Living a WOO HOO Life!

A House for Haiti

2010-02-03T18:04:00.000-06:00

Last Friday night I spent a glorious evening constructing a house for Haiti.

Not a real house of wood and insulation. But, a house of clay and imagination. Once our houses are painted and fired they will be for sale on the Artists for Hope Etsy website. The money that is collected during the sale will go to support children living in a Haiti orphanage. (To find out more-click on the button to the right of this article.)

Roberta, Artists for Hope representative, brought oodles of pictures of smiling children.   So many smiling faces. I still can't get those smiles out of my mind.

Back to the event.   We were at The Art Mill in Omaha, NE.   We were given a cold slab of clay that had been rolled out for us ahead of time.   After Jane gave us some basic instructions about clay assembly we were told to make a house.   "A house. You want me to make a what?" exclaimed a husband who had been coerced into attending.   (Did I mention that this house would also have an alternative life as a vase?!)

I am always envious of those that step forward and get with the program right away.   I stood back for awhile waiting to see what others were doing.   I didn't want to look too foolish fumbling around with the clay.   What if I made a dud for all to see. I didn't want my little house to be snickered at by others that night.

Well, I soon forgot about others snickering at my little pride and joy   I didn't care, any more.   I was intent on making the best little house that my imagination (or lack of) could create. I soon discovered that what I thought I wanted to make and what the clay wanted to become in my hands was totally different.

I knew there were others that didn't know what they were going to do, either.   But, as the laughter increased so did my creative energy.   My slab of cold, gray, suede-like clay was being transformed.   I was building a little victorian house.   Victoria's Secret.   That's what I named my little house.   It was complete with triangle windows on the first floor, ornate front door, and an attic window in the back. Lots of scroll work on the front. The perfect victorian shingled roof.   Listen to me......the perfect victorian shingled roof!

I soon realized it didn't matter how my little house looked.   What truly mattered was I spending the evening with enthusiastic like-minded people making art to donate to a worthy cause.   It's been a long time since I've felt that good about what I was doing.   I was helping a small child in a land I had never visited.   A place that I hadn't thought about until the earthquake.   A place with children that needed my help. Those smiling faces flashing in my head.

Check out http://www.omahaartmill.com/ blog to see the tangible results of our work.   The intangible results (those warm and fuzzy feelings) will linger in my heart, forever.

Thank you, Roberta and Jane, for a marvelous evening! When can we do this again?

Have you had an experience that was inspirational or just darn fun?   Please share your story with us.

Living a Woo Hoo life together!

Til next time. Believe.

P.S. That 'coerced' husband made the most amazing little house!

How Does One Become a Butterfly?

2010-01-25T12:24:00.000-06:00

"How does one become a butterfly?" she asked...

Almost a year ago, Carolyn and I began thinking about blogging. We talked about it and brainstormed ideas and then let those ideas sit on the back burner; the resting place for many a good idea. Thankfully, the blogging idea didn't die from neglect, but continued to pop up in our conversations.

We began our blogging adventure much as a caterpillar who spends it's time eating leaves. We eagerly consumed vast amounts of information and were always looking for the next tasty bit of knowledge that would help us make all those wonderful ideas come to life.

Our main goal with this blog has been to share the things that have helped us become more healthy, wealthy and wise. Our hopes have been to help make your journey easier by sharing the things we've learned along the way. We've grown, and from your comments, we believe that you have as well.

"The mind can weave itself warmly in the cocoon of it's own thoughts, and dwell a hermit anywhere."

- James Russell Lowell

Somewhere along the way, just as the caterpiller eventually stops consuming everything in sight and begins the task of building a cocoon to wrap itself, we too built a cocoon around ourselves.

Once secured in our comfortable blogging cocoon, we began to realize that there was something missing from our plan. We were enjoying our research and posting, and the interactions with you our readers, but something was out of kilter. We were lacking excitement. But why?

We persevered, for we are not quitters.

About the time we were trying to figure out the problem, things in my world fell apart necessitating the departure from my home, leaving my job and filing for divorce. Carolyn was experiencing some serious struggles herself.

We persevered, for we are not quitters.

Once we were sure we were still had a firm girp upon our sanity, we spent hours of serious soul searching.

"If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we are not really living." - Gail Sheehy

All the experts, who advise those of us searching for a job or changing job markets, tell us to do what we love. Find that one thing that makes you happy and look for jobs in that market or start your own business.

Stopping long enough to listen to sage advice, Carolyn and I realized what was missing from our blogging experience. We weren't posting about things that made us happy.

It was an 'Aha' moment to beat all others! And then we did the happy dance and our hearts sang!!

"How does one become a butterfly?" she asked. "You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar."

There you have it. We are willing, no we are needing to give up being a caterpillar to become the butterfly of our dreams!

Just as the caterpillar goes through a metamorphosis, so is Living a Woo Hoo Life!

In the very near future you will begin to see a total change in our posting. You will discover that through color, texture and creativity one truly lives a woo hoo life! We believe that the new format we have chosen will be very innovative and one that is more interactive than anything we have tried in the past.

Our focus will be on exploring sources of color. We'll be 'touching' on topics of texture. We'll be sharing some of our own creativity and what inspired our work. And finally, we'll be seeking out color, texture and creativity during our travels.

We know that this metamorphosis is going to be exciting and true to ourselves and that Living a Woo Hoo Life! can't help but benefit from our new found enthusiasm.

Come explore with us!

When Life Throws You a Curve Ball - Throw It Back!

2010-01-06T15:51:00.001-06:00

My goodness it's cold outside! I think I've had enough winter now and spring is sounding better and better as each cold day passes.

The one nice thing about cold weather, is that it gives us the perfect excuse to sit inside beside a warm fire and contemplate the future, our dreams and our goals.

