Archive for December, 2007

Make a Resolution to “Go Green” in 2008

Alpine Village Family December 27th, 2007

We all make New Year’s resolutions to lose weight (yes I will too ;) ) .

Wouldn’t it be great though if we all made a resolution to purchase more eco products that could help our planet instead of hurting it? Certainly, if the idea of global warming hasn’t frightened all of us with tornados and tsunamis, Al Gore’s film “An Inconvenient Truth” should have :shock: .

Speaking for myself, I know that my family would make more eco friendly decisions if we were more aware of other options and how easy the changes could be. To that end, I set out to get more information and came accross the website - greenandmore.com - it’s quite informative.

Not only do they offer hundreds of eco friendly products for purchase (even eco furniture, home decor and accessories - including handbags!), they also have a green learning center with great info. from sources like the EPA and US Dept. of Energy. Did you know that, even when they are not working or “on”, plugged in appliances still use energy and cost you money? It’s true!

What I especially enjoyed though was their company blog section where employees share their stories about going green - pretty cool. Who knew kitty litter was a great alternative to salt for traction in snowy weather?!

I’m Going To Surprise The Kids With A Visit!

Alpine Village Family December 27th, 2007

Now that I have a job outside of the home I have to work duing the kids’ Christmas holidays. So, today Hubby took the kids up north to the cottage and I went to work. I’ll be working tomorrow too but, instead of working on Monday like I thought I had to, my boss said that I could use a holiday day :D . It hadn’t even occurred to me to ask because I don’t want to seem like I don’t care about my job. BUT she suggested it and I’m really excited :)

So, Saturday morning I’ll be packing my Samsonite luggage into the van and driving 4 hours to surprise my family and friends! I’m soooo excited about it! Not only will I get to see them after all but I might get to ski with the kids too - yay! Yet another reason why I LOVE my job. What a great company; what a great boss!

Beautiful Kitchens Make Me Want To Cook

Alpine Village Family December 26th, 2007

There is something about a beautiful kitchen that makes me want to get out the mixing bowls and utensils and get to cooking :) . I’d love to have a kitchen that looks like it came out of a magazine. I’d pick a white farmer’s sink, dark wooden countertops, Danze fauctes and a blue glass, small tiled backsplash.

In the meantime, I’ll just tell myself that I’m saving some calories because I don’t have a kitchen that makes me want to cook LOL!! :D Ahhh… there always IS and upside ;)

Diabetes and Pregnancy

Alpine Village Family December 23rd, 2007

While expectant parents wish for a problem-free pregnancy, unfortunately this is not always the case. There are some women that suffer complications of their pregnancy and while some may be more mild than others, occasionally women are diagnosed with more serious illnesses. Medical reports show that over 140, 000 women in the USA will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes this year alone. Gestational diabetes normally occurs in the last three to four months of a pregnancy.

The cause of gestational diabetes is largely unknown, although there is some link to pregnancy hormones and the placenta. If your body is unable to make or use all the insulin it needs, glucose remaining in the blood eventually reaches abnormally high levels.

Unlike other health problems, gestational diabetes does not normally result in birth defects; however, it can have repercussions for the baby. Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes tend to be large and this can lead to injuries to the child’s shoulders during the normal birthing process. The babies can have jaundice, low glucose levels and higher insulin levels than is the norm, as well as breathing problems. It is also believed that babies born with high insulin levels are at a higher risk for obesity.

Gestational diabetes can also cause problems for the mother, as delivering a larger-than-normal baby can be difficult and, in many instances, results in a caesarian section. In addition, gestational diabetes increases the risk of developing type II diabetes later on in life.

Gestational diabetes or GD is a type of diabetes that affects only pregnant women. It is normally identified in the last few months before giving birth. However, like other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes is treated by a combination of medication, diet, and exercise. In general, a balanced diet is required with some foods avoided in preference of others. A medical practitioner will provide advice on maintenance and control during the pregnancy and, if required, after the birth of the baby.

Moderate exercise is also recommended to help control gestational diabetes, although previous levels of physical activity have to be taken into account. Physical activity helps the body use up the excess glucose without the need for extra insulin. If you were not exercising before you got pregnant, it would be unwise to start any strenuous exercise at this stage of your pregnancy.

It is also important to monitor your sugar level closely. Set up a routine so that you know when to test your glucose level.

A diagnosis of GD or gestational diabetes in one pregnancy is normally an indication that the same diagnosis will happen again in later pregnancies. However, gestational diabetes normally goes away within a few weeks of giving birth, although many women do later on develop type I or II diabetes during their lives.

Words That Can Make You Big Adsense Money

Alpine Village Family December 19th, 2007

A while back I started looking into Google Adsense. I became fascinated with the words that were high paying - meaning that advertisers paid Google (and thereby a website owner who posted Google’s Adwords ads) big money to target.

