MS is it Hereditary?

No one in my family had or has Multiple Sclerosis other than my oldest daughter. While MS is not hereditary in a strict sense, having a first-degree relative such as a parent or sibling with MS increases an individual's risk of developing the disease several-fold above the risk for the general population.

Studies have shown that there is a higher prevalence of certain genes in populations with higher rates of MS. Common genetic factors have also been found in some families where there is more than one person with MS.

Some researchers theorize that MS develops because a person is born with a genetic predisposition to react to some environmental agent that, upon exposure, triggers an autoimmune response.

Sophisticated new techniques for identifying genes may help answer questions about the role of genes in the development of MS. I am hoping this will help solve the cause once they find the genes.

Help Support the Vasculitis Foundation

Vasculitis is an inflammation of the blood vessels, arteries, veins or capillaries. When such inflammation occurs, it causes changes in the walls of blood vessels, such as weakening and narrowing that can progress to the point of blood vessel blockage.
Treatment is often very effective if vasculitis is diagnosed and treated early.

Their website helps support victims and their families by giving them the information the need to help understand the 15 types of vasculitis. Please help support the foundation by donating at www.vasculitisfoundation.org. VF is a registered 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization; their dues and donations are tax-deductible.

LAPOST Gear

I was actually updating my pistol permit about a month ago and thought about my purse that I had a couple of years ago. At that time I wished I had known how to get another purse because this purse was purchased for me and I had no idea where it came from. The convenience has come in handy on several occasions and had made me feel safe in circumstances I would have not felt safe in otherwise.

I found the perfect website and the purses have been updated to reflect a modern trend that I am interested in.

Because my husband loved Miami Vice when he was growing up and Don Johnson he chose the Galco holsters because that is what he wore in the movie. Small world never realized I would run into the actual manufacturers of these handy holsters and purses.

Mutiple Sclerosis Clusters

Studies have gone on and on about MS. Most of which have not determined the cause of MS.

There are scientists that study MS clusters—which are defined as higher-than-expected numbers of cases of MS that have occurred over a specific time period and/or in a certain area. These clusters are of interest because they may provide clues to environmental (such as environmental and industrial toxins, diet, or trace metal exposures) factors that might cause or trigger the disease. So far, cluster studies have not produced clear evidence for the existence of any triggering factor or factors in MS.

Speaking of Vacations London England Wimbledon Tennis Match

I have always wanted to take a trip to London where most of our ancestors were born. The true native tongue is spoken there the "Proper English" as we Americans call it. We here in America have our own slang and have tortured the Proper English that was our original language.

Vacation time has been on my mind a lot lately and mostly due to my daughter's medical condition. If I were able to go to London I would take my daughter. She would love to get out of the States and see another country. Her condition continues to worry me and my stress level is almost out of control at some times.

London has always been and enigma to me. Always a curious person I always want to know how other people live. There likes and dislikes. What do they wear on a normal day? What do they do with their time?

This brings me to the subject of my post. I would love to have Wimbledon tickets and go to the tennis match this year. This would be the ultimate get away and my daughter, even though she has a bad time walking, would love to be able to say she went to Wimbledon the ultimate place to be and maybe even get to see some Royalty. I promise you I would love to bow at their court.

Oh well, if you can go let me know how it was. I would love to hear from you or even better, send me the tickets and I will go!

Lack Of Vitamin D and MS

Vitamin deficiency is a major concern of mine. Now it is with my daughter. The sun makes her skin burn even if she is out only for a few minutes. The most important vitamin in my life is vitamin D. This can only be produced naturally when you are exposed to the sun. During the winter months I often beg for sunshine to keep from getting depressed from lack of vitamin D. There are not too many people that stop and think this vitamin is a great vitamin for the immunity. This is why we the baby boomers stayed so healthy. Half our lives we were outside in the sun. Sure you say doctors say stay out of the sun you say stay in the sun. There is a healthy way to achieve the amount of vitamin D without risking burning your skin. Keep in the shaded part of your yard. Your body will still produce the vitamin and you will only get a glowing brown tan.

The immunity needs to be there to fight diseases such as MS. Even though your doctor cautions you remember the sun is there for a purpose and our bodies have adjusted to that purpose.

