MamaFlo's Place

Apologize

2009-08-23T22:01:00.001-05:00

I want to apologize to all those blogs I drop on everyday but today EC was down the vast majority of the day and now when I have some time the day is almost over and I won't get everyone done - I'm very sorry!
What happened with EC anyway - anyone know for certain?

From Howdy Doody to Erectile Dysfunction

2009-08-17T07:36:00.004-05:00

I enjoy watching “some” television but I’m increasingly disillusioned with the advertising and the programing of most channels. No doubt I should remind you that I’m 54 years old and started out young with no television in the house and black and white picture when we finally did get TV, and the few times a week that we were given permission to watch television instead of playing outside or doing chores we watched the likes of Howdy Doody, Red Skelton, and Wagon Train. Adults had begun watching Peyton Place and Soap Operas. My mother didn’t allow us to watch either, she said the story line was for adults only (of course this kind of attitude drove teenagers to have to see what they were missing).

How did we move to Sex In The City, Taxi Cab Confessions, commercials about erectile dysfunction, menstrual periods, birth control, cursing, adults half or fully undressed, or dressed so seductively and suggestively?

I'm not a prude and I've been known to be able to take any topic and turn it into something sexual (I grew up with 5 brothers and their friends), but most of the time I talk this way with girlfriends or my husband not in a public forum and certainly not around small children.

Is all this in your face sexual content really ncessary? Is everything in the end about the almighty buck?

What I think about paying for healthcare

2009-08-12T12:02:00.004-05:00

So much debate (as there should be) on health care reform and it's gotten me to thinking about why there are so many people that feel that health care should be inexpensive if not free. Yes we have health care but we pay a pretty penny for that care/policy. We have an HMO and although it doesn't cover necessarily all doctors or all procedures it's been good for us (my husband with cancer and me with copd-emphysema). We have a copay for what seems like more and more procedures but that's okay, it's still less expensive than the alternative.
If everyone were to pay for their health care it would probably be less expensive. When someone goes into an emergency room for care and they don't have insurance, someone has to pay for this specialized care (and the ER is a medical specialty) and who pays for it are all the people that are already paying for health care insurance (as the costs are passed through the insurance companies for care and they pass the cost on to it's members).

I don't believe that if you want to pay for your insurance that they should be able to turn you down for pre-existing conditions.

My son is a doctor and he's gone to school/trained/worked for 9 years since he finished college and is finally ready to take his oral boards to to board certified. He and his wife have taken on a huge amount of debt for medical school and living expenses during residency and his fellowship when he wasn't making diddly (his wife was working). Doctors really do have to pay for their training and testing (yes they pay to be tested). Doctors also have to pay for their health care (no they don't treat themselves or their family members).
Contrary to popular belief, "most" doctors do not make a huge salary.

What Do You Think Is Your Responsibility?

2009-08-05T16:12:00.002-05:00

I was reading a post on another blog and the blogger was talking about it being her responsibility to leave her children/grandchildren an inheritance. I'm wondering if this is the case in different countries.
I thought Wow, I'll leave enough to pay whatever debt I may still have at the time and leave enough to deal with my death but otherwise, I'm spending the money I worked for, I'm not planning on leaving my children/grandchildren an inheritance (although there will probably be one).

What about you, do you think you are "responsible" for leaving your heirs an inheritance?

Who Else Has Experience with Pristiq?

2009-07-27T10:05:00.006-05:00

Because the anti-anxiety/panic attack meds my PCP put me on initially didn't work he put me on Pristiq which is more of an anti-depressant and supposedly much like Effexor (which I've been on in the past). Anyway, this post is about the side effects which to me are plentiful and much more than I've had with any medication that I've ever taken. Nausea (but no vomiting and I'm able to eat although I'm not hungry at all), fuzzy head, and the worse for me - severe sweating of my head and neck (this is much worse than the hot flashes of menopause). What I've read and what my doctor says, makes me believe these side effects will diminish over the next few weeks as the medication builds up in my system (today is day 4).

Is anyone else on this medication and if so what kind of side effects did you encounter and when did they go away?

