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Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Zika Could Spread in Southern Europe This Summer MedlinePlus

Zika Could Spread in Southern Europe This Summer: MedlinePlus

MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You

Zika Could Spread in Southern Europe This Summer

Conditions will be ripe for transmission via Aedes aegypti mosquito, study warns

By Robert Preidt

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

TUESDAY, June 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- The Zika virus could spread in southern Europe this summer if its introduced to the region by infected travelers, researchers warn.

Zika is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is present in southern Europe. An analysis of a number of factors, including temperatures and air traveler patterns, suggests that parts of southern Europe may be at risk for Zika outbreaks between June and August.

"We know warm climates create the kind of conditions suitable for mosquito-borne illnesses to spread," said study author Joacim Rocklov. He is a researcher in the unit for epidemiology and global health at Umea University, in Sweden.

While most people only suffer mild symptoms after being infected with the Zika virus, infection during pregnancy can cause a devastating birth defect known as microcephaly, where babies are born with abnormally small heads and brains.

The vast majority of Zika infections have occurred in Latin America, and Brazil has been the epicenter with an estimated 5,000 cases of microcephaly.

"The presence of established Aedes mosquito populations, the warmer climate and the coinciding peak flow of air travelers [from Zika-affected areas in the Americas] into Europe is a triage making southern Europe fertile ground for Zika," Rocklov explained in a university news release.

The study was published June 10 in the journal EBioMedicine.

While Zika is typically spread via the bite of the Aedes mosquito, there is increasing evidence that the virus can also be transmitted through sex, possibly even oral sex.

In light of that, the World Health Organization advises couples who are trying to have children and live in Zika-affected areas to consider delaying pregnancy to avoid having babies born with birth defects.

The new guideline replaces an earlier one that suggested women planning to become pregnant should wait at least eight weeks before trying to conceive if they or their partner live in -- or are returning from -- Zika-affected regions.

There have been no reports of Zika-induced microcephaly contracted in the United States. But two babies have been born in the United States with the birth defect after their mothers contracted the virus while traveling during pregnancy in countries where Zika is active.

U.S. health officials have said they expect to see Zika infections in Gulf Coast states such as Florida, Louisiana and Texas as the summer mosquito season picks up.

SOURCE: Umea University, news release, June 10, 2016

HealthDay

News stories are provided by HealthDay and do not reflect the views of MedlinePlus, the National Library of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or federal policy.

More Health News on:: Zika Virus

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I love this little boy

On the way home from school today:

"Mommy. Mommy, look. Look, Mommy, look. Look."

Tonight, I got some snuggles on the couch. At dinner, Joel and I convinced ourselves that we need to take him back to the doctor cause hes just not acting like himself (still). Hes never really gotten all the way better when he had the ear infections. He still has green snot.

But from these pictures, youd never know that a few minutes prior he was fussing and upset.

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This Shepards Purse an emergency food and to stop Bleeding

This ‘weed’ can be used in an emergency for food AND to stop bleeding

By: usafeaturesmedia

Date: June 17, 2016

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( Homesteading.news ) Although often dismissed as a weed, one of the most widespread flowering plants in the world is actually a highly useful plant both medicinally and nutritionally. This “weed,” commonly known as shepherd’s purse, can be eaten raw or cooked, and is particularly prized for its ability to stop both external and internal bleeding.

Native to Europe, shepherd’s purse ( Capsella bursa-pastoris ) has now become nativized in temperate zones worldwide, and can be found wild in almost any temperate region where humans live. It can also be found in high-elevation tropical regions. Shepherd’s purse commonly grows as a weed in lawns and gardens, along roadsides, and in pastures or agricultural fields.

Powerful medicine and nutrient-rich food

Shepherd’s purse is a member of the mustard family ( Brassicaceae ), also known as the cruciferous vegetable family. This diverse and nutritious plant family contains many of the world’s most widely eaten food crops, such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, turnips and kale.

Like many crucifers, nearly every part of shepherd’s purse is edible, both raw and cooked. Indeed, many cultures still use shepherd’s purse as a common wild food source. Shepherd’s purse is rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, beta-carotene, protein, sodium, sulfur, potassium and calcium.

