Melissa's Idea Garden

Breast cancer is something that all women worry about. We gripe about having to have Mammograms done. We set up pals to help us remember to do self-breast exams. We check our family tree. But when most of us think about breast cancer, we think the sign to look for is a lump. Most of us aren't aware that there is another type of breast cancer that we should be on the look out for. It is called Inflammatory Breast Cancer (or IBC).

What makes IBC so dangerous is a combination of things

1. people, including doctors and cancer research facilities, not really having it on the top of their mind when they are asked about breast issues.
2. IBC is often misdiagnosed when first seen as a bug bite.
3. IBC is very, very aggressive.

I had never heard of IBC until today when a friend sent me an email with a link to a video about it.

Please take a few minutes to watch the video and here are some other links you can check out as well. Being informed is half the battle when it comes to our health. Please share this information with other women you know.

National Cancer Institute IBC Fact Page

Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Mayo Clinic IBC Fact Page

Inflammatory Breast Cancer Foundation

Posted by Melissa Markham at 8:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

One of the Christmas movies I enjoy watching is An American Christmas Carol. The Scrooge person is played by Henry Winkler (remember The Fonz?). He doesn't seem like a likely Scrooge does he? In this American Christmas Carol, we find ourselves in America in the late 1800s and Scrooge discovers credit. He takes this newly developing business that banks and companies have come up with where you let people buy items on credit and charge them interest. And if they don't make their payments, the lender gets to take the item! He makes the comment that "It is not unheard of to get 150% of the original price or more".

Now, I am not sure who first invented the idea of credit, particularly where interest and repossession are involved. There is mention of loans in the bible, but there is also the fact that every seven years, debts were to be forgiven (and my guess is that is where the 7 years comes from regarding how long a bankruptcy can be listed on your credit report). Fortunately, we are past the point where we get thrown into debtor's prison. Can you imagine...you are in debt so they throw you in prison (where you can't make a living) and there you stay until your debt is paid. How many of us would be in jail now if this was still the practice?

We have become a nation of people that live on credit. We use credit in emergencies and we use credit to finance our latest want list. There are people who never run into credit problems. They always pay on time, they never spend more than they can repay, and they don't run into situations where their credit starts ruling their lives. In my early credit life, I only used a credit card to build up my credit. I paid the balance each month and was on top of things.

Continue reading "Save Money By Improving Your Credit Score" »

Posted by Melissa Markham at 8:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

When I was a kid, cars still were very distinctive in appearance. Most of them. Nowadays, most of the vehicles on the road resemble one another. Why else would we get lost wandering about parking lots looking for our car? When I drove a 1976 Monte Carlo, it was easy to spot. When I drove a 1984 Monte Carlo SS...I never had problems finding my car. My mom's 1966 Olds Cutlass Supreme was easy to find.

Nowadays, more and more cars resemble each other. They are kind of boxy and unappealing, but never fear, there are ways to help your vehicle stand out in a crowd. Chack out Asanti grills and Asanti Body Styling Kits and Wheels and Rims. Your car will be styling and standing out from the crowd!

Posted by Melissa Markham at 12:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

My good friend, Carole, who taught me most of what I know about Ebay, has given me encouragement during my homsechooling years , and in general just een a wonderful friend, recently received some Drug Prescription cards with her credit cards bill. There was a brochure telling her the following:

"If you or someone you know does not have prescription coverage, the Simple Savings card can help! The Simple Savings card saves cardholders an average of 20% off their prescriptions at over 60,000 pharmacies nationwide including Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Eckerds, Kroger, Rite-Aid, Winn Dixie, Publix, Kmart - plus thousands more. A single card can be used by an entire family and covers all drugs requiring a doctor's prescription. The free Simple Savings card can be used as long as it is needed - it is not a temporary card.

Because of our size and relationships within the pharmaceutical industry, we are able to negotiate lower prices on your behalf. We get paid by the pharmaceutical companies when you use your card - all while you save money. When you save money, we make money, We both win!"

