Formal Friday: Planned Parenthood

When I say the name Planned Parenthood, what comes to mind?

For me, I think of help.

I had started going to planned parenthood when I was just over 16. My mother took me to a OB-Gyn for the first time. She told me that it was important that a woman take care of herself and get a womanly physical each year. While we were at the doctor's office, some issues came to the forefront. It seemed that I had Endometriosis. The only drug available to help with this issue is birth control pills. Apparently the hormones in the pills help regulate the abdominal pain by lessening the amount of estrogen in the body. My insurance would not pay for the birth control pills because they are an elective medication. They referred me to the closest PP, the one in Avon.

I would go each month to PP and pay for my medication, all of 5 dollars a month. This was much better than the $50 I would of had to pay at the pharmacy. I started getting my annual physical there as well (which was free until I turned 21, then it cost $15). If it were not for PP, I would have spent an arm load for medical treatment I needed, or I would have stopped seeking the treatment I needed.

I currently read this blog and I was moved by the change in perspective this doctor had. IN fact, my favorite lines in the whole things are this:

In fact, it may sound ironic, but I’m pretty confident when I say this: No matter what your
feelings are about the subject, there would be more abortions performed in this
country if Planned Parenthood didn’t exist. Let me explain.
The patients I’ve seen have been, in general, young, healthy women, ages 12 to 26. They
come in primarily for three things:

1. annual exams (pap smears, breast exams, etc.),
2. sexually-transmitted infection (STIs) diagnosis and treatment,
3. and birth control.

In general, I was a participant in numbers 1 and 3 (They automatically do 2 when you go for an annual exam).

I now am without insurance, and I will be going back to my roots to keep taking care of myself. If it weren't for PP, I don't know if I could.

Thirsty Thursday: sleep

It is no secret that we are living in a sleep deprived country. Most people I know brag about how little they sleep. In fact, my friends harp on me for taking a small nap during the day when Alec goes down. I feel I need it just as much as he does, but I take only a smaller amount (he goes for four hours, I go for 30 min.). It is true that I work on little sleep, but my poor body is feeling the tolls of shorter nights and longer days. I have found myself to be more irritable, tired, less energetic, more apt to watch television, and more likely to eat high fat/carbohydrated food. I would like to change that about myself. I am bringing you along for my sleep ride.

While doing some research, I found some interesting fact about sleep:

• Those who sleep fewer than six hours a night don't live as long as those who sleep seven hours or more.
• The National Commission on Sleep Disorders estimates that sleep deprivation costs $150 billion a year in higher stress and reduced workplace productivity.
• Getting the sleep that you need is likely to enhance your overall quality of life
• The more you invest in your sleep, the bigger return you will see in everything else that you do. Sleeping is your most valuable activity of the day.
  

These are just a few. I provided some links to check out on sleeping positives and negativies.

I decided a few months ago to try and sleep better. I covered all my windows in my bedroom with black fabric, made my room comfy and cozy, and made sure that all electronic equpment was turned off when I went to bed. I have been sleeping better, but my sleep still isn't satisfying to me. I decided to look online to see if there were a few things I was missing, and you know what, there were. At Sleep Education.com
I found that there were many things to do to get better rest. I didn't realize that there were different sleeping habits for women and men (which I find it hard to believe) but you should check them out for yourselves. I'm only going to post ones that are for women because I'm a woman. If you want to find out more, you will have to do a little of your own research.

• Make your bedroom a comfortable and safe place. Reduce noises and extreme temperatures that might disturb you.
• Use light and comfortable bed linens and garments.
• Go to bed only when you are sleepy and use the bed only for sleeping and sex.
• Begin rituals to help you relax at bedtime, such as taking a soothing bath or enjoying a light snack.
• Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, including weekends and holidays.
• If you need to take a nap, keep it to less than one hour and take it before 3 p.m.
• Only drink caffeine in the morning, and avoid alcohol and cigarettes late in the day.
• Stay away from fatty, spicy foods that are likely to upset your stomach or cause heartburn.
• Set aside time during the day to get all of your worries out of your system.
• Increase vitamin E in your diet, or take a vitamin E supplement.
• Hormone replacement therapy may help you sleep better by relieving severe hot flashes related to menopause. Ask your doctor for advice about this kind of treatment.
• Only use sleeping pills when supervised by a doctor.
• Talk to your doctor or a sleep specialist if you have an ongoing problem related to your sleep.

Happy Sleeping!

Tirade Tuesday: people

I am so tired of people. I think I'm beginning to loathe the entire human race, with the exception of children. Why is it that we constantly refer to people that we don't share values with as immature and childish. Last time I checked children actually had more sense than most "adults" I know. My son can sit there and play nicely (and share) with someone he has never met before, regardless of color, gender, culture, and beliefs. It is a shame that you all consider yourself adults. My 18 month old has more sense than you...well, actually he sometimes has more sense than me.

