MamaFlo's Place

COPD & Emphysema

2009-05-29T11:42:00.003-05:00

As many of you know, I was a smoker for 36 years and quit in September 2007 with the help of Chantix.
Even though I quit, my breathing has gotten increasingly worse. A few months ago I went to see a Pulmonologist and he started me on a few more medications (some inhalers), and ordered lung scans and some blood work. Earlier this week I went back for a f/u and was told I have COPD-Emphysema, he ordered oxygen (delivered and set-up today, actually I'm using it right now) and Respiratory Rehabilitation which I will start this coming week hopefully.
All this and I'm not quite 54 years old - DAMN!!!!
Not everyone that smokes will get COPD (although most will get at least a mild form) or worse yet Emphysema but I was one that did.
I wish I had never lit a single cigarette.

Please Don't Leave Me!!

2009-05-11T06:00:00.001-05:00

Forgive me if I don't reciprocate your drops. I will be on an Alaskan Cruise with my husband from 5/11-5/22. I'm taking my laptop but the connections on the ship are painfully slow and very expensive so I'll be lucky to check email and post from time to time.
I promise to post plenty of photos when I get back home.

Blogs Not Accepting Paid Entrecard Ads

2009-04-28T15:26:00.003-05:00

I have started a list of blogs that are not accepting paid Entrecard Ads (in my right hand sidebar). If you are not accepting paid ads and would like to be added to this list please leave me a message along with the URL of your blog and I will get it on my list.
I will check the list periodically but if you see a blog on the list that has changed and is accepting paid ads please let me know about this also.

Thanks!

Sucking In My Gut To Get Into a Bathing Suit

2009-04-27T14:30:00.004-05:00

We are going on an 11 night Alaskan cruise soon and we've started packing - yeah I have a staging area and packing lists - Lol!!

I've gained a little weight in the recent few weeks (probably about 4 to be exact - weeks not pounds) and I needed a new bathing suit to take (no I won't be out at the pool but I will be in the Therma pool inside the spa area) - well I ordered it from Lands End (took measurements at home and all) but it arrived today and I had to tug the damn thing on. This is a suit that’s suppose to reduce your size 1 (haaahaahaaa - can you hear me laughing) and it's probably done that but in the process I've found it difficult to breath (and the breathing issue is what caused me to gain the weight in the first place - meds for asthma and COPD and early onset Emphesma - damn those cigarettes). I'm sitting here in that form hugging suit trying to stretch it out, hoping to stretch it out cause I just don't want to have to return this for the next larger size. Understand that I've always been a little bits of a thing and my age and health issues have made this different.

Okay, back to the packing.......
Since we live in South Texas and have a few cold weeks out of the year (at least we think they are cold) we don't have much in the way of winter clothing or coats so those have had to be purchased also, so much planning and packing.
This is an 11 night cruise but we are only packing for 5 nights and we're going to utilize laundry and dry cleaning onboard what with the extra cost of luggage and toting lots of luggage through the airport and to the cruise ship. Packing this way is a challenge as there are 2 sets of clothes a day that are necessary and we are only taking 2 carry-ons and 1 check-on bag (in additon to my laptop bag and camera bag).

In addition to the packing, we now need to worry about the Swine Flu as our ship will be coming from a run in South America/Mexico. This is of great concern seeing as both my husband and I have health issues that would be seriously compromised should we be exposed.

This will be our first cruise to Alaska although our 9th cruise overall. Our cruise starts in San Francisco and goes to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, Hubbard Glacier, Sitka, Victoria BC and ends in Vancouver. We have 2 major excursions planned and then will be on our own for the other stops. We try to never overdo the sight seeing though as feel the cruise and cruiseship itself is a destination. I will be posting while onboard.

Okay, it's time to pry this suit off my body for now and give the muscles a rest - Lol Again.

