"Smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer. Lung cancer may also be the most tragic cancer because in most cases, it might have been prevented -- 87% of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking." - American Lung Association
I was devastated to lose my mother. She was the most influential person in my life, the bravest person I had ever met, and the most hard working. We might of had our differences, but we certainly had an amazing relationship as well. Our bond went far beyond that of a mother and daughter. She was my best friend; we even used to joke that we were "roomies."
I'm so happy that my mom got to see me get married, but to this day I want to break down and cry thinking of how she isn't able to be here to have a relationship with her grandchildren. She used to joke that she'd move in with me when I had kids - into a Granny Suite, and be my house keeper, and full time Nanny. So much for joking. Smoking is no joke, and it's what I hold as responsible for the loss of my mother; that and her not taking good enough care of herself.
I live now, believing strongly that you owe it to those you love to take good care of yourself, so that you can be around for them in the future.
I don't understand why people smoke. When there's so much evidence that it causes cancer, among many other diseases. Why do it?
"If you are a smoker, STOP SMOKING. Your local American Lung Association has books, videos, and group programs to help you quit for good.
The Lung Association is also offering a new way to stop smoking through its Freedom From Smoking® online smoking cessation clinic. Find out more by visiting the American Lung Association website at www.ffsonline.org.
If you are a nonsmoker, know your rights to a smoke-free environment a twork and in public places. Make your home smoke-free." - The American Lung Association
Just a note to smokers, who don't want to quit....I'm not a mean person, and I'm not trying to offend, but please keep your terrible habit to yourself. During all 3 of my pregnancies, I have had a few unfortunate encounters with smokers that didn't pay any attention to the fact that their smoke was blowing right into my face, and baby's. Please, keep it to yourself.
To all Moms - and everyone, take care of yourself. Stick around for those who love you, as long as you can. If it means taking time for yourself, so you stress less, or leaving the house dirty so you can take a nap, or even just laughing a little more; do what you can to take care of you, and yours.
For More Information about Smoking, Lung Cancer, and Quitting check out the American Lung Cancer Association.
When I Felt All Alone, There Stood a Poppy
I had just lost my mother to cancer. I can remember standing out in the cool fall breeze watching as my new husband was cutting up firewood. My arms were crossed, and my hands were clasping my arms which were covered in goose bumps.
I had just gotten married before she died. Though frail, she was able to attend the wedding. That was only a few months ago. I was now living at my new home, with a new husband, and I knew that I was supposed to be happy - and I was, but there was a part of me that was totally empty. A void, that felt as though it could never be filled.
My mom, and I lived alone together, in the same house, for my entire life up until recently. We were very close. We talked every day on the phone, just to say hi - it never mattered what time it was, or what we had to say. We just talked. She was my best friend.
Now, she’s gone. I’m only 19 - and have moved, married, and lost my mother. A lot has changed.
My new home is a very old farm house, that is falling apart. In front, there once stood the biggest, most beautiful Locus trees; they were the most beautiful trees I had ever seen in my whole life. They flowered every spring, and shed there pedals all over the front yard, making it look heavenly. But, like all things, they got old, and their branches started to fall to the ground. The threat they posed hovering over our already falling apart home, and our vehicles, had my husband cutting them up into little pieces to keep us warm for next winter.
I was sad as I watched the beautiful, yet ominous trees be cut up into smaller, and smaller pieces. My whole life seems to be falling a part.
A tear trickled down my face, and at that moment I realized, that popping up from the bark of that Locus tree was a flower. A beautiful, yellow flower. Startled, I ran closer to take a better look. Surely, the flower had just been blown up onto the log, and was resting there.
When I got up close, and knelt down, to my astonishment, I saw that the flower was a Poppy. And, it was in fact growing straight up out of the log - in the middle of Fall.
I couldn’t believe it - all at once, I was taken over with awe. It didn’t make sense; that this frail, little flower could withstand the harsh cool wind, sticking up in its solitude from that Locus tree. It was surreal. There stood no other flowers, any where. It was the last one.
I took this as a sign - that things would be alright, no matter how bad the circumstances. And, I knew, that this little flower was a gift from above - how could it not be?
I carried the Poppy inside, and let it rest on my windowsill. For days I watched it as it dried. And the following spring, I spread the seeds in my garden, where the poppies now grow, and remind me that no matter how bad things get - there is strength to be found. And, that those we love, and loose are always watching over us, and helping to guide our way.
Love To Last a Lifetime
Ever wonder how they do it - those couples that stay together for years, and years? It's all about recognizing that, like best-selling author Gary Chapman says: we all speak different Love Languages. In his book, The Five Love Languages, Chapman explains that we are all different, have different needs, and most importantly what's of great importance to our partner, might not be to us.
We are all uniquely different.
If you want to make it work, you have to recognize the differences, and show your love by learning your partneres love language. In the book, Chapman goes into detail about the different Love Languages, and explains how you can show your affection speaking the language that your partner will understand, rather than a foreign one.