Meds took away one issue and gave me a much bigger one

2009-07-21T19:56:00.006-05:00

(Actually I feel a lot better since I ran out of those pills you prescribed me)

I was experiencing some panic/anxiety attacks recently (since starting pulmonary rehab actually) and so my doctor prescribed Ativan/Lorazapam/Xanax, all kinda the same stuff. Well the panic attacks subsided and I started sleeping lots better but damn I was depressed and crying all the time, couldn't find a reason to get up, I was mean and spiteful (yes that is different from me generally).
I stopped taking those pills and in 24 hours I already feel much better. I have another appointment to see him on Thursday and we're going to have to find another med.

On an upside - I have stopped going to Pulmonary Rehab because it was too crowded all the time and I'm not someone that likes to wait. I have found a gym (not near me) that I'm using and already feeling so much stronger.

Who Should Be Cleaning Up This Mess?

2009-07-19T13:52:00.004-05:00

I'm tired of everywhere I drive seeing scenes like this, people just discarding their trash out their windows, flies out of the back of their pick ups, or is just simply dumped by the trash bag load. Why isn't the city or the state cleaning this up?
Why can't all the people getting public assistance get out to pick up the trash, that way at least I'd feel better about them getting the assistance. We should feel responsible for paying back assistance that we get. Everyone falls on hard times once in awhile but damn you should have a need to pay it back some way.
I remember growing up (I'm the oldest of 7 and my father was a public servant who didn't make a stellar salary) and when we needed to go to the doctor and there just wasn't the money to pay then my parents cooked, cleaned, did what was necessary to "pay" for the services. I guess it was a way to barter.
Now a days it seems people think they are just entitled to anything they want without paying anything for it, now or ever.

But back to the main topic.............picking up the trash on the sides of the streets should be done by those people not working a job (and are physically able) and getting money from the government.

Chasing The Bubbles

2009-07-11T18:32:00.005-05:00

We drove to visit with our GrandSon Rudy over the last few days and we found that we've been away from him for wayyyyyy too long, he's gone from being a toddler to being a little boy and it did my spirits a world of good to see this happy little man play. His Mommy is still a little girl at heart and had more fun than Rudy or even their bullies playing with the bubbles.

I was a little worried about how Rudy would handle seeing me with the oxygen but he didn't even make a notice to it much - Whewwww, what a relief!!!

Rudy is back from Mexico

2009-06-30T15:50:00.007-05:00

My son and his family just got back from Mexico where they had a wonderful Club Med Vacation. I'm posting the photo of their family because it's just a great photo of the three of them but the other photos are just precious of Rudy and a few with Rudy and his Daddy.

Rudy loved the waves and I love these photos of my son and grandson.

Looking pretty smug.
My own little Pancho Villa.

Pulmonary Rehab

2009-06-22T20:32:00.004-05:00

I've now been to 3 rehab sessions and I'm hopeful, I feel good exercising. They told me today that I work too hard at completing the repetitions too quickly, that I'm not breathing correctly (in through the nose and out through pursed lips) and therefore the oxygen in my blood is dropping too quickly (today at a point down to 80 when it should be in the 90's and many times down to 81 and 82) - geez, I thought I was breathing even though I was huffing and puffing.
I purchased free weights to use at home and I'm thinking I need a treadmill and maybe a stationary bike (both are used in my rehab) - does anyone have opinions on good ones?
I attend rehab 3x a week and they want me to continue to exercise daily. Hmmm, would it be better to just get a gym membership?
I was also told that it appears I'm having panic/anxiety attacks as I exercise and that I need to relax - how do I do this?

Why Do People Stare?

2009-06-13T16:10:00.004-05:00

I have been on oxygen now for almost 2 weeks and I find that when I go to the neighborhood grocery store that people really stare and move out of my way. I carry my portable oxygen tank in a backpack and I have found that it's easier wearing a waist pack/fanny pack than it is my purse. Today there were plenty of children that pointed and remarked "what's wrong with that lady's face" and the response from their parents was "Shhhhhh." Pisses me off that the parents don't take the time to explain to their children that the lady has a hard time breathing and that thing on her face gives her air so she can breath.

Apple's WWDC

2009-06-08T10:39:00.002-05:00

To quote TUAW "Today's a day filled with incredible anticipation for Apple fans. The Apple Worldwide Developers Conference opens with a keynote by Apple Senior VP of Product Marketing Phil Schiller, who is widely expected to announce the availability of the 3rd generation of iPhone firmware and hardware, provide a release date for Snow Leopard (Mac OS X 10.6), and hopefully throw in a few surprises in the meantime."

