4/19/09

CANCER CONTROL MONTH

April is Cancer Control Month—a time to celebrate cancer survivors everywhere and also to raise awareness about prevention. Medical science continues in its battle to eradicate cancer and find treatments. Here’s info on various cancer-related topics that may help you and anyone you love.

Melanoma and other skin cancers
Surviving cancer
Chemotherapy
Radiation
Pap smear
Physical exam frequency

There’s also a strong connection between diet and disease.

4/18/09



I am an animal lover. I'd have a zoo if I could afford it (and my husband would let me).

I found this article that might be helpful. I knew about some of the things that were harmful for my pets to eat but was surprised at some of the others.

Please read this article so you will be aware of all the things that could be dangerous to your faithful friends.

4/15/09

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Wonder what size needle they used??????


4/14/09

4/13/09

MAKE SOMETHING MONDAY

Conficker Worm Removal

Making it's first appearance in late October of 2008, the Conficker worm is due to morph from its current developmental stage and sprout wings on April Fools Day 2009. Is it a big deal? Big enough for Microsoft to put a bounty on the head of this outlaw and it's creator, to the tune of $250,000.00. Big enough for the Department of Homeland Security to release an announcement and provide a removal tool for it's federal, local, and state governments and commercial vendors. MORE INFORMATION

4/8/09

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

What do you see?
Why Eggs Aren't Just for Eating

The egg is a symbol of Easter, and of rebirth, as well as one of our most versatile foods. But it is so much more…

The egg is one of the most versatile items used in cooking, but its list of uses does not really end within the borders of a frying pan.

It can be used in many other activities including arts and crafts, skin care, creation of musical instruments and even gardening. If you have plenty of spare eggs at home, you can try out the some of these cool egg-based items.

Make your life “eggciting” by enjoying the many uses of eggs.

Yolk-Based Facial Cleanser

Egg yolks are rich in Vitamin A, that moisturizes skin and keeps it healthy. Mix a couple of yolks together and add a little water. You’ll get a facial cleanser that helps delay some of the signs of aging.

White-Based Facial Cleanser

The egg white cleanser is a good supplementary material for its yolk-based counterpart. If the yolk facial cleanser prevents skin aging, the egg white cleanser smoothens the skin. It removes the puffiness beneath the eyelids, blurs the pores and makes the skin tighter. You can alternate both facial cleansers nightly for maximum results.

Shampoo

The egg is a natural moisturizer, making it a good ingredient for shampoos. To create egg shampoo, crack an egg and mix the yolk with olive oil and water. You can start using the solution once it lathers. Apply the egg shampoo on damp hair for a few minutes before rinsing. The egg’s fat and nutritional contents will add shine and bounce to your hair. This shampoo is perfect for hair damaged by pollution, chlorine and excessive sunshine.

Food Paint

If you want to add color and style to your pastries, just decorate them with egg yolk-based paint. Prepare the paint by mixing the egg yolk with 2 ml of water. Place the mixture in different containers then add food coloring to each. Now, you can paint cool patterns on your cookies right before baking them. The paint not only adds design, but it also gives your pastries a richer flavor.

Pots for Small Plants

In terms of getting nutrition, small plants often get bullied by weeds and larger plants. To ensure their survival, you can plant them in soil that is half-filled with egg shells . The calcium from the shell will promote the young plant’s growth and keep it healthy. When the plant reaches the height of three inches, you can transfer it to your garden. As for the eggshell, you can use it as a pot for another plant or use it as compost material.

Compost Material

Eggs, being nutritious food products, can provide soil with enough nutrients to make your garden plants healthy. When making compost, simply mix crushed eggshells with the green component. The calcium content of your compost will greatly increase, making the soil richer. Your plants, in turn, will be more robust.

Leather Cleaner

Egg white can be used to clean and restore leather. Its thick and sticky base easily removes dirt from a leather surface, upon scrubbing. The base also forms a protective covering on the leather, that gives the surface luster and some protection from temperature changes. To prepare the cleaning solution, crack two eggs and separate the whites. Place the whites in a bowl and you can start cleaning your leather items.

