A photograph is more than just
a gift to bring or send.
And more than just the likeness of
a relative or friend.
It is a kindly greeting and
a memory to hold.
Of happy times and pleasant things.
However new or old.
It is a mirror that reflects
Companionship and cheer.
And now and then the wistfulness
That turns into a tear.
A photograph is something to
adorn a desk or wall.
Or carry in a pocket and
Display to one and all.
It is a faithful portrait
The smile that friendship shares
To add its sunshine and to show
That someone really cares.

Tags: photograph, swalk1955, friend, friendship

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My brain is working in a weird mode today.

My 87 year old mum recently got sent home from hospital along with a Zimmer frame to help her mobility. I would not mind but she doesn’t ever go out anywhere.

It now takes pride of place in the middle of her room just in case she should ever need it.  An obstacle I now have to manoeuvre around every time I go in her room to feed her get her dressed washed etc.

She insists I do not remove this Zimmer frame she also insists that this will someday help her get about. Your time will come when you will need one of these she says.

I’ve been using one of them all my life I told her just it comes in a different shape or form.

She looked confused.

Well when I was a toddler I had a walker to help me walk.

As I got older I used a pram for support.

Super market always gives me a trolley.

Still getting older I use a shopping trolley.

So we spend a lifetime in training to use one of these..

So you can throw away these.

So you see I told her I’ve always had one… she laughed so much she nearly wet herself.

 

Tags: Zimmer Frame, swalk1955

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You remind me of a flower,
Pretty, inside and outside.
A reason why people smile everyday,
A gift to all.

You remind me of chocolate,
Luscious and sweet.
Someone people can turn to in crisis,
Loved by all.

You remind me of a teddy,
Cute and huggable.
Someone people feel comfortable with,
Special to all.

You remind me of a balloon,
Happy and bouncy.
Someone people can have fun with,
Enjoyed by all.

You remind me of a lot of things,
But nothing can compare to the real person,
A friend I can look up to,
Cherished by me.

Tags: Cherished, by, me, swalk1955

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May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that's always blue?

And may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through

 

.

SMILE

Tags: SMILE, SWALK1955

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The 2012 Summer Olympic Games will be held in London from 27 July to 12 August 2012, followed by the 2012 Paralympic Games from 29 August to 9 September.

Tags: London, Olympics, 2012, SWALK1955

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Yes, but to find a solution to this sleep problem -- officially known as nocturia-- you'll need to start by identifying and treating the underlying health conditions contributing to it.

First off, it's important to understand that as we get older, our bodies' ability to hold fluids for long periods decreases, thanks to a decline in antidiuretic hormones. So even though we're drinking the same amount, we have to go the bathroom more often. This is why middle-of-the-night bathroom runs become so common as we age. (According to the National Sleep Foundation, 65 percent of older adults have sleep deprivation resulting from waking up frequently to use the bathroom.)

Since our bodies are losing the ability to hold fluids -- and since aging also makes it more difficult to fall back asleep after we wake up -- the best solution to this problem is to try not to wake up in the first place.

Here are strategies that can help relieve pressure on the bladder and prevent other digestive symptoms:

*Don't drink liquids for three hours before bedtime.

*Cut down consumption of coffee and tea, which irritate the bladder.

*Don't eat foods with high liquid content, such as soup or fruit, for dinner or after dinner.

*Don't eat for the three hours before going to sleep if you're prone to heartburn or gastric reflux.

A prescription antidiuretic can cut down on nighttime urination if this is the only problem.

However, it's also possible that a separate health condition is leading to the nocturnal bathroom problem. In men, frequent urination at night is often a sign of prostate trouble. Inflammation of the prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPN), and prostate tumors can all cause this symptom, so call your doctor for a prostate exam and PSA test if nighttime waking to urinate suggests a possible prostate condition.

In women, frequent urination can go hand in hand with urinary issues such as incontinence, overactive bladder, urinary tract infections, or cystitis. So, women, you'll also need to see your doctor for a checkup if you suspect any of these problems.

Urinary tract problems such as overactive bladder can be helped with Kegel exercises -- both men and women can learn these exercises to strengthen the muscles at the neck of the bladder.

Once you're awake, a separate set of issues ensues. You may have developed some habits that work against your return to slumber. Here are some suggestions for getting back to sleep quickly:

*Keep the room dark. If you typically have to get up at least once during the night, keep a small book light or mini flashlight next to your bed and use it to navigate your way to the bathroom. Or put a dim night-light in the bathroom and leave the door cracked, so you can use the sliver of light to find your way there. Whatever you do, don't turn on the overhead light in the bathroom once you're there.

*Don't give in to the temptation to turn on the TV or computer. The idea that watching TV can soothe you back to sleep is a misconception; TV and computers function as stimulants. The light from the screen "resets" your internal clock and makes it harder for you to fall back asleep.

*Don't eat unless you're truly hungry. If you're sure a growling stomach is going to keep you awake, have a small snack. Otherwise, getting your digestive system revved up can keep you awake.

