Thank you for joining me for this week’s Friday Quote.
Melinda
Friday Quote
Category: Celebrate Life
#Weekend Music Share-Brooks & Dunn – My Maria (Official Video)
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m glad you joined me for another edition of Weekend Music Share this week.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
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 use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
Nana Kay’s Gluten- Free Banana Bread
From the book Gluten Freedom
By Shelly Gannan
We replace the flour in this recipe with Pamela’s gluten-free baking mix. Pamela’s baking mix includes xanthan gum, baking soda, salt, and baking powder. you have to add these ingredients if you are using plain gluten-free flour that does not already have them added.
Ingredients:
3 cups gluten-free flour*
2 1/2 teaspoons xanthan gum
1 teaspoon cider vinegar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups mashed bananas (3-4 very ripe bananas)
2 cups of sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 bag of chocolate chips
*Or use Pamela’s baking mix and eliminate the next four ingredients.
Heat oven to 350 degrees and grease bottoms of two 9x5x3 loaf pans. If not using a premade baking mix, combine flour, xanthan gum, cider vinegar, baking soda, and salt in mixing bowl; blend well with an electric mixer on low speed. Beat bananas separately in a large mixing bowl, then add all the ingredients except chocolate chips to the bananas and beat on low speed for 1 minute.
Fold in chocolate chips and pour mixture evenly into pans. Bake for about 50-60 minutes or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes then remove from pans to cool completely. If you are making muffins, bake for 20 minutes, testing doneness with a toothpick.
Makes two loaves or 12 muffins.
Melinda
Repost
10 Tips for Managing Nighttime Joint Pain
Joint pain may worsen during the night due to fluid buildup or chemical processes in your body that cause inflammation. But at-home treatments and adjustments to your daily and nighttime routines may help you get a good night’s sleep.
If you have a condition that causes joint pain, you may have found that the pain can be worse at night. Joint pain at night is not usually a medical emergency. But it can severely limit your ability to get a good night’s sleep.
Most joint pain is due to arthritis, inflammation of the joints. This includes:
According to the Arthritis Foundation, 4 in 5 people with arthritis have trouble sleeping.
But other common conditions can also contribute to joint pain at night, such as:
Cytokines
At night, some of your cells release cytokines, small proteins that help activate your immune system. Some cytokines help to make you sleepy. But they can also generate inflammation, which can increase joint pain.
Body position
Your sleep position can put pressure on joints, making existing joint pain worse. For example:
- If you have hip or shoulder pain on one side of your body, try to avoid putting pressure on that joint by sleeping on your other side.
- You can worsen wrist pain if you sleep with your wrists bent.
- Neck pain may worsen if you’re a stomach sleeper and your neck remains twisted to one side for hours at a time.
Mattress and pillow
Your mattress and pillow may also be part of the problem. A too-soft, unsupportive mattress may not provide enough cushioning to support the proper alignment of your spine. This can put pressure on tender joints.
If your pillow is too high, too low, or lumpy, it may force you to hold your neck and shoulder joints in an unnatural position while sleeping. This can irritate your nerves and generate joint pain.
How can I manage joint pain at night?
The underlying cause of joint pain may determine how best to manage it. For example, if you have jaw pain due to a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, wearing a night guard might be a good way to reduce it.
You can typically manage joint pain at night with at-home treatments. A trial-and-error approach may be needed before you learn what works best for you. Here are 10 things to try:
1. Exercise
Strong, supple muscles help take pressure off of painful joints. Exercises like stretching and yoga can help people with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. Other good choices include:
- walking
- running
- water aerobics
- tai chi
You may consider working with a physical therapist on exercises for specific joints and muscle groups.
2. Apply heat
Some people find that using heating pads or compresses on painful joints before sleep provides nighttime relief. You may also find that taking a warm bath before bed reduces pain and provides relaxation.
When you apply heat to an aching joint, the blood vessels in that area increase in size. This increases blood and oxygen circulation in and around the joint, reducing stiffness and pain.
If your joint pain is due to an injury, check with a healthcare professional before using heat. For injuries, applying cold during healing may be a better choice.
3. Apply cold
Cold packs decrease blood flow to the joint, reducing swelling and inflammation. The numbing sensation caused by applying cold or cool compresses can also help reduce pain.
Try using a cold pack directly on the painful joint for 10 to 20 minutes before going to sleep. You can also try immersing yourself in a cold or cool bath for as long as you feel comfortable.
4. Try over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication
OTC pain relievers, including those that reduce inflammation, may be helpful. These include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin or ibuprofen. Look for extended-relief versions that last for 8 hours or more, so your pain doesn’t return during the night.
Make sure to follow package directions and don’t overuse. If OTC pain meds aren’t enough, talk with a healthcare professional about prescription drugs for pain.
If you have high blood pressure, heart disease, or kidney disease talk with a doctor about which OTC pain reliever would be best for you. Some may cause you to retain water, which can cause kidney problems or raise your blood pressure.
5. Use topical treatments
Topical treatments are medications you apply directly to your skin. Some ointments can provide targeted pain relief. Look for gels, sprays, and lotions that contain active ingredients such as:
- Menthol: Menthol can provide a cooling sensation to your skin, helping to mask pain.
- Camphor: Camphor can provide both cool and warm sensations to your skin and numb nerve endings.
- Arnica: Arnica has anti-inflammatory properties and supports enhanced circulation.
- Capsaicin: Capsaicin reduces the amount of a specific pain transmitter in your nerves.
- Salicylates: These plant-based chemicals can help reduce inflammation.
6. Consider glucosamine and chondroitin supplements
Glucosamine and chondroitin are compounds found in cartilage, the connective tissue that cushions and surrounds your joints. Research into their benefits for joint pain has produced mixed results. But some people find that taking these supplements as directed helps to reduce joint pain from osteoarthritis.
Since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements, be sure to look for the “USP-verified” mark on these products. That means it’s from a trusted manufacturer.
7. Meditate
If joint pain wakes you up at night, it can be hard to go back to sleep. But research suggests that meditation may help you manage chronic pain of all types, especially during the night and before bed.
