health Organization. Multiple studies, even from prestigious medical journals such as the Lancet, have shown that the bags interfere with breastfeeding, causing moms to switch to formula sooner, or quit nursing altogether-- even when the bags do not contain formula samples.
For decades, formula companies used hospitals to hand out diaper bags stocked with coupons and free samples. Most parents see these as a “free gift,” but the bags are a marketing technique that implies that the hospital endorses the product, successfully boosting sales of formula at the expense of breastfeeding. “One day, formula marketing in hospitals will go the way of cigarette ads on TV,” said Melissa Bartick, MD, Chair of the Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition.
The new rules on formula marketing are part of a much larger update of existing perinatal regulations written by the Department of Public Health and today approved by the Public Health Council. Hospitals must follow DPH regulations in order to be allowed to operate in the state. The regulations contain many other mandates that help promote and support breastfeeding and otherwise limit formula marketing.
In banning the distribution of these items, the DPH acknowledges that there is no medical justification for the institutional marketing of formula products to new parents. The vast majority of hospitals in Massachusetts and the US give out free diaper bags containing formula to new moms, and also accept free formula for in-hospital use. This marketing practice deviates from the standards followed by health care providers and hospitals in every other respect. For example, hospitals do not give out coupons for name-brand clothing, name-brand foods outside of maternity. “We’d never tolerate the thought of hospitals giving out coupons for Big Macs on the cardiac unit,” said Dr. Bartick, an internist. Since lack of breastfeeding is clearly associated with multiple adverse health outcomes in children and mothers, distribution of formula marketing materials by hospitals and health care providers has been recognized as unethical since at least 1981, when the World Health Organization approved the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.
Members of MBC on the taskforce that drafted the new regulations helped make the case for eliminating the diaper bags. The formula bags may actually cost families money: “Not only is there the expense of formula, but parents and society end up paying for medications and time lost from work to care for a sick child,” says Dr. Kimberly Lee, a neonatologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.
As proof of the companies’ influence, Dr. Lee notes that parents almost always continue to use the brand of formula their baby got in the hospital—and those formulas are typically the most expensive.
These new regulations will go far in improving the quality of care to mothers and their newborns.
source: MBC
Friday, December 09, 2005
the kindness of strangers amazes me
I am working on some items to sell for the Christmas season, and I needed a piece of ribbon for a project so I had run to walmart. The kids were told to get ready and run out to the car while I grabbed my tennis shoe.
I didn't realize until I got there that only 2 of the kids put their jackets on!
So I ran in and got my stuff and went to leave when Kaitlyn walked up to me and said "here mom from this lady"
she hands me a napkin from mcdonalds and it has written on it "Do your kids need new coats?? Merry Christmas"
and wrapped inside was $300 cash!
I started bawling right there in the store. Couldn't stop.
after all that we have gone through this last month...and knowing we were not going to do much for Christmas....this happens--I feel truly blessed and know that someone was looking out for us.
I didn't realize until I got there that only 2 of the kids put their jackets on!
So I ran in and got my stuff and went to leave when Kaitlyn walked up to me and said "here mom from this lady"
she hands me a napkin from mcdonalds and it has written on it "Do your kids need new coats?? Merry Christmas"
and wrapped inside was $300 cash!
I started bawling right there in the store. Couldn't stop.
after all that we have gone through this last month...and knowing we were not going to do much for Christmas....this happens--I feel truly blessed and know that someone was looking out for us.
Saturday, December 03, 2005
Well-red is my favorite color
| Your Blog Should Be Red |
 Your blog is full of intensity and passion. You are very opinionated - and people love or hate you for it. You have the potential to be both a famous and infamous blogger. |
Friday, December 02, 2005
Murphy's Law....a force to be reckoned with
so...things have been going good for a few months. Really good...(well, excluding Noah that is) Until lately.
Grandpa had his stroke. We had a personal financial setback. and today - the car accident.
You know, I think that murphy waits until you are in a comfort zone...that you are doing well...and then he kicks the rug right out from underneath you.
and then continues to kick you after you are down.
