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What to Bring on a Flight.

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Air travel has become a common occurrence.  There are more of us spending entire days on airplanes as we travel from one state to another.  Even today, going from one country to another is becoming more and more common. As home on the road becomes the norm what is it you need to have in your bag to make the journey better? Check out my list and see what you need.

1. Decent Headphones.  I am partial to Beats myself.  I like the fact that they also block outside noise really well.

2. Small notebook and pen. I know a lot of people say you can keep notes on your I-Phone but there is something about writing things down for me.  I keep a small journal so that is my go to for all things written.

3. Sweater.  A lot of people say bring a scarf.  I like something a bit more substantial and softer.  It helps me to relax more.

4. A neck pillow.  Yes, you really need one.  I think neck pillows are one of the greatest inventions of modern man! Not kidding.  I have injured my neck and back before over long vacations.  Now I always have a neck pillow.  If I forget it, I buy one.  I need it that much.

5. Important numbers and documents. Again, you would think modern technology would replace the written piece of paper but it doesn’t. Devices can be stolen, you can lose your charge and then what do you do?

6. Refillable water container. So many airports and other travel hubs have a drinking fountain that allows you to fill your water bottle right there. Save money and the planet at the same time.

7. Snacks.  Who wants to pay $3.00 for a candy bar? Not this woman!  Enough said.

8. Medication.  Take both prescription and over the counter meds on with you. Take your prescription in case you cannot get a refill where you are. OTC meds should also be taken.  We all have our favorite brands. On vacation is not the time to try new brands that you are unfamiliar with.

9. Reading Materials. Sort of self explanatory right?

10. Hand wipes and lotion.  Who wants to wait in that long line for the bathroom to wash their hands?

11. Tissues. Something you don’t want to be caught without.

12. Chapstick.  Planes can be very dry places.  A little chapstick can make you feel a lot better.

13. Hair brush.  This one could be considered optional.  It depends on your hair.  They make really small compact ones that don’t take up a lot of space.  Look in your travel section of your big box retailer.

14. Emery Board. This to me is one of the most important things besides the neck pillow. I hate it when my nail gets caught on fabric. I drives me nuts! It’s something that can become a preoccupation unless it is dealt with.

What things are on your must have list for travel?

 

Family

Your Summer to Do List

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Need a list to check off for Summertime fun?  Well, look no further than this post!  Here is a little help in filling those long summer days.

  1. Go Paddle boarding
  2. Go Kayaking
  3. Lay in a Hammock
  4. Go on a boat trip
  5. Eat outside (a lot)!
  6. Snorkel
  7. Have a picnic
  8. Garden
  9. Watch Fireworks
  10. Hang out on a beach
  11. Go Rock climbing
  12. Visit the Zoo
  13. Ride on a zip line
  14. Go fishing
  15. Make real lemonade
  16. Have a water fight
  17. Go swimming in a natural lake or river
  18. Visit a water park
  19. Have a cookout
  20. Take a hike
  21. Go Geocaching (there is a free app!)
  22. Visit a nature center
  23. Have a new ice cream flavor
  24. Visit a farm or petting zoo
  25. Watch a parade  vicko-mozara-324955-unsplash
  26. Fly kites on a windy day
  27. Go for a bike ride
  28. Visit the farmers market
  29. Visit a flea market
  30. Play Frisbee
  31. Feed ducks
  32. Go mini golfing
  33. Make smores
  34. Join your kids on a run through the sprinklers
  35. Camp out
  36. Have a bonfire
  37. Make root beer floats
  38. Visit a national or a state park
  39. Visit an amusement park
  40. Go on a road trip
  41. Do an Instagram photo challenge
  42. Find a new Food Truck vendor
  43. Go to a festival
  44. Pick fruit
  45. Lay out in the sun
  46. Press wildflowers or do a sun shadow paper
  47. Go to a state fair
  48. Have a water balloon fight
  49. Do a charity walk
  50. Put up bird feeders
  51. Pot flowers for pollinators and butterflies
  52. Visit a waterfall near you for a hike
  53. Take up metal detecting
  54. Visit a local animal shelter
  55. Make a vision board
  56. Build a sandcastle
  57. Play Bocce Ball
  58. Swing
  59. Send some postcards to distant friends and relatives
  60. Find some odd ball landmarks/sights in your state to visit (world’s largest ball of twine anyone?)
  61. Make a different flavored water each day
  62. Have a muffin making party
  63. Find a new podcast and lay out in the sun listening
  64. Try a new author to read outside on your lunch break
  65. Have an Icee
  66. Have a movie nostalgia night.  What old black and white film can you find to watch?
  67. Make a new dessert each week
  68. Take a furry friend on a walk in a new park each week.
  69. Hang a birdhouse or bat house
  70. Try a new magazine
  71. Clean out that garage
  72. Clean out your deck box
  73. Make a new recipe for the grill
  74. Visit a farmers market
  75. Just daydream
  76. Buy some fresh flowers for your porch
  77. Have a neighborhood picnic
  78. Help your kids build a tree fort
  79. Have lunch on a restaurant’s patio
  80. Open all your windows and air out the house
  81. Watch a new TV show that you normally wouldn’t see
  82. Wash your own car
  83. Have your kids do a bike wash
  84. Wash the dog
  85. Start a beach glass collection.
  86. Cull your photos
  87. Watch a sunset
  88. Sit out on the deck and listen to the sounds of nature.
  89. Go to sleep in a rainstorm
  90. Get a pedicure
  91. Do facepainting
  92. Visit an outdoor mall
  93. Go to a food fest
  94. Take an outdoor exercise class
  95. Take a community ed outdoor photography course
  96. Go bird watching
  97. Visit and outdoor flea market
  98. Go on a model home hour
  99. Go on a guided walk put out by your local historical society
  100. Visit a historical outdoor place
Home