*disclaimer* if you think it's about you, it just might not be. Quit jumping to conclusions and answering out of hate. I assure you it's not about you anymore.

Song Bird Sunday: Go to sleep

I love this woman.



Fiona Apple
Sleep To Dream lyrics

I tell you how I feel
But you don't care
I say tell me the truth
But you don't dare
You say love is a hell
You cannot bear
And I say gimme mine
Back and then go there
For all I care
I got my feet
On the ground
And I don't go to
Sleep to dream
You got your head
In the clouds
And you're not at
All what you seem
This mind, this body
And this voice cannot be
Stifled by your deviant ways
So don't forget what I told you
Don't come around
I got my own hell to raise

I have never been
So insulted in all my life
I could swallow the seas
To wash down all this pride
First you run like a fool
Just to be at my side
And now you run like a fool
But you just run to hide
And I can't abide

I got my feet
On the ground
And I don't go
To sleep to dream
You got your head
In the clouds and
You're not at all
What you seem
This mind, this body
And this voice cannot be
Stifled by your deviant ways
So don't forget what I told you
Don't come around
I got my own hell to raise

Don't make it a big deal
Don't be so sensitive
We're not playing
A game anymore
You don't have
To be so defensive
Don't you plead me your case
Don't bother to explain
Don't even show me your face
'Cause it's a crying shame
Just go back to the rock
From under which you came
Take the sorrow you gave
And all the stakes you claim
And don't forget the blame

I got my feet
On the ground
And I don't go
To sleep to dream
You got your head
In the clouds and
You're not at all
What you seem
This mind, this body
And this voice cannot be
Stifled by your deviant ways
So don't forget
What I told you
Don't come around
I got my own hell to raise

Silly Saturday: Rosanne Barr

I watched Rosanne's new special last night and laughed so hard my side hurt. Here are some clips from the show, but the best ones are missing (my opinion). If you get a chance, check it out.





Here she is on a more serious note, but a more truthful one. How her honesty rings true...

Formal Friday: The Mommy Makeover

I haven't posted in a while due to time constraints. That's what happens when you are a single mom living in a hustle and bustle world. The one thing I've learned from motherhood is that perfection isn't necessary. Yes, you heard that out of my mouth (or more like read if off my blog). I have noticed lately that I'm not too picky when the floor isn't clean, or I haven't vacuumed in a week (which I use to do every other day), but there are more important things to do, like watch my son grow. Which leads me to the mommy makeover.

This site (if you choose not to look at the link) supports women trying to get back the youthful pre-child days. I say youthful days because as all of us mothers know, we had more energy, more sleep, more time, more money, and less obligations before our little bundles of joy came into our lives. By trying to get back those days, we must bring ourselves under the knife and cut away our hard earned badges of glory. Another website put it bluntly, “The message is that, after having children, women’s bodies change for the worse. If marketing could turn the post pregnancy body into a socially unacceptable thing, think of how big your audience would be and how many surgeries you could sell them," and this is coming from the Fashion and Style segment in the New York Times.

I had a talk with my friend just yesterday along this same topic. She gave birth about two months ago, and she was already drilling me about how long it took for me to get back into my pre-pregnancy jeans. I looked at her will all honestly and told her, "Never. The only items I have in my closet that are from before are just jackets. I never plan on seeing the pre-alec body or life ever again."

To me that statement was bittersweet. Yes I had a great life before, but I have a great life now. I actually have some thing worthwhile in my life now. Something that I can show off and say, "look how good I am at being a mother, a teacher, and a friend." I have a shinning star. I have the love of my life, and I sing and kiss him just about every night before bed (although I wish it were every night)! Maybe my life is messier, maybe I have a stretch marked belly, gravity supporting body parts, and bigger jean sizes. Maybe my life doesn't fit into the "picture perfect" idea of woman, but I love me just the way I am. I also have a man that loves me just the way I am....how could life get any better?

Manic Monday: Nothing

Oh how sad that you have nothing to really spark your interest for the week. I actually did nothing that my last week post said anyways. Maybe I need a new title for Mondays. Maybe Miscellaneous Monday....I don't know. But for today it will be musical Monday.



You Make Loving Fun lyrics-Fleetwood Mac

Sweet wonderful you,
You make me happy with the things you do,
Oh, can it be so,
This feeling follows me wherever I go.

I never did believe in miracles,
But I've a feeling it's time to try.
I never did believe in the ways of magic,
But I'm beginning to wonder why.

Don't, don't break the spell,
It would be different and you know it will,
You, you make loving fun,
And I don't have to tell you you're the only one.

You make loving fun.
You make loving fun.