Mother’s Got A Dot Com

A necessary commodity - they kinda follow you around…

I’ve had painful feet all my life. Bilateral club feet, that were corrected 40 years ago, gave me feet that weren’t crippled, but that became truly painful around my 2nd pregnancy.

What I’ve been told by doctors is that all they can do is to “stiffen them” - i.e. reduce mobility even more, which gives a 50% chance of reducing the pain, and 50% chance of increasing it. Not good odds.

I’ve come to think that my club feet aren’t the only problem, or that this condition has brought about another one. I’ve read up on Plantar Fasciitis, and the symptoms seem to fit parts of my condition quite well. Excrutiating pain after rest (in the morning, or after sitting down for a while) in the heel and arch area - that’s me. On top of the chronic pain that’s always there, especially if I walk a lot, and during rest as well…

This gives the following status: I can’t walk, sit or lie down without my feet being painful. If I do sit down, they get worse for a while after getting back up, and if I go for a walk, or Heaven forbid, if I grant my poor Hubby a slow dance on an evening out, it haunts me for days afterwards. If i have to get up during the night, I feel like crawling instead of walking…

The worst of it is that this hobbling about is probably what does my back in, too. Painkillers are wonderful things, but I’m only 45, and I don’t want to be popping x-rated drugs just to be able to exist.

I think a very serious talk with my doctor is in order - again. I put it off, because I hate being told that nothing can be done. I’ve got a new doctor, though, and maybe this one has some constructive suggestions. Maybe…

The old name of the area where we live was “Iron Valley”. It’s earned its name. The ground is full of iron ore, and our water contains quite a lot of iron - to the point where we have to dismantle our bathroom and kitchen faucets on a regular basis to get rid of the iron particles that are stuck there.
Also, our house is at the end of the power line, which means that the power tension is… fluctuating. We go through electrical appliances like mad. We’ve lived here for 5 years, and we’re on our second stove, dishwasher and washing machine, and we’ve had to repair them all as well. The TV decoder has died (Tvs are still living, touch wood). As for light bulbs - energy saving bulbs are a joke, and the halogen ones pop on a regular basis.
I know. We should get on to our electrical company. I fear it’ll be a waste of time and energy though - it’s a big company, and we’re just a drop in the ocean to them. I will do it. At the very least we should get a rebate for poor quality service…

There are, however, so many upsides about living the way we do. The closeness to nature, the fact that we can have all the animals we want, that we can cut the grass whenever we like (or not), since no one bothers us about much of anything. People say - how can you bear living so far away from everything? Well, it’s not far, for one. And not a weekend goes by without the impromptu visit of at least one set of friends or family. Which means that they know how to find us, and they like it here too… The good life for us? This is as close as we’ll get!

I’m not health concious. That is, I haven’t been in the past. Now that I’ve turned 45, and probably lived more than half the time allotted to me, I’m getting there. The fact that I’ve still got little kids who need me, well that helps too.
I’ve come across a health blog. So. What else is new? Like they aren’t 13 to a dozen… OK, OK, but this guy talks about the benefits of good health, he doesn’t write with his finger raised. Although he does write about the damage caused by un-healthy behaviour, he makes a point of suggesting alternative behaviour. In a way that makes you want to give it a go.
He also gives recipes. For nice things, like prosciutto-wrapped avocado wedges or asparagus, or a bite-sized breakfast made of scrambled eggs and pancetta. Guess what? I searched the site for the word “tofu”, and it’s not there. Long may it continue…
I’ll be back to visit this healthy fellow, for more snack recipes (!) and tips. Right now I’m off to find myself a humor blog to read - apparently, laughter is good for your health. Literally.

Bloggers Unite! - Today is World AIDS Day. Join in to create awareness about this disease, that kills hundreds of thousands of people globally every year.
Another aspect is the quality of life of those afflicted. They’re not dangerous - you’re more dangerous to them than the other way around.

