Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month
National Autism Awareness Month
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
National Donate Life Month
National Minority Health Month
National Parkinson’s Awareness Month
National Public Health Week (April 1- 7)
National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (April 10)
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Month
No doubt April has many important awareness days and they are worth checking out.
The month of May looks full of Awareness Days.
Melinda
I say to myself, where did the Easter Bunny tradition start? How did the Holy Day of Easter become commercialized? How many children have no idea what the meaning of the Easter Celebrations is?
There are no egg hunts in the Bible because the Holy Day is about Jesus. I participated in egg hunts as a kid but I knew it was a Celebration of Jesus. My granny read to me from her Bible and I would go to church with anyone on our street who asked me. I didn’t dig deep into the Bible until I was 14 years old and converted to another religion.
Commercialization annoys me.
Here’s what I found out about the history of the Easter Bunny.
It is debated by scholars, one thought is that it began in the 16th century and others believe it was during the 18th century that the tradition started. They were big community celebrations no doubt but were not related to Easter.
The easiest way to help your kids is to teach them about the meaning of the Easter Celebration, without mentioning Egg Hunts. If kids were taught from the youngest age about Easter and other traditions that happen at the same time.
I am sick of seeing ads for Easter Egg Hunting.
I’m sending my best wishes to everyone who celebrates Easter as a Christian Holy Day.
Melinda
In the Spring and Summer bees have a smorgasbord of flowers to choose from in my backyard.
Melinda
Original post from 2014
In this social media world, kids form ideas of what is right and wrong. They learn from The Nons as I call them. People you think you know from social media may not be who they are. They are not your friends, I don’t think many long-term relationships start here. The reality is that kids’ self-esteem is affected by bullying especially online, which can be nasty.
I was bullied, it started in 6th grade when a rumor was started saying I said something negative about my friend’s cliff palate. Of course, it wasn’t true but that’s how some bullying starts. I was harassed walking home from school and got hit in the back of my head with a coke bottle. I was teased about braces at 12 years old, and the antics continued until I moved to my father’s which meant another school. In eighth grade, I wasn’t bullied. I learned from prior experiences and how to hold my shoulders back.
Social Media is scary to me because many people look at people and say how are skinny and have to do the same. This is where low self-esteem can start. Then sometimes they forget the influencers and they make money on every click Worse yet there are still too many pornographic posts across all platforms.
Children make impressions from day one and share positive language and affirmations. Many people are lonely and looking to make friends, fake friends I remind you. The HUGE problem is you have no idea of the motives of a stranger. I have seen what teens will do.
Teens who are reading and talking, talking trash yourself. They are blinded and don’t realize they’re in trouble or possibly worse.
It’s a total crap shoot and that is why parents have to set hard rules for all kid’s time on the phone, take their fun away, and monitor their computer usage and read some text. After that y
This documentary explores America’s teen-bullying epidemic. Millions of kids are relentlessly demeaned and physically attacked at school every day. Parents of victims and educators say that a change must take place and everyone can help. Below is a list of resources to help stop bullying and cyberbullying.
The Bully Project, and ‘Billy’ Movie: The documentary film that sparked a nationwide movement to stop bullying offers stories of those who were bullies and resources for parents, teachers, kids, and communities on how to deal with and stop bullies on their website. “Bully,” which follows the lives of five U.S. students who faced bullying daily at school, including two who committed suicide as a result, will be in theaters on March 30, 2012.
A resource website sponsored by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services that addresses the warning signs of bullying, how to talk about bullies, how to report bullies and cyberbullying and offers a 24-hour help hotline for victims at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Teens Against Bullying: Specifically created to help teens learn about bullying, how to appropriately respond to it, and how to prevent it.
Kids Against Bullying: This was specifically created to help elementary school children learn about bullying, how to appropriately respond to it, and how to prevent it.
STOMP Out Bullying!: A national anti-bullying and cyberbullying program for kids and teens.
National Youth Advocacy Coalition: An advocacy organization for young people.
Trevor Project: A national organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,and questioning youth. They also offer the Trevor Lifeline, a 24-hour, national crisis and suicide prevention hotline for LGBTQ youth. The number is 1-866-4-U-Trevor.
PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center: Offers resources for how to teach kids of all ages about bullying, state laws and what parents can do if their child is being bullied, and peer advocacy groups.
Education.com: Bullying at School and Online: A resource for both teachers and parents on how to help a bullied child.
Teaching Tolerance: Bullying: Offers guidelines and activities for teachers to help teach students K-12 about bullies.
The Human Rights Campaign’s Welcoming Schools Guide: A guide to help school administrators, educators, and parents or caring adults make sure that their elementary schools welcome all students and families. Targeted at addressing family diversity, gender stereotyping, and name-calling in K-5th grades.
GLSEN, Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network: Works with school officials to ensure that transgender, gay, and lesbian students are not harassed or bullied.
Family Acceptance Project: Launched out of the Marian Wright Edelman Institute at San Francisco State University, this organization works to decrease major health and related risks for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth.
I hope the recourses are of help.
Melinda
Melinda
Field Guide by Stampington
This post is really more of a celebration of my Fibromyalgia staying under control or flare’s have been lighter. This year my other health issues have taken center stage, and I was lucky to avoid a total flare.
Some days I wake in a fog, I don’t fight it and go lie down. How productive is staring at a computer screen or out the back window? I’m more forgiving of myself now and know I’m blessed to be able to focus on my health. I can’t imagine how hard it is to have Fibromyalgia, or any chronic illness, and work, care for kids, or other family matters. My hat’s off to those who manage daily life.
Don’t overdo it!
I have Bursitis in both hips and receive steroid shots to manage the pain. The shots start to wear off in two months but I have to wait until the three-month mark. This is when my hip pain elevates, and having a flare on top of is excruciating. Some days it’s hard to walk, especially the stairs, these are the days my husband jumps in to help me manage the day.
I send well wishes to everyone who has Fibromyalgia, remember towmorrow is a new day.
You’re not alone and talking to someone could change the mood of your day.
Melinda
The family cookbook contains recipes, my Gramps & Granny used often and is the type of food I grew up on. Good ole Southern food like my Gramps dumplings, to Grannie’s pecan pie.
9 x 13-inch baking pan
1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
1 can Cherry Pie Filling
1 yellow cake mix
1 cup pecans
Butter a 9 x 13-inch baking pan
Add pineapples, cherry pie filling, and yellow cake mix
Combine well.
Spread evenly over the fruit
Melt a stick of butter and pour over the dry cake mix
Sprinkle 1 cup pecans over the top
Bake at 350 degrees for about one hour
Enjoy!
Melinda
Originally posted in 2010
Each day was a roller coaster of how he felt and how exhausted I was. I learned so much being a caregiver to my grandmother and grandfather. As the population ages, many of you will take on the responsibility. One of the most difficult changes was going from granddaughter to caregiver. Even at 92 my grandfather had a strong mind and felt he didn’t need help. I prayed for strength every day.
My grandfather died in 2010 at the young age of 92 years old. I spent more time with him in 2010 year than I spent at home. I cherish the time we had together, no matter how painful. They are my memories and my life changed forever with his death. His health declined so fast that for two days
I did not realize that he was dying now, not in a couple of weeks. He was at home under hospice care and would not get in the hospital bed until two days before he passed. He fell out of bed that morning, he was so weak it was difficult for me to get him back in bed. I don’t think we would have been able to talk him into moving to the hospital bed if he had not fallen. For him the bed meant death and he was still fighting.
My grandfather had End Stage Kidney Disease. An emergency trip to the hospital for his AFIB is how we learned he had about two months to live. We knew his kidneys were losing function but I was not ready for a timeline. His doctor had not given me that impression on a recent visit so I asked her to review the hospital records. I was not surprised but very saddened that she agreed with the prognosis. It took a couple weeks for my grandfather to believe the doctors were right. Kidney failure is a silent killer and luckily for some, it is not a painful one. You start sleeping more until you sleep yourself into a coma.
I arrived on Sunday afternoon after two days of relief of duty and he didn’t look any different. Monday morning I knew he was out of it by the things he was saying but thought it was a bad day. Tuesday I knew he was weak when he fell out of bed and felt like dead weight. It took everything in me to get him back in bed.
