Daily Writing Prompt

January 26, 2026 Looking for the Light2 Comments

Daily writing prompt

Write about a few of your favorite family traditions.

I went to live with my grandparents at 14 and my gramps was a year from retirement. Why would grandparents take on a 14 year old wild child a year before the freedom of retirement. WHY? Unconditional love.

Like all families, we have our issues yet that doesn’t stop us from getting together, mostly during the holidays and birthdays. My granny would cook enough for the neighborhood, not literally but everyone took goodies home with them.

My favorite tradition from childhood is going to a mexican restaurant with my grandparents and brother because they had a flag on your table to use when you wanted more food. My brother wore the flag out every time we went.

David and I have created a few traditions of our own, mostly holiday traditions. On Christmas Eve we eat a wide variety of cheeses, hard meats, olives, fresh rolls and a French Tart. We open our gifts after eating and kick back to relax after all that eating.

On Christmas morning David makes pancakes, another longstanding holiday tradition. He spends most of the day watching football until it’s time to start dinner. It’s much easier when you only have two people to plan for. Dinner is traditional with a spiraled backed ham, sweet potato, rolls and another desert!

selective focus photography of man preparing food beside smiling women and kids — Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

Traditions can start or change at any time. I love my grandparents with my whole heart but that doesn’t mean I have to continue it.

I’m thinking of a tray of cheese, hard meats and a hot roll right now. :)

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Family · Future Planning · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

What Do First Time Home Renovators Wish They’d Known?

January 26, 2026 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

Home renovation is an exhilarating, frustrating, emotional, challenging, and often addictive process. The journey of seeing a house go from unloved wreck to home of your dreams is a feeling quite unlike anything else. Getting there can be quite the ride, but you may find that you love the end result so much you’re soon itching for your next big project. There are many reasons to renovate an older home. Generally speaking, you can get much more for your money and it may enable you to buy a bigger plot or in a nicer area that would normally have been just out of your budget. If the property is liveable, you can then give yourself some extra time to save up the money needed for construction work.

It can also prove a good investment – if you buy at the right price and are able to make the renovation budget work, and you don’t overdevelop the property when it comes time to sell hopefully you will have made a profit. It’s also a chance to design and develop a home exactly as you want it, specific to all your own needs and preferences. There are a lot of plus points to renovating your first home.

On the other hand, being prepared is everything, or first-time renovation projects can be quite a shock. The expense, noise, mess, unexpected problems, and missed deadlines can be enough to put some people off for life. So how do you get ready for renovation if you’ve never done it before? And what do more experienced home renovators wish they had known before their first project?

It may not be very romantic to hear, but everything within your project is driven by one factor: budget. There’s no denying the extensively redeveloping property is hugely expensive, so understanding from the outset exactly what your renovation budget is, and estimating realistically are vital. After all, no one wants to run out of cash part way through a building project. It’s quite likely you may have to scale back some of your expectations, especially on a first project, when you’re unlikely to have huge cash reserves to fall back on. Plan out the projects you want to do in phases, in order of how urgent they are.

You may have to wait a while between phases if you need to save up more money or secure a loan for the building works. Keep a close eye on the budget during the project and remember that the small things can be expensive and quickly add up. Decide in advance what features of the renovation are an absolute deal-breaker for you, and what you will be prepared to compromise on if you have to. Always create a contingency fund. It’s likely that there may be unforeseen issues that pop up during the course of the project – especially with older properties – that you haven’t budgeted for, so this margin could save you. You may find yourself having to pay for additional structural work, new electrics, or even things like local pest control. And if by some miracle, you don’t spend it, it can be spare cash to spend on the final decorative touches. Remember that it is possible to save money on a home renovation.

Learning to DIY some of the slightly easier bits yourself can be very cost-effective, so jobs such as painting, adding skirting, etc are all easy wins. Shop around for everything, from equipment hire to kitchens, to get the best price, and consider what preloved elements you could either reuse from the original property or source elsewhere.

Get The Layout Right

The key to a successful renovation is to find a new layout that works. You will either be working within the original floorplan of the house, but with the option to remove and add walls and reconfigure the space – or you may be extending your home to add on additional space. You’ll be surprised what the right layout change can do to transform both the feel and the usability of a property – for example, opening up a maze of little rooms to form a free-flowing, open-plan space. If you do want to keep smaller rooms, there are lots of tricks to make them appear more spacious, from the clever placement of mirrors to dressing the windows so that they look taller and choosing paint techniques that make the room look bigger.

It’s a time in your life you will always remember, so be prepared, do your research and embrace the chaos – your ideal home is now within reach.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Repost

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

Daily Writing Prompt

January 22, 2026 Looking for the Light1 Comment

Daily writing prompt

If you could make your pet understand one thing, what would it be?

View all responses

To potty on the potty pads and not somewhere else, like my husbands bathroom. Griffy is totally laid back until she wants a snack. Jet’s close to the same size and is calm until he thinks it’s time of a snack ot petting.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Family · Fun · Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Granny (1921-2005)

January 18, 2026January 19, 2026 Looking for the Light9 Comments

I would love to sit down for a few days with my Granny asking questions about growing up poor and how hard the challenges were after her father died.