From my experience working in nursing homes for over 6 years, I've had the honor to learn from those who have lived together happily, and unhappily together for years, and years. The couples that I had the pleasure of knowing that were the happiest, I found respected each others differences. They made a point of actually laughing about them. I recall an old couple: Arnold & Grace. They were both so different, and most importantly what was of great significance to each was different - and they catered to each others needs. Arnold was a meticulous old man, who had to have everything in its exact place, and it was the simple things that made him happy - like getting his room ready in the evening just the way he liked it. Grace would always make sure to remind the staff that was working that evening to remember the things that she knew was important to Arnold. Like preparing his room before he would arrive to get ready for bed.
And, Arnold did the same for Grace, but in a way that she would appreciate - and so show his love for her as well. One thing that was important to Grace, was that at mealtime her dinner was just ever so - she liked only certain foods, drinked tea - that was made with a certain amount of milk. Arnold made sure that the staff would make things just right for Grace at every meal time.
You know? - they had their differences, there were times when they would get into a snit with each other, and one would get into a huff, and walk away. But, they always came back to sit beside each other in the sitting room, at the dinner table, and most importantly they always looked out for each other so as to ensure that each other's needs were taken care of.
No matter their circumstances, even when times looked rather grim, when Grace got very sick, and very old - they continued to show each other love, respecting that each needed to receive love in different ways.
This book: The 5 Love Languages, is one that was introduced to me during a pre-marital session with the Minister at our church. I can remember at the time, that I glanced through it's pages, but it wasn't until one day after the wedding was past, and my husband and I had finally started settling down, that I sat down, and read the book. It is now with a greater appreciation, and understanding that I find myself able to love, and to live with my partner happily - he's the love of my life, amidst our differences.
Keep Your Kids Safe
What every Mom should know about the HAZARDS in your home....
Research has uncovered some alarming facts about the everyday household products that we use.
The typical home now contains over sixty-three hazardous products that together contain hundreds of different chemicals. [Source: World Resources Institute, The 1994 Information Please Environmental Almanac (Houghton Mifflin, 1994)]
Each year, over 1 million children are accidentally poisoned in their homes. 250,000 of these victims are hospitalized. 3,000 children will end up in intensive care. Dozens more will die. Thousands of children and adults are permanently disfigured or injured through contact with chemicals in the home, each year. [RM Barry Publications]
Accidentally coming into direct contact with toxic chemicals isn't the only danger that exists, every day prolonged exposure should be considered as well.
Some products release contaminants into the air right away, others do so gradually over a period of time. Some stay in the air up to a year. These contaminants, found in many household and personal care products can cause dizziness, nausea, allergic reactions, eye/skin/respiratory tract irritations, and some cause cancer. [Source: American Lung Association]
In one decade, there has been a 42% increase in asthma (29% for men, 82% for women). The higher rate for women is believed to be due to women's longer exposure times to household chemicals. [Source: Center for Disease Control]
Bleach, for example, has been linked to cancer, reproductive problems and brain function abnormalities such as those in children with learning and behavioral problems, like ADD or ADHD. There has been a united US/Canadian Commission lobbying to have bleach banned from household use for some time now, but the multi billion dollar manufacturing companies have a very powerful and financially persuasive lobby that has been successful in preventing that so far.
You cannot solely rely on trusting the company manufacturing the products that the labels on their products accurately reflect the toxicity, and harm that they may cause.
A product that kills 50% of lab animals through ingestion or inhalation can still receive the federal regulatory designation non-toxic. [Dorris Rapp, Is This Your Child's World?]
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) analyzed 2,983 chemicals used in personal care products. The results were as follows:
~ 884 of the chemicals were toxic
~ 314 caused biological mutation
~ 218 caused reproductive complications
~ 778 caused acute toxicity 148 caused tumors
~376 caused skin and eye irritations
[United States Food and Drug Administration, FDA Over Cosmetics
(Office of Cosmetics Fact Sheet, 1995)]
One example of a chemical that is very commonly used in house hold cleaning products, and personal care products is formaldehyde; it's being used as a preservative. The Material Safety Data Sheet for formaldehyde warns:
Suspected carcinogen; May be fatal if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through
skin. [Material Safety Data Sheet - Formaldehyde]
Despite the fact that formaldehyde is so toxic, and hazardous to our health; manufacturers of shampoo are allowed to put formaldehyde in their products, and not even list it as an ingredient.
We must all keep in mind that there are many ways in which harmful substances may be absorbed including; inhalation, ingestion, absorption through the skin. Just because you may not smell the harmful substances in the air, doesn't
mean that they're not there.
With the prevalence of cancer, asthma, birth defects, miscarriages, Alzheimer's, Emphysema, Multiple Sclerosis, Premature Birth, and Attention Deficit Disorder in our society, we ought to be more cautious about all the substances
that we come into contact with each and every single day - since that is one aspect that we can all control.
Just by reducing (not eliminating) environmental carcinogens alone, we would save at least 50,000 lives taken by cancer annually. [Source: Dr. Lee Davis, former advisor]
Picture Album available at 
We bought my son a toddle-sized play structure with a awing and a slide....He liked the box better.