My grandfather died on Thursday. What the doctors did not tell me is the older the patients die faster. The end came weeks sooner than we thought. I’m so thankful that my grandfather and I had time together to say what we wanted to say, cry about the loss, and enjoy the memories. I have no regrets.
Cleaning out the house was so hard, years of memories were everywhere. My grandmother left notes on everything, it was like mourning her death as I found each note. Notes on the back of photos, on little pieces of paper, and even on masking tape. I knew all the notes were there, we had looked at them many times but it was different this time. Everything was packed up this time and the house cleared out. My grandparents raised me so I’ve lost my parents, they were the best you could ever pray for. The house is empty but I see my life in every room, the great memories with my grandparents are everywhere you look. I am starting a new chapter in my life. It’s a long journey ahead.
Xx M
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 the blog of Grace of the Sun.
My true intention
is to share,
what brings me joy
because I care.
If what you see
brings on a smile,
then follow me
read for a while.
We have followed each other for the past year, probably more. Her words flow and are soothing. You must check out her blog and read for a while.
Melinda
The family cookbook contains recipes, my Gramps & Granny used often and is the type of food I grew up on. Good ole Southern food like my Gramps dumplings, to Grannies pecan pie.
It’s super easy to make and the rewards are high.
2 cups sugar
1 cup margarine
4 eggs
2 1/2 TSP. vanilla
1 cup Butter Milk
3 cups flour
1/2 TSP soda
1 TSP salt
Like many recipes, they are old and faded and my Granny made items enough that she didn’t add instructions. This is one of the recipes. I’ll try to read her mind.
In a large bowl add sugar and margarine
Mix eggs beaten well
Add vanilla, buttermilk and salt
Add flour and soda
Combine all ingredients
Cook at 350 degrees for 1 hour to 1 1/2
I winged it on the instructions, if you’ve been backing a long time it might make sense to you. If it tastes bad you can say it’s because it had no instructions.
Cooking is fun!
Melinda
The family cookbook contains recipes, my Gramps & Granny used often and is the type of food I grew up on. Good ole Southern food like my Gramps dumplings, to Grannies pecan pie.
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 TBS Cocoa
2 TBS butter or margarine
1/4 cup milk
1 TBS light corn syrup
Dash of salt
1/2 to 3/4 cup confectioners sugar
1 TSP vanilla
Mix sugar and cocoa in a saucepan
Add buttermilk, milk, corn syrup and salt
Heat to boiling, stirring frequently
Boil vigorously for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally
Cool and beat in confectioners’ sugar and vanilla
I love chocolate everything and Granny’s frosting was always so creamy.
Enjoy!
Melinda
The family cookbook contains recipes, my Gramps & Granny used often and is the type of food I grew up on. Good ole Southern food like my Gramps dumplings, to Grannies pecan pie.
1 1/2 cup sugar
3 TBS. flour
1 1/2 milk
1 stick butter
8 oz bag angel flake coconut
1 TSP vanilla
1 cup chopped nuts
Bring to a boil, add the butter and angel flake coconut
Cook on low heat for 7 minutes or until thick
Add vanilla, chopped nuts
Cool and frost cake.
This is one of my favorite types of cake. She would make it for my birthday.
Melinda
So glad you stopped by and I hope to see you soon.
Melinda
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m so glad you’ve joined me this week for another edition of Weekend Music Share.
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.
Originally posted in 2005
My grandmother passed away from Dementia from two strokes in 2005. I’m reposting for the caregivers dealing with a loved one with Alzheimer’s or Dementia. For those who have not been a caregiver, these posts may help you down the road. For the caregivers who give every ounce of energy, just one piece of advice if I may. Take time to clear your head, 10 or 30 minutes whatever you can for yourself each week. I did not have anyone to offer suggestions and had a brain drain after both of their deaths. My body was physically broken down. Due to the nature of the illness, it’s hard to take an eye off them, 24/7. I was fortunate we had hospice care for both of my grandparents. My grandfather was healthy enough to help my grandmother.
As the caregiver for my grandparents, my hands are full yet my mind runs at a high level by switching to what I call “caregiver mode”. I can manage tons of information about what drugs they take, schedule appointments, discuss test results, or anything else needed to take care of two people who are dying and “switch back” when at home.
