Advents Corner

I really like to cook and one of the things I wish I had done was gone to one of those culinary arts schools. I would love to be able to go to school and learn all of the neat things you can do with food. Matt tells me I should just do it but I don’t know. I have been looking around at them and found that no matter where you leave you can find a school close to you.

Maybe when we move out to California and I am looking for a career change I can try my hand at culinary arts school. I really like to cook and I love to try new recipes so think I would be great to broaden my knowledge. I don’t know if I would want to work in a restaurant or not but I think I would be awesome to be able to have the chance to. I always tell Matt that if we get rich one day and I do not have to worry about money I would like to work in a soup kitchen or something just volunteering. I guess I should just do what I want with what I have and not wait for the perfect conditions to come along because we all know if you wait for the perfect moment you will be waiting forever. Sometimes you just have to jump in and do it.

I am thinking about getting a magnetic bracelet. I have bursitis in my right hip and it is really giving me a lot of trouble lately. I was in a car accident about 3 years ago and they told me that is what brought it on. The doctor’s told me that I would have probably gotten it when I was older but the accident made it happen faster. My foot was on the brake pedal when I was hit from behind. I have a memory mattress on my bed and that helped when I was pregnant but I am not getting much relief from it now so I guess it is time to try something else. I know a couple of people that wear them and swear by them so I guess they can’t all be wrong.

That is what’s wrong with me, I have H. Pylori.  My biopsy came back today and I spoke to my doctor and they have diagnosed me with H. Pylori.  Finally, after 2 months of stomach pain it has a name.  I got sick on our 3rd day in Bangkok on July 17th and my stomach has hurt everyday since then.  I was very happy to find out that all I have to do it take 2 antibiotics, twice a day for 2 weeks and I should feel better.

I had my first dose of the medications tonight and I seem to be OK.  I am a little nauseous and my head hurts but other than that I am doing OK.   I should be fine after taking the medicine so keep your fingers crossed.  All of the test they ran on me came back normal and I am sure they thought I was crazy but I kept bugging them util they did the right test.

I had a hida scan, a ct, ultrasound and a ton of blood test and they all showed nothing.  They decided to do an upper endoscopy and that was when they found that my stomach was completely messed up with chronic gastritis so they took several biopsies in different area that were irritated and they found it.

One of my friends at work found out she was pregnant and because had her tubes tied and then untied they started running test on her early and noticed her progesterone was dropping so the put her on the oral supplements. We had the same thing happen to us when we were trying to have Lani but with us after 3 miscarriages they decided to go that route. We were lucky that it worked with Lani and she was healthy and we carried her almost to term. Amy told me the other day that she was not so fortunate and lost the baby. She is going to call the USF Physicians Group where we had Lani so we will pray she has some positive results like we did. My heart goes out to her because I know how heart breaking it can be to lose a pregnancy.

We all love our pets but the simple fact is they all get old just like us. Our Great Dane, Breeze, will be 12 in October which by all standards is very old for a Dane. She still has her moments were she plays like a puppy but the moments are few and they do not last as long as they did before. We are going to start her on pet supplements to hopefully raise her energy level so she is a little more active. We want the amount of time she has left to have quality to it, not her just laying around.

Since I started the new job I have been working 10 hour days, minimum. I am use to only working 7.5 hours per day but this does not seem to phase me. My third day on the job I started taking Biotivia and I really think it has made a difference. I don’t know if it is the Apple Skin Extract, Goji Berry Extract or the Alpha Lipoic Acid but something is working well.

I feel like I have more energy, I am sleeping better at night and waking up feeling good. I am sure it has something to do with the fact that I love my job now but who knows. I am going to keep taking them because something is working.

Ok I know, I know I should stop. Matt is starting to talk to me more about getting addiction treatment for my smoking. The TV is being flooded with ads for the latest nicotine aids and even the scary “truth” ads. Those can be really informative but shocking. I know it has to be my decision to quit and no one else’s and I will not be able to quit until I make that choice. I am hoping that when Mom and Dad Campos move down and I am busy with Mom doing things that I will want to stop. We will see, I know Matt will be happy when I do.

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I seem to be putting on a little weight again.  I don’t know what it is.  I am still watching my portion sizes and I am really not a fan of junk food.  I guess it is time I start walking or something to insure I keep the weight off.  I don’t think I am ready for diet pills just yet. 

Need a reason for that glass of wine at dinner other than you are an adult and you want it?  How about the fact that it is packed with antioxidant that’s right, it is good for you.  With five servings of fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants can reduce your risk of stroke by 25 percent.  So the next time you want to do something good for your body have a glass of wine with dinner. 

