Celebrate National Tartan Day



Little Linda Turner wore tartan
for her photo in Kindergarten!!!

(eat your heart out, Lucinda Berry Hill -
I made that rhyme up all by myself!)



  

If I were to ask you to define the word "tartan", you would most likely give me a definition such as:

(noun):  Woolen cloth with a woven pattern of straight lines of different colors and widths crossing at right angles. 

Here's a fun fact about tartan:
In the Scottish Highlands, each clan has its own pattern.  Fascinating!!!

Today we celebrate NATIONAL TARTAN DAY!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Although the name would suggest we are honoring a piece of fabric or a garment, the real meaning goes much deeper. 

It's estimated that nearly 30 million American citizens claim Scottish heritage, with the majority of these residing in Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas.

Scottish Americans are the 8th largest ethnic group in the United States.

Today we are celebrating people of Scottish and Scottish-American descent and their contributions to medicine throughout history.  Let's take just a few minutes today to mention these men of Scottish descent.  Without their valuable contributions, modern medicine would not be where it is today. 

John James Rickard Macleod (1876-1935) was a Scottish biochemist and physiologist.  Although he mainly devoted his career to diverse topics in physiology and biochemistry, he was quite interested in carbohydrate metabolism.  Have you ever heard of a little miracle called insulin?  He is noted for his role in the discovery and isolation of insulin during his tenure as a lecturer at the University of Toronto.  In 1923, he and Frederick Banting received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. 


Alexander Fleming (1881-1955) was a Scottish biologist and pharmacologist.  He is known first for the discovery of the anti-bacterial lysozyme, a natural substance found in tears and the nose that helps the body fight germs.  He is also famous for his discovery of a little wonder drug called penicillin.  It quickly became the life-saving drug of his day.  The discovery was made by accident while Fleming was on vacation.  A mold had grown and destroyed the bacteria on a Petri dish in his lab.  In 1945 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Robert Burns Woodward (1917-1979) was a Scottish-American organic chemist, considered to be the preeminent organic chemist of the twentieth century.  He made many key contributions, especially in the synthesis of complex natural products and the determination of their molecular structure. 

He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1965.

So, you see, it's more than just a piece of cloth or a garment we honor today. 

Have a Happy NATIONAL TARTAN DAY!!!

 

I Admit I Don't Remember the Admitting Clerk

 

Since the average percent of emergency room visits resulting in hospital admission is a staggering 12.6%, is it any surprise that the person at the admitting desk has quite an important job and is kept quite busy? 

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. - Maya Angelou

The last time I had to take a loved one to the emergency room, the situation was rather urgent and I think we knew that from the beginning.  On the way to the hospital, I took all of the necessary information and held on to it tightly because I thought we would need to have it at the ready very quickly in order to get the ball rolling.  When we walked in the door we explained what was going on and how dire we felt the situation was.

I held the cards out in front of me as though they would be the magic key to get us in the door.  The admitting clerk smiled and said (in the cutest Southern accent), "Oh honey, we'll take care of all that later.  Right now we just need to get things stabilized." 

I can tell you the admitting clerk was a woman with a sweet Southern accent.  I can not describe her beyond that, except to say she had her priorities straight and she kept her cool.  She was kind, compassionate and put a person before the paperwork that had to be completed. 

I am the number one fan of the admitting clerk at Skaggs Hospital in Branson, Missouri  If I could say one thing to her, it would be that you rocked my world one frightening night and I will never forget that!  Thank you! 

We really don't notice physical details about a person when we are in crisis mode.  There is something we definitely pick up on and that is how kind and compassionate the person is.   

http://youtu.be/HRF15dUMVmU



Hands For Jesus

I will be your hands Lord,
That feed your hungry children.
I will give them shelter,
Who haven't any home.
I will be your lips Lord,
To voice your words of wisdom.
I will be your tongue,
To teach what's right and wrong.
I will be your voice Lord,
To speak courage and direction.
I will be your hands,
To give a pat of praise.
I will give your love Lord,
To all, without condition.
I will be your arms,
To give a warm embrace.
I will be your hands Lord,
To clothe your children warmly.
I will be your gentle touch,
To comfort those in pain.
I will be your feet Lord,
To walk with those who're lonely.
I will be your hands for you,
And love all in your name.

