My apologies to my loyal readers. I've been preoccupied with family issues and illnesses. As you know, Shanon and the kids arrived a week and a half ago, bringing with them the dreaded flu virus. They had just gotten over it and thought they were free of any bugs but soon after their arrival my 88 year old mother came down with it. This flu, if you haven't heard by now, is a violent, thoroughly painful bug. The vomiting is intense and rib breaking, the diarrhea is explosive and constant, the nausea is unrelenting and sleep depriving, the bone pains are piercing and tear inducing and the weakness is overwhelming. It lasts for several days but feels like several weeks. Shanon arrived on Monday, mother got sick on Thursday, the big party was Saturday and Sunday I had the beginning symptoms. I've nicknamed the flu, "Just Put A Bullet In My Head Flu". I've never, ever, ever been so sick in my life.
It's Thursday and I, or I should say, "we" were supposed to be in Phoenix today. I had to postpone the drive by an extra day just to get my land legs back.
I feel like my whole life was put on hold this week. I feel like I'm rising up from the depths of a dark swamp. Is there still life on this planet? Did anything happen in my absence? Did aliens invade or did the war end? I guess not.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
From my Friend Steven
I find that listening to non-physical masters is a delightful way to be reminded of that part of us that is spiritual being and in 2008 on planet Earth, there is no shortage of ways to do this. I find the clarity of thought, the directness of a particular message, and the loving manner in which it is given are all hallmarks of genuine communication from the other side. In that light, I offer you this message from Kuan Yin, a Chinese goddess of mercy, compassion, and protection, which I have taken from Doreen Virtue’s book Archangels & Ascended Masters: A Guide to Working and Healing with Divinities and Deities:
“Here are my sacred instructions: First, have mercy upon yourselves. You have endured much in your land, and you have eons of lessons before you. Only through a gentle touch is Nirvana revealed. Stretch and reach for greatness, but always with a gentle approach. See not opportunities, but allow them to gently come to you as a lotus flower floats upon the currents of water amidst a gentle breeze. Strive, but not with hurry — enjoy the process upon which you embark. Know that each step along the way is akin to a party — a celebration of movement, which is itself a miracle.
“Appreciate the godliness within yourself, within each of you. Do not chide yourself for your errors and mistakes, but laugh, grow, and learn from them instead. You, my gentle child, are doing just fine — in fact, very well indeed.
“If I were to give you any word of wisdom, it would be the word that best embodies love upon this Earth plane to me: compassion. Growing past all shame and embarrassment, and moving toward appreciation, not just for the ‘good’ parts of yourself and others, but for all along the way — it’s all good, believe me. And if you can know that as the eternal truth sooner rather than later, your happiness will come galloping toward you at the speed of mustangs with winged hooves. Believe that as truth. Now.”
* * *
I look forward to seeing you tomorrow evening and/or out and about.
P E A C E ,
Steven
“Here are my sacred instructions: First, have mercy upon yourselves. You have endured much in your land, and you have eons of lessons before you. Only through a gentle touch is Nirvana revealed. Stretch and reach for greatness, but always with a gentle approach. See not opportunities, but allow them to gently come to you as a lotus flower floats upon the currents of water amidst a gentle breeze. Strive, but not with hurry — enjoy the process upon which you embark. Know that each step along the way is akin to a party — a celebration of movement, which is itself a miracle.
“Appreciate the godliness within yourself, within each of you. Do not chide yourself for your errors and mistakes, but laugh, grow, and learn from them instead. You, my gentle child, are doing just fine — in fact, very well indeed.
“If I were to give you any word of wisdom, it would be the word that best embodies love upon this Earth plane to me: compassion. Growing past all shame and embarrassment, and moving toward appreciation, not just for the ‘good’ parts of yourself and others, but for all along the way — it’s all good, believe me. And if you can know that as the eternal truth sooner rather than later, your happiness will come galloping toward you at the speed of mustangs with winged hooves. Believe that as truth. Now.”
* * *
I look forward to seeing you tomorrow evening and/or out and about.
P E A C E ,
Steven
Friday, February 22, 2008
Michael
Michael's headaches are less frequent and less intense. Is it the Reiki? Hmmmm....I believe so.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Today is My Birthday!
I've decided to be 47 today. I liked 47. My family is here from Phoenix and will be staying for a week or so. We're having a party on Saturday and I'm going to continue the celebration for the rest of the month....as it should be.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
I received this email today...I'm sharing it with all mothers....
