Sunday, March 6, 2011

A week in picures






While downloading pictures I took on our trip to LV, I am struck by the comparison between what God has made or Mother Nature and what man has built. I love sitting at a window seat while flying and seeing the land below. The rocky mountains are truly majestic from any perspective. This picture was taken shortly before landing in Denver. The rest of the pictures are taken in LV. Although I believe in evolution theory, I can't help but think that God had a lot to do with the mountains. They are so beautiful

109 comments:

jan said...

I have a need to narrate the pictures. The first is over the Rocky mts in CO. The next 2 are in front of the replicas of David and Venus de Milo - these replicas are in front of Caesar's Palace. The 4th is of some of the glitz and Bling of LV at night over one of the huge pools - can't remember where that was. the last pic is the fountain in front of the Belllagio.

The first night we were in LV- we were in a room across from this fountain at the Bellagio. It makes a lot of noise and kept waking me up. After the incident next door, we moved to another room the 2nd night. Slept well after that.

Anonymous said...

Jan, A GREAT post!!

I am so glad to see that you are back. I was hoping you would put up a blog and pictures of your trip, and was happily surprised to find one. I love the pictures - you and John look like a couple of youngsters out having a good time. I also love your post, especially this: " I am struck by the comparison between what God has made or Mother Nature and what man has built." Man has done some wonderful, beautiful things, but as far as competing with Mother Nature, forget it. In your pictures though, the combination sure can be gorgeous though.

Your photographs just keep getting better and better. Loved the one of the rocky mountains too -- that's one of the only things I miss since we moved, the gorgeous mountains. And I remember driving through New Mexico on the way here, and the mountains there are breath taking.

How did you like Vegas? We used to go there a lot, when we lived next door in S. Ca. Flying was so easy and cheap back then, and we always had such fun there (it was so luxurious). I've heard the place has completely changed since we were last there (I think more geared toward young families??). Not sure though and it sure looks good in your pics.

Anonymous said...

Carol, That Louisiana tornado sounds like it was awful. I read about a young woman who got on top of her child/baby to protect her, and then the woman was killed when a tree fell on the house, but the child lived. So sad to even think about, the things that happen to people every day.

Have you felt any of the effects where you are?

Anonymous said...

I think you guys 'might' like that movie 'Just Give' (Carol, it's an instant download). The woman on it is a worrier like us. It's not a comedy, but it looks at things in a funny way, and I've found myself thinking about it and talking about it a lot the last couple of days. I was particularly touched by the ending, just the exchange of feelings between the family.

Last night I watched 'Junebug', which I found myself liking even more. It's a weird little movie too, and I kept wondering where it was headed. But it had just the right ending also. Very meaningful - simple, but very effective. And a surprise to me, because I wasn't sure what to expect.

I'm realizing how important endings are to me, not just in movies, but everywhere else too.

Anonymous said...

.. again, welcome home Jan!

Carol, hoping things are going well for you too. I read our Scotty Mans blog this morning too, and it sounds like he's pulling things together, and enjoying thoughts of the coming spring and new life, like the rest of us. He seems to be solving his problems one thing at a time, and keeping his attitude, his philosophy, in a positive light. Very uplifting.

Gotta catch up on last thread now.

Anonymous said...

Wow Carol, I just read about your latest problems. Hope you keep us posted.

Anonymous said...

And so good to see you were here Solar.

Good luck on your presentation. I'll be looking forward to hearing how it goes.

Carol said...

My comments at the end of the last post:

Carol said...
Congrats Solar! I knew you could do it and you will!

March 6, 2011 12:40:00 PM PST
Carol said...
Jan, I had a similar situation happen years ago. Three of my friends and I were spending the night in a Houston hotel waiting to fly out the next morning. We were all asleep when we were awakened by this loud noise coming from the next room. It was the sound of someone slapping someone, yelling something and was accompained by the sound of porn on their TV.