32 Years of Wedded Bliss

2009-04-23T11:30:00.003-05:00

This was us (and our parents) 32 years ago today.
Young and Naive didn't even come close in expressing our love. My father told me early on to judge how a marriage is going by deciding if there were more good days than bad - and the good days have out weighed the bad many times over.
I love my husband much more today than I loved him the day we married.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

How to Spell Exhaustion

2009-04-20T16:29:00.008-05:00

We were fortunate enough to have our Grandson Rudy with us this weekend and I spell exhaustion.........R - U - D - Y
At just over 13 months old he's full of spit and vinegar and you can't take your eyes off him for even a minute while he's awake. Everything he does is wonderful and filled with joy but OMG it's tough! My back is sore and my eyes feel like they have sand in them and yes he slept while he was here and slept well actually but it's the stressful way in which you watch someone so dear.
We had some toys to play with but he had more fun with containers and lids.

This was the nifty portable high chair we got for him that is strapped to an existing chair - worked like a dream.

This was Rudy and I playing with his jack-in-the-box and his baby remote control - don't you know that regardless of how young a man is that he has to have a remote control!!!

Rudy loved sitting in his Grandpa's computer chair and look up at the ceiling fan right above him - Rudy loves ceiling fans of all kinds.

And I also love to open and close the kitchen cabinets, it makes noise and it's something I can do all by myself. Of course he loves it more if he looks around and finds that you're watching him.

This was a little handheld game I keep in the bathroom (yeah I'm a "thinker" in the john) and Rudy uses it like his Daddy's iphone - guess this is another electronics junkie in the making!!

This is probably the gruffest photo I've ever taken of my dear sweet always happy Rudy and just for that reason I have to add it here.

We loved every single minute with Rudy but we're happy we can spoil him rotten to the core and give him back to his Mommy and Daddy - child rearing is definitely a young adults job!!

Another Glorious Weekend With Rudy

2009-04-18T21:06:00.004-05:00

We drove half way to meet our children today to pick up Rudy while they (our son and DIL) enjoyed some adult time at a very nice resort. This is our first time to babysit Rudy solo at our home. He's such a sweet spirited little boy, eats well, plays well, and hopefully sleeps well ;). We got home, put him into the highchair we purchased (yes we are hoping for more grandchildren) and fed him then we played, went for a walk, came home and played with his Aunt Jenny for awhile and then there was bath and bedtime (no fuss, no muss, he went down talked with himself for a short while and then.............whewwwww, this Nana is exhausted!
I know Rudy gets up early, probably between 5:30 - 6:00 (that's AM people). Tomorrow his Great Grandpa and his Great Great Aunt, along with his Aunt Jenny and Uncle Mario will come to visit which will allow me some time to drop my EC's and maybe take a long hot shower.
Rudy is 13 months old and is into everything and because he walks there are no boundaries - do you remember those days?

I sure do miss the smell of a baby and to watch their sweet innocence - is there anything better? Their smiles or the way he juts out his lower lip make my heart turn to jello.
Having this little man in my life is the best part of growing older.

Not Doing The Paid Advertising with EC

2009-04-12T16:23:00.002-05:00

Okay, I did the paid advertising with Entrecard for a week and now I'm going to go the other way and for the time being stay with merely Entrecard Adverts (the kind that give me and my advertiser credits). I am not accepting any paid advertising through EC at the current time.
I wish there was a way to support Entrecard without accepting paid adverts and I hope Graham comes up with another approach.
I just don't think it's fair that people that advertise using credits should get only 50% of the drop credits (they aren't paying 50% less).

A Big Texas Offering of BlueBonnets

2009-04-05T19:45:00.003-05:00

This is my grandson Rudy and his Mommy & Daddy took him for his annual Texas BlueBonnet Photo. As you can see in the second photo, my Rudy can walk holding his Daddy's hand.............ahhhhhhh
Guess what - Rudy is going to be here next weekend for Easter and hunting for Easter Eggs - OMG, I'm sooooo excited!!!!!!

A Big Thanks to my March Top EC Droppers

2009-04-01T10:14:00.012-05:00

Thank You Entrecard Blogging Friends, I appreciate each and every drop!!!

How Do I Get Rid of These Lines?

2009-03-28T21:36:00.003-05:00

I'm almost 54 and I need a rescue for the lines/wrinkles on my face, especially those around my mouth (not the smoking lines above my lips - damn cigarettes) but those on either side of my mouth and of course the lines under and on the sides of my eyes.

