Mephala

Cigarette without Secondhand Smoke

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:43:33 GMT

Many moons ago I had an idea of creating a cigarette which doesn't harm anyone and basically lets you breathe herbal smoke.

Now someone's actually gone and done it. This is not for people who want to smoke, but for those who want to not harm people around them with their secondhand or third hand smoke for that matter, and to save some money.

I always believe that if you want to harm yourself, go right ahead. But if you hurt others, then there is hell to pay. Smoking is one of those hell-to-pay things. A smoker knows that the smoke is bad for him or herself and worse for people around them (not to mention their pets), why do they consciously harm these people?

Anyway, that is a question between a smoker and his or her conscience.

If all a smoker wants is a nicotine fix, he or she can now buy one of those new electronic cigarettes everyone's been talking about.

One only inhales the nicotine that is included in the pack and none of those other foul and toxic chemicals, aka tar, carbon monoxide, smoke, and 400 other hazardous substances found in traditional tobacco cigarettes. What comes out is water vapour so one can smoke it anywhere.

No smelly clothes, fingers, or breath. No secondhand or third hand smoke to kill your loved ones and less loved ones around you. And the only person who inhales the nicotine is yourself. Everybody wins. :)

Grandma in Hospital

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:33:49 GMT

Quite some years ago, I published a post about my very remarkable, really tough grandma. She is now 99 years old and found to have advanced pancreatic cancer. She's still largely lucid although she is forgetful and can't talk much. She can recognise us and ask for things.

I wonder if she knows she has months to live. Surely she must, the ushering into hospital and then soon, out again, the new pain in her abdomen as the pain escalates. It is a terrible way to die, although doctors tell us she will be helped along with morphine.

I try not to think about death. It is inevitable for all of us and we all have to deal with the end of our existence. All we can do is to cherish each day and give comfort and our time to those we love.

I wonder if I would prefer to go suddenly or have some notice. But you know me, I always like to be prepared.

What is happening to HIMYM?

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:48:58 GMT

How I Met Your Mother is one of the best sitcoms I've ever watched: witty, clever, funny, with an attractive cast and amazing chemistry. Until Season 4 began.

What the heck happened?

Robin and Barney.

The hook-up everyone wanted to happen seems to have killed the show for me.

I have watched 4 episodes already and they all seem flat and boring. No one wants to see Robin and Barney together like that. They are neither acting much like a romantic couple nor merely friends with benefits. There was never much about that, except in the first episode.

The next thing we knew, boom, they were official and then boringsville.

Thankfully this week's episode seems to have ended with Barney regretting the relationship and missing his singlehood. I really hope this means HIMYM will regain the edge it started with. Looks like I will be tuning in next week.

Missing Boy So Much

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:30:59 GMT

It hurt me too much to post it here before, but my beloved cat Boy died last April from a heart attack. He was 17 years and 3 months old and had been my baby for 17 years and 2 months.

I don't want to repeat the story because it hurts me too much, but here it is on Five Cats Blog.

I will love you forever, my sweet baby...

Make Your Home Safe For Everyone

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:50:56 GMT

When we first got the cats, we had to cat proof the house: no toxic plants, liquid cleaners they could drink, stove safety, etc. With a bun in the oven, one has to begin reading up about child safety and start acquiring baby proofing items.

One of the most comprehensive product sites is KidSafe. They have all kinds of cool gadgets (and neat articles) to keep your kid (and hey, maybe even cat) out of mischief.

The nice wooden safety gate can be used for kiddies and overexcitable puppies and the KidCo Toilet Lock just looks cute. Not that our cats drink from the loo. But keeping it down is a good habit so that the contents don't spew 6 ft into the perimeter (fact!).

Remember what's important before you buy any of this stuff, is to check if the materials they use are safe and non-toxic (paint, plastic, etc). Stick with untreated solid wood if possible. It is much safer for all at home. Try Googling the product for reviews and emailing the manufacturer to ask what materials are used in the product.

Safe home, everyone!

Today's Must-Reads

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:14:14 GMT

Cool strange fish from "monster" lake and how to tell if your baby loves you. :D

Gear Freak Mom Uncloseted

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:33:44 GMT

I have to admit. I am a gear freak. Point me to nifty gadgets and you'll see an idiot look on my face and a pool of drool at my feet. So it is with phones, computers, solar lighting, pet gear, and even baby gear.