When Life Throws You a Curve Ball - Throw It Back!

I've read that some of the curve balls Life throws us are equal in stress to that of a death in the family. If that is indeed true, then the past couple of months have dealt me with at least 4 deaths.

As I've spent weeks curled into the fetal position contemplating how to get on with life, I've come to realized that family, friends, and especially grandchildren are the magical balm for a troubled soul. I've realized that it's okay to give yourself permission to do nothing for a little while, and that crying is part of the healing process.

There comes a point in time when you are sick of crying and feeling sorry for yourself, and that living in limbo is no longer acceptable. When that time comes, you're ready to move on. That's where I am.

Now that I'm able to function at a more normal level and with only rare crying jags, I find myself excited about tackling this New Year and finding ways to make it the best year of my life!

As one dear friend told me during my ordeal, "It's going to be a year of firsts for you. The year that you can do anything you darn well please, when you want to do it and how you want it done, thank you very much!"

After a few giggles, I began to think about what some of my 'firsts' are going to be, and those thoughts lead me to, yep you guessed it, contemplating my resolutions for the New Year.

Resolving to Live a Life of Abundance

Now, give me a chance before you click off. Resolution isn't a bad word, heck if it makes you giggle call it Jim Bob or Snickerdoodle.

Resolutions actually give us focus and direction in life. Without resolutions, or goals if you will, we live life day to day bouncing from one path to another with no apparent plan in mind. Worse yet, some of us waste precious life hoping that 'someday' something truly amazing will happen to us. Sadly, we wake up years later and realize that life has passed us by.

Did you know that the power is within you to make truly great things happen? That you are in control of your destiny? It's the truth! Oh wait...that a future blog...back to resolutions.

I Resolve To...

This year I have resolved to become a vegetarian. I've never been a big meat lover, so it just makes sense now in my life, to avoid the extra grocery bill expense and to save my arteries from further abuse. I have no plans to go crazy and begin preaching to family and friends about their meat consumption, so everyone, you can rest easy.

Becoming vegetarian is a personal choice, and like all personal choices, it isn't necessarily for everyone. But, if you're on the fence and considering the switch yourself, I have to tell you that I feel more energetic and more in control of my life than before. I've lost some weight and am more inclinded to walk around the neighborhood or exercise to a DVD.

I've also resolved to take better care of myself. Not health-wise, I think I'm on the right path in that area. What I'm thinking is more along the lines of treating myself to a massage once in awhile, taking some art classes, or just taking the time to sit down and paint.

I'm thinking of planning adventures with family and friends, and doing things outside my usual comfort zone, and figuring out how to unleash that mildly hippie side of my nature that has been shut away for much too long.

These are all things that I want and need to do for myself. I can hardly wait to get started!! It's going to be a blast!

I haven't figured out all the details yet, but that's okay. I have a plan, I know where I'm headed, and how and when I get there are all part of the adventure.

So, what are your hopes and dreams for 2010? I'd love to hear from you...

Tears are Beneficial

2009-12-09T14:55:00.002-06:00

Have you cried recently? I have. I felt drained. Devoid of emotions.

Find out what Dr. Oz says about tears.
www.doctoroz.com/videos/benefit-tears-and-eyelash-trauma

So cry your eyes out. Wash away those fears and doubts.

Then sleep. Your body heals during sleep. Wake up refreshed. Tackle that problem with renewed energy.

Remember, you're not alone.

Living a Woo Hoo Life together!

'Til next time. Believe.

"What's on Your Mind".....write a comment

2009-12-08T13:58:00.004-06:00

I become rather impatient with Blog or Facebook comments that tells me about a specific feeling or event (like being bored at work) at a specific time in someone's journey.   So it's against my better judgment at what I am about to say!

But..............I just finished watching Dr. OZ's program on ABC.  OMG! That program is loaded with information!

Today, Dr. Oz reviewed the progress that a young couple is making on their weight loss journey over the past month.   You know, the usual lifestyle changes that are required for successful weight loss; food choices, portion control and exercise.

Dr. Oz 'upped the ante' on the couple for the next month.   He handed the young women a set of 5# weights and asked her to do 20 arm lifts with the weights above her head every hour, every day, for the next month. He stated that if you didn't have the availability of the weights you could do 20 pushups standing against the end of your desk or 20 arm pushups in your chair (raising your bottom off the seat of the chair) every hour.   The point was doing 20 reps of some activity every hour!

Of course, we know the outcome.   Her weight loss will increase. And the audience will applaud as Dr. Oz gives them kudos on their successful progress..

I want some of that success!

I just finished my 20 reps with my arms over my head with a can of kidney beans in each of my hands.   Each can weighs 1#14oz. Since I haven't been excercising for ages that's a good start.    I'll either replace the bean cans after I make chili this week or graduate to half gallon milk jugs filled with H20.   I have a Weight Watchers scale that I'll use to help determine the weight of the milk jugs.  (I have all the tools for successful weight loss!)

The timer on the stove has 40 some minutes left until the next round of arm lifts. (I wonder how much I can get done in the kitchen during that time, too.)   Reducing the amount of fat waving from upper arms and getting the kitchen cleaned up. What more got I ask for!!! (tehe)

I'll keep you updated on my progress.   (I promise.......no comments on being bored!)

Living a WOO HOO life together!

'Til next time.   Believe.

Heart Healthy Snacks

2009-12-07T10:46:00.007-06:00

I just finished a healthy snack of unsweetened oatmeal with cinnamon.   Why oatmeal?

The results of an extensive blood panel showed that my LDL (bad) cholesterol is too high. My good cholesterol (HDL) is too low.

How can a snack of oatmeal impact my cholesterol counts?