Medicine Cabinet Basics

nschristineLeave a comment

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What do people keep in their medicine cabinets?  It’s an interesting thought.  Have you ever looked inside someone’s cabinet while at a party?  I haven’t, but I always imagine people do that sort of thing. There was a time when medicine cabinets were standard in bathrooms.  While keeping medicine in these cabinets has gone by the wayside, the concept of medicine cabinets have not.  I have more of a medicine closet, well a shelf really.  Okay, two baskets on the shelf. We all keep medicine around in case we need it.  Have you ever wondered what you should have on hand?  Check the list below and see what you need to stock up on.

1. Thermometer- Definitely every medicine cabinet should have a thermometer. Small infants may require a different thermometer.  Consult your physician on which one to use.

2. Tweezers.  Great for picking out splinters, glass, and ticks.  This one small item gets a lot of use!

3. Benadryl- A staple, especially if I think I’ve come into contact with something I’m slightly allergic to.

4. Nail Clipper. Nothing is more annoying or more frustrating than a ragged nail or cuticle.

5. Anti-histamine Cream-  Works great if your skin comes into contact with something itchy.  I’ve used this on my son lots.

6. Bandages- Well, duh?!

7. Gauze- See above.

8. Medical tape- How else will you keep the gauze in place?

9. Antibiotic Ointment- Keep those germs at bay!!

10. Eye drops. For dry or irritated eyes.

11. Heartburn medication. Tums, Rolaids etc.

12. Anti-diarrhea medication.

13. Pain/Fever medicine. Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen.

14. Decongestant.

15. Cough medicine. Nothing is worse than having a coughing fit at 1 a.m..

 

Self

Dealing with the pain, Migraines and me

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I can’t remember when it all first started.  I think right after my son was born. They came on during my 30’s. They started out with only a few per month.  It gradually increased, and in my 40’s it came almost everyday.  In fact, my whole body was wracked with pain.  My doctor wouldn’t do anything for me and refused to prescribe pain medication which was the only thing that had helped before. It got so bad that the only thing I could do was walk my son three houses down to the bus stop in the morning.  Then I’d come back and get back into bed where I’d be all day.  Always in horrible pain.

It got so bad that I told my husband that I didn’t think I could handle another few years of this.  I wondered how I could find a doctor to prescribe medical marijuana. I didn’t know if it would help but I was desperate.  I’d spend hours on WebMD and other medical sites looking up symptoms to figure out what was wrong.  My doctor said she didn’t think I had migraines.  Little did I know, that my doctor who was great up until that point had no idea what she was talking about.

One day, I saw an ad for a pain clinic.  “A pain clinic?”, I thought, what was that?  I called but they told me they only take referrals.  So I called a doctor in their provider chain and made an appointment. Once in this new doctor’s office I cried.  I begged. I tearfully told her I was not trying to get pain meds for an addiction.  I’ve tried to get rid of the pain other ways.  I did yoga, acupuncture, rolfing, massage, chiropractor, diet, hot baths, stretching, you name it, I tried it. I just needed help.  Then I asked her to refer me to the pain clinic.  She said she couldn’t do it until I saw some other doctors first.  The first one I went to was a neurologist.

Honestly, I didn’t think the neurologist would do much.  I had been suffering pain for years.  Nothing helped.   The neurologist took one look at me and said “You have chronic migraines.  That is what is causing your pain, not only in your head, but your entire body.”  How could a headache cause pain in my entire body?  Would a headache cause my legs and back to hurt so much that I was bedridden?  It sounded odd.  At this point I didn’t care.  I’d do anything.  So I left his office with several prescriptions and another appointment for the following week.

 

 

Clothing

10 Fashion Terms to know

nschristineLeave a comment

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Here are ten quick fashion terms to know.

1. Action Back: Term used to describe the extra fullness at the back of a jacket, shirt or dress from the shoulder to the waist. Normally a pleat, that helps with movement.

2. Bolero: A waist length open jacket worn by women.

3. Cashmere: a luxurious fabric made from the hair of a goat that is native to Northern India’s Kashmir region as well as several other Asian nations. The wool for the fabric is taken by combing the animals.

4. Felt: Non-woven fabric made by compressing wool and hair fibers in a flat form by heat and steam.

5. Flannel: A soft, delicate fabric tightly woven into a twill or plain weave and has a soft nape.  It can be made of woolen, worsted or some combination of.

6. Mittens: Hand covering with a thumb compartment and another area for the fingers.

7. Parasol: An umbrella used for sun protection that can be made of cloth to match clothing. A popular accessory during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

8. Parka: A hooded fur jacket worn of Native Americans in the Arctic regions.

9. Taffeta: A type of crisp fabric with a smooth surface. At one time made of silk, currently made in man made fibers.

10. Ultramarine: A deep shade of purple blue.