Why don’t adults get recess every day?
Melinda
Reference:
Blogger Highlight-Katie Anna Banana
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week I highlight a new blogger, Katie Anna Banana.
https://katieannabanana.wordpress.com
I started blogging to add some creativity to my day. I have some things to share, and I hope you’ll let me share them with you!
I am a reflector. Nowadays it’s difficult enough for me to think about the week ahead, let alone the past. What’s for dinner, what bills are due? I think it’s important to reflect, I believe I’ve shared my views on that before, and there is no better time to do that than the New Year.
Wishing only the best for myself, my loved ones, and my dear WordPress followers in 2022.
Please check out her site and the great posts she’s written.
Melinda
Practical Steps To Take After A Relationship Breakdown
Whether initiated by yourself or not, the breakdown of a relationship can be hard. You might find yourself in a difficult transition period. A period of adjustment while you get used to how your life looks and feels now. To help you in this transitional phase here are some practical steps you can take after the breakdown of a relationship.
Consider your living arrangements
If you have been living with your partner one of the first things you might want to think about is how you are going to manage this going forward. It can be a difficult subject that requires a lot of consideration and reason on both parts, especially if your finances/home aren’t legally protected. It is most important to put your mental health and wellbeing first, so ensure the steps you take to protect your health. It might be that the best step is to start looking for properties for rent, moving back in with parents temporarily, or if there are children involved, consider arrangements such as bird nesting to help ensure stability for all. It might be a difficult situation to be in but it will become easier as time goes by, especially if logic and sensibility can prevail.
Avoid a rebound
A rebound can seem like a great idea. At a time when you may be feeling emotionally low and in need of a self-esteem boost, looking for some additional attention can seem like the remedy you need. However, it is important to remember that the high you might experience from your rebound will wear off and the feelings you are left with may do more harm than good. A rebound relationship can also seem like a good idea to help numb some of the pain you might be experiencing from the loss of a relationship. Masking the pain does not however make it go away. It is important to work through the thoughts and feelings you are experiencing after losing a loved one to help you move on healthily.
Be wary of social media
Social media can be a painful place to spend your time in the aftermath of a relationship. This can be especially true if you share mutual friends. It can be painful to see your former partner out and about and all over social media and if you find it upsetting then take steps to protect yourself. Come off social media for a while or block or ‘hide’ your former partner so you cannot see their updates. While it can be tempting to follow their escapades and be apprised of what they are up to it can prove to have a damaging effect on your mental health and wellbeing. So, be kind to yourself and be very wary of how you use social media post-breakup.
Do it in your own time
There is no time scale in which you should move on or get over a relationship and don’t be pressured into thinking otherwise. Allow yourself all the time you need to fully heal from your relationship breakdown.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
Today in History April 24, 2022
Welcome to the Weekend Edition of Today in History. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the post. Have an awesome weekend.
1953
Winston Churchill knighted
Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, the British leader who guided Great Britain and the Allies through the crisis of World War II, is knighted by Queen Elizabeth II on April 24, 1953. Born at Blenheim Palace in 1874, Churchill joined the British Fourth Hussars upon his father’s …read more
1982
Jane Fonda’s first workout video released
Hollywood royalty, Oscar-winning actress, anti-war activist. Jane Fonda fit all of these descriptions by the late 1970s and 1980s, when she emerged in her latest incarnation: exercise guru. On April 24, 1982, Fonda extended her reach into the home-video market with the release of Workout, the first of her many bestselling aerobics tapes.
1955
The Bandung Conference concludes
The Afro-Asian Conference—popularly known as the Bandung Conference because it was held in Bandung, Indonesia—comes to a close on this day. During the conference, representatives from 29 “non-aligned” nations in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East met to condemn colonialism, decry …read more
1967
Soviet cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov killed when parachute fails to deploy
On April 24, 1967, Soviet cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov is killed when his parachute fails to deploy during his spacecraft’s landing. Komarov was testing the spacecraft Soyuz I in the midst of the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. Earlier in 1967, the U.S. …read more
1800
Library of Congress established
President John Adams approves legislation to appropriate $5,000 to purchase “such books as may be necessary for the use of Congress,” thus establishing the Library of Congress. The first books, ordered from London, arrived in 1801 and were stored in the U.S. Capitol, the …read more
Enjoy!
Melinda
Blooming Sunday
It’s beginning to look a lot like Spring around here.
Melinda
What to Do In a Dental Emergency
Hopefully, you never have to deal with a dental emergency. But as with any other serious or urgent situation in life, it’s important that you know what to do if you ever are faced with a dental emergency. Whether you need help, a friend, a family member, a child, a stranger, or anyone else, having a good idea of a dental emergency protocol can help the person receive the help and assistance that they need as quickly as possible. Here’s some information that will help you to achieve this!