The leaves can be eaten raw in salads or sandwiches, or can be added raw or cooked to soups. They are said to have a zesty, peppery taste similar to watercress (also a crucifer). The flowers are commonly eaten raw, while the stalk is eaten both raw and cooked. The seeds or young seed pods are used as a seasoning, said to be peppery in flavor (like mustard seeds). The roots make a good ginger substitute (fresh or dried) and can also be candied into a syrup.

It is its medicinal properties that have brought shepherd’s purse the most fame, however, particularly its ability to stop bleeding. Indeed, it has been used as a medicinal plant in southern Europe and southwestern Asia since ancient days.

To stop external bleeding, a poultice may be made of the crushed fresh or dried leaves, then applied directly to the wound. For internal of systemic bleeding, the plant is usually taken internally as a tea. In fact, shepherd’s purse tea was regularly used during World War I to stop internal hemorrhaging of the stomach and lungs. Midwives also use a tea or tincture of the plant to stop bleeding after childbirth (although the plant should not be taken during pregnancy, as it can stimulate contractions).

Plant it or pick it wild

Perhaps the best thing about shepherd’s purse is that it can be found growing nearly everywhere in many parts of the world in the winter and spring months. Although it lives only a year and rarely grows in the same place two consecutive years in a row, the seeds remain viable for as long as 20 years. This viability has played a major part in helping the plant colonize diverse corners of the globe.

Shepherd’s purse can most easily be identified by its heart-shaped seed pods, which are said to resemble the pouches formerly carried by European peasants and are responsible for its most common name. The leaves are similar to those of other plants in the mustard family, deeply lobed and most resembling the leaves of a dandelion plant. Another distinctive (though not unique) feature of shepherd’s purse is the way the leaves spread flat along the ground in a striking rosette pattern.

Shepherd’s purse may grow to anywhere between three and 18 inches in height. Its flowers are small and white, and cluster at the top of the stem.

Other common names for shepherd’s purse include shepherd’s heart, lady’s purse, witch’s pouches, rattle pouches, pickpurse, pickpocket, case-weed, clapped-pouch, joy wort, mother’s heart, St. James’ weed and pepper plant.

Reporting by David Gutierrez, NaturalNews.com .

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Things Im Going to Do Now That This Program is Over

sleep
read
blog
write
read
sleep
sleep
sleep
float around in a pool
get a tan
eat a popsicle
sleep
read
breathe
see friends
blog
clean my house
maybe not that last one
do something crafty
do my makeup
do makeup
play with makeup
see a movie
a movie I CHOOSE and not Bryan. ugh.
be a rockstar CBO at an awesome school district and use everything I learn to improve the lives of children.
sleep.

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Who is this

big ol baby, and where did my wittle baby go??

Ive started the process of boxing up his newborn and 0-3 month sized clothes, and unpacking his 3-6 size which is quite the project. Im pretty sure he didnt wear half of the clothing he had, partly because when its hot he just wears a diaper. Im glad that 80% of what we have is (fantastic) hand me downs. And I (will) have lots of boxes to pass along to the next friend who has a boy! ;)

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I could stare at this face for hours!

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This Food Has 1 000 More Nutrients Than Broccoli Yet No One Ever Thinks to Eat It

This Food Has 1,000% More Nutrients Than Broccoli, Yet No One Ever Thinks to Eat It

This article is shared with permission from our friends at thetruthaboutcancer.com.

What’s so special about broccoli sprouts? According to various researchers (including Johns Hopkins and Ohio State University), they contain 1,000 percent more nutrients than mature broccoli!

Sulforaphane, the prominent phytochemical in broccoli, combats cancer on several fronts ? including removal of carcinogens, prevention of cancer cell production, destruction of breast cancer cells, and tumor reduction. These small plants are in the cancer research limelight for their unique ability to exert 50 times the amount of cancer fighting power of broccoli.

Sprouts are easily absorbed into the system because they also contain potent digestive enzymes. Their flavor allows for easily adding them to all your favorite meals. Broccoli sprouts are also easy to grow and will keep for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.

7 Easy Steps for Growing Broccoli Sprouts

Step #1: Start with three tablespoons organic, high germination broccoli seeds for sprouting. (Click on the Sources & References link below the article for a few online sources for seeds). Prep the 3 tablespoons of seeds by rinsing them thoroughly in a tightly woven stainless steel or plastic strainer while removing any debris and non-seed material.

