Til' Death Do Us Part: Unless You Have Alzheimer's?

      Recently religious broadcaster Pat Roberston, caused an uproar after telling his "700 Club" viewers that divorcing a spouse is justifiable if your spouse is battling Alzheimer's disease because the disease is a "kind of death."  See a video about this comment here. See the definition and symptoms of Alzheimer's here.

      This statement caused much controversy. From my view point, I think one has the right to divorce who ever they would like. I personally don't believe in divorce, seeing as I come from parents that have been together for 30+ years, but I do understand there are circumstances you can't help, but in the eyes of many Christian beliefs, divorce is unacceptable. This Christian broadcaster did not have the place to cause such a controversial topic, especially while depicting a Christian television show. The controversy erupted when Robertson advised a call-in viewer that a male friend could see another woman after his wife began suffering from the memory deteriorating disease. See this article here. Divorce is uncommon among couples where one partner is suffering from Alzheimer's, said Beth Kallmyer, director of constituent services for the Alzheimer's Association, which provides resources to sufferers and their families. "We don't hear a lot of people saying 'I'm going to get divorced,'" she told The Associated Press. 

     Watching my grandmother battle Alzheimer's, I understand there are very difficult incidences that make it almost impossible to watch, but wanting to leave is never an option for me. If anything, it makes me wish I could be there for her everyday to help her get ready, and deal with day to day life. It makes me fear for my life, when I grow older. I know It would break my heart, if my spouse left me in a such a hard time of sickness. Isn't that what marriage is about? For better, for worse, in sickness and in health? Not "I'll love you until times get tough." I feel like this man does not need to be coaching anyone, seeing as couples in today's society are already so eager to be married and divorced in less than six months. 

     Pat Robertson also goes on to say, that this is a topic we should be discussing with our spouses. Alzheimer's is scary enough as it is to have to think about if you would want your husband to divorce you in the process. I understand it is very hard for the family, and sometimes I believe I wouldn't want my family around to experience it first hand, but the bigger part of me would want someone to believe in me, and provide support. Maybe it's selfish, but maybe, just maybe, I am believing that love is stronger, than the hardships we will come to face. 

    

A Week in the Life of Me.

       This week has been pretty relaxing! It all started on Friday, when my boyfriend and I took a trip to that little diner I was talking about with the all you can eat fish fry. When we first got there, we were unsure of where to park because the diner is located at a little airport 30 minutes away. We eventually parked and walked in doubtfully. When we reached the diner, it was exactly as expected. There were heart decorations hanging from the wall, and a few waitresses here and there writing orders on paper tabs. The diner was lined with a panoramic view of the landing strip with the planes taking off. It was so fun! We both ordered the all you can eat fish fry, with coleslaw, french fries, and hush puppies. When I first took a bite into the french fry, I almost melted! The french fry was thick, warm, and savory, with a buttery flavor. Just thinking about it makes me want to go back tomorrow again! The fried fish was served hot, and was easily filling! We didn't even get another basket of fish because we were so full! I honestly can't wait to go back.
     I worked all Saturday, and Sunday, and made some serious bank. On Saturday I made $270 dollars, and Sunday I made $120. I was so ecstatic. Then, on President's Day on Sunday, my dad decided to take us out to dinner at Ruby Tuesday's, and it was fun to get away and relax. Afterwards, we looked at car lots, our favorite pastime, and I suggested and paid for dessert at Olive Garden after. It was yummy.
    This week has been about procrastination, and happiness. Procrastination is like a sugar high. It feels good for a long time, until you crash and you realize how much homework is due tomorrow, and then you kick it into high gear. That's how I roll. :) Today is my sugar crash. I haven't done much of nothing these past three days, and then all of the sudden, everything was dropped on me. Two teachers of mine popped an assignment on us that is due tomorrow, and I completely forgot about my English paper being due on MONDAY. Ahh. Plus I have to make TWO shot pages for my friend's 21st birthday that is due by Friday. Too many things to do in too little time. I also was expecting a relaxing weekend since I requested off work, but we also had another test date changed, so now I have to study over the weekend. This is not going to be fun.
   On the upside, we are currently trying to book our condo in Siesta Key, FL and it had been a fun but stressful ride looking for the RIGHT condo. Finally, we found one decently priced, and a whole lot of fun. It just really makes me happy to pretend that I am in Siesta Key right now, while I am looking at the pictures. It makes me giddy inside. Only 85 days until we are out of school, and only 86 days until my vacation. I'm not counting down or anything. :)

The Better to Eat You with, My Dear.

“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. 