Besides being filling; oat bran is an important source of water soluble fiber.  Oats have long been recognized as a potential cholesterol lowering dietary choice.   The soluble fiber found in oats binds with the bile acids in the intestines to block cholesterol absorption. Studies have also shown that the antioxidants found in oats prevent white blood cells from sticking to the artery walls.  Thereby, preventing plaque formation.

What does that mean?   Oat bran will help lower my LDL count and increase my HDL.

Here are some additional food choices to improve your LDL and HDL cholesterol counts:

Nuts and seeds.

Sunflower seeds, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, pine nuts, flaxseeds and almonds are high in plants sterols which can help reduce LDL. Beware. Limit your intake to approximately 1/4 cup per day. They contain calories, too.

"An apple a day keeps the Doctor away."

Research has shown that eating two apples a day can slow down the oxidation of LDL cholesterol and help prevent plaque buildup. But don't peel your apples. The protective antioxidants are found in the apple skin.

Grapefruits.

Studies has shown that pink and red grapefruits are powerful in lowering LDL levels. But, check with your doctor if you are on any statin or channel blocking medications. Grapefruits can interfere with the breakdown of these medications.

Living a WOO HOO Life together!

'Til next time. Believe.

Mother Nature's Bountiful Clues

2009-12-02T18:19:00.006-06:00

I just finished a handful of big luscious sweet red grapes.   Woo Hoo for me!

Some days I have a hard time making good food choices. My poor food choices just end up on my hips and backside.  Each time I put on clean jeans I want to believe that I left them way too long in the dryer.   I giggle. Then I get real with myself.

This is the time of year that is really hard for me.   I love, love, love all those sweets.   My sister makes the best peanut clusters using almond bark, chocolate chips, M&Ms, marshmallows and peanuts, of course.   They are soooo good!

But, I should be excited about all the fresh fruit and veggies that are available this time of year.   Just a few years ago you couldn't find fresh strawberries for sale at the end of the summer.   Strawberries had a short season of availability.   Not anymore. Last week I bought a pack of lucious strawberries at the market.

Speaking of strawberries and grapes.   Have you ever associated the shape of strawberries or a cluster of grapes with a part of the human body?

Do you see the human heart shape in the strawberry?
Nutrients found in strawberries include Vitamin A, C & B6, fiber, potassium, antioxidants and flavonoids. Your immune system needs these warriors to prevent heart disease and cancers.

The potassium, fiber and antioxidants help deter heart disease. Potassium and fiber helps to reduce blood pressure. Antioxidants deter the oxidation of cholesterol and helps prevent the plaque buildup in your arteries which leads to heart disease. Flavonoids prevent stroke by reducing the inflamation of arteries.

We all know that carrots are good for the eyes. Can you see the human eye is the crosscut of the carrot? Complete with iris, pupil and radiating lines.

Carrots are loaded with beta-carotene which the body converts to Vitamin A. This vitamin helps prevent night blindness and helps with the maintenance of a healthy and clear cornea.

Lutein is also present in carrots. This antioxidant helps lower the risk of macular degeneration of the eye.

The bones in your body can resemble celery stalks, bok choy or rhubarb. It is believed that bones are 23% sodium. Believe it or not; but, these veggies contain 23% sodium. Coincidence? I think not. If your sodium level is too low the body replenishes sodium from your bones. Theses foods can help replenish those depleted sodium levels in your bones and also help build bone strength.

Some other examples:

Avocados, eggplants and pears resemble the shape of the womb. These foods target the health of the reproductive organs of the female body. Did you know that it takes nine months for an avocado to grow from blossom to fruit? Eating an avocado a week can help balance hormones, shed unwanted weight and help prevent some cervical cancers.
Tomato has four chambers just like the human heart. Lycopine, another antioxidant, found in tomatoes protects the cells from oxygen damage and helps prevent heart disease.
Walnuts resemble the human brain. When you crack a walnut open and remove part of the shell you find two sections of walnut. Our brain has two hemispheres; right and left; along with the upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds of the cortex are represented in the walnut. Walnuts contain high levels of omega-3s and are believed to help more than thirty six neuron transmitters for brain function.

Are these all coincidences? I think not. Mother Nature is giving us visual clues. Next time you are strolling the produce aisles start making those associations.   How about blueberries? They are super loaded with antioxidants.   Our blood is blue until it is mixed with oxygen. Antioxidants help prevent heart disease and cancers. See where I'm going with this?

Remember when you had to make up games to get your kids to eat their food?   It's the same principle!   Try making those associations next time you make a trip to the market. You just might have fun picking out that produce. Woo Hoo your choices!

Living a WOO HOO life together!

Til next time.   Believe.

6 Common Money Mistakes Women Make

2009-11-07T16:06:00.001-06:00

We're savvy modern women. We're successful. We can do laundry, tend a childs ouchy, and pay bills all at the same time. In short, we're amazing people!

Why then do we keep making money mistakes that could come back to bite us one day?

Here are 6 common money mistakes we women make, why they are blunders, and what we can do to fix them.

1. You Leave the Family Finances to Your Husband or Significant Other

It's wonderful to have a companion in life, and it's especially delightful when you discover that he/she is willing to take over the family finances; pay bills, deal with insurance, credit rating, investments, etc. It's all just so darn confusing and complicated, after all.

BIG MISTAKE!

Every year millions of women are forced to take over the family finances due to the illness, injury, death or divorce of their significant other, only to discover that they are thrust into yet another situation that leaves them feeling overwhelmed.

Sadly, they often find that the finances are not in as good a shape as they thought and they don't have an inkling about the amount of money coming in and going out each month.

Be an active and knowledgeable paticipant when it comes to the 'business' of the family finances. Even if you aren't the main money person, sit down with your partner on a regular basis and discuss every facet of your finances.

