Just Like Dogs
I have a favorite small candy and toy store in our community. I used to buy there everyday. I noticed that whenever I stopped-by that store and stay for a while, I could smell human urine. I asked the lady there about it and she told me that men around the area urinate against the wall. Whenever there is that call of nature, they just face the wall, open their zipper and go pp.
To make the matter worst, this serves as the toilet of those men, who always have a drinking binge almost everyday and every night.
The tenants living on the groundfloor had tried to talk with them to stop it, but in vain. Some tenants opted to transfer and live somewhere. These men are just disrespectful and don’t care about other people’s welfare. They are like dogs marking their territory.
I am just wondering what will make them stop from urinating against the wall.
The Number One Boomer
The world’s number one boomer quietly turned 60 this week and I wondered if aging one more year made a difference in anything. Such as he’s fit and has money galore, and he is also the world’s most powerful person, so the need of social security, medical health plan and medication isn’t something he personally worries about.
But can he understand why the rest of the boomers do have to worry? When they must choose between having dinner today or taking their heart medicine? I hope turning one more year, also means he’s not only one more year wiser but can understand the needs of the other boomers around him.
At this point many boomers who should have retired already are still working and although some do it because they still want to, lots more do it because they have no choice. Many lost everything in scandals such as Enron and are almost starting from scratch which is damn sad.
Aging Baby Boomers Still Cling To Their Youth
Filed under: General, Health, Retirement, Vacations, Working
The first set of baby boomers born between 1946-1964 are approaching 65 but many don’t plan to retire anytime soon. With the miracle of modern science, human beings are living longer than ever and many families are in their fourth generation all still living, if not under the same roof.
Boomers can’t see themselves sitting around a retirement home, especially when they are still so fit and healthy.
I say they shouldn’t have to. Even if you do plan to retire. Take it as a time to start traveling and having the fun you probably couldn’t have during all your years of employment.
To Botox, or Not to Botox?
…that is the question.
At least, that is the question a lot of boomers are now asking themselves.
Nowadays, there are more options than ever available to those who aren’t ready to ‘age gracefully’: plastic surgery can correct droopy eyelids, bumpy noses, thin lips, deep creases, bulging waistlines, sagging faces, and a whole host of other perceived aesthetic flaws.
According to an article in the South Dakota-based newspaper Argus Leader, “The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery says the number of cosmetic surgeries has increased more than 200 percent since 1997.”
Plastic surgery is becoming more common for two reasons, in my opinion. First, it’s more acceptable today than it was a decade ago. Second, it has become more affordable as well — both in terms of lower prices and in terms of credit and loan programs that have been introduced to make payment easier for those who can’t afford the lump sum.
Boomers can expect to live longer than any of the generations that came before them. They’re also much more focused on being healthy and youthful-looking than any preceding generation. These two factors combined — plus the increased availability, acceptability and affordability of cosmetic procedures — might mean that Botox and facelifts will soon be the norm for the newly retired.
Monarch Mountain (Colorado)
Monarch Mountain
www.skimonarch.com
Monarch Mountain, Colorado
A beautiful powder mountain great for a Colorado hide-a-way from the crowded resorts. This mountain rocks. Plus its one of the more affordable mountains in Colorado. With typical Colorado rates at $70-100/ticket at places like Aspen and Vail, you can get tickets from $27-49 at Monarch. It’s where the locals ski. Great trails, great slopes, and good service. Highly recommended. Rating: 4 stars out of 5.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines
http://www.alaskaair.com/
One of my new favorite Airlines … Alaska Air with its sister carrier, Horizon Air, together provide passenger and cargo air service to 80+ cities in Alaska, the lower 48 states, Canada, and Mexico. They’ve been in operation more than 70 years. They claim attribution to their connection to spirit - born of the Alaskan spirit, a place where “can-do” and “neighbor-helping-neighbor” are facts of life. In my flight with them via partner Northwest Airlines - flying from Denver to Seattle - the checkin could not be smoother, flight was early and on-time, seats were confortable, hosts were helpful and welcoming, good storage space on flight, and after landing, which was very smooth, we not only got to Seattle early, but our luggage came out on time. I’m very satisfied. 5 stars out of 5. Thank you Alaska Air!
