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Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Dance and Tumbling

We have spent many a day juggling kids, cars, and schedules in order to get our kids to their dance and tumbling classes throughout the school year and it was not an easy task! Some days were hard and we did not look forward to it, somedays the kids didnt even want to go. We have all made it through completely unscathed (sp?)! I spent these last two nights sitting on the bleachers at the High School: crowded, hot, miserable. However the moment my son started his tumbling routine, i realized it was well worth the effort, he was one big smile. I actually thought he would not get out there and do it, i just knew he would freak out in front of everyone, and he completely surpised us. Next it was K's turn to get out there, i knew though that she would be fine, she loves that kind of stuff. For her first performance ever she was Fantastic. L is a veteran now of course! She danced last year and got to compete, this year it was all for fun. She was in Hip Hop and a Jazz Ballet class and looked amazing during all the routines. I hope to add pics soon!

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Favorites

Monday, April 30, 2012

Let's try this again!

It has been a long time things have changed. I am mostly mobile but I will try to post and update often.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Montana

OK MOM this blogs for you! Sort of a blast from the past considering "Q" was not born yet when we went..





























Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Fun in the Sun









Thursday, May 20, 2010

Skin Writers

Have you ever heard of it? I hadn't until pretty recent. Here is the definition from the Wikipedia:

The symptoms are thought to be caused by mast cells in the surface of the skin releasing histamines without the presence of antigens, due to the presence of a weak membrane surrounding the mast cells. The histamines released cause the skin to swell in the affected areas.


Self-referential illustration of dermatographic urticariaThis weak membrane easily and rapidly breaks down under physical pressure causing an allergic-like reaction, generally a red wheal (welt) to appear on the skin. It can often be confused with an allergic reaction to the object causing a scratch, when in fact it is the act of being scratched that causes a wheal to appear. These wheals are a subset of urticaria (hives) that appear within minutes, accompanied by a sensation of burning, and itchiness. The first outbreak of urticaria can lead to others on body parts not directly stimulated, scraped or scratched. In a normal case the swelling will reduce itself with no treatment within 15–30 minutes, but in extreme cases, itchy red wheals may last anywhere from a few hours to days.


Scratching on the skin with a dull object can produce Dermographism.It has been reported that one artist with dermatographism uses her skin as her medium.

Causes
The underlying cause of dermographism is not known, and can last for many years without relief. 95% of chronic cases are never solved. Sometimes the condition goes away, sometimes it stays forever. It is not a life threatening disease and is not contagious (transferable to other persons).

Symptoms can be induced by stress, tight or abrasive clothing, watches, glasses, energetic kissing, heat, cold,[4] or anything that causes stress to the skin or the patient. In many cases it is merely a minor annoyance, but in some rare cases symptoms are severe enough to impact a patient's life.

Treatment
Dermographism can be treated by antihistamines which prevents the histamine from causing the reaction, and these may need to be given as a combination of H1 antagonists, or possibly with an H2-receptor antagonist such as cimetidine.[5][6]

Not taking hot baths or showers may help if it is generalized (all over) and possibly for localized (in a specific area). If not taking showers helps, it may be a condition called shower eczema. If it mainly affects the head it may be psoriasis. In rare cases, allergy tests may uncover substances the patient is allergic to. Using biodegradable or hypo-allergenic soaps and laundry supplies may help.

While cromoglycate, which prevents histamine from being released from mast cells, is used topically in rhinitis and asthma, it is not effective orally for treating chronic urticaria.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs have long been used to treat urticaria in the Asian world. Results of clinical trials of both acupuncture and Chinese herbs are numerous and suggest a potential remedy for acute urticaria but these are far from conclusive and likely a result of the placebo effect, as they did not provide a control group.



Wow, sounds like a whole lot of jargon to me.... Basically about 8 months ago or so I started to notice that my skin would get really itchy, I would scratch, and wherever I scratched my skin would swell up and it would turn bright red, and it would get real warm and kind of a burning sensation. My scalp even got really itchy, like drive me crazy itchy (obvioiusly I assume dry scalp) I figured it was a laundry detergent allergy so we switched back to one I have used in the past. No change. Actually got a little worse perhaps, coworkers would ask why my neck ( or some other random part of me ie: arm, leg etc..)was so red. I really didnt know. So after some time and some mega irritation I started doing research. My mom actually told me about skin writers so I looked it up and all symptoms fit. I have since then seen a dermatologist and been put on antihistamines.Now I am not itchy at all usually , including scalp, but I am sad that when I do write on my arms etc.. it doesn't show as good or stay as long. That part about all this was great, my kids liked to see it.

Here are a couple pics.. not the greatest.


Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Confusion

BANG. BANG. I bolted straight out of bed, rubbed my eyes and glanced at the clock, 12:45 am. Dang. I stand quietly in the dark watching, listening. All is quiet all seems well. The only thing I can hear are the subtle noises of sleep (my son moving around on the bed etc..). Slowly and silently i began to move about the house, check on my kids, check out the windows, check everything, and I find absolutely NOTHING. I let the cat out (darn cat), I check the windows again. NOTHING. Slowly, wearily begin to creep back to bed. My sleep ruined, on edge, curious....Wondering.

Now I tell you that I swear to you, swear to you that I bolted out of bed because I heard (or thought I heard?) (or dreamed that I heard?)someone knocking at the door..
Weird!