Lucinda Berry Hill, author of the inspirational devotional "Coffee With Jesus".



Today is Hospital Admitting Clerks Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!  This is for that kind and compassionate woman in admitting at Skaggs Hospital.  Thank you so much for making people a priority before paperwork.  Well done!  I hope you have a wonderful day!

Vitamin C as far as the Eye can See

When you think of "Vitamin C", the first thing that pops into your mind is a glass of orange juice or an orange, right?  We tend to think that the only source of Vitamin C is oranges.  Wow, what limited thinking that is!  There is Vitamin C in a lot of foods and that's a good thing!

Although Vitamin C deficiency is rare in developed countries, some individuals do have an increased risk of inadequacies.  Back in the early 1700's, diseases such as scurvy took the lives of many sailors because it was not known that foods containing Vitamin C were so important to their diet.  A simple change in diet could have saved many lives.  If only they had known what we know today.

Vitamin C is essential to muscle and bone health.  The antioxidant properties are thought to keep cells healthy and prevent many types of cancer.  Vitamin C also helps to regenerate your supplies of vitamin E (another useful antioxidant).

It keeps your immune system strong and healthy and may even prevent sagging and wrinkling skin!  Yes, ladies - it's true!  There's also a great deal of infection protection in Vitamin C, so do more than just drink your O.J. in the morning!  Eat your veggies in a salad at noon and enjoy a stuffed pepper for supper!  

There's a reason to eat more foods with Vitamin C during cold season.  Those foods can actually make your cold a lot less miserable than it would be otherwise.  It helps with the inflammation and congestion of a cold.  Vitamin C ensures proper dilation of blood vessels which prevents high blood pressure and heart disease.  I know I'll be increasing my Vitamin C intake!

The lens of the human eye requires vitamin C to function properly, and a deficiency can lead to cataracts.  A higher intake of vitamin C has been shown to fight cataracts by increasing the amount of blood flow to the eye.

There are so many reasons to eat the right foods!  You may be thinking you don't know how much Vitamin C is enough for you every day.  I was thinking the same thing. 

According to the "Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements":

• Infants under 6 months old need 30 mg. of Vitamin C daily. 
• Infants 6-12 months old need 35 mg. every day.  
• Children 1 to 3 years old need 40 milligrams of vitamin C daily.
• Those 4 to 10 need 45 milligrams each day.
• 11- to 14-year-olds need 50 milligrams. 
• Teens 15 years and older are considered adults and need 60 milligrams of vitamin C every day.
• Pregnant women need 70 milligrams, while lactating mothers should be getting 95 milligrams.

Here's a great recipe for a smoothie packed with Vitamin C!  Enjoy!

Vitamin C Fruit Smoothie (makes 2)

1/3 - 1/2 cup plain yogurt (more for a thicker smoothie - less for a thinner one)
1/3 cup soy milk
1 cup strawberry chunks
1 cup cantaloupe chunks
1 orange
1-2 tablespoons raw honey
4-6 ice cubes

Put all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.  Serve immediately.

Enjoy the day knowing that your body is healthy and protected.  Have a happy Vitamin C day!!!

 
 



     

 

Surviving and Thriving Since 1992

Surviving & Thriving
Since 1992

When I first began writing this blog, I promised myself I would be completely honest, open and truthful about everything that's going on with my health and my quest for wellness.  I've had some pretty amazing good news to report along the way - news of weight loss and lower HbA1c.  Today I got some lab results that are just plain scary.  I'm not going to sugar-coat it (no pun intended).  The news is in - my triglyceride level is too high, my HbA1c is too high and my blood pressure was 193/93.  That bottom number has to come down!  What the heck???

 

What are triglycerides and why are they so important to heart health?  This is the question I had to ask myself.  I did what I always do - I googled it!   