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response,
the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the
phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't
you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on
the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my
head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible;
"The Invisible Mom."
Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this?
Can you tie this? Can you open this?
Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being.
I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer,
'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right
around 5:30, please.'
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the
eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude
- but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be
seen again. She's going, she's going, and she's gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return
of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a
fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed
in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put
together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for
myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only
thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in
a hair clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in
it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a
beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was
a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why
she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte,
with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no
one sees.'
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would
discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after
which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great
cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave
their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They
made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their
building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw
everything.
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit
the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving
a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the
man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam
that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever se e it.' And
the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was
almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte.
I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you
does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no
cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over.
You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what
it will become.'
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a
disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of
my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn
pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great
builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will
never see finished, to work on something that their name will never
be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no
cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so
few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend
he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at
4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a
turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.'
That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just
want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more
to say to his friend, to add, 'you're gonna love it there.'
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if
we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the
world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty
that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible
women. Great Job, MOM!
the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the
phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't
you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on
the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my
head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible;
"The Invisible Mom."
Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this?
Can you tie this? Can you open this?
Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being.
I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer,
'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right
around 5:30, please.'
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the
eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude
- but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be
seen again. She's going, she's going, and she's gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return
of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a
fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed
in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put
together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for
myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only
thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in
a hair clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in
it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a
beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was
a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why
she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte,
with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no
one sees.'
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would
discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after
which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great
cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave
their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They
made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their
building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw
everything.
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit
the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving
a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the
man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam
that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever se e it.' And
the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was
almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte.
I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you
does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no
cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over.
You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what
it will become.'
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a
disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of
my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn
pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great
builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will
never see finished, to work on something that their name will never
be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no
cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so
few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend
he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at
4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a
turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.'
That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just
want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more
to say to his friend, to add, 'you're gonna love it there.'
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if
we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the
world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty
that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible
women. Great Job, MOM!
Higher Self Parenting
If a Child Lives With...
If a child lives with criticism
He learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility
He learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule
He learns to be shy.
If a child lives with jealousy
He learns to feel guilty.
But if a child lives with tolerance
He learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement
He learns self-confidence.
If a child lives with praise
He learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness
He learns justice.
If a child lives with approval
He learns to like himself.
If a child lives with security
He learns to have faith.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship
He learns to find love in the world.
If a child lives with criticism
He learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility
He learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule
He learns to be shy.
If a child lives with jealousy
He learns to feel guilty.
But if a child lives with tolerance
He learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement
He learns self-confidence.
If a child lives with praise
He learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness
He learns justice.
If a child lives with approval
He learns to like himself.
If a child lives with security
He learns to have faith.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship
He learns to find love in the world.
Higher Self Parenting
If A Child Lives With. . .
by Dorothy Law Nolte
If a child lives with criticism
He learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility
He learns to fight.
If a child lives with fear
He learns to be apprehensive.
If a child lives with jealousy
He learns to feel guilt.
If a child lives with tolerance
He learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement
He learns to be confident.
If a child lives with praise
He learns to be appreciative.
If a child lives with acceptance
He learns to love.
If a child lives with approval
He learns to like himself.
If a child lives with recognition
He learns that it is good to have a goal.
If a child lives with honesty
He learns what truth is.
If a child lives with fairness
He learns justice.
If a child lives with security
He learns to trust in himself and others .
If a child lives with friendliness
He learns the world is a nice place in which to live.
by Dorothy Law Nolte
If a child lives with criticism
He learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility
He learns to fight.
If a child lives with fear
He learns to be apprehensive.
If a child lives with jealousy
He learns to feel guilt.
If a child lives with tolerance
He learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement
He learns to be confident.
If a child lives with praise
He learns to be appreciative.
If a child lives with acceptance
He learns to love.
If a child lives with approval
He learns to like himself.
If a child lives with recognition
He learns that it is good to have a goal.
If a child lives with honesty
He learns what truth is.
If a child lives with fairness
He learns justice.
If a child lives with security
He learns to trust in himself and others .
If a child lives with friendliness
He learns the world is a nice place in which to live.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
A Question Has Been Posed.....
