Neno's Award

Thanks to pinaymama for this tag. I am not fond of doing tags, but I appreciate all those ones that I get, LOL! Anyway, I don't know what it means either, but whatever it meant, I consider it worth sharing. There are certains aims that was posted but I wanted to focus on the question why I love blogging. Here it is:

Why I love blogging?

It's always fulfilling for me to write. It's one way I can express myself better, and I always love to write ever since, and currently, I am enoying it :).

Wine Facts

I am not a wine drinker, but for those who are, there are some interesting facts that you might wanna know that I've read about. Just sharing.

• The Basics. Make it easy onyourself ad just stick with the "big six". For reds, try cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and pinot noir: for whites, go with chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, and riesling.
• Perfect Pair - Though there are exceptions, keep it simple and couple reds with meat and whites with fish. Match the wine's color to the cooked protein's hue (i.e. a pale riesling with a chicken breast).
• Temperature - Always serve whites chilled and reds at, or slightly below, room temperature. 2 to 3 hours in the fridge brings a white to the right temperature, while 30 minutes will take reds to the low 60s.
• Protocol - When your waiter asks you to taste the wine before pouring for the table, do it. However, smelling a cork or commenting on the film that sticks to the glass will out you as a tool.

There you go...have a happy wine tasting! :)

Your Foot Doctor Says...

1. Heel Spurs - Also known as plantar fasciitis, these happen when you aggravate the thin band of tissue under your heel. Stretch it out (and ease the pain) by rolling a tenis ball underoot every morning when you wake up. Don't slip.
2. Calluses - These protective layers of dead skin can crack if they get too thick, so gently shave them down once a month with a nail file after you shower. Go easy filing off too much skin can make those dogs vulnerable.
3. Fungal Nails - Antifungal spray powders are the best treatment, but you can prevent these nasty nails altogether by remembering to dry off your feet. That's five seconds a day for human-looking digits.
4. Ingrown Toenails - You could have avoided this mess by cutting your nails squarely across rather than round and deep down into the nail bed. To promote blood flow, soak it in Epsom salt.
5. Athlete's Foot - The root of athlete's foot is moisture, so let your feet (including the spaces between your toes) air out once per day for 5 minutes.
   

Dolphins' Magic Bubbles!

Hey guys, have you seen this video with Charles Gibson about the Dolphin Bubbles? This recent video was aired on ABC World News, but if you didn't see it yet, watch it and you will be amazed how these fantastic creatures create bubbles and play with them :).
If you happened to be going to Seaworld in Orlando, you can go and see them at Dolphin Cove as they artistically create and play with their underwater bubble rings. That makes me so curious and excited going back to Orlando once again and visit Seaworld!

I would always love looking at dolphins. The last time I had fun seeing them was in San Diego-Saworld and I had actually an interaction with them! They are intelligent creatures and they are so expressive. Just by merely looking at their face, they would always appear to be smiling at you. it's like..no matter how you would be upset, sad or frowning that day, - but try looking at the dolphins and you would end up smiling as well, LOL!

I can say dolphins are one of the most lovable mammals on earth. They have a high level of understanding people and they easily learn things. It's like they have a mind of their own just like human mind. Perhaps if I would be given the chance to do a research on animals, dolphins will be on top of my list. Ever since I started travelling and visiting zoos and aquariums, there's always that thing in me to spend my time looking at them, and I always have been looking forward for a deeper interaction with them!...and yes, I wanna swim with them! :).

For those who want to see the video one more time, here it is:

Upcoming Trip to the Philippines!

It's been only more than a year since my last trip to the Philippines, but I always feel very homesick and I always feel going back home at least once a year. No matter how I would be upset and disgusted the way things are going on in my country, I am always missing the sight, smell, (not the stinky ones, but the food,LOL!) and my countrymen. There are always nice things about my country as well, and I would like to focus on those things. Perhaps, those positive things that my country has make me very nostalgic. By nature, I am deeply struck by it...Oh gosh! I'm missing my country!...on topmost of my list...my family!

It's a little of more than a month before the trip...and I'm getting excited!

Taking A Blood Thinner? Watch The 10 Greens!

