Ergonomic Gadgets for Computer Savvy Moms (who blogs)

Blogging is fun but it can also bring a lot of aches and pain, especially on your wrist. I should know because I suffer from it. All that typing and repititive finger-pouncing strokes on that keyboard can take a toll on your wrists, fingers and hands. Common problems from daily (blogging) typing, if not careful can lead to several injuries including inflammation of the nerve or tendon (Tendonitis) or worst CPT(Carpal Tunnel Syndrome). Working moms who are basically confined in a chair in front of a computer each day-like me- are the worst sufferers. Before you start pounding on that keyboard, consider these ergonomic gadgets to help your blogging and work experience a much more pleasant one.

Arm yourself with these cool tools:

a) ClikArt Geo Combo Mouse pad: Non-Skid Rubber Base.Used for Supporting Wrist for Increased Comfort, Desk Space, Compatible with All Mice , Non-Slip Surface, Cushioned Design, Soft Memory Foam Wrist Rest. It has trendy designs to choose from and you can get them for $9.99 at Target (where I got mine). Cheap enough but the comfort it gives your wrist is priceless.

b)Targus X Mobile Notebook Stand: Works two-ways. It helps air and cool the back of your laptop then elevates your laptop to a comfortable angle to alleviate pressure on your wrists while typing. It is very handy and folds neatly like a tripod and is adjustable. You can also get them at Target for $29.99 .

I personally love this. Only downside is that it is not like a lapdesk that you can set on your lap when you're on the go. But it's still worth it especially for SAHM or WAHM who uses laptops at home a lot, like me.

c) Lumbar Support Cushion : You shouldn't be caught without this. If you love your back, get one of this! Sitting for a long period of hours can cause a lot of back issues. Take preventive measures by using a lumbar support everytime you sit infront of your PC or laptop. For a cheap version that works, try Invacare Lumbar support cushion for $24.99. I'm using one of this at work. Helps a lot!

Be good to yourself ...Blog Happy...Don't say, I didn't warn you!

Was this helpful to you? Let me know.

Working Mother Syndrome

Working Mothers Beware! You might have it but not know it...WMS is the most undiagnosed disease, severely symptomatic, causes are known, but no known cure except maybe stay home! Early detection is the key, see if you exhibit any indication that you are inflicted with the disease:

Low-Tolerance Levels: you're highly irritable! Can't stand anyone in the office. You're tired of your boss. Tired of your co-workers. Tired of your office. Tired leaving home in the morning. Tired of your work. You're just simply tired of anything that has to do with the word WORK!

Low-Energy Levels: you're simply tired all the time! And you feel sick most days! The mere thought of getting up in the morning to get ready to leave work, zaps your energy level down to a mere 10% (the bed instantaneously becomes your bestfriend!) And by the time you get to work, your energy level had dipped down to 0%!

MOOD swings: you're happy one day, frustrated on another day. You're bored today, highly productive the next day. Its like going thru menopausal or having PMS. You are just one hormonally-charged atom! - oddly enough, you get these mood swings ONLY when you're at work!

The Big D: Depression.period.

"I wish" Nigtmares: I wish I could just stay home...I wish I could stay in bed longer...I wish I have more time (to blog and hop-blog and twit)...I wish...I wish...

Insomnia : you start suffering from lovinitbeingathome-induced insomnias. You get wired up and alive as soon as you get home from work- like a boost from a cup of good java coffee (besides blogging)- that fires you up until the wee hours of the night. You lose track of time doing this, doing that, tinkering here, tinkering there (blogging left and right), next thing you know, it's way too late in the night. Z is your most dreamt of letter in the alphabet! You're just one restless mama!

and last but not the least:

WAHM and SAHM attacks : You get mild WAHM and SAHM attacks more frequently. The attacks lasts for a day or two. And during this attacks, all you can think about during and after each day (besides blogging and twittering) is how to become a WAHM or SAHM. You're inconsolable! If you exhibit any of these general symptoms, please see your blogging advisor or your twitter clinic for immediate help.

Life in Asia Part II - Conserving H2O with Tabo and Balde

So what the heck is Tabo and Balde? - sounds really foreign! Is that a forbidden act or sumthin!? - well, it is foreign because it is Tagalog which roughly means in English, Tabo - "water scooper" and Balde - "water bucket" . It is not Tabooooo or forbidden. Actually, their main functions are very viable in conserving precious H2O if incorporated in your daily chores. Mind ya, when we had those water restrictions down here south, the Tabo & Balde options were award-winners in drought stricken lands!