What Is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any dental issue that needs immediate attention. Most often, dental emergencies are situations where you need to visit an emergency dentist in order to alleviate severe dental pain, stop bleeding or save a tooth. Severe infections or abscesses that need to be treated are also dental emergencies. If you feel in pain, have experienced an injury, or have any other worrying symptoms, do not hesitate to follow the steps below.
Prevention
We should all visit the dentist once every six months for a general checkup. This will give out dentists the opportunity to take a look around our mouths and determine if our teeth, gums, and tongue are healthy or not. They can identify warning signs of issues and can book treatment to resolve issues before they worsen. If your teeth feel fine and look fine, it’s still important to visit your dentist to check in on your wellbeing. This can help to prevent small issues from worsening into dental emergencies, such as infections or major decay and tooth ache. You can also prevent dental emergencies stemming from sports or activities that you may engage in, such as rugby, hockey, and more, by having a custom mouth guard created. This will protect your teeth in situations where you could be at higher risk of experiencing an injury.
Dealing With a Dental Emergency
There are countless situations in life that can lead to a dental emergency, from injury to the rapid worsening of a dental-related condition. If you are in unbearable pain or have a severe injury, you may need to visit A&E for direction and pain relief. If your pain or situation is more manageable and you are experiencing any of these issues, and the incident or pain is occurring during your regular dentist’s opening hours, you should start out by calling your regular dentist. They may have an emergency appointment free and will get you in to see a dentist quickly. If the incident is outside of regular working hours, you should call a reliable emergency dentist who operates through the night.
Knocked-Out or Broken Tooth
If a tooth has been knocked out or has been broken, you should:
- Put the tooth or teeth in milk
- Pack your tooth socket—where the tooth came out of your mouth—with gauze, a cotton ball, or even a teabag
- Rinse and save pieces of chipped or broken teeth
Your dentist may be able to repair or save the teeth.
Hopefully, some of the information above has helped you to see what you need to do in cases of dental emergencies. Keep the information in mind should you ever need it!
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
Autism Awareness Month
The core symptoms of autism are:
-
social communication challenges and
-
restricted, repetitive behaviors.
Symptoms of autism may:
- begin in early childhood (though they may go unrecognized)
- persist and
- interfere with daily living.
Specialized healthcare providers diagnose autism using a checklist of criteriain the two categories above. They also assess autism symptom severity. Autism’s severity scale reflects how much support a person needs for daily function.
Many people with autism have sensory issues. These typically involve over- or under-sensitivities to sounds, lights, touch, tastes, smells, pain and other stimuli.
Autism is also associated with high rates of certain physical and mental health conditions.
What are the signs of autism?
The autism diagnosis age and intensity of autism’s early signs vary widely. Some infants show hints in their first months. In others, behaviors become obvious as late as age 2 or 3.
Not all children with autism show all the signs. Many children who don’t have autism show a few. That’s why professional evaluation is crucial.
The following may indicate your child is at risk for an autism spectrum disorder. If your child exhibits any of the following, ask your pediatrician or family doctor for an evaluation right away:
By 6 months
- Few or no big smiles or other warm, joyful and engaging expressions
- Limited or no eye contact
By 9 months
- Little or no back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles or other facial expressions
By 12 months
- Little or no babbling
- Little or no back-and-forth gestures such as pointing, showing, reaching or waving
- Little or no response to name
By 16 months
- Very few or no words
By 24 months
- Very few or no meaningful, two-word phrases (not including imitating or repeating)
At any age
- Loss of previously acquired speech, babbling or social skills
- Avoidance of eye contact
- Persistent preference for solitude
- Difficulty understanding other people’s feelings
- Delayed language development
- Persistent repetition of words or phrases (echolalia)
- Resistance to minor changes in routine or surroundings
- Restricted interests
- Repetitive behaviors (flapping, rocking, spinning, etc.)
- Unusual and intense reactions to sounds, smells, tastes, textures, lights and/or colors
If you have concerns, get your child screened and contact your healthcare provider
Support
Treatments & Therapies
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) [3, 196]
- Early Start Denver Model [72]
- Floortime or DIR [122]
- Local Early Intervention Providers [817]
- Medicaid Waiver [288]
- Neurologists [71]
- Occupational Therapy [1, 075]
- Physical Therapy [555]
- Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) [106]
- Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) [77]
- Speech & Language Therapy [1, 335]
- State Developmental Disability Agency [65]
- State Early Intervention Office [175]
- TEACCH [26]
- Verbal Behavior [520]
Melinda
References:
Every Kid Healthy Week (25 – 29 April)
Every Kid Healthy Week, from April 25 to April 29this year, is an observance that aims to spread awareness regarding the health of children. This is essential because, to grow up into healthy adults, it is important for kids to be healthy and active from a young age. To ensure parents and children are aware of the advantages of nutrition and wellness, Every Kid Healthy Week is celebrated every year.