Everyone knows that green vegetables are good for your health. You might not have heard, however, that if you take blood thinners like Coumadin (warfarin), you may need to limit some vegetables.
Blood thinners work by slowing down the reactions in your body that allow blood clots to develop. Vitamin K plays an important part in these reactions, so eating foods like leafy greens high in Vitamin K may make blood thinners not work as well.
You do not need to avoid all leafy greens. But you should pay attention to how much of them you eat and how often. Vegetables with vitamin K that you may need to limit include:

• Kale
• Spinach
• Turnips
• Collard greens
• Swiss chard
• Raw parsely
• Mustard greens
• Romaine lettuce
• Endive lettuce
• Broccoli

So, guys, eat healthy and properly :).

Philippine News: Is There Any Difference?

I've always been longing to hear all about my country, food, people, places, culture, entertainment, etc. The main reason why I am a TFC (The Filipino Channel) subscriber. Although I am now 9,000 miles away from it, I would always love to go home to my beloved country...perhaps it's because I am and would always be a Filipino!

I would always watch entertainment shows, soap operas, talk shows but not any about political news. Well, actually there are some part of the news that I like to get updates like showbiz, or anything that would be helpful.

I have observed political news are becoming worst in the Philippines. Everytime I hear about it, it sounds like a repeated voice recorder, talking about corruption, money misuse and they all center on our political personalities, police officers, government employees...and it has been always a news you will always hear!

There would be debates about corruption cases in the senate, congress, ombudsman, representatives, etc... name all kind of debates about any case, and most government officials are busy debating. Sometimes, these politicians argue in long talks, while many major problems that need to be addressed as a priority are never touched!

My goodness! News such as that makes me sick hearing it!...Many filipino government officials are busy trying to impeach the Philippine president. Is that the kind of work they want to do? I am wondering what have they done for my country which is dying of hunger because the leaders are so busy debating and arguing about nonsense things.

Come on government leaders! Get those ass moving, go out and try to solve my country's real problem. Sitting on that soft, comfortable chair with a nice AC on your office doesn't solve our country's problems. Stop those intelligent sounding long talks just to impress people. It doesn't work and it's not the answer!

Whew! When can they wake up?

National Sporting Events in Branson

To all sports enthusiasts out there, don't you love to travel to Branson, Missouri and be a part of the thrill of a great game? For those who travel, I bet this would be an early treat for spring :). Exciting events like the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament will be in Branson on March 11-19, 2009 as well as on March 12-15, 2009 the 32-team single elimination tournament featuring champions of the Division II conferences and regional tournaments, and the Walmart FLW Bass Tournament will also be held. If only I could be able to make it on that big event,(game tournaments), it would absolutely doubling the fun of my trip and my stay.

I always love the shops and boutiques (I'm a shopaholic...LOL!) and so in that case, I think it would be a good idea to either stay at Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing or at HIlton Branson Convention Center Hotel.
Staying at Hilton Promenade or Hilton Convention Center in Branson Landing is actually worth recommending because of their perfect location just in the heart of the entertainment capital of the Midwest in Branson, Missouri. Guests can easily access visiting shops, boutiques, restaurants, river walk and some attractions, pretty much close to these hotels. In other words, you feel more comfortable and at peace coming back to your hotel without getting lost! :).
You can as well check Hilton Branson's special offers and the dates which includes bed and breakfast, advance purchase rates, shopping package, and more. That means, you can still save too! ;)

I was in St. Louis year 2007, but I haven't got the chance to visit much fun activities such as park rides or shops. I was able to visit the botanical garden and the St. Louis zoo and it was a good experience as well.

If you're planning to visit Branson, be sure you have planned your itinerary so no time should be wasted. There are many things to do and visit, so I would suggest going to theme parks such as Silver Dollar City because of various activities and fun it can offer. This is actually a good place to visit if you travel with your family or in a group. This can be a good daytime activity or perhaps watch the game thrill if you love sports or play golf, then shopping or malling later in the afternoon would be a good hang out. You can then try theater shows, or live entertainment during the night.

Have fun!

Should You Eat That Food When You're Taking That Medicine?

Did you know that certain food and beverages can cause problems when paired with certain medicines? Before taking any new medicine, find out the do's and don'ts. Many common foods and beverages can lessen the effect of certain over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medicines. Some food and drugs are even dangerous when mixed.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Here are some examples of food-interactions:

• Grapefruit juice can dangerously increase the effects of blood pressure medications called calcium-channel blockers, cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins, and the immunosuppressants sirolimus and cyclosporine.
• Salt and salty foods can interfere with the effects of blood-pressure drugs called thiazide diuretics.
• Vegetables rich in vitamin K, including asparagus, cabbage, and spinach, can lessen the effectiveness of warfarin, a blood thinner. Cranberry juice can interfere with warfarin's job, too.
• Coffee, chocolate, and other products with caffeine can cause nervousness when taken with certain antibiotics.
• Dairy products and calcium-added beverages, such as orange juice, may interfere with your body's absorption of some antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin.