Carole knew that we don't have insurance and Daniel and I both have a couple of prescriptions that we fill regularly, so she sent these cards on to me. I haven't used them yet, but I will be giving them a try the next time I have a prescription to fill. I wanted to let you know about it in case you wanted to check it out!

Posted by Melissa Markham at 8:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

More and more Americans are having to drop health insurance coverage because the cost of it is just too high. And with the price of everything else from gas to groceries to clothing going up, up, up...the money has to come from somewhere and since salaries aren't increasing as quickly as the prices of everything else are going up. So people have to make choices and health insurance is often one of the things to go. Because it usually frees up 100s of dollars a month and that money can help with other rising costs. In the short term, this seems to be a good choice, but in the long run, with the cost of doctor visits, medicines and treatments rising exponentially, health insurance is a necessity. Don't get caught without health insurance, there are affordable choices out there, you just have to do some research.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 2:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With age comes indignities. Our bodies stop functioning as well as they used to. We don't heal as quickly as we used to. We get more aches and pains. We walk more slowly. We can't carry as much. And we are more prone to those...um embarrassing accidents. Women, in particular, have problems with incontinence as muscles loose their strength and mobility. Disease and paralysis can also affect this issue. If you or someone you know suffers from incontinence, don't be embarrassed. You can discreetly order incontinence supplies online. And you can do some google searches for exercises you can do to help combat this problem. Don't let age hold you back from what you want to do.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 11:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My dad is a carpenter. He also does a fair amount of work on his vehicles. He has a huge variety of tools to keep up with. And without proper tool storage he would never be able to find anything. How do I know? Well, because proper tool storage is sadly lacking in our own home. My husband is a computer guy. He does know which end of the hammer to use and he done a few mechanical jobs like bleeding the brakes on his Jeep Scrambler, but all in all, he and tools don't often come into contact with each other.

He has about three sets of wrenches because he buys one for something he needs, he uses it, then he puts it away and can't remember where it was he put it away, so then he has to buy a new set...of course, then he immediately finds the first set. Whether you have a tool challenged husband like I do or a tool afficianado like my dad, the Hands on Tool website is a great place to fill all of your tool needs! Plus, if you sign up as a member, you can get free shipping and all kinds of exclusive offers and rewards.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 10:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Golf is a sport of skill and patience. The only golf I have ever played has been miniature golf and Wii Golf. I have to say though that when I play either of those and I make a sweet shot I feel the same as Tiger Woods...elated (and quite often amazed). With the Wii, when I play, I have added advantages. I get an aerial view of my target. I am given a reading of the current wind temperature and direction. I know the frustration of misjudging the whole situation and having my ball roll into the rough or a sand trap! I can see where learning to play golf would be challenging and a lot of fun!

Maybe you are a miniature golfer or a Wii golfer like me. But maybe, just maybe, you know someone who plays the 'real' game. And maybe that person (or you) is always looking for a great place to find great deals on name brand golf equipment like Nike golf or Odyssey Golf or Callaway Golf. Whichever brand you prefer, The World of Golf.com has what you are looking for! Fore! Or is it Four? Whichever...why don't you putt on over to The World of Golf and see what equipment they offer to help improve your golf game.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 9:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The magic of Santa is a delightful part of childhood. But even Santa can use a helping hand from time to time. It is hard for him to answer all the letters he receives. After all, if he sat around answering letters, he would never get any toys made or lists completed. However, as a parent, we know the joy a child feels when they open up the mailbox and there is mail for them inside.

Letters From Santa is a company that is here to help. You can order a personalized letter from Santa to be sent to your child. And yes, there is still time! I don't know about you, but when my children write their Santa letter, I keep a copy of what they want from Santa, helps me with my shopping. You can incorporate that information, along with your child's gender, age, up to 3 of their accomplishments of the past year, and the name of the city you will be in for Christmas into a letter that will be sent to them on gorgeous Santa stationery. The envelope also has a Santa picture on it along with a postmark from Santa's Post Office.

And right now can you get this wonderful letter that your child will always treasure, but you can also get a follow-up post card that shows Santa on the beach and a door hanger for your child. Add a little more magic to your child's life this year! Merry Christmas!