FIVE FACTS ABOUT CHILDREN’S HEALTH
-
The yearly check-up
Children from ages five to 10 must have a full check-up by a doctor once a year.
-
Obesity issues
In the U.S., one in three kids are obese or need to lose weight.
-
The fatal illness
Pneumonia is the most fatal illness for children and kills 800,000 children a year.
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An active lifestyle
A child of six needs an hour of vigorous activity, daily.
-
Many absences
3.2% of children in the U.S. miss more than 11 days of school annually due to illness or injury.
WHY A KID’S HEALTH IS IMPORTANT
-
Children are more sensitive to illnesses/diseases
The fact is, children are more vulnerable to illnesses and are more likely to lose their lives if not provided with the correct treatment.
-
Healthy children grow up into healthy adults
The adolescence stage is the most important time for a young person to consume the correct nutrients as this can help the body to develop to its full potential. An unhealthy child may face numerous health issues in the future.
-
The social and emotional health of a child is the base of their personality
Personality development starts at a young age, hence, a disturbed child is likely to grow up into an unhappy adult. To ensure the future generation is happy and healthy, mentally as well as physically, parents and schools need to emphasize a child’s mental health.
Melinda
References:
https://nationaltoday.com/every-kid-healthy-week/
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Fun Facts That Will Amaze You
I’m so glad you are enjoying Fun Facts. I learn something new each week, even if it’s weird.
More people visit France than any other country (Spain is second; the US third). (e-unwto.org)
You can still stay at the world’s oldest hotel, Nisiyama Onsen Keiunkan in Japan, which was founded in 705 AD. (guinnessworldrecord.com)
The longest place name in the word, at 85 letters, is “Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu,” New Zealand. Locals just call it Taumata Hill. (newzealand.com)
The coldest temperature ever recorded occurred in Antarctica, -144 Fahrenheit, as reported by researchers in a scientific journal in 2018.
The hottest temperature ever recorded occurred in Furnace Creek, Death Valley, California, at 134 degrees Fahrenheit on July 10, 1913. (public.wmo.int)
Enjoy!
Melinda
#Weekend Music Share *Lynyrd Skynyrd – Freebird – 7/2/1977 – Oakland Coliseum Stadium (Official)
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share; the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the ‘Weekend Music Share‘ banner in your post, and don’t forget to use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
Melinda
Happy Earth Day! Tread Lightly
What can we say about Mother Earth? She’s the best and we have to tread lightly to keep the planet healthy for future generations.
April 22
Earth Day is an annual event celebrated around the world on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, it now includes events in more than 193 countries.
Earth Day was the brainchild of Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, a staunch environmentalist who hoped to provide unity to the grassroots environmental movement and increase ecological awareness.
Nelson—whose efforts in Congress included legislation protecting the Appalachian Trail and banning DDT—hired Denis Hayes, a Harvard grad student. Together they organized the first Earth Day.
Today, Earth Day is widely recognized as the largest secular observance in the world, marked by more than a billion people every year as a day of action.
Many important environmental events have happened on Earth Day since 1970, including the signing of the Paris Agreement.
Thanks largely to the momentum created by Earth Day, the early 1970s saw the passage of the most important environmental legislation in US history, including both the Clean Air and Clean Water acts.
What can You Do?
Beach Cleanups
Recycle
Reduce Waste
Reuse
Carpool
Reduce plastic usage
Plant trees
Reusable straws
Use your own coffee mug when going to a coffee shop
Use reusable water bottles instead of plastic water bottles
These are just a few off the top of my head. There are so many ways we can reduce our footprint so that we can continue to celebrate Earth Day.
Melinda
References:
Friday Quote 4/22/2022
So glad you stopped by today, I look forward to your comments each week.
Melinda
Everyday Magic 4/21/2022
I’m so glad you are enjoying Everyday Magic. I find it a good place to wind down and ask some important questions.
Bella and Grace by Stampington
“She stood in the storm and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails.”
-Elizabeth Edwards
Enjoy your day!
Melinda
National Infertility Awareness Week (24 – 30 April)
Let’s use NIAW to raise our voices, talk about the issues facing this community and make sure we continue to support those most in need. Anyone can be challenged to have a family. No matter what race, religion, sexuality or economic status. Change begins with being part of a national movement, National Infertility Awareness Week®. This week unites millions of Americans who want to remove the stigmas and barriers that stand in the way of building families.
National Infertility Awareness Week®, (NIAW) is a movement, founded in 1989 by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. Its mission is to empower you and change the conversation around infertility.
