Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Very Inspiring Blogger Award From Alygeorges

Many new bloggers might not be familiar with the habit of giving people awards for different accomplishments. I participated in awards for ages. When I reached 100 awards I had to take them down, they were crowding out my blog. It was fun to get an award occasionally but to get several awards in one week is too much. Below is one of my awards from 2015 from a devoted follower, Alygoeres. 

If you are interested, do some searches to find blogging awards.

A Bit About Alygoeres

I’m a free spirit, unbounded by any rules… but I do believe in RESPECTING ALL. I’ve been through so much in life, and I have reason to believe that there are many more people out there who have sailed in the same boat as I. It’s for that profound reason that I decided to share my experiences on this site, so I can motivate someone; help them understand that there’s so much to live than just resigning oneself to misery…

I wrote a post in June 2014, about my mother leaving me at the county hospital at eight years old. I reposted the above for your viewing. Alygoeres replied quickly with supportive words and prayers. We formed a strong bond immediately. You’ll find her site motivating. Alygoeres has provided constant support from the beginning of my Lyme Disease journey.

Moving to the requirements of the blog, here are Seven Facts About Me.

Seven Facts About Me:

My brother shot me in the leg with his new BB Gun when I was 10 years old

I have to take every car for a ride to see how fast it will go

Fascinated by the Mafia, particularly Russian.

I love Horses, one time rode a horse thru a Jack in the Box. They freaked, what were horses doing in the city?

I went to Daytona Bike Week. Looking at all the bike paint jobs, motors, and fat tires, the sound was like a dream. I enjoyed riding the Harley on the beach.

I love music yet can’t carry a tune or play an instrument. I made an effort with lessons in Clarinet, Piano, and Guitar.

I’m an Ordained Minister

I’m blessed to receive the Very Inspiring Blogger Award twice from Alygeorges. Lyme Disease has me in a stranglehold. She keeps me in her prayers and is a great support person.  I hope you will spend time on Alygeorges site, alygeorges.wordpress.com.  Please stop by her site, you will find her enlightening.

I will complete the nomination process at a later date.

XO Warrior

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Blogger Highlight-And Then I Slept

Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week I highlight a new blogger, And Then I Slept.

And Then I Slept

Finding a path

I live in Vermont. The perfect place to heal. I have been moving through the process of reclaiming my  life from the effects of extensive childhood trauma. There are up days and down days. But my hope is that through this blog I can use humor and some of the things I have learned along the way. To reach back into the room of a thousand demons that we walk through and help someone else on their journey.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

 

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

8 Ways To Keep Your Face Looking Young

The face is one of the first places that aging becomes evident. Crow’s feet, laugh lines, and wrinkles can make you look older than you actually are. But there are ways to fight back against Father Time and keep your face looking young and fresh.

Photo by Angela Roma on Pexels.com

Exfoliate

Exfoliating your skin on a regular basis is another great way to keep your face looking young. Exfoliation helps to remove dead skin cells that can make your complexion appear dull. There are a variety of ways to exfoliate your skin, including using a gentle scrub or an exfoliating brush.

Get some facials

If you want to take things a step further, you can also get facials. Facials can help improve your skin’s appearance by deep cleaning it and providing nourishment. There are a variety of different types of facials available, so be sure to consult with a professional to find the best one for your needs.

Moisturize

One of the best ways to achieve a youthful appearance is to make sure your skin is well hydrated. Moisturizing your skin helps to plump up fine lines and wrinkles, giving you a more youthful appearance. In addition, using a quality serum or face oil can help to give your skin an extra boost of hydration.

Get enough sleep

Getting enough sleep is also crucial for achieving a youthful appearance. When you don’t get enough sleep, it shows on your skin. For example, you may develop dark circles under your eyes, or your skin may look dull and tired. So aim to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night to help your skin look its best.

Photo by Amanda Dalbjörn on Unsplash

Use anti-aging products

There are a number of anti-aging products on the market that can help to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. Look for products that contain retinoids or alpha hydroxy acids, as these ingredients have been shown to be effective at combating the signs of aging.

