Don’t forget to check out free college courses.
Melinda
Reference:
Field Guide by Stampington
Old Federal Building in Washington, D.C.
Melinda
I’m not selling anything, just sharing my journey. There are so many DIET plans on the Internet, choose wisely. Losing weight is a long-term commitment with ups and downs.
I started my journey after being weighed at a doctor’s office. WOW, what a shock! I have lost 40 pounds in the last 14 months.
At first, I did not count calories and focused on reducing my eating. Now I’m down to one piece of pizza, unlike the three pieces in the past. I eat almost everything he eats in much smaller pieces. I have a calorie amount in my head and work with that number but I’m not too strict on myself. I eat 2-4 pieces of small caramel chocolate squares, 2 squares if I’m on the top limit of calories, and 4 if I am under the calories for the day. I love sweets so much that I allow myself a cookie or cupcake a month.
Due to the calories, I found some rootbeer and sparkling flavored water, drinking a rootbeer once or twice a week. Everything else has very few calories. I drink lots of water right before eating and you will eat less. I drink 60-70 oz of water a day.
My weight stalled at 20 lbs and it felt like forever but the weight started to go lower and I’ve settled with 40 lbs. lost. I’m happy where I am, now it’s buying new clothes to fit.
My weight loss is not based on eating healthy, no salads, carrots, or any other item that will feel like a diet. I do eat a salad sometimes, and eat a piece of salmon each week, and eat yogurt several times each week.
I weighed myself every day, now mostly at the doctor’s office. Don’t worry about gaining 3-5 pounds as long as your weight goes back down. If not check the calories of what you’re eating. Remember pizza and other items are full of salt and will add water weight.
My concussion is better but still has a hold on me and my brain fog. I hope the post flows correctly and makes sense. :)
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 Run Away Widow.
Join me, Kristin, on my journey to adjust to the sudden death of my husband and learn to live as a young, middle-aged, remarried widow.
Mike was killed in August 2015. After the police investigation fades, details of the ‘accident’ become suspicious. When the medical examiner determines the cause of death is HOMICIDE, I hire a team of investigators and lawyers to discover what really happened that night.
I started writing my blog during the summer when I ran away to avoid my first wedding anniversary without my husband as well as the one year anniversary of his passing. I fled around the world to Thailand.
Her site is a joy to read.
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, I hope to see you again soon.
Melinda
Melinda
Repost from 2009
We learned my gramps had months to live during a hospital stay. One very important piece of information the doctor did not share is people his age die much quicker. My gramps died in February 2010. We knew the end was near yet you were never ready. For me, times were challenging and emotions raw. You look at your loved one knowing they are dying yet you don’t want them to know you see death when you look at them. My gramps had Prostate Cancer, Bladder Cancer, and Chronic Kidney Failure. His breathing labored from not getting enough oxygen in the blood. Partially brought on by not using his oxygen. Kidney Failure caused severe anemia, and he took shots once a month to help with energy.
*******************
December 2009
I’ve been caring for my 92-year-old grandfather for five weeks following three surgeries within seven days. I’m so tired it’s numbing. My grandfather is a man of habits driven by the time of day, maybe from his military background. One morning he was upset when the hospital had not brought his coffee and could not see he was the problem. We’re in a hospital, not the Hilton. At home, it was far worse. It does not matter that I have changed the sheets again this morning, changed his soiled underpants more than once, and got him dressed for the day. If the coffee is not ready when he expects it or I don’t have the newspaper yet, I hear about it. My grandparents raised me and I love my grandfather dearly but it’s hard to bite my tongue. I want to ask if doesn’t he realize or care that I’ve been moving since 5:00 a.m. to take care of him.
At 92 he lives at home alone, still drives (very limited), and goes to the local Senior Center several times a week to play dominos. He amazes me with each year. He is the healthiest dying person I know and in his mind, he is much younger and more capable. This makes it impossible for him to understand recovery will take several more weeks at least. I catch him doing things he shouldn’t and I get the standard “I can do it”. He also acts like a child when he doesn’t want to do something, most of the time it’s taking his medicine or getting up to move around.
I push him gently but firmly to get up and move around. Laying in bed or sleeping in the chair all day will not improve his strength. He does not like being told what to do. You learn what you’re made of in stressful times. Our minds and bodies can withstand so much to help someone we love. All I know is tomorrow is a new day.