$250 to get the car home. not too many injuries-luckily. do you know we sat out on the freeway for 2o minutes and no one stopped to help? no one even called the police.
so we are becoming the family in "Christmas with the Kranks" this year, we are skipping Christmas. I am even considering just taking the tree down instead of decorating it. what is the point? we can't do Christmas this year. We probably will not even go see the family now.
I can't even sleep tonight. Every time I close my eyes, I can feel us spinning again and see the dirt hill we crashed into rising up before my eyes. I can hear the kids scream and cry for me.
I think I need something to put me to sleep.
I think we need to round up the boys and take Murphy out so that he can stopped messing with us.
Anyone got a lasso?
Grandpa had his stroke. We had a personal financial setback. and today - the car accident.
You know, I think that murphy waits until you are in a comfort zone...that you are doing well...and then he kicks the rug right out from underneath you.
and then continues to kick you after you are down.
$250 to get the car home. not too many injuries-luckily. do you know we sat out on the freeway for 2o minutes and no one stopped to help? no one even called the police.
so we are becoming the family in "Christmas with the Kranks" this year, we are skipping Christmas. I am even considering just taking the tree down instead of decorating it. what is the point? we can't do Christmas this year. We probably will not even go see the family now.
I can't even sleep tonight. Every time I close my eyes, I can feel us spinning again and see the dirt hill we crashed into rising up before my eyes. I can hear the kids scream and cry for me.
I think I need something to put me to sleep.
I think we need to round up the boys and take Murphy out so that he can stopped messing with us.
Anyone got a lasso?
Monday, November 28, 2005
Publicly persecuted AIDS mother gets redemption
In Septemeber of this year, The LA Times reported that Christine Maggiore was irresponsible in not treating herself or her family with AZT. Her daughter, 3 1/2 year old Eliza Jane Scovill died suddenly May 16 2005 and the diagnosis was AIDS-related pneumonia.
Eliza had never been diagnosed with HIV and had been extremely healthy her whole life. She had been seen by doctors in the days proceeding her death for an ear infection, for which she was prescribed antibiotics. Eliza showed no other signs of being ill, least of all difficulty breathing or coughing.
Condemmed by the media and the public and still realing from her daughters death, Christine stayed strong in her convictions that AIDS does not need medical treatment...and that she and her family were doing well. Public officials have been poised to act to take the couples other child, Charlie, away from them.
New information has come to light that sheds a whole different spin on this story. Eliza did not die of AIDS-related pneumonia. She was NOT HIV positive and did NOT have full blown AIDS.
Eliza died from an allergic reaction to the antibiotic amoxicillin that she had been given that very week for an ear infection.
Yes, you read that right. She died from the medication DOCTORS gave her to treat her ear infection.
The LA Times article goes on to quote Dr James Oleske, a New Jersey physician that has NEVER seen Eliza (but does treat AIDS patients) by saying "This was a preventable death. I can tell you without a doubt that, at the outset of her illness, if she was properly evaluated, she would have been appropriately treated. SHE WOULD NOT HAVE DIED"
Well guess what Dr James Oleske from New Jersey. You were WRONG!!! Yes, her death was preventable....but not the way you insinuated. Avoiding the antibiotic-that would have done it.
I hope that Christine and her family can now mourn for the loss of their daughter without ridicule, suspicion and disbeleif.
Prayers go out to Christine, Robin, Charlie and sweet Eliza.
You can read more in the timeline here: http://justiceforej.com/ej-chronology.html#0924
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
hmm-interesting
| You Belong in Rome |
 You're a big city girl with a small town heart Which is why you're attracted to the romance of Rome Strolling down picture perfect streets, cappuccino in hand And gorgeous Italian men - could life get any better? |
| Your Element is Earth |
 Your power color: yellow Your energy: balancing Your season: changing of seasons Dedicated and responsible, you are a rock to your friends. You are skilled at working out even the most difficult problems. Low key and calm, you are happiest when you are around loved ones. Ambitious and goal oriented, you have long term plans to be successful. |
Monday, November 21, 2005
So Kaitlyn and her neuro problems...take 1
I know that I have not talked about her neurological defect here...but the quick version is that Kaitlyn had a brain hemorrhage 3 years ago this Christmas. Through it all we found that she has Dural AVMand the locations of those AVM's are very rare.