Try Botox

Botox is a popular cosmetic treatment that can temporarily reduce the appearance of wrinkles. The injections work by paralyzing the muscles that cause wrinkles, giving your face a smoother, more youthful appearance.

Consider laser resurfacing

Laser resurfacing is a procedure that uses lasers to remove the top layer of skin, revealing the newer, unbroken skin beneath. The procedure can help to smooth out wrinkles and give your face a more youthful appearance.

Use of sunscreen

Finally, be sure to protect your skin from the sun. Ultraviolet rays can damage the collagen in your skin, leading to fine lines and wrinkles. So wear sunscreen every day, even if you’re just going outside for a short period of time. Therefore, it’s important to always wear sunscreen, even on cloudy days. And, if you’ll be spending extended periods of time in the sun, be sure to wear protective clothing, such as a hat and long-sleeved shirt.

In Conclusion

Following these simple tips, you can help to achieve a more youthful appearance. Alternatively, take a look at upneeq for more options. Just remember to be patient – it takes time for your skin to show the benefits of your new routine. 

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Happy Birthday Daddy

I’ve written many posts to you on your birthday since you took your life and granny’s heart. I knew you were going to kill yourself but one can never imagine how it feels when it actually happens. The pain doesn’t stop with the notification it continues with cleaning out the house, selling it, the insurance paperwork, and arranging a funeral, each one a painful step.

Photo by Gratisography on Pexels.com

I chose to remember the memories we made before the divorce. I was 6.5 years old, mama took us to the lake, and we set on the picnic tables. She tells you’re leaving, my brother and I were shocked and very confused. It was so sad, the memory burned into my brain, we came home and you and gramps were driving off. We didn’t even get to say goodbye.

You loved her, never forgot about her and that’s why you had the divorce papers out on the table the day you died.

We would go to the convenience store and get a soda, back then all they had was glass bottles and you had to make a deposit on the bottle. You received your money back when you brought the bottle in. We sit in the car and listened to the radio just singing our hearts while we drank our soda. 

I remember when you had a part-time job at the grocery store and you would bring home the dented cans. I would sneak out of bed and help you put everything in the pantry. 

You loved Hank Williams Sr. and Elvis, we would sing our hearts out to the albums night after night. 

I don’t have many good memories, and if I do, they are memories of us going clubbing when I was nine years old. The parties you took me to, they were all inappropriate for a child. It only got crazier as I got older.

I hope you’ve found peace and the pain is gone. 

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

What Is Labor Day About?

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.

Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.

Photo by Arina Krasnikova on Pexels.com

Before it was a federal holiday, Labor Day was recognized by labor activists and individual states. After municipal ordinances were passed in 1885 and 1886, a movement developed to secure state legislation. New York was the first state to introduce a bill, but Oregon was the first to pass a law recognizing Labor Day, on February 21, 1887. During 1887, four more states – Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York – passed laws creating a Labor Day holiday. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday.

The First Labor Day

A sketch shows a large crowd gathered to watch a parade. The image is labeled September 5, 1882, New York City. The First Labor Day Parade.

According to the New Jersey Historical Society, after President Cleveland signed the law creating a national Labor Day, the Paterson Morning Call published an opinion piece stating that “the souvenir pen should go to Alderman Matthew Maguire of this city, who is the undisputed author of Labor Day as a holiday.” Both Maguire and McGuire attended the country’s first Labor Day parade in New York City that year.

Enjoy your Labor Day!

Melinda

References:

https://www.dol.gov/general/laborday/history

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Stream of Consciousness Saturday #SOCS Prompt is “why”

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “why”. Use it any way you’d like.

Enjoy

!

Today’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “start with why.” Begin your post with the word “why.” Have fun!

I read JoAnna’s post from JoAnna of the Forest and she beat me to the reason WHY. I, like her, grew up hearing or saying why many times.

Why can’t we go outside to play?

Why can’t we get ice cream?

Why can’t I drive?

Why can’t I spend the night?

Then there’s the normal from the parent’s side

Why do you do that?

Why do you like him?

Why don’t you like school?

