Resolutions

It occurs to me we're seven days into the new year and I haven't mentioned resolutions. I was tempted not to make any at all, because I don't do well with fulfilling them. But...as one friend put it, that's bad luck, and besides, resolutions aren't hard and fast; they're just expressions of what you want to work on. Still, I'm going to try to keep it simple.

So my resolutions for 2006 are:

1. Try to be more fiscally responsible. (I'm already off to a good start with that one.)
   
2. Try to eat fewer sweets. (Today, for example, I ate grapes rather than cake.)
   

That's all for now. Not much, I know, but hopefully baby steps will lead to bigger rewards.

A good approach

ABC News: 'Swimsuit Lesson' Teaches Kids About Sexual Abuse

So sad

ABC News: Miners' Notes Reveal Their Final Moments

One of my coworkers had a good point; mining accidents happen all the time and don't have the coverage that this one did. I don't know if it just happened on a day where there wasn't a lot to crowd it to a mere crawl on the screen or what. But they should get that kind of coverage. It has all the heartbreak and drama of a Lifetime movie, but sadly it's real-life and not fiction. I just hope the lone survivor manages to pull through. The families of the miners are just starting to live a changed life. My thoughts are with them.

Just in case you didn't know

Postal rates increase January 8th so a first-class letter will now go for 39 cents rather than 37. There is an issue of a non-denominated 39 cent stamp (Statue of Liberty) and one for 2 cents (Navajo Jewelry) if you have any of the old stamps you still want to use. Glad I used all of mine over the holidays. :)

Who knew?

askSam, the searchable database folks, have put up eBooks to be used with their database.

They include everything from Shakespeare and the Bible to the complete text of the PATRIOT Act and even convention speeches made by Kerry and Edwards. Check them out.

January is Birth Defects Prevention Month

Birth Defects Prevention Month, which takes place annually in January, was established to increase awareness about birth defects, abnormalities that are present at birth and can lead to physical or mental disabilities. In accordance with this event, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA's) National Mental Health Information Center's Web site is featuring resources for community programs and activities associated with this event. You can access these resources and details about the event at http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/highlights/January2006/birthdefects/

As a side note, one of the most preventable birth defects are those neural tube disorders such as spina bifida. 400 mcg of folic acid, the daily requirement, can help prevent this crippling condition in almost 70% of cases. All women of child-bearing age, regardless of whether they are planning a pregnancy or not, should be sure to get this through diet (there are foods rich in folic acid (orange juice and green vegetables), but also many cereals and other grains are fortified with it, and most multivitamins contain this as well). Folic acid also may help lower your chances of getting heart disease and some types of cancers. It may help protect you from having a stroke, as well. Neural tube defects happen very early in pregnancy, often before the woman is even aware that she is pregnant. There are some people who don't process folic acid well, and some families/ethnic groups that spina bifida runs in (Hispanics and those of European descent--especially Irish and Scottish--are most at risk), so check with your doctor to see if you may need further supplement.

Spina bifida is one of the disorders treated at the hospital I work in, but I also have an aunt who has spina bifida occulta, the form that has minimal impairment and is not readily seen except via x-ray. So if I plan a pregnancy (isn't happening anytime soon, trust me), it's important for me to get the folate I need, too. Plus, it's just good sense as there are other health benefits beyond pregnancy. :)

Oooooohhhh...

It's nice to sit down after a shift at the gas station. My feet are doing much better, of course, but towards the end of things pretty much everything hurts a bit. I could really use the massage cushion I got John for Christmas. :)

We had some excitement today. Someone drove into the store. Well, not completely, but enough to break a door and window. Apparently he thought it was in reverse and it was in drive and he stepped on the gas, and well, the rest is history. I wasn't there when it happened, thankfully. It probably would have scared the bejeesus out of me.

Since my register is the one on the side that was being repaired, I did a lot of stocking and not a lot of business until the last couple of hours of the shift. That wasn't so bad. Plus, I got to tell a customer to put out his cigarette whilst he was pumping the fuel.

But oh, it's good to be home. I've eaten a couple of peanut butter sandwiches and hugged my dog and taken her out, and now I think I'll chill out until it's time to pick a friend up from work.

Speaking of Cerys, I took this picture earlier today of her lounging on the bed. Doesn't she look sweet?

Yippee!

Okay, I know this is a sad thing to be excited over, but I just paid my rent. ON TIME. For the first time in so long I don't remember when the last time was, maybe April? No late fees. No notes. No feeling guilty about calling for maintenance. Plus, this paycheque was my first with my market raise which was $1.02 more than I had been making, so I can make my rent with that cheque plus $30. That meant there was more from the gas station paycheque for food and other necessities.

:)

*Does a little dance*

On a different note, I'm working all three jobs today, so I don't have much time to blog until tonight. Bye for now.

The Meme of Four

Haven't done one of these for awhile.

Four jobs you’ve had in your life: librarian, telephone surveyor, web page designer, cashier (wait, that's all the current plus my last job before becoming a librarian) :)

Four movies you could watch over and over: The Mummy, Stargate, the Secret of Roan Inish, Wickerman

Four places you’ve lived: California, Louisiana, South Carolina, Kentucky

Four TV shows you love to watch: Charmed, CSI, Medium, and (yes) Whose Line is it Anyway?

Four places you’ve been on vacation: Hunting Island (SC), Great Smokey Mountains (TN/NC), Mammoth Cave (KY), Natural Bridge (KY)

Four websites you visit daily: Google, Gmail, Blogger, Google News

Four of your favorite foods: Ice cream, chocolate, mashed potatoes, tomatoes

Four places you’d rather be: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland

A nice resource

MLA Guide (Anderson/Allee): Free Samples: "Medical Library Association Encyclopedic Guide to Searching and Finding Health Information on the Web"