Five Day Trip down Highway 10 Take a Break

Some time ago I drove from California to Alabama. This trip took five days to accomplish. The constant whining of tires on the pavement and a baby in a car seat sometimes took a toll on me. Going through New Mexico I had the roadrunners and vast desert. It was very beautiful. Arizona was not shabby either. The famous huge cactus and mountains were breathtaking. Along the way I was always looking for places to stop and enjoy (that is why it took that long). Then I reached Texas. It took me three days just to get across. I could not believe the vastness of this state. As they say "We do nothing small in Texas". I really enjoyed stopping in Houston and Fort Worth. The traffic was horrendous though. Everything was huge and the hustle and bustle was just a little too much. If I had thought about it I believe I would have tried the beach area, but at the time I was not very good at geography. Half way through Texas and I was ready to scream. I remember getting almost to the end of Texas seeing a sign that said Lake Charles, Louisiana. Not far from there I wish I had known about Shangri La Gardens and Nature Center. It is located in Orange, Texas just off Highway 10 before heading into Louisiana. This is a nature center I would have loved to visit.

We often visit the botanical gardens where we live and have thoroughly enjoyed the flowers and nature these places offer.

Refreshing and relaxing the scenery and nature are the best stress relievers. Of course the walk in a natural environment always cleanses the mind. Do take a detour to visit Shangri La Gardens and Nature Center I certainly would have and will do so if ever that way again.

Multiple Sclerosis its cause remains elusive

Following up on constant information provided I have found Scientists have learned a great deal about MS in recent years; still, its cause remains elusive. Many investigators believe MS to be an autoimmune disease one in which the body, through its immune system, launches a defensive attack against its own tissues. In the case of MS, it is the nerve insulating myelin that comes under assault. Such assaults may be linked to an unknown environmental trigger, perhaps a virus.

Since initial exposure to numerous viruses, bacteria and other microbes occurs during childhood, and since viruses are well recognized as causes of demyelination and inflammation, it is possible that a virus or other infectious agent is the triggering factor in MS. More than a dozen viruses and bacteria, including measles, canine distemper, human herpes virus-6, Epstein-Barr, and Chlamydia pneumonia have been or are being investigated to determine if they are involved in the development of MS, but none have been definitively proven to trigger MS.

My Spring Vacation In Orlando

Earlier this year I needed a break from the stress and complications of my family life. I decided to take a break and take a nice Spring Vacation in Orlando Florida. I always love going to Florida for vacation, it is not too far and I have friends in Orlando that know all the best spots and when to visit.

I have always been fascinated by dinosaurs so my friend and I went to Dinosaur World. These are truly amazing beasts although I would not like to meet one in person. And of course this led up to another attraction my friend knew I would love. We decided to go to Gatorland. My husband grew up in Florida and was always talking about how many Alligators were around his house and how he and his brother at 11 years old caught a 10 foot alligator (they did not hurt him they just wanted to catch him to say they had caught one). This was the most interesting to me to see someone in person actually get that close to something that could eat them.

There were so many things to do and see and my visit was a very stress relieving adventure. I really did not have time to think about my problems at home so it achieved what I had set out to do.

In this post I want to mention Trusted Tours & Attractions. This website has the best prices on a number of adventures and not just in Orlando. If I had known about this before I went I could have saved a ton of money. They have one lump sum price for 50 attractions and sightseeing tours in Orlando. They are also having a special promotion where a person can win a handheld GPS System just for signing up. Go to their sign-up page and automatically get your name entered to win but hurry offer ends Monday, April 30th, 2008.

Not and Orlando fan? Maybe the Miami Seaquarium is for you. How about Honolulu? Trusted Tours and Attractions offers discounted tickets to the best sightseeing tours in 23 cities across America. I am definitely using them for my summer vacation this year. Look forward to it!

Tyler's Hope for a Dystonia Cure

I really am finding too much of children with some disease that has no cure. I cry everytime I find something like this, as I have cried for my own daughter. No one can know until you have dealt with this with someone you know. I truly hope my simple writing here will at least get someone's attention. This young man Tyler needs our help. He has Dystonia, he was diagnosed at 7 years old.

Dystonia - The dystonias are movement disorders in which sustained muscle contractions cause twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures. The movements, which are involuntary and sometimes painful, may affect a single muscle; a group of muscles such as those in the arms, legs, or neck; or the entire body. Those with dystonia usually have normal intelligence and no associated psychiatric disorders.