We know for a fact that one very real complication of Type 2 Diabetes is heart disease.  I'm living with a Type 2 Diabetic who is a heart patient, so no one knows the devastation a heart attack can bring to everyday life like I do.  Heart disease is a very big deal, and I have a personal goal to get the rest of my extra weight off (40 pounds) and correct my LDL and triglyceride level before it takes a significant toll on my health.  In the process I hope to fix that blood pressure as well.

Triglyceride levels indicate the amount of extra fat floating around in your blood.  This is the same extra fat that will cause plaque build-up and eventually clog your arteries, bringing on a heart attack. 

 

Normal — Less than 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or less than 1.7 millimoles per liter (mmol/L)

Borderline high — 150 to 199 mg/dL (1.8 to 2.2 mmol/L)

High — 200 to 499 mg/dL (2.3 to 5.6 mmol/L)

Very high — 500 mg/dL or above (5.7 mmol/L or above)

Being armed with the knowledge that I have high blood pressure and too much fat and sugar in my blood is good, I think.  It scares me and I'm basically afraid of food now.  I'm now afraid of not only sugar, but fat. 

Add to that the fact that everyone knows the manufacturers lie on their labels - all they care about is making a sale so they'll say anything just to get you to buy their product - and I'm borderline paranoid at this point.  Scratch the borderline - I am paranoid about food - particularly packaged foods.  If it is an apple, I'll eat it.  If it's applesauce - forget it.  I will eat steamed carrots, but I won't touch carrots from a can. 

You know, I'll do what I'm told by my doctor, but I don't want to have to take a cholesterol-lowering medication.  She's already doubled my blood pressure medication and put me on a different medicine for my diabetes.  Please don't add one more medicine to the regimen - please!

What really frustrates me most is the fact that I have a wonderful and healthy diet - truly!  I eat right - ask anybody!  No foolin' - !  I drink water - I don't even drink soda or juice - or even milk.  OK - once in a while I have a little soy milk.  Not often - and not very much. 

The dairy has been discarded for the most part.  All of the so-called cholesterol causing foods and beverages are out of my diet.  So what now?  What is left to do to get these numbers back to normal?  I have to wonder how much of this is part of the progression of diabetes.  

It is all connected, right?  If my lazy pancreas is needing even more help to kick out the insulin, how much is that effecting everything else, you know?  I'm not a doctor, but I do know that it's all connected and the domino effect is scary.

If I had not gotten PCOS, chances are I would not have gotten Type 2 Diabetes.  I will yell that from the rooftop until somebody finally listens and agrees with me.  It won't do any good for anyone to agree - but it will make me feel less crazy in my mind.  I just need someone (especially a doctor) to validate and consider my opinion!  Most doctors just give me a stupid grin and totally ignore my theory.  That makes me feel stupid.  How condescending and rude of them!

Here's my theory:

PCOS = weight gain.  Weight gain = Type 2 Diabetes. 

This is not rocket science!

I propose we attack the REAL SOURCE of the problem (what a concept)!!!
I would dare say a hysterectomy would = no more PCOS AND no more Type 2 Diabetes.  I would also dare to say I could shed weight like a normal person without the cystic ovaries making me gain weight and hang on to weight. 

Why won't anyone listen to me?  I need to be heard and understood!

Once I shed the extra 40 pounds (yes, it's 40 now) - sigh - the LDL and triglycerides will be happy again.  Right?

Why can't I get a doctor on board with me?  I'm 52 years old - I'm not going to use this equipment, for Pete's sake! 

Let's work to save my life - huh???

You know what is so funny to me?  I've had tons of people (a couple of doctors) suggest that I might need to consider gastric bypass surgery. 

OK, so let me get this straight.  Oh - let's cut on the one part of me that does not seem to be plagued with cysts - while we leave the cystic ovaries inside me.

Really???

Um...  nope - I don't think so!

Sorry - next window.  This chick is waaaaay too smart for that!

