Parkinson's: More Than a Tremor

Lately, I have been spending much of my free, and not so free, time at the hospital. My great grandma, who has recently become a great, great grandmother due to my little guy, has very recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. As a result, our family is trying hard not to be taken by the undercurrent of guilt.

The picture above was taken less than a year ago. Today, she lays in the hospital with a feeding tube in her nose and the mask of Parkinson's which has frozen most of her facial expressions. The story leading up to this is a painful, confusing one tangled with assumptions, accusations, and guilt that I am just not ready to unfold yet.

She didn't just give up, she wasn't simply depressed, she wasn't exaggerating, she wasn't pretending. Everything, everything was because something really was very wrong.

Learn more about Parkinson's disease and the symptoms because it isn't just a movement disorder. The classic tremor that is typically associated with Parkinson's didn't show up until very recently. Had a diagnosis and treatment been done years ago things would be very different today. When I angrily asked the neurologist who came to confirm the diagnosis why no one knew what was wrong, why her doctor was treating or dismissing all of her symptoms instead of recognizing the real problem she simply responded with, "She isn't a neurologist."


(Photo courtesy of L.L.R., edited by myself.)

21 Great Baking Soda Uses

Here are some great ideas on what to do with your baking soda!

1. Exfoliate
2. Replace your shampoo and no 'poo
3. Put out grease and electrical fires
4. Sprinkle a bit into shoes and slippers to keep them fresh
5. Make a foot or bath soak
6. Pat on under arms and feet to keep dry
7. Use instead of toothpaste
8. Sprinkle on carpet before vacuuming
   
9. Run your coffee pot with some and water to clean
10. Mix with water in a bowl and cook in microwave to soften stuck on foods
    
11. Put a small box or bowl in your fridge for freshness and to soak up moisture
    
12. Make a paste to soothe cold sores, bug bites, sunburns, and rashes
13. Use as an ant deterrent
14. Sprinkle into cat litter to help control odor
    
15. With water, use as mouth wash
    
16. Clean your drains
17. Polish silverware
    
18. Use in ashtrays
    
19. Add to your laundry for tough stains
20. Clean your dishwasher by running it through a wash
21. In fact, use baking soda to clean everywhere and everything like

• Pots and pans
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens

Make sure to spot test when using on surfaces and fabrics. Always use food grade quality when using on your body or ingesting.
Please feel free to contribute your ideas!

I Cut My Own Hair...

"Maybe you should cut your own hair cause that can be so funny! It doesn't cost any money and it always grows back, hair grows even after you're dead."
- Regina Spektor's Ghost of Corporate Future

Lately, I have been anxious for a change, among other things. What is a girl to do? Well, get her hair done of course! Even more uplifting than a trip to the local salon is a rubber band and some heavy duty kitchen scissors. One quick clip and a few little snips and you have got yourself quite an accomplishment!

Now, I certainly have no training or experience cutting hair which made this even more fun. I was creating, undoing, letting go, taking a risk, challenging myself, and thinking outside the box all in one exhilarating chop.

I have had a few opportunities and offers to "clean it up," but I don't think I am ready to fix it just yet.