#Motivation Mondays: Creating Tracks

Good morning, Monday! Its going to be another grueling week. As much as we want to avoid it, we have to get up, make breakfast, get dressed and rush off to work.

I whisper a prayer and with one foot out the door, I greet this brand new week with hope and thankfulness for the blessings of family, health, and an opportunity to earn my keep.

Angel of God, my guardian dear

To whom His Love commits me here.

Ever this day, be at my side

To light and guard,

To rule and guide,

Amen.

What Was The Biggest News In The World On The Day You Were Born?

The past few days has been dark, rainy and gloomy. When you live in the tropics, you expect to wake up bright and sunny day almost everyday. The rain is a welcome treat to farmers, and a much needed break from the heat for city dwellers, but to have rain for a whole week is not much fun at all.

And so, I sit here, thinking about things to write about. I wanted to write about something that would uplift my spirits, something to make me feel good about myself, or at least write about something I just found out about.

I chose the last option. I went to one of my favorite websites, www.history.com and checked on "This Day In History." I was just curious if there was any significant event in history that happened on November 13 (that's my birthday). Well, here's what I found out:

On November 13, 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Washington, DC. It is a V-shaped wall made of black granite, inscribed with the names of the 57,939 Americans who died in the conflict. It is such an inspiring monument to the honor the sacrifice of these young men and women.

I found out there are a lot other things that happened on November 13, some good, some bad. It was just nice to be able to learn more about history and of the things that happened on the same date as the day you were born.

Do you want to find out what significant event happened on the same day as your birthday? Click on the link below to find out. There's definitely a surprise for you. 

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history

Happy Monday, everyone!

Know Your Brass Instruments: The Euphonium

Today I write about another brass instrument that produces an extraordinary sound. It is a compensating euphonium.

What is a euphonium?

A euphonium is a valved brass musical instrument resembling a small tuba in appearance, produces a tenor pitch, and played mainly in military and brass bands. There are two kinds of  euphonium - compensating and non-compensating. There are two basic groups of euphoniums: compensating and non-compensating. A compensating euphonium includes extra tubing. This "compensates" for the tendency of the sharp low register. By depressing the fourth valve, air is redirected through an auxiliary set of slides on valves 1 through 3, when they're used. These slides lower the pitch even more, so the lower notes become closer in tune. Non-compensating euphoniums have a fourth valve that operates like any other valve. The pitch is lowered 2-1/2 steps in this case, and the player must make the necessary adjustments to bring the low range in tune.

So now we know that the compensating euphonium is a better choice, next time we are in market for one, it is best that we keep this information in mind.

Dysport for Botox

Today, we are no longer forced to live with wrinkles, folds and other facial imperfections. We are able to alter our appearance with numerous cosmetic procedures thus restoring our confidence and most importantly, our looks. Among many different treatments that are available to us, botox ranks as the most popular procedure in North America. As such, it is regarded as the core services provided by various aesthetic companies.

Given that this industry is constantly on the rise, stiff competition is expected. There are many companies which are offering drugs for botox. Standard choice for most cosmetic doctors is Botox, brand name that launched entire procedure. However, as of late, Botox is starting to fade and it gives room to a new and improved medicine called Dysport.

Like any other drug which is used for this procedure, Dysport has botulinum toxin type A as its main component. It is well known that this toxin is one of the strongest toxins in existence. It can cause various issues to our body and it is the main cause for botulism. Unfortunately, in some cases, patients reported symptoms of this disease after being administered with Dysport. This happens because the drug starts shifting within the skin and this spreading leads to vicious ailment. Before using Dysport or any other similar drug, it is necessary to test yourself and determine whether you are allergic to the drug. As it usually goes with medicines, even though they can help us in various ways, some of their components can be bad for our organism. It comes as a no shock that a drug which is based on strong toxin will possibly produce side effects.

There are some precautionary measures that you need to take before using Dysport. Pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding should not use this drug under any circumstances. It has been reported that Dysport can impact children in different, unforeseen ways. Besides this, people who are above 65 shouldn’t use it as well. Some diseases and conditions can prevent you from using the medicine such as diabetes, asthma, muscle weakness, skin issues, bleeding disorders, heart condition etc. Whatever may be the case, it is always best to consult with your doctor prior to treatment.

Drug is inserted into the skin by using thin needles. Process is painless and easy to recover from. In worst case scenario, if your skin is very sensitive, you will need to put an ice pack. However, you can expect swelling to pass after just a few days. 

Given popularity of this treatment, it is easy to understand how every pharmaceutical and cosmetic company wanted to have piece of the market. Nowadays, there are numerous online pharmacies that are offering this drug. But, have in mind that some drugstores don’t have valid certificates, so you need to be very careful when purchasing the drug online. If you decide to buy Dysport from Medica Depot or similar company, you can be certain that the product which you are receiving is of highest quality.

Shopping For The New Baby

I am so excited with the coming of my first grandchild in December. It will be my daughter's first born and we are really blessed!

Starting a family is both a joyful and stressful event in a young couple's life. I have been through that and all I thought about was "How is it to be a parent?" The worry of preparing for the baby's needs, moving into a new house, adjusting work schedules can be taxing. So, to help out a bit, I volunteered to help my daughter and her husband with some of the baby stuff.

They may be costly, but I am sure that they are a good investment because some of the things I intend to purchase may be passed on to the next grandchild.

Without much ado, here are the my gifts:

A Feeding Bottle Starter Set

I am a firm advocate of breastfeeding and there is no other substitute for breast milk. However, my daughter has to go back to work after 60 days of giving birth. When that day comes, I would advice her to use a breast pump and store enough milk for her baby's feeding schedules while she is away. Chicco - NaturalFit All you Need Starter Set - Multicolor - is a great product that can help the baby transition from breast feeding to bottle feeding. The set contains different sized bottles that perfectly adapt to the needs of the baby as he/she grows. This set also comes with two silicone pacifiers, a bottle brush, a microwave sterilizer and a teether. Everything in one set. Perfect!

A Crib

Looking for a perfect crib can be stressful. However, since I will be spending a handsome amount of money for a crib, I thought I might as well invest in a crib that could still be of use as my grandchild grows. I found this pretty Delta - Delta Children Emery 4-in-1 Convertible Crib that converts from crib to toddler bed to toddler daybed to full size bed! It would help the new parents save money because they would be able to have their child use this piece of furniture for years to come. Another great find for me!

A Changing Table

A changing table with drawers will help keep all the baby stuff organized. Da Vinci Drinkware - Emily 3 Drawer Changer by Da Vinci - Espresso has just the right height, making diaper change a breeze. The best thing about this piece is that it can be used as a dresser when the baby grows into the toddler years. I love wood furniture and this changing table would suit any room motif with its elegant espresso finish.

A Stroller and Bassinet

You may have already  noticed that I love stuff that doubles up into something else. Well, I do want to get the best value for my money, so why not look for stuff that the baby can use from birth to their toddler years? I would love showing off my first grandchild so I opted for the BumbleRide - Bumbleride Indie 4 with bassinet in Lotus Pink. Safe, sturdy and very functional, this is a great item to have when traveling with the baby.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links provided by Postpresso.