*Keep a pen and paper next to your bed. If you're often kept awake by your mind racing or by the common tendency to worry and make to-do lists in your head, keep a pen or pencil and a small pad of paper by your bed and write down your list. As you put each item down on paper, imagine yourself setting aside that concern. (Again, use a book light; don't turn on the overhead or a bright bedside light to write.)

*Do a simple isolation and relaxation exercise. If your body feels tense once you lie down again, try to relax methodically. Starting with your feet, tense the muscles as hard as you can, then relax completely. Do the same with your calves, thighs, buttocks, hands, arms, and on up. By the time you get to your neck and head, you should have banished much of the tension.

*Use an eye mask and ear plugs if noise and shadows are keeping you awake. Some people find that when they wake in the middle of the night, they're much more sensitive to light and sound than they are in the evening, so they need to take steps to block out as many stimuli as possible.

Waking up to urinate more than once a night can also be one of the indicators for sleep apnea. If the problem persists, ask your doctor to evaluate you for sleep apnea or Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome, a milder breathing issue associated with sleep disorder. It's possible that what's happening is that a breathing problem is waking you up or causing you to sleep lightly, which in turn makes you aware of the need to go to the bathroom. While you feel as if you have a full bladder, you would have been able to sleep through the night if you hadn't awakened in the first place.

Tags: Is it normal to wake often to use the bathroom? , swalk1955

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I felt like just speaking on the topic of relationships. This is in no way attached to anyone in particular.

FIVE THINGS THAT MEN WANT IN A RELATIONSHIP

1. Men of course want honest, loving communication

Honest communication is a top priority for real men. They want a woman who answers questions honestly, and even volunteers information. As much as they complain we talk to much, they love to hear us. They want a woman who confidently asks for her wants and needs to be met. they want a woman who can see the truth and tell it like it is while communicating with kindness. Men want a woman that can communicate without being too critical someone who cares about preserving his and her dignity. Honesty is the key to any relationship. If you are honest with your man, he will be honest with you.

2. Men want women who know how men need to be treated.

Many women treat men in ways that diminish their egos, making them feel inadequate. Men would rather have more praise, more acknowledgement of what they do right, more acknowledgment that they are great guys who are loved and appreciated. So praise your man, dont make him feel like he’s wasting his time…or make him feel like he’s not worth anything to you. Make him feel he is your equal.

 3. Men want a manipulation-free relationship.

Men want no manipulation of any kind. They do not want to read their partner’s mind or try to interpret signals. They do not want to be forced to move faster in a relationship than they are ready. They do not want to be manipulated into taking all the blame for things gone wrong. They do not want to be on the receiving end of game playing.

4. Men want growth, personal responsibility, and ownership.

Men want a partner who can laugh at herself and who has courage and strength. They want a woman who can see her part in relationship dynamics and own it. She has to be emotionally stable. Men want a woman who is developing herself personally, and who takes responsibility for her emotional experience. Women already think men think them weak. Men want a strong woman. A woman thats proud to be stable, emotional and mentally. Your man wants challenge every now and then.

5. Men want fidelity and a commitment to the relationship.

Fidelity is an absolute must. In fact, men want a woman who does not have a “roaming eye” and who can wholeheartedly commit to the relationship. Many may define commitment as fidelity plus the willingness to work on the relationship — even when the going gets tough. Woman often suggest that men only want sex. Men want more than that in a commitment. Women also believe that men will leave for the next pretty face…(in some cases this has happened lol).

FIVE THINGS THAT WOMEN WANT IN A REALTIONSHIP

1. Women want a clear and open communicator and LISTENER

Because we love to talk we want someone to listen to us. Women want men to communicate. Women specifically want communication about feelings, needs, wants, hopes, dreams, problems, solutions and all other things which make a relationship work. Women also want communication about expectations and plans. Women would rather put things on the table than sweep them under the rug. Women want men to communicate, listen and respond HONESTLY.

2. Commitment to the relationship for the long haul

Women, just like men, want someone who will commit to the relationship for the long haul. They want a man who wants to be faithful and help build the foundation of a relationship.

3. Men who are Fun, playful, creative, passionate lovers

Women want a man who enjoys what life has to offer. They want a man who knows how to play, who is not afraid to make a fool of himself, who lives his passions. They want a man of creative, intellectual, playful substance. Not to mention she loves a man who is a passionate lover. Sex is not just that much important to a female, but you have to give it the right way and the right amount to keep her eye from roaming.

4. A Man who is Responsible financially and professionally

Women and men want the same things here. Women want a man who knows where he is going career-wise, and is on the way to getting there. They want a man who has dreams and is working on making them happen. They want a man who uses the tool of money wisely, and knows how to be both frugal and generous.

5. A Man who cares deeply about her needs and his needs

Women want a man who will care deeply about her needs and wants without losing himself in the process. They want a man who can recognize and acknowledge what she wants and address it; a man who can say no or yes, depending on which one is more true to his heart; and, a man who can give to his relationship and partner without sacrificing himself.

Tags: Relationships, swalk1955

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