Life in Tall Tree Subdivision

Studies show a heightened need for risk/benefit analysis of terbutaline to treat pre-term labor.

2011-05-26T06:11:00.000-07:00

Terbutaline, a beta 2-adrenergic agonist bronchodilator has been used off label to treat preterm labor since 1976. In the past 35 years there has been increasing evidence that obstetrical use of terbulaline is not without risks of serious side effects. As early as 1997 the FDA published concerns of long-term use and out of hospital use of terbutaline due to cardiovascular complications. As of 2009 there have been at least 12 documented cases of severe detrimental cardiovascular side effects related to the obstetrical use of terbutaline since the FDA’s initially warning. In 2004, a study from Duke University found that the obstetrical use of terbutaline increased the likelihood and degree of damage from frequently present environmental chemicals to an exposed child’s neurologic system later in life. Then in 2009 a study published in American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology found a correlation between treatment of women with preterm labor with beta 2-adrenergic agonists and increased risk of autism in their children. It is believed that during the second and third trimester these medications can “permanently alter the balance of sympathetic and parasympathetic tone in the individual.” In Februrary of this year (2011) the U.S. Department of Health issued a press release regarding the FDA’s decision to give terbutaline a Boxed Warning and Contraindication. According to the U.S. Department of Health there is not even enough evidence “that the use of terbulatine to prevent preterm labor improves infant outcomes.” According to the FDA the risks, of using terbutaline, to the patient(s) should be weighed against any benefits and its use is actually discouraged.

Mechcatie, Elizabeth. (2011). FDA warns about CV risks of obstetric terbutaline use. Family Practice News 41.5 (44). doi: A254482862

NewsRx Health & Science. (2009). Treatments for asthma and pre-term labor may increase risk of autism in developing fetus. NewsRx Health & Science. (202). doi:A214064315

Pre-term labor drug sensitizes brain to pesticide injury. (2004). Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA (45). doi: A115414610

USA: FDA warns against certain uses of asthma drug terbutaline for preterm labor. (2011). Right Vision News. doi: A249500309

Yogurt and Blessings!

2011-05-18T08:18:00.000-07:00

So, I had two adventures recently that I thought I would share about.

The first is that I tried my hand at making yogurt…and was it delicious! I had heard of using a yogurt maker or of using the pilot light in your gas oven neither of which I had…so I “googled” making yogurt and found a way to make yogurt using a heating pad…yup, a HEATING PAD! Now isn’t that creative! It actually is very easy and I will post the link just in case any of you all want to try it. The first batch was a little runnier than I prefer, but it was very usable, especially mixed with granola and fresh fruit in the mornings. I think I will let the next batch sit longer than the 7 hours she recommends starting with, so that it is a little thicker. All in all it was a super EASY recipe to use and I look forward to making some more in a few days!

Make Your Own Yogurt

Heating the milk for yogurt.

The second adventure I was on was yard-saling…now, I know a lot of people get great deals at yard sales etc. but due to my crazy work and school schedule and the fact that we keep a pretty tight budget which does not include a yard sale “category” I have not really been able to go to yard sales in years. Well, I had saved $20 of my rebate money and noticed signs for some subdivision wide yard sales and decided to go on my Saturday off. I prayed for God to help us find some great bargains and early, I mean EARLY, Saturday morning my SIL/BIL and a friend of mine from work headed off in the occasional rain sprinkles to try our hand at bargain hunting!

Now I have to mention, I had told myself 2 rules before I left only buy things I need now (because I had seen that a lot of the yard sales had baby items and we are NOT expecting!) and I would not spend more than $2/item. I figured that I only had $20 and I needed to see how far I could make that go!