Granny went crossed-eyed at nive years old right before her father died in 1930, leaving them penniless. But sheer will kept you going even when your husband left you with a one-year-old to raise.

You never complained, just kept your mouth shut.

You never raised your voice at me.

You only asked me for help once, to come over to fix the curtains in the room like I did the day before. Gramps couldn’t do it right that day.

Your boundaries were in cement, don’t break them.

Being raised by your Grandparents gives you a different view, like any generational change.

I learned working hard is the way to work regardless of the job or pay, you do your best.

The little sneaky things you did for me that Gramps didn’t know about.

One of my favorite memories was when I acted like her wheelchair was a race car while at the mall. Making car noises and laughing at the same time. The smile on our faces was priceless.

I admire you for having the strongest backbone and finding a way to survive when you couldn’t drive. You were committed to Gramps and I, there’s not great feeling than true love.

I think about you every day.

We had so much fun even if you were being sneaky.

Melinda

Repost because this post hit a special spot for me.

Cooking · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

What are Glutens and how to start a Gluten-Free Lifestyle

January 12, 2026 Looking for the Light4 Comments

It’s important to understand what glutens are and where to look for in order to establish a gluten-free lifestyle. As more people are diagnosed gluten intolerant more pre-made products will become available making choices much easier. I plan to write a number of post on the Gluten-Free lifestyle in the coming months. Below is a short list of items and ingredients you can eat. The Information is taken from Gluten Freedom by Alessio Fasano, MD. Founder and Director of the Center for Celiac Research at Massachusetts General Hospital Harvard Medical School. Melinda

Gluten is found in common foods such as breads, cereals, baked goods, and pasta. Because it’s used in processed foods as an additive or preservative, gluten is also found in a wide variety of foods and nonfood items from prescription medications to Play-Doh. If you are the food shopper in the family, you must learn to read labels very carefully to comply with gluten-free diet.

Things you can eat on the Gluten-Free Diet

Gluten-Free Grains, Flours, Seeds and Starches

Amaranth
Arrowroot
Buckwheat
Cassava
Corn
Flaxseed
Nut Flours
Millet
Montina
Gluten-Free Oats
Quinoa
Rice
Sago
Sorghum
Tapioca
Teff
Wild rice

Safe Ingredients List

Vinegar except malt vinegar
Distilled alcohol
Carmel color
Citric acid
Spices
Monosodium glutamate
Maltodextrin
Mono- and diglycerides
Artificial flavor and color
Natural flavor and color

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Family · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Moving Forward

The Future Is Behind The Door

January 9, 2026 Looking for the Light3 Comments

The seller accepted our offer over the weekend! During the closing period you find yourself filling out a ton of paperwork and making phone calls, yet every step counts.

Melinda

Family · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health

3M Agrees to Pay $10.3B in Settlement of Lawsuits Claiming ‘Forever Chemicals’ Contaminate Drinking Water

January 7, 2026 Looking for the Light3 Comments

The settlement will help public water systems across the U.S. detect and remove PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” which are linked to serious health issues

The corporation 3M has reached a settlement to resolve lawsuits that claimed it contaminated water supplies in the U.S. with toxic “forever chemicals.”

The company — based in Paul, Minnesota — announced on Thursday that it had agreed to pay up to $10.3 billion over 13 years to fund public water suppliers that have detected or will detect these chemicals in their drinking water, according to the New York Times.

The chemicals in question are polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) which are used to make coatings that repel water, grease, and oil and are present in many common items, such as cosmetics, nonstick pans, and water-resistant productions.

PFAS are called “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily in the environment or in the human body.

According to CNN, 3M has been to court many times in the last twenty years over PFAS-related health issues. Cancer, liver damage, and developmental defects are among conditions linked to forever chemicals. The lawsuits allege that 3M knew PFAS caused harm and failed to warn the public or regulators about the risks.

As reported by the New York Times, 3M chairman and CEO Mike Roman said in a statement that his company would stop producing PFAS in the next two and a half years, and that they ceased the manufacturing of two types of PFAS — PFOA and PFOS — two decades ago.

“This is an important step forward for 3M, which builds on our actions that include our announced exit of PFOA and PFOS manufacturing more than 20 years ago, our more recent investments in state-of-the-art water filtration technology in our chemical manufacturing operations, and our announcement that we will exit all PFAS manufacturing by the end of 2025,” he said.

However, CBS News reported that 3M insists the settlement “is not an admission of liability” and “3M is prepared to continue to defend itself” if the agreement is not approved by a judge.

According to Reuters, Scott Summy — an attorney for the water systems suing 3M — stated, “We have reached the largest drinking water settlement in American history, which will be used to help filter PFAS from drinking water that is served to the public. The result is that millions of Americans will have healthier lives without PFAS in their drinking water.”

The settlement comes after three other companies — Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva — agreed to pay more than $1 billion earlier this month to settle similar lawsuits over PFAS contamination.

Melinda

Reference:

https://people.com/3m-agrees-to-pay-10-billion-settlement-forever-chemicals-7552793

Children · Communicating · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Internet Good/Bad · Mental Health

Why Kids And Teens May Face More Anxiety Far More These Days: A Must Read For All Parents

January 6, 2026 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

When it comes to treating anxiety in children and teens, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook are the bane of therapists’ work.“With (social media), it’s all about the self-image — who’s ‘liking’ them, who’s watching them, who clicked on their picture,” said Marco Grados, associate professor of psychiatry and clinical director of child and adolescent psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Hospital. “Everything can turn into something negative … [K]ids are exposed to that day after day, and it’s not good for them.”