Alcohol is a no-no with many medicines, including OTC pain relievers and many antibiotics. Check the label. Alcohol can increase drug-induced drowsiness. Mixing alcohol with other drugs also may produce a spike in heartbeat, stomach upset, liver damage, and other problems.

PLAY IT SAFE

When you pick up medicine, read the package insert. This handy guide will tell you about potential food drug-interactions. Also, ask the pharmacist or your doctor whether to avoid certain foods and beverages when asking any medicine.

Cancun Vacation Getaway

If you hate the cold season (like me), why not plan a vacation get-away to Cancun? And if you want a place with sensuality and seclusion along the white sand beaches of Riviera Maya, try checking Karisma Hotels and Resorts. They offer all inclusive cancun vacation packages that would make your vacation memorable, - perhaps you can say it's a dream vacation because of the amenities included. Whether it's a family trip, a romantic, wedding or honeymoon vacation, the packages are always made special.

With various resorts to choose from, there is always an outstanding and friendly service including innovative dining with all the unique amenities. And of course, who wouldn't love to try their "gourmet-inclusive" cuisine that is served in a way that will excite and surprise the senses.

While you are savoring that dream vacation with Karisma Hotels, you also enjoy quality entertainment, invigorating sports and some enriching activities. This means there are lot of things to do when you choose to stay in an all-inclusive resorts in Riviera Maya or Azule hotels.

Annoying Spams on My Message Box!

I don't understand why there are some people who love to spam and send nasty messages on my message box. I haven't remembered doing that to anybody and I don't do it because of respect. These kind of people perhaps want some attention that they lack at home...poor fellows! That person posts messages and changes names, but the IP address is the same!

There were 2 of them, the other one sounds to be a terrorist! My God! Leave my message box alone. I can detect your IP addresses, so I'm sorry that I have to ban and delete your messages for that. If you want to express your mind, join gazillions of forums...there are tons of them online, okay?

May God bless you!

Are You At Risk For A Fall?

• Are you dizzy when you turn your head or look up or down?
• Do you use cane or walker?
• Have you fallen in the past year?
• Do you have a neurological problem that affects your balance (stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease?
• Are you inactive? Answer "yes" if you do not participate in active exercise 20-30 minutes at least 3x per week.
• Does your lack of balance limit your ability to complete job and household activities?
• Do you take more than 4 prescription medications?
• Do you feel unsteady when walking, climbing stairs, reaching or performing everyday activities?

Note: If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions, you may be at risk for fall. It's time to ask your doctor.

Gold Investors, Anyone?

If you are a gold investor, it's time to visit Monex Precious Metals. Monex Companies was founded as early as 1967 at a time when there were no gold dealers yet, due to a federal law that prohibits gold ownership in 1933.
Today, gold is considered to be a unique investment ad for many centuries, has been considered as one of the best ways to preserve one's power and wealth.

For over 40 years of expertise and experience, Monex became the trusted leader in precious metals by thousands of investors with over $25 billion in hard asset investments that includes rare coins, gold, silver and platinum bullions.

Special offers from Monex including investment seminars and market reports are available to qualified investors. Just call the number given on their homepage for further information.

Come and visit their live current prices online as well which are constantly updated from time to time. Don't hesitate to call your Personal Advisors if you want to know more about gold investing.

Save Money on Health Care

If you're worried about the cost of medical care, you're not alone. And the more costly medical care becomes, the less likely people may be to carry health insurance or seek care when they need it. While there doesn't seem to be any relief in sight for health care costs, these are the things you can do to ease the burden on your wallet:

• Adopt healthy habits. You know what this means: Exercise at least 30 minutes most days; eat low-fat foods and a variety of fruits and vegetables each day; don't use tobacco; and if you drink alcohol, do so only in moderation. These actions may help you avoid the need for medical care.

• Seek preventive care. These are annual exams, flu shots, mammograms and blood pressure checks. They can help prevent disease or lead to early detection. Talk with your doctor about your risks for conditions such as heart disease and cancer. Then follow his/her advice for preventive screenings.