If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” 

- Albert Einstein

     This doesn't seem to be the case anymore with modern mothers. Parents are beginning to forbid fairy tales from their children's life, claiming they are too scary, such as Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White, and are teaching their daughters the wrong values, such as Cinderella. See this article here. A new study showed that 1 in 5 parents don’t allow their children to watch classic Disney fairy tale cartoons like Snow White, Seven Dwarfs and Mermaid or the modern approach of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. I think this is silly and so does J.K. Rowling. She says,“I really feel that we're not giving children enough credit for distinguishing what's right and what's wrong. I, for one, devoured fairy tales as a little girl. I certainly didn't believe that kissing frogs would lead me to a prince, or that eating a mysterious apple would poison me, or that with the magical "Bibbity-Bobbity-Boo" I would get a beautiful dress and a pumpkin carriage. I also don't believe that looking in a mirror and saying "Candyman, Candyman, Candyman" will make some awful serial killer come after me. I believe that many children recognize Harry Potter for what it is, fantasy literature. I'm sure there will always be some that take it too far, but that's the case with everything. I believe it's much better to engage in dialog with children to explain the difference between fantasy and reality. Then they are better equipped to deal with people who might have taken it too far.” Many mothers also think that Cinderella is teaching their daughters that their goal in life is to clean the house, and do the chores as stated in the above article. With the new modern independent woman society growing, fairy tale Cinderella is slowing dying in many parents books.
      Being a child who lived on fairy tales growing up, I think it is cruel to cut out such magical stories. I understand that they aren't real, and not every thing is going to be happily ever after, but it is such a neat belief to have when your a child, before life gets too hard. I do understand that some parents are worried about nightmares with certain fairy tales, but to ban all of them, especially Cinderella, is just mean. It's nice to have another world, where a true love's kiss can fix everything, because we all know, we have to grow up some time, and it just isn't going to be as magical. I do think cutting out fairy tales is a little overboard. If they wanted to introduce them at a later age, I believe that would be better. I think that the parents should discuss the meanings of the stories with their children instead of just making the source disappear. I feel like the parents are just wanting to avoid the difficult conversation and questions with their child. See someone who agrees with me here. Give children a choice to live happily ever after, at least in their dreams. After all, A dream IS a wish your heart makes. ;)

A Week in the Life of Me.

     This week started out pretty well for me, considering Joplin had a snow day on Monday, and where I am from, we had absolutely NO snow at all. This gave me a feeling of happiness when I woke up to the "no school" text message, and I also began wishing Benton, MO would accumulate snow, too, so that we would have yet another snow day. I used my day off to sleep in, watch My Fair Wedding with David Tutera ( I am obsessed with weddings), and shop for my boyfriend's valentines day gift.

      I thought of the most FUN idea ever for his valentine's gift! I decided that since my boyfriend and I used Sunday to go to lunch, and go watch "The Vow", it would be a fun idea to make him a basket with a few favorite movies, a western for him, and The Lady and Tramp, for me. Lady and the Tramp gave me the idea to ditch the basket and use a  pasta colander instead, and fill it with spaghetti noodles, garlic bread, spaghetti sauce, and a long candle for a romantic candlelight dinner. This is the best idea I have ever had! 

     Since I had a test to study for on Tuesday, we decided to celebrate our Valentine's day on Wednesday. While I was at school, on Wednesday, Allen (my boyfriend) texted me with this GREAT idea he thought he had. He said specifically, "Babe, I was thinking, and since we have been to pretty much every restaurant in Cape, and literally have done everything, I thought maybe going to get some food and cooking at my house together and watching a movie would be fun, since we've never done that. What do you think?" What do I think?! I think he's going to RUIN my perfectly great idea. So I told a little bit of a fib. I told him I already made a reservation. He was a little upset that I didn't tell him about the plans, partially because now his hopes of his valentine's day attire being sweatpants were crushed, I'm sure. He eventually came over, opened my present and was very  much surprised! Mission accomplished. My Valentine's Day was perfect. I aced my test, had a perfect valentine who brought me roses, and watched Lady and the Tramp. 

     Now, I am searching for Beach Vacation Rentals in Siesta Key Beach, FL. My family and I are thinking of going there for our vacation this year, and I am trying to stay on top of things. Looking at all of these beautiful beaches and wonderful houses, really makes me sick of school. It makes me wish summer was here pronto. We've only ever been to St. Augustine, Fl on the east side of Florida, but this year, we are trying something new on the west side, with bluer water, whiter sand, and gorgeous sunsets. Ahhhh. I cannot wait, but for the time being I am excited about other things, such as, judging high school cheer tryouts for my old school! I am going to have so much  fun. I am also helping my boyfriend's sister practice, because she is trying out for middle school. I love coaching girls on cheerleading. That is the one thing that makes me regret not being a teacher, so that I could have been a cheerleading coach. I do  love what I am doing now, but I do still want to be a teacher. Tomorrow, I am going to an all you can eat fish fry at this little diner, I've never been to before! I'll let you know how amazing it is! Stay Tuned! :)

Someone Needs to Whip these Kids into Shape!