PCOS & Insulin Resistance.  When I listened to this I actually cried because I heard her say that PCOS is the most COMMON disease that leads to Insulin Resistance and consequently Type 2 Diabetes.  I'm not usually a "right-fighter" but for years I've been saying this!  So - I'm right.  Now - what to do about it?  Obviously lose weight.  If you don't have PCOS, then you have no idea how difficult it is to take weight off - or rather - to keep it off!  Herein lies my frustration.

http://youtu.be/jee-EJRnp7M

Try this wonderful recipe I found - if you like garlic salad as much as I do, this is a perfect dressing for it!  Yes, I eat like this all the time - believe it!

Creamy Garlic Dressing (makes 3 cups)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups low-fat mayonnaise
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup vinegar
3 Tablespoons chopped onion
1 1/2 teaspoons Stevia
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 garlic clove, minced

Directions:

In a blender, combine all ingredients.  Cover and process until smooth.  Serve over finely shredded cabbage and carrot. 

As I was chatting with the doctor, I was reminded that fiber is also an important part of my diet.  This garlic salad provides not only the health benefit of garlic, but the slaw is also a great source of fiber - and fiber is our friend!

My Birthday - My Rules

In keeping with NATIONAL HUMOR MONTH, today is my 52nd birthday!!!  I'll never be this young again.  Through the years I have developed what I consider to be a very healthy attitude toward birthdays and getting older.  I think the older you get, the longer you should get to celebrate!  For my 50th birthday I took an entire week to party.  This year I will take a week and a half.  By the time I reach 100 I'll be partying for the entire month! 
 
Shoot, I just get high on life when I wake up in the morning! 

I party every day that God wakes me up!!!  I think He just wakes me up to entertain Him yet another day.  I can almost hear Him laughing some days!

I share this birthday with a lot of really cool famous people.  Some are older than me and some are younger, but all were born on this date.  Christopher Meloni is the only one who was born in 1961.  I think that's pretty neat. 

• The great singer Marvin Gaye (1939-1984) was born on this day.
• Pattie Mallette, Justin Bieber's mom and autobiographical author, was born on this day in 1975.
• Actor Michael Fassbender, the scheming robot "David" in "Prometheus", was born on this day in 1977. 
• Buddy Ebsen (1908-2003) was born on this day.  He was most famous for his role as "Jed Clampitt" in "The Beverly Hillbillies".
• Bethany Joy Lenz, best known to audiences as "Haley James Scott" on the long-running series "One Tree Hill", was born on this day in 1981.
• Emmylou Harris, country music singer, was born on this day in 1947.
• Rodney King (1965-2012) was born on this day.  He was the
  famous victim of LAPD police brutality; led to LA riots of 1992.
• Danish poet Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) was born on this day.  He was also known for such fairy tales as "The Ugly Duckling" and "The Little Mermaid".
• Alec Guiness (1914-2000), best known for his role as "Obi-Wan Kenobi" in "Star Wars".
• Leon Russell, the white-haired rock singer was born on this day in 1942.
• Christopher Meloni was born on this day in 1961 (the same year as ME!)  He's best known for his role in the hit drama "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" as "Elliot Stabler".
• Roselyn Sanchez was born on this day in 1973.  She played Jackie Chan's love interest in "Rush Hour 2".
• The very handsome Adam Rodriguez, who plays "Eric Delko" in "CSI: Miami", was born on this day in 1975.
• Ron "Horshack" Palillo (1949-2012) the lovable nerd on "Welcome Back, Kotter", was born on this day.
• Clark Gregg was born on this day in 1962.  He has appeared in the sitcom "The New Adventures of Old Christine".
• Drew Van Acker, also known as "Jason" in "Pretty Little Liars", was born on this day in 1986.
• Jack Webb (1920-1982) was born on this day and was best known for his role as "LAPD Sgt. Joe Friday" in the long-running hit show "Dragnet". 
• Deon Richmond was born on this day in 1978 and is best known as "Kenny" in "The Cosby Show".
• David Ferrer, Spanish professional tennis player, was born on this day in 1982.
• Linda Hunt was born on this day in 1945.  She was Best Supporting Actress in "The Year of Living Dangerously".
• Jessie Carmichael, keyboardist for the Pop Rock band Maroon 5, was born on this day in 1979.
• Roscoe Dash, Hip Hop artist, was born on this day in 1990.
• Lee Dewyze, winner of the ninth season of "American Idol", was born on this day in 1986.
• Don Sutton, Hall of Fame Dodgers pitcher, was born on this day in 1945.
• Billy Pierce, left-handed pitcher for the Chicago White Sox, was born on this day in 1927.
• Ashley Peldon, recognized for her work in the daytime drama "The Guiding Light" as "Mariah Lewis", was born on this day in 1984.
• Penelope Keith, English television actress on "Good Neighbors", "Executive Stress" and "To the Manor Born", was born on this day in 1940. 
• Yung Joc, popular rapper, was born on this day in 1983.
• Mike Johnson, NFL lineman for the Atlanta Falcons, was born on this day in 1987.
• Max Ernst (1891-1976) was born on this day.  He was inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's art and was one of the founders of the Dada and Surrealist art movement. 
• Marco Amelia, Italian goalkeeper, was born on this day in 1982.
• Bill Romanowski, NFL linebacker and actor, was born on this day in 1966.
• Donald Petrie, renowned director, was born on this day in 1954.  Some movies he directed include "Mystic Pizza" and "Miss Congeniality".
• Billy Dean, country singer, was born on this day in 1962. 
• Dr. Demento, Radio broadcaster and record collector known for his comedic abilities, was born on this day in 1941.
• Émile Zola (1840-1902) was born on this day.  He was the most prominent French novelist of the late 19th century, and was noted for his theories of naturalism as expressed in "Les Rougon-Macquart."
• Lindy Booth was born on this day in 1979. She played Riley Grant on the Disney Channel series The Famous Jett Jackson (and Agent Hawk in the show-within-a-show Silverstone). 
• Dabbs Greer (1917-2007) was born on this day.  He was a very familiar face in films and especially on TV. He was a sort of "everyman" in his roles and played merchants, preachers, businessmen, and other "pillars of the community" types as well as assorted villains. With his plain looking face, wavy hair and mellow, distinctive voice he was a solid supporting actor...  he played the preacher in "Little House on the Prairie".
• Pamela Reed was born on this day in 1949.  She played in the comedy hit "Kindergarten Cop."