Anxiety, not depression, is the leading mental health issue among American youths, and clinicians and research both suggest it is rising. The latest study was published in April in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. Based on data collected from the National Survey of Children’s Health for ages 6 to 17, researchers found a 20 percent increase in diagnoses of anxiety between 2007 and 2012. (The rate of depression over that same time period ticked up 0.2 percent.)Philip Kendall, director of the Child and Adolescent Anxiety Disorders Clinic at Temple University and a practicing psychologist, was not surprised by the results and applauded the study for its “big picture” approach.

“There is definitely a rise in the identification of kids with serious anxiety,” he said. They are “growing up in an environment of volatility, where schools have lockdowns, where there are wars across borders. We used to have high confidence in our environment — now we have an environment that anticipates catastrophe.”

The data on anxiety among 18- and 19-year-olds is even starker. Since 1985, the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA has been asking incoming college freshmen if they “felt overwhelmed” by all they had to do. The first year, 18 percent replied yes. By 2000, that climbed to 28 percent. By 2016, to nearly 41 percent.

The same pattern is clear when comparing modern-day teens to those of their grandparents’ or great-grandparents’ era. One of the oldest surveys in assessing personality traits and psychopathology is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, which dates to the Great Depression and remains in use today. When Jean Twenge, a professor of psychology at San Diego State University, looked at the MMPI responses from more than 77,500 high school and college students over the decades, she found that five times as many students in 2007 “surpassed thresholds” in more than one mental health category than they did in 1938. Anxiety and depression were six times more common.

Statistics on anxiety in children and younger adolescents aren’t easy to come by. The study published last month was based on the National Survey of Children’s Health, which the researchers noted “is the only national data source to evaluate the presence of anxiety and depression on a regular basis.” The findings were limited, though, and relied on the reports of parents and guardians as to whether a health-care professional had ever told them their child was suffering from one of those conditions.

Those responding yes were asked to describe the level of both anxiety and depression in their children: 10.7 percent said their child’s depression was severe, and 15.2 percent who listed their child’s anxiety at that level.

Among the study’s other findings: Anxiety and depression were more commonly found among white and non-Hispanic children, and children with anxiety or depression were more likely than their peers to be obese. The researchers acknowledge that the survey method — parents reporting what they were told by their child’s doctor — likely skewed the results.

Grados often identifies anxiety in the children and adolescents he sees as part of his clinical practice in Baltimore. “I have a wide range [of patients], take all insurances, do inpatients, day hospital, outpatients, and see anxiety across all strata,” he said.

The causes of that anxiety also include classroom pressures, according to Grados. “Now we’re measuring everything,” he said. “School is putting so much pressure on them with the competitiveness … I’ve seen eighth graders admitted as inpatients, saying they have to choose a career!”

Yet even one of the latest study’s authors acknowledges that it can be difficult to tease out the truth about the rise in anxiety.

“If you look at past studies,” said John T. Walkup, chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, “you don’t know if the conditions themselves are increasing or clinicians are making the diagnosis more frequently due to advocacy or public health efforts.”

Nearly a third of all adolescents ages 13 to 18 will experience an anxiety disorder during their lifetime, according to the National Institutes of Health, with the incidence among girls (38.0 percent) far outpacing that among boys (26.1 percent).

Identifying anxiety in kids and getting them help is paramount, according to clinicians. “Anxiety can be an early stage of other conditions,” Grados said. “Bipolar, schizophrenia later in life can initially manifest as anxiety.”

For all these reasons, Kendall said, increased awareness is welcome.

“If you look at the history of child mental health problems,” he said, “we knew about delinquency at the beginning of the 20th century, autism was diagnosed in the 1940s, teenage depression in the mid-’80s. Anxiety is really coming late to the game.”

Melinda

Reference:

Amy Ellis Nutt covers neuroscience and mental health for The Washington Post. She won the Pulitzer Prize in feature writing in 2011 and previously worked at the Star-Ledger in Newark, NJ and Sports Illustrated.

Follow @amyellisnutt

Celebrate Life · Chronic Illness · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health

National Blood Donor Month: Save A Life

January 6, 2026 Looking for the Light1 Comment

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. It is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. Whether a patient receives whole blood, red cells, platelets or plasma, this lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation. The statitics are only for America, think of the tremendous need around the world. It’s a privilege as an American to give blood and pallets to save anothers life. What if you or your family needed blood? You would pray there would be enough blood supply.

Facts About Blood Needs

Every 2 seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood and or platelets.
Approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the U. S.
Nearly 5,000 units of platelets and 6.500 units of plasma are needed daily in the U.S.
Nearly 16 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S.
Sickle cell disease affects 90,000 to 100,000 people in the U.S. About 1,000 babies are born with the disease each year. Sickle cell patients can require blood transfusions throughout their lives.
The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 units.
A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood.
Blood and platelets cannot be manufactured; they can only come from volunteer donors.
The blood type most often requested by hospitals is type O.
One donation can help save more than one life.
According to the American Cancer Society, more than 1.9 million people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2023. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.

