what i want for christmas: ITEM TWO
5 hours ago
This weekend, Greg and Emery started their own blogs. I'm hoping this will give them some fun and positive writing (and typing) practice. They are not public blogs, so if you would like to check them out, leave a comment here with your email address and we will send you an invitation. We sent out some invitations this weekend --and some of you may have received multiples as we were trying to figure it out...sorry! If you receive more than one invitation, please open both of them. There will be one from both kids.
Thanks!
Some may call it a threat. Others may say bribery. I choose to call it an "incentive" to get one child to catch up on nearly three weeks worth of schoolwork she ignored. The incentive? Get it done before the deadline or there will be one less child at the happiest place on earth! I won't name names, but this kid completed three weeks of work in less than one week. Magical.
...charging child $1 for every toy or item of clothing I have to pick up equals a) a very rich parent and a very poor child or b) a clean house and a happy parent.
Normally, I don't pay much attention to forwarded-forwarded-forwarded messages, but this one caught my eye and I though it would be worth sharing. My best friend, Melissa, sent this to me.
Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS, DRM, DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital, Bombay Hospital , Saifee Hospital , Tata Memorial etc.
The following message is given by him:
The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible not coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.
While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):
1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).
3. * Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one.
Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities ), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.* We have a neti pot and use it quite often. We find it very effective for colds, allergies, and such. Find them at health food stores and some grocery stores (I think Harmons had some last year). They are only about $15 and you can put them through the dishwasher to sterilize them after use. If you decide to try it, use it in the shower the first few times. Trust me. ;) --Alison
5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
6.* Drink as much of warm liquids as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm. A simple drink of warm water, honey and a few drops of lemon juice is very refreshing. --Alison
These are all simple, inexpensive ways to keep those nasty germs from settling in. Prevention is always the best medicine. Good luck!
Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS, DRM, DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital, Bombay Hospital , Saifee Hospital , Tata Memorial etc.
The following message is given by him:
The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible not coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.
While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):
1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).
3. * Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one.
Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities ), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.* We have a neti pot and use it quite often. We find it very effective for colds, allergies, and such. Find them at health food stores and some grocery stores (I think Harmons had some last year). They are only about $15 and you can put them through the dishwasher to sterilize them after use. If you decide to try it, use it in the shower the first few times. Trust me. ;) --Alison
5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
6.* Drink as much of warm liquids as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm. A simple drink of warm water, honey and a few drops of lemon juice is very refreshing. --Alison
These are all simple, inexpensive ways to keep those nasty germs from settling in. Prevention is always the best medicine. Good luck!
The drive took a little longer than we anticipated. We stopped for a picnic lunch at this rest stop on highway 89, north of Orderville. Greg tries to get his arms around this giant ponderosa pine tree.
At the rest stop, Nathan and Emery show Dad some lovin'.
At Sunset point in Bryce Canyon, we listened to a geology lecture given by a park ranger. The kids were interested for about the first five minutes. However, Nathan and Emery discovered a raven that was flying around in the canyon below us. How cool to be ABOVE a flying bird!
We have two main rules when we hike: #1 Stay on the trail and #2 No running. This tree was smack dab in the middle of the trail!
Help me, Dad! Dad! Daaaaaaad!!!!
We were tempted to leave Greg here a few minutes, just to contemplate life.
These are some natural bridges that were formed over millions of years.
We took the Navajo Trail hike. The hike was a 1.3 mile loop that descended 550 feet into the canyon... Then all the way back up!
Near the top of the Navajo trail. Greg and I decided it just didn't look real, it was too beautiful.
This summer, my niece and her husband travelled from Virginia to visit all the relatives in Utah. When they came down south, we took them, their baby son and my sister, Joan, on the River Walk trail in Zion National Park. This was my favorite trip to the park this summer.
Becca and Baby C along the river.
Emery wades in Virgin River, along River Walk trail in Zion NP.
Nathan and Emery gazing at the river below.
Nathan and Ryan at ZNP.
Becca and Baby C along the river.
Emery wades in Virgin River, along River Walk trail in Zion NP.
Nathan and Emery gazing at the river below.
Nathan and Ryan at ZNP.