A 2018 review of studies found that meditation changes the way your brain processes pain signals, reducing your sensitivity to pain. It can also reduce anxiety and help you relax.
Many gyms and yoga studios offer classes and workshops in meditation. There are also meditation apps to guide you through long and short meditation exercises.
8. Upgrade your mattress and pillow
If your current mattress is too soft or older than 8 years old, consider getting a newer model suited for joint pain relief.
You may also benefit from a pillow designed to reduce knee or neck pain.
9. Create a soothing sleep environment
Proper sleep hygiene habits won’t necessarily reduce joint pain, but they will make it easier for you to fall asleep, despite it.
Ensure your room is dark, cool, and quiet. Turn off electronic devices at least 1 hour before trying to sleep. You may also benefit from listening to relaxing music, meditating, or reading a good book before you turn the lights out.
Aromatherapy may also be helpful for soothing sore joints and for promoting relaxation.
10. Move and stretch when you wake up
Morning stretches won’t necessarily help you with nighttime pain, but they may help relieve stiffness and pain when you first wake up. Moving right when you wake up helps to move fluids out of inflamed joints and reduces swelling.
Try stretching your arms and legs and flexing your fingers and ankles before you get out of bed. You can do this with your knees bent, lying chest-down, or sitting.
When to contact a doctor
Chronic nighttime pain can cause sleep deprivation and exhaustion. It may also significantly reduce your ability to partake in daily activities and enjoy life. Let a healthcare professional know if your joint pain doesn’t respond to at-home treatments.
See a doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- You have intense joint pain that lasts for several weeks or longer.
- Pain is waking you up from sleep consistently.
- You experience sudden swelling or warmth around the joint or can’t move it easily.
- Your joint pain is accompanied by fever.
A doctor may prescribe oral, topical, or injected medications to help reduce your symptoms.
Takeaway
Joint pain at night has various underlying causes, from injuries to arthritis. It can be exhausting and debilitating. But you don’t need to live with pain.
Many at-home treatments, such as OTC medications and heat or cold compresses, can help. Lifestyle changes like exercising or improving your sleep hygiene can also help.
If your joint pain is severe or doesn’t respond well to at-home treatments, visit a healthcare professional. They can assess your symptoms and provide further treatment options.
Melinda
Reference:
Gluten-Free Turmeric Lemon Anti-inflammatory Smoothie
The recipe is from Kristin Cavallari’s cookbook True Comfort.
Turmeric is incredible for the immune system.
Ingredients
1 frozen banana
1/4 cup cauliflower florets
1 tsp. ground turmeric
Juice of 1 medium lemon
1 tsp. raw honey
1 cup almond milk or full-fat coconut milk
1/4 tsp. ground ginger, or 1 1/4 inch thick slice of fresh ginger peeled
Bee pollen, for serving
How To Make
In a high-powered blender, combine the banana, cauliflower, turmeric, lemon juice, honey, almond milk, and ginger.
Blend on high speed until completely smooth, about 1 minute
Pour the smoothie into a tall glass and sprinkle bee pollen over the top.
Serves 1
Enjoy.
Melinda
Wordless Wednesday-Spring Blossoms
I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday, and I hope to see you soon.
My treasured Pink Lilly, I have a bed of them. They come back year after year.
Melinda
Repair Or Replace: Is Your Old Car Worth Saving?
Choosing between repairing and replacing a car can be a challenge. Without the skills to assess your car like a mechanic, many people feel as though they can’t figure out whether or not they’ll end up paying more to repair or replace their motor. Some car issues are big, while others are small, but it can be very hard to tell exactly how much a repair will cost until you have it done. To help you out with this, this post will be exploring some of the considerations you need to make as you go through this process. This should make it much easier to figure out if your car needs to be repaired for replacement.
What’s The Problem?
Before going too deeply into this, it’s always worth figuring out what the problem your facing actually is. This can be tricky when you don’t know much about cars, but you can usually use sound and the resources found on the web to give you a good idea. If your car is making a strange noise, you can search for this on Google, looking for potential causes of the issue.
Once you’ve done this, you can begin to look at the potential costs to get the issue fixed. There are loads of garages around the web that will happily discuss their pricing openly, giving you valuable insight into the price that you will have to pay. This isn’t always a sure way to find out how much something will cost, though, as each car job is different, and it can be hard for a garage to say what the issue might be when they first look at your car.
Alongside this, you could also consider the option of talking to people on sites like Reddit. Message boards like this are packed with users who are willing to spend their time to help others, even if they don’t get anything out of it. Describing your issue in detail with photos and videos will be essential, but this can give you a clear idea of the price of your repairs without having to go to a garage.
Potential Future Issues
Along with looking at the current issue with your car, it can also be worth thinking about future issues that could come about as a result. For example, replacing brake pads will fix issues with stopping, but you may still need to change your disks after a couple more months of driving. It can be hard to predict issues like this, making it worth asking those who are in the know to make sure that you aren’t going down the wrong path.
If an issue is likely to develop in the future no matter what repairs you make, it could be worth looking at replacing your car. Vehicles can get into a state where they hardly leave the garage, giving you loads of issues to deal with while also costing a small fortune. If this is the case, you will almost always save money by looking for a new motor.
Can You Fix It Yourself?
Being able to fix a car problem for yourself can drastically reduce the costs, with the fees that garages charge consisting largely of labor costs. This often makes it worth DIYing your car problems, but you have to make sure that you can both get your hands on the parts and handle the repair before you choose this option.
Finding the parts you need will be the most challenging part of this. eBay and Amazon can be a good place to start, though you may need to look for specialized stores to get your hands on things like wheel and tyre packages that will work for your car. Alongside this, it can also be a good idea to watch some YouTube videos of the repair you need to make before buying anything. This will give you a good idea as to whether or not you can do it, while also showing you the tools and parts you will need for it.
Choosing the DIY route can be a good idea when you are trying to save money, but it can also be very difficult. You need to make sure that you are confident in your ability to handle the repair before you get started, or you could easily find yourself without a car until you can get professional help. Tools can be expensive, making any job that requires specialist tools one for the garage.