I'll admit that I've always been on the tom-boy side and I've never taken good care of my skin. When I was an adolescent (a long time ago) I had acne but I was fortunate not to have too many lasting scars from enlarged pores.

I'm using Clinique products but I'm wondering what other women are using, what have you found to be the most effective for your skin and especially the lines/wrinkles?

OMG, I'm getting old!!
Do you call them lines or wrinkles?

Look, I Can Walk

2009-03-25T09:00:00.003-05:00

Well my little Rudy (grandson) has finally started walking.

Planning a Cruise to Alaska

2009-03-21T10:24:00.004-05:00

We've been on a number of cruises and although I've always wanted to see Alaska, we have never gone - probably because I could never find a good cruise rate. All that changed this year and I was able to snag a great cruise deal for an 11 night cruise on Celebrity's Infinity (we were on the Infinity when we cruised to Hawaii in 2007).

San Francisco
At Sea
At Sea
Ketchikan
Juneau
Skagway
Icy Strait Point
Hubbard Glacier Cruising
Sitka
At Sea
Victoria, BC
Vancouver

We initially booked a Sky Suite at a rate of 50% off last years rate (and got a $300 shipboard credit to boot) and then this past week, prices dropped again and we were able to upgrade to a Celebrity Suite (dropped $1,000 per person for this cabin category). We are still 2 months away from this cruise and we are hopeful that we will see yet another drop in prices.

Have you traveled to Alaska? If so, what shore excursions would you recommend?

It's Been a Year Already - Rudy Turns 1

2009-03-08T19:30:00.007-05:00

We drove to Houston this weekend to celebrate Rudy's First Birthday! It's hard to believe he's ONE but this party did him justice. My DIL did a Baseball motif for the party. All four of Rudy's Grandparents came (his other set all the way from New Jersey) along with all his aunts and uncles, his cousin, Godparents, and friends alike - this is one very loved little boy!!!!

Rudy's Mommy baked and decorated a cake just for Rudy to tear into (and he did), oh what a mess and oh how he loved his cake (although he hated that hat).

Rudy even dressed the part of the baseball player.

This was Rudy showing his Nana (me) how big he was.........there is no other love than the love of a grand parent!!!

Amazing New Hair Product

2009-03-04T22:35:00.003-06:00

I'm not doing a paid advertisement for this company but I just have to tell you about TRESemme 24 Hour BODY shampoo, cream rinse, weightless creme, foaming mousse, and finishing spray.
I have very thin, straight, and limp hair in addition to it being gray. These products give me style and hold and volume without weight or stickiness ALL DAY even with humidity being close to 66%.
I can finally clean up in the morning and still look completely put together at 10pm - no kidding.

February TOP DROPPERS

2009-02-28T22:20:00.013-06:00

I want to thank each of you for dropping on me everyday this month - you are all awesome!

I Installed a New Hard Drive Myself

2009-02-26T07:38:00.004-06:00

I have spent the better part of yesterday afternoon and long into the night replacing the hard drive on my MacBook. I had been using the small hard drive that came with my MacBook and simply removing things as the itsy bitsy drive filled up (60gb). I replaced it with a 320gb drive and I've been installing everything I want back on it - yes I could have copied from the old drive as I have an enclosure but I wanted a fresh install.
Not only is this new hard drive larger it's also much faster and I'm thrilled.
I use my MacBook when we travel to stay in touch with family and friends and download photos from our camera.
This was one of the easiest things I've done to update my computer but it sure is time intensive.

Rudy On The Go

2009-02-22T19:37:00.002-06:00

This little man has brought me joy beyond words.
I found it impossible to explain the love I had for my children and again I find it impossible to find words to describe the love and pride I feel and have for my grandson Rudy.

My Issues Were With the Firefox Theme

2009-02-15T10:10:00.005-06:00

I'm a Mac fan (we have 3) and I've noticed that my Firefox 3 browser was unstable (or at least that's what I thought was the problem) but because of the entrecard toolbar, I continued to use Firefox instead of safari and just put up with Firefox crashing and other weird unpredictable issues cropping up daily.
Yesterday while playing with Firefox, I decided to try a different theme and guess what, not a single issue since switching to the Walnut theme, it's flawless. The theme took some time to get used to the looks but that's easy when everything else works so smoothly - oh I love this theme and thankful that the crashing and hang-ups have ceased.

