Most people who suffer a migraine get it for different reasons, there is no one ’cause for them. What is a trigger for me, may not affect you, and vice versa. While we are not able to completely avoid them, we can see what triggers them the most and work on those issues.

1. Cut back on Caffeine. One common belief is that too much caffeine can cause a headache. However, caffeine withdrawal can cause them as well if you are used to drinking it a lot. Be sure to cut back slowly.
2. Artificial sweeteners. While this has not been proven, some say that Aspartame causes them, this is found in Nutra Sweet.
3. Smoking. Both first and secondhand smoke can cause a migraine. While the solution is obvious, it is easier said than done if your the smoker.
4. Sleep Schedule. If you have enough sleep and try to go to bed and wake up at the same time, you can relieve some of the problem. Ever since I got on my sleeping meds I have only had one Migraine.
5. Birth Control Pill. The pill and thier effects on our hormones can bring on a migraine. Try to switch to another form of birth control and see if that helps.
6. Lighting. Avoid bright lights and fluorescent bulbs, use a lamp instead of an overhead light. Take frequent breaks on the computer and rest your eyes.
7. Cheese, chocolate and wine. These may sound like the ideal ingredients for a romantic picnic, but if you are prone to migraines the last thing you may be feeling is romantic following that afternoon getaway. Aged cheeses especially are dangerous because they contain the amino acid tyramine. Chocolate contains phenylethamine. Both chemicals contribute to migraines and alcohol is a trigger as well. Stay away from all three and find other ways to get in a romantic mood.
8. Smelling Good. Using too much perfume or smelly lotion can bring on a migraine. Try to keep the fragrance to a minimum.
9. Aerobics. Regular exercise helps your blood flow and will help reduce the frequency of migraines.
10. Airplanes. Try to drive or take a bus or train when traveling, the change in cabin pressure could bring on a migraine.

There you have it, hopefully something there will help you reduce the amount of migraines you get! Be sure to comment with your own tips!

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Another present we got this Christmas was a beautiful comforter set for the bed, with everything from decorative pillows, 650 thread count sheets, a bed skirt, the works! It is so pretty too, matches the colors I picked for the master bedroom perfectly! Joseph’s mom got it for us because she knew we had just bought a king sized bed and needed a set that fit (king sized comforter sets are expensive!

I am still loving the new bed, we were looking at adjustable beds, since we each like different firmness, but they were way to expensive!

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Well I cant take a picture because we left the camera at Joseph’s grandparents house (they are mailing it back to us) but I sure can tell you about our new TV! It is a 36 inch flat screen, not the really skinny ones though. We were worried at first because our entertainment center only holds a 27 inch or so. We went shopping for a new entertainment stand at the mall and online at places like Bush furniture (I LOVE the couches on that site!) Anyway, we couldn’t find one we liked, I wanted one with a ‘top’ for all me stuff (candles, pictures, plants, etc all on top of the entertainment canter.

We got creative! Using a hammer we removed the vertical divider on the shelf, that separates where the TV goes and where the DVD player and VCR goes and that made the opening in the entertainment center a perfect fit for the TV! And I still have my top shelf for my stuff! As soon as we get the camera back you will get pictures!!

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Keeping you and your family safe is very important. Police, fire rescue, and EMS workers cant be there every day just waiting, so some preparation on your part can help possibly save a life. Below are some tips I have compiled to help you stay safe no matter where you are.

Being safe on the streets:

• Hold your purse slung across your body and hold it close to you so it will not be snatched.
• If for some reason you cant do that and it does get snatched, let go immediately, let them have it as long as you don’t get hurt. Nothing in the purse is as important as your life.
• If someone tries to attack you, yell out NO!! And yell and order like Help or Call 911! Keep screaming until someone comes or the person runs. Do whatever you can not to be taken anywhere with them.
• Follow your intuition, if some one or some place makes you nervous, remove yourself from the situation.
• If you are being followed go to the nearest store or brightly lit populated place. Do NOT go home or let your follower know where you live.
• Never label your keys with your name or address.
• Don’t talk loudly about social plans of vacation agendas, lest someone be listening and know when you will be gone.
• Of course you always want to be alert and aware of your surroundings. Pay attention.
• Carry a personal safety alarm, they are inexpensive and can deter any criminal.
• Consider getting mace or pepper spray to defend yourself.

Being safe at Home

• Keep lights on at all exterior doorways.
• Install an alarm system to better secure your home
• Install motion sensor lights around the perimeter of your home.
• Keep all doors and windows locked at all times, even when you are home.
• Approach your home with your keys out so you can get in quickly
• Keys can be used as a weapon if needed to hit or stab with
• Be aware and make sure no one follows you into the garage behind your car.
• Close the garage doors immediately after pulling inside
• Keep the garage door and the door from the garage to your home locked at all times, just like any other door
• Never open the door for a stranger, call through the door for ID before letting anyone in. If suspicious call 911 even if it is a police officer, if your intuition is telling you to be scared. 911 will be able to verify if it really is a cop or not.
• Ask for ID from all repair workers coming, call the company to verify.
• Never let a stranger in to make a call, make the call for them.
• Don’t hide your keys under the doormat, criminals know all those places.

Being safe in the Car

• Be aware of those around you in a parking lot
• Approach your car door with keys out and ready
• Check the backseat and under the car before getting inside.
• Try not to park next to vans if you can help it, you can easily be dragged into it and kidnapped
• Start and lock your car as soon as you get inside
• Keep windows rolled up and doors locked
• If you are stopped at a stop light and feel a danger of someone coming to the car, run the light, it is better to get a ticket than to be the victim of a crime.
• Always choose well lit areas to park in.
• If someone tries to pull you over do not do so until you are at a well light populated place, even if the person pulling you over is a cop, if you feel nervous slowly drive to a well lit area and explain after
• Do not pick up hitch hikers

Being safe around Dogs

• Your first instinct will be to run away. Don’t. The dog’s chase instinct will kick in, and you know how dogs love to chase things.
• Try to remain calm and still
• Try not to look directly in the eyes as that can seem like aggression to a dog
• In a calm yet firm voice say “No! Go Away!!”
• If the dog lunges at you try to block yourself with your purse, coat, anything in order to distract the dog and let you break free.
• Back away slowly

Being safe wherever you are should always be on your mind, trust you gut and follow the simple rules above and with luck, you will never have to use them.

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It’s that time again…. time for me to spill my guts! I hate our tables… They are a hand me down from Joseph’s grandmother, they are sentimental to him, but boy are they ugly. It is not like it is some expensive set, it is a plywood table covered in cheap marble looking laminate. And has chips all over. It is ugly and dangerous, I stubbed my toe on it last year and had to get liquid stitches, it is hard and corners are sharp!

It is one of the strongest tables ever, you could jump on it and it wouldn’t break! I know because I have tried! LOL I want to try to sneak in a new coffee table when we get the couch, saying to him that it matches better… he has other things from his late grandmother, we dont HAVE to keep the tables… right? Or am I being difficult?

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