The Value of Your Car
Finally, as the last area to think about, it’s time to consider the value of your car. If a repair is going to cost more than this, there will be little reason to look much further, and you may as well start hunting for a new car. But how exactly can you figure out the value of your car without having to get expert help? Thankfully, there are loads of different resources that can help you with this.
Car sales websites should always be the first place you look, as this will give you an accurate idea of what your car would sell for in good condition today. Look for your make and model, followed by searching for examples in similar conditions. This will give you an idea of the price range you can expect to get for your car.
Alongside car sales websites, you can also look for directories that list the value of different types of cars. While this might be a little faster, it won’t be as accurate as simply looking at prices, but it can still be worth the effort if you can’t find your car listed on any website. Using the lower estimates you find is a good way to avoid disappointment.
With all of this in mind, you should be feeling ready to take on the challenge of choosing whether to repair or replace your car. It can be hard when you find yourself stuck in a position like this, though most people have the resources to get themselves out of it when they put the work into it.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
5 Luxurious Ways to Make Your Back Yard Your Own
There are many mental health benefits to a backyard oasis for your family. And there are just as many luxurious ways to make your backyard somewhere you won’t want to leave.
Your Very Own Bar
A fantastic way to upcycle your old outdoor shed is to cut a hole on the side and place a surface on it. Then you can install an at-home beer pump for pulling the perfect pint in your own garden. This is a simple design, but one that works. But with some crafty DIY work and creativity, you can install a sound system, lighting, and even cooking facilities. Of course, no shed company wants you to butcher their creations, so reusing an old one is best. Just make sure you give it a thorough cleaning, inside and out, and make sure it’s safe for the purpose before you go sitting at it.
A Deck to Proud Of
Nothing makes a good garden shine like the installation of high-quality decking. Wood and the backyard just go superb together, and you can make many great memories sitting among the scent of wood and flowers on long Summer nights. Additionally, a deck can add a lot of value to your home should you consider selling later on. First, however, make sure you use a reputable builder. Poor decking is dangerous. Splinters, loose boards, and even collapse are real possibilities. And a lousy installation isn’t likely to last long, either.
Heat and Bubbles
You can relax and have fun in a hot tub. So much fun, in fact, that since coming to market in the late 1950s in the USA, around 6 million have been sold all over the country. Hot tubs are excellent no matter your age. They can provide an intimate way of relaxing for couples and friends. And the kids love the bubbles. However, there are multiple health benefits as well. The heat helps soothe aching muscles, and bubbles help with tension. Some medical experts believe the effects of a hot tub to be somewhere around the same as a professional massage.
An Outdoor Cinema
How fun is your very own outdoor cinema? Cozying up on a warm night under the stars with a movie and a drink with your partner is nothing short of amazing. And if you have kids, well, they will just go nuts for something like this. You can purchase an HD projector for very little these days, and some even work with your phone. And a screen isn’t required either. Just a sheet and something to hold it. But before going and doing this, make sure you are far enough from your neighbors, or the sounds of Bridget Jones doing Bridget Jones stuff might not end well.
Fire Pit Arrangement
Being outdoors evokes memories of nature and a primal sense of social atmosphere. One of the most primal elements is fire. Fire is dangerous, but it can be tamed when treated with respect and controlled. A fire pit makes an excellent centerpiece for your garden, and you can make one for very little money. You can buy premade pits with various designs. Or you could use an old washing machine drum, a barrel, or even a tire. Then, arrange your rattan or wicker furniture around the centerpiece for an intimate and sophisticated addition to your backyard tranquility.
Summary
Your backyard is an extension of your home and yourself. So, it would help if you spent time making it special. But, gardening aside, you can add luxuries such as a bar, hot tub, or even a cinema.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
Repost
Gluten-Free Tahini-Spiced Hot Cocoa-Sounds So Good!
The recipe is from Kristin Cavallari’s cookbook True Comfort
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups almond milk
2 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tb. raw cacao powder
1 1/2 tsp. raw honey
3 tsp. tahini
In a small saucepan, warm the almond milk over medium-high heat until it simmers, 5 minutes.
Pour the warm milk into a high-powered blender and add the vanilla, cinnamon, cocoa powder, honey, and tahini.
Blend on high speed until the cocoa is smooth and frothy, 1 minute.
Serves 1
Double the recipe to make two cups.
Enjoy.
Melinda
From Family Cookbook-Aunt Dorthy’s Nut Rolls With Filling
The family cookbook contains recipes my Granies & Gramps used often, and is the type of food I grew up on. Many with veggies and tomatoes from the garden. Good ole Southern food like my Gramps dumplings, to Grannies pecan pie.
This is from my husband’s Aunt Dorthy’s recipes, who writes BEST at the top of the card.
Recipe
1 package yeast in 1/4 cup warm water and 1 TSP sugar
Let stand for 5 minutes
Sift 4 cups flour, 4 TBS sugar, and 3/4 TSP salt
Melt 1/2 TBS of butter
Add in 1 cup of canned milk
4 egg yolks beaten
Pour over flour
Add yeast
Knead
Cover
Place in refrigerator overnight or for 5 hours
Divide into 4 sections on a lightly floured surface to approx 10″x13″
Size to fill
Roll up
Let rise
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes
Filling
Beat 4 egg whites with 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 cup ground walnuts
Okay, from here, I guess you get an icing tube, add the filling insert into the roll, and squeeze until you see the filling has spread in the roll.
This sounds great because I like walnuts, which are so good for you. I’ll have to try this one.
If you make the recipe, please provide feedback on your thoughts or what the recipe brings to mind.
Melinda
Repost
Question Of The Day
How old were you when you learned to walk?
I learned at 10 months old and probably learned by chasing after our dog.
Melinda
Today In History March 29, 2025
Viking Siege of Paris
845 Paris is sacked by Viking raiders, probably under Ragnar Lodbrok, who collects a huge ransom in exchange for leaving
A 5,000 strong fleet of Danish Vikings invaded Frankish lands in 845 and only retreated after besieging Paris and securing a ransom from the Frankish King Charles the Bald. They were part of a series of devastating raids begun by the Vikings from the 790s.
