Time Flies

Time flies right by me whether I'm aware or not. This year seems to be stuck on pedal to the metal mode. I am so in awe of my life and the level of awareness it has brought my way. I'm grateful for so many things. First because my children are becoming independent and thoughtful, and second because I feel a sense of release. There are still many things I want to impart to them but the time is right only when the time is right. Its capturing those teachable moments and holding their attention for long enough to get the message through. We are enjoying the house we purchased and moved into last July.(2013) Having a backyard and a space for a garden is really nice, but the most exciting thing on my list was installing a clothes line! Is there anything better than sun dried sheets? This summer will be fun as both kids are mentors for an amazing enrichment program at Straight Blast Gym. I'm waiting to hear whether or not I will be starting the nursing program at FVCC in the fall. 

 

Summer winds down

Summer was fun and busy. We were granted permission to start a community garden and, went on several short trips. Life is good!

Insurance rates and your credit score

HPV to vaccinate or not to vaccinate.

Contributors of the Web M.D. article Miranda Hitti and Louise Chang, MD seemed to be on the side of it's okay to vaccinate. Information was vague and often times said nothing more than " in a recent news poll". The article cited CDC recommendations for immunizing girls ages 11-12. They also gave vague information for a national poll on children's health that occurred in May of 2007.  The poll was conducted to get parents opinions on whether or not they would support state laws requiring the HPV vaccine. Scientific research has been conducted on the Human Papilloma Virus ( HPV ) and scientist are making allot of headway in discovering the  effects of the sexually transmitted disease and ,which strains are actually oncogenic. To date there are 100 different types of HPV, 15 of them have been identified as being oncogenic. Only two of those strains are targeted by the vaccines. HPV-16 and HPV-18. The Journal of the American Medical Association published an article written in 2009 by Dr. Charlotte Huag Phd, MSc. She cited work conducted by a scientist named Zur Hansen a noble prize winner. He was responsible for the discoveries leading to the characterization and understanding of HPV induced carcinogenesis. His scientific research lead to the development of the vaccines for HPV.
     The facts remain that the first vaccines were approved for use in 2006 but, the first trials and clinical studies were not published until May of 2007, almost 1 year later. Several factors have influenced the publics views on whether or not to vaccinate. Drug makers created educational materials and programs explaining the benefits of the vaccine but, how could one assume that the information was not biased since it was created nearly 1 year before the research was there to back it up. Not only that, any normal lay person would not consider things like the financial gains for the drug manufacturers or kick back for physicians prescribing the expensive vaccines. I think that the JAMA article was substantially more balanced and provided enough information to help the patient or parent to make an informed decision about whether or not to vaccinate.

Links to articles on HPV vaccine

http://children.webmd.com/vaccines/news/20070523/hpv-vaccine-few-parents-back-mandate

http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/302/7/795

Both articles are well written and present different views on the topic.

It was a wonderful date

After 3 long months of e-mails and phone calls between them, Maria's expectations for their first date were very high. It was a balmy spring morning and, the air was sweet with the smell of flowers and fresh cut grass.
The sun was so warm and bright that it danced across the walls of Maria's apartment. The trees were full of shiney green leaves and the flower bulbs seemed to be poking up everywhere. Maria had planned a simple but elegant outfit complete with sparkly accessories. The dress was a soft brushed cotton in shades of bright blue to match her eyes. The jewelry was silver and glimmered against her tan skin. To complete the look she chose a pair of cute strappy sandals that accentuated her long toned legs. Ron showed up right on time, 6:30pm. It was a magnificent sunset in the west with hues of red, yellow and bright orange. As Maria stepped out the front door to greet Ron, he was instantly captured by her classic beauty and was sure they were in for a great first date.

Dialogue #1

Fall in Onalaska Wisconsin is something you would not want to miss.  The air was crisp and the leaves were beginning to change. The leaves crunched under Betty’s feet as they strolled downtown. They were both spent after a full night of riveting at the aircraft factory.
  “Hey Marge, I’m starving.”
  “Yeah, what are you tellin me for, I only have thirty five cents,” Marge grumbled.
Betty knew she was saving to buy Uncle Henry’s 1935 Studebaker , but she could not resist asking her cousin out for breakfast.
    “Aw come on Marge, I will treat this time,” Betty chirped.