I grew up in their house and it feels strange to stay in my old bedroom at 46. The house built in 1950, is in the hood, has no dishwasher, internet, or privacy. I am going crazy without my internet escape. I’m in the twilight zone, washing dishes by hand three times a day, and the room is the same as it was when I left home in 1981.
Tomorrow is a new day.
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 Dawn Pisturino’s Blog.
Hello,
I am a retired registered nurse in Arizona with a B.S. in Natural Health. My publishing credits include poems, limericks, short stories, and articles. Every writer undergoes a unique and wonderful journey. Let me share mine with you.
Official Author website (desktop or laptop work best): http://www.dawnpisturino.org
Member of Mystery Writers of America, Arizona Authors Association, and The Black List.
AAA author page: http://www.arizonaauthors.org/members/dawn-pisturino
My poem, Nature’s Child, won Honorable Mention in the Arizona Authors Association 2022 Literary Contest.
Enjoy the journey.
Melinda
In this fast-paced social media world, it can be difficult to find the time to look within or back in time. I hope you find these quotes and questions interesting. So glad you stopped by today!
Happy New Year! I pray you’re surrounded by friends, family and good food. As I understand it, Rosh Hashanah starts the New Year and many rituals follow back to the bible.
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, I hope to see you again soon.
Melinda
Do you want to make sure that your aging parents are being taken care of? If so then this is the guide for you. Here you will find out what steps you can take to protect those who you love, today.
The first thing you need to do is know the signs of trouble. If you are a caregiver, then you have to remember that there is a limit to what you can do alone. The best thing you can do is reach out for help. Keep an eye on your loved one’s health and their living conditions. It may be that they are no longer able to keep up with activities, such as bathing, walking, cooking or even cleaning. If you notice a drastic change in your loved one’s living environment, for example, if things become cluttered or dangerous then this can also signify that something is wrong. With that in mind, taking care of yourself is also very important. If you feel angry or irritable all the time or if you are losing sleep over things then this is a sign that you are overwhelming yourself. If you want to protect your loved one even more, consider looking at our team page from Montana Elder Law.
As a loving caregiver, it is all too easy for you to devote all of your time and attention to the ones you are actively trying to support. At times, you may find that it is too easy to overlook your health along the way. Don’t let your standard of health suffer. Be sure to check in with yourself and your family so you can make sure that everyone is feeling good. Drink lots of water, make time to exercise, and also talk to someone if you need it.
If you are a caregiver then it’s easy for you to feel as though the weight of the world is resting on your shoulders. This is especially the case if you are part of the sandwich generation. This generation often finds that they are looking after younger and older people at the same time. It is very natural for you to want to fill up your schedule and take care of everyone. That being said, you need to cut yourself some slack sometimes. As you build out your calendar, make sure that you have enough time for yourself and that you are giving your body a chance to rest and recharge, free from stress.
In this day and age, there are all kinds of ways that you can put tech to work and make things way easier for yourself going forward. Add cameras and home security features if you want to keep your loved one safe when you are not home, and give your senior relative an alert button. If you do this then you give them the chance to alert an authority if something happens. Use a group chat too, so you can talk about your loved one with your sibling or other caregivers.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
Melinda
The number of people with chronic pain grows daily, and pain medication is hard to find in stock or doctors have stopped writing prescriptions due to the DEA. It’s a difficult time to have chronic pain, there are stories of people with cancer or other painful diseases being denied pain medication, It’s heartbreaking.
I have not taken Percocet for 3 years, It wasn’t an intentional choice, it was the choice of my doctor. I wasn’t in enough pain for him. Pain Doctors can be very strict due to the DEA breathing down their neck.
I’m not going to tell you about pain, you already know. I want to pass on a few tips about Pain Doctors.
The DEA is on a war path against pain medication (all controlled substances), and in the process has scared many doctors to no longer write prescriptions for their patients or have very strict rules you need to understand.
Taking pain medication long-term will require patience, compliance, and frustration. Appointments with your pain doctor are a top priority, do not miss an appointment. Call after if you have to but call the office right away and talk to the Office Manager. Most Pain Doctors have a contract saying you will do certain things and will not do certain things. In the contract, it could say two missed appointments and you’re fired. Read the contract!
If this is your first pain doctor, work hard to keep the relationship healthy, every time you change Pain Doctors it’s notated in your medical records. The more Pain Doctors you see, you run the risk of being labeled as a drug seeker.