When people go off of their mood disorder medications don't they go back to their old behaviors, attitudes, and personalities that are "normal" for them? If they are depressed people, or manic people, or cycle between the two, whether they are compulsive gamblers, sexually obsessive, loud and dispruptive, angry and violent, or quiet and suicidal, isn't that "normal" for them? Isn't that who they really are? Isn't the medicated version of them, the calm, stable, polite person they are on medication, just a medicated version and not who they really are? Which one is the "real" person?
Is it simply that we want to medicate bipolar people to make it easier for polite society to deal with them? We want to make them easier to live with by not allowing them to be the self destructive, suicidal, compulsive people they are by nature? How do you know who is the "real" person? Should we just allow them to self-destruct and end up in prison, the poor house, a mental institution or an early grave? These are the people who are prone to accidents, criminal behavior, violence and suicide.
My client was diagnosed with a mood disorder. They have labeled her as bipolar. She is facing 43 felony counts. She's only 27 years old. She has totalled three cars, and stolen countless identities and thousands of dollars from hundreds of people. She has broken into dozens of homes and cars and she's been in a dozen different facilities for troubled teens. She has destroyed every relationship she has ever had. She's angry, violent, beligerent and believes she is smarter than anyone alive. Is this who she really is? When she's on medication she is calm, easier to be around, much more pleasant, and rather adorable. But, who is she really? Who is the real Sarah? Is she the violent, angry, beligerant version with a grandious self perception or the medicated, calm, funny and clear-headed version?
I have another friend who recently went off of his medication. I used to think he was a calm, easy-to-be-around, kinda guy. I liked him. I thought that was the "real" version. I've since seen the other version. Which one is real?
Can managing beliefs and emotional energy transcend a chemical imbalance or brain damage? Can a mentally ill person heal the genetic predisposition for bipolar mood disorders without pharmaceutal intervention? And even if belief managment can......still.....which personality is the real version? Do you let the mentally ill decide who they want to present themselves to be? Can we afford to allow them the identity they choose? Or do we medicate the entire population of disordered people? And if we medicate that population, do we include those with borderline disorders? Should we medicate the sex addicts? Do we medicate the criminal mind, the pornography addicts, the child molesters, the alcoholics and drug addicts, the shopaholics and the bitchy, anti-establishment, conspiracy theorists too? Some people would argue that homosexuals are in need of some mind altering pharmaceuticals. And what about the gross, trailor trash parents who leave their babies in cars while they shop at Wal-Mart? Are they mentally retarded or mentally disordered? Do we jail them all or shoot them up?
Why would anyone want to act unkind? Why would anyone choose destruction and isolation over its opposite? A logical, rational, healthy person would want to have healthy relationships and balanced lives, would they not?
I want to know...this has kept me up all night. I know many people who have littered pasts due to so called "mental illnesses." Some have mulitple divorces, some have littered the countryside with off-spring they don't know and don't seem to care about and all of whom find a convenient rationaliztion for their behaviors and decisions. The criminal exibitionist doesn't see what wrong with his behavior. "What's the big deal? It's natural to be naked."
Gwyneth Paltrow's stalker claims his has a mental disorder and doesn't belong in jail but wants to go live with his sister who will make sure he takes his meds. He committed a crime while off his meds and became obsessed with a woman he was sure wanted him.
A judge said that a man who stole two weed wackers from a Home Depot last year is facing 25 years to life because 14 years ago he was convicted of a couple of non violent felonies. He claims he couldn't afford his medication because he lost his job and blah, blah, blah.
Mentally ill or lost soul?
Have to go vote...will continue later....maybe.
.
Is it simply that we want to medicate bipolar people to make it easier for polite society to deal with them? We want to make them easier to live with by not allowing them to be the self destructive, suicidal, compulsive people they are by nature? How do you know who is the "real" person? Should we just allow them to self-destruct and end up in prison, the poor house, a mental institution or an early grave? These are the people who are prone to accidents, criminal behavior, violence and suicide.
My client was diagnosed with a mood disorder. They have labeled her as bipolar. She is facing 43 felony counts. She's only 27 years old. She has totalled three cars, and stolen countless identities and thousands of dollars from hundreds of people. She has broken into dozens of homes and cars and she's been in a dozen different facilities for troubled teens. She has destroyed every relationship she has ever had. She's angry, violent, beligerent and believes she is smarter than anyone alive. Is this who she really is? When she's on medication she is calm, easier to be around, much more pleasant, and rather adorable. But, who is she really? Who is the real Sarah? Is she the violent, angry, beligerant version with a grandious self perception or the medicated, calm, funny and clear-headed version?