Living Stress Free …
Long ago, I was taught that the keys to surviving life were (1) stability, (2) financial security, (3) good job position. Since then, I’ve discovered those keys were wrong. As a child I was interested in many occupations that were not climated to those keys. My parents objected to my life pursuits in lieu of wanting me to go into business, medicine, law, or another more prosperous field. I followed their advice … first becoming a stockbroker, then a web developer … and where did it lead? a world of inactivity, stuck behind a desk, absorbing everyone else’s stresses. It gave me high cholesterol, mental stress, and made me gain weight. When I went back into the outdoors, and started back into my passion as an archaeologist … and world traveller, then did I find a world of limited stress. I can breathe now relaxed …
So the keys I share with you are: (1) follow your heart and desires, (2) live simply, and (3) don’t base your career choices on income.
Taos, New Mexico
Taos, New Mexico
Coming north along Hwy 68, I saw the small town sprawl that is Taos, in the horizon. Again, wishing I had more time and resources to have a lengthy visit at this mountainous retreat. I’m also very interested in visiting the Taos Pueblo again and see their ceremonies.
Taos, New Mexico
“The Enchanted Circle”
~ An Indian Pueblo
~ A Spanish Village
~ An Art Colony
~ An Alpine Resort.
Just as all the guides proclaim, the drive to Taos does really take your breath away as you meander around the curves and hills through the mountains, hills, and gorges that is “Taos”. Especially during fall as is the season I’m making my travels through this region. I have tons of childhood stories exploring this region that I’ll hopefully find time to resurrect in the future. This to me is an even more “artsy” settlement than that of Sante Fe, its nearest big city about an hour away. An incredible array of art, architecture, cuisines, and outdoor fun will greet you as you visit this lair of enchantment. From history of the Pueblo Indians, to Spanish explorers, just like Santa Fe, this city is like no place in the world … a unique blend of the first inhabitants, Puebloan art, and Spanish Settlement to that of modern art meets Southwestern pizazz. Taos county consists of several smaller communities located within a 50 square mile area. The guides state that the population density is 9.8 people per square mile. Here the forests will enchant you, the snowdrifts will dazzle you, the crimson arrays of fall foriage will mesmerize you, and the stars you can see in the clear night skies will spin you in awe. Well known for its skiing and winter sports, Taos is a place for every outdoor enthusiast.
As I drove into Taos, I stopped off at the first rock shop I saw and inquired about the Faerie crosses. Apparently I missed the Gem and Mineral guide’s hunting location along 68 by the horseshoe bend … just 33 miles north of Pilar. Apparently the internet resource I had for hunting locations mixed up highway 64 and 68. Geesh. So I bought a few of the enchanted “X” crosses. The celtic crosses were too much. I’ll come back sometime in the near future to go hunting.
I Wish You Knew
Millions of us suffer from migraine headaches. We may all have different triggers, but many of us can be in control of our environment and what triggers our migraines. Many, but not all.
I wish you knew, that when you choose to smoke your cigarette or cigar out in front of the entrance to the store, restaurant or other local business, that when I, innocently and freely pass by you, and get just one whiff of your smoke, can end up getting a migraine that can knock me out for days.
I wish you knew that when I am standing in the line at the grocery store, bank, auto parts store, or coffee shop, when I get a whiff of your strong perfume or cologne, I can get a migraine that can knock me out for days.
I know that if you knew what this can do to millions of us, you’d think twice about how your actions can impair someone else. I know that you would not intentionally inflict this on someone else. I know that you would dab that perfume or cologne on more lightly, or not at all, and you would perhaps choose to stand no where near the entrance of public places while exercising your freedom right to smoke your stuff.
I hope that I have encouraged a few of you to think about the scent you carry, and maybe, just maybe, I’ll be spared one migraine headache, 2 days in bed and a world of misery a few times.
Now you know.
Starving to Sit Still?