Tyler's Hope for a Dystonia Cure is a foundation created to advance research and raise awareness about this disorder.

I have also included a blog that brought this to my attention. He knows this young man his daughter goes to school with him. Please help pass the word as did floridaventureblog.

The Meltdown Podcast

Since the recent discovery of my daughter having MS I have begun to notice a tremendous amount of information on the web. I ran across one website the Meltdown Podcast which is a look at mental health. This young lady does podcasts biweekly and I have listened to several of them. Her bout with borderline personality disorder has a sad yet informative way of discussing her illness. This actually gives me insight to my daughters own thoughts because depression is part of MS also. No matter how hard I try and help my daughter she is still depressed. I listened to one of the podcast about "To Drug or Not to Drug". I was truly in awe of a young woman that has enough gumption to speak out on her problems and ask anyone that wants to comment. She is asking for opinions about the drugs you are offered for borderline. My daughter has started taking Prozac and for over a week now has shown improvement in her mood. She is not as depressed but realizes that the medication is not a means to an end. She wants to continue to take it for a while then get slowly weaned off it. She was forced to take Prozac because her Dad died from a heart attack on the 4th of April. My child has suffered through a ton of mood changes. I also wanted to note to Sunni T my daughter also has a child. My grandson is going to be 8 years old this year and he actually takes care of his mom. I am very proud of him for his knowledge that his mom is sick and he does everything in his power to help. Of course she wishes she had known she had this disease before she had him, but it makes no difference now. He is something she can concentrate on everyday and has actually helped her depression. Today she is still has small episodes but is so much happier.

Sunni T good luck and I will continue to read and listen to your podcasts. My advise hang in there with so much scientific evaluations going on, we hope eventually all diseases will be cured.

Green Day Today April 22

My world was rocked not too long ago and it has made me think about my children and grandchildren and what this earth is going to be when they get my age. When my daughter was diagnosed with Multiple Scleroris I have not been able to talk about it much until recently. Now I am talking and determined to make a better earth for my children and especially my grandchildren. Just try and make me stop talking about it now.

I was watching television last night and our local power company had a commercial about how leaving little appliances like the toaster plugged up are stealing energy from you. It was a cute commercial with the wife wanting to bean the toaster for stealing. Made me think "is my toaster plugged up?". I walked in the kitchen sure enough there it was plugged up. "OK" I said to the toaster "gig is up" and promptly unplugged it. No more stealing from me!

Definition of MS and My Daughter's Symptoms

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the Central Nervous System (CNS) - that's the brain and spinal cord. Predominantly, it is a disease of the "white matter" tissue. The white matter is made up of nerve fibres which are responsible for transmitting communication signals both internally within the CNS and between the CNS and the nerves supplying rest of the body.

People with MS can experience any of the following problems either fully or partially - numbness, tingling, pins and needles, muscle weakness, muscle spasms, spasticity, cramps, pain, blindness, blurred or double vision, incontinence, urinary urgency or hesitancy, constipation, slurred speech, loss of sexual function, loss of balance, nausea, disabling fatigue, depression, short term memory problems, other forms of cognitive dysfunction, inability to swallow, inability to control breathing, and the list goes on an on.

My daughter has several of these symptoms including muscle weakness, blurred vision, urinary urgency, nausea, diabling fatique, depression, short term memory problems. And that is just to start. She cannot go out in the heat it starts her skin tingling.

There are several reasons they give for this disease. I am not certain which one pertains to my daughter, but I have a long way to go with this. I am hoping anyone can give me insight into this.

My Visions Of Granduer

My visions of Grandeur come with my age. I have successfully raised three daughters. One is a Real Estate Agent one is a Nurse and my third daughter is in Pre Med wants to become a doctor.

My husband has a successful career as do I, but I have found that writing everyday is what gives me a sense of accomplishment.

My first and second daughters both have children and both are boys. With me having three girls of course I am thrilled. Brenden and Christen are both totally boys. I love to watch the older one play baseball he is going to be eight this year. Christen is only seven months old has two teeth and is already holding his bottle. He is going to be a smart one.

My main concern now is my oldest daughter....we recently found out she has multiple sclerosis. What a tremendous blow to my vision of how my life would simply get no better.

I am now dedicated to writing about our torturous journey and all the fight we have in us when we are faced with a tragic disease that loves to take to young people.