My Tabo and Balde in Action!


Now as I've already mention in Part I, life in 3rd world Asia is not about luxury rather that of survival. Adapting to whatever available resources that's at hand and learning how to conserve it. As an example of humble living, bathrooms in Asia doesn't have the luxury of showers - if you're lucky you'll find faucets inside. Otherwise, you have to fetch the water with a water bucket, from somewhere else. Fill a big barrell situated in the bathroom for your consumption, then YOU can shower. For Americans who are used to all the amenities available to them, it is a dilemma or even utterly shocking entering a "bare" bathroom! Here's a classic example told to me by an American friend:

I went to thailand and stayed with a friend. It was time for me to take a shower so I went to the bathroom. The bathroom was situated apart from the main house. It was square and the walls were about 4ft high. There was a water bucket and a water scooper below the faucet and where to draw water, you have to pump the faucet. I didn't know what to do. I saw a big basin, filled it up with water, sat in and took a "bath". After a while, my friend checked on me and there he was chuckling and bursting into laughter. It was totally embarrassing. Needless to say, he taught me the lesson on "how to take a shower in Asia 101".

I conserve about 20 gallons of water each time my daughter wants to take a bath and about 5 gallons if she has to shower. The water bucket holds 10 quarts of water which is rougly 2 gallons. I use that to wash, shampoo her up, then refill it and use that same amount to fill the tub so she can play in the tub to her hearts content without wasting so much water in the process and safer for her. She's already 4 years old but I'm still paranoid about her drowning in the tub with so much water! In a gist, I'm conserving water and saving money on my water bills.

Here's what you can do: buy a water bucket and a water scoop ( i use a salad bowl - be creative. They're kinda hard to find but if you have an Asian market nearby, you're in luck!) and start experimenting. At the end of the month, see how much water you've saved and $$$ on your H2O bill. Don't forget to incorporate proper handling of water too, everytime you turn on that faucet.

Happy Tabo-Tabo showering!

Stay Tuned : Batya and Palangana - more on conserving H2O

Further Reading:
Part I - For women only

Don't be an inert energy : Be the first to comment or react to this post. OR burst!

FREE PROMOTION for you and your BLOG

Who don't want to shine?! Of course everyone wants to! Well, here's your chance to shine and get your blog promoted for FREE too !!! Isn't that awesome!? Unfortunately, I didn't find out about this until tonight- sorry I work full-time! :) - the deadline is by saturday, July 26. I feel such a bummer now! Anyway, if you're reading this, get your groovin' movin' and real fast! The Free promotion is offered by Liz Strauss , who is the founder of the popular Successful and Outstanding Bloggers Conference (SOBCon) and author of the fast selling ebook, The Secret to Writing a Successful and Outstanding Blog — The Insider’s Guide to the Conversation That’s Changing How Business Works.

Liz needed only a few informations about you and your blog and a few things. Check out her guidelines to get you started. Hurry!!! Ladies and Mommies (including gentlemen and daddies) - Good Luck!!! Hope you make it before the deadline. -Ok, You can strangle me later ! :)

Thanks to Lorelle for posting this innovative idea.
Article also published on BlogHer

GET OFF the PHONE and DRIVE

I was flabbergasted when I read this article about several organizations giving away free Bluetooth handsets or a reward of $20 discounts on Jawbone headsets to hands-free law offenders! why!? What kind of society have we become? I hope no one takes this against me, but I just hate, no loathe drivers who yaks on their phones at no end, in the highways and major roads no less! And, I do have a valid reason for feeling this way...

A year and 7 months ago, we figured in an accident in the highway (I-485) at the busiest time of the night. A car slammed on us and rear-ended our car. It totally freaked me out because my daughter who was 3 years old at that time was sleeping in the backseat ( if you must know I get emotional about this. I was so traumatized, I'm still trying to get over the fear of being in the highway). To make the experience scarier, a 15-wheeler truck almost side-swept all of us, when the driver ,who obviously is not paying attention either, braked too quickly to avoid us and a car infront of him, making his truck skid and weave like a snake, literally slipping on the road with the rest of its' body half folded and too close to us for comfort! Smell of burnt tire and wrecked car permeated the air like forever! I was trembling like crazy holding my baby in the shoulder of a dimly lit highway. I was numbed with fear. The state patrol wasn't a help either, they came after almost an hour! Luckily, no one suffered major injuries. I did have a bad whiplash on the neck as a result. Still gives me a shiver to this day!

