It is hard to make your very first step. I do not remember my first word, my first step, but I do remember how hard it was to write my first letter, to solve my first math problem, to decide what college to go to... what to cook for dinner... You got to make that first step to move forward. And... here it is...my first blog. 01/11/11
Good night's zzzzzzz... is very important. According to the Consumer Report Magazine, sleeping less than 7 hours a night can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, obesity and type 2 diabetes. Lack of sleep undermines dieters' effort to lose body fat. Sleep helps people remember a newly learned word. In a study by National Sleep Foundation, about one in four Americans married or living with someone said sleep deprivation often leaves them too tired for sex.
4 myths about sleep:
You need less as you age. Older people need as much sleep as other adults.
Extra sleep prevents daytime fatigue. Some sleep longer than 8 hours but don't feel rested because of poor quality sleep.
You can make up for lost sleep on weekends. That won't completely compensate.
Snoring is OK. It could make you sleepy during the day, more susceptible to heart disease and type 2 diabetes, or indicate sleep apnea, a serious condition.
(CNN) -- "Ukraine has said it will this year lift restrictions on tourism around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, formally opening the scene of the world's worst nuclear accident to visitors -- but what is there for tourists to see?
Visitors to Chernobyl's exclusion zone will inevitably be drawn to the better-known sites that sit within its 30-kilometer radius.
The ghost town of Pripyat and the infamous remains of reactor number four are understandably must-sees for any Chernobyl tourist.
But the area is also home to some lesser-known but equally beguiling historical relics, from cold war radars to beautifully preserved church interiors".
What do I think about it? The Chernobyl nuclear accident occurred on 26 April 1986. I was living in the former Soviet Union. Chernobyl was approximately 200 miles away. I remember that time well. It is considered the worst nuclear power plant accident in history and is the only level 7 event on the International Nuclear Event Scale. I suppose that a lot of adventurers would go. If you are one of them, please do your research to make sure that you are protected.
Paper? I use a lot of paper product in everyday life to write, to print, to wipe kitchen counters, to make an airplane or a funny hat, to make signs as “happy birthday” or “welcome home”… Paper Art? Hmm, it was hard for me to imagine that someone actually could turn paper into art! Thank to Etsy, I met a talented paper artist Angela and my view of paper and what one could use it for drastically changed. I imagine Angela with a pair of scissors in her hands doing her magic, exactly as I remember those magic hands of Edward Scissorhands (starring Johnny Depp). Remember? Yes, I am glad you do.
I’d like to ask you please visit Angela’s Paper Art at http://www.etsy.com/shop/AngelasPaperArt, get familiar with her amazing work, add an item or two to your favorite items list, consider purchasing one of her creations for yourself or someone else.
Here are some of my favorite items from her Etsy shop:
I am a member of BAWA team. That team runs a "Chocolate" Challenge. I submitted the "Chocolate Covered Strawberries" bracelet. It is a voting time. You can vote by placing a small comment on the team's blog: http://beads-n-wire.blogspot.com/
I decided to start "Personality" series on my blog to talk about people I meet on Etsy. Today it is all about Linda!
I am so excited that I have an opportunity to meet wonderful designers and artisans here on Etsy. Linda is one of them. She creates colorful pieces by using various gemstones. Her color combinations are very impressive!
This is what she tells us about her designs:
“I love color and what the gemstones and colors symbolize and create one-of-a-kind, unusual designs of handbeaded gemstone and glass pendants, bracelets, earrings, beaded bookmarks, rings, beaded keychains and car mirror jewelry”.
“My inspiration comes from the beads, colors, shapes and gemstone characteristics”.
Linda’s 3-rd anniversary of being on Etsy is coming up soon. Congratulations!
Here they are: Daisy, a 15-year old Jack Russell Mix and Sasha, a 5-year old Pekingese.
Daisy was found in the box when she was a tiny, 1 pound puppy. A man who found her lived in the apartment so he could not keep her. We took her in. Boy was she a bundle of energy! She is very much a people’s dog, very clingy and does not like to be alone (who does?). If I knew that, I’d name her Velcro. Daisy likes to sleep under covers. In the middle of the night she jumps into bed and pounds me until I pull my blanket up so she can crawl under.
One day, in the summer of 2002 Daisy suddenly stopped walking. She was diagnosed with Lyme disease. It took us long 10 months to get her off meds and somewhat back to somewhat normal. She is doing well but has a lot of old age signs as bad vision, bad hearing, gray hair, arthritis, you name it, she has it…
Have you ever played "Blankie Monster"? No? Daisy loves to play "Blankie Monster" game. She wants to be covered with a blanket and she wants me to shake her. She pretends that she is attacking the blanket and trying to get away, she growls and caries on, such a vicious dog!
Sasha was surrendered to a local animal rescue in 2008. She ended up being our foster dog and then our dog. She is full of energy, loves long walks, friendly but … does not like any noise made by anything and anybody. She makes sure that cats are quiet, they are not allowed to run, jump, play, etc. when Sasha is left in charge.
Sasha is the only one of our pets who is working. She visits a local assisted living facility to play with its residents. She is so good with those people; she is so well-mannered and well-behaved that I cannot believe my eyes. If I did not witness, I would not believe that. Residents there ask me if she ever barks. If they only knew!
Also, Sasha is my alarm clock. I do not use an alarm clock anymore. It is her job to wake me up in the morning.
Sasha likes to model. Here she wears one of my heart necklaces:
Another thing Sasha loves is yogurt. After returning from her evening walk, she eats a large spoon of plain yogurt and crawls in her crate for the night.
Both girls hope you had a fun time reading about them.