Our 14 year old son has been on stimulants for his ADD (Attention Defecit Disorder) since he was 6 years old. In the last few years, we took him off the stimulant medications during the summer and on long breaks from school so he could “eat”. The medications commonly prescribed to children and adults with ADD and ADHD (ADD with hyperactivity) are also appetite suppressants, therefore, in addition to encouraging the person to sit still and pay attention, they also deprive them from eating healthy meals which feed their brains and help to them to think, learn, and live life.
Each year we would question the medication usage, but continual encouragement from doctors, teachers, principals, and other well meaning parents confirmed what the world wants us to believe: a docile child is a better child.
Well, our wonderful son began getting migraines a year ago, so while his doctor was unsure of the cause, he couldn’t completely rule out that it wasn’t the stimulant medication, so he took him off of everything for a few months to see if that would help decrease the migraines.
Some experts will tell you that at times the child will “grow out of” the ADD/ADHD. Well, that’s just what he did, he “grew out of” his moodiness, his anxiety and his bouncing off the walls; he also grew out of his shorts, his shoes and his shirts! He gained nearly 20 pounds, and grew about 5 inches taller. He began sleeping well at night, and became more alert and self controlled during the day.
Our doctor’s conclusion: The stimulants did their job for a season, got him through the “wiggly” years when he really needed to focus and learn. However, in his teen years, when the majority of his growing needs to happen, his need for balanced meals (like all day long!) and brain food kicked in, and when he got what he needed, the nutrition improved everything from A to Z.
Our son is a brand new kid. No migraines, no depressed appetite, and no complaints from the school, as of yet.
So please, if you must medicate your child with a stimulant, please take time out to let him or her eat, and let it be long enough to see if maybe they don’t need the meds any longer. Often times the proper nutrition is just what a child needs to get healthy sleep and make healthy choices. You don’t have to be a health food fanatic about it, just use common sense. I am so happy we did!
Cancer Bananas!
Only in America are we so coddled, so protected–you’d imagine we’re unable to think for ourselves. Perhaps that’s why we appear to be such easy targets for terrorists. In other parts of the world, people are used to walking down stairs without a railing to hold onto. Somehow, they navigate humped up, broken concrete sidewalks (where they have any pavement at all) and cross roads without lines to show them where to walk. In my lifetime, I’ve tried to take the increases in protectionism in stride: motorcycle helmets, automobile seat belts, child car seats, cigarette warnings, bicycle helmets, skateboarders’ padding, liquor labels in bar restrooms, emergency instructions in aircraft. How did we survive our own childhoods and our parents’ ignorances?
But I draw the line at warning labels on my food!
I know that fruit labels, even fruit labels on the Internet, are nothing new. There are collectors and collections and probably competitions and havoc and furor over the adhesive and the claims. I couldn’t care less about people advertising on their own products. What I object to is the government intruding once again into our lives, using the cute little stickers to scare us silly.
Super Foods!
One of the annoying facts of aging are the limitations that seem to restrict our lives. None is more depressing than a lengthening list of dietary no-no’s. Some result from illnesses or conditions we develop (like lactose intolerance or diverticular disease) and some are part of lifestyle changes we choose in an effort to have healthier lives. Rather than putting the focus on what you can’t have, it helps to keep your mind on beneficial foods. Learning about them, finding them at the store, learning to incorporate them into meals (if any are unfamiliar) — these positive actions keep the blues at bay far better than moping about losses.
Several versions of the “super foods” list exist. The 14-item prescription for longevity touted by Dr. Steven Pratt in SuperFoods Rx includes all but one of the ten-item list from the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which advocates eating cantaloupe as a source of vitamins A and C. Also, the CSPI online listing is at odds with a mailing from them, with salmon and bran cereal online and fat-free milk and blueberries on paper. The blueberries are one of Dr. Pratt’s “everyday foods that can change your life for the better!” Although he ignores milk itself, he does advocate using yoghurt and kefir.