The Vikings were led by a man named “Reginherus” or Ragnar, sometimes linked to the legendary saga figure Ragnar Lodbrok. The Vikings easily overcame defences set in place by Charlemagne and are known to have attacked the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés just outside the city.
Although struck by an outbreak of plague the Vikings overcame this to return home with their ransom of 7,000 French livres of gold and silver.
Terracotta Army Discovered
1974 Chinese farmers discover the Terracotta Army near Xi’an, 8,000 clay warrior statues buried to guard the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang
In 1974 local farmers digging a well near the Chinese city of Xian came across one of the greatest archaeological discoveries ever made. The discovery of a clay warrior figure soon revealed many more by state archaeologists. In fact there may be 8,000 terracotta figures in total, each individually modelled and purposely arranged in three pits to guard the tomb of the Chinese Emperor Qin Shi Huang Di (246-210 B.C.)
Contemporary court documents indicate the mausoleum was started soon after Emperor Qin took the throne in 246 B.C and continued until unrest in 209 B.C. Remote sensing and ground-penetrating radar has revealed the whole tomb complex to be almost 38 square miles (98 square kilometers) with the unexcavated Emperor’s tomb at the centre.
If you can see the Terracotta Army, go without hesitation; it’s mind-blowing.
Scott’s Last Entry
Captain Robert Falcon Scott, storm-bound in a tent near the South Pole, makes the last entry in his diary “the end cannot be far”
History can be interesting.
Melinda
Reference:
Friday Quote
Thank you for joining me for this week’s Friday Quote.
Melinda
#Weekend Music Share-America – A Horse With No Name (America In Concert, May 24,1973)
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m glad you joined me for another edition of Weekend Music Share this week.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
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 use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
Fun Facts, Did You Know?
Fact: Baseball umpires used to sit in rocking chairs
People have been playing baseball since the mid 19th century. In the early games, umpires would officiate the games reclining in a rocking chair that was located 20 feet behind home plate. By 1878, the National League also declared that home teams must pay umpires $5 per game.
Fact: The first commercial passenger flight lasted only 23 minutes
These fun facts really get you thinking about how far we’ve come. Taking a 23-minute flight might seem like a waste of money today, but in 1914 Abram Pheil paid $400, which would be $8,500 today, for a 23-minute long plane ride. He flew between St. Petersburg, Florida and Tampa, Florida, where only 21 miles of water separate the cities. Pheil, a former mayor of St. Petersburg, and the pilot, Tony Jannus, were the only passengers. This momentous flight paved the way for air travel as we know it.
Fact: The world’s first novel ends mid-sentence
The Tale of Genji, written by Murasaki Shikibu in the 11th century, is considered the world’s first novel. After reading 54 intricately crafted chapters, the reader is stopped abruptly mid-sentence. One translator believes the work is complete as is, but another says we’re missing a few more pages of the story.
Fact: The French-language Scrabble World Champion doesn’t speak French
New Zealand native Nigel Richards memorized the entire French Scrabble dictionary, which has 386,000 words, in nine weeks to earn his title. He has also won the English world Scrabble Championship three times, the U.S. national championships five times, and the U.K. Open Scrabble tournament six times. This comes 20 years after first playing Scrabble when Richards was 28 years old.
Fact: A woman called the police when her ice cream didn’t have enough sprinkles
The West Midlands police in England released a recording of a woman who called 999 (the U.K. version of 911) because there were “bits on one side and none on the other,” she says in the recording. She was even more upset when the ice cream truck man did not want to give her money back.
Fact: Uncle Ben’s rice was airdropped to World War II troops
German chemist Erich Huzenlaub invented a process of parboiling rice to keep more nutrients in the rice and lessen the cooking time. The “Huzenlaub Process” had another unexpected benefit, too: It stopped bug infestations. The quick-cook, bug-free rice was a big advantage during World War II, and Converted rice (as it was then known) was airdropped to American and British troops. After the war, the company rebranded to Uncle Ben’s Original Converted Brand Rice, named after one of the company’s best rice suppliers, and the product hit the shelves in 1947.
Fact: The British Empire was the largest empire in world history
According to the World Atlas, an empire “is a group of nations or people that are under the rule of a powerful government or an emperor of a territory usually larger than a kingdom.” The British Empire was most powerful in the 1920s when it ruled over 23 percent of the world’s population. That equates to about 13 million square miles.
Fact: South American river turtles talk in their eggs
Turtles don’t have vocal cords and their ears are internal, so scientists believed that turtles were deaf and didn’t communicate through sounds. However, research has found that turtles actually communicate at an extremely low frequency that sounds like “clicks, clucks, and hoots” that can only be heard through a hydrophone (a microphone used underwater). These sounds even come from the egg before the turtle hatches. Researchers hypothesize that this helps all the turtle siblings hatch at once.
Fact: Penicillin was first called “mold juice”
Alexander Fleming was one of those quirky scientists who accidentally made a scientific breakthrough. In 1928, the bacteriologist left a petri dish in his lab while he was on vacation only to return and find that some liquid around the mold had killed the bacteria in the dish. This became the world’s first antibiotic. But before naming it penicillin, he called it “mold juice.”
Fact: The first stroller was pulled by a goat
This is one of the many interesting facts that had us scratching our head. Or a dog or a miniature horse, but not by parents. William Kent, a landscape architect, invented the first stroller for the third Duke of Devonshire in 1733. By the mid 18th century, strollers were still pretty unstable, but they had handles so parents, not animals, could pull the baby behind them.
So glad you are enjoying the post; I love hearing your hilarious comments.
Have a great weekend.
Melinda
Repost
5 Ways To Help Your Teen As A New Driver
Has your teen just passed their driving test? It can be an extremely exciting time for them. Being able to drive and having the independence that comes with having their own car can be exhilarating. But for parents, it can be a time of increased worry and stress. This is only natural, especially when statistics show that young drivers cause 16% of all fatal car accidents in the US.
However, there are many different ways you can help your teen driver as they embark on their driving career to not only put your mind at ease but ensure they are safe too.
Read on for some tips on how to help your teen as a new driver.