We all just laid there for a few minutes before anyone said anything and then we started laughing. We finally had to call the hotel security. We heard security come up and knock on the door. It did quiet down. The next morning when one of my friends heard that door open, she looked out and saw this woman who looked like a hooker come stutting out of the door.

March 6, 2011 12:45:00 PM PST

Carol said...

My grass is growing like bad weeds. Actually it is bad weeds that are growing. I just finished mowing for the second time this year and it's only early March. It was a little cooler than I would have liked....but it is March, so that's good.

Carol said...

And great pics again Jan. Thanks for posting them and for sharing your narrative. And my votes goes to what God has made.

Carol said...

But then God can take credit for all of it.

Carol said...

I'm particularly partial to the women...with the two arms...in the sunglasses.

jan said...

Solar, your plan for your houses sounds great. So glad to see you here. Hope you keep coming back and keeping us informed as to the progress of your plan for these houses.

jan said...

So right Carol - God can take the credit for it all.

jan said...

I have to tell you all a funny story. During a break I walked downstairs to a shopping area in the hotel we were in. A pretty young woman with a different accent approached me and enticed me over to a make up counter. Turns out she was from Israel and wanted to try some skin products on me to "erase" some of my wrinkles. I am game for anything so I agreed. This stuff was supposed to be made with stuff from the Dead Sea. She only put the stuff on the right side of my face. It is supposed to plump up the skin in a way to erase the wrinkes. Well it actually did work pretty well- but I went back to the conference with one side pretty plumped up and wrinkly and dry on the other side. I did not buy the stuff - much too expensive. I am back to normal now - both sides wrinkly. I understand there are some products that do the job - I need to check them out.

Have you all heard about these products? I wear a skin conditioner on my face every day but have pretty much given up on make up. Just too much trouble.

jan said...

Chloe, I am not wild about Vegas. I did want John to go - he had never been there. He had fun scouting out places for us to visit in the evenings when I was out of the conference. It was fun seeing it all with him. I would not pay to go there again. There are other places I would like to go.

jan said...

I think Vegas is a young people's playground. I don't think it would be that good for kids. I have heard that it was more of a family place years ago, but I think it is more for adults now. Lots of obese people sitting at the slot machines. quite a few people using fancy wheel chairs.

jan said...

There isn't a lot of smoke in the casinos now but it is a place where people can still smoke so I bet people who smoke like it there as it is one of the few public places where people can smoke now.

Carol said...

Jan, if you find something that will plump....you up, let me know. And I won't spend a fortune either. And the plumping must only work on my wrinkles cuz I've already achieved that for the rest of my body.

Carol said...

This is a GREAT speech and well worth the time it takes to read it:

America Is Not Broke

Carol said...

or watch the video

Carol said...

What's going on in Madison is bigger than just teachers, it's bigger than just the unions, it's American finally saying....we're not gonna take it, no, we're not gonna take it, we're not going to take it anymore!

Carol said...

I had trouble with the video on Huff Post so I had to watch it on youtube on Iphony.

Carol said...

Actually I couldn't get it to play even on Iphony but if you have the same problem, just read it.

Carol said...

I am trying to watch a movie on LMN and it's one of those intense suspenseful movies. So suspenseful that I had to pause it and record it so I can watch it in small pieces. I keep telling myself....it's just a movie. The name of the movie is "Confined".

Carol said...

And Chloe, I did give that "Just Give" a try last night and got half way thru it. It just didn't grab me. I'll finish it later. I watched instead most of "The Nature of Existence". It a documentary and something I've been pondering for most of my life. I fell asleep before it was over and up until I did, I still didn't find any answers to my ponderings.

Anonymous said...

America ain't broke!

Carol, Thanks for that great read. I loved it and will pass it onto others.

Carol said...

Something I have often pondered is...that the term prochoice should be changed to pro women's rights. Prochoice has come to mean pro abortion and that's not fair since I bet that most Dems are actually pro life but don't think the government should be making those decisions for women. I know of no one who is actually pro abortion.

