Decorate with Old Maps

 I love old maps--I guess I'm a cartographati! Many people have told me they shared a fondness for maps. I'll take that one step farther--I decorate with them. I save old maps from garage sales and National Geographic. I was given a bunch of old ones when I homeschooled. I went through and removed them all. Use recycled maps or print some with these links Decorate Your House with Old Maps 

Problems with Younkers Coupons, Credit Card, Return Policies

Younkers and I have a love-hate relationship. They love me and I hate them. I kid. But I do have some issues with the store. First, the coupons have too much red tape and too many exclusions. And their return policy is terrible. Read more  Hoping To Return My Boots to Younkers - News - Bubblews

Beware Tylenol, Prescription Painkillers, Opiods for Arthritis

I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in my left shoulder last year. Now its spread to both shoulders and neck. Working hunched over a computer does not help. I sometimes take Ibuprofen or Aleve (sodium naproxin)--NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) drugs. They're the only OTC drugs that will bring swelling down. Tylenol won't. I took my mother in law to ER a few months ago with swollen joints. She'd been seen a few weeks previously and was told to stop taking Tylenol and start taking the Advil/Aleve. And beware of opioid painkillers. They don't work for arthritis. Tylenol, Prescription Painkillers, Opiods Don't Help Arthritis

Winter Safety Precautions Keep Heat to 70

Big news in the US is snow and record low temperature. In Michigan we know cold. And on this side of the state winter translates to "lake effect" snow which translates to "monster truck loads" of wet, heavy sleet.

Here's a cold coping tip. Do not set your thermostat too low. I know, it's expensive. Believe me, I know. Just ask my gas company. But high bills or not, lowering thermostat too far can cause super dangerous situations: Winter Safety Precautions Do Not Turn Heat Too Low - News - Bubblews

Safe, Natural Steroid Free Eczema Treatment

 I've struggled with eczema for years. I'm lucky. I only get it behind and in my ears. I know people who have it all over their bodies. It's horribly itchy and uncomfortable. Children are especially vulnerable as it's harder for them to follow treatment protocol and avoid scratching.  Got Eczema? Try This Steroid Free Treatment

How to Plan a Drama-Free Christmas Gift Exchange

I just wrote about how I dislike holiday gift exchanges among students, coworkers and extended family.  I know I sound more like Scrooge than Santa. But it's motivated by love. And gou're probably thinking--Easy for you to say. I'm stuck and have to get a gift. Well, here are some Christmas present exchange tips.
  How to Plan a Fun Drama-Free Christmas Gift Exchange

Why We Don't Get Flu Shot

We don't get flu shots. Never have. Here's why.

* Albumen allergy. I have one and you're not supposed to get flu shot if you have one. But beyond that....

* Ironically, I write this as husband came home sick. He has stomach flu which flu vaccines don't address. But it brings up a bone of contention with the pro-flu-vaccine crowd. They say we who don't get inoculated make them sick. But random vaccine and antibiotic dousing CREATES resistant superbugs. So it could be said that pro-shot folks make us sick.   Why We Do Not Get Flu Shot 

Do Not Forget Younkers Community Days Coupons Nov 15-16

If you bought Younkers Community Days coupon fundraiser coupon books, this weekend, November 15-16 are the days (the ONLY days) to use them. Remember, your book has a $10 off anything coupon. Use that one at least. And you can't use online, but you can purchase in-store day of sale and designate which school program you want the money to go to. Read one Remember Younkers Community Days Coupons Nov 15-16 

My Cat is Not Carrying His Weight

Our cat Scooter came to us malnourished. Now he is slightly...avoir du pois (cough, fat). But for all the girth, he's not carrying his weight around here. Whilst my husband and I slave away, to earn his daily salmon, mind, he does precisely nothing. Okay, he has rid the house of a few bats, but he is handsomely rewarded for every tiny deed. One catch and he expects a smorgasbord of treats, hours of petting. Here's a diary of his day compared to mine.  My Cat is Not Carrying His Weight

Catmeister Scooter--Lord of all he surveys (and doesn't)

I am not one of those crazy cat ladies (I am NOT), but I fear my husband is becoming one. You've heard the expression "dogs have owners but cats have staff?" My husband calls himself our cat Scooter's bit--, um servant. He buys the litter, changes the box, buys the cat food (only a certain kind will do for His Nibs). Hubs (Albert) informs me there's a certain ritual (bonding, not mating) for feeding. Scooter must have a "full body, nose to tail tip" massage (yes, Alb describes it like that). That's the dry cat food part. For the moist, I must feed it (minced on a small glass plate, please). Then dad must give the cat milk (I know, not good for kitties, yada yada--try telling that to Catmeister and his love slave). So we compromise. Dad gives him a small splash of lowfat.   Catmeister Scooter--Lord of all he surveys (and stuff he doesn't)