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Resolution 2010 Style (Late.)(Because I feel like this year came late, anyway.)

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

It seems a little sad to me that New Year’s Resolutions have fallen out of fashion.  I can’t go to a blog without seeing, “I’m just not into resolutions,” or “I’m not making any resolutions this year.” I guess it’s because resolutions made because “everyone is doing it” don’t stick.  And things we decide to do while stuffing our face with all kinds of food and sitting around watching Christmas movies in our PJ’s rarely stick, either.  It just seems like “I’m not into making resolutions” has become the new, “I’m scared of clowns.”  (You know what I’m saying?)

All THAT said, I totally FORGOT to make resolutions this year.  It been a tough holiday season for us, and with everything going on I didn’t have time to clean the house, work out, write meaningful things in a journal, take extra pictures, etc.  There is part of me that thinks that if I’m not off and running by January 1st, maybe I shouldn’t even bother.  But I really don’t want to be all defeatist about it.  And I personally love when big chunks of the world come together at the same time to do things, if only out of tradition.  I like knowing that people are baking pies and watching football at Thanksgiving, hunting for eggs at Easter, and yes…setting goals for a brand new better them in January.  So I’d be remiss, I think, if I didn’t join in.

Goal Number One:

I will read more.  I’ve actually been doing pretty good on this one lately, even though I think I’ve decided that what I like to read probably falls more in line with junk food than a hearty meal.  That said, I’ve bookmarked The Book of Mormon on my toolbar so maybe I’ll read through it more often.  I just bookmark where I left off, and pick up there the next day.  I’ve never tried studying scripture online before, so we’ll see how it goes.  (FYI for those who don’t know, full versions of all the LDS standard works are available online.  I wonder how long it’d take me to go through the Bible?) So far I’ve read 3 out of the last 5 days.  That’s better than nothing!

Goal Number Two:

I will take care of myself.  Better sleep, better (and more consistent) grooming habits.  I used to be ALL ABOUT The grooming.  I even had a small eyebrow waxing station set up in my room in college.  I actually had time enough to DO OTHER PEOPLE’S EYEBROWS.  I got some nice makeup for Christmas (some blush and eye shadow) so I think I should put that on more regularly, too.  I might be a Mom, but I’m still a girl, darnnit.

Goal Number Three:

Hello friends! I THINK last year I made the goal to be in better contact with my friends.  And while I still suck at it, I’m doing better.  A combination of phone calls (not to announce weddings, births, etc., just because) and even some (sparse) visits for dear friends far away.  I”ve also met a couple of people around here that I have realized I really like being around and talking to.  I want to make time for these people, see how I can be there for them.  DO THINGS like…OUT OF THE HOUSE with them.  I know, crazy?  I just need to be more open to socializing.

and finally…Goal Number Four:

DA DA Duummmmmmmm.  I will lose weight.  I can’t even call it baby weight, since I lost that by last April but just GAINED IT BACK.  JUST FOR FUN.  I need to feel better and healthier and I sure as HADES am not adding 30 lbs. on top of THIS when I decide to get pregnant next time.  Nope.  Not gonna happen.  And while the Shred didn’t work out so well (kills my knees, and I don’t have bad knees!) I think we’re going to start doing some other stuff at home.  If anyone would like to tell me about their FAVORITE piece of at home work out equipment or DVD, I’d love to know.  We bought an elliptical a couple years ago, but it turns out that you either get one for $800,000 or it doesn’t work out so well.  Something about it being able to fold up made it kind of rickety I guess.  We’re selling it.  (And I really want to know, are you people actually losing weight and getting fit using a Wii, or is the lazyman’s workout.  Or worse, the already-skinny-person’s workout?)

So that’s it.  Books, grooming, friends, and working out.  There are other more sweeping goals I’m working through, things having to do with school and jobs, etc., but since these seem to be the things I can actually control…these are the goals I will make for myself.

Because I like resolutions.

Posted in Friends, Holiday!, Mommy Upkeep, health | 3 Comments »

Swine Flu Ponderings

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

Somewhere in America a government health official woke up with a tickly throat.  As he rolled over on his luxy sheets (Pottery Barn) he said to his wife: “Susan, I think I’ll be working from home today.  I’m not feeling so well.”  Then he got up, showered, and went to his home office where he will do government health official things all day while coughing into his elbow.

So H1N1.  I’ve been thinking about this a lot for the last couple of days.  I’m all confused about whether or not to vaccinate Camper for a couple of reasons.  First of all- while I’m all about the routine vaccinations like Polio and MMR, etc…I’m not all HEY STICK MY KID WITH MORE EXTRA STUFF.  FOR FUN.  Also, there are TWO forms of the vaccine.  One with mercury and other fun extras that are potentially dangerous for human beings, and one without.  The one without is a nasal spray and a LIVE virus.  Because of my condition and the medication that I take, I cannot be near the live virus.  Camper hasn’t been vaccinated for Chicken Pox for this reason.  I can’t be near a live virus.  It’s ASKING for trouble.  So that leave the chemical-filled NON live vaccine, which is not…as they would say…ideal.

Here are a couple of flu facts for ya.  I think they are accurate but can’t be bothered to site things that I’ve read or look extra stuff up.  Correct me if I’m wrong or imprecise.

1) The Swine Flu or H1N1 is a Flu.  It is simply a different “strain” of flu.  Let’s think of it like bread.  Let’s call the Seasonal Flu white bread.  H1N1 would then be wheat bread.  Still bread, just a different KIND of bread.  This is why the vaccines for the Seasonal Flu will not help with H1N1.  Vaccines are tailored for specific viruses.

2) This flu is scarier  not because it is deadlier, per say, but because of WHO it is targeting.  While the Seasonal Flu usually hits older people, the Swine Flu hasn’t been around for awhile.  (From what I understand, the last outbreak was sometime around 1915 or something like that.)  This means that the young people don’t have any natural immunity to it.  They have never seen it before, neither have their parents.  Also, while the elderly and older are more likely to STAY HOME or er…in a home…when they are sick…the working age population does not.  I don’t know about you, but we can’t afford to just stay at home because we feel tickly.  So kids go to school and to daycare, and adults go to work.  This means that the flu gets spread.  Because I’d like to see YOU teach a 4 year old to cough into her elbow.

So combine those two things, a “new” or “re-emerging” strain of flu with the fact that the main population suffering from it will inevitably spread it to others…and you got yourself a nice pandemic.

So I don’t think I’m going to be getting Camper the H1N1 shot.  For a few reasons.  First of all, his physician isn’t offering it to children under 2.  (The government’s official position on the shot seems to be, “There isn’t a SHORTAGE, it’s just that no one has enough and we’re only giving it to a specific list of people first.”)  Also, while it would be TERRIBLE to get it…I think the fact that Camper is a) not school aged and b) spends most of his time at home with me could help us avoid it.  I’m just going to try and work on his little immune system and hope for the best.  Also, if you treat yourself and your children well when you get sick, there is not reason for any flu to be hugely dangerous.  Yes, people die of the flu every year.  But if and when we get sick, we will simply stay home, coughing into our elbows and eating chicken soup.  What I REALLY don’t understand though, is this one thing.

They say that Swine Flu is like the regular flu, just a different kind of regular flu.

We don’t get special medication for the regular flu.

If you get Swine Flu, you will get special medication.  If they test you and your are positive.

So what’s up, government people?  Are you trying to be confusing?  Here’s my question, man with the sheet from Pottery Barn and the tickly throat.  Did YOU get the vaccine?

*More on taking care of yourself and baby when you have a cold/flu soon.  My LIFE for the last week.  Fun times.

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Posted in health | 3 Comments »