Life is unpredictable and you never know when you may be called upon to step in and take over.

2. "Budget" is a Dirty Word

That may have been your financial viewpoint when you were in college, but you're a big girl now, and a budget is one of the most important financial tools you will ever use.

If you feel that a budget is limiting, think again.

A budget helps you plan for upcoming expenses so you're not hit with a big bill and no money to pay it. A budget can help you save for a dream trip, a new car, or even that purse you've been eyeing at the department store.

Basically, a budget provides you with a clear picture of what's coming in and what's going out so that you can make educated decisions that will have a great impact upon your future.

You can go low tech with a paper ledger, take a simple approach with an Excel spreadsheet, or go high tech with some fancy software. The choice is yours.

3. What Do Your Credit Reports Say About You?

When was the last time you ordered and reviewed copies of all three credit reports?

This is something you should do once a year, without fail:

You may find that the credit card account you thought was closed, is still active on your report even though you no longer have or use the card.
You may see accounts lised that your ex is responsible for, per your divorce, and now they're affecting your credit score.
You may find that you have been a victim of identity fraud.
Sometimes it's only a matter of making sure all your personal information is correct: your name is spelled correctly, your Social Security number is listed accurately, etc.

Any one of these scenarios is reason enought to check to see what's showing up on your credit history.

It only takes a few minutes to sit down and write a letter to the credit card company to request that your account be closed, or to report that you have been a victim of identity fraud, and they will be minutes well served. A little financial house cleaning can help improve your credit score, which is like money in the bank.

4. Congratulations! You Just Gave the Government an Interest Free Loan

Do you get a tax refund every year?

If so, you may want to seriously consider changing your W-4 deductions so that you have more money in your paycheck each pay period.

You may say, "I like getting a nice check in April; it's like hitting a lottery jackpot. I don't really see any reason to change things."

If those are your sentiments, consider this. Why would you pay hudreds of dollars each month so that the IRS can send you a check in April, or, why would you give the government an interest free loan?

By recalculating your withholdings, you can put more money in your pocket each payday to use throughtout the year to pay down credit card debt, to add to your savings, to help ease the pinch between paydays, or to help pay for little Sally's braces.

After all, it's your money; make it work for you now.

5. Savings? What Savings?

Your budget should include putting money into your savings account on a regular basis.

Now, before you tell me that you just don't have enough extra money each month to save, here are a few easy ways to begin saving.

A good rule of thumb is to budget 10% of our earning for savings. For example, you bring home $500 each payday. If you use the 10% rule, that's only $50. If that amount is more than you can save at the moment, then go for 5%, which is only $25. Heck, that's cheaper than going to the movie and getting popcorn and a drink.

As you are able, increase the percentage you place in savings.

Another option is to save a set amount, say $100 a month, and again, once you are able, increase the amount.

Save all of the loose change that comes your way. Instead of spending those pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters, put them in a jar. You'll be surprised how quickly they add up.

Think of a savings account as your emergency fund. When the hot water heater goes out unexpectedly, or the dog needs to go to the vet, you have the cash to take care of the situtation and you can forgo the usual weeping and wailing.

Knowing that you have an emergency fund will provide you with a great sense of seurity and peace of mind. I promise that once you start saving and watch your balance grow and grow, you're going to feel so proud of yourself.

You'll also discover that your impulse buying doesn't hold the thrill it used to, and you just might sleep better at night, too.

Remember, having a saving asccount does not replace the need to contribute to your 401K, or having a 401K does not negate the need for a savings acount.

Your saving goal should be to have at least 6 months worth of living expenses in your account; don't let that goal overwhelm you - take baby steps. Saving something every month beats not saving at all.

6. You've Lost Your Financial Identity

Every woman should have a credit card as well as checking and savings accounts, in her name.

Even though your relationship with your sweetie is the stuff movies are made of, a little financial independence is not a bad thing. Building your own credit score is always a wise decision.

According to the FTC, the two main reasons why women don't have credit histories in their own names are, that they lost their credit histories when the married and changed their names and because most creditors reported the joint accounts in the husband's name only. That stinks!

You worked hard for your financial identity. Don't loose it just because you get married. If you never established your own financial identity, it's not to late to start.

Life is a journey of living and learning. If you've made any of these mistakes, don't feel bad, most of us have. We did the best we could with the knowledge we had at the time, now that we know better, we can do better.

ree'J

Spring Forward Fall Back

2009-11-06T15:06:00.003-06:00

"Spring Foward Fall Back" is easy to remember.   I think I have all the clocks in my home and car changed.   But, how do I get my internal body clock changed?   I'm sitting here this afternoon tired and crabby.  It's been a really loooong week for me.  I still don't know when to get up, when to go to sleep or when to eat.

I attribute my sad state of affairs with the 'fall back' Daylight Saving Time that we just experienced.  The 'fall back' has always been harder for me than the 'spring forward'.   I'm experiencing a trend I don't like.   As I become older my body just doesn't tolerant these time changes; especially, the one we just experienced.

My productivity at work and home suffered, too. I found an article that attributed $480,000,000 to lost productivity for the additional 16 minutes that it took to get started the Monday morning after. What about Monday afternoon?   My body and mind shut down when I thought it was 5p. But, the clock on the wall only said 4p!

How did the 'fall back' affect you?   Let us know.

Living a WOO HOO life together.

'Til next time. Believe.

Giving Yourself Permission

2009-11-01T08:03:00.003-06:00

Cancer affects so many people.   I know. My husband of 12 years died from a form of leukemia some 22 years ago.   The life that we had dreamed about and planned for ourselves and our four sons abruptly ended one day in April.   April 1st to be exact.