Well, there certainly were a LOT of baby items out there and I hope that someone was able to get some GREAT deals! I managed to hang tough through the first few stops but then we came upon a yard sale that had a Boppy for $3…well after much thought and internal debate I decided that if she would take $2 for it, I would buy it…because, those things are $30 retail! So, I walked away with my $30 Boppy and it’s $10 cover for $2! Several yard sales later I was still going strong…not spending any more of my precious $20. Yeah for me! Then my SIL was looking through some kids stuff (for a friend) at another yard sale and I saw this beautiful gender-neutral bassinet. It looked like it was in good shape. (Now, if/when the Lord blesses us with children, I have wanted a bassinet, but I don’t usually care for the excessively “frilly” kind.) Well, I walked away because I knew that I did not NEED a bassinet. The lady at the house yelled across the yard, “the bassinet is only $5”, I smiled and said thanks and walked away, I did not NEED a bassinet! Well, after looking through more stuff we started to walk on to the next sale and I was mentioning to my SIL what a good deal the bassinet was and she said “well you need to get it!” Ha, I guess I needed that nudge…so I asked the lady if she would take $3 for the bassinet. She said YES. Then she explained that it was brand new and had never been slept in because her children wouldn’t sleep in it. Then at the same yard sale I got an Infantino carrier for $1 and a new, still in box wipes warmer for $0.50! Those people were awesome! Ha! There were lots of other yard sales that we got some great deals at, but that place was the super-duper bargain shop in my book!

$3 Bassinet

The last blessing to share is my “monkey pictures”. I have always loved monkeys and hope that some day in future years I can decorate a room with monkeys…well about a year ago I saw 2 absolutely ADORABLE canvas monkey prints at our local T.J. Maxx. They were a pretty good deal at only $8 each, but I didn’t really have the money to spend on that since we didn’t “need” them, so I didn’t get them. I knew in my heart that I would probably never find anything like them again, but I just didn’t have peace about going ahead and buying them. One of the last yard sales we stopped at had “my” exact monkey picture for sale! Yes, these were the same exact two canvases I had seen and wanted over a year ago! I was able to get “my” monkey picture for $0.50 each! Isn’t that a neat blessing?!?! I can’t help but praise God for that “extra” special blessing that He choose to give me! I think it is totally awesome!!!

"My" Monkey canvases

(Oh, I only spent $11 of my budget and got $293.50 worth!)

Themes and House Finches

2011-05-10T18:14:00.000-07:00

So I haven’t blogged in quite a while, but I am hoping that I can start back…I will preface (well actually it is more like a postscript at this point) this by saying, I still work full time, go to school and have a family to take care of…so I might not be extremely consistent in my blogging…but I will try to post things every now and then.

Some blogs have a theme and I have wondered if/what mine should be…of course since it is written by me, there will be personal things in here on occasion…but I have become increasingly concerned about several issues regarding women’s health and the lack of information available to women. Therefore, I will probably use this blog to address some of those issues at times. Additionally I enjoy discovering the “old” and “natural” way to do things and venturing out on those trails at times. So, having said all that…this will be a hodgepodge forum and you are welcome to join me on my journey.

At the moment my DH is on the phone with the internet company so I am sitting her typing this in a Word doc for importing later. I can see the momma House Finch sitting on her nest, occasionally standing to rearrange her eggs. Do you know much about House Finches? I did not until a nice couple decided to “rent” our back porch from us. Apparently House Finches are keen on porches or other protected areas for their nests. Both parents will carry building materials to the nest, but the momma is the one who actually builds the nest. During this time the papa will go through a courtship ritual with the mamma in which he regurgitates food into her mouth. This can continue after the momma lays her eggs and sits on the nest to keep them warm. After about 2 weeks the babies hatch. The first set of hatchlings had 5 babies. For approximately 14 days the momma and papa would go get food and regurgitate it into the babies’ mouths. After the 14 days, the little ones fly away. We happened to be outside working in the yard when one of them left…at first he flew into the back door (which is glass) but eventually he figured out how to fly to the dogwood tree. Now the parents have remodeled the nest for the second batch of hatchlings and the momma is sitting on the nest keeping them warm. Did you know that House Finches hatch 2 sets of kiddos each year?

Well, I am going to end this post here as we need to go to “A” and get my uniform embroidered and I think we will browse a few stores while there.

Another day...

2010-07-12T13:37:00.000-07:00

Well, it is several days later...and the guy is fixing the AC. He came the next day and was able to bypass the broken part so that we would have AC while the broken part was on order. I am very grateful for AC!

Right now the dogs are snoring and I am trying to convince myself that I don't need a nap! :-) I was up a bit too late last night trying to get coupons in order. Hopefully if the guy finishes the AC soon we can get going as I need to go shopping today or tomorrow.