I have another friend who recently went off of his medication. I used to think he was a calm, easy-to-be-around, kinda guy. I liked him. I thought that was the "real" version. I've since seen the other version. Which one is real?
Can managing beliefs and emotional energy transcend a chemical imbalance or brain damage? Can a mentally ill person heal the genetic predisposition for bipolar mood disorders without pharmaceutal intervention? And even if belief managment can......still.....which personality is the real version? Do you let the mentally ill decide who they want to present themselves to be? Can we afford to allow them the identity they choose? Or do we medicate the entire population of disordered people? And if we medicate that population, do we include those with borderline disorders? Should we medicate the sex addicts? Do we medicate the criminal mind, the pornography addicts, the child molesters, the alcoholics and drug addicts, the shopaholics and the bitchy, anti-establishment, conspiracy theorists too? Some people would argue that homosexuals are in need of some mind altering pharmaceuticals. And what about the gross, trailor trash parents who leave their babies in cars while they shop at Wal-Mart? Are they mentally retarded or mentally disordered? Do we jail them all or shoot them up?
Why would anyone want to act unkind? Why would anyone choose destruction and isolation over its opposite? A logical, rational, healthy person would want to have healthy relationships and balanced lives, would they not?
I want to know...this has kept me up all night. I know many people who have littered pasts due to so called "mental illnesses." Some have mulitple divorces, some have littered the countryside with off-spring they don't know and don't seem to care about and all of whom find a convenient rationaliztion for their behaviors and decisions. The criminal exibitionist doesn't see what wrong with his behavior. "What's the big deal? It's natural to be naked."
Gwyneth Paltrow's stalker claims his has a mental disorder and doesn't belong in jail but wants to go live with his sister who will make sure he takes his meds. He committed a crime while off his meds and became obsessed with a woman he was sure wanted him.
A judge said that a man who stole two weed wackers from a Home Depot last year is facing 25 years to life because 14 years ago he was convicted of a couple of non violent felonies. He claims he couldn't afford his medication because he lost his job and blah, blah, blah.
Mentally ill or lost soul?
Have to go vote...will continue later....maybe.
.
Monday, February 04, 2008
disposable diapers
Which is Best? Cloth diapers or disposalbe?
The debate between which type of diaper is best is not an easy question to answer. The reusable cloth diaper isn’t what it used to be. Some cloth diapers now have double or triple layers and a multiply, fiber-filled strip, making them more absorbent than older styles. Some styles of cloth diapers now come with Velcro strips, eliminating the need for those large safety pins. You can launder them at home or turn the job over to a diaper service.
There are also various types and styles of disposable diapers, ranging from simple plastic covered paper diapers to the newest high-tech, cartoon covered, absorbent gel material filled, elastic legged disposables.
With so many different choices, here are some things to take into consideration.
Skin Care & Health concerns:
The greatest concern for parents is to keep their baby’s skin dry, healthy and free from diaper rash. Many things can cause diaper rash. Prolonged wetness, lack of air circulation, soap, chemical and dye allergies, ammonia formed by bacteria that interacts with urine left sitting against the skin and the growth of microbes in the diaper area can all be irritating and cause rashes.
Some concerns about disposable diapers have been about dyes, sodium polyacrylate (the super absorbent gel), and dioxin, which is a by-product of bleaching paper. Sodium polyacrylate has been linked in the past to toxic shock syndrome, allergic reactions and is very harmful and potentially lethal to pets. Some dyes and dioxin according to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is known to cause damage to the central nervous system, kidneys, and liver. The (FDA) Food & Drug Administration has received reports that fragrances in disposables caused headaches, dizziness and rashes. Problems reported to the Consumer Protection Agency regarding disposables include, chemical burns, noxious chemical and insecticide odors, babies pulling disposables apart and putting pieces of plastic into their noses and mouth, choking on tab papers and linings, plastic melting onto the skin, and ink staining the skin. Plastic tabs can also tear skin if the diaper is not properly put on the baby.
According to the Journal of Pediatrics, 54 % of one-month old babies using disposable diapers had rashes, 16 % having severe rashes. A study done by a disposable diapers manufacturing company (we won’t name the company, but its one of the largest manufacturers) shows that the incidence of diaper rash increased from 7.1% to 61% with the increased use of throwaway disposable diapers.