And where to browse and buy them, you ask? With the amount of advertising online, you need to find an objective collator of information. Wikipedia is one, penned by anonymous writers (no fame there, just contributors to the bigger picture). When it comes to shopping, there is ShopWiki which nicely crawls the web for shops.

Now, half the time when I shop, I have to ask myself (and now with more experience) if I really want that item or if Jack wants it. Like those electric cars and huge car parks. Then I ask him. :D And that's only if it is a buying trip. He's been really good about that.

Speaking of cool baby gear (and I know dear hubby will kill me if I buy another baby carrier), check out this cool backpack baby carrier (always wanted one) and this bike trailer. I think I could even stick a couple of cats in there. Maybe Tux and Sam. Yeah I think they'd dig that.

Organic Living: Switching to Green Lighting

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:24:23 GMT

Not literally of course.

But solar lighting. I'd bought some from the Animal Rescue Site but they didn't last very long. So I was thrilled to find one in Ikea for $19. It has three LEDs and serves as a booklight too! I wish I saw it before buying that crummy one from Borders last year.

Since I am up half the night, this can save me tons of money and the environment too by using it as a computer light and a book light. Will try sewing under it too. It is really very bright!

If you have an Ikea where you are, see if they carry it. It should be under the lighting department.

It is nice to see Ikea walk the talk, now if only they'd shut off those lamps in the lighting department! They really don't need to advertise their lamps. People go there to buy their stuff already.

Lovely Silver Things

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 12:27:21 GMT

Since I became a mother, I put away my lovely engagement ring, as well as other jewellery my hubby and my mom gave me.

Aside from the obvious, primarily, diverting funds previously spent on frivolous adornments on myself to frivolous adornments for baby, as well as for his college fund, I want to teach my son that material things are not important, but social ties are. Still, I enjoy wearing things that mean something to me and these usually find me unexpectedly.

Hence I love scouring the web for great finds. I found some lovely cloth dolls from Etsy and some lovely Silver Jewellery from Keysilver, a cool online jewellery store from the UK.

The latter is a pretty - the green is very soothing - simply laid out shop, which places its offering clearly on its landing page. It is reminiscent of those sweet push carts you see at the market run by adventurous and enthused 20-somethings with a love for silver jewellery. Very honest with its offerings and personal service.

Shipping information, something I look for first when I visit an online store, is placed very visibly on its left navigation bar. They do ship internationally although it isn't mentioned on their website. A design note: the text looks great everywhere else on the site except this page, where there should be paragraph breaks.

My goddaughter Joyce and I have had a love affair with silver jewellery since our school days. Silver is pretty, inexpensive, and signifies a simplicity from the harder and harsher gold, which older people tend to wear. (Even my gold jewellery is white gold.) She loves Silver Bracelets and I love Silver Pendants.

Even today (I won't say how many years!), she wears the same, and after motherhood, I bought a silver cat pendant and bunny pendant from the Animal Rescue Store to wear on occasion, so Jack grows up seeing Mom wear meaningful things, not expensive things.

Being a fan of silver jewellery, I must say Keysilver's designs are very unique, especially this lovely Amber bracelet my sister will adore. Joyce would love this sweet bangle. Definitely a site to bookmark. Pop by for a visit. I am sure you'll find something you will like. :)

Colicky Baby

Sun, 25 May 2008 17:18:26 GMT

I am very fortunate Jack was never a colicky baby. I always held him and nursed him whenever he was fussy. That always calmed him down.

Technically, colic is a term for an unexplained bout of crying.

In the past, when a mother had a Fussy Baby, she would give him Natural Gripe Water to ease his Colic Distress.

I remember, because I remember taking lots of it as a kid. There was a vague honey taste to it that appealed even after I had passed the baby stage. :)

More recently, after Jack was born, I went and bought one bottle but they have changed their formula. It tastes different now. I guess over the years they refine the formula and make it better.

That bottle is still in my larder somewhere. I am lucky we have never had to use it but it is reassuring to know it is there.