Step #2: Place the rinsed seeds in a quart sized, pre-sterilized, glass jar (a mason canning jar that’s been rinsed with boiling water and cooled is a good choice). Fill the jar with approximately ¾ cup or more of spring or purified water. The quantity of water is not crucial as the seeds will only absorb the amount necessary for sprouting.

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Push down any floating seeds with your finger as broccoli seeds tend to float at first. Place the jar in an easy to notice place (such as the kitchen counter near the sink, which is where I keep mine) for eight hours.

Step #3: Drain-Rinse-Drain again. In this step you skim off any floating bits and then drain them through the strainer, or place a plastic screen or piece of cheesecloth in the mason jar lid and drain water out this way. (If using an ordinary quart jar take the cheesecloth or plastic screen and secure it with a heavy rubber band around the mouth of the jar). It is important to keep seeds rinsed, but not soaking in water from this point on or they will rot.

Invert the container for ten minutes or so at approximately 45 degrees on a dish rack or other holder to ensure the sprouts are free from

excess water. Then set them in a well-ventilated area where they will be noticed during the day so you remember to rinse and drain them every 8 hours.

You can add water through the screen without removing the lid to make it easier. Then shake the seeds down and lay the jar on its side until it’s time to rinse again. Repeat this process for three days or until you see two leaves emerge.

Step #4: Place them in indirect or partial sunlight to let them get greener. After another day or two of rinsing and draining, they are ready to store in the refrigerator.

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Step #5: Remove the hulls of the seeds by placing the sprouts in a bowl or other large container of clean water. Gently pull the sprout mass apart and allow the seed hulls to float to the top. Skim the top, rinse the sprouts again and return them to their jar with the screen on top. Invert the jar to allow all the water to drain off and allow to dry sufficiently (approximately 8 hours).

Step #6: Place the broccoli sprouts in the refrigerator in a covered jar or other suitable container for later use in salads, sandwiches, or to eat alone as a snack.

Step #7: Enjoy! There are many ways to use this nutrient dense food. However, to fully benefit from all the nutritional properties of these sprouts it is best to consume them in their natural raw (uncooked) state.

Without people like you who truly care about helping others, we wouldn’t matter. Please share this cancer-fighting information with friends and loved ones.

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TRY TO KEEP AWAY FROM DRINKING TEA COFFEE AND ALCOHOL IN THIS 2016 HOT SUMMER

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I have the cutest kids on the face of the planet I dare you to challenge me on this fact

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Essentials for Keeping Kids Safe This Summer MedlinePlus

Essentials for Keeping Kids Safe This Summer: MedlinePlus

Essentials for Keeping Kids Safe This Summer

Expert shares tips for injury-free outdoor play

By Robert Preidt

Friday, June 10, 2016

FRIDAY, June 10, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Some simple measures can keep your children safe this summer, a pediatric expert says.

"We see a lot of kids in the emergency department during the summer with injuries and accidents that could have been prevented," said Dr. David Walker, director of the pediatric emergency department at NewYork-Presbyterian/Queens.

"It is important to take the necessary precautions to ensure our children remain safe while having fun," he said in a hospital news release. He offered the following tips:

Sun safety: Apply sunscreen with an SPF 15 or greater and provide a hat and sunglasses to protect kids eyes from UVA and UVB rays. Teach children to stay in the shade during the middle of the day and to drink water often.

By the water: Make sure children know how to swim. Also, insist on constant adult supervision when children are around any body of water. Adults should also know CPR, as the sooner its performed, the better the chance of survival, Walker said.

At the playground: Before allowing children to use a playground, inspect the equipment to ensure it is well-maintained and safe. The playground surface should have safety-tested mats or loose-fill materials. Adult supervision is important so that immediate action can be taken if a child falls or gets injured, Walker said.

Safety on wheels: Kids should always wear a helmet when using a bicycle, skateboard, scooter or skates. Other protective gear, such as shin guards and knee and elbow pads, is also recommended when appropriate. Make sure bicycles are the appropriate size.

SOURCE: NewYork-Presbyterian/Queens, news release, May 31, 2016

HealthDay

More Health News on:: Child Safety

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In This Issue Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Complementary and Integrative Approaches

In This Issue -- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Complementary and Integrative Approaches

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can lead to obstructive and bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms. Prostate gland enlargement can block the flow of urine out of the bladder, which can cause bladder, urinary tract, or kidney problems. The use of some complementary health approaches such as phytotherapy for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms is common. Although there is limited evidence that some phytotherapeutic agents may help improve symptoms related to BPH over the short term, most of the trials conducted have been small in size, of short duration, and used varied doses and preparations.