Blood Supply Statistics

The Red Cross provides about 40% of our nation’s blood and blood components, all from generous volunteer donors. But supply can’t always meet demand because only about 3% of age-eligible people donate blood yearly. Each new donor helps us meet patient needs.

Each year, an estimated 6.8 million people in the U.S. donate blood.
13.6 million units of whole blood and red blood cells are collected in the U.S. in a year.
About 45% of people in the U.S. have Group O (positive or negative) blood; the proportion is higher among Hispanics (57%) and African Americans (51%).
Type O negative red cells can be given to patients of all blood types. Because only 7% of people in the U.S. are type O negative, it’s always in great demand and often in short supply.
Type AB plasma can be transfused to patients of all blood types. Since only 4% of people in the U.S. have type AB blood, this plasma is usually in short supply.
Red blood cells must be used within 42 days (or less).
Platelets must be used within just 5 days.

Giving blood on a regular basis helps keep people alive and platelets are essential for people diaognosed with Leukemia and Sickle Cell patients who require blood transfusions throught their life. Making a blood donation is easy and doesn’t take long, if you give pallets it only takes two hours out of your day. Also if you have O negative blood, your blood is needed more than ever because it’s a rare blood type.

Melinda

References:

https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/how-blood-donations-help/blood-needs-blood-supply.html

Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Family · Fun · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

January 4, 2026January 4, 2026 Looking for the Light3 Comments

Daily writing prompt

What is the greatest gift someone could give you?

View all responses

What would be the greatest gift? WOW, that is a big question however true love and committment are the greatest gifts for me. I’ve been fortunate to have received expensive gifts and small simple gifts and honestly they both made me happy but love can’t be bought.

I’ve been married 23 years and everyday my husband shows me he loves me in little ways that make me feel joy inside. Sometimes, like for Christmas this year he bought me a couple of small Swarovski Crystal trinkets including an ornament for 2025. He is the only person to buy me the trinkets and it’s been at least 15 years since he purchased the last one, it was quite a surprise.

Love is all a we need!

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Family · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Recalls

Major Farm Issues Egg Recall Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

January 1, 2026 Looking for the Light3 Comments

Consumers are encouraged to dispose of any contaminated food products immediately

Residents in Sacramento and Davis, Calif., may want to check the eggs in their fridge following a recall from a local distributor.

According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Veg Farms, based in Dixon, Calif., issued a recall on Friday, Dec. 5, due to the potential of Salmonella contamination.

12-count cartons and 30-count flats of eggs with sell-by dates of Dec. 22 and earlier, or Julian dates of 328 and earlier are affected by the recall. Contaminated products with a handler code of 2136 were shipped to both restaurants and farmers’ markets.

A Veg Farms spokesperson confirmed with local news outlet KCRA3 that the company’s processing equipment contaminated the roughly 1,515 dozen eggs, not the farm’s flock of chickens.

Veg Farms stated that it disposed of all of the product from the affected store locations. The company also encourages any consumers who have purchased the eggs to throw them away immediately.

According to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), symptoms of Salmonella infection can include stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, headache, nausea and vomiting. While most cases may resolve without medical treatment within a few days, the illness can be more serious (and potentially fatal) for infants, senior adults, people with weakened immune systems and individuals living with sickle cell disease.

This is only one of the many recalls reported this year due to potential Salmonella infection. Earlier this month, Wegmans, a popular regional grocery store, recalled two types of mixed nuts.

While the company didn’t specify where the Salmonella contamination originated, it’s important to read labels, wash hands and dispose of potentially affected food items to avoid any bodily harm.

Melinda

Reference:

https://people.com/california-farm-issues-egg-recall-due-to-potential-salmonella-contamination-11865038

Celebrate Life · Family · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Moving Forward

We’re Starting Off 2026 With A Bang

December 30, 2025 Looking for the Light9 Comments

We have spent 23 years building our finances around living comfortably in retirement and beyond and buying a new house. David retired last April, our house is paid for and we have no debt, just as we planned and saved for.

Yesterday we made an offer on our first house and now David is pulling all the financing together for a mid-February move-in date. I am so in love with the house and have dreamt of living in a one-story without a pool for the longest time.

The seller accepting our offer is just the start. We plan to move into new house, then upgrade our house and sell it. This will be a longer process but I’m screaming inside with excitement.

I’ll give an update if the offer is accepted. We went in with a low offer because it’s been on the market for over a year and no one is living there. The market is down and continuing to go down in our area. Now is the time to buy before the market swings upward.

Melinda :)

Celebrate Life · Family · Fun · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

December 29, 2025 Looking for the Light4 Comments

Daily writing prompt

If you started a sports team, what would the colors and mascot be?

View all responses

That’s a great question because I’m not into sports. I watch a tiny bit of football or golf with my husband on occasion but not a fan of any. I do appreciate the great play’s in any sport, that is the excitement of the games.