Stay Calm
One of the best things when your teen starts driving alone is to stay calm. Whether you are with them or waiting at home. Remember how it felt to be a new driver, and use this to help boost your teen’s confidence. The more faith you have in them and their abilities, the calmer they will be on the road, with or without you. Remember, they have to pass a test and will have all of the basic skills and knowledge they need.
Talk About The Rules
There are driving rules and laws for a reason, and all of them ensure the safety of all road users. As a driver, your teen will now have to adhere to these laws. Keep your discussions out of the car; doing so while driving will only further distract them. Talk about the dangers of driving while under the influence, using a mobile phone when driving, and the number of distractions having passengers can cause. It can be a good idea to talk about their reaction to other drivers and how to react should they encounter road rage or other poor driving habits from other drivers on the road.
Car Maintenance
Maintaining a car is a great responsibility, and as such, having a good mechanic and some knowledge of the internal workings of an engine and components can serve them well in their driving career from teen to old age. A simple but essential step is to talk through all aspects of car maintenance, how their actions will affect the vehicle they are driving, and how safe it is. If your teen knows the common faults of the car they are driving and how to identify when something is wrong, they can call for help and be better prepared for breakdowns or getting repairs fixed quickly.
Car Safety
There is a lot involved in being a safe driver. Your teen needs to be safe on the road, but they also need to be confident that all their passengers and other road users are safe. Some of these issues might not be at the forefront of their minds for teens, especially in those first few weeks or months of driving, from the importance of everyone wearing seatbelts to the distraction of loud music and conversations to speeding and driving appropriately for different weather conditions. It can be a good idea to look into take an advanced driving class to improve their skills or ask them if they want you to ride them when driving after dark for the first time or in wet and windy weather conditions.
Emergency Responses
With nearly 20,000 car crashes daily on the roads in America, there is a high chance your teen may be involved in one at some point in their driving career or witness an accident. Knowing what to do should this occur can give them the tools they need to make the right decisions. From calling emergency services to documenting the scene and contacting their insurance company, these are vital tips they will need to know before an event, not after. Make sure they have all of their documents with them, are up to date with their insurance, have breakdown and recovery services they can contact, and know they can call you anytime in an emergency for help and support, not criticism.
Conclusion
Learning to drive is a rite of passage for many teens, and every driver can remember how it felt to finally get behind the wheel and onto the open road without relying on others to get from A to B. However, as parents, you can help your teen become a better driver by giving them the knowledge you have from your driving experience and the skills and tools they need to be a better and safer driver on the roads.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
Repost
Wordless Wednesday-Flaming Orange
I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday, and I hope to see you soon.
Melinda
Lyme Resources To Help Figure Out Your Next Move
One of the most important things a person with Lyme disease needs is clear, concise information.
Here’s a list of useful resources to get you going in the right direction.
LymeDisease.org is one of the foremost Lyme patient advocacy organizations in the United States. We provide a wealth of information on our website–about ticks, Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Special features include:
Symptom Checklist: Patients can answer a series of questions, print out the filled-in form and take it to their doctor. The printout describes basic facts, explains the two standards of care for Lyme disease, and endorses the ILADS guidelines. It’s a way to help your doctor help you.
Physician Directory: Find a Lyme-literate practitioner near you.
Our blogs keep the Lyme community up to date on news, analysis, and opinion.
Social media. We spread the word via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
Our free weekly email newsletters keep you informed on Lyme-related developments. Click here to sign up.
US National Lyme Online Support Group: Information and emotional support for people dealing with Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.
MyLymeData patient registry: This big data research project allows patients to privately pool information about their Lyme disease experiences. So far, more than 17,000 people have enrolled in the project, providing millions of data points on Lyme disease demographics, tick bites, diagnosis, symptoms, lab tests, co-infections, treatment and quality of life. Add your Lyme data to MyLymeData to help find a cure for Lyme disease.
Children and Lyme disease
Basic info about children with Lyme disease
Gestational Lyme disease LymeHope, a Canadian Lyme advocacy organization, has taken a particular interest in the issue of mother-to-fetus Lyme transmission.
LymeAid4Kids–Financial assistance for Lyme treatment for those under age 21.
Lymelight Foundation–financial assistance for Lyme treatment for children and young adults through age 25.
LivLyme Foundation–Financial grants for children with Lyme disease (under 21).
Mothers Against Lyme–Advocacy and education about congenital and childhood Lyme
Video: Lyme Disease & Pregnancy: State of the Science & Opportunities for Research
Book: When Your Child Has Lyme Disease: A Parent’s Survival Guide by Sandra Berenbaum and Dorothy Kupcha Leland.
Book: Brain Inflamed: Uncovering the Hidden Causes of Anxiety, Depression, and other Mood Disorders in Adolescents and Teens by Dr. Kenneth Bock.
Book: Protecting Your Child From the Child Protection System, by Beth Alison Maloney
Book: Finding Resilience: A Teen’s Journey Through Lyme Disease, by Rachel Leland and Dorothy Kupcha Leland.
Article: Healthy Mom Best Prescription for Healthy Baby (The Lyme Times) (PDF)
Wrightslaw.com–Website with information about Special Education law.
PANS/PANDAS
ASPIRE: The Alliance to Solve PANS and Immune Related Encephalopathies
New England PANS/PANDAS Association
Three books by Beth Alison Maloney: Saving Sammy, Childhood Interrupted: The Complete Guide to PANDAS and PANS, and Protecting Your Child from the Child Protection system (The author of these books is the mother of a child who healed from PANDAS. She is an attorney/advocate for the recognition and treatment of PANS/PANDAS, and advises parents about legal issues related to PANS/PANDAS and other complex medical conditions.)
Ticks
How to protect yourself from ticks
Find the repellent that’s right for you (EPA website)
Help! I’ve gotten a tick bite. Now what?
TickEncounter Resource Center—University of Rhode Island
Tick testing. There are various places to get ticks tested. Here are several: IGeneX, TickCheck, Ticknology, Tick Report
MilTICK—free tick testing and identification service available for ticks removed from Department of Defense (DoD) personnel and their dependents.
Mast cell activation syndrome and food-related issues
MCAS, when your immune system goes haywire
The agony of mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS)
Healing from mast cell activation syndrome
What to eat when you’re allergic to everything?