When talking to your doctor always focus on the pain areas and other issues related. Don’t ask about medication, say instead, I’m hoping you can help me. Again, this is a measure to not be called a drug seeker.
Don’t complain about waiting or staff with the doctor, calmly talk with the Office Manager. They pull a ton of weight and are good to be friends with.
You can expect to give a urine sample every month or possibly every three, whatever the doctor decides.
The DEA will not allow pharmacies to fill certain medications, including pain meds until you’re down to your last pills, so expect to see your doctor every month to get a new prescription. It’s a crazy world. Do say what medication you pick up, just your name and how many prescriptions you have. Sad to say but someone may have a better idea of what to do with the meds. I know this sounds dramatic but have you watched the news this week?
My next tidbit will sound strange. I recommend keeping a backstock in case you are fired and left without medication. This happened to me and I was glad to have backstock to help ease the withdrawal. When it’s time to take your medication, ask yourself, do I really need it or all of it. If you can skip it, then put it in a bottle for the what-ifs. Always fill your prescription on time even if you have pills left, the leftovers can go to backstock.
I get addicted quickly to pain meds and the withdrawal is tough. Don’t deny yourself medication, at the same time, it’s tough to go cold turkey. That’s why I have a backstock. It goes without saying, don’t tell your doctor what you’re doing!
BEWARE! If you have constant pain and have not received relief from medication, the doctor may mention a Spine Stimulator. STOP!!!!! You can let them check your insurance coverage if you’re curious, but decide later. This medical device needs your research because the results are all over the board. Read until you are satisfied.
I had a bad fall over the weekend and the post was written with concussion fog. I apologize if it doesn’t flow.
I’m hoping you have many pain-free days.
Melinda
Stress is a major thorn in the side for many people. While it is natural and beneficial in certain scenarios, chronic stress is very unhealthy. It can have negative effects on your physical and mental health. If you are regularly hampered by stress and anxiety, it’s important to address it. Failing to acknowledge continuous stress can trigger further problems.
Before taking action to combat stress, it’s important to acknowledge what it actually is. Stress is one of the body’s natural defense mechanisms. In times of danger, people generally react through a fight-or-flight response. Your mind and body recognize the danger and get prepared for you to either fight or flight.
When you’re body goes into fight or flight mode, it is in a state of stress. Your senses are heightened, your alertness and focus are peaked, and your energy leaves are fueled by adrenaline. While this is beneficial in times of true peril, stress does not add value to your life in most scenarios.
If you suffer from unnecessary stress, you should find some ways to manage it. With this in mind, here are four tips for avoiding unnecessary stress in life.
Exercise is a natural stress reliever. It provides a mental escape and keeps your body physically fit. During exercise, the human body produces endorphins. These have a tremendous impact on your mood and work wonders in battling stress. A natural release of endorphins can also help you sleep better, further reducing stress levels.
Make an effort to stay active as much as possible. Rhythmic exercises such as walking, biking, or running are particularly beneficial as they produce a meditative effect.
Time management is key when you live a busy lifestyle. Failing to effectively manage your regular workload can lead to long-term and chronic stress. At times when you’re under serious pressure, organization, and time management can guide you.
One of the best ways to get on top of time management is to schedule. Different scheduling styles work for different people. Some work best with extremely detailed plans, while others work best with more vague to-do lists.
Find out what you’re best suited to and start to manage your time more efficiently.
In the technological era, there are countless manipulative scams out there that prey on the vulnerable. Having confidential information or money stolen from you can leave you in a financial predicament. What’s more, it can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety.
Do some research on how to prevent this from happening. DTSS reviews banking fraud and scams and is a great informational resource to consider.
Mindfulness revolves around centering your mind and being present in the moment. This helps detach your mind from unnecessary stress and it relieves your consciousness of clutter, bringing clarity to your mental state.
Practicing mindful techniques such as meditation and yoga can work wonders for reducing stress. There is a myriad of free online guides to help get you started. Meditation apps are a great way to get into a routine, as they have a number of guided sessions.
This is a collaborative post.
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 Jay’s Sandbox.