Posted by Melissa Markham at 8:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I love flowers. One of my favorite flowers is the carnation because it comes in so many lovely colors, smells beautiful and has a long life. I am not hugely crazy on roses. They are beautiful and their scent is heavenly, but I obviously don't know how to care for the cut roses very well because they rarely last more than a few days for me.

Several years ago, my husband gave me a wonderful gift, actually two wonderful gifts. He purchased me a year of flowers and a year of plants. Every other week, the FedEx man would arrive with the flower or plant of the month. They were all beautiful and brightened up our home. And it was neat because I knew there would be a flower delivery every couple of weeks! And it was a great plan for my husband because his memory isn't very long and he would forget to get flowers for me, but he knew how much I loved them. So he ordered once and then it was taken care of for a year!

I know flowers aren't necessarily a practical gift...after all, they aren't something you can use again and again. But women all over the world love receiving flowers. My husband's grandmother who passed away a couple of years ago told us she wanted flowers when she was living, not on her grave. So we always got her flowers. One of her grandaughters bought her 90 roses on her 90th birthday! She was thrilled!

Continue reading "Visions of Sugar Plums and Carnations are Dancing Through My Head!" »

Posted by Melissa Markham at 10:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

I just joined Michelle's Winter Bazaar at Scribbit. I linked with my Christmas Traditions Craft post.

If you get a chance, pop over and read the other posts (all have to do with Christmas or other December activities). And you can join in the fun too!

Posted by Melissa Markham at 7:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Do you have a hard time finding jeans to fit? You know...they are great at the waist, but two large in the legs or they fit everywhere, but are a tad too long, or they gap at your waist, but fit your hips? Well, look no further! Check out True Jeans. They will take your measurements, and then you will be shown the jeans that will best fit you! Sounds cool, doesn't it? Well, True Jeans and 5 Minutes for Mom have paired up to give one lucky, lucky gal $200.00 to spend on some jeans! So head over to 5 Minutes for Mom and sign up! Good luck!

Posted by Melissa Markham at 6:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

Right now, I, along with most of the people I know are busy dreaming of a White Christmas. We are looking for, praying for and hoping to have some of the white stuff float down from the sky so we can have our Norman Rockwell Christmas. I know there are some who are already dreading the first falling flake and are dreaming about sunny warm days to come in the months ahead. But for right now, I think most people are dreaming of snow.

However, human nature is a twisted thing. We want what we can't have. When it is summer, we dream of cooler days. When it is cold we long for sun and surf. So by January or February, many of those who were dreaming of snowy days in December will be turning their thoughts to summer vacations. Why wait until summer? Why not enjoy a lovely getaway this winter and take advantage of Amelia Island's Lodging Special. Currently, they are running a special at 12 participating hotels, bed and breakfasts and inns where if you purchase a two night stay, you can get a third night free. Reservations are required and black out dates apply, but you can only find those by checking out the lodging that appeals to you. This promotion is good from now until February 29, 2008.

Personally, I always like to do something special with my husband for Valentine's Day. Some years we have been able to arrange for the kids to be away and we just hung out at home in the peace and quiet. Some years, we have gone away for an overnight trip, just the two of us. I think it would be positively lovely for us to visit Amelia Island for a long weekend.

Continue reading "Amelia Island - One of the Top 10 Island Getaways in America" »

Posted by Melissa Markham at 4:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

When I was a kid, my dad and I would play a variety of card games. Mostly we played rummy or rook, but sometimes we played Blackjack or Poker. We had some plastic poker chips that we played with. It was fun and I guess Dad had learned to play these games when he was in the Army. Playing with the chips added an extra element of excitement and fun. Today, I have some chips just like them for the times when we sit around playing a little Blackjack.

However, if you know someone who is more serious about their game playing, they may appreciate having a set of Custom Ceramic Poker Chips. These chips can hold whatever custom design you want to put on them. A person's name, a symbol for a persons business, initials, a special date. And, don't be limited to using the poker chips for just playing poker. They could make a lovely giveaway item to promote your business. They would be a novely and stick out in people's memories.