As it turns out the guy who rear-ended us was yakking on his phone and wasn't paying attention! These type of drivers are deadly and hazardous - not just to themselves but to others! I could never count the times, either I got cut off or almost collided with another car because these drivers are so engrossed blabbing on their cellphones! I say, Cellphone usage should be banned entirely when driving! Now you know why I am so against drivers who yaks on their phone while driving.

Then like putting salt on a fresh wound, some companies are patronizing and condoning these offenders for their bad deeds by rewarding them with goodies. Lovely! Doesn't that just makes you mad?! Ok, don't want additional wrinkles on my face...ommm...

To say the least, we should strive to make the roads safer for our kids and ourselves. Let it begin with us parents... Don't you agree?All I can say is DON'T TALK and DRIVE!

Photo : My daily commuting mantra as seen on my bumper sticker

Dinner served in a Toilet Bowl : Bizarre Restaurant in Asia

Ok I know the title does seem gross and I agree it does! Normally, I won't post anything like this but heck, it sure deserve some exposure! :) It's the flip side of Asia! This should be included in Ripley's Believe it or Not collection of oddities. It's so bizarre and yet such a big hit in Asia.Take a look at some of the pictures that was sent to me for my viewing (gagging) pleasure: You think you have the guts( no pun intended) to dine in this restaurant ?

Just for Fun - A Weekender Post

Not much goin' on. Just bumming around the humble abode with my good ole' bear trying to brainstorm on some business ventures. We're like old farts, what can I say? Been married 5 years but already felt like it's been 20+ years! And with this, I'll recap my weekender post with a bit of entertainment I found in a reputable magazine: It's just a simple no-brainer test to see where you're marriage is at. Just try it for fun. It won't kill you :) I also want to see how this poll work, so you're doing me a favor! Thanks and enjoy!

HOW STRONG IS YOUR MARRIAGE ?

Your Choices and Score Value:

A : Heck No! = 0
B : Not Sure = 1
C : Maybe = 2
D : Sometimes = 3
E : 100% sure = 4

Your Q's :

1. Even on worst days, I know that if I were in real trouble, my husband would drop everything to help me.

2. We had fun together at the beginning of our marriage?

3. We have our differences, but eventually apologizes if he sees that he's hurt my feelings.

4. If my sister or best friend were married to him, and things weren't great between them, I'd tell her to keep working on it.

5. We were compatible physically at the beginning of our relationship.

6. Though we've gone through difficult times, I can at least tell my kids that they have a dad worthy of their respect.

7. He makes me feel safe.

8. He was supportive of my personal interests and goals the first few years we knew each other.

9. If I had to explain to my kids, years from now, why staying with their dad was good for them and for me, I think I could make a pretty good case.

10. If my marriage dissolved and I later saw my husband out with another woman, I'd feel a sense of longing or sadness or jealousy.



Now Calculate your Points and see your results below:

30 or more : Congratulations! you're Marriage is stable & fulfilling.
20-29 : Oopsy, you're probably in a temporary bad patch there.
less than 20 : You need a lot of work to make your marriage work!

More on Weekender Posts:
Gratitude Journal Challenge

Life in Asia - Part I : For Women Only

I have been impressed with Crunchy Chicken's take on one of her Eco-green challenges involving cloth wipes. It just bring smiles to my lips and brings back so many memories of me growing up. For this practice has been uncommon in Asia (Philippines). And it dumbfounded me that someone in the US have actually stumbled upon this ancient custom by women in the Far East. I particularly grew up a practitioner, if that is the politically correct verbiage for it, of this "feminine ritual". Life in a 3rd world country like Asia is hard, you make do of whatever you have or not have, which for the most part is the "not have" side of it. In this manner, growing up in Asia has made us more adaptable and attune to whatever available resources that's at hand which to this day and age is considered Eco-green living. To some it's barbaric, to others its' the fact of life!