Why do you wear your jeans so low? (back when hip huggers were around)

There are so many why’s in the world, it can be exhausting but we are curious creatures and that’s how we learn.

Melinda

Here are the rules:

1. Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing (typos can be fixed), and minimal planning on what you’re going to write. 2. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop. 3. I will post the prompt here on my blog every Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a particular subject. For instance, I will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” “Begin with the word ‘The,’” or will simply be a single word to get you started. 4. Ping back! It’s important, so that I and other people can come and read your post! For example, in your post you can write “This post is part of SoCS:” and then copy and paste the URL found in your address bar at the top of this post into yours.  Your link will show up in my comments for everyone to see. The most recent pingbacks will be found at the top. NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, such as Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below. 5. Read at least one other person’s blog who has linked back their post. Even better, read all of them! If you’re the first person to link back, you can check back later or go to the previous week by following my category, “Stream of Consciousness Saturday,” which you’ll find below the “Like” button on my post. 6. Copy and paste the rules (if you’d like to) in your post. The more people who join in, the more new bloggers you’ll meet and the bigger your community will get! 7. As a suggestion, tag your post “SoCS” and/or “#SoCS” for more exposure and more views. 8. Have fun!

For more streams, rules, and tips for Stream of Consciousness Saturday, visit our host, Linda at: Linda G Hill

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

MIGRAINE AWARENESS Month

I’m very aware of the pain that migraines cause, they also disrupt your life. During the 90s I suffered from a migraine almost daily and took medication and injections. My career was taking off and I was in outside sales, calling on high-level executives of major corporations. I loved my job but my life changed when I started getting migraines. This went on for two years, two years of rushing home in between appointments to give an injection. While it took effect, I rested and made phone calls when I could.

You can read the whole story here. My story had a happy ending when the doctor discovered a bone in my nose was causing them. I got very lucky.

Every year, the United Kingdom observes Migraine Awareness Week in the first week of September. This year, it will be observed from September 5 to 14. Migraines are mistakenly understood as severe headaches, but they are so much more than that. Migraines are actually a debilitating neurological disease. Even though migraines are a common headache disorder, they remain poorly understood and neglected. Many people go their entire lives without proper diagnosis and treatment. With care and treatment, migraines can become more manageable. Apart from inheriting the condition, some people can also get migraines through specific triggers. Interestingly, one can develop migraine at any stage in their life.

HISTORY OF MIGRAINE AWARENESS WEEK

Migraines are a chronic neurological disorder that affects over a billion people across the world. Migraine symptoms include long-lasting headaches, characterized by severe, throbbing, or pulsating pain on one side of the head. The headache is often accompanied by light or sound sensitivity, nausea, or vomiting. Even though the symptoms can be very uncomfortable and impact the overall quality of life, people remain ignorant of the condition. Migraine is one of the top ten leading causes of years lived with disability worldwide. Around the world, the prevalence of migraine is approximately 10% of the entire population. More than half the patients who complain of severe and regular headaches, turn out to be migraines.

While migraines don’t have a definitive cause, certain factors can trigger the condition. These triggers include stress, irregular sleep schedules, caffeine or alcohol consumption, dietary triggers such as chocolate, cheese, and dairy products, hormone fluctuations, and more. That’s a long list!

The condition significantly impacts the individual’s personal, professional and social life. Migraines come without a warning and can be crippling. This is the main reason for an urgent need to diagnose and treat migraines correctly. It also helps patients to identify their migraine triggers and avoid these triggers as best as they can. There is also the need for more effective, personalized migraine treatment. Medical practitioners should also take into account the patient’s comorbidities, frequency and severity of attacks, and more. As you can see, patients and healthcare workers need to be more vigilant of migrant attacks and their treatments.

Be sure to talk with your doctor if you are having any type of headache on a regular basis.

Melinda

References:

https://nationaltoday.com/migraine-awareness-week/

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Fun Facts

Hi, thanks for stopping by today. I love hearing your comments each week. We learn some interesting things, don’t we?

Ants leave maps for other ants when they walk.