There are other items besides ceramic poker chips at pokerchips.com. You can find clay poker chips, casino inlay poker chips, economic poker chips, cards, poker chip holders, poker tables and more. It someone in your home enjoys a poker night, any of these items would make a fun and unusual gift.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 4:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So, are you already counting up the pounds that you are going to put on in the next 25 days or so? I am ... cookies, candy, parties...all add up to added weight. Of course after the intake of the yummy food comes the weight gain comes the guilt...and the desire to get it off before swim suit season rolls around again. It would be good if we could just avoid that whole scenario and not gain the weight, but realism is probably a better choice in this matter. So, what do you do for exercise? What plan do you have in mind for losing those excess pounds?

My husband enjoys using our elliptical. We purchased it about three years ago. It is easy to use, tracks our heart rate, and has several different levels of exercise you can try. Ours has hills, cardio, and strength training settings. My husband has flat feet and says the elliptical is good for him to use because it doesn't bother his feet as much.

The nutrition and diet experts say we should get 30-45 minutes of exercise at least 5 days a week. You might want to consider an elliptical machine. You can catch up on the news or some other television show while you get rid of the pounds in the comfort in your own home.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 3:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As we look ahead to a few more weeks of parties, holiday gatherings, and holiday cooking, we are also thinking beyond that to our New Year's Resolutions. Quit smoking. Lose Weight. Be more patient. Exercise More. Some may want to go beyond simple weight loss and participate in some bodybuilding activities. Maybe they have a spring or summer sport that the they want to prepare for. Maybe they don't want to have sand kicked in their face this summer when they are at the beach. Maybe they are looking for better appearance and health.

If bodybuilding is on your New Year's Resolution list, you may also want to invest in bodybuilding supplements. Just like there are products to help you lose weight and porducts to help you quit smoking, there are products that can help assist you in your endeavor to sculpt an ideal physique.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 2:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I try to let you know when I find a new site that offers coupon codes to help you save money. Webby Planet is such a place. They have a huge database. And so many ways to search it! (That's the part I like). For instance, I clicked on the games and toys category, and I found stores I had never even heard of (and some great deals!) You can also search based on keywods or by alphabet letter. For instance the letter 'T' has 5 pages of stores listed under it!

When you choose a category, the stores come up alphabetically and at the bottom of the page, there are sections that show you new stores that have become part of the Webby Planet network, extra great deals and gift certificates that are available to help you save money! If you still have some Christmas shopping to do, set down with your list and visit Webby Planet. You will save money!

Posted by Melissa Markham at 7:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You don't have to pay full price for Hotel Reservations. In fact prices for hotel rooms is more of a guideline than anything else. My husband worked in DC a few years ago. He would walk up to the desk and ask for their best price on a room. They would say something like $175. He would walk to a phone, call a travel agent and get a reservation for $125.00 at the same hotel. We have seen this sort of thing time and time again with hotel reservations, car rentals, and plane flights. Just last week, he checked into a car rental. If he used his gold membership car, the car rental was twice as much!!!! So check around to find the best price. Saving that money means you have more money for things like eating at fine restaurants or sight seeing while you are on your trip!

Posted by Melissa Markham at 11:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I remember my senior year in highschool. I had two colleges in mind to apply for and the applications were a little bit intimidating (but only a little...as I love to write, in case you haven't noticed). However, I knew kids who were literally sweating bullets as they tried to come up with the right words for their personal essays (not to mention the right words spelled correctly and used correctly as well). I remember reading over some of my friend's personal essays and helping them with some of those issues and pointing out to them strong points or experiences that they had left out.

It is a scary thing to a studen to know so much can be riding on one essay. I know that the Dean of Admission will tell you that it is just a part, but it is a very important part. They look at your grades, they look at your test scores, they look at your transcripts and then they read those essays and you can lose them there if you aren't careful! If a very real sense, applying to college is as tough, if not tougher, than applying for a job. You are essentially selling yourself to a stranger and you better do a good and convincing job. You only get one shot at this and with college and graduate school essays and personal statements, you have a disadvantage...you aren't being personally interviewed. There is no chance for your body language or appearance to help or hinder your cause.