And it's crazy that the party of pro life want's everyone to have a gun so they are prepared to kill at a moments notice, believes in Capital punishment, hang um high, and wants to cut many programs that help feed and provide what's necessary to keep poor people alive. Not a very pro life agenda!

jan said...

Just read the Scottie blooger's weekly reading. One thing he wrote makes an impact with me - that is "Life is a moving target" - I suppose what is meant by this is that - things are always changing.

jan said...

Chloe, would love to see the movies you recommend - will have to put off for a few days. I came back home to a stack of papers to grade and evaluations to do for my recent student group. As the saying goes, it ain't finished till the paperwork is done. That is so true in nursing and teaching.

I did watch my last week's taped Modern Family and Big Bang Theory. We caught the last Idol so we saw who got kicked off and who got brought back. Modern Family was one of the best they have done.

jan said...

I must leave the political discussions to you guys. You follow this stuff and I don't.

jan said...

I just have room in my life for so much news and have to cut out something.

Carol said...

Jan, I don't enjoy keeping up with politics anymore but feel I need to keep up with enough of it to know which way I need to run. It does affect every aspect of our lives and I want to be prepared.

You do have a husband to tune in and let you know which way to run if the need be. If I had someone close to me who was keeping up, I think I could tune out...or tune in less often. Being alone is not easy and it's getting harder every year.

jan said...

Click here: Doggy and Deer

jan said...

You will have to copy this and paste it in google. It is a video clip of a deer and a dog. It is kind of long but worth the wait.

jan said...

Carol, I choose to "remain in the dark" in relation to politics. True, John does keep me informed about current events. Even when I was single, I didn't keep up with much of the stuff on the news. I do try and keep up with local politics and who is running for what and what they are "for and against".

jan said...

"feel I need to keep up with enough of it to know which way I need to run. It does affect every aspect of our lives and I want to be prepared. "

I guess I will just run in the direction of everyone else.

Carol said...

And Jan, politics is like a cross between a reality show and a soap opera. There's scandals, sex, lies, ridiculous unbelievable situations, etc and like soap operas the same old s--- goes on for weeks and months without any progress being made.

But then I don't like either reality shows or soap operas. Go figure.

Carol said...

And I think that another reason I pay attention to all the crises going on everywhere is to distract me from my own. Kinda makes mine seem petty.

I did get a good laugh out of Modern Family but I always do. That's 30 minutes of great distraction I can count on almost every week.

Carol said...

I spent most of my holiday working on SF issues. What's new?

I am pondering how to get out of all of that. I have to make sure he's in a safe environment and will stay there, get him thru the interdiction process so he can't give away what he has and has it available to provide his care. Then I'm looking for someone to pass this all to. I'll continue to visit.

It's just all way beyond my scope.It requires expertise in things I don't have expertise in. It's another full time job and I can't do that with the one I already have. My life is going to pot. UNCLE!

Carol said...

You know guys, I've often thought that our life on this planet is like going to school. Learning and evolving is our mission here. Sometimes the classes are easy, sometimes the classes are tough. The more we progress, the tougher the classes get. Those people who seem to have it sooo easy....they are just in kindergarten, or on the bottom rung of the ladder.

I was scared shitless the entire time I was in graduate school, both of them. I felt like I was a phoney and someone was bound to eventually find out. Afterall I was an ADD, ADHD kid. It wasn't my fault I was born a month premature and a twin. To boot, mom both drank and smoked while growing my sister and I. She said she asked her Doc if it was alright to drink and he said it was as long as she didn't fall down. None of that info, about the dangers of ingesting chemicals while pregnant or learning disabilities was even invented back then or if any of it was, no one knew about it down in our neck of the woods.

Carol said...

What are some of my life lessons? I've had a boat load of them in the current class I'm enrolled in. I think I have identified a few. They include learning to deal with ego, guilt, boundries, control. Those are the first issues that come to mind. I think that probably many of you may have some of the same issues.

Another lesson is when you are traveling down one road and that road is filled with landminds, fraught with danger, turn around, go back, it's the wrong road! Unfortunately they don't make a GPS for life. But maybe they do, maybe it's intuition.