Tears contain a natural painkiller, which reduces pain and improves your mood.

Saturn is the only planet in our solar system that could float in water.

Male cats have longer tails than female cats.

Dolly Parton lost in a Dolly Parton look-alike contest.

Enjoy!

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.thefactsite.com/top-100-random-funny-facts/

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

What You Need to Know About Therapy Dogs

Pets are increasingly being used as part of therapy programs by doctors. Therapy dogs are more effective because of their natural curiosity and interaction. Here’s what you need to know.

Photo by Caio on Pexels.com

The Best Breeds for Therapy

It’s easy to think a dog is a dog. But any dog owner will tell you they are all different. Even dogs of the same breed develop individual personalities, which is a privilege to see as they grow. While any dog is a great listener, there are some breeds that therapists recommend over others. Labradors, for example, are almost always at the top of the list. But this is because they are multitaskers. For straightforward love and support, smaller dogs like Ausmate Australian Cobberdogs are great because they are very caring and don’t get in the way. 

What Therapy Dogs Do

Dogs are excellent pets that require little maintenance beyond feeding, an occasional bath, and a daily walk. So just looking after a dog is healthy since it gets you moving and outside for some fresh air. But dogs are also excellent companions if you have a health condition such as cancer, PTSD, or dementia. Some can also be trained to alert when something is wrong, such as having an epileptic seizure. But therapy dogs also provide massive amounts of love and comfort to their owners who otherwise have no one to turn to when stressed, anxious or depressed.

The Benefits of Therapy Dogs

Dogs are so effective as therapy that there are over 50,000 therapy dogs in the United States alone. Pet therapy works on many levels, both physical and mental, so it is excellent for your overall health. Some of the many benefits of using a dog for therapy include the following:

  • Decreases stress, anxiety and feelings of loneliness and depression.
  • Maintain social engagement and interaction when you’re alone.
  • Helps alleviate chronic pain and issues like high blood pressure. 

Even if you live with a loving family, depression, and anxiety can plague your life, making it hard to talk to people. A therapy dog helps you cope with these feelings and can break down barriers by having you talk to your dog first. This is so effective it is recommended by most therapists.

How Animals Help

If you have a dog, then you know how comforting they are. When you have no place to turn, a dog will always be at your side, with hugs and kisses. Yet many studies from over the years have concluded that even being around a dog helps with many problems. For example, dog owners are at a much lower risk of developing depressive health conditions. And they help improve your mood simply by being their fun and playful selves. Additionally, playing with your dog encourages you to get out more and move around when you may be living a sedentary lifestyle.

How Pet Therapy Works

Dogs enjoy providing love and support just as much as we need it. So there is no shame in needing a therapy dog; they can help your mental and physical welfare. Therefore they are recommended if you experience emotional problems that affect relationships. But they are also excellent for helping you cope with mental health issues. Therefore, therapy dogs are more than pets. Interacting with an animal improves your mood and lowers stress because it releases endorphins and serotonin. These are the chemicals that make you feel in a good mood.

Summary

Therapy dogs aren’t just pets. Some breeds are multitaskers, while others provide affection. They can help lower severe illnesses and stabilize your mood by balancing hormones.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun

#Weekend Music Share-Blake Shelton – No Body (Official Music Video) Watch the Line Dancing!

I’m so glad you dropped by today, thank you. I hope you have a great weekend.

Welcome back to Weekend Music Share; the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the ‘Weekend Music Share‘ banner in your post, and don’t forget to use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

How to Protect Your Finances In Case You Cannot Work

If you were to suddenly become permanently unable to work for any length of time, how would you cope financially? It is a scary prospect for anyone. The good news is that, with some planning and sensible precautions, anyone can protect their finances in case they cannot work. These situations can be highly stressful, but with the proper knowledge and advice, you can rest assured that your financial future is secure.