Here's my expose' on the versions of "Eco-green living"...the Asian way...back then & now... And since this post is prompted by Crunchy Chicken's cloth wipes, it is befitting that I begin my exposition on that topic: The handy feminine "Punas" (wipes) :

Think about the boonies. What comes into mind ? Picture yourself living in it. The forest is your shopping mall. If you look at the picture above, that is the traditional house, Bahay Kubo (Nipa Hut) & setting where I lived and grew up. Luxury doesn't exist in any form. It's like being Jane in Tarzan's world! And being a woman with feminine needs, it can get kinda rough (and gross). Think about when its that "time of the month". yuk! Feminine wipes, pads or even toilet papers are basically unknown & has not reached the mainstream market yet. So what's a woman to do? Our talented foremothers created one just for that purpose - and more - which was passed on to the next generation & beyond : Old white T-shirts were recycled into feminine wipes...

Dilemmas: What if you're a bloody Mess ? - Now even with cloth wipes being handy, it still gets tricky when you're a bloody mess- so, instead of using the wipe after each trip to the restroom, we resort to "kaw-kaw our papaws" -pronounced like cow(wash our delicate selves)- or moo-moo cows as how my daughter calls it - then we use the wipe to dry our "pretty flowers". Makes sense, don't it? Back then, the cloth wipes was one of the essentials you'll see stuffed in women's purses or bags. You won't catch one without it especially when they're away from their own turf. Ok this is starting to sound like a vagina monologue now, don't you think? :)

Care instructions: Depends on your preference. If you wash (cow-cow) yourself every trip to the restroom (which is highly hygienic) and using the cloth wipe to dry you up, then you can wash the cloth until you think it's necessary, especially when it doesn't pass the "smell" or "scent" test ! (",). Otherwise, hang to dry until next use. And if you must wash after every use, wash (or handwash) as normal but use delicate soap. Now, If you want to incorporate washing yourself every trip to the bathroom a habit , here is one handy tool that would surely do the trick: Peri Bottle! - I love mine! For any mother who has given birth in a hospital, you get them free. Make use of it. It makes for a wonderful feminine hygiene gadget.

... And more: In the absence of feminine pads, the same recycled shirt morphs into a menstrual pad. They're cut into the biggest square possible then folded several times into a rectangular shape, wide enough to fit onto an underwear then sewed. This are designated as "special" menstrual underwears. Like the cloth wipe, a spare one is always carried around for emergencies & attached with safety pins. Ouch!

Lunapads has actually captured the very essence of this idea - and they're very cute too!

Here is a funny excerpt from the past when Feminine pads finally permeated the market:

The 1st type of feminine pads that made to our store shelves was the ones with "belts". Strings are tied on both ends and are attached to a belt that goes around your waist. My Aunt decided to try this modern contraption - without the belt! She took me with her to the market. We walked since we live so close to the center of the city. She was busy telling me stories when all of a sudden, a man yelled for her attention. He was pointing at her bloodied pad on the ground with disgust & embarrassment! - Her pad fell out. - she must have been wearing really loose underwear. As for my Aunt & I, we both went crazy laughing! -Thank heavens for sticky glues on the feminine pads now!

So, say goodbye to toilet papers & more and save trees!- As you can see, I've already passed on this age-old tradition to my daughter. What about you? I am interested in finding out what age-old traditions or ritual you have growing up. From what country did you grow up? I would like to know how our different living conditions dictates the way each of our diverse cultures lives & adapts to survive.

dig this: Some motherly advice - If you must use toilet paper in public toilets, wet the paper slightly. This will soften the paper & saves you from those icky wacky paper scratches, not to say, those loose fibers that is also an irritant. If our "flowers" can sneeze, it probably already have everytime you use toilet paper!

Timeless Beauty straight from the Farm

Yukky chemical ingredients in beauty products drives you mad? Organic options too expensive for your budget? What then if you were given an all-natural, do-it-yourself alternative, will you go for it? Yes? -Then go old school with me! In this world of ever-growing chemical abomination & health-risks, it always makes me think twice (scrutinize the label ) when I buy certain manufactured products especially stuffs that goes to my skin. It's the only skin I'll ever have so, I better take care of it when I can -and now. It will do me good when I'm older & aging gracefully (I hope) - I'm a woman just like you (unless you're not), you'll agree that we're naturally vain about our looks! And in this tough economy, anything that's not tough on the budget but tough on wrinkles are always a welcome treat! That is why, I am thrilled to share to you this beauty potions I stumbled upon during my Eco-questing patrols. They're Eco-licious, fabulously yummy concoctions that's 100% natural & made for timeless, ageless skin!