Glue

Egg white is naturally sticky. If you touch it, it will cause your fingers to stick the moment it dries. Try using the egg’s sticky base when mending light items like paper and cardboard. You will notice that it works just like all-purpose glue, with the nearly the same amount of holding power. You can even use egg white to create paper mache paste, if you mix it with flour, water, sugar and alum.

Pest Repellent

Scattering crushed eggshells on the leaves of plants can keep soft-bodied pests away from your plants. Snails and slugs, known as notorious leaf eaters, will hurt their bellies if they run over the jagged corners of crushed eggshells. Once they get hurt, they will move away from your garden as soon as possible.

Musical Instruments

With the current popularity of the acoustic setup, many live acts use egg shakers as percussion instruments during their gigs. You can create an egg shaker by removing the egg’s contents while maintaining its shell intact. Put two teaspoons of uncooked rice or mung beans inside the shell, then cover its opening with tape and superglue. When your egg shaker is ready, you can practice using it with the acoustic guitar. You’ll be amazed at how a small simple-sounding instrument can blend well with the guitar’s music.

Candle Mold

Are you amazed with an egg’s perfect oval shape? Why not make candles using the eggshell as a candle mold. Pour molten candle wax inside an eggshell, then add the wick and a little perfume. When the wax dries, crack the eggshell open. You will find a nice egg-shaped candle to stylize your home or illuminate your room during power outages.

Home Ornaments

From an artistic point of view, the egg’s perfect oval shape is a thing of beauty. You can paint patterns on the eggshell and eventually turn it into a good ornament for your home. Observe your home’s interior. Paint patterns on the eggshell that perfectly suit the theme of your home. Set the painted eggs in a visible corner of your room to wow your guests.


Life Hack. Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

4/7/09

Cheap Way to Make Room Smell Nice

Don't throw out perfume card samples from magazines or samples from stores. Instead put the card samples (or pour a tad of perfume onto a cotton ball, paper towel or tissue) and place into the bottom of a wastebasket.

4/6/09

MAKE SOMETHING MONDAY

4/3/09

3/30/09

MAKE SOMETHING MONDAY




Necklace, bracelet and earrings to match. Couldn't get the light just right so you can't really see the color but the beads are a pastel pink and white.

3/27/09

3/25/09

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY
No better place to be than in the Hand of God!

3/23/09

MAKE SOMETHING MONDAY

I found this leopard/tiger head and crocheted the necklace to create a pendant.

3/18/09

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Easter Bunny Move Over!!!!

3/16/09

AIG...WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!!!!!!!

Am I the only one???? Does anyone else have a problem with AIG giving bonuses out of the bail-out money they received???????

Oh, their afraid that they will loose good employees if they don't give them their bonuses - it's in their contract!!!??? SO WHAT! These are the same employees that got them in this mess in the first place AND if the job situation is as bad there as it is here...WHERE WILL THEY GO??? They aren't going to leave the AIG gravy train.

Well, it burns me up! I haven't been able to find a job since October and their sitting in this sinking ship, making BIG BUCKS and getting a BONUS! I DON'T FEEL SORRY FOR THEM!

Hey you at AIG...you want to show that you care about what's happening to the economy and us little people???? Give me some of your bonus so I can pay some bills and have groceries!!!!!!
MAKE SOMETHING MONDAY

Choker


3/14/09

GRANDMA'S HANDS

Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands.

When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK

Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. 'Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking,' she said in a clear voice strong.

'I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK,' I explained to her.

'Have you ever looked at your hands,' she asked. 'I mean really looked at your hands?'

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.

Grandma smiled and related this story:

'Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.

'They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor.

They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war.

They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents.

'They have been dirty, scraped and raw , swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn daughter. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special.

'They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.

They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.

'These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life.

But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home.. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ.'

I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home.

When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.

I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.
 
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