Pentimento

Grammar: I Advise You To Use Advice

I see this happen all the time, and for some reason it irks me to the point of screaming. Well, not really screaming out loud (unless I'm home and it's something I see on TV), but close. I will be the first to admit that I don't always have a clear grasp of spelling and grammar, but I must have learned a lot more of it than the twits I encounter on a daily basis.

For instance, today there was a local news broadcast about one of our Seattle schools that will close for a week because of the Swine Flu outbreak in our area. While I was listening to the reporter at the school I caught a glimpse of the sign on the door of the school. Now, keep in mind this was not a hand written piece of paper stuck to the window of the door to the school. It was something typewritten in large bold font. I only caught a bit of it, but enough to see that per "health department advise" they had chosen to close the school for the time being.

Are there grammar and spelling faux pas that drive you crazy?

Advice is a 'thing' which makes it a noun. Advise is an action, which makes it a verb.

Let's just get this straight. Here is how you use the two words:

Advice

noun

1.	an opinion or recommendation offered as a guide to action, conduct, etc.: I shall act on your advice.

2.	a communication, esp. from a distance, containing information: Advice from abroad informs us that the government has fallen. Recent diplomatic advices have been ominous.

3.	an official notification, esp. one pertaining to a business agreement: an overdue advice.

American Psychological Association (APA):

advice. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved April 30, 2009, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/advice

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Advise

verb

Ad*vise"\, v. t. 1. To consider; to deliberate. [Obs.] Advise if this be worth attempting. --Milton. 2. To take counsel; to consult; -- followed by with; as, to advise with friends.

American Psychological Association (APA):

advise. (n.d.). WordNet® 3.0. Retrieved April 30, 2009, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/advise

Fibromyalgia Tremors - They're Not Just Your Imagination

Fibromyalgia Tremors Are Real

Several times this week I've tried to find where someone has actually written about fibromyalgia tremors without attributing them to something besides fibro. I read where people think they're from medications, or another condition they might have like MS, but so far I haven't seen anyone just say they have them. So, I'm going to talk about mine and hope for some feedback.

I'm not looking for a diagnosis or anything. At this point I think they might be associated with muscle weakness or spasm, at least that's how it feels for me. My tremors aren't always noticeable (except by me) but I feel them in my neck, arms, legs, and sometimes my back. They are felt most in my hands and arms, and at times in my feet. When I've told doctors about the feeling they have no point of reference. One doctor insisted I had restless leg syndrome and wanted me to take medication specifically for it. It could be too that it affects my ears in that they ring sometimes. I'm on blood pressure medicine that has my BP under control, and I have had the ear ringing (off and on) since I was a young girl. I didn't have high blood pressure when I was younger.

For me, the tremors never go away. They lessen when I am laying down or resting, but I can always feel them. It's like my body throbs. They worsen when I'm already tired from not getting deep enough sleep, and then try to do something strenuous on top of feeling that way.

I've noticed that on the odd occasion that I took a couple aspirin before going to sleep I have actually been awakened by muscle spasms in my face. That's pretty scary. It doesn't just affect my face, but it is the most irritating there. Since aspirin can be a muscle relaxant, and this happens when I take a higher dose of aspirin (two), it must trigger something that is already there.

Don't Wake Me If I'm Sleeping!

So, what's the problem with having tremors? Are they painful? No. But they do affect me sometimes if I have to do any 'fine' work or sign my name. A couple times I've had my voting ballots rejected because they thought my signature was altered. That was infuriating to me! The problem with having the tremors is that if (as I suspect) they are like muscle spasms, then no wonder I'm tired all the time. My body is constantly "working".

For more detailed information about Fibromyalgia, please visit the National Fibromyalgia Association website or consult your own physician. You might also want to download this article overview of symptoms: Download FM_Affects_Everyone_FS

Tastes like chicken

Tastes like chicken,
originally uploaded by webduckie.

Mommie said I could just look at this bird. I bet it would sure taste good. I mean, after all, I was the one who got all excited and told Mom and Dad about this tasty mouthful, er, feathered friend so they could see it too.

Make Money Easily On Gather

Webduck on Gather

I am a long-time Gather member and since I see people posting every day about making money online, I wanted to remind you that Gather is one of the sites where you actually CAN make cash. And, if you're a prolific writer of good quality articles, you can be almost guaranteed to be rewarded financially.