Infertility impacts 1 in 8 couples in the U.S. today and 1 in 4 women physicians. Especially in medical communities, it’s time to share how #WeCanAll help others recognize the far-reaching effects of inadequate resources and support for family planning.
Here is how you can get involved:
- Join the AMWA webinar Series – Turning Fertility Challenges Into Change: Creating a Reproductive Life Plan (April 25, 8pm ET)
- Join the #WeCanAll social campaign with #NationalInfertilityAwarenessWeek or #NIAW2022 and tag @AMWADoctors in your posts. Here are NIAW Social Media Images and NIAW facts you can use. Share your infertility story or participate in the 5-Day Photo Challenge (including #WearOrange day on Wednesday, April 27, 2022).
- If your employer doesn’t cover fertility benefits, send a friendly email to ask about coverage. Consider citing recent Fortune and CNBC articles about how employers are using fertility benefits as perks.
-
- “This week is National Infertility Awareness Week and one of the discussion points is the fact that lack of insurance inhibits many people from being able to move forward to treatment. I’m wondering if ______ will be considering fertility coverage benefits?”
- Write a post for AMWA’s blog about physician infertility or your own personal experience.
- Write an Op-Ed about the importance of fertility benefits coverage using AMWA’s guideline and template.
- Talk to your employer about fertility benefits using the AMWA-RESOLVE Coverage-at-Work Toolkit.
Melinda
References:
How to Accept and Move Forward After Losing a Loved One
Experiencing grief is difficult for everyone. From losing pets to seeing parents or friends pass away, no one ever feels truly ready for it. Grief can manifest in a variety of ways. Some of these can be positive, but there are also negative reactions that can make things worse for you and those around you. While you shouldn’t forget about your loved one, it is still important to accept what has happened and find ways to move forward and continue your life, because that’s what they would have wanted.
Accept Your Pain
One of the most important steps to acceptance and moving forward is to understand your emotions, which can be difficult if you have never encountered grief before. You will have a myriad of conflicting feelings; you might wonder if there is anything you could have done to change things, or regret not making the most of your time together. This is all part of the grieving process, and the sooner you accept your pain, the sooner you can start to feel better. This is not always an easy fix, and you may need to speak with other people to come to terms with it, but finding acceptance and coping with it positively will make things easier.
Celebrate Their Life
You may feel like you didn’t get a proper chance to say goodbye to your loved one, and this can raise several issues as you feel you’ve sorely missed out on something you’ll never get to do. If you are looking for ways to overcome these feelings, you can find ways to celebrate their life. Consider what they loved to do and do it yourself. You can throw a huge party or sit with your family and reminisce. Whatever you do, you will celebrate and honor their memory.
Support Yourself
It’s easy to get so wrapped up in grief that you completely ignore yourself. Some people can feel guilty that they are still alive when their loved one is not. But, it isn’t beneficial to ignore your well-being. Make sure you maintain a consistent sleep schedule, a good diet, and exercise, as these contribute to a better quality of life. They can also help release positive chemicals in your brain that allow you to cope with your grief.
Consider The Next Steps
As much as you don’t want to finalize your loss, you will need to think about the next steps. This could include the will or even selling their property and possessions. An estate sale can be difficult and even confusing, so working with companies like Clearly Quick Estate Liquidators can take the stress out of the entire process. You will get the chance to keep what matters to you, and the liquidators can do the rest of the work, so you don’t have to.
Acceptance and Progress
The idea of moving forward can feel insensitive. But, these techniques do not mean you will ignore how your loved ones have influenced your life. You will still keep them in your thoughts whatever you do, but you will no longer allow the grief to impact your life. Instead, you can live the life the thief would have wanted you to, and you get the chance to make them proud.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
Gardening Tips To Help You Grow The Perfect Yard
Everyone should make it a goal to include nature in their lives, and anybody can grow a garden of their own. For example, your windowsill may be a great place to grow herbs and other oxygen-giving plants to keep your apartment vibrant and smelling good. If you have a lot of room, or perhaps a backyard, you can be more creative. You don’t need to employ a landscaper to create a tranquil haven in your yard. Here are a few pointers to help you get started on the path to a successful garden.
What Kind Of Garden?
Before you can begin transforming your blank yard into a paradise, you must first have a general idea of how you want your garden to be when you’re done. Make a rough drawing of how you want your yard to look using ideas and inspiration you find online, on TV, or as you go around your neighborhood. The idea is to focus on the fundamentals so that you can improve your garden.
Try not to over-plan the appearance of your garden – half the joy is developing how it looks as things start to grow; it really is an organic process a lot of the time, but a general idea to get you started is always useful.
Do Your Research
Every plant, whether it’s a flower, a shrub, a tree, or fruits and veggies, needs to be properly cared for. Before you add new vegetation to your garden, do some research since certain plants might take over and damage what you currently have.