Grandfather Clocks Go Modern

I have always admired grandfather clocks. My mother has had one for over 40 years. This clock is still keeping time with no interruptions. I remember as a child the chimes distinctly told me when it was bedtime and when my favorite TV show would come on (although there were only three channels at that time). I do not mind telling my age I am proud of it. One of the most favored childhood memories can be found at http://www.1-800-4clocks.com/index.html. You can listen to the chimes and pick your favorite. I love the Westminster chimes they are more traditional but coming out of the clock I have chosen reminds you of the childhood treasures.

Admiring my mother's but having a modern house with very specific decor I found a clock to match exactly. It has the exact design that I have throughout my house. You can see a picture here http://www.1-800-4clocks.com/Howard-Miller-Vercelli-Grandfather-Clock_615-004. I was so excited to find such a beautiful grandfather clock and one to compliment my home. I would love to see this in my living area with the decor matching exactly my lamps, ceiling fan, and fireplace. Finished in Aged Ironstone with burnished gold accents this is the most beautiful clock I have ever seen. This website also has a blog where it mentions the maker of the clock I would so love to have http://www.grandfatherclocksblog.com/category/howard-miller/. The manufacturers of these clocks are well known and trustworthy.

The website http://www.1-800-4clocks.com/grandfather-clocks.html have so many clocks to choose from you do not have to go with what your mother had, but can choose one that compliments your decor. The modern times dictates modern grandfather clocks. They also have grandmother clocks what a treat. They are really making a statement when you can even buy the female clock. But the one I have chosen and have tactfully mentioned to my husband is a Howard Miller Grandfather clock. They can be found here http://www.1-800-4clocks.com/howard-miller-grandfather-clocks.html.

Getting away from the Stress

I have discovered sometimes you get carried away with the point of all the internet. Sometimes you get so carried away with it you forget why you started blogging in the first place. This is my stress reliever. Yes I go to a gym but I also do this to get the many thoughts I have running through my head out of my head. If I do not release these thoughts they stay in a jumble and create havoc with my memory. Releasing stress should be the number one priority in your life.

Identity Fraud it is an Epidemic

It is not enough for consumers to have to worry about gas prices a volatile mortgage industry and the economy in general we have to worry about someone trying to steal our identity. There is a way to protect yourself with life lock.

"For the seventh year in a row, identity theft tops the Federal Trade Commission's complaint list, accounting for 36 percent of the 674,354 complaints received between January 1 and December 31, 2006."

Some people have nothing better to do than try and steal someone else's identity because they are too lazy to go out and make it on their own. We work hard for what we have and for someone to try and take advantage of this is not right. Con-artist and thieves have all day to try and make their life more comfortable. Why should you help them?

You have seen this on television where a gentleman puts his social security number on a truck has it drive down the middle of a busy metropolitan city, showing he is confident of this system. I was totally amazed someone would do this and risk everything they worked for just to prove to you that you can believe in life lock.

Safety advice for Women

I am often reminded by my husband when shopping make sure to look in the backseat of your car. There have been too many women abducted because they failed to look in their backseat and see someone in the car. Best option is to never leave your car unlocked and set the alarm.

If someone approaches you in the parking lot turn around and get a security guard or go back into the shop until they leave. A famous serial killer was known to come up to women in the parking lot.

Never get into your car and waste time trying to get your make up back on or even make a phone call leave immediately. Predators are lurking and they are waiting for this opportunity.

Safe practices can save your life.

CostCaptain.com Discounts Prices for Academic Environment

Software programs are very costly especially for the Educational environment. Most of these environments depend on the public and little fees to buy up to date materials and most of the time they run short. Now there is a website that offers these institutes a variety of software programs at a discounted price. This website cost captain has discounted software including the new Microsoft Vista. They sell these programs at a discounted price to many institutes that cannot otherwise afford them.

www.costcaptain.com is a Microsoft Authorized Education Reseller. They sell the brand new Office 2007 Suite and Vista to students and staff of schools, libraries and research labs. Home schools qualify too. They have served hundreds of schools, colleges and libraries and thousands of students and staff members.

They offer:
- 100% Authentic Microsoft products at academic discounts
- Microsoft Office 2007 from $129, Vista Upgrade from $89
- Friendly customer service.
- Buyers provide academic eligibility and after that the product is shipped
- Gift certificates that are a great way to give especially during back-to-school and holiday seasons

They also offer Publisher 2007 which many websites today use. This allows educational institutes to get ahead of the game with websites that students can access.