At 10:00am Pacific time TODAY

Who Said Rudy Could Become a Big Boy?

2009-05-31T20:05:00.007-05:00

My DIL posted some new photos of my favorite little man, my grandson Rudy. He's looking more and more like a little boy instead of a baby and seeing his smiling face gives me tremendous joy!!

COPD & Emphysema

2009-05-29T11:42:00.003-05:00

As many of you know, I was a smoker for 36 years and quit in September 2007 with the help of Chantix.
Even though I quit, my breathing has gotten increasingly worse. A few months ago I went to see a Pulmonologist and he started me on a few more medications (some inhalers), and ordered lung scans and some blood work. Earlier this week I went back for a f/u and was told I have COPD-Emphysema, he ordered oxygen (delivered and set-up today, actually I'm using it right now) and Respiratory Rehabilitation which I will start this coming week hopefully.
All this and I'm not quite 54 years old - DAMN!!!!
Not everyone that smokes will get COPD (although most will get at least a mild form) or worse yet Emphysema but I was one that did.
I wish I had never lit a single cigarette.

Some Wildlife We Encountered Along The Way

2009-05-26T07:00:00.002-05:00

These are some of the wildlife we encountered. Click on the photos, open them up and take in the detail.

These first two photos are of a sea lion colony in the waters around Juneau, Alaska

This is a real Alaskan Husky :)

The only bear I was able to photograph was this one but alas it was stuffed

Saw plenty of whales but was never able to get a photograph of one breaching. There were dozens we saw with their babies and we were even able to see 2 of the babies interacting. Some photos I got the whales looked colored like sea monsters (this analogy was for the reaction of my sister Jocelyn), I'm supposing it was due to the sun catching them just a certain way.

Of course the Bald Eagle.

This is a raven in Sitka, Alaska and they are huge birds almost the size of the Bald Eagle and revered in the culture.

And now there are butterflies, beautiful delicate butterflies - are they wildlife or just insects?

My Grandson's First Haircut

2009-05-25T19:44:00.007-05:00

I just had to share this landmark event (yeah maybe not for you but definitely for Rudy's family). Rudy was an incredible little trooper and he's just a happy well adjusted little boy - I give great credit to my Daughter-In-Law and Son, they are doing a great job as parents!!

Buschart Gardens in Victoria, BC

2009-05-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

All photos can and should be enlarged to full resolution.

Glaciers, Beautiful Glacial Ice

2009-05-24T11:15:00.000-05:00

Remember - you can click on the photos to see them in large/full resolution.

The first two photos are the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau.

These next 5 photos are of Hubbard Glacier and the ice fields in Glacier Bay. We were fortunate enough to have glorious weather the day we cruised there and the ship's captain was able to get us to almost a half mile from the glacier (this is very close for mid May).

I'm Back and Ready to Post Photos

2009-05-23T13:06:00.014-05:00

All photos may be enlarged (full size to get impact). I took way too many photos to post them all on this blog but I will over the period of the next week post many of the photos taken in no particular order.

Bald Eagles are plentiful in Alaska wherever there are tall pines.

Skagway, Alaksa on the WhitePass Railway. Skagway, Alaska as we road on the WhitePass Railroad.

Area in Sitka where we waited for our tender. Of course the scenery was so beautiful we could have waited for hours and it wouldn't have mattered.

Huge totem pole in Sitka National Park (that's me to give emphasis to the sheer size of the totem pole). This park was filled with wonderful totems as you walked through the forest.
Scenery photo as we were departing Sitka, Alaska.
Butterfly at Butterfly Garden, Victoria, BC.
This is a moth (name escapes me) but it's huge and was at the Butterfly Garden in Victoria, BC.
This is our ship, Celebrity Infinity as pictured in Sitka. This photo was taken from the shoreline as we walked to Sitka National Park.
This is an old volcano (as in no longer active) in Sitka.
This of course is the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. We actually cruised right under the bridge at the beginning of our cruise to Alaska. Although the day was clear and it wasn't really cold it was unbelievably windy by the time we set sail around 5pm and became almost unbearable by the time we cruised under the bridge.