That brings me to another lesson, and that is to follow your intuition. It's there to protect you. I have so often proceeded when my intuition told me that there was serious trouble ahead. I just didn't trust my intuition. I thought I was just being paranoid.

Carol said...

I was so mad that the lawyer took the retainer and hit the road. I thought..what else can go wrong here. I'm now starting to realize that maybe that was a good thing. It gave me time to more fully identify what all I'm up against and decide what I will be willing and capable of doing with SF before signing on any dotted lines.

Carol said...

Jan, Doggy and Dear bring up a lot of stuff on Google. Could you give us another hint of what you are referring to?

Anonymous said...

"I just have room in my life for so much news"

Hi Jan. I completely agree -- I don't keep up with the news either (except some of the things that are impossible for me ignore).

Hope you're getting caught up on all your paper work. Craig at TM had a nice post about teachers the other day. There were a lot of commenter's talking about how important (even life changing) teachers have been in their lives. It was a very touching thread, giving teachers the recognition they deserve.

Anonymous said...

And Carol, Carol, What you said about pregnant women drinking and smoking way back when is so true. I often think of how much all the things that we can't remember (before we were 3 or so) and the things that happen while we're in the womb affect us. We don't remember them, but they're still a very important part of 'who' we are. They say we're like sponges those first few years and will never absorb things as completely as we do at that age.

And what you said here: "Another lesson is when you are traveling down one road and that road is filled with landminds, fraught with danger, turn around, go back, it's the wrong road!"

is soooo true. Trial and error seems to be the only way to learn sometimes.

Anonymous said...

And as you said, we need to listen to that inner voice that is our intuition. It's there to warn us.

jan said...

Sorry about the doggie and deer thing - lost it.

Carol said...

Today's Unity Prayer

Release
My thoughts are lifted up, and my life is renewed.
The ashes used in many traditions for Ash Wednesday come from burning the prior year's palms. In the same way, I release old habits and thoughts as I prepare for the arising of new life in me. Today I pray:

"Lord, help me walk a path of renewal. I lift up my old life for purification, confident a new life rises from those ashes. I release every limitation I believe is true about my worth and power, my beauty and creativity. I sweep away every debt I believe anyone owes me. I cast off every condemnation I carry. I pray with an open heart, releasing limits, pain and false beliefs with ease. I accept new wisdom, understanding and peace with grace. For the gifts of my journey of purification and renewal, I am grateful. Amen."

No one puts new wine into old wineskins ... but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins.--Mark 2:22

jan said...

A great prayer for today. thanks Carol.

jan said...

just wondering if you all are watching Idol. I have my favorites - Casey & Pia. The talent is better than they have ever had on Idol.

jan said...

OK, I also love James Durbin. He sang a Beatles song. Gosh I don't know who to vote for.

Carol said...

Jan, last night was the first time I have ever watched Idol all the way thru. Only missed one perforance due to a phone call because I can't pause Fox. I agree that they have a group of fantastic talent. It seems it will be a choice of who is the greatest of the great. They could all have a career. Hey, the first one out may be the first one with a record deal.

Carol said...

The judges criticism seems to be regarding the choice of song, how it was presented or their physical performance. When it came to the song, there must have been some influence from those producers who were working with the singers.

I found myself agreeing with the judges most of the time and I still like it that they aren't mean and rude with their critiques. There's enough meanness in this world.

Carol said...

And speaking of meanness....my prayers go out to the good people of Libya and Wisconsin. May the greedy and evil ones involved see the light and see it soon.

Carol said...

Yesterday, work was great! My peeps in both clinics worked as a well oiled machine. Returning from 4 days off is always a challenge but it ended up being the best day I've had there in a while. It helps to start the day with a prayer.

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear you had such a good day yesterday, Carol. Hope you did too, Jan.

It's cold here this morning (will need to dress in layers, to beready for a warmer afternoon) -- I'm going to be on the run - so I'd better get on my way.