Now that you're armed with "weapons" for conquering the farmer's market from my previous post, here's an added small task: buy a little extra for your skin's consumption. Yep, those same food you eat, will also be "eaten" by your skin! Here are some of my top pick recipes - and remember, don't lick that spoon!

Sumptuous Rose Bath - beyond this flower's heavenly scent lies an amazing antidepressant, astringent, cleansing, antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties- known for soothing body, mind & spirit.

1 cup rose petals OR 1/2 cup rose water(from health-food store)
1/2 cup coconut milk.

Draw a warm bath.Add the rose petals or rose water and coconut milk. Slip into tub and relax for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse, tone and moisturize.

Avocado Cream Mask - Rich in Vitamins A, D & E as well as potassium, sulfur & chlorine, this fruit is often used on the face & hair. Combining carrots, w/c are high in beta-carotene & antioxidants, & cream which is high in calcium & protein, may help rebuild skin collagen, improve tone & texture & help fade age spots.

1 avocado, mashed
1 carrot, cooked & mashed
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 egg beaten
3 tbsp honey

Combine all ingredients in a bowl & mix until smooth. Spread gently over face & neck & leave in place 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water & follow with toner.

Cucumber Honey Toner - The cucumber can have an internal temperature as much as 20 degrees lower than its surroundings & is often used for its cooling & astringent properties.

1 medium cucumber, peeled and cut into pieces
2 tsp. honey

Puree cucumber in a blender, line a sieve with cheesecloth & set the sieve over a glass bowl or measuring cup. Pour the cucumber puree into the sieve & let it stand for 15 mins while the juices drip into the bowl. Pour the clear juice into a clean bottle & add honey. Makes about a cup. May be stored in the fridge for up to a week. To use, shake the bottle & saturate cotton pad with the liquid. Sweep over face, neck & chest morning & night & allow about 3 o 4 minutes for the solution to air-dry.

Invigorating Coffee Scrub - Coffee beans contains magnesium & vitamin E. It has antioxidant,antibacterial,exfoliating & stimulating properties that may revive tired skin. And you get a great cup of Java to boot!

3 tbsp. cofee grounds(organic, caffeinated)
1 tbsp. salt (optional)

Brew a fresh pot of coffee. Put grounds ( and salt) in a small bowl. Use fresh grounds within 20 minutes of brewing to avoid oxidation. Scrub mixture over entire body while in the shower. Rinse, tone & moisturize.

What do you think ? Do they seem like a very sensible, easy to manage beauty solution for you? I think it is awesome.Do you agree? Did you want me to quest for more natural beauty alternatives that we all can use ? - let me know.

For more eco-yummy recipes, go to www.allnaturalbeauty.us & knock your wrinkles crazy!

How to conquer the Farmer's Market - Buyer's Guide 101

If you're following my posts, as promised: here is the addendum for my previous post Ways to beat soaring prices where I cited shopping at your local farmer's market is one way of saving some bucks!- Which I can vouch for, being a farmer's market shopper for a time now. Shopping at the farmer's market not only keeps the money in your local economy , helping your friendly farmer neighbors but also improves your diet since it ends up cutting all sorts of processed and packaged foods in favor of raw, whole ingredients. Best of all, since they're locally produce, they're cheaper & fresher compared to store bought ones. Whether you're a new convert to the joy's of farmer's market or a long time supporter, here are some expert tip I have collected along with my own experience to help you buy wisely and make the most of the experience:

1. Be prepared - plan your day ahead. If you prefer to pay in cash, make sure you have enough small bills (Most vendors/farmers accepts credit card payments anyway, so no worry there, if you don't have cash) - but to be in the safe side, hubby & I usually stash some cash in our pockets for instances where we encounter cash only vendors. We also bring our own recyclable, reusable bags. If you love mother earth, ditch the plastic bags and provide your own eco-green bags. Put a cooler in your car too, to store perishable produce especially when you'll have to do longer rounds. Aim to arrive early to get the freshest variety available or late in the day, just before closing, to get the best bargain (but may not be as fresh).