He was diagnosed in December, just before Christmas. The next few months were a blur.   We were starting the even years.   Meaning, our oldest son was already 8 and the three youngest would be 6, 4 and 2 after April 1.   The oldest two sons stayed with their dad's parents so they could go to school.   The youngest two were with me at my mom's. We had transferred hospitals so that he could get the best care possible. The separation was hard on all of us.

After chemotherapy, radiation and a bone marrow transplant; remission was not meant to be.  He suffered from severe side effects from the chemo and whole body radiation.  It wasn't easy for me to watch, helplessly.   He died just before Easter.

The hardest part of all of this was when I told my babies that their daddy was dying.   I remember telling them in the hospital waiting room.   We cried and cried.   Their hearts, and mine, were broken.

Life 'charges' forward.   Our boys are now young men.  Successful and responsible young men. Our family has grown with wives, girlfriends and grandbabies.   Three beautiful grandbabies.

We were blessed with wonderful family and  friends during that time.   Someone was always calling and asking what they could do.   It was hard for me to ask for help. I had always been able to take care of my family and extend help to others.   But, late one night, my closest friend made an statement that has impacted me to this day. She said, "I can't help you if you don't tell me what you need."   That still holds true today.

They say that 'time heals all wounds'.   But, I say, not wounds of the heart.   Time only takes away the sharp edges. We move on.   We have to move on.   Give yourself permission to live.   That is hard to do. But, do it, anyway! Otherwise, you'll miss out on so much.

My wonderful friend also said, "One door has been shut. But, you have so many other doors to open." She was right. She was helping me to give myself persmission to live.   I'm so glad she was put into my life when I needed her the most. Her wisdom still follows me today.

Families are also the 'survivors' of cancer. Take care of yourself.   Take care of your family and friends.   And.....give yourself permission to live.   You have to!

Living a WOO HOO life together.

'Til next time. Believe.

Home Remedies - What'sYour Poison?

2009-10-24T08:52:00.002-05:00

fever
cough
sore throat
runny or stuffy nose
body aches
headache
chills

I received an email from a co-worker this week, offering me a 'home remedy' for a cough. Now that I think about it, my coughing was probably getting on everyone's nerves. For some reason, the annoying cough is always the one flu symptom that hangs on forever.

Supposedly, my co-worker's grandfather would slice onions in a bowl and then sprinkled them with sugar. The 'syrup' created from the onion juice and sugar was then used to treat a pesky cough, and according to the email, it worked. The added benefit was that it could be taken as often as needed without fear of over-dosing the patient.

It's good to note that this particular co-worker has never used this cough remedy, but says that her grandfather and mother swear it works.

Even for an onion lover like myself, a sugary onion cough syrup sounds like it would have a high gag factor associated with it, don't you think?

When I get a headache, chills, runny or stuffy nose with a cough and fever, my products of choice are a cup of hot herbal tea with honey, chicken noodle soup, some ibuprofen, a bottle of saline nasal spray and the remote control. If my throat becomes irritated, I will pop a lozenge or two along the way. Frequent napping is mandatory throughtout the day.

So, when you or your loved ones get the flu, how do you spell relief?

Do you have proven family remedies like the onion cough syrup?

I'd love to hear about the home remedies or products you swear by when the flu strikes at your house.

Oh, and if anyone would like to try the onion cough syrup and report back, that would be great!

ree'J

The Old Man is Snoring...

2009-10-18T12:00:00.004-05:00

It's raining, it's pouring
The old man is snoring,
He went to bed and he bumped his head,
And couldn't get up in the morning.

The reason the old man couldn't get up in the morning wasn't because he hit his head, it was because of his snoring!

Sleep apnea is reported to effect more than 18 million American adults, and 1-10% of children.

What Is Sleep Apnea?
Acording to MedicineNet sleep apnea is defined as 'the temporary stoppage of breathing during sleep, often resulting in daytime sleepiness."

The Greek word "apnea" literally means "without breath."

Untreated, sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, memory problems, weight gain, impotency and headaches. Other effects attributed to sleep apnea are a compromised immune system, poor mental and emotional health, and irritability. Women with sleep apnea are more likely to suffer from depression or hypothyroidism (see our 10/11/09 post).

Children can suffer with learning disabilities, behavioral problems, cardiovascular events and even dimished growth.

Types of Apnea
Obstructive - caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the rear of the throat closes during sleep. Obstructive Sleep Apnea, or OSA, is the most common type of apnea, and tends to run in families.

Central - the airway isn't blocked but the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe. This apena may be attributed to stroke, brain tumor, a viral brain infection, or chronic respiratory disease. Those with CSA seldom snore.

Warning Signs of Anea

Frequent silences during sleep
Choking or gasping during sleep
Loud snoring
Sudden awakenings
Daytime sleepiness
Morning headaches

Key Risk Factors

Male (women are affected as well)
Over 40 years of age
Being overweight or obese (however, 50% of people with sleep apnea are not obese)
Large tonsils or adenoids
Deviated septum
Enlarged tongue
Receding chin
Nasal congestion or blockage
Throat muscles and tongue that relax more than normal during sleep

It's important to remember that while these are the key risk factors for sleep apnea, anyone at any age can be struck with sleep apnea. Unfortunately, because the symptoms reported by women are not typical, women are more likely to be misdiagnosed. It's believed that at least 4% of women suffer from sleep apnea.
Snoring is a progressive disorder. So a snore that's light or occasional now will probably become more intense as time passes.

Should I Have a Sleep Study?
The simple answer is yes, if you experience several of the warning signs above. If you're not sure, ask your family or close friends - if you snore loudly or gasp for breath during sleep, they will know and will be more than happy to share that information with you.

A sleep study is painless. Electrodes are attached to varius places on your scalp, forehead and beside your eyes, your breathing will be monitored, muscle activity, oxygen saturation and snoring are recorded. The you go to sleep and the recording of the data begins.