Severe weather can worsen mast cell activation syndrome
Alpha-gal syndrome
There is growing evidence that certain types of tick bites can trigger alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) a life-threatening allergy to red meat and meat-related products.
Alpha-gal syndrome–symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Other Lyme-related symptoms & issues
Lyme disease can affect the heart in complicated ways
Lyme disease and cognitive impairments
Gastrointestinal manifestations of Lyme
Psychiatric manifestations of Lyme
Medical marijuana and Lyme disease
The dreaded Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction
How Lyme disease can affect your vision
12 ways you can help yourself manage chronic pain
Morgellons
The Charles E. Holman Morgellons Disease Foundation
Morgellons: The legitimization of a disease (book review)
Skin Deep: The Battle Over Morgellons (documentary film)
Treating Lyme disease with disulfiram
What is disulfiram and why does it spark excitement in Lyme community?
Treating psychiatric Lyme symptoms with disulfiram
Co-infections
The Lyme Times Special Issue on Co-infections (PDF)
About Lyme disease co-infections
Mold
Dealing with Lyme disease and mold illness at the same time
Mold Testing Guide (How to test your home for mold)
Your guide to mold in your home
Are you unknowingly ingesting toxic mold?
How to donate blood and tissue for Lyme research
Lyme and pets
Basic information about Lyme and pets
Parasite prevalence maps Educational website includes a US map down to the county level, showing where dogs have tested positive for Lyme, anaplasmosis, erhlichiosis and other diseases. Also, information about protecting your pet from tick-borne diseases.
Companion Animal Parasite Council website has comprehensive information about how to protect your pets from ticks and other parasites.
Books (Treatment, healing modalities, family life)
Brain Inflamed: Uncovering the Hidden Causes of Anxiety, Depression, and Other Mood Disorders in Adolescents and Teens, by Dr. Kenneth Bock
CHRONIC: The Hidden Cause of the Autoimmune Pandemic and How to Get Healthy Again, by Dr. Steven Phillips and Dana Parish
Conquering Lyme Disease: Science Bridges the Great Divide, by Brian A. Fallon, MD, and Jennifer Sotsky, MD
The Deep Places: A Memoir of Illness and Discovery, by Ross Douthat. The New York Times columnist delves into his personal years-long battle with chronic Lyme disease.
Finding Resilience: A Teen’s Journey Through Lyme Disease, by Rachel Leland and Dorothy Kupcha Leland. Based on the journal Rachel kept during the worst years of her illness, with additional insights from her mother, Dorothy.
How can I get better? An Action Plan for Treating Resistant Lyme and Chronic Disease, by Dr. Richard Horowitz
The Lyme Diet, by Dr. Nicola McFadzean. What to eat while healing from Lyme.
Recovery from Lyme Disease: The Integrative Medicine Guide to Diagnosing and Treating Tick-Borne Illness, by Dr. Daniel Kinderlehrer.
TOXIC: Heal Your Body from Mold Toxicity, Lyme Disease, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, and Chronic Environmental Illness, by Dr. Neil Nathan.
When Your Child Has Lyme Disease: A Parent’s Survival Guide by Sandra Berenbaum and Dorothy Kupcha Leland.
Why Can’t I Get Better? Solving the Mystery of Lyme and Chronic Disease, by Dr. Richard Horowitz.
Books (History, Policy, and Science)
Bitten: The Secret History of Lyme Disease and Biological Weapons, by Kris Newby
Cure Unknown: Inside the Lyme Epidemic, by Pamela Weintraub.
Lyme: The First Epidemic of Climate Change, by Mary Beth Pfeiffer.
Film and Video
I’m Not Crazy, I’m sick, Lyme documentary, available on various streaming services.
The Quiet Epidemic, documentary film about chronic Lyme disease, available on various streaming services.
Under Our Skin, award-winning Lyme documentary film.
Under Our Skin 2: Emergence (sequel)
The Red Ring, documentary takes a global look at Lyme disease.
Your Labs Are Normal, feature film based on real-life experiences.
Financial assistance
LymeTAP.com–Lyme Testing Access Program. Financial assistance for Lyme diagnostic testing.
Needymeds.com–Clearing house for information about various kinds of financial assistance for obtaining medication.
Lymelight Foundation–financial assistance for Lyme treatment for children and young adults through age 25.
Lyme Treatment Foundation–financial assistance for Lyme treatment. No age restrictions.
LivLyme Foundation–Financial grants for children with Lyme disease.
LymeAid4Kids—grants for young Lyme patients (up to age 21).
Partner in Lyme—grants for Lyme treatment for residents of Connecticut.
Applying for Social Security benefits for Lyme disease
Outside of the United States
ALCE Asociación de Lyme Crónico España (Spain)
Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation
LymeHope (Canada)
LYRI (Mexico)
Lyme Disease Action (UK)
Lyme Disease Association of Australia
Karl McManus Foundation (Australia)
Association Luxembourgeoise Borréliose de Lyme (Luxembourg)
Onlyme-aktion.org (Germany)
Lymevereniging (Netherlands)
TOUCHED BY LYME is written by Dorothy Kupcha Leland, LymeDisease.org’s Vice-president and Director of Communications. She is co-author of When Your Child Has Lyme Disease: A Parent’s Survival Guide. Contact her at dleland@lymedisease.org .
Melinda
Good Times On The Highway To Hell Part 7
Time has passed and the stories with my brother are becoming less and less, we aren’t children anymore, you can read about my antics instead.
My stepfather was Luthern and he demanded we go to Vacation Bible School. The only bible I owned was given to me by my mother when I was five years old. One at the end of class the teacher put a star in the back. I was so shocked, I don’t know what I did to deserve it but it felt so good the next day I drew my own start next to hers.
I was not musically inclined when it came to singing but I wanted to be in the Middle School plays so bad. The music teacher took pity on me and cast me among the three main dancers. The dress code was dainty white socks which my mother would not buy so I showed up in tube socks. She was kind and found a place in the back row so I could participate. I lost my desire after that.
In high school I carried my camera everywhere I went. One weekend the KKK was marching near we hung out. I went over and took a few photos. My friends were completely freaked out but I wasn’t their target.