This issue of the Digest provides a summary of the current evidence of complementary health approaches that are frequently used for symptoms associated with BPH.

What the Science Says:
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Complementary and Integrative Approaches

Learn what current research has to say about:

Acupuncture

Lycopene

Pygeum africanum

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)

Urtica dioica

Clinical Practice Guidelines

Scientific Literature

For Your Patients

5 Tips: What You Should Know About Complementary Health Approaches for BPH

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Nearly 30 Percent of U S Bees Wiped Out this Winter

Nearly 30 Percent of U.S. Bees Wiped Out This Winter

May 24, 2016 | 14,851 views

By Dr. Mercola

U.S. bees are in trouble, and, if the latest figures are any indication, the problem is getting worse instead of better.

The preliminary results on bee colony losses from 2015 to 2016 were released by The Bee Informed Partnership in collaboration with the Apiary Inspectors of America (AIA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).1

The survey included responses from nearly 6,000 U.S. beekeepers managing about 15 percent of the estimated 2.66 million managed honey-producing colonies in the U.S.

Over the 2015 to 2016 winter, more than 28 percent of the bee colonies were lost — an increase of nearly 6 percent compared to the previous winter.

Further, more than half of the beekeepers reported winter colony loss rates that were greater than the average "acceptable" winter mortality rate, which is just under 17 percent.

Bee Losses Occur Year-Round, Not Just During the Winter

In addition to what were described as "unsustainable" bee colony losses during the winter were losses that occurred during the spring and summer months. It was long assumed that such losses only occurred during the winter, such that — up until six years ago — no one even kept track of annual losses.

Now, however, its apparent that bee colonies arent only at risk during the winter and losses are occurring year-round. The featured survey revealed beekeepers lost 44 percent of their colonies from April 2015 to March 2016, which is the highest annual loss on record.2

Dennis VanEngelsdorp, Ph.D., a University of Maryland bee scientist and survey leader, told The Guardian:3

"Its very troubling and what really concerns me that we are losing colonies in summer too, when bees should be doing so well … This suggests there is something more going on — bees may be the canary in the coalmine of bigger environmental problems.

One in 3 bites of food we eat is directly or indirectly pollinated by bees. If we want to produce apples, cucumbers, almonds, blueberries and lots of other types of food, we need a functioning pollination system."

Beekeepers Resort to Mail-Order Queen Bees to Save Their Colonies

There is only one queen bee per hive, and her job is, in part, to lay lots of eggs to keep the colony thriving. Without a queen bee, the colony cannot survive, and there are now queen bee producers in the U.S. that sell queen bees to beekeepers trying to save their queenless hives.

Its a sign of just how desperate the beekeeping industry has become. In The Guardian, VanEngelsdorp continued:4

"We are seeing greater cost pressures to pollinate crops. It costs around $200 a year to keep a colony alive and replace a queen. Youre lucky if you make $200 a year through the honey produced, so a lot of operators arent even breaking even. There are a lot who are really hurting."

The USDA considers 18.7 percent to be the benchmark beyond which the bee losses become economically unsustainable. The USDAs internal research agency, the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) reported:5

"If losses continue … it could threaten the economic viability of the bee pollination industry. Honey bees would not disappear entirely, but the cost of honey bee pollination services would rise, and those increased costs would ultimately be passed on to consumers through higher food costs."

Summer Losses Suggest Pesticides Are Involved

There are many theories as to why bees are disappearing. Bayer, Syngenta and other chemical companies have blamed mites as a reason for the bee deaths. However, the summer losses weaken their argument, according to Jeff Pettis, a USDA senior entomologist, as mite infestations are more likely to occur in the winter.6

Instead, pesticide exposure is a likely factor. Neonicotinoids have been increasingly blamed for bee deaths (and were implicated in the 2013 mass bee die-off of 25,000 bumblebees along with millions of bee deaths in Canada).

The majority of soybean, corn, canola, and sunflower seeds planted in the U.S. are coated with neonicotinoid pesticides (neonics). The chemicals, which are produced by Bayer and Syngenta, travel systemically through the plants and kill insects that munch on their roots and leaves.

