The Snow Has Hit Yet Again...In Pennsylvania!

Once again snow has arrived in South Central Pennsylvania. This is the 6th dumping of snow in the past 2 1/2 weeks and frankly, I am growing tired of it. I know skiers and snow boarders love this stuff...my personally, I hate it!

I would rather spend my time in hot sunshine and being outside in the summer weather than deal with this mess...especially when we are getting hit with snow every 3-4 days. If I wanted to live in Alaska or Siberia...I would move there...but I live in Pennsylvania and hate snow!

Wordless Wednesday!

Here is PA we are getting ready for our 5th snow storm in just under 2 weeks. I as ponder the reality of frigid cold temperatures and more snow hitting the ground...I like to imagine that I am back at the beach and walking on nice warm sand!

Days That You Just Want To Scream...

Do you ever have days that make you just want to scream? You know..those days where you had something else planned to do but then got stuck doing things you didn't want to do that day? Email is going nuts, phone ringing off the hook, people coming in and out of your house, construction work outside giving you a blasted headache, losers online who have nothing better to do with their time them to spread vicious lies and gossip? You know...those type of days that everything seems to get on your nerves and under your skin type of days?

Today happens to be one of those types of days for me. I wanted to do something else this afternoon but got stuck working. Then the phone went nuts this morning so I turned it off and I quit answering my door bell. Then on top of it all, had to deal with losers online who should have their internet privleges suspended.

Yes folks...I am having one of those types of days where I just wanted to do what I wanted to do and I wanted to do it in some peace and quiet!

blah...done venting for today!

Important Childproofing Items Every Home Should Have

If you are expecting a new baby or if you are already a parent, it is extremely important that you take time out of your busy schedule to childproof your home. When it comes to purchasing safety items to make your home child-safe, most parents just think about outlet covers, cabinet and drawer locks. However, there is a lot more that you need to be doing!

Before I get started with giving you my checklist of items that you will need, I first want to remind you to invest in a good infant and child first aid kit and a few up-to-date fire extinguishers. It is always better to prepare ahead of time for an emergency than to have an emergency you are not prepared for.

Childproofing Items Every Home Should Have

Door Alarms - These are great for all doors leading to the outside and for doors that lead to a flight of stairs such as your basement entry door.

Window Guards - These will help to prevent accidental falls out of the windows. All windows that children have access to should have window guards and/or alarms on them.

Safety Gates - You should use safety gates to prevent falls from stairs or to block off entryways to rooms that you don't want your children to wander in to. When it comes to purchasing a gate, always look for updated new models so that you avoid outdated or possibly recalled baby gates.

Toilet Locks - These are pretty inexpensive and can be found in most department stores. You will want to place one on each toilet in your home to prevent accidental drowning's or expensive plumbing costs should your child try flushing something they shouldn't!

Electrical Outlet Covers - These are probably the most common type of safety item that most parents purchase. You can purchase plastic plugs that insert into the outlet or you can buy child-safe outlets that have sliders that slide across the open receptacle.

Hard Surface Corner Covers and Edge Covers - These are soft cushions or covers that you place over hard corners (like the fireplace hearth, corners of coffee tables, end tables, night stands, etc.).

Cabinets, Drawers and Appliance Locks - You can purchase metal or hard plastic locks and latches that easily attach to your cabinets, drawers and appliances. To save money, look for packages that contain multiple locks and latches that are sold in bulk packs as you will need more than one!

Video Camera and Monitors - If you can afford it, every baby's nursery or child's bedroom should have a well-placed video camera or monitor in it. I also like to recommend that as your child gets older that a video camera be placed in the room that they play the most in, such as their playroom.

Before heading out to purchase your supplies, sit down and inspect your home and make a list of every item you think you will need. If you can't afford to buy it all now, purchase the most important things first and then pick up the rest of the items as soon as you can.

Shelly Hill is a mother and grandmother living in Pennsylvania who enjoys writing, blogging, cooking and crafting. You can visit Shelly's Shakin 'N Bakin in the Kitchen blog at http://wahmshelly.blogspot.com/ for free menu ideas, cooking tips and recipes. You can visit Shelly's crafting blog called Passionate About Crafting at http://passionateaboutcrafting.blogspot.com/ for free craft project ideas, crafting tips and several great craft projects geared towards kids.

Delicious Homemade Spinach Dip Recipe

My family loves when I made homemade dips to go along with their favorite snacks like potato chips, pretzels, crackers, veggie sticks, etc. and one of their favorite dips happens to be this very easy to make spinach dip.

Easy To Make Homemade Spinach Dip

1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch Salad Dressing Mix
1 (8 ounce) container Sour Cream
1 small box frozen chopped spinach
3 Tablespoons finely chopped onion

I use my food processor to finely chop my onion so that I have 3 tablespoons. In a small mixing bowl, combine together the chopped onion, 1 packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Salad Dressing and 1 container of sour cream. Blend until all ingredients are well combined. Thaw out your chopped spinach and drain away the water. Stir the chopped spinach into the other ingredients. Chill dip for about 1 hour before serving.

What Is The Rare Genetic Disease Called Porphyria?

Porphyria is a group of 8 different genetic disorders caused by abnormalities in the chemical steps that lead to heme production. Heme is an important molecule for all of the body's organs. It is found mostly in the blood, bone marrow, and liver.

They are 8 different genetic types of Porphyria: (AIP) Acute Intermittent Porphyria, (CEP) Congenital Erythropoietic Porphyria, (PCT) Porphyria Cutanea Tarda, (ADP) ALAD Porphyria, (HEP) Hepatoerythopoietic Porphyria, (HCP) Hereditary Coproporphyria, (VP) Variegate Porphyria, and (EPP) Erythropoietic Protoporphyria.