Maybe today will go as well as yesterday for everyone!

Carol said...

Just finished watching the International Space Station pass overhead. Local news said it would pass over between 7:14-7:18. A friend called me to tell me about it and then she called when she spotted it. I ran out and watched it pass. Pretty cool!

Carol said...

Well, the Idol decision tonight was also my decision. That never happens. But it is still sad, very sad. Waiting for you to find out Jan.

Carol said...

I think that Scotty, one of my favorites, reminds me of Alfred E Newman. Remember him? Mad Magazine.

Carol said...

Craig announced tonight that his blog might have to find a new home. Chloe, you have any idea what's up? He didn't explain.

Carol said...

And Jan, Casey wasn't there tonight because they said he was in the hospital. I read on an Idol blog that rumor has it he has a bleeding ulcer. And it mentioned that this is the second time he's been in the hospital. Man, if he can't hang this early in the game, I can't see how he can get thru this competition. That would be a shame since he's got the talent.

Carol said...

My A/C is getting dizzy going back and forth from AC to heat and often in the same day.

Carol said...

Yesterday I heard La's Buddy Roemer in an interview on Dylan's show. He's considering a 2012 run for president. He was talking about campaign finance reform and I think it will be a key issue in his campaign. I liked what he said and I think that is one of the biggest problems in politics. He was a Dem but switched to the Rep party in 1991. I will keep my eye on him.

jan said...

I just hate it when I write a long comment and it disappears. I don't know if I can get it all on here again. Bummer!

jan said...

I was in a breastfeeding conference all day yesterday and then had a good friend spend the night last night. She lives in Santa Fe but used to work with me when I first moved here. It was fun to catch up. I forget how nice it is to spend time with a friend. I need to remember this.

jan said...

Carol, I too do better when I have a little prayer in the morning. I use swimming and walking for meditation and when I do this in the morning it always makes for a better day no matter what comes my way.

jan said...

Chloe, what do you do for some time to yourself now that little Emma is in preschool a few mornings?

jan said...

I taped last night's Idol and watched the end.

Carol, I too predicted she would be one to go. The guys this year are overall much better than the girls. I do think Pia is going to be the girl to beat. The guys though are great. I am sorry to hear about Casey. I too wonder if he will make it all the way through. He is one of my favorites.

jan said...

Well, I have another day at Breastfeeding conference. You might wonder - is there that much to that can be said about breastfeeding. Well, there is!

Carol, I did my professional paper in the masters program on Breastfeeding. So it has always been a big interest of mine.

Hope you both (and anyone else checking in here) have a great Friday. TGIF

jan said...

One more thing. We need to pray for all those in the wake of the earthquake in Japan - and the tsunami that is predicted to hit along the pacific coast.

Anonymous said...

Hi guys -

I didn't get on the computer yesterday. I picked up a computer virus a couple of days ago, and it took me a while to straighten it out. It was a 'Search Hijack' sort of virus, which didn't affect anything but my searches. When I clicked on the search link, it would redirect me to ad sites or malicious sites (which add the virus). So I needed to stay off line as much as possible while I straighten it out. I had other computers to get on, but I get kinda obsessed with these things until I at least try to figure them out (which is next to impossible, without some kind of online help).

Oh, and I didn't mention where I got it. From a link on an email my daughter sent me. I'll know better than to hit on her links from now on. Geeez - if you can't trust your daughter, who can you trust.

Anonymous said...

Carol, I just went back to see what Craig said about the move, and found this: "Sturg, to answer your quest our host no longer wants to do a free site so I choose to find another home. I prefer not to reside behind expensive firewalls. No biggie. We've done it before. And we have a couple months for the transition." Posted by: craigcrawford.myopenid.com Author Profile Page | March 10, 2011 9:55 PM


Sounds like CQ (which was bought by ?who was it?) wants to charge for the site if it stays there. So he's looking to move to some other news site himself to continue the blog.

Like he said, he's done this in the past -- I've heard some of the original group say that they followed him to CQ (from wherever he was before).