 

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

Critical Illness Cover

Critical illness cover is designed for people concerned about the impact that a long-term illness or disability may have on their finances. A critical illness policy pays out a lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of several specified illnesses – many of which are conditions that can be long-term or have a significant impact on your ability to work. It would typically cover things like long-term illness, disability, or the loss of a significant bodily function, e.g., loss of sight or a limb. Some policies may also cover things like the loss of a parent or the death of a spouse or partner – this would depend on the circumstances and the policy you take out. This can be particularly helpful if you are the primary breadwinner in the family – and would be responsible for paying the mortgage, bills, and taking care of any children. 

Have An Emergency Fund

An emergency fund allows you to deal with unforeseen events or expenses that may arise, such as a sudden loss of earnings, a medical emergency, or a home repair. Having a fund to fall back on will help you to cope with any financial problems that arise and will mean that you do not have to rely on credit cards or loans to bridge the gap. You can set the amount you want to contribute each month to an account you can access whenever you need. This can help with any living costs in the absence of income or support out-of-pocket expenses such as finding an AFFF attorney to make a claim regarding your illness.

Debt Protection Insurance

Debt protection insurance plans are designed to help protect your assets from being seized if you cannot pay your debts. Even if you do not think you have a lot of debt, you may be surprised at how quickly things can spiral out of control. And if you are unfortunate enough to fall ill and need to take time off work, your finances could be at risk. Plans like this will typically pay out a certain amount if you cannot pay off your creditors due to an accident or illness. Typically, they also pay out a reduced amount on any ongoing debts. This will help protect your assets and future finances against lawsuits being filed against you because you cannot pay your bills. 

Look Into Income Protection

While critical illness cover aims to replace some of your income should you become ill, income protection is designed to replace your income should you become sick and unable to work for an extended period. With income protection, you pay a monthly or yearly amount; should you become unable to work, you will be paid out by the insurance company. Typically, you will be paid a percentage of what you previously earned. It is important to note that different providers have different definitions of long-term illness, so it is best to check the terms of your policy to see your situation in the event that you cannot work.

Conclusion

Planning ahead is key to protecting your finances if you cannot work. Start saving as early as possible, and be sure to take full advantage of all the tax reliefs available. It is also essential to consider the types of insurance best suited to your circumstances and future goals. 

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Here’s a great video of President Ronald Reagan being interviewed by Johnny Carson from 1975

This video is so refreshing, and I look forward to the day someone like Ronald Reagan runs for office. I try hard to keep out of politics but it’s very hard these days not to have an opinion, most of them strong. Many areas of our government are broken and still broken since he left office. I’m not saying he is the greatest President in the world, I’m saying I love his candor and attitude. 

Ronald Reagan Interview on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson – 01/03/1975 – Part 02 – Bing video

The most important comment he made was, not verbatim, that people need to look to themselves to solve problems, not the government. Amen, and a cherry on top!!!!!

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

To My Husband of 20 years

It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since we met at a New Years’ Eve party neither of us planned to attend. Guess you call that Karma. Being 38 and divorced, I was in no rush to get seriously involved but your actions spoke louder than words and they showed me who you were on the inside.

Starting a new relationship with a chronic illness is tricky, when do tell them about your illness? I believe in the up-front manner. When I told you about my mental illness, it was a big relief for me and you could make the decision for yourself. You took a leap of faith.

Neither of us could have looked at a crystal ball and guessed what our future held. You had no idea you were committing to a life of sickness but you never blink an eye, you jump right in to help. I can’t begin to say thank you enough for keeping your commitment, actions are the truth.

Here are a few examples of how love is louder than words

  • Every night I was in the Psychiatric hospital you would bring me dinner when you got off work, which was an hour away.
  • You made sure we flew first-class when we were traveling to Washington, DC for my Lyme treatments. The pain was indescribable, and the extra space was a lifesaver.
  • When I broke my wrist you would open my yogurt and place it in a cup I could open. You even wrote the names of the flavors on top.

Thru all the doctor appointments, illnesses, and disappointments you have never wavered in your commitment and never made me fill guilty when I was away for weeks at a time taking care of my grandparents. Actions speak louder than words.

Our life may look different than we thought it would but I would not trade a minute of our time together. I’m looking forward to your retirement and our new life, new adventures, and more great memories.

Here’s to 20 more!

Melinda