2. Talk to Strangers - Strike up a conversation with the vendor: It may land you a better deal & discounts too. I usually chat with either the vendor or his assistants to get "inside" scoops on his produce which makes for essential choices. It also creates a relationship which will be beneficial in the long run. Also, connect with other shoppers, they are the best tools for finding best priced produce & customer-friendly vendors.

3. Be mindful of Prices - Don't jump on the 1st banana you see on sight. Some vendors sell their produce higher than others. Scour the premises for price comparison first & as soon as you find the best deal, then dude, you can grab that banana! A tactic hubby & I learn when perusing the farmer's market is to "divide & conquer". I prowl half of the premise while he scours the other half of it, then we meet in the middle and compare notes. By doing this, we get the best deals & getting the best produce we needed.

4. Sample the Goods - I love this portion especially when watermelon is in season! Since most vendors will encourage you to stop, smell and taste before you buy- just go for it! My daughter loves the free-tasting too. It makes for an instant snack! Keeps her happy, makes our shopping a happy experience! There's also nothing compared to savoring the goodness of something you're paying good dollars for before actually buying it. It's worth each penny you spend!

5. Bring the Kids - taking the kids can be fun & educational. Kids are a lot more likely to eat their veggies if they help pick them out. Not to say, if you have a toddler, the stroller becomes a useful tool for hanging your grocery bags! My daughter loves looking at all the fruits she knows and loves being able to help select the veggies & fruits when we do buy them. It keeps her entertained & also learning a few other things in between.

6. Don't insist on organic - A lot of small farms don't get certified because the process is just too burdensome and expensive. Most of them are pesticide free or no spray. If you're not sure about the produce you're buying, you can always ask the farmer. This is where striking up a conversation with them comes in handy.

7. Make it last - Buy fruits & veggies you can pickle or jar or freeze them to use as jams & sauces later on. I don't have the talent for this, so I just buy what we need. Sorry, not perfect! (",) - but hey, if you do - go crazy and stock up on seasonal fruits & veggies that you can make use of at any given season.

8. Be a composter -If you don't know how to do it or care to do it, some markets provide compost stands. Composting helps prevent pollution, cleans up contaminated soil and reduces the need for water, fertilizer, and pesticides. If your market doesn't offer a composting drop-off, suggest one.

I hope this will make your trip to the Farmer's market an exciting experience. Do you have any shopping tips to share to make shopping at the farmer's market pleasant? I would love to hear them.

*complimentary resource: vegetarian times

Sound Effects of White Noise

Have you ever dabbled on the effect of white noise to give you sound snooze? We, in my household uses a white noise generator to mask annoying external noises -we live near a major road & the airport - at night so we can get some Zzz's. My Geek hubby sent me this interesting link by I Dose that offers more than snooze dose and of which I thought is worth sharing to insomniac bloggers like me. It has interesting options with Silly titles like Aspirin which is good for headache and Red Bull, for you know what. I'll see about Coffee break which claims to be an energy booster. They're downloadable & provide streaming links.

I Dose says: Binaural beats affects our brainwaves directly, and can stimulate various states, such as altering moods, behavior and consciousness*.

What do you think of this funky approach?I am quite intrigued of whether this really works as claimed. Below is the downloadable links. Will you please let me know if they worked for you?

What should I do to try this out?
1. Sit or lay down in a comfortable place.
2. Wear your headphones.
3. Choose your desired state from the following list.
4. Close your eyes, and enjoy the ride:)

		Super brain (Recommended before problem solving activities)
		Inspiration and Creativity (Recommended for artists, writers and generally man of letters)
		Coffee break (Recommended instead of coffee drinking)
		Aspirin (Recommended against headaches)
		Relaxation (Recommended at the end of busy days or weeks)
		Meditation (Recommended for meditation and healing)
		Pain Killers (Recommended against any kind of pain)
		Lucid dreams (Recommended for intense dreams, Out of body experience and Astral projection)
		Red Bull (Recommended for energy boost and for reducing sleeping hours)
		Mirage (Recommended before art & creative activities)
		Focus (Recommended before activities in which you should stay sharp and quick)
* Please note, that these tones, and music is not by any mean, a replacement for Medical treatment.