In addition to the genetic forms, some causes of this disorder are caused by non-genetic factors such as infections or exposure to unsafe prescription, and non-prescription medications.

Porphyrins are found at normal levels in every human body. When that level increases, beyond normal limits, it can cause a variety of symptoms. The symptoms are varied, depending on which type of Porphryia a patient has.

Symptoms can include, but are not limited to: urine color changes, abdominal pain, muscle cramps, seizures, hallucinations, anxiety, fever, skin blisters, sun sensitivity, vomiting, nausea, constipation, and high blood pressure.

How To Diagnose Porphyria

According to the medical professionals that I have spoken to, Porphyria can be difficult to diagnose. A Physician will usually order a laboratory test on the patients urine. The most common test for an Acute Porphyria is a (PBG) Porphobilinogen and (ALA) Aminolevulinic Acid, 24 hour urine test. Fecal porphyrins may be ordered to help distinguish between (VP) Variegate Porphyria and (HCP) Hereditary Coproporphyria.

For the Cutaneous Porphyrias, blood and urine porphyrins are the most frequently ordered tests.

Testing should be performed by a properly accredited laboratory who has experience in running these type of tests.

Treatment For Porphyria

Treatment will vary according to the type of Porphyria a patient has been diagnosed with. You will want to seek out a specialist in the field of neurology or hematology.

For treatment options regarding all types of Porphyria, I recommend visiting the American Porphyria Foundation's Website.

This article is not a substitution for medical care. Please contact your Physician for additional information.
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Article Written By: Shelly H.

Fostering 3 New Kitties!!!

A week ago I was sitting on my sofa and all of a sudden her some kitties crying so I went over to my patio door and saw a ball of fur. As I opened the door and went outside...I found 3 tiny little kitties huddled between my air conditioner and brick patio wall. There was no mom in sight at the time so I brought them in, cleaned them up and fed them some kitty formula that I had on hand. Later that day I took them back outside in a comfy warm cat carrier and placed it on my patio and a few hours later momma cat came back.

For the past week I have been feeding momma cat and the 3 babies and I am desperately trying to talk hubby into letting me keep the little light gray one and to bring "her" indoors to live with us. In a few weeks once the kitties are bigger, a local rescue group is going to take them and adopt them out. In the mean time...I am mom #2 and helping the real kitty mom take care of her darling little kittens.

Shelly

More Fantastic Giveaway Wins Have Rolled In!

I have been very busy the past few weeks so I haven't been updating my wins like I am supposed to...bad me! This past week several giveaway wins rolled in. (not all of them are pictured above).

This week I received:

A Yo Gabba Gabba DVD for the grandbaby
A Pair of brown & pink Flip Flops from Planet Flops
Progresso Soup Pack (included 2 cans of soup, a soup can organizer for my pantry, a ceramic soup bowl & spoon and a ceramic spoon rest).
Bratz Doll Pack (It came with a cute Bratz doll and a Bratz DVD).
1 Candle

I also have won 4 giveaways so far this year! yeah! I love entering and I love winning!

Shelly

New Year ~ New Me!

Now that it is officially the year 2011 I am going to work hard on changing several things in my personal and professional life. I wouldn't call them resolutions but more like self improvement goals of things I want to accomplish during the 2011 year.

Professionally Speaking:

1. I am streamlining some old business projects and this week will be adding a new business to my current line up. I am confident I will be successful on all of my business projects as I have a fantastic business partner on a current business project so we are starting a second business together. Fun!

2. I am going to update my business knowledge this year by taking a few more online business courses. Educating yourself and staying updated on current business things & technology is always a plus.

3. Continue to work as hard as I always do as success comes to those who are committed to what they are doing and hard work always pays off in the long run.

4. Not going to worry myself with how unprofessional business folks act and distance myself from them.

Personal Goals:

1. I would like to loose this last 16 lbs of water weight I have on me from a long illness I suffered with last summer. Lost 45% of it but need to finish losing the rest so that I get back down to my normal weight.

2. Listen to my doctors more as they only have my best interest in mind. I refuse to sit around and feel self pity for myself or dwell on my health problems as no one gets better doing that. I need to remain positive and to surround myself with positve people. Negative folks will only bring you down and I need to remember that and avoid that.

3. Spend more time with my wonderful husband, fantastic daughter and beautiful grand daughter. These 3 people mean the world to me.

4. Work on remodeling projects with the hubby at the house we purchased last year and we are currently renting it out to a family member. Love remodeling!

5. Plant a bigger garden this year as compared to previous years so I can freeze and can my food haul for next winter.

A lot of goals I want to accomplish. This post will be great to remind me in future weeks and months on what I need to do to stay on track.

Happy 2011 everyone!

Shelly

~* Happy New Year *~ Welcome 2011

As another year has closed it is time to start a brand new year...2010 was good to us and now it's time to welcome the year 2011 into our lives! This coming year will mark our 25th wedding anniversary in April, our first grandbabies 2nd Birthday in May, our daughters 26th Birthday in June, my 44th Birthday in June and hubby's big 50th Birthday in October. Wow!!!

This year I have several New Years Resolutions and I am hoping to complete them all. Here is what I would like to accomplish in 2011.

1. 3 Trips (2 with the hubby and 1 family trip)
2. To get physically fit again after a long illness in 2010.
3. To lead healtheir lifestyles in 2011.
4. To spend more time with our family & friends and less time working LOL
5. We have 4 big home renovations to accomplish this year on a house we purchased back in 2010.
6. To get my backyard veggie garden in on time this year and to plant double the amount we usually do.

So...do you have any New Year Resolutions?

Shelly