The CSPI list is significant in a lack of protein sources, whereas Dr. Pratt also encourages us to eat skinless poultry breast meat as well as the wild salmon and other fatty fish, oysters, and clams and most forms of soy. His other SuperFoods include:
beans
broccoli
whole grains
citrus
orange vegetables like squash, carrots, peppers
greens such as spinach, collards, kale, romaine
tea
red fruits like tomatoes, watermelon, strawberry guava
nuts such as sesame, almonds, pumpkin, macadamia
Red, green, orange and crunchy might be an easy way to remember at least part of this list.
When to start dating again …
Starting dating again after a major relationship ending …
by Leaf McGowan
The four paths people take after an end of a relationship. If you’re in any other than the fourth, you need to still heal.
- Pathway 1 Drifting through life—Freeze, indecision, giving up the struggle, fatigue and withdrawal.
- Pathway 2 Continuing the crisis—Fight, melodrama, getting even, playing victim, not letting go, resentment and nervous breakdown.
- Pathway 3 Rebound relationship—Flight, frantic search, hasty friendship, early comfort, poor matching, conflict and later suffering.
- Pathway 4 Building a new life—Freedom, understand and accept reality, resolve to build new life, let go of past, taking responsibility for planning life, new energy, positive attitude towards self and situation, develop purpose in life, manage time better, new communication skills, resolving conflicts, emotional maturity, self confidence, achieving goals, life satisfaction, self esteem crisis, become involved in life, rise in enthusiasm, build friendship and taking relationship skills.
Source: http://www.relate.gov.au/separation/life_building.html
So, you’ve been married for what seemed to be a lifetime and now its come to an end. It’s time to move on and entering the dating world again. Are you healed? How do you avoid jumping into a rebound? How do you re-pack and lighten your emotional baggage load on the trip down lover’s lane?
I just got into a discussion with some friends about the ends of relationships on Livejournal, so figured I’d write this small piece on when is it time to start again? (some extracted from a journal post I made several years ago after my divorce)
Most experts state its best to divide the number of years (or months) of committed relationship time in half, and that is the number of years or months it’ll take to get over your previous partner. Some think that’s a bit too long, so others have recommended anywhere from two weeks to three months. Everyone is different and everyone moves at different speeds. But its recommended to at least process your last relationship and know why it ended before jumping into another because you don’t want your new relationship to be a rebound or a messy pileup for your emotional baggage.
Get yourself active and involved in activities, networking, hanging out with other singles, going out dancing, to movies, or events. Don’t mope at home. Pick up some hobbies. Mingle at singles events.
Be easy on the new person you date. Treat each relationship like you’ve never had a bad one, and be aware that everyone has baggage from failed relationships. Don’t let it bubble, bubble, toil and trouble onto your next. If you haven’t processed and ended things emotionally with your last relationship, then make a conscious effort not to project your open issues - see them as a clean slate and let the relationship unfold with no connections to your past.
For Goddess sake, don’t go back to your Ex. Bouncing back or sling shotting to your Ex. Is a big no-no. It’s ended, make it so. Doesn’t matter how lonely you get, do not go back! A rekindling is not worth it. The more you fall back on your old ways, the harder it is to move on to the future. You will find someone else.
Journaling or blogging are excellent tools for processing your thoughts. If you’re private, try a paper journal or a blog that has privacy - your eyes only - viewing priveleges. If you value input from friends, place it in a “friends only” or “selected filter” so you can get their input. Journal what went well and what could have improved for a better relationship. Understand the pros and cons that existed with that partner. Recognize the negative patterns that exist between you and your partners. See any patterns? Recognize them and either improve them in yourself, or avoid potential partners that display the patterns you don’t want to be part of. Set goals for the future.
Watch out how much you talk about past relationships. Its a big flag you’ve got emotional baggage. If you constantly dwell on the past and your past relationships, you won’t move on. Plus its quite annoying for your new partner, regardless of how interested they might be in hearing about your past relations (or uninterested and pretending that they are interested), and it’ll actually drive the new relationship into the ground.
Be respectful of others. Don’t date again until you feel you are ready and have processed your stuff. Rebounds might have temporary healing benefits, but in general they are really unfair and detrimental to new relationships.
Good luck!!!