Almost Over

2009-05-21T19:01:00.003-05:00

Today we were in Victoria, BC. Beautiful city!!! We visited the Butterfly Garden and Butchart Gardens - to say I took photos would do the number a huge injustice. There were 2 other Royal Caribbean ships in port with us (Mariner of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas). I've been thinking about what were my favorite ports of call this cruise and I would say without a doubt it was Skagway, Sitka, and Victoria, of course seeing the Hubbard Glacier was fabulous but I don't consider it a port.
The cruise itself was okay, not the best I've been on but certainly not the worst either. Celebrity's "M" Class ships are my favorite of any line because of the use of glass, it's modern and airy and sophisticated. The service on this cruise left much to the imagination, there was a lack in the level of personal service and accomodation. The food was fine but certainly not up to the Celebrity standard.
Will begin posting photos (I've taken more than 3,000 this trip) later this weekend, check back. I'll be glad to get back to my blogging friends and visiting everyone's blogs.

Today Was Hubbard Glacier

2009-05-18T19:33:00.002-05:00

Well the cruise is winding down :( but today we visited Hubbard Glacier and we were able to get almost a half mile from the Glacier as the day was gorgeous with perfectly blue skies without clouds, and little wind (it was still really cold however). I guess this is very unusual for this time of the season to get this close. As I look out the windows at 4:30 (Alaska time), I see we still have beautiful blue skies with abundant sunshine. Aside from an overcast day with a short amount of rain time in Juneau, the weather has been pristine for May in Alaska.
Tomorrow we visit Sitka Alaska.
I have taken in excess of 3,000 photos already (now you know why I take my laptop). I love being able to take huge amounts of photos and then choose which to keep instead of taking a few that may or may not turn out.

I will get back to my dropping and commenting on Saturday as I know I have a great deal to "pay back".

Thank you everyone for being my friend and continuing to visit during the time when I'm unable to drop.

HELLO from Alaska

2009-05-17T13:05:00.000-05:00

We have been cruising for 6 days already (5 more left). We’ve been to Ketchikan, Juneau, and today we were in Skagway. We’ve been fortunate enough to see whales (females and their babies), colonies of sea lions, dolphins, bald eagles, and a brown bear. We have encountered scenery that cannot be explained in words but photos may help (will have to wait until I get home as the internet speed onboard is SLOW). My favorite place so far has been Skagway (population is about 600 year round but nears 900 in the summer during cruise/tourist season). Tomorrow(actually today) we will be in Icy Strait Point/Hoonah, the day after we cruise Hubbard Glacier, then Sitka, and eventually Victoria, BC and then will end in Vancouver BC.

Please Don't Leave Me!!

2009-05-11T06:00:00.001-05:00

Forgive me if I don't reciprocate your drops. I will be on an Alaskan Cruise with my husband from 5/11-5/22. I'm taking my laptop but the connections on the ship are painfully slow and very expensive so I'll be lucky to check email and post from time to time.
I promise to post plenty of photos when I get back home.

My EC Dropping Habit

2009-05-06T09:26:00.006-05:00

I'd like to tell you a little more about my Entrecard drop experience........I drop 300 EC's daily (except while I'm traveling) and I get between 350-400 dropped on me daily.
I try to comment on 30-50 blogs daily.

I drop first from the list on my blog of those blogs not accepting paid EC ads and then I drop from my inbox, occasionally dropping on a blog who's EC widget looks interesting - I make no deviation from this practice.

What are your EC Drop Habits?

You'd Think I Was Giving Away Sexual Favors

2009-05-05T17:26:00.005-05:00

I'm excited about the number of blogs (and I realize I'm just scratching the surface) that are not accepting Paid Entrecard Ads. If you don't know, I started (and subsequently others have also) a list of blogs that are not accepting paid EC ads (the list of more than 102 blogs are listed in the right hand column). The reason is I wanted to know where I could advertise and get 100% airtime. I spend a good deal of time daily reading blogs and dropping and advertising and I deserve the profit I was used to getting too - we should be grandfathered.

I'm not trying to deny Graham from making a profit, I just believe there was a better way for him to accomplish that profit. If he comes out with a redeveloped widget (possibly 2 sided) then I would possibly reconsider.

Can anyone tell me a steadfast method for keeping paid ads out of the mix if you aren't checking your dashboard all the time? We will be traveling coming up soon and although I'm going to try to log on each day for awhile and post something, I don't want an ad sneaking in if I don't log in.

Oh Yeah.............I'm NOT Giving Away Sexual Favors in case you're still wondering - Lol :)