Continue reading "Get Help With Your Law School Personal Statement." »

Posted by Melissa Markham at 8:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Franck Muller started taking apart and reassembling everything he could get his hands on when he was a kid. His love of discovering how things ticked led him to attend watch school. After he graduated in the 80's, he obtained a job repairing fine quality pocketwatches for museums and private individuals. It was during this period that Muller came in contact with some of the finest, complicated timepieces ever produced and was thus inspired to eventually produce his own masterpieces. He founded his own company in 1992. Franck Muller produces at least one world watch premiere every year and have done so since 14 years. These watches are elegant time pieces with quality mechanisms. Surprise someone you love this holiday season with a watch that they will treasure for life!

Posted by Melissa Markham at 8:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Did you realize that tanned skin only became popular in this century. Prior to that, fair skin was popular. Probably because fair skin denoted weatlh. Those with tanned skin probably had to work outdoors for a living, whereas a person with fair skin may have had servants and didn't have to be out in the sun and other elements. So even those that had to work outdoors, wore bonnets and gloves and long sleeves in an attempt to protect their skin.

With the advent of factories, people were moved indoors for difficult labor. Their skin became pale as they left the sunlight behind that came with outdoor and farming type work. Now, to differentiate themselves, the well to do, started enjoying outdoor activities. To show others that they did now spend their time inside working, a tan was essential. So now we strive for that healthy glow. But do you know what that healthy glow costs us? It wrinkles our skin. It discolors it. It toughens it. It dries it out. My grandmother loved to sunbathe and she smoked. In her 50s, she resembled a prune. My husband has a cousin who is also a sun worshipper and a smoker. She has skin that would rival leather.

As with all things, the commercial industry has come up with products to help us undo or lessen the damage done to our skin. Lavandou has a wide selection of skinceuticals so that you can revitalize your skin and slow down the signs of aging that are induced by your outdoor activities and pollution in our environment. We are living longer nowadays and it is only natural for us to want to look our best. Lavandou doesn't just offer products for your skin, but they offer information as well to help you repair the damage that the sun and pollution has done.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 3:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Utility knives come in handy for a lot of things. I use them to cut open boxes that arrive in the mail, to scrape old county stickers off of my car, and sometimes in crafts. They are sharper than scissors and the easier to use. My first job was in a grocery store and that was the first time I ever saw box cutters being used. The stock guys would have the tops off of those boxes in a New York minute (and we were always tickled when they got careless and cut open a bag of M & M's...treats for us!)

But utility knives have a downside, they are not all created equal and some of them are downright dangerous! I had one that I had to throw away. I picked it up cheap because I needed it and when the blade fell out on its own when I went to cut something, I decided it was really what I needed. Martor USA provides a large line of safe box cutters that are designed to protect the user and increase safety in the workplace. Their knives are tested specifically for safety. Request a free catalog and check out their complete line of products.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 2:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Do you remember the days when all checking accounts were free? When buying checks didn't cost an arm and a leg? How about when you knew the people at your bank and they knew you and if things were tough, you could count on a little bit of help from the bank? Banks like that seem to have gone the way of the dodo.

If you are paying fees for every little thing involved with your checking account, it may be time for a change. How would you like to get free atm withdrawals? Free checks? One overdraft fee refunded per year? Free out-going wire transfers? Free identity theft service and no minimum balance requirements? If all of that has your ears perked up and your heart beating with excitement, I encourage you to see WaMu(Washington Mutual) has a location near you.

They are a full service financial institution that can assist you with CDs, business accounts, credit cards, loans and more.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 12:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Early on in my marriage, my husband and I faced financial crisis. We had more bills than we could comfortably pay, so we sought help through our local consumer credit services. It has been more than 10 years, so I don't remember the name, but they were in the same building as the United Way and the debt counselling was free. We took all of our papers. Showed what we made, what bills we had and asked for help. In our situation, we were told there wasn't any help to be had. We needed the credit cards to be available for emergencies and to go through Consumer Credit Counselling would lead to shutting down of the cards. We were better off paying the late fees and finance charges than we were trying to consolidate. This was not the answer we wanted to hear. So a couple of years later when we ended up having to declare bankruptcy due to my husband not being paid for a couple of month's worth of work, we didn't even bother to go back to them, because we expected the same answer.