Of the college & professional football teams, most mascot’s are boring. I would chose an animal like a leopard, koala, or a marine animal and a color combination that works best for the animal. If I had the ability to make the decision, I would teaming up with an appropriate charity or conservation organization with a percentage of money from each game, or concessions to make a difference and educate the public with out having it crammed down their throat.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Cooking · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Recalls

More Than 60,000 Lbs. of Chicken Recalled Nationwide Due to an ‘Undeclared Allergen’: Here’s What You Need to Know

December 28, 2025 Looking for the Light1 Comment

The product should be thrown away and not consumed, per the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)

A food production company in Georgia has issued a nationwide recall for more than 60,000 lbs. of chicken that was shipped to restaurants across the United States.

The company, called Suzanna’s Kitchen, issued the recall on “approximately 62,550 pounds” of its eight-piece cut, fully-cooked, bone-in breaded chicken product “due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen,” per the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The product contains soy, which is a known allergen, but it is not listed on the label, per FSIS.

The chicken was produced on Oct. 16, 2025, and has case code “P-1380 126237 B30851 23:11 K04” printed on the side of the packaging. It is shipped in 18 lb. cases containing four units.

FSIS is currently “concerned that some product may be in restaurant refrigerators or freezers,” and restaurants are urged to throw the chicken away should they have it, per the recall.

FSIS first became aware of the contamination when they were alerted to the issue by Suzanna’s Kitchen, which realized some of the chicken had been mislabeled, per the recall statement.

Melinda

Reference:

https://people.com/more-than-60000-lbs-chicken-recalled-nationwide-what-you-need-to-know-11868792

Celebrate Life · Family · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Holiday

Have A Blessed Christmas

December 25, 2025 Looking for the Light5 Comments

Growing up I couldn’t wait to arrive at my Grandparent’s house for Christmas. My Granny would go over the top with food and sweets. We opened our presents on Christmas Day. They usually bought lots of clothes. I still have all of their ornaments, they are frail, and I don’t use them but I have them to look at and bring back old memories.

Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the son of God. Please take a minute to think of the reason for the season.

Around 12 years old

Have a blessed Christmas, I hope you have family and friends to celebrate with and enjoy a good meal by starting with thanks to God for sending his only son who died for our sins..

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Family · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Holiday · Music

Let’s Celebrate The Holiday Season With Music

December 24, 2025 Looking for the Light8 Comments

Trisha Yearwood – “Christmas Time Is Here”

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Family · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Holiday

Christmas Eve Traditions

December 24, 2025 Looking for the Light6 Comments

Growing up our family didn’t have any traditions, we just waiting for Santa. If we were celebrating Christams with my Grandparents and the holiday fell during the week, Gramps had to work and we had to wait all day until he came home from work, it felt like forever.

At 27, I decided to make Christmas Eve a celebration as well. Presents were opened in the early evening followed by a table full of hard meats, cheeses, crackers, olives and desert. For me it was an evening to make special memories more centered on relationships, walks down memory lane, expressing joy and love.

On Christmaas we have a full meal focused on the birth of Jesus and how blessed we are.

What are your Christmas Eve traditions? I love to hear all the ways people celebrate.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Holiday

Let’s Celebrate The Holiday Season With Music

December 23, 2025 Looking for the Light2 Comments

NSYNC – Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays (Official HD Video)

Melinda

Children · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Recalls

Nationwide Recall Issued for Thousands of Crayola-Branded Toys Due to Risk of Death or Injury to Children

December 21, 2025 Looking for the Light2 Comments

Around 9,400 of CreateOn’s Crayola-branded pip-cubes have been recalled

This story has been updated to reflect that the manufacturer of the recalled toys is CreateOn, not Crayola. The recalled pip-cubes were Crayola-branded, a representative for Crayola confirmed to PEOPLE.

A recall has been issued for toys that could potentially kill or injure children.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced in a news release on Thursday, Dec. 4, that CreateOn’s Crayola-branded pip-cubes are being recalled after “posing an ingestion hazard to children.”

Around 9,400 units of the toy product are affected, according to the CPSC, as they contain magnetic building cubes “that can become loose if the seams separate.”

CreateOn Recalls Pip-Cubes Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Magnet Ingestion Hazard

“When high-powered magnets are swallowed, the ingested magnets can attract to each other, or other metal objects, and become lodged in the digestive system,” the CPSC said.

This potential hazard can cause perforations, twisting or blockage of the intestines, blood poisoning and death, according to the organization.

The recalled pip-cube sets sold for around $20 at Michael’s Stores across the U.S. and online at Michaels.com and Amazon.com from May to July.

The affected products were sold in sets of 24 or 27 “Bold Colors” packs containing red, green, blue and yellow cubes, and “Glitter “packs containing purple, pink, blue and green cubes.

The brand name “Crayola” is imprinted on the left side of each cube. The model/UPC numbers of the recalled toys can be found on the bottom of the product packaging, according to the CPSC.

Consumers are being advised to “immediately stop using the recalled magnetic building cubes” and return the product using a pre-paid label provided by CreateOn. Replacement pip-cubes are also being offered.

Melinda

Reference:

https://people.com/recall-issued-for-thousands-of-crayola-branded-toys-due-to-risk-of-death-injury-to-children-11863557

Cooking · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Recalls

Hidden Valley Ranch Recalled Due to ‘Foreign Objects’ Inside — Here’s How to See Which Bottles Are Affected

December 21, 2025December 21, 2025 Looking for the Light4 Comments

Another recall! Maybe it’s time to grow our own food and make everything from scratch.