Most importantly, know how to care for your plants: you don’t want to kill them, thinking you’re doing the right thing. Vegetables, for example, necessitate special care and constant attention – as well as a lot of practice – in order to yield a good harvest. Some plants don’t need anything at all, so you might do more harm than good when you water them. Know what you’re planting and how to take the best care of it.
Keep On Top Of Maintenance
After doing your research, it’s time to put what you’ve learned to good use. A thriving garden requires regular maintenance. The seasons throw varying demands on you for plant management, ranging from trimming and tree removal to growing your seedlings inside during the winter to help optimize the summer months and feeding and watering during dry periods. Maintaining your plants will pay off in the future, giving you the most beautiful backyard that is a joy to behold and something you can be proud of.
Add Decorations And Furniture
Once you’ve established the foundation of your garden, you can next begin to add to it. Inspiration and spontaneity come into play here. This is true for both new plants and new décor and furnishings. Having a place to sit and relax in your garden is an essential part of the experience. If you have enough room, you can even turn that seating arrangement into a location to dine or hold gatherings.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
How to Get Better Sleep for a Healthier Life
Think about all the factors that can interfere with a good night’s sleep — from work stress and family responsibilities to unexpected challenges, such as illnesses. It’s no wonder that quality sleep is sometimes elusive.
While you might not be able to control the factors that interfere with your sleep, you can adopt habits that encourage better sleep.
It’s well-established that sleep is essential to our physical and mental health. But despite its importance, a troubling percentage of people find themselves regularly deprived of quality sleep and are notably sleepy during the day.
Creating Good Sleep Hygiene
- Creating a Sleep-Inducing Bedroom
- Optimizing Your Sleep Schedule
- Crafting a Pre-Bed time Routine
- Fostering Pro-Sleep Habits During the Day
Know How Much Sleep Your Body Needs
| Age group | Recommended amount of sleep |
|---|---|
| Infants 4 months to 12 months | 12 to 16 hours per 24 hours, including naps |
| 1 to 2 years | 11 to 14 hours per 24 hours, including naps |
| 3 to 5 years | 10 to 13 hours per 24 hours, including naps |
| 6 to 12 years | 9 to 12 hours per 24 hours |
| 13 to 18 years | 8 to 10 hours per 24 hours |
| Adults | 7 or more hours a night |
In addition to age, other factors can affect how many hours of sleep you need. For example:
- Sleep quality. If your sleep is frequently interrupted, you’re not getting quality sleep. The quality of your sleep is just as important as the quantity.
- Previous sleep deprivation. If you’re sleep deprived, the amount of sleep you need increases.
- Pregnancy. Changes in hormone levels and physical discomfort can result in poor sleep quality.
- Aging. Older adults need about the same amount of sleep as younger adults. As you get older, however, your sleeping patterns might change. Older adults tend to sleep more lightly, take longer to start sleeping and sleep for shorter time spans than do younger adults. Older adults also tend to wake up multiple times during the night.
This is a Pre-Bedtime routine, NOT bedtime! It’s an important time to unwind and prepare your mind and body for sleep, starting at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
I have found that 45 minutes to an hour is best for me and have been using the pre-bedtime routine for several years now. I get better sleep overall and wake more rested. It’s not a solve all your sleep problems answer but it sets you up for the best chances of a quality night’s sleep.
Here are a few ideas
Meditate
Pray
Roll essential oils on your pulse points
Use an ultrasonic diffuser for essential oils *Lavender is calming
Play white noise
NO electronics or reading
Lights out
Blackout Curtain
Sleep Mask
Slather on luxurious body cream or beard oil
Hand, foot, face, or undereye mask
CBD Oil/Delta 8 Gummies
Create a Sleep Environment
All of these items are important for quality sleep
Room Temp
Pillow
Mattress
Sleep and wake up at the same time every day
No exercise 3-4 hours before bedtime
No caffeine later in the day
Not much water after 7pm
Ambient noise like a fan or air purifier
Limit alcohol intake
Limit daytime naps or nap early
Nice aroma like lavender
“I love sleep. My life has the tendency to fall apart when I’m awake, you know?”
– Ernest Hemingway
Try to resolve your worries or concerns before bedtime. Jot down what’s on your mind and then set it aside for tomorrow.
Stress management might help. Start with the basics, such as getting organized, setting priorities and delegating tasks. Meditation also can ease anxiety.
Know when to contact your doctor
Nearly everyone has an occasional sleepless night — but if you often have trouble sleeping, contact your doctor. Identifying and treating any underlying causes can help you get the better sleep you deserve.
Melinda
References:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/sleep/art-20048379
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hygiene/healthy-sleep-tips
World Immunization Week (24 – 30 April)
I can’t think of a better time than now to talk about immunizations.