Now, more people are floundering under debt issues than ever before. Credit bills go higher and higher, income doesn't match it and pretty soon we are in over our heads. Every state now has tons of companies that offer to help you repair your credit score, consolidate your debts, and get out from under. I am glad to know that there is help with Virginia Credit Card Debt as there is in states across the country.For example if you live in California you would want to check out California credit debt.

If you find yourself stressed out because of bills or unable to get a home loan because of past problems, take a moment and check for credit card debt help near you. Get your feet back on the right track and get the monkey off of your back. Just remember, once you go through these steps, don't make the same mistakes again. Use credit wisely. Don't buy things you don't need unless you have the money in hand. Credit can be a great benefit if used wisely.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 9:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I was lucky as a teenager, while I had some acne, it wasn't too pronounced. But when I did (and do) break out, it is mostly on my chin. My son, Jack, who is almost 11, has an occasional pimple show up. Since it has been awhile since I have dealt with acne issues and Jack is growing closer to his teenage years by the day, I thought I should see what the latest buzz is on the causes of acne and the treatments for it. I hope that Jack and Katrina will both be blessed with not much acne like I was, but I figure it is always best to be prepared. I had friends in highschool had a terrible time dealing with acne and I have known people left disfigured by it.

One thing that surprised me was this snippet:

"It's not your fault. Contrary to popular belief, acne is not caused by anything you're doing — what you eat, how often you wash your face or work out — but by a combination of factors at work far beneath the surface of your skin. "

I remember when I was growing up that greasy food and chocolate were high on the list of causal factors for acne. There are five known causal factors according to my research:

1. Hormones
2. Extra Sebum
3. Follicle Fallout
4. Bacteria
5. Inflammation

For more information about each of these causal factors and the exact growth of acne, check out Acne.com.

As I continued to peruse this site, I found information on skin care, types of acne, a variety of myths (this was very interesting, I hadn't even heard some of these), and treatments.

If you or someone else you knows suffers from acne, you will find tons of helpful information here! Don't wait to outgrow it, do something proactive today!

Posted by Melissa Markham at 9:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A downside of being an 'old married' person is that sometimes we forget to make time for romance. After a day of working, tending to the house, taking care of the kids, settling disputes, paying bills, cooking...who has time for romance? But to keep your love strong and alive, you need to make some time! After all, once the kids are gone, all that is going to be left is you and your spouse. What if you have gotten lost from one another along the way? Don't wait until the kids are grown and gone, take time and create those romantic moments now.

What? You aren't sure how to bring romance into your relationship? I ran across a website this morning called Romance Tracker and it has tons of ideas, no matter what type of relationship you are in!

Here are some of their recent articles:

Love note: how to write the perfect romantic note

Romantic Christmas gift: give a holiday present of love!

The flavor of love: what does true romance taste like?

So spread a little love and a little romance in your life!

Posted by Melissa Markham at 8:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

None of us like to think about the fact that we will one day die. Wills, life insurance, guardianships for our children are all things that we tend to put on the back burner. It is almost like we believe that if we don't do something about it,the event won't come to pass. And conversely, it is like we believe if we do make those preparations, we are tempting fate. In fact the opposite is true. In homes around the world, spouses, children and even parents are relying on you. What if the unthinkable were to happen and you were to be involved in a fatal accident? Would your family be taken care of? Don't put your family in a situation where they are not only having to grieve for you, but they are wondering if they are going to be kicked out of their home.