• Ask for less expensive medications. Share your drug formulary with your doctor. A formulary is a list of medications your insurance company will help you pay for. In addition, ask your doctor to prescribe generic drugs-which are less expensive than brand-name drugs-when possible.

• Wash your hands. Most colds and flu are spread in droplets from coughs and sneezes. Washing your hands with soap and warm water for 15-20 seconds can help stop the spread and keep you healthy.
  

Energy Saving Tips During Winter

Winter will soon be leaving (how I wish sooner, LOL!), and while we are still feeling the unbearable cold, here are some helpful tips you should know on how you could increase your daily savings and help keep your energy bills in check.

• Control your thermostat. A programmable thermostat specifically designed for your heating system can help you manage your energy costs. Program your thermostat to gradually lower the temperature of your home during the day while your home remains empty - then gradually increase the temperature in time for your return. Remember, keeping your thermostat below 73 degrees at all times will help you save even more!

• Open the drapes. Opening the drapes and the blinds of south-facing windows each morning will allow sunlight to help warm your home during the day. Closing them at night will help guard against drafts-keeping valuable heat inside your home when you need it most.

• Add a layer. Resist the urge to turn up your thermostat every time you feel a chill - instead, put on a lightweight sweater or a layer of clothing and keep the thermostat steady.

• Clean up. Clear away obstacles and move furniture away from vents and returns to ensure good air flow. Likewise, take the time to have your heating system inspected by a professional to make sure it's in good working order.
  

Fall In Love With Passion Search

Finding your lifetime partner or the love of your life doesn't matter whether it's online, in a party, through a family or a friend acquaintance, etc...Nowadays, the world seems to be getting smaller through the power of internet, due to the reasons that many people can search and find what or who they are looking for in a more convenient, fast and easy way.
I met my husband online and from the time we met in person, I told myself he is the one! :)....and for five years now, our relationship and marriage is still going strong and happy!
Have you checked passion search yet? It's an online dating site where you can join for free. Just register and make a personal profile and start meeting friends, and who knows, your dream love is just out there waiting for you!

Passionsearch.com is also a social networking, which includes search options, chat, email and a recent activity section where updates from friends can be seen. These features are just one of the few things that make this dating site unique from any other dating sites because it's like you're hanging out with either new or old friends and at the same time you get options of choosing hundreds of profiles for your dream girl/boy or for your future partner in life.

Online dating is not to be treated as mere games of fun. At passionsearch, you'll always have the chance to meet friends and get to know them, and at the same time do your "passion search" for the one you are looking for absolutely 100% free!

Back Pain - Is It Time To See Your Doctor?

According to a research, most Americans spend $100 billion in medical bills, disability and lost productivity each year due to back pain. One of the contributing factors mostly seen related to this are bad posture and bad habits.
But for most people who have back-pain episodes, at least 90% of them won't require surgery or long term treatment, according to Ali Bydon, M.D., a neurosurgeon from Johns Hopkins.
"When it's lower back pain, most of the time we're talking about something related to poor standing or sitting posture, lifting improperly or sudden movements that cause muscle spasms", Bydon says. For the other 10%, among the most likely problem is lumbar-or low back-disc herniation. Other conditions might include arthritis or cancer.

The important thing is to be able to recognize the red flags.

First, a loss of bladder control or bowel control requires immediate medical attention, Bydon said. If you've had a low back pain for longer than 3 months, consult a spine specialist. An accompanying leg or buttock pain that lasts more than a couple of months may indicate a nerve root compression. If chronic back pains occur in your thoracic - or middle - region, pain with motion or difficulty urinating, you should be evaluated as soon as possible.

"It's important that we pinpoint what's generating the pain", Bydon said. Neurosurgeons do that via clinical exams, patient history and imaging techniques."

Source: Johns Hopkins Health Magazine

Beware of Dangerous Psoriasis Drug That Kills!

If you or your loved ones or your friends are suffering from psoriasis and are presently taking or still planning to take Raptiva, this post is for you! I don't want to elaborate further without telling you first the urgent news!

This post should not be ignored, as much as a confirmation from FDA about the drug's potential hazard should neither be set aside!

Although FDA approved Raptiva in October 2003, FDA has already issued warnings in recent years about Raptiva's drug packaging alerting doctors, including all medical and health workers and users. The advisories included informations on the high risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) from taking Raptiva.