We have to do testing every year.
She has had sudden onset reoccuring headaches the last 2 weeks, with increased clumsiness. We are going in tomorrow for anotherCT Angiogram
This never gets easy. I worry about her all the time. She has a headache, I freak out. It is just so hard.
We have to do testing every year.
She has had sudden onset reoccuring headaches the last 2 weeks, with increased clumsiness. We are going in tomorrow for anotherCT Angiogram
This never gets easy. I worry about her all the time. She has a headache, I freak out. It is just so hard.
Friday, November 18, 2005
What type of goth are you?
my profile picture recently led to hurt feelings over my husband saying his co-workers thought I looked GOTH.
so what type of goth are you?
VICTORIAN GOTH
Similar to Medieval
your style is known for dark, elegant, and
intricate dresses and suits. However, unlike
Medieval your style tends to be a lot more
conservatice with high, lace necks on the gowns
and top hats to go along with the gentlemen's
dark attire. I very much respect this style as
well, because it is sophisticated, noble, and
reserved.
What's your Gothic style? [Pics / 10 Results]
brought to you by
so what type of goth are you?
VICTORIAN GOTH
Similar to Medieval
your style is known for dark, elegant, and
intricate dresses and suits. However, unlike
Medieval your style tends to be a lot more
conservatice with high, lace necks on the gowns
and top hats to go along with the gentlemen's
dark attire. I very much respect this style as
well, because it is sophisticated, noble, and
reserved.
What's your Gothic style? [Pics / 10 Results]
brought to you by
The most beautiful girl....
yup, she only has to look at me with those eyes, and she has me everytime.
The only one who kept my blue eyes.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
The funniest ebay auction!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6225867209
This is a hand made bobble head of the psycho woman from Trading Spouses.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
wow-time does fly doesn't it?
so in recent news...the doctors are finally talking to me! Noah's behavior is escalating. His violence/agression is worse. He has started banging his head again. He kicked his brother down the stairs the other day and has been hitting his 17 month old sister.
The answer? Looks like we will be starting with Zoloft. The doctor suggested Trazadone first, because Noah exhibits tendencies to have a seizure...but my research made me not want to try that.
So good news there. hopefully the zoloft will help his hyperirritability reactivity when he is angry.
Conner has his first gymnastics meet coming up December 9th! I just cannot believe it. He did his whole floor routine in practice yesterday and I was just in awe. He looks so good. Pictures are coming up and I will share.
Grandpa is still holding his own. The CT confirmed several strokes, but the therapy is helping some.
We are getting ready for Thanksgiving. We are going to a friends house since Shawn has to work, and I am very excited! Making my special mini-cheesecakes, pumpkin bread, blackbottom cupcakes and a veggie.
The answer? Looks like we will be starting with Zoloft. The doctor suggested Trazadone first, because Noah exhibits tendencies to have a seizure...but my research made me not want to try that.
So good news there. hopefully the zoloft will help his hyperirritability reactivity when he is angry.
Conner has his first gymnastics meet coming up December 9th! I just cannot believe it. He did his whole floor routine in practice yesterday and I was just in awe. He looks so good. Pictures are coming up and I will share.
Grandpa is still holding his own. The CT confirmed several strokes, but the therapy is helping some.
We are getting ready for Thanksgiving. We are going to a friends house since Shawn has to work, and I am very excited! Making my special mini-cheesecakes, pumpkin bread, blackbottom cupcakes and a veggie.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
My Grandfather Had a Stroke
I got an email last week from my mother (she could not find my phone number) She told me that my grandpa had a stroke.
My grandfather has been like a dad to me my whole life. with my bio dad being out of the picture-my grandparents helped to raise me. My grandpa is the only father figure I have ever had. He means the absolute world to me.