Keep in mind that each baby is different; some parents will find their baby does perfectly fine with disposables while other parents may find their baby has some type of reaction to disposables.
On the other hand cloth diapers can cause rashes by not being changed enough or properly cleaned and sanitized after becoming soiled.
It is all a matter of personal preference, how your baby is reacting to a particular diaper and how you feel about other factors that come into play when deciding between cloth and disposables.
The best way to prevent diaper rash is to change diapers, cloth or disposable, frequently. While disposable diapers can hold large quantities of urine, this slight wetness is still against your baby’s skin, which can lead to rashes. Cloth diapers should be changed every time your baby wets and then the diaper should be properly cleaned so all bacteria that may be in the cloth is killed.
Cost:
The cost of diapers is usually a great concern for most parents. Cost estimates show that disposable diapers will run approximately $50 to $80 per month, using a diaper services will cost approximately $50 to $80 per month and laundering your own cloth diapers will cost slightly less at approximately $25 to $60 per month.
The cost of disposable diapers varies due to the wide range of disposables on the market. Some name brands are very expensive, while some store branded disposables can be half the price of name brands. The cost of a diaper service mainly varies because of two factors. One factor being the amount of competition in your area (number of diaper service companies) and the second being the quality of diapers that you choose to use. The cost of laundering your own cloth diapers also varies because of many factors. One factor is the quality of the cloth diaper. Some parents will initially purchase very high quality cloth diapers which will last several years, while other parents might buy low quality diapers which only last for a short time. Another factor is the amount of laundering that is done for each load of dirty diapers. Some parents will only do a minimal amount of cleaning and sanitizing, while other parents will go through many steps to clean a load of dirty diapers. The more cleaning and sanitizing that is performed for each load of diapers the higher the cost. Other factors are your time to launder the diapers, cost of electricity, soap, water, and wear on your washing machine and dryer.
In general, if you compare the cost of the fancier high tech disposable diapers to the cost of laundering your own cloth diapers, you will save money by using cloth diapers and laundering them yourself. If you decide to go with disposable diapers, here are a few tips on how to save money on disposable diapers.
Environment:
There has been much debate over the impact of disposable diapers and cloth diapers on the environment. The pro-disposable diaper advocates say that the extra water used to wash cloth diapers is just as much of an abuse to the environment as the production and disposal of disposable diapers. But taking into consideration the following estimates you will probably agree that disposable diapers are much more harmful to the environment than cloth diapers.
It is estimated that roughly 5 million tons of untreated waste and a total of 2 billion tons of urine, feces, plastic and paper are added to landfills annually. It takes around 80,000 pounds of plastic and over 200,000 trees a year to manufacture the disposable diapers for American babies alone. Although some disposables are said to be biodegradable; in order for these diapers to decompose, they must be exposed to air (oxygen) and sun. Since this is highly unlikely, it can take several hundred years for the decomposition of disposables to take place, with some of the plastic material never decomposing.
The untreated waste placed in landfills by dirty disposable diapers is also a possible danger to contaminating ground water. Pro-disposable advocates say that cleaning cloth diapers uses more energy, and contributes to the load on sanitary sewer systems and potential water pollution. This view really makes no sense if you think about it. The amount of water used per week to wash cloth diapers at home is about the same amount consumed by an adult flushing the toilet four or five times daily for a week. Also, the greater amount of water and energy being used by diaper service companies to wash large amounts of cloth diapers multiple times; the per diaper impact on energy and water supplies is actually less than home washing.
Finally, when flushing solids from a cloth diaper down the toilet and washing the diapers in a washing machine, the contaminated, dirty water from both toilet and washing machine go into the sewer systems where they are properly treated at wastewater plants. This treated wastewater is much more environmentally friendly than dumping untreated soiled disposable diapers into a landfill.
The debate between which type of diaper is best is not an easy question to answer. The reusable cloth diaper isn’t what it used to be. Some cloth diapers now have double or triple layers and a multiply, fiber-filled strip, making them more absorbent than older styles. Some styles of cloth diapers now come with Velcro strips, eliminating the need for those large safety pins. You can launder them at home or turn the job over to a diaper service.
There are also various types and styles of disposable diapers, ranging from simple plastic covered paper diapers to the newest high-tech, cartoon covered, absorbent gel material filled, elastic legged disposables.
With so many different choices, here are some things to take into consideration.