For those users who have just started taking the drug, I suggest to stop taking it while it is still early. Why? Because Raptiva is highly linked to a rare but dangerous brain infection. Please read the link provided below.

http://www.youhaverights.com/dangerous-drugs/raptiva

In fact, 3 confirmed cases of patients using this drug are now dead and one case has a possible diagnosis of PML. All four patients has been taking treatments of Raptiva.

On the other side of it, if you, your loved ones or friends had developed PML or brain injury or if a loved one died as a result of Raptiva treatment, you may have the legal rights and be entitled to financial compensation for your pain, medical bills, suffering, including lost wages and can further qualify family of the victims for compensation for the wrongful death of the patient.

You can schedule for your free confidential legal consultation online or calling the phone number provided on the link given.

I'm Cleaning Up My Blogroll!

Hi everyone and fellow bloggers. I have been checking my blogroll lately and I've noticed that there are links in my blogroll that are not linked back to me.

As you can see, I still am accepting exchange links. But I'm sorry to say that once I check blogs where my link is not there, I have to delete that link back in my blogroll. I almost have almost close to hundred links and it's really difficult maintaining it.

If you think you have linked this blog on your blogrolls, and you can't see your links to mine, please feel free to drop me a message so I can link you back. I might have overlooked some of you, and with that, my apology. If you don't feel like linking me back as well, just ignore it, and it would be fine with me.

My blogroll is still open for exchange links, but sooner, I wouldn't accept links anymore. My inbound links are getting much bigger and I'm afraid I can't handle that much any longer.

Thanks for your understanding.

Property Management Software

Are you a manager running rental properties and finding much hassle organizing your daily property tasks? You might want to visit http://onsitepropertymanager.com , and know more about this powerful Property Management Software. If you are still having doubts about gettting one, feel free to get a 60-day free trial to onsite Property Manager. It's so easy to use, secure, web-based, multi-user software for landlords. Give it a try and you won't regret.

This Blog Is Pinned Down By PPP!

Okay, so perhaps this would at least give me the chance to update and post a non-paid post. I must admit, this blog has gone a long way when it comes to too much paid posts and commercial ads. So, PPP said it's no longer of high quality and they are now crossing it from their marketplace. Fine, whatever they want to do! Afterall, they don't even tell you the exact standards as to how they see blogs with high quality. My first blog run by wordpress was rejected. This is the second one....

As long as advertisers grow increasingly large, bloggers that accept offers will grow s well. If PPP thinks that paid posts in blog posts are not of "high quality" and doesn't attract readers to read your blog, why should they accept advertisers in the first place? They shouldn't be existing now if that's the case! That would mean, they are the carriers of a "virus" that makes blog not worthy of reading....ADVERTISERS!!! No offense meant to the advertisers/sponsors (particularly from PPP). If these advertisers complain that many blogs are no longer of high quality, do you think your sponsored ads offers to us bloggers are worth reading? Tell me!!!***

Acobay Mania?

Hello guys, there's a new consumer social network called Acobay which pretty much promotes anything you want to share including your blogs. I tried signing up and registered one of my blogs there. I just joined few minutes ago, so let's see how everything goes :). Try it!

Unapproved Blog!

Call me persistent...and I would agree. I tried submitting my blog Shopaholic Babe at PPP many times and they rejected it many times too. Everytime it is rejected, it has different reasons. I don't want to elaborate each reasons they gave me, but I just got tired resubmitting it so I gave up. Sounds rediculous that they are telling me they don't want any banner ads there, and yet the PPP banners are eveywhere!!! Paid bloggers are everywhere, check their blogs and PPP is always present. Nothing I can do :(.