Neonicotinoids are powerful neurotoxins and are quite effective at killing the pests, but theyre also harmful to non-target pests, namely pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

This occurs because the pesticides are taken up through the plants vascular system as it grows and, as a result, the chemical is expressed in the pollen and nectar of the plant.

An independent review by 29 scientists with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (which looked at 800 studies) found neonicotinoids are gravely harming bees.7 One of the researchers, Jean-Marc Bonmatin, Ph.D., with the National Centre for Scientific Research, said:8

"The evidence is very clear. We are witnessing a threat to the productivity of our natural and farmed environment equivalent to that posed by organophosphates or DDT … Far from protecting food production, the use of neonicotinoid insecticides is threatening the very infrastructure which enables it."

Loss of Natural Habitat to Plant Monocultures Takes Away Bees Natural Food Sources

Another glaring problem is the fact that vast areas of meadow and grasslands in the U.S. — meccas for pollen-rich plants — have been lost to monoculture. Monoculture is the growing of just one type of crop on a massive scale — a growing method that is contrary to nature.

Not only does this do away with natural food sources for pollinators but at the same time it exposes them to increased risks. Genetically engineered (GE) corn is the epitome of monoculture, and the vast majority of GE corn is treated with neonicotinoids like clothianidin or thiamethoxam.

As reported by Pesticide Action Network (PAN) North America, honeybees in the Midwest "get it from all sides" when the vast expanses of GE corn are planted, as they:9

"Fly through clothianidin-contaminated planter dust
Gather clothianidin-laced corn pollen, which will then be fed to emerging larva
Gather water from acutely toxic, pesticide-laced guttation droplets
Gather pollen and nectar from nearby fields where forage sources such as dandelions have taken up these persistent chemicals from soil thats been contaminated year on year since clothianidins widespread introduction into corn cultivation in 2003"

Glyphosate May Also Be to Blame

Neonicotinoids are not the only chemicals the bees have to worry about. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsantos Roundup herbicide, may also play a role in bees deaths.

As stated by GMO expert Don Huber, P.h.D.,, professor emeritus of Plant Pathology at Purdue University, there are three established characteristics of colony collapse disorder that suggest glyphosate may be at least partly responsible:

The bees are mineral-deficient, especially in micronutrients
Theres plenty of food present but theyre not able to utilize it or to digest it
Dead bees are devoid of the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which are components of their digestive system

In many cases of bee die-offs, the bees become disoriented, suggesting endocrine hormone disruption. Glyphosate is a very strong endocrine hormone disruptor. Huber also cited a study on glyphosate in drinking water at levels that are commonly found in U.S. water systems, showing 30 percent mortality in bees exposed to it.

While the majority of glyphosate is sprayed onto agricultural crops, its even used in city parks, which means bees may get little reprieve. In 2014, for instance, New York City agencies applied glyphosate to parks and other areas 2,748 times, and that is likely an underestimate.10

A Freedom of Information Act request found pesticide information related to Central Park and other parks that are managed by non-profit conservancies (and not by the city government) has not been made public. The bottom line is that bees and other pollinators are being exposed to pesticides and other chemicals virtually everywhere they turn.

And in all likelihood, its not one or two chemicals that are the problem but many. In 2013, researchers analyzed pollen from bee hives in seven major crops and found 35 different pesticides along with high fungicide loads.11 Each sample contained, on average, nine different pesticides and fungicides. When the pollen was fed to healthy bees, they had a significant decline in the ability to resist infection with the Nosema ceranae parasite, which has been implicated in bee deaths.

How You Can Help Bees

To avoid harming bees and other helpful pollinators that visit your garden, swap out toxic pesticide and lawn chemicals for organic weed and pest control alternatives. Even some organic formulations can be harmful to beneficial insects, so be sure to vet your products carefully.

Better yet, get rid of your lawn altogether and plant an edible organic garden. Both flower and vegetable gardens provide good honeybee habitats. Its also recommended to keep a small basin of fresh water in your garden or backyard, as bees actually do get thirsty.

In addition, youll want to grow your own pollinator-friendly plants from organic, untreated seeds. If you opt to purchase starter plants, make sure to ask whether or not theyve been pre-treated with pesticides.

Keep in mind that you also help protect the welfare of all pollinators every time you shop organic and grass-fed, as you are actually "voting" for less pesticides and herbicides with every organic and pastured food and consumer product you buy. You can take bee preservation a step further by trying your hand at amateur beekeeping.