Long Life for All
In pursuit of a long life well lived
World Immunization Week, celebrated in the last week of April, aims to highlight the collective action needed and to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease.
A Long Life for All is not a promise, it’s an ambition.
Because everyone deserves a chance at a fulfilling life.
One where we’re free to pursue happiness.
And look back without wondering “What if?”.
Vaccines have been indiscriminately saving lives since 1796.
The first Smallpox immunization was a fight back against disease.
For the first time, it gave everyone a chance.
And hundreds of vaccines later,
Across two and a quarter centuries.
Billions of people have lived longer lives.
Grown up to become firefighters. Doctors. Musicians.
Fathers. Mothers. Brothers. Sisters.
Vaccines might not get credit for that first kiss.
That winning goal.
That special day.
That final hug.
But their worth isn’t just measured in doses given.
It’s in minutes given back.
And lives prolonged.
Vaccines provide opportunity and hope for all of us to enjoy a more fulfilling life. And that’s something we should all be fighting for.
Vaccines, in the pursuit of a long life well lived.
Long Life for All.
Please make sure your and your children’s vaccines are up to date, it can mean life or death.
Melinda
Reference:
https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-immunization-week/world-immunization-week-2022
Wordless Wednesday*Lady
Thanks for stopping by today, I appreciate your comments each week.
Melinda
Just Pondering
If you had to be on an episode of “Cops” what crime would you want to be arrested for?
Melinda
IBS Awareness Month
According to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, IBS affects nearly 45 million people in the U.S. and 10% to 15% of the global population. Although common, many people remain undiagnosed and unaware that their symptoms can be managed. Further, patients are often stigmatized and misunderstood, creating a significant impact on their quality of life.
While the exact pathogenesis of IBS remains largely unknown, scientific evidence points to disturbances in gut, brain and nervous system interaction that can cause changes to normal bowel function and produce symptoms ranging from mild inconvenience to severe debilitation.
“Though strategies for managing IBS have evolved, one guiding principle remains true: There is no one-size-fits-all treatment strategy. IBS care in 2022 and beyond no longer relies on just the GI doctor but is a ‘team sport’ that involves a multidisciplinary, integrative care team of dietitians, behavioral therapists and maybe even complimentary alternative medicine providers,” Chey said during his J. Edward Berk Distinguished Lecture at the American College of Gastroenterology Annual Scientific Meeting 2021.
Please see your Gastroenterologist if you have any questions or think you may have IBS or other gastric issues.
Melinda
Reference:
I’m in Love with Pipette
I’ve discovered a line of products that so far have surpassed my expectations, and it’s a baby product line called Pipette. It all started with my dry peeling cracking hands. I was on a mission and my supply cabinet didn’t have what I needed.
My hands had never been so bad before and nothing worked. I saw an ad for Pipette balm and decided to try it. Wow, it has a Vaseline-like feel but is not as greasy and soaks into the skin to a degree. I still only use it at night.
Then I noticed they had a Balm Stick which is a great idea for little places and when you don’t want to get your hands all balmed up. I use it on my legs but it’s great anywhere. I have it just on my palms right now.
Pipette has a complete line of baby products and a few products for mothers. I also really like the Eczema Cream. It is so creamy but absorbs nicely and lasts a long time.
I know many of you have skin challenges like I do and are always on the lookout for new products.
I bought all of mine from Amazon but they have a website as well. Maybe they have a product for your skin challenges.
Melinda
Primary Immunodeficiency Awareness Month
Your immune system helps your body fight infections. People with primary immunodeficiency (PI) have an immune system that does not work correctly. This means that people with PI are more likely to get and become severely ill from infections.
There are more than 400 types of PI that vary in severity, which affects how early they are detected. In some cases, a person with a mild form may not find out that they have PI until adulthood. In other cases, the disorder causes problems in infancy and is found soon after birth. All states include testing for one type of PI called severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) as part of newborn screening. Treatments can help the immune system work better. Which treatment works best depends on the type of PI a person has.
Signs of PI include
- More frequent or repeated infections, such as
- Infections that last longer than in most people
- Infections that are hard to treat and do not respond to antibiotics or require IV antibiotics
- Infections that are more severe and require hospitalization, such as sepsis or abscesses (pus-filled infections) of internal organs
- Infections that most people don’t get (sometimes called opportunistic infections)
- Lack of weight gain or growth in an infant (failure to thrive)
- Digestive problems, such as chronic diarrhea
People with PI are more likely to have autoimmune disordersexternal icon and certain blood disorders. Because your immune system protects your body against cancer, people with PI are more likely to have certain cancers. In some cases, PI is due to a genetic disorder that involves other health problems, such as 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (also called DiGeorge syndrome)external icon.