Winter Savings Escapade

The aftermath of the holiday seasons was very tough and tiring, don't you think? The pre-Christmas preparations to Christmas parties plus the New Year big-bang parties are nerve wracking too! Whew! Everybody deserves a good relaxation and a quiet vacation for that, right? Are you planning for a winter vacation and yet your budget couldn't just let you go? It's time for you to check Hilton Branson in Missouri for their "Branson Winter Escape" offer. This package is good starting February 1-9, 2009, so be sure to visit the Hilton Branson Escape Package and you can make your quick and easy reservations online. Rooms during those given dates will be as low as $66.75 per night so it's budget-friendly :).
The Hilton Branson Convention Center hotel is situated just right to most places where everybody would enjoy. If you are a nature lover traveller, this is where the most ideal place to stay. If you prefer to do your shopping or have fun during night time, you can still do so as well.
I am a traveller and I love nature. It's good to know there are good places to visit in Branson such as Lake Taneycomo and Table Rock Lake. My husband and I both love the theaters as well, while outlet malls are my weaknesses!...LOL! And who doesn't love the beauty of the night there? I would definitely not miss Celebration City at night. And the best thing is that these places are very much conveniently located just minutes away from Hilton Branson. I was thinking, these places are much more fun than the botanical gardens and the zoo we visited in St. Louis two years ago! I consider this a good idea worth suggesting to hubby...as a trip for our pre-Valentine celebration! Oh, and by the way, we are regular customers of Hilton too! :). Need I say more?...it's probably my best pre-Valentine celebration all my life.

Free Wi-Fi? Where Are They?

Everytime I travel, I carry with me my small laptop. I do most of my work stuffs online, so I feel like I always have to be connected from time to time. But I have been noticing lately that too many airports no longer offer free wi-fi. Couple of years ago, I use to have stop overs, or just while waiting for my boarding time in the airport, and I have access to many free wi-fi's. My pc automatically detects free -wi-fi that are accessible, so that everytime I work online, I can just easily surf conveniently.
Nowadays, what the heck happened? There are big wi-fi logos in many airports only to know later they require your credit card. If not, they have internet booths and charge you 50 cents per minute!!! What? I couldn't even name any airports that provide free wi-fi's (yet).
Is this the effect of the world economic crisis? Gosh...who the hell would think about doing a business of charging internet service in a world where economy is going down?

{{{{end of rant}}}}

25,000 Quality Gifts Under $25

It's not yet too late to get your gifts this holiday season. You can still catch your last minute gifts from Kmart. It might sound unbelievable but there are more than 25,000 gift items you can find that are available at Kmart for as low as $25 or less. Don't let the New Year spoil your day but instead get to start the New Year right by getting special discounts and big savings at Kmart.
Glad to have Kmart close to us! :). I can honestly say that I am a regular customer of Kmart and I actually buy my things in there. I am a living witness for their amazing deals this season, really! There's still much longer left for winter, but you can already get as high as 50% off discounts for outerwear and cold weather accessories for your entire family.
I am thinking of getting a pajama set for my husband. For just 25 bucks is more than enough to buy even 2 sets! Couldn't just afford to miss that deal! Fleece pants for men are only $3.99 each while long sleeve crew neck boxer tops are between $3.99-$4.99 each. Good deals, right?
It's kinda cute giving a surprise gift to your loved one on New Year's Eve, don't you think? ;).
By the way, don't forget to check more great holiday gifts at Kmart online page. Kmart has been of great help to customers who are tight on their budget through their extensive savings offers such as their layaway program. They offer quality products at affordable prices. No wonder, Kmart is still there standing strong and serving its customers for more than 100 years.

Vertigo: Benign Positional Vertigo

I still have this sensation at times, until now since my doctor diagnosed me to have one. I was freakingly worried that I might have something serious inside my brain! Anyway, my doctor gave me a little information about this, so I thought of sharing it. Perhaps, many has or had it too in the past. Just be sure it is BPV. Don't forget to seek medical help from your doctor.

What is benign positional vertigo (BPV)?
BPV is a spinning sensation of the head (vertigo) brought on by a certain position of the head, usually sudden changes of position. The word "benign" means that it is not a serious condition and is likely to eventually get better.

What is the cause?:
In most peopl, the cause is unknown, but it can follow accidents causing neck or head injuries in some people. There are 2 theories to explain BPV:

1. A problem exists in the neck, usually a 'kink' in some of the swivel joints of the neck. The neck is connected to the balance centre by special nervous pathways.
2. There are tiny pieces of floating debris in the balance centre of the inner ear (labyrinth). These little bits of sediment somehow upset the balance centre when disturbed.

What are the sympptoms?:

• a brief attack of severe dizziness (vertigo), usually for about 10-30- seconds, that comes on a few seconds after a certain head movement.
• quickly subsiding dizziness.