One of those high paying phrases was mesothelioma treatment. Problem is, high paying words get a lot of interest from those who build websites just for Adsense. That means that a lot of website owners will make sites about mesothelioma and THAT makes it very hard to get your viewed by visitors.

Anyway, personally it does make me wonder how many people are making good money creating sites just to attract big Google dollars. I know I wish I was :D .

Nana & Papa Are In Florida Again!

Alpine Village Family December 17th, 2007

Hubby’s mom and her hubby, like a lot of retired Canadians, spend their winters in Florida. They have a great place that backs onto a golf course, lots of friends around and weather that won’t make their arthritis worse ;) .

When they went down this year though, they even decided to stay in Condo Hotels for a week just to be on a beach too. The white sand is gorgeous and the weather was sunny and hot… Makes me want to retire too LOL!!

Simple Toys

Alpine Village Family December 16th, 2007

In the world of toys, there is a battle raging: technology versus back to basics toys. On one side, we have the people who say it is best to start a child learning how to use today’s technology as soon as possible. On the other hand, we have the people who say classic baby toys are best and help to foster imagination and creativity. The latter group believes that today’s high tech toys do too much for the kids and that there is very little imagination involved.

Back to basics toys are also called “active” toys. These toys require the child to make up their own games. Classic baby toys include building block, toy cars and trucks, dolls and puzzles, toys that don’t have a computer chip in them to guide the child through a game by “talking” or moving automatically. These automated toys are also referred to as “passive” toys, because the child doesn’t have to do anything except press a button to make the toys work.

Examples of classic baby toys are many and varied. Building blocks and ride-on toys have been around for generations. Any toy that simulates household activities is classic and appropriate, such as a toy cooking set, toy tools or toy shopping cart. Music making devices such as toy pianos or guitars are also highly popular toys that help spark the imagination and are considered back to basics toys. Animal related toys such as play farms or animal sound machines are also excellent classic baby toys. Some form of fort, tunnel or other climbing and crawling spot is highly recommended as well.

When selecting back to basics toys, it is wise to consider the message that is being conveyed. For example, toy guns are highly popular classics. Many parents feel that there is nothing wrong with this, while others feel that toy guns send the message that gun violence is acceptable. If you are buying the toy for a child that is not your own, make sure that you get the parents’ approval prior to purchasing any violence-oriented toy.

Along the same lines, it has always been the tradition to purchase baby boy gifts or baby girl gifts. Baby boy gifts fit the traditional masculine profile, such as guns and trucks and hammers, while baby girl gifts accentuated the traditional female roles with dolls, cooking equipment and housekeeping toys. Many parents are now against following those gender lines, eschewing baby boy gifts and baby girl gifts in favor of more gender-neutral presents. Others take the opposite approach, encouraging their boys to play with traditional “girl toys” and daughters to play with “boy toys.” When purchasing baby gifts, be sure that you are sensitive to the parents’ wishes in this regard.

Whether the child uses back to basics toys or the high-tech toys is up to the parents. There is no definitive answer. The best way is probably one where you balance out the two options. While it is important for today’s children to familiarize themselves with modern technology, we have to remember that there is no replacement for an active imagination.

Did you get engaged at Christmas?

Alpine Village Family December 15th, 2007

As I was out shopping today I passed a jewelery store filled with people. The thing was, most of them were young-ish guys.

That got me to wondering how many of them might be looking to buy engagement rings. Maybe it’s just me being romantic LOL! But, I do wonder how many diamond rings get purchased to be Christmas surprises. Wouldn’t it be cute to have it hanging on the tree - or even at the top of the tree like a star :D ??

Is Gambling Your Idea of Relaxation?

Alpine Village Family December 14th, 2007

Personally my vacations all revolve around a pool in a sunny warm place. Not to say that I wouldnt’ like to travel, because I would like to site-see etc. as well, BUT laying by a pool would be a big part of my day ;).

For others though, the ideal vacation involves Las Vegas hotel reservations and time spent in a casino gambling. I do try to understand it, but the idea of risking my hard earned money in a machine, or on a table playing cards, is very unappealing to me.

To each their own though. Besides, the beauty of Vegas is that one can tan by the pool by day and gamble all night - if one was so inclined of course ;) - which I’m not LOL!

How about you? Are you a vacation-gambler?

We need to rent some grandparents please :)

Alpine Village Family December 10th, 2007

I think I need a trip. Actually I KNOW that I need a trip I’m just not sure where to go. I could hit a few places and do a sort of road trip to a few places like San Diego. I could do some sight seeing, eat some good food and just wander.

Or, I could go to a very warm place and lay by the pool working on my tan and drinking fruity drinks ;) I have to admit the sun by the pool sounds pretty inviting. Of course the issue is what it always is - no babysitter who can watch our kids for a week.

I often wonder if those who have family close by who can watch their kids actually realize how lucky they are. I think that week-long trips can really help to solidify a relationship and help Moms and Dads remember why they got married in the first place ;)

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