White noise - n. a sound containing a blend of all the audible frequencies distributed equally over the range of the frequency band.

Link

Weekender Post

I want to recap my week with a focus on Gratitude. Ironic as it seem, it is human nature to easily remember the negative things rather than the positive things that happens in our lives, or actions done to us by other people. We call these negativity many names and sometimes etch them in stone with anger and hatred. How long do you hold a grudge against a person that has done you wrong? Sometimes it takes a lifetime for others. I know someone close to me that did and sadly, it didn't do her good. She was miserable for years! So, I'm throwing in the red flag your way. Unless you're in denial, then stop right here and read no more! This is for the brave of heart and conscientious soul...no, actually, this is really easy! This is what you need to do: for the next couple of weeks, create a little journal of things you're thankful about. Write even the simplest things and next to it is the reason why. At the end of the 2 weeks, take time to read what you wrote and find out what feeling it gives you and how all that positive chi(energy) starts free-flowing. The challenger who wrote the most, wins the challenge and will be my featured post & blog for the week. If you want to take the dare, sign up by leaving a comment with your name and blog url (or not if you have none).At each week of the 2-week challenge,submit your list, so I can tally your numbers.

Here is my Gratitude list for this week:

1. Thankful that I (still) have a job - with the economy now,a lot of people are either losing their jobs or finding it hard to find one. Most of all, 2 working couples is better than one(right now).

2.Thankful that I was sick for 4 days - not fun but I did get to spend more quality time with my daughter that I normally couldn't do during the week. She now knows how to spell cat and... Mom (her favorite word!) - best of all, I lost 3 lbs.!

3.Thankful that I have a Child-I was stressing about not getting pregnant again when I wanted to, but then I think about women who couldn't even bear one child. I have one. I'm blessed nonetheless.

4. Thankful for a loving husband - who always takes care of lunch & ready in time for me when I come home. I don't cook much anymore. He does!

5.Thankful that I am in the US - and in a better living condition. I grew & lived in a 3rd world country. I know how it's like to be poor.

There you go. I'm sure you have a lot to be thankful for.Write them down & see how just by simply reading what you're thankful about dramatically changes your perspective of your own life. Remember,submit your 1st list on July19th. or you can just keep them to yourself & be inspired by it (",) or share it to us and inspire others.

What the Heck! Migraine Headache!

Let me take a little detour...How was your 4th of July ? Mine was great considering minor weather upsets that dampened our spirits a bit with the forthcoming notion of not having fireworks due to bad weather that prevailed til late that night. Fortunately, the sky in Charlotte, NC finally smiled at us & we managed to see fireworks afterall.

A sunny,bright day at Lake Wylie....



turned dreary & stormy...that gave way to Fireworks!!! God Bless America....

Now for the real reason for this post...
Who amongst you experience headaches ? to be precise, those head-exploding, throbbing Migraine headaches ??? Over a year, it is estimated that 90% of the population get at least 1 headache. And if you're a woman like me, you're in bad luck! 25% of women and 8% of men get migraines sometime in their lifetime. To me, It is one of the top reasons I miss work. When I get it, it's usually baaaadddd! I had it since saturday & let me tell you, it was way too rough. It sneaked up on me like a thief in the night. All of a sudden I have this massive headache, I was sweating hot inside a cold room, probably due to my body reacting to the pain. I commenced the entire day puking my guts out. No fun!

Hopefully this new device that was recently invented will solve this problem for Migraine sufferers like you & me. Called a transcranial magnetic stimulation device (TMS), it transmits magnetic pulses that interrupt the "hyper-excitability" of neurons in the brain, which some experts believe is to blame for launching the migraine. The device is portable and weighs about 3 pounds. It looks like a box with two handles on either side. It works as a zapper that zaps the pain impules in your head. Manufacturer hopes to market the device within 6 months and after approved by FDA. I guess, I'll be popping in more pain relievers till then.

Early prevention is always a lifesaver especially when it concerns our kids : See if your child exhibits any symptoms that points to Migraine Headache in Children .

As for me, I missed work since Monday. I tried to work Tuesday but only managed to work half-day. It's wednesday now, I'm in my jammies & I'm still home sick. I must have caught something else...oh well...there goes my paycheck !