Costco, which was among the impacted retailers, previously issued a warning in November

Thousands of cases of salad dressing have been recalled following concerns that a “foreign object” could be inside.

In a newly released exposure report from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the federal agency announced that 3,556 cases of various salad dressings from Ventura Foods had been affected in multiple states across the country.

The California-based company warned the public that “foreign objects (black plastic planting material) in granulated onion” might be found inside its products.

The alert was assigned a Class II label, which refers to “a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”

Impacted condiments include Creamy Poblano Avocado Ranch Dressing and Dip, Ventura Caesar Dressing, Pepper Mill Regal Caesar Dressing, Pepper Mill Creamy Caesar Dressing and Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch.

Two Caesar dressings specifically sold at Costco are also impacted.

“Costco and Ventura foods are announcing the recall of select Sell By dates of Item #19927 Caesar Salad and Item #11444 Chicken Sandwich w/ Caesar Salad due to the possible presence of plastic foreign material in the salad dressing of the items,” the brands said in a joint statement in November.

After sharing the “sell by” dates of the affected products, customers were urged to “Please stop eating the product and return the item to your local Costco for a full refund.”

In the most recent recall, the FDA said Ventura Foods had distributed the products to seven retail customers across 42 locations.

Affected states include: Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

Melinda

Reference:

https://people.com/hidden-valley-ranch-recalled-due-to-foreign-objects-inside-here-is-how-to-see-which-bottles-are-affected-11871847

Family · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Recalls

Holiday Chocolate Bark Sold at Aldi Recalled amid Warning Products May Cause ‘Serious or Life-Threatening’ Symptoms

December 18, 2025 Looking for the Light4 Comments

BEWARE, THE PRODUCT CONTAINS NUTS

Food allergies cause 2,000 hospitalizations and 150 deaths in the U.S. annually

Holiday chocolate sold at Aldi recalled - Choceur Cookie Butter Holiday Bark Choceur Cranberry & Cinnamon Holiday Bark

Holiday chocolate sold at Aldi stores across the U.S. have been recalled.

Silvestri Sweets Inc. announced a voluntary recall of its 5-ounce bags of Choceur-branded Holiday Barks sold at the stores, as it may contain “undeclared allergens,” according to a release from the Federal Drug Administration (FDA).

Silvestri Sweets Inc. said the recall was initiated after it was discovered that the Pecan, Cranberry & Cinnamon Holiday Bark had been packaged in Cookie Butter Holiday Bark packages and vice versa.

A subsequent investigation by the company indicated the problem may have been caused by a “temporary breakdown in the company’s production and packaging process.”

Due to the mixup, the company said its Choceur-branded Cookie Butter Holiday Bark may contain undeclared pecans. This means that anyone who may be allergic to pecans could have a “serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.”

That product comes in a light blue packaging and shows a piece of the light-colored bark surrounded by holiday-inspired illustrations. At the top, the words, “Choceur Cookie Butter Holiday Bark” can be seen. The company noted that the bag had a best buy date of “05/2026,” printed on the back.

The company also noted that its Choceur-branded Pecan, Cranberry and Cinnamon Holiday Bark may contain undeclared wheat, and those who are allergic to it could also run the risk of having a “serious or life-threatening allergic reaction” if they consume the product.

Those bags are a dark red color and have the words, “Choceur Pecan, Cranberry & Cinnamon Holiday Bark,” above a piece of light brown bark decorated with pecans and cranberries. The bag is framed with holiday decoration illustrations including pieces of cranberry and twigs. These bags have a best by date of “08/2026” printed on the back.

The company said that the products were distributed nationwide through Aldi grocery stores, and noted that as of Nov. 26, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this issue.

Customers who purchased the products are urged to discard them.

Melinda

Reference:

https://people.com/holiday-chocolate-bark-sold-at-aldi-recalled-due-to-undeclared-allergens-11870006

Children · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Internet Good/Bad · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

What Every Parent Needs To Know About Only Fans!!!!!

December 16, 2025 Looking for the Light6 Comments

Only Fans has some celebrity pages but there is more hardcore pornography on the site than regular content.

I’m sure you’ve heard the news about kids being expelled from school because the parents have an Only Fans sticker on their vehicle, the sticker is so big it covers the entire back window. One woman not only had the sticker but was advertising her page.

These parents are advertising a porn site at school and they know their kid will be expelled from school. How would you feel if your child was exposed to a porn site at school? I bet you would blow a stack!

The schools have told parents with the sticker to park on the street but they refuse. The school needs to call Social Services to visit the parents, if they determine that the kid is in an unhealthy environment they will take custody of the kid. The school needs to take photos of the license plate and the sticker to show Social Services. No telling what a visit from Child Services will find.

I don’t play around when it comes to kids, I go for the throat.

The kids are innocent. Can you imagine the stress, anger, and mental health of the kids? I want to know how many kids have committed suicide after being expelled. To kids, their world has crashed down on them. That’s my homework for today.

I can’t imagine a parent more interested in making money instead of the student’s education and the stress it causes. Today alone I’ve read two stories about kids being expelled for what their parents are doing.

What is wrong here?