Don't know where to start? Which type of life insurance to get? Let Advantage Life Insurance Company help. They can explain the different types of policies that are available. They will help you save money on insurance. Whether you want whole life insurance policay or a term life insurance policy. Whether you are overweight or a smoker, they can help you protect your families future.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 10:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My family is full of contradictions. We love watching movies and reading books and listening to music and attending concerts and plays. We don't watch much sports. Okay, we don't watch any sports except for the Superbowl and occasionally a college bowl if a local college is involved. We don't play any sports. I have dabbled in tennis in the past. My son has enjoyed playing soccer when we can fit it in and afford the gas. My daughter likes gymnastics, again when we can fit it in and afford the gas. But something we do love is hiking.

I spent a lot of time in the mountains as a child. My father is an outdoorsman. He hunts, fishes, owns a cabin and 51 acres against National Forest, and would rather be outside than do anything else. Mom, Dad and I would go riding in the mountains most every Sunday afternoon when I was a kid. We would explore, fish and find treasures (rocks, neat shaped wood, feathers). That ingrained in me the desire to be out in the woods.

Over the years my family has had bouts with hiking. We have hiked along the Appalachin trail near our home. We have hiked in the Rockies. My husband and two stepsons hiked around in the Grand Canyon (I drew the lijne on that one). Daniel and Jack have recently been doing a lot of hiking. It has been a great father son bonding time. And Daniel has taught Jack about map reading, what to do should a wild critter be encountered, photography, what to do if lost, and all kinds of other topics that I am sure I haven't been told about.

Continue reading "Hiking tips" »

Posted by Melissa Markham at 8:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

One of my many fond memories of a child at Christmas was the Christmas stocking. There was often a special gift hidden there. In addition to that, there was always yummy candy...peppermint candy canes, chocolate Santas and small dark chocolate candy bars (which my dad and I fought over!) There are three times a year that I spoil my kids with candy. Halloween, Christmas and Easter. Christmas is fast approaching and I am trying to decide which goodies to put in their stockings this year.

Continue reading "Chocolate, Dried Fruits, and Nuts....Oh My!" »

Posted by Melissa Markham at 6:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Whether you want to surprise your significant other with a custom made piece of jewelry or you are a company that wants to have custom made jewelry to sell or give away at important events, you will be delighted with the creations of YouDesignWeCreate.com.

Whether you want platinum, sterling silver, gold, diamond, women's, men's, children's or titanium jewelry, YouDesignWe Create.com can assist you with making that perfect piece of jewelry. Their artisans will work closely with you. You create the design for a brooch, necklace, ring, bracelet or earrings. Then you submit the design to them and they will bring your creation to life.

Just think...a special anniversary, the birth of a child, a landmark life event can all be commemorated with your creative design. There isn't anyone who wouldn't be thrilled to own a piece of unique jewelry designed just for them! The fact that you spent the time and thought in coming up with the design will surely make it one of their most treasured pieces.

YouDesignWeCreate.com also carries a wide selection of pre-made jewelry from classic styles to modern styles. They are able to help you with all of your jewelry needs. To get a peek at some of the lovely items they have created based on the designs of others, be sure to visit their They Designed It, We Created It! section.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 10:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My mom is a wonderful cook as were her mom and her grandmother. She always seems to add a little something extra and the things she cooks often look like the pictures you see in magazines or cookbooks...just perfect! And they taste even better!

At Christmas, Mom is most in her element. Cookies, cakes, candies...and the house always smells so good. I have many fond memories of baking cookies with Mom. There was one item she made every year that made our mouths water and got Dad involved too. Fresh Coconut cake. If you have never had fresh coconut cake, you can find the recipe below. It is out of this world. And let me tell you, bagged coconut doesn't begin to compare! Why did Dad get involved? Well he was the one breaking open the coconut.

He and I would go downstairs with the coconut and make a place on his work bench. With hammer and screwdriver, he would knock out the 'eyes' (that's what I call them) and drain out the coconut milk (you need that for the recipe). Then he would use the hammer to tap on the shell until he got it cracked open and got the coconut broken into chunks that Mom could use.