Granny was such a rigid do-it-the-book type of personality. One day shortly after getting my license we went shopping and the parking to was very small. I am backing out a tap the car behind me, Granny was a cool cucumber. She said to get out and see if there’s any damage, if not get back in the car and drive home.
At the end of our block was a wooded area that had a creek. We would sneak down there and have the time of our lives. At the deeper end, the kids before us installed a thick rope so you could swing out to the deep end. One of the great features was that those before us carved out a slide out the side of the hill above the creek. It was dry and you had to learn when to lift your but because there was a tree stump.
I was not allowed to drive my car unless it was to school, work, or to take Granny shopping. My friend picked me up and had me drop her off at her boyfriend’s and she would get the car later. I was so nervous that Granny would wake up in the night and see her car which would put me in big trouble. Her car didn’t have power steering and it was a beast to drive.
The way that Rosanna and I became friends was because I was dating her ex-boyfriend. He made some comment trying to make me jealous and I took the bait. I stood outside her classroom and when she arrived I punched her in the eye knocking out her contact. She followed me after school to see if she could drive me home, sure, what discovered about my boyfriend was unbelievable. Needless to say, I broke up the same day.
I was married at 18 years old, and the wedding dress and the whole nine yards. It was August 1st in Texas which means it was sweltering hot. His father had given the Priest extra money to turn on the air conditioner earlier and take the temperature down. I guess that’s too much to ask in August, if you’re not a Catholic you may not appreciate that during the ceremony you spend a lot of time leaning in front of the altar and I still had my veil down. Suddenly I felt dizzy and thought I would fall over, sure enough, I was going down and my soon-to-be husband walked me over to the first row of seats. I was so dignified, I threw my veil away from my face and begged for water. The Priest comes over with a gold chalice full of water and I suddenly feel guilty, I thought only Prest and Pope could drink from them. We finished the ceremony and we had so many laughs after because the whole thing was recorded.
When I met my husband he had a 55-gallon saltwater fish tank. We eventually added some fish and I had my favorite fish, a Puffer Fish. One night I was messing around and decided to try to hand-feed Puffy, David kept saying don’t put your hand in the water or he will bite you. That’s exactly what happened, I freaked took my hand out of the tank, and threw him on the floor. By now he is distressed and puffed out to full potential. David got him in the net but he couldn’t come until have chilled, then he swam out. I didn’t try that one again.
Melinda
April Awareness Months
April includes many important topics that need more awareness. The complete list is available by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page.
Earth Month
Alcohol Awareness Month
Autism Acceptance Month
National Cancer Control Month
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
National Counseling Awareness Month
National Minority Health Month
National Parkinson’s Awareness Month
Paralyzed Veterans Across America Month
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
Stress Awareness Month
Testicular Cancer Awareness Month
Melinda
Reference:
https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/april-awareness-days-months
Daily Quote
Melinda
LGBTQ-Community Resources In America
LGBTQ+ Community
National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs: A coalition of programs that document and advocate for victims of anti-LGBT and anti-HIV/AIDS violence/harassment, domestic violence, sexual assault, police misconduct and other forms of victimization. Site has a list of local anti-violence programs and publications. Hotline: 212.714.1141
- The Trevor Project: Help and suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth. Hotline: 866.488.7386
- GLBT National Hotline: Call center that refers to over 15,000 resources across the country that support LGBTQ individuals. Hotline: 888.THE.GLNH (843.4564) pen pals, weekly LQB and T chatrooms for youth
- Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Issues in Counseling: Directory of LGBT-friendly mental health specialists across the United States. Specialists listed are verified members of AGLBTIC, a division of the American Counseling Association.
- FORGE (For Ourselves: Reworking Gender Expression): Home to the Transgender Sexual Violence Project. Provides services and publishes research for transgender persons experiencing violence and their loved ones.
- Arrowpassage.com
- Compass Recovery
- Concise Recovery
LGBTQ+ Therapist Directories
- AGLP: The Association of LGBTQ+ Psychiatrists has been advocating on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community for more than 40 years. You can search for a psychiatrist in your area using the organization’s Referrals page, even filtering the results by gender identity and race.
- The Gay Therapy Center is a community of highly qualified LGBTQ+ therapists. You can schedule a free 15-minute consultation, which will help match you with a therapist for individual or couples counseling, either in office or online.
- The National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network is committed to “advancing healing justice by transforming mental health for queer and trans POC,” according to its website. The mental health directory allows you to search for a practitioner in your area.
- Pride Counseling is an online therapy tool for the LGBTQ+ community. Fill out a survey, and you’ll be matched with a licensed therapist, whom you can communicate with via phone, video, and messaging.
- Inclusive Therapists helps connect marginalized communities with culturally competent care. Search for a therapist near you – filtering by specialty, insurances accepted, and more – or complete a form to be matched with a therapist based on your needs.
LGBTQ+ Mental Health Information and Support
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness summarizes the unique challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community and provides a list of resources, as well as a step-by-step guide for finding the right therapist.
- The LGBT National Help Center offers free and confidential peer support for LGBTQ+ youth, including hotlines, chat rooms, and a database of local resources.
- The Human Rights Campaign has a list of mental health resources for queer and trans BIPOC, including questions to ask when trying to find an identity-affirming therapist.
- The Trevor Project is the “world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ young people,” according to its website. Counselors are available 24/7, and you can also make connections using TrevorSpace, an online international community for LGBTQ+ young people ages 13-24.
- The National Center For Transgender Equality advocates for policies that signal a deeper understanding and acceptance of trans folks. The organization offers a number of resources, including information on how to access health care and simple ways to take action.
- Trans Lifeline offers emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis. All operators are trans or nonbinary, and law enforcement or emergency services will only be called at your request.
To see the complete list of resources click here.
Melinda
Friday Quote
Thank you for joining me for this week’s Friday Quote.
Melinda
#Weekend Music Share-Carrie Underwood and Steven Tyler – Undo It_Walk This Way
This is such a fun video. I love Aerosmith and he is so talented. Let’s dance!
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m glad you joined me for another edition of Weekend Music Share this week.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
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 use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
How Can You Maintain Your Mental Health When You Have A Stressful Job?