   
      Here recently, My family and I have run into a few comments made by my cousin about their dad, my dad's brother. She is 16 and has made numerous status updates with vulgar language, and depressing comments. My dad finally had the last straw when he ran across a post bashing her own father. Using the "F word", and other curse words, she ranted about how much she HATES her dad. She continued to say that he over reacts and to "F all the BS." But in the not nice version of the words.
     It seems to me, my family is not the only one that has had  multiple dealings with stupid adolescents, that take advantage of Social Networking pages. I came across this video of a father retaliating against his daughter who recently posted a rebelling post against her parents, using foul language, and saying some indecent things. See this interesting video here! He is super angry. I would be too. I think it is so silly for kids to get on Facebook, or any other social networking site, and voice personal things that should NOT be public, and sometimes not even true. This is called defamation. Defamation is the act of making false statements in a public or private manner, about a person's business practices, character, financial status, morals, or reputation. There are two types of defamation, which you are probably more familiar with. Oral defamation is considered slander whereas printed or written defamation is called libel. See the legal aspects of defamation here.
   There was another case a few years back where a child posted a status about a fellow teacher "being a fat ass who should stop eating fast food, and is a douche bag." This student's status eventually got back to the school officials, and they suspended him for cyber-bullying. His mother rose against them, saying that it was unlawful to suspend him for free speech, so the school backed down to keep from a lawsuit. UCLA supported the mother. See more about this story here. I agree with the mother, the child should not be suspended, since we do have the right to speech, but it was inappropriate for the child to voice his hurtful opinion publicly about a human being for all to see. I feel that the child should receive some form of punishment, even if the parent has to do it.
   As I said above, the father took his daughter's punishment into his own hands, and while it may have been a little much, I think the dad did a good job getting across to his child. Sometimes, children like that need that discipline. If they didn't need the discipline, they wouldn't have expressed their unwanted feelings about her parents for everyone to see in the first place.
    I think preteens, teens, and even sometimes adults need to watch what they say online, because it reflects you with every cuss word you say. If they can't do that, then Facebook should be banned.
   
   

A Week in the Life of Me.

     This week has been pretty great! This past weekend I went wedding dress shopping with my very best friend, and it was the time of my life! I think I had more fun than the bride! I found all types of wedding dresses I fell in love with, and it made me realize how much I can not wait to get married, but it also made me realize how expensive a wedding is!!! I think it is a great idea that my boyfriend and I want to wait until we are both out of school to get engaged. There is no possible way we could afford it any other way! My best friend found the dress, eventually and it will be gorgeous on her at her Florida wedding. Her wedding will be June 7th on the beach, and I am going down there for the weekend to stay and soak up a little bit of sun in Florida. I cannot wait to be standing beside her during a gorgeous sunset on the beach:) It will be absolutely beautiful. I better start working out and tanning now!!! On top of that, her mother is letting me ride down to Florida with her and stay with her! I am so grateful for her and her family.
     On Tuesday, myself and the dental hygiene gals took off for Jefferson City to go to our Missouri Dental Hygiene Association Lobby Day at the Capitol. The ride there was a blast, singing, and dancing to all kinds of music. I haven't had that many laughs in a while!:) We have become so close in only a semester and a half, and this trip definitely contributed to that. I love those girls so much, and I am so happy that we all mesh so well together in our lab group. It's funny how different, but alike we are. We also stopped at the mall in St. Louis to do a little shopping, which made the day even better! Once we got to Jeff City we all changed out of our sweats and into our heels and went to this little restaurant called Prison Brews. The place had prison bars inside, and was very themed and fun. We took a car service to get there which was nice, and I am so glad we did because one of the 2nd year dental hygiene girls drove, and got her window busted out in the parking lot!!! It was so unexpected and surprising.
     The next day, we trekked to the capitol, and found that it was absolutely gorgeous, and rustic. I would LOVE to be married in a beautiful place such as that.
     This weekend, I'll be working ALL weekend, but I'm not complaining, because I really need the money! It will most likely be a busy weekend, since Valentine's Day is on Tuesday. I was so excited for Valentine's Day until I found out we were having a test the next day, which means once again, I'll be spending the night studying with no valentine at hand. Stupid Cupid.

A Spoonful of Sugar Might Make the Medicine Go Down, BUT...

                A spoonful of sugar might make the medicine go down, but it also makes your blood pressure and cholesterol go up, along with your risk for liver failure, obesity, heart disease and diabetes says Christopher Wanjek from LiveScience. Not to mention, it does a number on your teeth.