Maintaining a hive in your garden requires only about an hour of your time each week, benefits your local ecosystem, and you get to enjoy your own homegrown honey.

Saving Pollinators Must Be a Global Priority

On a larger scale, in order to save bees and other pollinators we need to stop the widespread use of chemicals that harm them, while at the same time returning much of our land to grasslands and building a network of herbivore economics. There is virtually no better way to improve the conditions for animals, protect pollinators, bring more revenue to farmers, and improve human health via nutritious foods from properly pastured animals.

By mimicking the natural behavior of migratory herds of wild grazing animals — meaning allowing livestock to graze freely and moving the herd around in specific patterns — farmers can support natures efforts to regenerate and thrive, while providing natural, pesticide-free foraging area for pollinators and other beneficial insects. The good news is that we dont need to invent yet another chemical or a new piece of farm equipment to solve this problem.

We simply need to revert back to a system that works with nature instead of against it. Finally, if youre wondering why bees are so important, when one Whole Foods store removed all produce from plants dependent on pollinators, it ended up pulling 52 percent of its produce offerings from store shelves. A sampling of the produce that disappeared without bees is below. Imagine a world without it.12

Apples	Onions	Avocados
Carrots	Mangos	Lemons
Limes	Honeydews	Cantaloupes
Zucchinis	Summer squash	Eggplant
Cucumbers	Celeries	Green onions
Cauliflower	Leeks	Bok choys
Kale	Broccolis	Broccoli rabes
Mustard greens

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Life is Made of Days Like This

Sorry, I havent been around this week. Now that a negotiations paper is done and a facilities paper is almost done, I have time to catch yall up on my life over the past two weeks. On February 9, it was some holiday. A presidents birthday. I dont know which but believe that I appreciate his birth. Cause day off. Duh.

First, I was going to hit up the Monday sale with Jamie, a cousin from Bryans side of the family. Bryan had band practice with the guys and Shep and I were on our own. The plan, at first, was to take Shepherd and Isaac but then we realized that they would be hard to wrangle. I got ready as quickly as I could, got Shepherd ready and grabbed all of our stuff to load into the car. Except I couldnt find the keys.

Bryan took them to Fresno. I was so ticked. I called and it was looking as though I was going to have to bow out of my plans with Jamie to wait for stupid Bryan to turn his stupid truck about to bring me the stupid keys. I tell Jamie that we probably cant go and she got mad and came to pick us up. We dropped Shepherd with Troy and went on our way.

It turned out to be the best day Ive had in a long while.

We walked around, I bought some L.A. Girl makeup (dont worry, I googled, it was legit.) and ate some tacos. It was AWESOME.

I have always wanted the second holes done on my ears but never pulled the trigger. I didnt do my makeup because I had hoped to film that day, but alas, it never worked out. Too bad I didnt foresee that because it would nice to not look haggard when I look back at these pictures, but this is real life, yo! Jennifer is the one that pierced our ears and she was really sweet and did a great job!

I decided to get my second hole in my ears pierced today. Kind of random but totally awesome. I was also a bad influence and made @jamielynnfriend get hers done too. ??????
A video posted by Megan Vickers (@meganlauriana) on Feb 9, 2015 at 8:14pm PST

See? @jamielynnfriend did it too! It was a beautiful day today and we made the most of it! Monday sale, shopping, ear-piercing, pizza eating. Thanks @troyweezy for watching the boys! ??
A video posted by Megan Vickers (@meganlauriana) on Feb 9, 2015 at 8:23pm PST

Then, to celebrate, Jamie bought me a pretzel! I havent had one of these in forever and it was so dang delicious!

We also got a drink and frito/nacho boat from Minnahs Cafe, which was not bad. Im not a huge fan of nacho cheese. I like regular shredded cheese on chips. Its the way it ought to be!

Jamies boyfriend Troy asked that we bring home food, so we stopped at Geta Express to grab him some food. He deserved it for watching both boys for most of the day! He sent text updates as the day went on AND he got Shepherd to eat lots of healthy food. Love that guy. Shepherd even fell asleep on Troy! It was so cute.

It was an amazing, fun and lowkey day. It almost felt like we were young and free again. It was so nice to have a taste of that again. And I LOVE my earrings. Glad I finally got it done. Thank you to my niece Kyndall for inspiring me to get it done.

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Tuesday, December 27, 2016