6 weeks ago they were out at my moms house. My grandpa felt sick so they decided to leave. As my grandma was driving home, he passed out. When he woke up he got sick. They took him in and the dr thought it was inner ear stuff. Fast forward to this last Friday. They were at my cousins game. When they went to leave..grandpa said he felt like he got stuck..couldn't get in the car. That is when he had a stroke. Saturday he couldn't walk...had slurred speech. Had to use a cane and could barely walk with that. He kept falling and fell when he was going to feed the horses..and banged up his face pretty good. Monday they took him in and the dr said he is having strokes..and it seems to be progressing fast.
So we drove down. He doesn't look too good. His facial muscles are not really affected, but his speech is pretty bad. he has a really hard time talking and he has a significant memory loss. his right side is almost useless. he has a walker, but refuses to use it. so we had to help him move everywhere. I had a talk with my grandma. he had this stroke on friday and she did not take him in until monday! if she would have gotten him in earlier, they could have given him the medication to help reverse the affects, but she didn't realize that a stroke had happened. we talked about the seriousness of letting the dr's know what is going on-and that she better not hestitate again. she asked me how I deal with it...with Kaitlyn and the worry. she then told me that grandpa won't let go of her...every time they go to bed he just holds her so tight and will not let go of her. He is so scared. but I think I got through to her. he is in therapy..and went in for a CT scan yesterday. they are also doing some cartoid vascular study this week.
By the time we left on Sunday, you could really see the changes in him. He was more positive, but his speech was worse. It was very slurred and he couldn't remember everyday words.
We are still waiting on test results. But I am just not ready to lose him.
My grandfather has been like a dad to me my whole life. with my bio dad being out of the picture-my grandparents helped to raise me. My grandpa is the only father figure I have ever had. He means the absolute world to me.
6 weeks ago they were out at my moms house. My grandpa felt sick so they decided to leave. As my grandma was driving home, he passed out. When he woke up he got sick. They took him in and the dr thought it was inner ear stuff. Fast forward to this last Friday. They were at my cousins game. When they went to leave..grandpa said he felt like he got stuck..couldn't get in the car. That is when he had a stroke. Saturday he couldn't walk...had slurred speech. Had to use a cane and could barely walk with that. He kept falling and fell when he was going to feed the horses..and banged up his face pretty good. Monday they took him in and the dr said he is having strokes..and it seems to be progressing fast.
So we drove down. He doesn't look too good. His facial muscles are not really affected, but his speech is pretty bad. he has a really hard time talking and he has a significant memory loss. his right side is almost useless. he has a walker, but refuses to use it. so we had to help him move everywhere. I had a talk with my grandma. he had this stroke on friday and she did not take him in until monday! if she would have gotten him in earlier, they could have given him the medication to help reverse the affects, but she didn't realize that a stroke had happened. we talked about the seriousness of letting the dr's know what is going on-and that she better not hestitate again. she asked me how I deal with it...with Kaitlyn and the worry. she then told me that grandpa won't let go of her...every time they go to bed he just holds her so tight and will not let go of her. He is so scared. but I think I got through to her. he is in therapy..and went in for a CT scan yesterday. they are also doing some cartoid vascular study this week.
By the time we left on Sunday, you could really see the changes in him. He was more positive, but his speech was worse. It was very slurred and he couldn't remember everyday words.
We are still waiting on test results. But I am just not ready to lose him.
Monday, October 10, 2005
I have my board!!
After a long desire to have a small parenting board where we could educate and have friendships-I finally decided to do it! My August 2002 playgroup (another small knit group) is going to need a new home sometime soon...so I decided to just go for it. Create a board with my friends where we could talk and have fun. And the best thing is that we can share educational links and articles. I hope to learn so much from these ladies. It is similar to another board I visit..but without the 3000+ members and will still have the personal touches. People will not be ignored. We can post and get answers.
Right now it is very raw..we are just on an ezboard but we are getting ready to move.
Right now it is very raw..we are just on an ezboard but we are getting ready to move.
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