The data is then reviewed and a determination is made whether or not you have sleep apnea. If so, the a prescription is written for a CPAP.

CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. CPAP therapy uses a machine to help a person with OSA breathe easier during sleep. The machine increases the air pressure in your throat so that it does not collapse when you breathe in.

If you snore, if your spouse or significant other has banished you to the guest room because of your snoring, talk with your Doctor about scheduling a sleep study. Life is too precious to ignore the potentially life threathening possibilities of sleep apnea.

Those with OSA have an increased risk of having a heart attack during the sleep hours of 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. - don't end up a statistic...

ree'J

Why Are You Feeling So Tired?

2009-10-11T14:07:00.003-05:00

Have you been feeling sluggish lately, but you don't know why? Is your skin dry? Are your fingernails brittle? Are you experiencing a lack of concentration &/or feelings of depression?

Have your eyebrows begun to thin and is your hair falling out? Unexplained weight gain?

If you answered 'yes' to two or more of these questions, you may be experiencing low thyroid levels, or hypothyroidism. It's estimated that over 12 million people suffer from thyroid disease, many of whom have yet to be diagnosed.

What is the Thyroid Gland?

The thyroid gland is a small butterfly shaped gland located just below your larynx, or Adam's apple. The function of the thyroid gland is to convert the iodine from the food you eat into two main thyroid hormones. These hormones are essential for the regulation of your metabolism, body teamperature, and assisting other organs in their functions.

Checklist of Sypmtoms

Mary J. Shomon is a patient advoate and bestselling author, who, since her diagnosis has made it her mission to educate and empower others who struggle with thyroid, autoimmune, hormone, and weight loss challenges. She has provided a handy checklist to help you determine if perhaps a visit to your doctor is called for. It's a good idea to take a copy of the checklist to your appointment: there is a more extensive list in her book, "Living Well With Hypothyroidism; What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need To Know".

Finding Help

The frustraing thing is finding a doctor who is willing to listen to you about your ongoing symptoms; especially when your test results show you to be in the 'normal' range. You can find numerous accounts of people who had to go to doctor after doctor before finding one that would listen and do something to improve their quality of life.

Your best defense is to educate yourself about your symptoms, your thyroid levels, and to know that you don't have to settle for feeling okay. You can feel wonderful!

Mary has made this easy for us, with her Thyroid Top Doctors Directory. The directory is very user friendly and is organized by state. Simply click on your state, find the city nearest you, and choose a doctor from those listed. There are patient comments as well, that can help you decide which doctor would work best for you.

In the event your state does not have a doctor listed, there is a forum moderated by Ms. Shomon, and the odds are pretty good that someone there can point you in the right direction.

Personal Experience

I've dealt with a low thyroid for years and thought that feeling 'okay' was as good as it was ever going to get. I thought my aching joints were because I was getting older, and that I couldn't lose weight because I lacked self-discipline and motivation. I thought my thinning hair and eyebrows were the luck of the draw from a murky gene pool.

It wasn't until I read Mary's book that I realized my GP is a great doctor, just not the correct person to help me with my low thyroid levels. Through my reading of "Living Well With Hypothyroidism; What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You ...That You Need To Know", I realized my joints weren't achy because I was getting older, my inability to lose weight had little to do with a lack of self-discipline or motivation, and my thinning hair and eyebrows weren't attributed to a murky gene pool. It was my thyroid!! All the guilt and self-loathing I had been heaping upon myself for years, began falling away- the feelings of vindication and relief were so great, that I sat there with the book in my lap, and cried. Then I got mad!

How dare all those Doctors, who over the years wrote prescriptions for ineffective medication and sent me on my way with the parting words, "you need to lose some weight". How dare all those Doctors, who ignored my ongoing symptoms because my thyroid levels were in the 'normal' range. How dare all those Doctors, who showed a lack of concern about my overall health, knowing that my health issues could be linked to my hypothyroidism.

And shame on me...shame on me for not taking charge of my own health care sooner.

Feeling Like a New Woman!

Earlier this year I began reading every book on hypothyroidism and online article I could find. I was fully prepared with lab work, questions, and a thorough list of symptoms when I visited the doctor I chose from the Top Docs Directory. He was very impressed with my knowledge and he listened to everything I had to say and then asked more indepth questions about my sypmptoms. We discussed my current medications and my health goals.

And then, he changed my life. He changed my medications, added a few supplements to my daily regime, and now, I feel like a new woman! There is a spring to my step, a twinkle in my eye, and roses in my cheeks, that haven't been there in years.

Now that I have more energy and my thyroid levels are stacked in my favor, I begin the journey to lose the weight, but that's a story for another time.

As Dr. Wayne Dyer says, "...Once you have the inner way, the outer way will follow."

Don't settle for feeling 'okay' when you can have WONDERFUL!

ree'J

Breast Health-Just a Click Away!

2009-10-04T16:39:00.001-05:00

Dear Sisters in Health,

Luckily, I have never had a scare after a mammogram. I have been fortunate with my breast health.   So far, a few days after my mammogram, I receive my own hand addressed envelope from the clinic telling me that the results from my mammogram are normal.

Do You Know the Facts?

The National Breast Cancer Foundation estimates that each year, over 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and over 40,000 die. One woman in eight either has or will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Approximately 1,700 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 450 will die each year.

If detected early, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer exceeds 96%. Mammograms are among the best early detection methods, yet 13 million U.S. women 40 years of age or older have never had a mammogram.

I am also fortunate to be working for a small company that provides a health insurance plan that I can participate in each month. My breast exam and annual physical is considered 'preventative care' and the expenses are covered in full by the policy.

But what about our sisters over 40 years old that have never had a mammogram because of their financial circumstances?