Help my partner left me
So you’ve been dumped, are you over it?
Coping with Divorce
Pedometers - Walking for Health and counting your steps
Why use Pedometers?
By Leaf McGowan
Pedometers are great devices to help keep you on track to a path to a healthy body, fitness, and a good heart. These pager-sized devices that you wear on your belt will record the number of steps you walk based on your body’s movement. From the high-tech digital models that record the number of calories burnt, to the simple step counter. It’s recommended for a healthy body, to maintain 10,000 steps a day.
Granted, I only hit 10,000-20,000/day by walking around Vienna, Austria and certain parts of Germany. I have yet to hit 10,000 steps a day here in rainy Seattle, even with a night of dancing (though dancing knocks my numbers up).
These devices are a great addition to vacations to see just how fit you’re staying while on vacation.
Recommended steps:
- long term health and reduced chronic disease risk: 10,000 steps a day
- successful, sustained weight loss: 12,000 - 15,000 steps a day
- aerobic fitness: Make 3,000 or more of your daily steps fast
How many steps is how many miles? You’ll have to calibrate your personal pedometer by walking a distance that you’ve measured and see what your pedometer says. Everyone has different paces, bodies, postures, length of stride, walking speed, etc. always varies so a given number cannot say for everyone. A mile is generally 5,280 feet. You can divide that by your steps in a mile and find the distance between each of your steps to figure out your stride.
So the real question is … how many steps do you do each day?
Health Insurance for Seniors on the ‘Net
Article by William H. Pritchett
When a good friend of mine inquired where he could obtain information about medical insurance for his out-of-state, elderly mother, I told him to try the Internet.
He reported back to me about a week later, in desperation: “I am giving up, I am too confused.” He had taken on an overwhelming project with his widowed mother, living in another state. As the only child, and following the sudden death of his father, it was his responsibility to care for his mother.
In this world of technology, the family unit is often living in different geographical areas and the family members are usually quite involved with their own lives, careers, and families. In addition, when both parents are alive, often one or both parents are quite independent and do not require a lot of assistance. As time goes on things, of course, change, and sometimes change very suddenly. There can be a crisis, with regard to the health care needs of one or both aging parents.
With our baby boomers facing this problem in ever increasing numbers, and with the information highway in full bloom, there is a definite need for planning.
Protecting your parent’s assets and health is a huge and daunting undertaking, which requires a tremendous amount of education and practical application. Our seniors face many diverse responsibilities upon reaching age 65. To name just a few: Estate planning, taxation, Medicare, social security, wills, insurance, and various other legal and financial matters. All of these different areas require expertise from accountants, lawyers, estate planners, insurance agents, home brokers, financial advisors, and others.
The Internet is a good starting point for most people to find resources for questions and solutions for your problems. There is, however, no replacement for good solid intelligent advice from an expert.
Twenty years ago, insurance for elders was sold by “senior insurance specialists”, with just a handful of companies in each state. The programs were most often Medi-gap or Medicare supplemental policies, which covered the expenses not covered by Medicare, including hospital and doctor deductibles, durable medical devices, and non-approved Medicare costs. Ironically these specialists did not sell a lot of nursing care policies, even though Medicare paid a national average of less than 2% of these expenses. With the advent of “financial and estate planning” and more insurance companies entering this market, a more broad and diversified product line became available to agents, brokers, planners, and seniors.
Part of this new diversification was the “home health care plan”, sold by itself, and in conjunction with senior health insurance products. The appeal of the “home health care policy” was that a senior could stay at home and still receive medical and custodial benefits, allowing a person to recuperate in the comfort of their own home.
This was the answer to a huge problem. The last place an older person wanted to go was a “retirement home”, or “rest home”, or, God forbid, the “nursing home.” It appeared that seniors could now rely on this new innovation without worry of having to move out of their home environment in the event of a health problem.
As with most things,” if it is too good to be true”…. The home health care policy is no exception. The problem is, there is not enough coverage for a lengthy illness or recuperation time. The fact is, the new trend is toward an “all in one” type facility, allowing for a variety of levels of care all in one location. In other words a senior could start off with little or no health care concerns in an independent, less expensive area, and then go to an assisted living, or nursing care facility, all within the same compound.