Skin Care & Health concerns:
The greatest concern for parents is to keep their baby’s skin dry, healthy and free from diaper rash. Many things can cause diaper rash. Prolonged wetness, lack of air circulation, soap, chemical and dye allergies, ammonia formed by bacteria that interacts with urine left sitting against the skin and the growth of microbes in the diaper area can all be irritating and cause rashes.
Some concerns about disposable diapers have been about dyes, sodium polyacrylate (the super absorbent gel), and dioxin, which is a by-product of bleaching paper. Sodium polyacrylate has been linked in the past to toxic shock syndrome, allergic reactions and is very harmful and potentially lethal to pets. Some dyes and dioxin according to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is known to cause damage to the central nervous system, kidneys, and liver. The (FDA) Food & Drug Administration has received reports that fragrances in disposables caused headaches, dizziness and rashes. Problems reported to the Consumer Protection Agency regarding disposables include, chemical burns, noxious chemical and insecticide odors, babies pulling disposables apart and putting pieces of plastic into their noses and mouth, choking on tab papers and linings, plastic melting onto the skin, and ink staining the skin. Plastic tabs can also tear skin if the diaper is not properly put on the baby.
According to the Journal of Pediatrics, 54 % of one-month old babies using disposable diapers had rashes, 16 % having severe rashes. A study done by a disposable diapers manufacturing company (we won’t name the company, but its one of the largest manufacturers) shows that the incidence of diaper rash increased from 7.1% to 61% with the increased use of throwaway disposable diapers.
Keep in mind that each baby is different; some parents will find their baby does perfectly fine with disposables while other parents may find their baby has some type of reaction to disposables.
On the other hand cloth diapers can cause rashes by not being changed enough or properly cleaned and sanitized after becoming soiled.
It is all a matter of personal preference, how your baby is reacting to a particular diaper and how you feel about other factors that come into play when deciding between cloth and disposables.
The best way to prevent diaper rash is to change diapers, cloth or disposable, frequently. While disposable diapers can hold large quantities of urine, this slight wetness is still against your baby’s skin, which can lead to rashes. Cloth diapers should be changed every time your baby wets and then the diaper should be properly cleaned so all bacteria that may be in the cloth is killed.
Cost:
The cost of diapers is usually a great concern for most parents. Cost estimates show that disposable diapers will run approximately $50 to $80 per month, using a diaper services will cost approximately $50 to $80 per month and laundering your own cloth diapers will cost slightly less at approximately $25 to $60 per month.
The cost of disposable diapers varies due to the wide range of disposables on the market. Some name brands are very expensive, while some store branded disposables can be half the price of name brands. The cost of a diaper service mainly varies because of two factors. One factor being the amount of competition in your area (number of diaper service companies) and the second being the quality of diapers that you choose to use. The cost of laundering your own cloth diapers also varies because of many factors. One factor is the quality of the cloth diaper. Some parents will initially purchase very high quality cloth diapers which will last several years, while other parents might buy low quality diapers which only last for a short time. Another factor is the amount of laundering that is done for each load of dirty diapers. Some parents will only do a minimal amount of cleaning and sanitizing, while other parents will go through many steps to clean a load of dirty diapers. The more cleaning and sanitizing that is performed for each load of diapers the higher the cost. Other factors are your time to launder the diapers, cost of electricity, soap, water, and wear on your washing machine and dryer.
In general, if you compare the cost of the fancier high tech disposable diapers to the cost of laundering your own cloth diapers, you will save money by using cloth diapers and laundering them yourself. If you decide to go with disposable diapers, here are a few tips on how to save money on disposable diapers.
Environment:
There has been much debate over the impact of disposable diapers and cloth diapers on the environment. The pro-disposable diaper advocates say that the extra water used to wash cloth diapers is just as much of an abuse to the environment as the production and disposal of disposable diapers. But taking into consideration the following estimates you will probably agree that disposable diapers are much more harmful to the environment than cloth diapers.
It is estimated that roughly 5 million tons of untreated waste and a total of 2 billion tons of urine, feces, plastic and paper are added to landfills annually. It takes around 80,000 pounds of plastic and over 200,000 trees a year to manufacture the disposable diapers for American babies alone. Although some disposables are said to be biodegradable; in order for these diapers to decompose, they must be exposed to air (oxygen) and sun. Since this is highly unlikely, it can take several hundred years for the decomposition of disposables to take place, with some of the plastic material never decomposing.