Great Discovery: www.ZenniOptical.com now has a complete pair of prescriptions eyeglasses with the case for only $8. Forget paying hundreds of dollars for prescription glasses when you can shop the frames on Zenni Optical. With bi-focal glasses starting at $25.00 you are sure to find the right pair for you.

Do you think the just because you do not live in a famous city you can not get that same los angeles weight loss doctor? Well think again. You can find great weight loss doctors in Houston and Tampa also. Journey Lite has offices in three major cities for your convenience. Start your new year of right by doing something just for you. Take control of your life and body. Just remember you must do it for yourself not your boyfriend, husband, girlfriend, wife or parents, this is for you and only you.

My mother-in-law sent me some eating tips for the holidays.  I love her so much she is always looking out for the family and I love her way of thinking.  Please enjoy and remember have a happy holiday.

 Eating Tips for the Holidays.
 
1. Avoid carrot sticks.  Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit.  In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately.  Go next door, where they’re serving rum balls.
 
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can and quickly.  You can’t find it any other time of year but now.  So drink up!  Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip?  It’s not as if you’re going to turn into an ‘eggnog-aholic’ or something.  It’s a treat. Enjoy it!  Have one for me.  Have two.  It’s later than you think.
 
3. If something comes with gravy, use it.  That’s the whole point of gravy.  Gravy does not stand-alone.  Pour it on.  Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes.  Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they’re made with skim milk or whole milk.  If it’s skim, pass.  Why bother? It’s like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating.  The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people’s food for free.  Lots of it. Hello?
 
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year’s.  You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do.  This is the time for long naps, which you’ll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don’t budge.  Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention.  They’re like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you’re never going to see them again.
 
8. Same for pies.  Apple, pumpkin and mincemeat – have a slice of each.  Or, if you don’t like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin.  Always have three.  When else do you get to have more than one dessert — Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake?  Granted, it’s loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost.  I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don’t feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven’t been paying attention.  Reread tips: Start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.  Remember: ‘Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body. But rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming ‘WOO-HOO what a ride!’

I was reading about the mix up in medication with Dennis Quaid’s twins and it just amazes me that things like this can happen.  We have software to track everything and everything has a bar code.  There is software for just about every business from hospitals bar coding pills to assisted living software to your membership at your local tanning salon.  I know when Lani was in the hospital I was asking 20 questions every time someone brought something into the room to put in her IV.  It is scary to have worry about things like that but if we don’t who will?  I feel it was the fault of the drug company for not marking the two different dosages a little better.  We always have to account for the idiot factor.  Just because you can tell the difference does not mean that everyone can.  The dosage the twins were given was 1,000 times the amount they should have received and it did not occur to the person pushing all of the medicine into those little babies that something might be wrong.  I am happy he is suing the drug company maybe it will open their eyes.

I have to admit when the story about Kanye West’s mother passing away after undoing a cosmetic procedure broke I was sad that she died but I did not even know who Kanye West was. Now with Dr. Jan Adams walking off the set of Larry King Live it is all over the news. So this morning I looked up the video to see what was going on. As soon as Dr. Adams started to speak his voice was so familiar to me so I Goggled him.

I was surprised to find out that this is the man that I watch on the Discovery Channel on the show Plastic Surgery: Before and After. I was shocked because now they are saying he is not even a board certified plastic surgeon. With that piece of information I am wondering why in the world does he have is own show about plastic surgery on the Discovery Channel? I watch the Discovery Channel because I thought that was a very reliable source of information for me. Now I find out that the information being given may or may not be reliable. How can this man be a top plastic surgeon in

Beverly Hills and not be board certified? I have also found out that he has had two malpractice suits, he has been arrested for DUI 3 times and botched breast augmentation. I can not believe that it took someone to lose their life before all of this came out. How in the world can you host a plastic surgery show and someone not find out that you are not a board certified plastic surgeon? You know that funny saying, “I’m not a doctor but I play one on TV.”? Well this gives it a whole new light. The first thing you are suppose to do when going for plastic surgery it to make sure you doctor is board certified, how did he get away with it for so long?

Christmas shopping is getting closer at hand and what I hate to think about is the fact that most of the gifts we are going to give this year are going to be returned or end up in a drawer somewhere never to be seen again. What about giving a holiday gift this year that keeps giving?  Something that actually has meaning and a purpose behind it.  Purchase a holiday gift from the Alzheimer’s Foundation Store and not only will you get a high quality gift with meaning behind it but all of the proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. If you can not find a gift in the shop, think about giving a donation in that persons name to the foundation.  People to not give to charity in other people’s name because they may think the person they are giving for will think bad of them, but maybe they will be thankful for the chance you gave them to help someone.