With all these rave reviews, are the so-called “superfoods” really as efficient as they’re made out to be?
I’m innately sceptical, and when a product (like Lipovox) is supposed to burn fat, rid you of acne and reduce wrinkles - all in one pill - I immediately start thinking of fairytales.
Still - I also believe that a healthy diet can help with most health issues. The difficulty, of course, is knowing what really constitutes a healthy diet. (And don’t tell me you know, because experts disagree so much, it’s ridiculous!)
In those circumstances, one might as well start listening to Oprah. Hm. One yo-yo dieter to another: does it really work?

I think there’s something going on today - far away, over the ocean. Something that will have an impact not only on the United States, but on the world at large too.

I don’t know if you Americans are aware of the amount of coverage your election and election campaign is getting in other parts of the world. I can only comment on Norwegian media, but I’m sure the rest of Europe is just as “au fait” with what’s happening as we are.

Let me say that some of the coverage doesn’t help to subdue the feeling we sometimes get over here that you lot are somewhat weird… Aliens for mcCain? Obamas birth certificate? Palins grandchild? Who can slag the opponent the most times and the most viciously during a debate? It just goes to show that we’re as subjected to the media as you are - they pick and choose what to convey, and more often than not, it’s a slagging or a “juicy” rumor.

Any word on these guys politics?

In one way, I’m glad I’m not asked to vote for any of them - there’s no doubt as to which one is the more charismatic one, but with the baggage the other one has been forced to drag around (George jr), I’m amazed he’s still in the running, so there must be something there too.

Politics, anyone?

Yes, I know there are fundamental differences between Democrats and Republicans. The thing is - they both say they want change. Is that even possible? With the administration running along with business as usual, lobbyists making a (very good) living doing things most people would never consider, concessions always having to be made for corporate interests - is it remotely possible 1. to change anything and 2. to avoid corruption?

I don’t know.

I do know that any election in the US is a global one. As such, maybe we all should be asked to vote. It has impact on world economy, world peace, the environment and world politics as a whole.
One only has to look at history (not just the débacles of the last 8 years) to understand that whoever is elected will have a big say in more than just what concerns the US.
In the meantime, news reporters all over the world are having a field day. Tonight, they’ll get overtime as well - we’re up for an all-night coverage of the Election Day.

So please, people - exercise your right. For yourselves, for the US of A, and for the rest of the world.

To everyone who celebrates, to #5Brat who’ll be going to a Halloween party as the cutest little witch tonight, and to me, who’ll be lighting a candle to all my dear departed, Happy Halloween!

Courtesy of Halloween Graphics Plus

A friend of mine called - he’s got to give away his dachshund puppy - his girlfriend is complaining that the dog keeps looking at her every time she takes her clothes off.
Women, eh???
Take a look at the darling doggy - and let me know if you’re interested. First come, first served!

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I’m getting older. Given that the alternative to getting older isn’t a pleasant prospect, I shouldn’t really complain.
Arthritis is no fun, though, and with winter coming, I know it can only get worse. Fingers, shoulders, knees - not to mention the root of everything - the old club feet and their attached ankles, they stiffen up more and more with each rainy day that brings us closer to the frost.
I’ve tried a lot of things - various meds, various homeopathic remedies, a magnetic bracelet and insoles, campheratum liniment, glucosamine, you name it, I’ve done it. Nothing seems to help in the long run, and every year it gets a little bit worse.
I guess I just have to keep soldiering on, as they say, enjoying the good days, trying to get through the bad. And regardless of financial crisis and global warming, there will be another spring.

I was born with bilateral club feet, which causes more and more problems. I’ve had corrective surgery - I was 5 at the time, but time has passed, my ankles are worn, and it’s painful. Very painful at times.

I’ve tried several types of shoes - some are very good and give great support to my ankles and feet, some just aren’t made for me. One brand I’ve heard of, but never tried, is Dansko shoes. I’ve always wanted clogs - they’re practical for just about everything around a place like ours, but I can’t wear the usual ones with wooden soles. I feel like the little mermaid, walking on knives… I believe they’ve got other types of shoes too, but I’d really like to try on a pair of their soft-looking clogs.

Yes, there are painkillers, and orthopedic footwear too. I use painkillers when I have to, but I’ve managed to avoid the special shoes. Vain? Yes, of course, but I know my feet will get the better of me sooner or later. I do what I can to make it later.