Good going CostCaptian we need more websites like your to help our children and to also help combat many diseases that laboratories are working on with little money to accomplish this.

Tornado Season

We are now in the worst part of our weather season. Today as I talk there has been a tornado touch down and caused a puncture in a gas line. I always fear tornados because you never know when one is going to pop up.

These winds are very unpredictable. If a warm from runs into a cold front you have the perfect conditions for a tornado. This type of weather is nothing to snooze about.

Our schools have been let out early and businesses will probably close. The buildings are just not safe and we want to be with our families if something happens.

Pray for us please.

"The Secret" and "A New Earth" The Sedona Method

I have a constant negative atmosphere around me and every day I am determined I am not going to let this negativity ground me. I have recently found a website that has an interesting method called "The Sedona Method". This method is the bridge between "TheSecret" and "A New Earth".

Your mind is constantly trying to overwhelm you with trying to please everyone around you. "If you truly have over 50,000 thoughts a day, that’s a lot of thoughts to try to control and make positive". Can you imagine? Fifty thousand thoughts a day and learning to control them is a major feat. Put them in a positive light so everything and everyone around you will be positive. "The Sedona Method is at the leading edge of the peaceful revolution in consciousness". This method is obviously sweeping the planet as you will realize when you see the comments from very well know students of this method.

This method also emphasizes how it is a tool to "master the law of attraction" and you can do this by letting go of the ego. "Because of the momentum of your habitual ways of thinking, feeling and behaving, you may often feel like you are trying to move forward with a rubber band around your waist."

I have often felt this way with everyone pulling me in different directions. You can get a free CD at this website that explains this better than I can. It is called The Secret works with A New Earth. I do believe the way the world is now every human being will benefit by learning this method.

News that is Good for Change

Do you watch the news every night? Do you often wonder why there is no good news and always bad news? Of course everyone knows bad news gets more attention. But I watch our local news and find that they are tired of it also. Every evening they have a segment on "what good is happening in our schools". This station will go out to every school and find something good to comment on and put that school on TV. Can you image how those kids react when the News Person pulls up at their school? They get excited and try their best to get on TV. They also are encouraged to come up with something good for their school to get recognized.

I hope your local station encourages students and gives them something to look forward too.

Grand Prize $20,000 Home Makeover From Renuzit Triscents

Oh this is great everyone. I have been waiting on something like this to come around and it literally popped up in front of me. All you have to do is and enter to win and to top that they even offer a coupon as easy as pushing a button. If I won $20,000 from Renuzit TriScents to transform my home I would transform my husband's dog house (our unfinished basement) as we lovingly call it, absolutely smells like one. I am constantly trying to cover up the smell. His boots and my dog love the feeling of being in the dog house and do not care that it smells like last nights dinner or discarded boots in the corner. Even dirty socks. I go absolutely nuts when I walk down there.

My parents are in their 70's and my father was in the military for 23 years. When they come over I am rushing to cover up the smell. My mother would be appalled and my father would wonder who it was that raised me.

I am going to beg everyone I know to vote for me. All you have to do is read the official rules. I know you have a room that you would love to transform, everyone does.

Legal Aspects In Homeowners Policies

Has anyone ever been sued for harrassment on their homeowners insurance? There are some people out there that live for this. They find easy targets and start harassing them enough to get them to harrass them back, then boom they sue their homeowners insurance. Awful people grow up please.

Review of Digital Frames

A new way to show off your photos and a great conversation piece is the digital photo frame. When I first ran across these I was enchanted with the result. They come in 7",8",10.4", and 15" and three choices Contour, Lumina, and Crystal Clear. Never worry about having to actually print the photos just load them in from your camera. The prices are very good also. You cannot buy a regular frame for these prices.

These digital photo frames can also provide branded digital photo frames as Corporate Gifts. Brand your company name on a digital photo frame and no one will forget where it came from. Nice give aways or door prizes for companies.

How to Discourage a Peeping Tom

My neighbor had a Peeping Tom about a week ago. After discussing this with several people we have come to the conclusion that the best deterant to this miserable person is to put 4" nails in a board and lay it under the windows of her house. Cover the boards with pine straw and wait.

If you notice someone limping around please let us know!