How You Can Help Every Day

The Breast Cancer Site provides an excellent way for us to help our less than fortunate sisters. All that is required from us is our time.

Click to Give a Free Mammogram

Check it out!   Be sure to sign up for your daily reminder via email.   Every day I just open the email remainder and click on the URL address provided. How easy is that?!

Living a WOO HOO life, together!

'Til next time.    Believe.

Breast Cancer Awareness: Spot Compressions

2009-10-04T12:44:00.004-05:00

"This message is for Sheree'. Sheree', this is Patty calling from the Radiology Department. Would you please give us a call at 930-xxxx?"

I felt the fingers of fear begin their dance up my spine. I had to listen to the message three times before I was able to write down the full phone number.

"Hi, Patty. This is Sheree', returning your call."

"Hi Sheree'. Yes, the radiologist saw something on your mammogram films and would like you to come in this Friday at 10:00 for spot compressions. Will that work for you?"

I don't know what scared me more, the fact that the radiologist wanted me to come in on Friday at 10:00 or that she had found "something". I had a day until my appointment, and not only were the fingers of fear doing their merry dance along my spine, my stomach was doing somersaults.

My first experience with spot compressions was almost 12 years ago; I had no idea what spot compressions were. Whoever said that "ignornace is bliss" never received a phone call like this. I was far from blissful, I assure you.

I kept telling myself that everything would be ok. I faithfully completed monthly self-exams, never missed my annual mammogram, and if they found something, at least it was caught early, right?

What is Spot Compression Mammogram?
All mammograms involve compession of the breast, the newest digital technology included. A spot compression mammogram uses a smaller compression plate on the targeted area, with a slightly inceased level of pressure, and lasts no longer than the compression time during a customary mammogram.

The spot compression shows the borders of the area in question much clearer than standard views. Actually, areas that look questionable on the standard mammography images are often shown to be normal tissue on the spot views.

I was lucky - the diagnosis was 'dense tissue'.

Last year at my appointment, I was pleasantly surprised to see that they had upgraded to digital mammography which has been reported to provide clearer views. Little did I know, I would again get a call from the nurse telling me that a "questionable" spot was seen on my mammogram, and that I would need to come in for spot compressions. I was better prepared when the call came this time.
At my appointment, I mentioned to the technician that I had spot compressions 12 years earlier on the same breast and location and that at the time was told it was dense tissue. She told me that more than likely it was still the case, but with the digital mammography the views are so much clearer, that it's always better to err on the side of caution. To which I whole-heartedly agreed! I think I was just looking for a little reassurance that all would be well.

After viewing the new films, thankfully, the diagnosis was the same.

The radioligist asked me to stay for an ultra sound, which would allow them to take precise measurements of the spot as a baseline. In the future, this would allow them to know if the spot was growing or changing in any way. She wanted me back in 6 months for a comparison.

The 6-month comparison went well - no change in shape or size.

Spot compressions aren't something to fear. They're simply another weapon in our arsenal, along with monthly self-exams and annual mammography, to fight against the dreaded disease of breast cancer. So...

If you get the call - don't panic, knowledge is power.
If you get the call - know that you are taking charge of your health and that early detection is the key!
If you get the call - or if you know someone who does - reach out - no woman should have to deal with the fingers of fear dancing up her spine, alone.
We're all in this together...

ree'J

Join Us - October is Health Month!

2009-09-27T11:03:00.001-05:00

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month - and definitely something Carolyn and I take seriously, as well the many other health issues we all face on a daily basis.

In October we'll provide you with a link that will allow you to help your 'sisters' who can't afford a mammogram, we'll discuss Spot Compressions and share personal experience.

In addition, we'll be discussing Hypothyroidism and Sleep Apnea.
There will be a poll about H1N1, as well.

If there are health related items you're interested in sharing or some you're interested in learning more about, we'd love to hear from you!

5 Simple Rules To Being Happy

2009-09-20T12:36:00.001-05:00

I had several new additions to my email inbox today; those funny, cute or thought provoking little tidbits forwarded from friends and family on a fairly regular basis, author unknown. After a quick scan of the day's entrants, there was one in particular that caught my eye.

It was a story about an elderly gentleman who was being admitted to a nursing home and was delighted with the prospect. He walked in the front door for a tour of his new home with a geat big smile plastered upon his face. The lady assignd to escort him was curious why he was so happy, this was not typical, especially given the fact that he hadn't seen his room yet. As she showed him around the facility, his smile never waivered. Her curiosity got the better of her, so she asked him why he was so happy, to which he replied, "Every morning I get up and decide to be delighted with everything that comes my way."

His escort was intrigued with his answer, and when asked how he was able to be so positive each day, he responded with these 5 Simple Rules To Being Happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred.

Hatred, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is an intense hostility, an aversion usually deriving from fear, anger, or sense of injury.

At one point in my life, there was a person who evoked feelings of intense dislike within me, to the point that my anger and 'hatred' became almost cancer-like in its ability to consume me and my ability to think rationally. I don't think anyone particularly enjoyed my company during that period, heck, I didn't even like myseslf!

Luckily, I tired of my justified anger and resolved to move forward. It wasn't easy. It took a considerable amount of time and energy and was a difficult lesson to learn; one I've never forgotten, and one I'm determined never to repeat.

2. Free your mind from worries.

"Yea, right." How does one go about that you ask? It seems to me that you are either a born worrier or you're not.

If you fit into the worrier category, there is hope. It's as simple as admitting to yourself that the thing you are worrying about isn't affected, for better or for worse, by your worrying. It is what it is.

Think about it. Can you remember a single instance when something you were worrying about, resolved itself as a direct result of your worrying? No, of course not. It's your actions that resolve situations. Let the worry go! All worrying ever did was raise your blood pressure, generate a few more gray hairs, or at best, give you an upset stomach to deal with.