A “nursing home” requires a nurse on the premises 24 hours per day, assisted living is just eight hours. The advantages to this are financial. The patient or senior is only charged according to the care level required during the time he or she is admitted to that facility. Another benefit is it alleviates a lot of planning because the care is delivered, as it is needed. The medical attention is available to all residents regardless of their current health.
Some people are offered a lifetime package, which covers their care for the rest of their life, regardless of their current age. It also allows for social outlets to an otherwise somewhat isolated group. On-line shopping services have become a huge business. It is definitely here to stay and many insurance policies are purchased from Internet quotes and on-line applications.
There are literally hundreds of thousands of insurance agents and brokers advertising on the Internet. Most of them will provide instant on-line quotes and even applications for the potential insured. I highly discourage a layperson to purchase insurance in this fashion. A little knowledge can be dangerous.
The federal government has mandated to all states through legislation, the standardized senior health insurance policy guidelines, which are governed and regulated by each state insurance department.
There are plans for almost every level of health. Some are designed and priced for a less than healthy individual. Others are for a person with minimal health concerns. . The whole concept of insurance is to provide protection for “unanticipated” sickness or injury, especially catastrophic expenses, which would devastate a person’s net worth. The more small expenses a person is willing or able to pay (self-insure), the lower the rate. I recommend this strategy when evaluating your insurance options.
Another consideration when reviewing various insurance plans is to look at the company itself. How long has the company been selling this type of insurance? Do they have a lot of complaints filed with the local department of insurance? Are the rates stable? Does it pay claims on time? Service? Most agents talk about the rating. These ratings are as follows: A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, or “not rated”.
Do not be fooled by rating alone. It is good to have a high rating, but it is far better to have a company that has longevity, stability, innovation, service, and expertise. The problem is that some companies enter into a market and quickly leave without explanation. This does not give security to the policyholder.
The most important consideration should be a review of the profit/loss ratio for that product. This will establish stability, and longevity in the market. An insurance company with a moderate profit in a particular line of business will remain in that market. On the other hand, a company with losses will make changes and possibly even withdraw. This is information not normally available to Internet users.
Before entering into an insurance contract, the senior person, the family, and other advisors must be realistic, and a careful evaluation of the entire picture must be examined. The age, the health of the senior, the financial resources, the personality and attitude of the senior, and most importantly the desires of the senior, should all be considered.
Early planning is important, as qualification becomes increasingly more difficult as the applicant’s health declines. The senior health care market is complex. I will offer some words of advice to attempt to alleviate potential pitfalls. *C hoose a well-informed, seasoned, and service oriented agent or broker to assist your decision making process. The professional can offer invaluable information, but do not be afraid to ask a lot of questions and even get a second opinion. *Do not wait until your parent or loved one is sick, or injured. Plan ahead and take the time needed to cover all the options. *C hoose an experienced insurance company. A Company that has been in the marketplace for a significant time and has maintained a balance of rates and benefits and sound risk selection with moderate rate increases over time is your best bet. *T he plan should be flexible, with a broad range of options and benefit selections to the insured. There should be no tricks, or complicated language for the coverage. An incredibly low rate is a red flag for trouble in the future. *Do not rush or be rushed by an over aggressive sales person.
This policy will not be inexpensive and will need to be read and reviewed for a clear understanding of the contents. This is one advantage to the Internet. You are allowed to read indefinitely before you act.
A long-term care program, with or without insurance coverage, will only work if the senior has input into the care selection process. If there are any questions about the accreditation of a facility please call the “Continuing Care Accreditation Commission at 202-783-7286.
About The Author
William H. Pritchett Sr.
Bio: William H. Pritchett sr. has been involved in the senior care health field for over 20 years. he is the former president of great republic health company, and is the founder/c.e.o of empire homecare resources, inc., a national website for seniors and the disabled. he is a graduate of the university of washington, and has written “caring for a family member at home” and has produced several home health care videos.
willprt@cs.com