Anonymous said...

Jan, I think Emma is doing so well going to her little pre-school (and they do teach them things, it's not simply a day care). She's not even in a hurry to leave when we pick her up any more. It's good for her to see the same little faces repeatedly, and the teachers there are the best. I'm so grateful.

She is now going Monday through Friday, 9-12. Like I mentioned earlier, there are times it seems like more work getting ready, preparing her snacks, etc., then picking her up less than 3 hours later - but it's been good for us both.

She's changing so quickly now, is still a fireball of energy and it can be difficult to keep her happily occupied without the help. So it's working out well, and she's happier than ever.

Anonymous said...

.. the only thing I hate are the constant runny noses. They pass around so many things to each other. Before this, she rarely had so much as a cold. Now it seems like one on top of another, but we're managing.

Carol said...

Hi guys. I'm so glad this week is over. I got a false sense of how good things were on Wednesday. I didn't mention how bad yesterday was so I wouldn't create a self fulfilled prophecy for today. That didn't work out either. It got even worse today. At work, I had my own tsunamis coming at me from all directions. All is quiet on the SF front.

It shouldn't have been so nice on Wednesday but one of my staff just threw a rug over her disaster area, told us she would be out sick the next day and left it as a surprise for the person who had to come in and take her place. If that employee isn't looking for a new job by Monday, I might be.

Yes, that is a horrible situation with the earthquake and tsunamis. I'm watching some of the destruction now on the TV. I tell you there is just too much tension on our planet right now. It's hard for me to find a piece of peace anywhere I look. I'm seriously thinking that I should get started on my bucket list.

Carol said...

Chloe, have you picked up any of those germs that little Em is carrying home? Usually the entire family gets to enjoy that little hazzard from going to school with other kids.

Carol said...

Jan, I would think by now that you could write the book on breastfeeding. Ok, tell us something new that you learned.

Carol said...

Chloe, do you think that maybe the "host" doesn't like the political leaning of Craig and/or the TM group? But the group does have some diversity.

I have gotten the feeling lately that Craig doesn't like the games he may feel pressured to play.

Anonymous said...

Yes on the sicknesses, Carol. I just woke up with a sore throat again - we usually get what she gets. It was nice those first couple of years, because she was rarely ill. Now she always seems to have a runny nose.

I don't like hearing that thing about the bucket list. Don't let all the stress in your life take you down with it. Work hard to keep things in perspective, and just take things one at a time, so you won't feel so overwhelmed.

Anonymous said...

I think you might be on the right track about TM - although I have no way of knowing.

I believe the new owner is very conservative, and they do spend each and every day condemning the conservative part of our population (except they don't use such kind words as conservative).

Maybe the new owner doesn't want to site to look slanted, hard to tell. I know free speech is very important to Craig. It would have to be, because there have been a couple of people there who have been critical of him in their comments, to the point of pure rudeness. Most are a great group though, and I hope he finds a new home for them, one that will serve his needs too.

Anonymous said...

Glad it's the weekend. Are you finished with your class Jan? You sure have a busy life.

I took one DayQuil and one NyQuil and they're kicking in now, so I think I'll try to get a little more sleep. I know I'll need the energy once things start popping today.

Anonymous said...

... and Carol, try not to let the hardships of the week ruin your weekend. I know I've had to spend a lot of time redirecting my thoughts lately. Sometimes that all you can do.

Anonymous said...

Drinking coffee appears to offer protection against stroke, a major study of women concludes. Drinking coffee appears to offer protection against stroke, a major study of women concludes

Nice to hear some good news for a change. The study didn't ask if they drank decaf or caffeinated, but another study the article mentioned said those who drank decaf had slightly higher protection - so the caffeine apparently doesn't get the credit). I drink decaf (my heart already beats too fast when I get uptight about something) in the morning only.

It also say's coffee contains large amounts of antioxidants. For some reason I thought that was only tea. I know you love your tea Jan, and I know that's loaded with antioxidants too.