Before her fall and a broken hip, my grandmother knew me. Our conversations were limited but sharing memories with her made my day. She really enjoyed a photo book I put together with many photos of her beloved dog, Blackie. Thinking about Blackie always made her smile, even though he died twenty years ago she remembers him like it was today.
On the way to their house, last week tears started rolling down my face, I could not stop crying. It took a few minutes to figure out what was causing so much pain. My mind had switched to caregiver mode from granddaughter and realized my grandmother no longer knew me. We would not share our memories again. I knew the day would come and say prayers for the memories we shared. The realization was much harder to accept. I am in mourning and miss my grandmother so much.
Xx M aka Warrior
April 1 is Fool’s Day, and boy do I remember the pranks we did when I was younger.
A disputed association between 1 April and foolishness is in Geoffrey Chaucer‘s The Canterbury Tales (1392).[3] In the “Nun’s Priest’s Tale.
Italy, France, Belgium, and French-speaking areas of Switzerland and Canada
In Italy, France, Belgium and French-speaking areas of Switzerland and Canada, the 1 April tradition is often known as “April fish” (poisson d’avril in French, april vis in Dutch or pesce d’aprile in Italian). Possible pranks include attempting to attach a paper fish to the victim’s back without being noticed. This fish feature is prominently present on many late 19th- to early 20th-century French April Fools’ Day postcards. Many newspapers also spread a false story on April Fish Day, and a subtle reference to a fish is sometimes given as a clue to the fact that it is an April Fools’ prank.[citation needed] Boulangeries, pâtisseries and chocolatiers in France sell chocolate fishes in their shop windows on the day.[20]
Poland (Prima aprilis)
In Poland, prima April (“First April” in Latin) as a day of pranks is a centuries-long tradition. It is a day when many pranks are played: sometimes very sophisticated hoaxes are prepared by people, media (which often cooperate to make the “information” more credible), and even public institutions. Serious activities are usually avoided; every word said on 1 April could be untrue. The conviction for this is so strong that the Polish anti-Turkish alliance with Leopold I, signed on 1 April 1683, was backdated to 31 March.[22] However, for some in Poland prima April ends at noon of 1 April and prima April jokes after that hour are considered inappropriate and not classy.
A common prank is to carefully remove the cream from an Oreo and replace it with toothpaste, and there are many similar pranks that replace an object (usually food) with another object that looks like the object but tastes different such as replacing sugar with salt and vanilla frosting with sour cream. As well as people playing pranks on one another on April Fools’ Day, elaborate pranks have appeared on radio and television stations, newspapers, and websites, and have been performed by large corporations. In one famous prank in 1957, the BBC broadcast a film in their Panorama current affairs series purporting to show Swiss farmers picking freshly-grown spaghetti, in what they called the Swiss spaghetti harvest. The BBC was soon flooded with requests to purchase a spaghetti plant, forcing them to declare the film a hoax on the news the next day.[31]
I love how the celebrations are so interesting.
Melinda
References:
The family cookbook contains recipes, my Granny & Gramps used often and is the type of food I grew up on. Good ole Southern food like my Gramps dumplings, to Grannies pecan pie.
The candy tastes great and it’s so easy to make. Don’t think about the calories as you eat.
1 jar marshmallow cream
1 1/2 cups sugar
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1/4 TSP salt
1 pkg 12oz semi-sweet chocolate pieces
1 TSP vanilla
1 cup pecans
Combine marshmallow cream, sugar, evaporated milk, butter, and salt in a 2-quart saucepan
Bring to a full boil, string constantly
Continue to boil over medium heat string constantly for 5 minutes
Remove from heat, stir in chocolate pieces and vanilla
Beat well and put in pecans
Put in a greased 8″ cake pan
Chill in refrigerator and cut into squares
Melinda
I believe self-confidence starts with good parenting, not the ones who are on the phone the entire evening. Parents show how important their kids are when they attend all the plays, musicals, and ballet practices.
I built mine by taking the smallest job, the job no one wants, and doing the job without complaint. Your actions will be noticed and your confidence grows.
Admit when I am wrong, and move on. You have to get out of your comfort zone to grow. I joined a wine club and even met a couple of clients there. From there I went to museums and took a few night school classes. I stayed focused on the goal and knew I wanted to achieve it. My confidence grew a little at a time.