There is a strong belief, in many circles, that our thoughts are energy, and thus attract like energy. With that being said, if you're a worrier who is always fretting about one thing or another, you're only attracting more things to worry about into your life. Let the worry go!

3. Live simply.

Living a simple life means different things to each of us. My personal philosophy of living simply is to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Do I really need 3 pots of the same size in my kitchen cabinet? Can that old armoire be refurbished to provide a handy organizing solution for my crafting supplies? How do you define living simply?

4. Give more.

There are always Girl Scout cookies and Boy Scout popcorn to buy. Each year there are school fund raisers and your favorite charities to support.

Give a friend a hug, forgive your sister/brother/parent for the 'thing' they did, read a story to a child in the hospital. Is there an elderly or sick neighbor who could use a hot meal or help with raking leaves? There is an endless list of ways to give more, and the cost will be no more than a little of your time.

5. Expect less.

My greatest disappointments, and heartaches, have come as a direct result of expecting more from others than they were able or willing to give. Because of this, I have learned to expect less.

That's not to say that I'm a pessimist, quite the contrary. It's simply that I've learned that holding others to my expectations is unrealistic, and perhaps even a bit egotistical on my part. Expecting less is actually less stressful, and more enjoyable. Give it a test, what have you go to lose?

Five little rules - I think I can do this, what about you? All we have to do is decide that today we're going to be delighted with everything that comes our way!

ree'J

Are You Making Time for Yourself?

2009-09-13T13:04:00.001-05:00

When a long weekend comes around, like the Labor Day Weekend we just enjoyed, what do you typically do with the extra time off from work? Do you spend it catching up on sleep, or housework, or running errands? Or do you take the opportunity to do something just for yourself?

If you're like me, the first thought that runs through your mind on any weekend, but especially a long weeend, is "I get to sleep in!" What usually happens, of course, is that I wake up at my regular time and can't go back to sleep.

Over the Labor Day weekend, my office was closed from Friday-Monday, which made it feel like a mini vacation. Four whole days of freedom! Four days, surely, would be more than enough time to get everyting in that I wanted to do.

I had the days all organized. Friday morning I was going to get up, clean the house and then try out my new toy - the carpet shampooer. Later I planned to watch a movie or two on pay-per-view. Saturday was going to be the day to pay bills and run all those pesky errands and maybe have a nice lunch out - Mexican food was calling my name. I scheduled Sunday to make some potato salad to go along with the steaks I planned to grill, and to spend some time working on Living a Woo Hoo Life! That would leave me Monday free and clear to do whatever I wanted, and what I wanted in the worst way, was to paint.

Well, hubby had other plans on Friday so we spent the day out running around the mall and every other store on the planet. The day wasn't a total bust; I did get my Mexican food. Woo Hoo! I spent Saturday cleaning the house (only half of the carpet got cleaned, however) paying bills and watching college football. Sunday I finished up the carpet project and then ran out to the grocery store, again, and was able to get the eggs boiled and the potatoes cooked for the salad.

This left me with one day, Monday. The one day out of the long wekend set aside for me and me alone - to paint to my heart's content. Instead, I finished up the potato salad, grilled the steaks, and folded laundry.

While I didn't pick up a paint brush all weekend, I did spend an enjoyable few hours working on Living a Woo Hoo Life! - a great sustitute for a paint brush.

As women, this is a pretty typical weekend. We spend so much of our time and energies taking care of everyone and everything, that there is little time left over for us. If you're not sure if you're making enough time for yourself to relax, regroup and renew, then check out this quiz at iVillage

Bottom line - making time for yourself, doing the things that feed your soul, whatever they may be, are essential for good health, spiritual peace and happiness.

Chinese Proverb: Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.

ree'J

Welcome to Living a WOO HOO Life!

2009-09-07T10:38:00.000-05:00

Welcome to our premier blog! This venture has been months in the making and now that the day is finally here, we couldn't be more thrilled!

Carolyn and I have discussed a variety of possible business opportunities and ways we could use our creativity, over the past two years. At one point, we had half a dozen possible ideas swimming around in our heads. The days passed and one idea after another was shelved; one was going to be too time consuming with our full time jobs, another just wasn't all that interesting after we thought about it, and yet another's longevity was questionable.

The one idea that seemed to consistently come to topic was blogging. All we knew about blogs, however, was that you could google any subject and find one. Pretty pathetic, I know. I think we were just a wee bit intimidated by blogs, but thankfully our determination was far greater than our anxiety.

We bit the bullet and began our research. We read anything and everything we could find about blogs and blogging. And yes, we even bought Google Blogging for Dummies. Which by the way, became the greatest weapon in our arsenal; it shed so much light on blogging that our fears turned tail and retreated to parts unknown.

It was decided that we were going to tackle blogging, but what kind of blog? A couple cliches came to mind as we mulled around ideas. You're probably familiar with the old cliche, "early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise". While the 'early to bed' sounded pretty darn good most days, rising early is a must, not a choice. But being 'healthy, wealthy and wise', was definitely something we could work with. We started thinking about life; where were we and where we want to be in a few years.

The cliche. "it's not about the destination, it's all about the journey" brought home that point. Up until now we had been primarily 'destination' driven...so, if it's all about the journey, what did we want our journey to look like?

After a few moments of quiet thought, we turned and looked at each other with grins on our faces and twinkles in our eyes, and shouted "WOO HOO!" So, there you have it. A blog was born, Living a Woo Hoo Life!...becoming, healthy, wealthy and wise.

We intend to put the excitement back into life while searching for things healthy, wealthy and wise along the way - with a little artistic creativity thrown in for good measure!

We're busily working behind the scenes to get everything up to speed - stay tuned, you won't be sorry!