.... sore throat gone, must have been an allergy ((who knows, maybe Emma is developing some allergies all of a sudden too - just seems connected with the exact time she started school though). I know our pollen count is real high right now down south here Carol, and I imagine yours is too Jan. (who knows, maybe Emma is developing some allergies all of a sudden too - just seems connected with the exact time she started school though).

Anonymous said...

.. and I forgot to mention before, that I was very happy to hear that things are quiet on the SF home front. Like you said before, no news is good news.

Carol said...

Chloe, I read the study about coffee and have been sucking it down. Like the stuff anyway and nice to know that one of my habits may have a positive benefit. LOL

Carol said...

I was up and at um early. I mowed last week but have a good bit that needs weedeating. I have a gas powered hand held one at my house that always gives me trouble. I bought an electric one a couple of years ago, whimpy, and after one weed eating use, the line feeder wouldn't come off. Made in who knows where. Must have been one of those disposal ones.

My, die hard, old Sears Craftsman weed wacker has been a trojan but I tried to start it several times recently and couldn't get it started. It's not like I haven't abused it enough, cuz I have. Never maintained it but it's a Craftsman. It's been tried and true for almost 30 years, maybe longer.

Well I went out again this morning. My batteries were fresh, talking about my body. I pulled and pulled and nada. I'd give it a break and try again. Nada. Finally I went out and said a prayer over it and me. Varoooom, it started. Coincidence?

jan said...

Carol, I too am so happy that there is no more news about SF. As Chloe said, no news is good news. Especially with SF.

jan said...

Chloe, I hope you do not have a cold - but it is also a "bummer" to have allergies. Do you take an antihistamine? I have had allergies all my life and have taken antihistamines for so many years. I take Claritin every day - sometimes I take 2 a day (20 mg) and it continues to work well for me. If I have an allergic reaction to a food I take benadryl - but fortunately does not happen often as benadryl makes me real sleepy. Fortunately, I have never had asthma. If I get wheezing it is usually bronchitis. and after a couple of weeks of that usually need antibiotics. This is the first winter in several years that I have not had bronchitis. I have been eating a lot of fruit in my smoothies that I have every day and I think that is why.

jan said...

Carol, I love that you are out getting your weedeating done. I love being outdoors and walking but I hate yardwork. I don't mind working in the house. I have never liked gardening either. I have done some because they say it is good for you, but I still don't like it.

jan said...

That is great news about the coffee. I drink about 5 cups of hot tea in the morning and sometimes 1-2 cups of warm tea at night (herbal). I think the warm liquid is a lot of what is good for us - especially for the GI tract. I have some favorite cups that hold about 2 1/2 regular cups of liquid. They have these great big handles too that really fit my whole hand. I even take one of these cups on trips with me. They are made out of pottery and I get them in OKla. They keep liquids really warm.

jan said...

I am such a creature of habit in my older age - LOL.

jan said...

Chloe, eventually you and Emma will build up some immunities to all the little microorganisms that the little kids bring to the child center. When I first moved here and I had a 2 year old granddaugher I had 2-3 colds a year and then when I started work with early head start about 4 years ago - it happened again. The fall and winter of 2009-10 was the worst year I can remember for colds for me. I got one after another until finally I had pneumonia. Then in summer last year I began having this smoothie every morning with all the fruits (about 6 in all) a little of each one. I have not had a cold since then. I also put a tablespoon of honey in it - and I was just reading that honey and cinnamon are good to prevent colds.

jan said...

So glad to be finished with all the conferences. They were all good but its a lot of sitting. My body is tired of all the sitting.

Hmmm Carol, lots of good info on breastfeeding. I think the most important thing I learned about BF was that BF is a tremendous cost to women in terms of time. Those of us who are advocates for breastfeeding need to remember that. One thing that I have always known instinctively about BF that came out in the conference is that women who are in the company of other women who they have seen breastfeeding- whether friends or family- are much more likely to breastfeed themselves. If a woman never sees another woman breastfeeding - she is not likely to ever breastfeed. I knew this but now it has been demonstrated by research.

jan said...