PI often has an underlying genetic cause and can run in families. Sharing your family history of PI with your doctor can be important for your and your children’s health or if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Your doctor may refer you for genetic counseling.
Early diagnosis can help prevent or delay some of the health problems caused by PI. Left untreated, some types of PI can result in serious health problems, including organ damage, and even death. Even with treatment, most PI do not have a cure. Taking steps to prevent infection is very important if you have PI. These steps include
- Washing your hands the right way
- Taking good care of your teeth
- Maintaining healthy habits, including being physically active, eating healthy, and getting enough sleep
- Avoiding exposure to people who are sick and crowds
- Asking your doctor which vaccinations are safe for you. In some cases, people with PI cannot have live vaccines such as rotavirus, chickenpox, oral polio, and measles, mumps, rubella. Newborn screening for SCID can find babies with this PI early, before they receive these vaccines.
Treatments vary, depending on the type of PI, and can include
- Antibiotics to prevent certain infections
- Treatments that help your immune system work better (including immunoglobulin replacement therapyexternal icon and interferon-gamma therapyexternal icon)
- Growth factors to help increase the number of white blood cells, which are part of the immune system
- Stem cell transplant to provide your body with working immune cells from another person (donor)
- Gene therapyexternal icon to replace the gene that does not work correctly with one that does
Talk to your doctor if you think that you or your child has signs of PI. Your doctor might refer you or your child to a clinical immunologist, a doctor who specializes in the immune system. You can use the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology’s Find an Allergist/Immunologist toolexternal icon to find a doctor near you. If you have been diagnosed with PI, your doctor might refer you for genetic counseling and testing. Some types of PI run in families, so be sure to share information about your diagnosis with your family members.
More Information
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease: Primary Immune Deficiency Disorders (PIDDs)external iconexternal icon
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology: Primary Immunodeficiency Diseaseexternal icon
- Jeffrey Modell Foundationexternal icon, which includes the Find an Expert Immunologistexternal icon tool
- Immune Deficiency Foundationexternal icon
- International Patient Organization for Primary Immunodeficienciesexternal icon
- World PI Week 2020: Bringing about change together external iconexternal icon
I have a Primary Immune Disorder and so far have been lucky enough to not suffer from many infections. Just battling an ear infection now. Of course, shortly after I was diagnosed COVID roared in so it’s hard to say what will happen when I get to start to get back out in public.
Melinda
Reference:
https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/disease/primary_immunodeficiency.htm
Blogger Highlight-My Traumatic Secrets and Healing Journey
April is Sexual Assualt Awareness month and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than to introduce you to a very brave woman and mother, Christine.
Keep your eyes peeled for a new Blogger Highlight next week.
My Trauma Secrets and Healing Journey
Telling my story while on my healing journey
Overactive brain
I can’t stop thinking about my sexual trauma without actually thinking about it. I feel the filth and pain from all of those events. I think it’s time to confront it. But I’m afraid of who I’ll be when I’m done.
Read the rest of the post here.
Sometimes life is messy, downright ugly and it happens to good people. I love the way Christine is so raw with her emotion and doesn’t edit herself. We see the authentic person.
Please check out her site for more great posts.
Melinda
Today in History April 17, 2022
Welcome to the Weekend Edition of Today in History. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the post. Have an awesome weekend.
1970
Apollo 13 returns to Earth
With the world anxiously watching, Apollo 13, a U.S. lunar spacecraft that suffered a severe malfunction on its journey to the moon, safely returns to Earth on April 17, 1970.
On April 11, the third manned lunar landing mission was launched from Florida, carrying astronauts James A. Lovell, John L. Swigert and Fred W. Haise. The mission was headed for a landing on the Fra Mauro highlands of the moon. However, two days into the mission, disaster struck 200,000 miles from Earth when oxygen tank No. 2 blew up in the spacecraft. Swigert reported to mission control on Earth, “Houston, we’ve had a problem here,” and it was discovered that the normal supply of oxygen, electricity, light and water had been disrupted.
1790
Benjamin Franklin dies
On April 17, 1790, American statesman, printer, scientist and writer Benjamin Franklin dies in Philadelphia at age 84. Born in Boston in 1706, Franklin became at 12 years old an apprentice to his half brother James, a printer and publisher. He learned the printing trade and in …read more
2002
“General Hospital” airs 10,000th episode
On April 17, 2002, ABC airs the 10,000th episode of the daytime drama General Hospital, the network’s longest-running soap opera and the longest-running program ever produced in Hollywood. Created by Frank and Doris Hursley, General Hospital premiered on April 1, 1963. It was set …read more
1936
A single horsehair helps solve murder of Nancy Titterton
After a week of tracking down every conceivable lead, police finally find the evidence they need in order to break the case of Nancy Titterton’s rape-murder in New York City. Titterton, a novelist and the wife of NBC executive Lewis Titterton, was raped and strangled in her …read more
1964
Ford Mustang debuts at World’s Fair
The Ford Mustang is officially unveiled by Henry Ford II at the World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows, New York, on April 17, 1964. That same day, the new car also debuted in Ford showrooms across America and almost 22,000 Mustangs were immediately snapped up by buyers. Named for a …read more
Enjoy!