The changing head positions that provoke an attack can be:

• tilting the head backwards
• changing from a lying to a sitting position
• lying on one ear or the other
• turning the head to the side with the neck injury

Who gets BPV?
Although it can occur at all ages, the elderly are affected most. It is the most common cause of vertigo in the elderly. Women are twice likely as men to get it. BPV is a surprisingly common problem.

How long does the bouts of BPV last?
Each attack usually lasts less than 30 seconds but can last 60 seconds or so. The attacks tend to come in bursts but usually settle within a few weeks and most people are able to return to work within a week. The bouts tend to come back after months or years, but some people only ever have one attack.

What are the effects of BPV?
There are usually no ill effects in the long run. Unlike some other causes of severe dizziness, there is usually no vomiting, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or deafness. One has to be careful with driving.

What is the treatment?
There is no special treatment. Drugs are not effective at preventing the attacks. It is basically a matter of allowing the bouts to run their course, but there are some things that may help:

• Avoid head positions that provoke the attack.
• Do special neck exercises.
• Obtain mobilisation treatment to the neck by a qualified therapist.

Sometimes it may be necessary to be referred to a specialist to make sure it is just BPV and not a problem with the circulation to the brain.

Heroes at Home Wish Registry from Sears

The spirit of Christmas is not over yet at Sears. After all, Christmas spirit is not only good for a day but supposedly everyday for people who have kind and generous hearts. I am talking about the Sears Heroes at Home program which has been launched to provide support to our military service members, veterans and their families with the joint efforts of various non-profit organizations.
Through this program, Americans are given the chance to fulfill the wishes of the military heroes including their families for all the sacrifices they have done. The program encourages those who have kind heart to make donations or contributions to help fulfill their wishes this holiday season. You can give your donations to the wish registry and these will be used to purchase sears gift cards that will be distributed equally to all the families that are registered in the program. Please take note that your donations are not tax deductible. You can also donate online at Sears homepage at your own convenience. Kindly check Sears website main page for more details about this. You can as well post a message of thanks for our heroes, or help spread the word by getting your Heroes at Home Badge :). Your message of support is a great help even if you haven't contributed financially. After all, moral support is priceless and the greatest! :).
Isn't it a great feeling of fulfillment when you have helped somebody who is in need? Our help is what our military heroes need not only during the holiday season. They need our prayers...daily!
Thanks to the Sears Heroes at Home program. It's one more step ahead to share our blessings and see a wish go far.

Don't Know If That Baby is Yours?...

Here's how you can avoid finding yourself in a nightmare of paternity fraud battle:
First, if you're not certain the new baby is yours, don't sign anything saying it is. The longer you've had a relationship with the child, the harder it's going to be to open up a case of fraud. Even the accuracy of DNA testing doesn't count as an airtight defense. And don't rely solely on birth control to keep you safe. Condoms are only 86% effective, the pill, only 98% assuming the woman is careful about taking it. So you may have to get a bit more drastic!
Have a vasectomy and freeze your sperm in case you want to have kids later on. Then, get a follow up test to make sure it worked.
If it's impossible for you to have a child, you can't be named the father. This might sound ridiculous, but thanks to shrill lobbyists, idiotic bureaucrats, and opportunistic politicians. The only way to protect your reproductive rights may be to eliminate your ability to reproduce.

After Christmas Dragon Discount

I'm sure this is absolutely one piece of good news for busy people who have been wanting to get the Dragon Naturally Speaking software. This software has been known to help many people who simply want faster, more accurate and time-saving work output especially for advanced PC users by just the use of their voice. You can get various key benefits in having Dragon Naturally Speaking software. First and foremost, it gives you up to 99% accuracy and is three times faster than typing. It is actually considered a "smart buddy" to some because it never makes errors in spellings. Second, Dragon Naturally Speaking is easy to install with no special script reading requirements. Don't worry about how to use it because on-screen help and tutorials are available.

Third, you can now create and edit reports, documents and emails as well as you can do your surfing online by voice or dictate and edit in many window program applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook Express, Internet Explorer, AOL, and many more. This is also bluetooth-enabled with Nuance-approved Bluetooth headsets.

Now, here's the good news: You can now get the Dragon Naturally Speaking discount codes for 10-25% off. This will only be good until the New Year's Eve, so better grab one now! $50 Coupon Code- DNSMSBG -Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 Preferred
By the way, if you are buying the software for your business use, you can still write it off for your 2008 taxes if you purchase by December 31, 2008.

• $50 Coupon Code- DNSMSBG -Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 Preferred