The untreated waste placed in landfills by dirty disposable diapers is also a possible danger to contaminating ground water. Pro-disposable advocates say that cleaning cloth diapers uses more energy, and contributes to the load on sanitary sewer systems and potential water pollution. This view really makes no sense if you think about it. The amount of water used per week to wash cloth diapers at home is about the same amount consumed by an adult flushing the toilet four or five times daily for a week. Also, the greater amount of water and energy being used by diaper service companies to wash large amounts of cloth diapers multiple times; the per diaper impact on energy and water supplies is actually less than home washing.
Finally, when flushing solids from a cloth diaper down the toilet and washing the diapers in a washing machine, the contaminated, dirty water from both toilet and washing machine go into the sewer systems where they are properly treated at wastewater plants. This treated wastewater is much more environmentally friendly than dumping untreated soiled disposable diapers into a landfill.
Lip Service
No, Boys....not that kind of lip service. Settle down.
Lip Service of the "I'm an environmentalist." kind. It's hip to be an environmentalist. Put on a "Green Peace" bumper sticker, a "Save the Rain Forests" T-shirt, a peace sign necklace, an OM tattoo and you're doing your part, right? Well, let's see.... Have you started or stopped....
1. Using reusable shopping bags yet?
2. Stopped using Tide or Cheer or Wisk and using eco-friendly detergents?
3. Driving less and walking more?
4. Eating less meat, chicken, and dairy?
5. Wearing more fabrics like, bamboo, hemp, and naturally dyed cottons and silks?
6. Using fewer paper products like, towels, napkins, and bleached tissues?
7. Stopped using bleach altogether? (try peroxide)
8. Spot cleaning your clothes instead of tossing everything in a washer and dryer?
9. Using fans instead of air-conditioners?
10. Keeping household tempurature at 69 instead of 72?
11. Using ashtrays instead of your car window?
12. Buying locally grown foods?
13. Changed out your light bulbs?
14. Picking up after your pets?
15. Flushing your toilet on the third use? "Yellow mellows, brown goes down."
16. Recycled, Reused, Renewed?.
17 Planted a tree?
Any of the above? One or two? Something? No more lip service, folks. Be of service to Mother Earth. It will activate the rejuvenation energy of your body, mind and soul. Remember, the world is a reflection of you.
Lip Service of the "I'm an environmentalist." kind. It's hip to be an environmentalist. Put on a "Green Peace" bumper sticker, a "Save the Rain Forests" T-shirt, a peace sign necklace, an OM tattoo and you're doing your part, right? Well, let's see.... Have you started or stopped....
1. Using reusable shopping bags yet?
2. Stopped using Tide or Cheer or Wisk and using eco-friendly detergents?
3. Driving less and walking more?
4. Eating less meat, chicken, and dairy?
5. Wearing more fabrics like, bamboo, hemp, and naturally dyed cottons and silks?
6. Using fewer paper products like, towels, napkins, and bleached tissues?
7. Stopped using bleach altogether? (try peroxide)
8. Spot cleaning your clothes instead of tossing everything in a washer and dryer?
9. Using fans instead of air-conditioners?
10. Keeping household tempurature at 69 instead of 72?
11. Using ashtrays instead of your car window?
12. Buying locally grown foods?
13. Changed out your light bulbs?
14. Picking up after your pets?
15. Flushing your toilet on the third use? "Yellow mellows, brown goes down."
16. Recycled, Reused, Renewed?.
17 Planted a tree?
Any of the above? One or two? Something? No more lip service, folks. Be of service to Mother Earth. It will activate the rejuvenation energy of your body, mind and soul. Remember, the world is a reflection of you.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Medicine Card, Prairie Dog
Prairie Dog
Retreat
Prairie Dog medicine teaches that strength and inspiration can be found by retreating into the stillness that quiets the mind. The strength of this medicine is also knowing when and how to replenish your life force. Prairie Dog medicine people tend to seek self-empowerment in silence and inactivity, where they can access dreams and visions without the intrusions of worldly chaos. When they reenter the world, they are profound and powerful anchors of calm resolve amid life's storms.
The medicine of Prairie Dog is applicable to all of the Marmot Tribe, which includes the Gound Squirrel clan, the Gopher clan, the Woodchuck clan, and the Gound Hog clan. Just as Native American warriors knew when to charge forward and when to become invisible, the Marmot tribe knows how and when to retreat. The Prairie Dog runs for the tunnels when a predator is on its trail; in the winter, it conserves energy by hibernation during the scarce time of the cold moons.