Melinda
He Has Risen!
Jesus has risen!
I pray your day is filled with love and surrounded by the people you care about the most.
This photo was taken at the Church of the Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg, Russia. You’ve probably seen it before, it’s one of my favorites. Jesus looks so real, you can reach out and touch him. You can also imagine his tremendous suffering.
No matter your religion you can celebrate the life of a great man and prophet. If you’re a Christain you can thank God for sending his only son to take away our sins.
Peace be with you.
Melinda
Stream of Consciousness Saturday #SOCS Prompt is “nose/noes/knows”
Our prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “nose/noes/knows.” Use one, use ’em all, bonus points if you use all three. Have fun!
After you’ve written your Saturday post tomorrow, please link it here to this week’s prompt page and check to make sure it’s here in the comments so others can find it and see your awesome Stream of Consciousness post. Anyone can join in!
To make your post more visible, use our beautiful SoCS badge! Just paste it in your Saturday post so people browsing the reader will immediately know your post is stream of consciousness and/or pin it as a widget to your site to show you’re a participant. Wear it with pride!!
To start with I’m not sure what noes is so let’s look it up. As it turns out I knew that word well growing up. There were always lots of noes around our house and they meant no! No, you can’t have another piece of candy or dessert, no you can’t sleepover and another multiple no is can we have a dog? Noes!
I think people’s nose is an important characteristic of a person’s face and there are so many types. There are people I know who don’t like their noses but I think mine is ok. I’ve never had an aversion to noses, it what’s makes us all different.
What do I know? Well, it’s Saturday and I’ve been working in the garden. Planting more flowers for my Spring extravagaza! My husband and I planted a Mandeville on a trellis again this year and it turned out the prettiest flower in the whole garden last year. We planted our tomatoes except for the ones from seed, they’re not quite big enough yet.
What else do I know? I thank you for reading this post on your Saturday. I hope your day is filled with sunshine and love
Melinda
Here are the rules:
1. Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing (typos can be fixed), and minimal planning on what you’re going to write.
2. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop.
3. I will post the prompt here on my blog every Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a particular subject. For instance, I will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” “Begin with the word ‘The,’” or will simply be a single word to get you started.
4. Ping back! It’s important, so that I and other people can come and read your post! For example, in your post you can write “This post is part of SoCS:” and then copy and paste the URL found in your address bar at the top of this post into yours. Your link will show up in my comments for everyone to see. The most recent pingbacks will be found at the top. NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, such as Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below.
5. Read at least one other person’s blog who has linked back their post. Even better, read all of them! If you’re the first person to link back, you can check back later or go to the previous week by following my category, “Stream of Consciousness Saturday,” which you’ll find below the “Like” button on my post.
6. Copy and paste the rules (if you’d like to) in your post. The more people who join in, the more new bloggers you’ll meet and the bigger your community will get!
7. As a suggestion, tag your post “SoCS” and/or “#SoCS” for more exposure and more views.
8. Have fun!
For more streams, rules, and tips for Stream of Consciousness Saturday, visit our host, Linda at:
Have a great weekend.
Melinda
Fun Facts That Will Amaze You
I’m so glad you are enjoying Fun Facts. I learn something new each week, even if it’s weird. I love hearing your comments!
More people visit France than any other country (Spain is second; the US third). (e-unwto.org)
You can still stay at the world’s oldest hotel, Nisiyama Onsen Keiunkan in Japan, which was founded in 705 AD. (guinnessworldrecord.com)
The longest place name in the word, at 85 letters, is “Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu,” New Zealand. Locals just call it Taumata Hill. (newzealand.com)
The coldest temperature ever recorded occurred in Antarctica, -144 Fahrenheit, as reported by researchers in a scientific journal in 2018.
The hottest temperature ever recorded occurred in Furnace Creek, Death Valley, California, at 134 degrees Fahrenheit on July 10, 1913
Enjoy!
Melinda
Selfie
I have had an aversion to how I look in photos most of my life, it’s a body dysmorphic thing. This isn’t the worst shot but it makes me realize for the first time how thin my upper lip is.
I’m smiling at you! Yes, you! Have a great weekend.
Melinda
#Weekend Music Share *Stevie Wonder – Superstition (1974) LIVE
lookingforthelight.blog 