This morning we went to "A" to get my nursing school uniforms. We were grateful to God that they didn't cost as much as we thought they might. I will have to make a trip back there next week to pick up the ones that they ordered...as well as the one they are embroidering. I am looking forward to getting school started again...as I am ready to be done with it! :-)

Speaking of school, I have another essay to write for Sociology. :-( I will be glad to get this class over with! So, I better go and work on that...

Ages and ages...

2010-07-08T19:02:00.001-07:00

So, it has been ages since I blogged at all, and I have to say that I am not committing to anything on a regular basis. However, I have been seriously considering restarting this blog several times lately...

Tonight the headlines are that I walked into a house that was 90 degrees HOT when I got off work tonight. :-p While it is not how I had planned to spend my evening, it is by no means the end of the world! :-) So, I have a fan in the window and another fan across the room and we have gotten the temperature down to ...... drumroll please ...... 88 DEGREES! :-) Oh well, it is better than it was!

Now, I must stop this short post and get busy with my Sociology homework. Not my favorite subject, so I MUST discipline myself to get busy and STUDY. :-p

Holiday Happenings

2008-12-30T06:47:00.000-08:00

Hello again. A lot has transpired since I last wrote. :-) I am sitting here writing this from my new MacBook which Darren got me for Christmas. :-)

Dec. 23, Frank and Michelle (friends who grew up with Darren in high school) came over for pizza and games. It was a lot of fun.

Darren and I both had to work on Christmas Day, so we celebrated on Christmas Eve day. We went to his sister's house for brunch, usually his mom would cook a big breakfast for their family get together. LeAnn did a great job of recreating everything and we had food galore. After spending some time over there visiting, eating and opening gifts; Darren, Hunter and I headed back to our house to have our "Christmas". Mainly we just opened presents, as we were too stuffed to eat anything. :-p My side of the family had their get together on the Sunday after Christmas, but due to Darren & my work schedule, we will be unable to attend this year. :-(

Christmas Day was very busy at work, which really is odd...

I got sick this past weekend, so spent most of my time in the bed or on the couch. :-p I am grateful that it did not last longer than about 2 days...

Sunday night I had invited a group of friends to meet us at Carrabba's for Darren's birthday dinner. We were happy to have so many friends come out and join us, and enjoyed a good time of fellowship. Of course, we also enjoyed the YUMMY food!

Yesterday we spent the afternoon at the mall...checking out some of the sales. We had a gift card we needed to use and were able to get several items that we needed/wanted. It was nice to spend relaxed time with each other too.

Today, it is getting back to the normal routine...whatever that is. :-p

Much To Do

2008-12-21T13:42:00.000-08:00

Aha, so I have not updated for a while. Part of me was just busy...and then part of me was waiting for something "profound" to happen...though I am not really sure why I thought something profound would happen. :-D

Mostly I have been busy with work and getting Christmas stuff ready. I love Christmas time...the light, the music, the cheer, finding the "perfect" gift for a loved one, etc. :-) Darren and I are mostly ready...Both of our families drew names this year...so we only got to shop for 4 gifts for extended family. My side of the family has decided that we will try to make birthday's more of a " big deal" this year. That way you can still have the joy of picking out the perfect present for every person, but it will spread it out over the year a little more. There are 6 "kids" in my family, plus spouses and children, so that makes it a little more feasible for everyone.

This year I got the tree decorated and the living room decorated. I got some greenery put up outside and was hoping to get lights and ribbon too...but I think this year we will just have the greenery and maybe next year get the rest. ;-)

Tonight is our Christmas program at church and I am looking forward to going. I wish Darren could come with me...but he is working today. I plan to take him dessert after church.

Well, I have to go finish getting ready for church. I got my hair cut recently and have been trying different ways to wear it. Today I tried some hot stix roller I had...I am feeling like an overgrown Shirley Temple at the moment...I hope I can fix this into something salvageable. :-)

New Beginning

2008-12-03T09:30:00.000-08:00

I have decided to try to start blogging again. I will not promise on the frequency of posts...but I will try to add bits and pieces here and there. This will replace my earlier blog A Medic and Her Dogs. Right now, I probably need to get some more Christmas decorating done. :-D