                Researchers are now thinking that sugar is so toxic to the human body that it should be regulated, alongside with alcohol and tobacco (Read this article here). That means having an age limit on when you can buy sugary drinks, such as your favorite Dr. Pepper Soda. This means that they will be taxing processed food containing any types of added sugars, and having a tighter watch on the businesses that purchase vending machines and the contents inside of them. Not only are they watching our snack intake, they are proposing zone ordinances limiting the number of fast food joints in neighborhoods, according to “A Spoonful of Bad Health” Health Blog. A lot of the proposals sound silly, right? Putting an age limit on sodas? I mean can sugar REALLY be all that bad?

YES.

              

             Americans are consuming on average more than 600 calories a day in sugar alone. Many are saying that the sugar is not just empty calories with no nutrients, but a contribution to America’s obesity, and very toxic to our bodies. There are so many ways that sugar is ruining your health! Some of these include causing anxiety, hyperactivity, and arthritis. It can also cause premature aging, weakening of your eyesight, and can even cause depression.  Read more about the 146 different ways that sugar is affecting your body here. Not only does sugar have harmful effects on your body, it plays a very harmful role in tooth decay! As with our bodies, we consume sugar to get energy, so do bacteria in the mouth, and as an end result, the bacteria produces acid, and can harm the teeth, by causing tooth decay.

                Don’t get me wrong, I’m not exactly in favor of ALL of the new proposals of regulating sugar, such as taxing, and the whole age limit idea. It just does not seem realistic. I love my candy bars, and especially my Mike N Ikes. I also think that sugar alone is not contributing to obesity. I believe that it is all factors such as diet and exercise that affects obesity, BUT it would be nice to have a drive toward being healthier. I do think that the age limit is a little unbelievable, but the idea overall sounds great! I think that children should not be drinking a ton of soda. I think they should stick toward water, and sugar free juices. I am a big advocate for water. It’s all I drink. Soda is an addiction and I can see their point of view when they are putting it in the same category as alcohol and tobacco. Personally, I am to a degree toward their proposal of regulating sugars alongside alcohol and tobacco, but I still need some persuading, and maybe more realistic proposals.

A Week in the Life of Me.

         This past weekend was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING being able to relax, with no work, and no homework. When Monday started, the stress began. I had another test this week to study my life away for. So Monday night consisted of doing small things, such as making a study guide, and doing discussion boards for my other classes. When Tuesday, and Wednesday night came around I spent my time in my room, in the quiet, reading, and understanding the material. Studying was going great last night until I realized that I didn’t pay my credit card bill, so I got online to pay it. I don’t know what I was thinking when I thought my due date was the 4^th of every month, but I was oh so wrong. It was still the first when I paid it, but it was past five, so the posting date was showing up as the 2^nd of February, which meant one word to me: LATE. This completely scattered my brain wondering and thinking  about what would happen if I had a late payment! So I called Discover Card Customer Care, and the representative told me that if I was late, then I would have a thirty five dollar late charge, my APR would rise, and it would mess with credit. Failure was going through my head, because I really pride myself on paying my credit card bill every month in full and on time, until the lady proposed an alternative. She said that she could cancel my payment, and as long I reached a Sears Dept. Store before closing, I could pay it there and it would still be considered being paid on the first! This was such a relief, but I had to physically drive thirty minutes to Cape to pay with cash. This was not only a waste of drive, but a waste of valuable studying time, but well worth not having all those penalties. 

      After all that drama, I didn’t think I would do very well on my test because, number one, I had to take time out to pay my discover card, and number two, I was trying a new study method, where I don’t memorize, and I just understand. I know this sounds silly because it is what I should be doing for all of my tests, but it’s just so hard to pull things out of my brain when I try and just understand it. The test ended up seeming very easy to me, and I ended up getting an 82% on a Radiology exam!!! I am relieved. 

     Today was beautiful outside, so my day was just absolutely amazing. I came home, watched Young and the Restless (my all time favorite show I watch with my momma) and ate a very yummy salad. I think I am on a salad kick here lately since it is getting warmer outside.  After lunch I had to put the final touches on a shot page for my best friend’s 21^st birthday, so I finished that up, and then went on a very relaxing walk uptown with my mom, and my baby Tinker. The rest of my weekend will be pretty cram packed with writing a paper, attending my friend’s shot night on Friday, wedding dress shopping with my BESTEST friend on Saturday and having to get up at 5:30 to do so, and working on Sunday, followed by a family super bowl party consisted of finishing my paper, and practicing the exploring technique for my skill evaluation on Monday. So, I will let you know how my weekend went next week, along with information about my very exciting MDHA Dental Hygiene Lobby Day trip to Jefferson City next Tuesday and Wednesday! Stay Tuned! :)