If Prairie Dog has surfaced in our cards today, it may be a warning that your body's fuel gauge is running low. You might need a day of silence or retreat from regular activities before you become too exhausted to carry on. Have you put your basic needs at the bottom of the "To Do" list? Buning the candle at both ends may weaken the punch you can normally pack when tackling the tasks at hand. Take a much needed break before you crash and burn. Prairie Dog teaches you that, in order to access gifts of inspiration and renewal, you must be at peace with yourself and rested enough to recognize the blessings being offered.
If you have been battling a situation without gaining ground, Pairie Dog reminds you that pushing too hard can create a resistance that does not allow for interaction. Take a break! Give it a rest! After a comfortable and relaxed time, you can return with a fresh perspective. In the meantime, the dynamics of the situation may have changed because your retreat allows the present challenge to work itself out. there is ample strength available if you quit pushing and go with the flow. Prairie Dog says its tunnels run both ways; now it is time to choose the backdoor exit for some rest and relaxation.
Retreat
Prairie Dog medicine teaches that strength and inspiration can be found by retreating into the stillness that quiets the mind. The strength of this medicine is also knowing when and how to replenish your life force. Prairie Dog medicine people tend to seek self-empowerment in silence and inactivity, where they can access dreams and visions without the intrusions of worldly chaos. When they reenter the world, they are profound and powerful anchors of calm resolve amid life's storms.
The medicine of Prairie Dog is applicable to all of the Marmot Tribe, which includes the Gound Squirrel clan, the Gopher clan, the Woodchuck clan, and the Gound Hog clan. Just as Native American warriors knew when to charge forward and when to become invisible, the Marmot tribe knows how and when to retreat. The Prairie Dog runs for the tunnels when a predator is on its trail; in the winter, it conserves energy by hibernation during the scarce time of the cold moons.
If Prairie Dog has surfaced in our cards today, it may be a warning that your body's fuel gauge is running low. You might need a day of silence or retreat from regular activities before you become too exhausted to carry on. Have you put your basic needs at the bottom of the "To Do" list? Buning the candle at both ends may weaken the punch you can normally pack when tackling the tasks at hand. Take a much needed break before you crash and burn. Prairie Dog teaches you that, in order to access gifts of inspiration and renewal, you must be at peace with yourself and rested enough to recognize the blessings being offered.
If you have been battling a situation without gaining ground, Pairie Dog reminds you that pushing too hard can create a resistance that does not allow for interaction. Take a break! Give it a rest! After a comfortable and relaxed time, you can return with a fresh perspective. In the meantime, the dynamics of the situation may have changed because your retreat allows the present challenge to work itself out. there is ample strength available if you quit pushing and go with the flow. Prairie Dog says its tunnels run both ways; now it is time to choose the backdoor exit for some rest and relaxation.
Rune For the Magnificent Boulder Man
Thurisaz
Gateway
Place of Non-Action
The God Thor
With a gateway for its symbol, this Rune indicates that there is work to be done both inside and outside your self. The gateway is the frontier between Heaven and the mundane. Arriving here is a recognition of your readiness to contact the numinous, the Divine, to illuminate your experience so that its meaning shines through its form.
Thurisaz is a Rune of non-action. Thus, the gateway is not to be approached and passed through without contemplation. Here you are being confronted with a true reflection of what is hidden in yourself, what must be exposed and examined before successful action can be undertaken. This Rune strengthens your ability to wait. Now is not a time to make decisions. Deep transformational forces are at work in this next-to-last of the Cycle Runes.
Visualize yourself standing before a gateway on a hilltop. Your entire life lies out behind you and below. Before you step through, pause and review the past: the learning and the joys, the victories and the sorrows—everything it took to bring you here. Observe it all, bless it all, release it all. For in letting go of the past you reclaim your power.
Step through the gateway now
Beliefs
My mother has a belief that dogs can't be trusted around children, especially when they have food or bones they want to protect. A Rottweiller could take one bite out of a small child and it would be all over. My mother gets nervous and sends out warning signals whenever her dogs were around children. Her dogs had to be "put down" due to their temperment.
Maggie Mae, a beautiful large Rottie, was trained by my daughter and I. Here you can see her with her favorite bone and little Michael is right there, perfectly safe.
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