Chloe and Carol, I am going to e-mail you the stuff on honey and cinnamon that John sent me.

Carol said...

I'm so fortunate that I haven't come down with any bugs considering how many I visit with on a daily basis. I bet I meet some germs that haven't even been identified yet. I guess I have a hell of an immune syste.

Carol said...

I'm still having the curse of the commas. When I hit backspace, the commas come flying at me. Weird.

Carol said...

Chloe, what I can't understand is how those people in in Japan can stay connected with all the devastation to their infrastructure. I have a difficult time with my stuff here when everything is fine.

I have been keeping up with the horror over there and praying for those poor people.

Carol said...

Coreen, I hope your not having any problems with flooding. I know you have that crick, AKA creek, in your back yard and I've heard there is a lot of flooding up around your parts.

Carol said...

Spring forward. I woke up early this moring, which would be late if I do it tomorrow. I didn't set my clocks forward yesterday and I think I have at least a couple that I never set back in the Fall. It keeps me on my toes trying to remember which ones I didn't set back. Ya know, keep the old brain stimulated.

One clock I never set back last Fall is the clock in my vehicle. It's thrown me off just a couple of times, started a little panic before I remembered. Stimulates a little aerobic heart rate, something else that I don't always have time to get to.

Carol said...

I will set all my clocks all forward because erroring on the side of being too early is more acceptable than being too late. I used to be a Type A personality or at least I thought I was. That changed when I had my thyroid blasted. It wasn't Type A afterall, it was just hyperthyroidism. Now I really have to work at being on time.

Carol said...

I woke up this morning to the news from Japan. I also went to bed with it. I tried to get away from it by turning off the TV last night and listening to Coast to Coast. Guess what....yep, they were talking about Japan. It was Friday night's program. The people George had on were scarier than what the people on the news were reporting. If you're familiar with C2C, you know what I'm talking about.

Carol said...

I know you guys will say...STEP AWAY FROM THE NEWS! I have made significant progress in that area but I do backslide when there is some severe crisis going on. I feel compelled to watch it and suffer.

This morning the program I'm watching had this woman with a sweet Geisha girl voice interpreting for the Japanese Prime Minister who was detailing all the horrible warnings to his people. I guess if you have to hear that kind of info, it's better to hear it from a sweet voice, but it was a weird experience.

I finally realized this morning that not all of Japan looks like what the coastal cities look like. Whew! I forgot for a moment that the news only focuses on the really bad stuff.

Carol said...

Just in case you think that I have entirely lost my mind....I do not plan to be inside today watching the news. I will be playing outside, making pleasant insignificant news!

Carol said...

GONE FISHING!

jan said...

Carol, good for you that you are fishing this morning. I walked this morning. I just heard that one of my HS classmates has died. I guess I am in that age where this will be happening. RIP Bill Heritage. When I first moved to the new HS I felt like such an outsider but Bill was one of those kind and friendly people who always smiled and said "hello" or "how are you" to this new face in the school.

jan said...

Carol, I too am following the news of the Japan earthquake and tsunami. So very sad. Also following the news of possible meltdown of nuclear energy power plants.

jan said...

Had a nice visit with a friend from Santa Fe on thurs nite. She spent nite with us during the 2 day breastfeeding conf. We are same age - well she is 2 years younger than me - about what we are going to do with the rest of our lives. We have been in educ much of our careers. She has spent a good bit of time in nurs practice and admin. We neither one feel we are finished. We are neither one nurse practitioners. We talked about taking a nurse practitioner program. One of our friends of same age just finished one and it gives her much more flexibility in staying in nursing. We both agreed that we don't want to work full time but we neither are ready to hang up our nursing badges either.

jan said...

The cost of doing a NP program out of state would never be able to be recovered. There are some on line programs, she is thinking of doing. I don't like on-line courses. We have NP programs here and it would be much less expensive to do a program here, but I know all the faculty and that is off-putting for me.