Continue reading "Christmas and Fresh Coconut Cake" »

Posted by Melissa Markham at 7:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Many people in our country are uninsured these days. That is a scary thing. There are people who are not getting routine medical care because they can't afford it. There are other people who aren't getting specialized care because they can't afford it. We have been uninsured for about 6 years. As self-employed business people, insurance costs are astronomical. When last we were paying for insurance, it was $1200.00 a month and that was 6 years ago. In the last 6 years, I have been admitted to ICU for a gall bladder attack, had a gall bladder removed and had a lymph node removed from under my arm. My son has broken his finger. And then there are the normal yearly exams, mammograms, tests, etc. We are still paying for the removal of my body parts. I hope that our country will work out a system where everyone in it will be insured, but in the meantime, we have to search for solutions to help ourselves out.

For free or reduced price prescriptions here are a couple of sites to visit:

Pfizer prescription help program

Select Care Benefits Network

NAMI

For other free health benefits you can check out these sites:

The Medicine Program

HRSA

Insure Kids Now

These are just a few of the sites I found when googling terms like free medicine and free health care. I haven't tried out any of these programs yet or delved into them, so I am not endorsing any. I just wanted to give you a spring board as well as the tools to delve further on your own. If you are uninsured, check into ways to help yourself. Either by finding insurance with really high deductibles to cover catastrophic illness or by seeing if you qualify for a state or government program.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 8:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today, October 15th, is Blog Action Day. The topic for Blog Action Day this year is Environmental Awareness. There are over 15,000 participants! The purpose of Blog Action Day is to use the strong voices of bloggers around the world to reach out and make a difference! I got in about mid-way on the sign up process and you can find me listed in the section of blogs between 7,001 and 8,000. I am honored to be a part of this!

For my voice in this great adventure, I am going to write a post about the things we do in my home to help improve our environment. My belief is that if every single person makes an attempt to change things about their lifestyle and their own impact on the planet, then that would mean billions of people making changes and that would make a difference.

Continue reading "Blog Action Day: Environmental Awareness" »

Posted by Melissa Markham at 11:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Daniel sent me this link today as he knows I like to mess around in photoshop (as you can see by my banner and buttons on my sidebar). If any of you enjoy messing around in photoshop, you might want to think about opening up your own web design business where you can make logos and buttons for others.

I am a long way from being ready for something like that, but in case any of my readers have a penchant for it, I thought I would share this tip with you! Have a great day!

Posted by Melissa Markham at 10:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I wrote a few days ago about how we are having to be involved with some fundraisers this year due to our involvement with our church youth group and 4-H. the 4-H group is looking for more fundraising ideas for later in the year and I found a site that interested me. I really don't care for the popcorn, special candies, or teeny candles fundraisers that I have run across in the past.

ARC Marketing does have some fundraising options that interest me. They have a variety of personalized silicone bracelets and custom car magnets. And if you haven't seen either of these items in your daily wanderings, you are not looking about you.

Custom car magnets show everything from support for Breast Cancer research to support of our troops to showing the world which football team you support. These magnets can be in the shape of ribbons, pawprints, or have your personalized logo printed on them.

The silicone bracelets come in a variety of colors and can show things such as an allergy, your school affiliation, or your favorite sports team.

ARC Marketing provides a quality product at a great price. For example, the standard cost for a silicone bracelet is 85 cents. Most people sell them for $2 or $3. This is a great way to make money and easy too. Most kids have a couple of bucks on them and are delighted to buy a personalized item such as a bracelet. For an order of 300 magnets, the price per magnet is $2.17. But if you order more magnets than that, the price decreases. Most organizations sell the magnets for $5.00. When was the last time you did a fundraiser that you could get excited about and make 100% profit on?!?!?

I will be passing the ARC Marketing website information along to our 4-H club at our next meeting.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 4:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Have you ever wondered if you are expendable? If perhaps the world wouldn't get along just fine without you? Well, the answer is no...that is unless you like to wear the color red....then you better watch out!!!!

All the real truths of life, I learned from Star Trek!

Posted by Melissa Markham at 9:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Last spring, some friends and I started discussing the possibility of a co-op this year. We all really wanted to give this a whirl, but wanted to agree to some basics up front. We met a few times over the summer and began our co-op in September. It has been awesome!

Continue reading "Tips On Planning A Homeschool Co-op" »

Posted by Melissa Markham at 9:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)