What browser do you use and what's your theme?

Rudy Finds His Voice

2009-02-09T15:07:00.003-06:00

More About Rudy

2009-02-09T14:51:00.002-06:00

We are a Mac household as are the households of my grown children but alas the rest of the family are Windows PC users and therefore I need to post Rudy videos here for them to enjoy.

Our Weekend Visit With Rudy

2009-02-08T19:36:00.003-06:00

My husband and I were fortunate enough to get to spend some of the weekend with Rudy our Grandson. He will be a year old come mid March and is growing like a weed. He is the spitting image of his Daddy when his Daddy was the same age and it melts my heart to just look at his face.
I hope he doesn't grow up too fast as I want him a little boy for as long as possible.

Thanks for letting me share the love of my life.

What Do You Believe Will Stimulate The Economy?

2009-02-02T12:24:00.001-06:00

This is a list of what makes up the Economic Stimulus Plan according to Associated Press. I don't understand where most of this package will help stimulate the economy. Wouldn't it be more prudent to stimulate the economy and then we'll look at some of the other fluff that is included in this plan? I don't believe this plan as it currently stands will help. I have to laugh when I read it as it's just more of the same that got us to where we currently stand (and that's not in anything but hot water).
Highlights of Economic Recovery Plan
Spending

Energy
$32 billion Funding for "smart electricity grid" to reduce waste
$20 billion + Renewable
energy tax cuts and a tax credit for research and development on
energy-related work, and a multiyear extension of renewable energy
production tax credit
$6 billion Funding to weatherize modest-income homes

Science and Technology
$10 billion Science facilities
$6 billion High-speed Internet access for rural and underserved areas

Infrastructure
$32 billion Transportation projects
$31 billion Construction and repair of federal buildings and other public infrastructure
$19 billion Water projects
$10 billion Rail and mass transit projects

Education
$41 billion Grants to local school districts
$79 billion State fiscal relief to prevent cuts in state aid
$21 billion School modernization

Health Care
$39 billion Subsidies to health insurance for unemployed; providing coverage through Medicaid
$90 billion Help to states with Medicaid
$20 billion Modernization of health-information technology systems
$4 billion Preventative care

Taxes

Individuals:

* $500 per worker, $1,000 per couple tax cut for two years, costing about $140 billion
* Greater access to the $1,000-per-child tax credit for the working poor
* Expansion of the earned-income tax credit to include families with three children
* A $2,500 college tuition tax credit
* Repeal of a requirement that a $7,500 first-time homebuyer tax credit be paid back over time

Businesses:

* An infusion of cash into money-losing companies by allowing
them to claim tax credits on past profits dating back five years
instead of two
* Bonus depreciation for businesses investing in new plants and equipment
* Doubling of the amount small businesses can write off for capital investments and new equipment purchases
* Allowing businesses to claim a tax credit for hiring disconnected youth and veterans

Source: Associated Press

Michael Phelps - You're a Looser!!

2009-02-01T18:43:00.005-06:00

Michael Phelps, I hope you loose all your endorsements! You were stupid and certainly not above the law. You are not a role model for the youth of the world.
You certainly didn't refuse the money your endorsements were bringing you because you were 23 years old, don't feed the world your sorry arsed excuse now. You knew better, you know that drug use is illegal.

I'm sick and tired of seeing the world put athletes on a pedestal and throwing huge sums of money at them, making them feel like they are above it all. These are people, fallible people, they are going to make mistakes BUT let this be a testament to the fact that because they are fallible they are not worth the money being thrown at them in pay and endorsements.

Michael Phelps isn't the only or the last athlete to screw up, there are notable ones every football, basketball, baseball, wrestling, soccer, boxing season.
We need to stop being their adoring public!

Can You Believe This?

2009-01-30T11:54:00.010-06:00

This is the Cook County Correctional Facility in Illinois.
The Homeless could only wish to be lucky enough to be housed like this with 3 squares a day.
What are your thoughts?