If you have a stressful job, you might find that your mental health is taking quite a beating every now and then. The good news is that there are things that you can do to maintain your mental health even when you have a stressful job so that you don’t find yourself so close to burnout all of the time. Now, you might think this isn’t possible, but we can assure you it is. In this article, we’ll be talking about some of the ways you can succeed in doing this, so keep reading if you would like to find out more.
Ensure You Have A Job You Like
First, it helps if you ensure you have a job you like. If you’re constantly trying to manage your mental health but you’re stuck in a job that you hate, then this is going to make things harder. Stress can be handled, but the fact that you hate your job on top of this is going to make everything worse, and it’s going to make it more difficult to come out of the other side.
So, the first thing you should do is move into a job that you like. Even if you’re out there locking down mortgage protection leads, as long as you like it, you’re going to have a much better chance of maintaining your mental health in the long term. This will reduce the amount of stress that you feel already, as you will be happier in what you are doing!
Learn Some Calming Techniques
Another thing that we recommend is that you learn some calming techniques. You want to look into things like breathing exercises so that you can step away from the situation when things start to become overwhelming. When this happens, it helps if you remind yourself of the things that make you happy, think about them, and bring some calm into your life. Stress can only be combated by calm, anything else is going to make it worse.
It might even be worth speaking to someone about how you are feeling as they may have some more suggestions on what you can do.
Don’t Stress Yourself Out Too Much
Last but not least, we know that it’s hard, but try not to stress yourself out too much. There’s a difference between working hard and spreading yourself too thin. Our recommendation is to find someone that you can look up to in your industry like Paul Ognibene in real estate development and look into their path to success. If you can plan out a course of action on how to get to where you want to be, you may find yourself becoming less stressed and more focused.
We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you can do to maintain your mental health when you have a stressful job. You can keep a hold on your mental health without having to give up your job, helping you to live the best life possible! We wish you the very best of luck with this and hope that you see success in trying out these things.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
Repost
Mental Health Resources In America
Mental Health Resources
Addiction Rehab Treatment.com/mental-health/depression/
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
International Bipolar Foundation
National Institute of Mental Health
National SuicidePreventionLifeline.org
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Press 1, Veterans Crisis Line USA
Press 2, Se Habla Español
LifeLine Chat
CrisisTextLine.org
Text 741-741
Facebook.com/CrisisTextLine
TheTrevorProject.org (LGBTQ Youth)
1-866-488-7386 (24/7/365)
TrevorChat (7 days/week from 3PM–10PM ET / noon–3PM PT)
TrevorText — text START to 678-678 (Mon–Fri, 3PM–10PM ET / noon–3PM PT)
Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (BBRFoundation.org): Awards grants for scientific research. Keep up to date on latest research
International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF.org): Bipolar research. Care and support resources for individuals and caregivers. Erase stigma through education.
MentalHealth.gov: US government mental health resources and information.
MentalHealthAmerica.net (MHA): Address needs of those living with mental illness. Promote mental health.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI.org): Build better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH.nih.gov): Federal agency for research on mental disorders.
NeedyMeds.org: 1-800-503-6897. Educates and empowers those seeking affordable healthcare.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA.gov): Reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.
To see the complete list of resources click here.
Melinda
Addiction Resources In America
Addiction Resources
Local Non Profit Addiction Treatment Directory
Addiction Center.com Find Rehab Clinics In Your Area
Recovery.Org Find Addiction Treatment Near You
Rehab Centers Nation Wide (Insurance Specific)
Help Guide.org – Addiction Information
Drug Abuse Resources for Parents
SMART Recovery.Org – Self Management and Recovery Training
To see the complete list of resources check out Organizations That Can Help.
Melinda
Wordless Wednesday-Christmas Catus?
I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.
I have only heard of Thanksgiving and Christmas Catus but mine is starting to bud and have flowers in March. The flowers are beautiful but it’s so confusing why it’s blooming now.
Melinda
Elder Care Resources In America
Elder Care
- National Institute on Aging (NIA)
- Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA)
- Eldercare Locator
- AgingCare
- National Caregivers Library
- NextAvenue
- Administration for Community Living (ACL)
- Next Step in Care
- Caring.com
- Caregiver Action Network (CAN)
- Ageless Alliance: United Against Elder Abuse
- Commission on Law and Aging, American Bar Association
- Minnesota Elder Justice Center
- National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-term Care (formerly NCCNHR)
- Splaine Consulting
- retireguide.com/medicare/
For a complete list of resources visit Organizations That Can Help.
Melinda
Blogger Highlight-Taking Each Day Free
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, we highlight Taking Each Day Free. Liz’s writing is inspiring, and will leave you wanting more.
Taking Each Day Free
My name is Liz and I have been blogging a good number of years, whether its using the WordPress or Blogger platform.
I decided to write this blog, to share some of my life journeys.
Taking each day as it comes is the only way I can tackle life and it has been this way for some time. Each day I am free to do as I please. I have no one to answer to, but myself. So hence the title of this blog, “Taking Each Day Free.”
Liz has had a long and difficult journey to getting a cochlear implant.
For my cochlear implant, everything is under the tag “My-Cochlear-Implant-Journey. At the moment, I don’t have my CT scan results. So until I have those, I don’t know if it will still be happening. It all depends on my CT scan results.
I have added the link below for my tag link:
https://takingeachdayfree.wordpress.com/tag/my-cochlear-implant-journey/
Questions I asked Liz
M. How has blogging changed your life?
L. I have been blogging for much longer than the years, writing my current blog. But it’s always served the same purpose:
• Being therapeutic
For keeping in touch with friends near and far.
M. What is your favorite post and why?
L. My favourite post is a hard one to pick. But I think my favourite post is one I wrote this year, “What makes you feel good?” This one is my favourite post because it serves as a reminder to me what things I need to keep doing that make me feel good both physically and mentally, along with my other physical exercises I do that I have mentioned in other posts.
https://takingeachdayfree.wordpress.com/2025/02/12/what-makes-you-feel-good/
Be sure to stop by Liz’s blog, say hello and enjoy reading her archives.
Melinda
lookingforthelight.blog 