One kid was expelled because he was looking up people on Only Fans on a school computer. In this case, the kid made a very bad decision and knew better. The school said they would reconsider having him back but not right now. That kid should be kicked out. In this case, it was a private Christian school with strict rules and the parents signed a document saying they would comply with the rules, which includes the student’s behavior.

They will go as far as showing up to pick up their kid, the parents are warned and the next day come back with the Only Fans stickers still on there and will continue to come back and their kid gets expelled from school. What is wrong with this picture? What kind of example are they teaching their kids.

I think it’s time to punish the parents, not the kids. There are many options like banning them from entering the school campus, having off-duty police at the entrance of the campus who will keep them from entering, a restraining order, and going to the police to report pornography and advertising to underage kids. I would also look to see if they can be charged for trespassing. When the police hear pornography and kids they will be very interested. I would also look to see if the parent can be charged for trespassing.

I would also call Child Services so the parents clearly understand they could lose custody if they continue. Harsh? Hell Yes!

That’s what it is going to take. We can’t let our kids be expelled from school because their parents are self-centered. The kid’s education and mental health will suffer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPud8KhQqZU

The information in the video is on YouTube. I have not vetted the video as accurate information but that should not stop you from watching, it’s eye-opening. I had no idea who they were, I’ve seen the stickers but never went to their website until yesterday.

Even though the site says over 18, there are many ways kids are getting membership, including using their parent’s credit card or fake documents.

When I went to the site, on the first page it showed people having sex, it was hardcore pornography. They get paid based on how many people visit their page and it costs to look at their site, every time. The same goes for any page you look at. Some go as far as offering a membership to their site for a monthly fee.

I would not want my kid to be exposed to pornography until they leave home and they can make their own decisions. If they are old enough they already know about porn from their friends.

Parents who will not take the Only Fans sticker off the car or park off campus, are selfish and don’t care if their kid gets kicked out of school. What kind of logic is that? I

A letter needs to be sent to all parents saying if your vehicle has an Only Fans sticker you must park off the school campus and park on the street. The parents already know but use stronger language and tell them that if continue there are serious consequences. No exceptions. Many schools have this problem and need to punish the parent, not the kid.

I don’t know what can be done but I want to find out more. The link is to a story about a kid who committed suicide because other students were showing him photos of his mother.

My cognitive impairment is worse, today, if something doesn’t flow or half of a sentence is missing, be gentle with me.

Melinda

Repost

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

Apricot-Glazed Chicken with Spring Vegetables

December 2, 2025 Looking for the Light6 Comments

Level: Easy

Total: 35 min
Active: 35 min

Yield: 4 servings
Nutrition Info

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 4)

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

4 carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1 bunch asparagus (about 1 pound), ends trimmed, cut into 2-inch pieces

12 ounces snow peas, trimmed (about 2 1/2 cups)

3 tablespoons apricot preserves

4 teaspoons dijon mustard

4 scallions, chopped

1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon

1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

Directions

Cut each chicken breast into 4 or 5 large chunks; season with salt and pepper. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil. Add the chicken and cook, turning, until browned on all sides and almost cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove to a plate.

Add 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet and reduce the heat to medium. Add the carrots and 1/2 cup water. Cover and simmer until the carrots are crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Uncover and increase the heat to medium high. Cook until the water evaporates, 1 minute.

Reduce the heat to medium and melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in the skillet. Add the asparagus, snow peas and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cover and cook until the vegetables are crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Return the chicken to the skillet along with the apricot preserves, mustard, scallions, tarragon and lemon zest. Simmer, tossing, until the preserves are melted and the chicken and vegetables are glazed; season with salt and pepper.

Yummy!

Melinda

Reference:

Food Network

Celebrate Life · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Holiday · Men & Womens Health

Have You Seen A Turkey Trott?

November 27, 2025 Looking for the Light9 Comments

Melinda

American Indian · Celebrate Life · Family · Health and Wellbeing · History · Holiday

Let’s Remember That The First Thanksgiving Was Celebrated In 1621

November 26, 2025 Looking for the Light5 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving to you. I think it’s important to look back to the first Thanksgiving to understand the Pilgrams were not the only ones celebrating the fruitful harvest. It’s interesting how our traditional Thanksgiving meal has changed over time.

The first Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims and Wampanoag North American Indians at Plymouth Colony in 1621.

What was served on the first Thanksgiving?

“Wildfowl was there. Corn, in grain form for bread or for porridge, was there. Venison was there,” says Kathleen Wall, a foodways culinarian at Plimoth Patuxet, a living history museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts. “These are absolutes.”

Turkey may have been part of the holiday meal, along with venison, shellfish and corn, but pies and potatoes were decidedly not on the menu.

I pray you and your family are safe, making great memories, neighbors and not forgetting the elderly or those in need.

My ancestors were Cherokee Indians, I have 1/16 in my blood and I’m very proud. Many often forget that Native American Indians were here long before the migrants.

Melinda

Refernce:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/what-food-was-served-at-the-first-thanksgiving-in-1621-511554/

https://congregationallibrary.org/events/colonization-wampanoag-story

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

Today We Celebrate Our 23rd Anniversary

November 23, 2025 Looking for the Light29 Comments

David and I were close to 40 when we married and part of the reason for our success is that we talked about what traits we looked for in a lifelong partner, shared our complete backgrounds with each other, boundries and discussed possible issues we may have to face. I was completely honest about my mental illness and the challenges we would face. It was critical to put in all on the table before we were married.