So many successful people credit their sense of self and their confidence to their success. But not many people really explain how to build confidence, or how to become confident. It’s tricky, because confidence is built on different things, but overall it is built on choices and accomplishments that feed your passion, and that make you feel happy and proud of who you are. Discovering these things is one of the most worthwhile pursuits of your life according to Forbes.
Melinda
References:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/francesbridges/2017/07/21/10-ways-to-build-confidence/?sh=6d24cac3c594
You have changed my life by filling it with joy every day. I want to say Thank You! Over the years, I have met so many interesting people and blogs. I Thank every country that reads my post.
Many of you have followed me for years, you’re very special.
Thank you for joining my journey and sharing yours.
Melinda
Red, White, and Blue are the colors of the Australian Flag.
Melinda
Melinda
The family cookbook contains recipes, my Gramps & Granny used often and is the type of food I grew up on. Good ole Southern food like my Gramps dumplings, to Grannies pecan pie.
2 TB butter
2 eggs
1 cup pecans
Flaked coconut
1 cup sugar
1 cup chopped dates
2 cups Rice Krispies
Melt butter in skillet
Add sugar, eggs, dates, and mix
Cool until it thickens
Add pecans and Rice Krispies
Make into balls and roll in coconuts or pecans
Grease your hands before rolling the balls.
If you like dates, you’ll love these.
Melinda
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 the blog of Prasenjeet Gautam Photography.
Prasenjeet Gautam is a notable, famous Indian and global photographer who has garnered recognition for his diverse archives of work spanning various photographic sectors. With a multifaceted approach to his craft, Prasenjeet Gautam has established himself as not only a photographer but also a blogger, editor, entrepreneur, image analyst, and teacher. Read More
Prasejeet shares detailed instructions on how to take the different types of shots, and he has taken many. He is down to earth, loves his family, and photography. Be sure to look at his archives, some of his photos blow me away.
Melinda
For me, it’s making a cup of coffee.
Melinda
The family cookbook contains recipes, my Gramps & Granny used often and is the type of food I grew up on. Good ole Southern food like my Gramps dumplings, to Grannies pecan pie.
This recipe is a keeper! My brother and I would beg Granny to make it.
1 can condensed milk
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup peanut chips
2 cups tiny marshmallows
2 cups chopped nuts
Stir and melt chips and milk over medium heat, don’t scorch
Stir all the time and fold in marshmallows and nuts
Spread on buttered oblong pan and cool.
This is worth forgetting about the calorie count.
Melinda
The family cookbook contains recipes, my Gramps & Granny used often and is the type of food I grew up on. Good ole Southern food like my Gramps dumplings, to Grannies pecan pie.
Another winner from my Granny, she’s the cake and candy chef.
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/4 ts salt
6 tbsp flour
2 cups milk
2 egg yolks
2 heaping TB of cocoa
1 ts vanilla
1 unbaked pie crust
Mix sugar, flour, cocoa, and salt together and mix well
Add milk and eggs
Blend in cocoa
Add milk and stir well
Beat eggs and add to the mixture
Stir the mixture slowly and stir the whole time until it gets thicks
Pour mixture into unbaked pie crust
Add vanilla either before or after
This is a fantastic and easy-to-make pie.
Melinda
I wasn’t interested in reading until my boarding school counselor gave me several books to read including Man Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. The book is a game changer.
The book was given to me at 13 years old and what sticks in my mind is how he survived the Holocaust Concentration Camps. He is a very strong man and is a great example of how we can take control of our lives.
Melinda
Willow & Sage by Stampington
Funnel
2 cups of distilled water
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup isopropyl alcohol/rubbing alcohol
1 tsp arrowroot powder
10 drops of lemon essential oil
Glass spray bottle, 16oz
Using a funnel, add all ingredients to a glass spray bottle and shack to combine
Shack the bottle before each use because the arrowroot powder settles to the bottom
Use newspaper to clean windows and mirrors
This is an easy way to be kinder to the earth.
Melinda
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m so glad you’ve joined me this week for another edition of Weekend Music Share.
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.
So glad you stopped by and I hope to see you soon.
Melinda
Looking for the Light 