A place for my million-mile-per-hour thoughts
Chris Ryan’s work has been translated into over twenty languages, and appeared just about everywhere, including Netflix, HBO, MSNBC, Fox News, CNN, NPR, The New York Times, The Times of London, Playboy, The Washington Post, Time, Newsweek, National Geographic, and The Atlantic. Chris has been a featured speaker at TED, SXSW, The Festival of Dangerous Ideas at the Sydney Opera House, the Portland Comedy Festival, the Einstein Forum in Pottsdam, Germany, and is a frequent guest on The Joe Rogan Experience, the Duncan Trussell Family Hour and many other podcasts. He’s provided expert testimony in a Canadian constitutional hearing, won a coveted AVN award (best non-sex performance, Marriage 2.0) and popped-up in dozens of documentary films and television shows.
Even before co-authoring the New York Times best-seller, Sex at Dawn: How We Mate, Why We Stray, and What it Means for Modern Relationships with Cacilda Jethá, MD in 2010, Chris was on a wild ride.
His blog is sweet on the eyes and full of great content. Check out his blog, it’s a must-see.
Melinda
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m so glad you’ve joined me this week for another edition of Weekend Music Share.
https://youtu.be/zg21Rkew874?si=mcLCV4mQ450MSNEu
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, I hope to see you again soon.
Melinda
Melinda
Hi,
I hope you are happy and healthy. The Awareness Days listed are for America. You would be shocked if you saw how many days are observed in the UK. September is a busy month for Awareness Days and maybe even get you to the doctor.
Blood Cancer Awareness Month
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Healthy Aging ® Month
National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
National Cholesterol Education Month
National Sickle Cell Month
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Pain Awareness Month
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
World Alzheimer’s Month
Melinda
References:
Happy Labor Day! In 1882 work life was very different than today. Think of the computer/phone users today, they don’t need a union but work conditions in 1882 were deplorable, working outrageous hours, and the list goes on.
I respect every person who participated and spoke about their needs. Your voice made a difference and still does in 2023.
It’s because of the people
I had forgotten the walk-out was union-driven. No posturing on their part? Only the most dangerous jobs need a union. Unions get their money first, and no they don’t care about you. As you can tell I don’t believe in unions. A Starbucks upstate went union, WFT!
Let’s share a toast to the workers who walked off their jobs with no pay. That’s true commitment. Their actions on September 5, 1882, sparked the laws we work under today.
Have an awesome day.
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 The Amethyst Lamb.
I’m a 29-year-old child advocate/social worker. I’m also a certified yoga teacher. I’m vegan and I love animals and nature. I mostly post poetry on my blog, but I also draw and am working on some stickers right now
Be sure to check out her interesting blog and say hi!
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, I hope to see you again soon.
Melinda
I want to send a special thanks to Communications Director Nassia Bitha for sending me a host of Vital Field Frequencells to try. Today I’m writing about the Sleep Frequencell and I’m excited to share with you my experience.
This post contains affiliate links that earn me a small commission to help cover my coffee habit.
The cumulative expert knowledge and the science of using precisely targeted frequencies for health management and pain management are now, for the first time in history, available to end-users worldwide.
Vital Field applications don’t replace or compete with traditional medicine or conventional treatment methods. They are intended to provide an alternative treatment for pain and health when conventional methods fail to provide significant results on their own.
With zero negative side effects reported and over 80% reported satisfaction from customers, we are confident in offering a full money-back guarantee if our product does not work for you.
Since Vitalfield products are safe, natural, non-invasive, and non-chemical, you have nothing to lose by using their line of products. I am 100% confident in the technology and the complete line of products.
The Sleep Frequencell needs to be placed on the first vertebra on your back and only wear it overnight. I’m starting tonight and look forward to sharing the results in a few days.
The first night I felt the relaxing properties shortly after taping on which reduced my stress and helped me sleep deeply. The more nights I used the Sleep Frequencell the better it worked.
A couple of minutes after the Sleep Frequencell is in place you don’t even feel that it’s there. Vital Field includes tape to use with each Frequencell and you can purchase more from Vital Field or use another type of kinetic tape.
I love Vital Field’s innovative natural approach to designing each product which can be used over and over. Unlike traditional medicine, you don’t feel the cell working, but you see the results.
I’ve done several reviews for Vital Field products and have not been disappointed yet. I encourage everyone to check out the product line and purchase the Frequencells that fit your health needs.
You can find more information on all Frequencell’s here
I’m thrilled to find a product that works naturally and not have to take a sleeping pill.
Melinda
lookingforthelight.blog 