Like all marriages, we’ve had tough finacial issues, medical and family issues but they never divided us. My Lyme Dieases treatment cost over $150,000 dollars none of which was covered by insurance which caused us to take a second mortgage on our house. He didn’t blink and was caring for me in the years that followed.

We had the same goals when we married and still share the same goals today. He has given me unconditional love, supported me in every way and even though he’s not one of many words, his actions always shows his love.

Marriage has ups and downs, for me it’s the downs that challenge your commitment, desire to communicate and comprimise.

Happy Anniversary Honey.

Melinda

Chronic Illness · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Mental Illness

Book Review-Hope and Learning Our Journey with Schizophrenia by Linda Snow-Griffin

November 20, 2025 Looking for the Light3 Comments

I want to say a special thanks to Linda Snow-Griffin for providing me a copy of her book Hope and Learning, Our Journey with Schizophrenia for a review.

Published 2021

Cherish Editions

About the Author

Linda Snow-Griffin, Ph.D. is a retired psychologist. She is the mother of two, stepmother of three adult children and grandmother of sixteen. She has practiced in a variety of settings – college, university and community mental health – and spent the last 30 years in private practice in Cincinnati. Her desire is to provide hope to families coping with mental illness, especially schizophrenia.

Blurb

When her son was diagnosed with Schizophrenia, Linda Snow-Griffin, a psychologist in private practice, felt devastated and overwhelmed. There were thousands of questions going through her mind: How can I help him? What does he need to get better? Will he be able to get better?

Hope and Learning narrates the 20-year journey Linda and her son embarked on, as they navigated their way towards recovery and a better understanding of what it is like to live with schizophrenia.

This book combines personal experience with schizophrenia with substantial data to create a heartwarming and informative resource.

My Thoughts

Linda shares her journey of her son’s diagnosis with Schizophrenia thru her intimate and raw writing. She discovered a journal of her son’s written in high school that set the wheels in motion that changed their life forever and in surprising ways.

I have Bipolar Disorder, which is a serious mental illness, yet I have been around only one person with Schizophrenia and it was during one of my hospital stays. Being around “John” was not scary but he was totally detached, walked the halls constantly talking to other beings who controlled his life. As you can imagine, that was my perception of Schizophrenia. A stigma/myth that Linda changes in this wonderful book.

Her son is highly functioning with medication and even attended college, it was quite difficult and presented some unique challenges when it came to writing his papers but with the understanding of his mother and love of his family, he made it thru. Linda’s book is heart-wrenching, at times it’s hard to imagine how difficult it must have been on a mother and family but what she shows us is love and understanding concurs all.

I am so glad I read her book, my stigma of what Schizophrenia looked like changed and for that I am thankful.

I recommend this book to anyone who thinks they may have or suspect a family member or a loved one has Schizophrenia, you will learn so much and walk away with answers and tools to take on your journey.

Melinda

Repost

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

Happy Birthday Gramps 1918-2010

November 17, 2025November 17, 2025 Looking for the Light14 Comments

I miss you every second of the day yet knowing we will see each other again brings me great joy.

In the leather box are the medals he was awarded and his wedding ring.

I love you.

Melinda

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

Caregiver To Grieving In Four Days

November 8, 2025 Looking for the Light4 Comments

I’ve reposted this post several times over the years and 2010 was the original post. It’s critical to acknowledge how difficult life is for a caregiver and to think of ways to support them.

——

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 pray 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 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 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 people his age 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, 46 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 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.

Melinda

Repost from 2010

Celebrate Life · Chronic Illness · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

I Found His Cell Phone In The Ashtray

November 3, 2025 Looking for the Light10 Comments

I found his cell phone in the ashtray along with ten pairs of fingernail clippers, a knife, a small pair of scissors, a Corona Light bottle top, and three nickles and nine pennies.

On top is my favorite knife, the camping type with a fork and spoon, he gave to me when I was little, and a paper-towel covers them all. It’s been over eight years since I’ve stayed awhile with the memeries held in the ashtray.

The ashtray sat by my grandparent’s telephone for as long as I can remember. They didn’t believe in buying something new unless it was broken or you could no longer use it. The ashtray was very useful.

When I removed the paper towel today, the memories of my gramps came flooding back like a wave.

“If you’re going to be late to work, don’t go in.”

“If you can get out of bed, you can go to work”

“If you borrow something, give it back in better shape than when you borrowed it.”

He taught me responsibility and accountability.

He also taught me to drive. I was fourteen, we went to the river bottoms, two metal trashcans in the back of the 1969 Ambassador. He set them apart the right distance and had me practice until nightfall. I was still knocking down cans when we left. I did pass my driver’s test though.

One of the hardest memories was weeks before his death, telling him to call friends and family to let them know he was dying. Sitting in front of him, I dialed the numbers, handing him the phone and listened as he cried telling people he was no longer going to be here. It was one of the most difficult days of my life.

My gramps was the greatest man I’ve ever known, a true gentleman, a stand-up guy, God broke the mold when he made my gramps.

I found his cell phone in the ashtray……

Melinda

Repost form 2020