There were roughly 840 famous people born on April 2nd.  I am in very good company!  Look at all these gifted souls I get to share my birthday with!    

Well, I plan to have a very quiet day and evening.  I will continue to celebrate for the next week and a half, so there's no rush to do everything today!!!  

The Beatles - Happy Birthday Song.  It's my birthday too, yeah!!!

http://youtu.be/QHRMX9Brq0s

My very good friend, Lucinda Berry Hill, author of "Coffee With Jesus" was inspired to write a poem one morning after I messaged her that I had made coffee and discovered some grounds in the bottom of my coffee cup!  I told her I was determined to have a lovely day in spite of the experience!

Knowing I am crazy about coffee and rarely mess up my brew, she could not pass up the opportunity to write this sweet and humorous bit of wit - and I'm so tickled that I'm the one who inspired her!  Do I bring out the bit of wit in people?  I hope so - and take that as a great compliment - indeed!  She's such a sweet soul and I'm so tickled we met and I'm happy to be not only a colleague, but a sister in Christ and a (funny and inspiring???) friend.  I love how iron sharpens iron, don't you?  With us, irony sharpens irony...  um - yeah. 

I hope you enjoy this light-hearted poem as much as I did!  Thank you darlin' - a poem just for me - it's the best birthday gift ever!!!



 

Grounds In Your Cup

 

 

Unpleasant, unexpected,

 

Nasty, cruddy, yuck!

 

There's nothing worse

 

Than grounds in your cup!

 

 

Just rinse out the filter,

 

The cup and the pot.

 

Then try it again.

 

Just give it a shot.

 

 

Whenever we get dirty

 

From falling in sin,

 

God washes us clean

 

And we try again.

 

 

He gives us that chance

 

To start a new life,

 

Again and again

 

'Till we get it right.

 

 

So wash out the filth

 

And try it again:

 

You're coffee delicious,

 

Your life without sin.

   

Today is also AUTISM AWARENESS DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I'll be wearing BLUE - will you???