I believe that Alzheimer’s is one of the most devastating diseases because not only does it take away the life of the sufferer but it takes the life of the caregiver. They give so much of themselves with little reward or no reward. It must be so heart breaking to give your body and soul to someone and they not even remember who you are. The only thing sufferers have left is their dignity and it is because of the caregivers’ selflessness that they are able to keep that when everything else in their life is fading so fast. Just think the joy you will get out of knowing that your hard earned money is also going to a wonderful cause.  Wouldn’t you rather spend your money there than at Wal-Mart.Please give a donation or make a purchase from the Alzheimer’s Foundation store this year, it is a gift that will be remembered. 

These discount dental plans really surprised me.  First off the price was a shocker to me.  I get dental insurance through my employer and I pay more per year than this insurance.  How about $149.95 for the whole family for a year, I pay double that for my insurance.  Then I thought there has to be some sort of catch because this is not insurance it is only a discount program so mine must be better. 

I am not so sure about that.  The discounted fee offered to the members are the same or less than what I get with my insurance.  Another thing, you don’t have to wait a year to have major work done.  With most insurance you have to pay your premiums for a year before you can have major work like root canals and such.  Not with this plan, you are covered the next business day.  Do you have a dentist that you want to keep?  Look up your dentist to see if they are on this plan before you even sign up.  You can even compare plan features side by side to make sure you are getting exactly what you need and you are getting your monies worth. 

Do you love your spouse very much but you have hit on hard times? With today’s economy and the busy life of raising children sometimes your marriage is put on the back burner. Before you know it your marriage is starting to feel the strain. You must work on your marriage everyday if it going to survive through the hard times. You must make time for each other everyday even if it is only a quick kiss as you are passing each in the hall trying to get everyone fed and off to bed. Telling each other, “I love you” everyday is key. Don’t think you do not have to say it because they know it. It is so nice to hear that you are appreciated and that you are loved. Take the time to tell your spouse thank you for making dinner even though they worked all day too. She would love to hear that you appreciate her. Thank your husband for that long day he put in at the office. If you have lost yourselves in all of the daily activities do not look at finding marriage counselors as a failure but as a tool to help you win your marriage back.

I friend of mine just told me that her newphew was just diagnosed with RSV.  We all know that is a terrible thing for a little one to have so we need to make sure we protect our little ones.  The RSV website gives you some good information on this subject, please take a moment to read it. 

This is really getting scary.  There have been 7 cases of MRSA in the high schools in the Tampa area.  One case has been found at Michaela’s school.  All of the children that were found to have it are responding very well to treatment and some have even returned to school.  If your child is involved in sports please pay close attention to any cut, scratch or abrastion they may have.  One of my friends here at work lost a family member last week to MRSA.  She became ill on a Wednesday and went to the emergency room on Saturday and unfortunatly passed away in the emergency room.  She was in her 20’s.  This can be deadly and we have to protect our children and educate ourselves because quick treatment is the key.  I have listed the warning sides below from WebMD.  Please take time to read them.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of MRSA infection depend on where you’ve been infected.

MRSA most often appears as a skin infection, like a boil or abscess. It also might infect a surgical wound. In either case, the area would look:

• Swollen
• Red
• Painful
• Pus filled

Many people who actually have staph skin infections often mistake it for a spider bite.

If staph infects the lungs and causes pneumonia, you might have:

• Shortness of breath
• Fever
• Chills

MRSA can cause many other symptoms since it can infect the urinary tract or the bloodstream.

Very rarely, staph can result in necrotizing fasciitis, or “flesh-eating” bacterial infections. These are serious skin infections that spread very quickly. While frightening, necrotizing fasciitis caused by staph is rare. There have only been a handful of reported cases.

Call your doctor if:

In most cases, MRSA is easily treated. But since MRSA infection can be serious or — rarely — fatal, don’t ignore signs of infection. See your health care provider.

If you are already being treated for an infection, watch for signs that your medicine isn’t working. If you are taking an antibiotic, call your doctor if

• The infection is no better after three or four days
• The infection keeps getting worse
• You develop a fever, or your fever gets worse

People who are ill or have a compromised immune system have a higher risk of getting MRSA. If you have a condition that lowers your immunity, call your doctor right away if you think that you might have an infection.