Gather Then and Now

When I first joined Gather you could either take payment in gift cards or in cash if you wrote a specific amount of articles per month. The latter meant you had to have a lot of friends who would comment on your articles and make you very popular. I wasn't that ambitious, but I still made some good money (mostly in Home Depot gift cards, by choice) which amounted to several hundred dollars. Had I applied myself, I could have made much more.

How You Get Paid

Last year Gather implemented a new method of payment - PayPal. I will probably be using that way to get paid for the near future. Payment redemption is based on point balances. The more points you have the better the reward. Here are some of their other ways to redeem points:

Dunkin Donuts, Starbuck's Coffee, CVS Pharmacy, Macy's, Border's, Gather Gear, Pretty Good Goods, Minnesota Public Radio (donation), Paralyzed Veterans of America (donation), Southern CA Public Radio (donation), Amazon, Target, Home Depot, Omaha Steaks, Brookstone, and My Wines Direct.

Summary

• It's free to join Gather, and you don't have to have a PayPal account if you would rather not be paid that way. If you like gift cards there are plenty to choose from.

• You can join a writing group, or start one of your own.

• Make new friends, or find your existing ones.

This is not an affiliate post. I just like Gather and I think you will too.

 

Some Bunny Loves Us!

Easter Greetings

I have to share this Easter picture of our newest granddaughter Shelby. She may hate this picture when she's 15, but right now....it's so cute!

Happy Easter to all my friends!

Trace Ellements In My Kitchen Window

 

Over a month ago I bought a beautiful beaded pull from Tracy Ellison at Trace Ellements with the intention of using it as a window shade pull. Jim had to do a little fabricating for me to make it so I can get the shade to open all the way. I'm short, and there is a kitchen sink between me and the window shade, so I needed the chain for the pull to be long and strong enough to work for me when I open and close it each day.

I wanted this beaded pull because it has cobalt blue colors in it and when the sun shines through the window in the winter it will be very cheery to see for sure. As you can see, fan pulls can be re-purposed. (Click on the photo to see the full sized image).

Thanks Tracy!

Cherry trees in Port Orchard, WA

Cherry trees,
originally uploaded by webduckie.

Spring is in the air here in Port Orchard...finally! We had to go to the library today to pick up a book. With somewhat clear skies abounding, I had the camera along so I could take some shots of the Olympic Mountains, shipyard and even Mt. Baker in the Cascades peeping out to the north.

Amazing Video Shows The Future Of Cell Regeneration

I know, you never know what you're going to find here on Pentimento. One of my cousins sent me this totally amazing video today and I wanted to share it with you. (Yes, it is over a year old). I'm just going to include the link, but the gist of it is, they are currently growing new cells and making things like new human bladders (among other things), as well as helping our military members who have been severely injured in Iraq, etc.

Conversely, keep in mind this kind of thing could be used in some nefarious way no doubt. And, it might be only for the rich. Maybe now this answers the question about how Adam was created? :)

Retsil Veteran's Home Ongoing Donation Requests

WA Veteran's Home, Retsil

My most recent DAR email requested some items for ongoing donations to the WA State Veteran's Home at Retsil, WA. Rather than retype the email, I am going to paste it in this article. For more information and directions to Retsil you can click this link. There are just three Veteran's Home's in Washington State. One in Port Orchard, another in Orting, and the third in Spokane. Of course, you don't need to be a member of the DAR to donate.

Ongoing: Assorted reading magazines - ladies, outdoor, fishing, hunting, gardening & travel (especially Europe); costume jewelry, and jewelry box; dressed baby dolls (boys and girls); fine grade sand paper; assorted books - law books, history books with pictorials of European countries, especially Great Britain.

I might add, another very important area with respect to donations are items for Auction Day. The auction is held once a month and all birthdays for the month are celebrated on auction day as well with a birthday cake. Doreen Hendry and I noted how very engaged the residents became during the auction, and the bidding was lively! Bidding favorites include books, small picture frames, cans of mixed nuts (very popular) and other snack packages, games, CDs, DVDs, packages of socks, and almost anything one might believe would be of interest to the residents. Last month someone donated a small, room size refrigerator! So the choices are limitless.  
     
Time sensitive: 2 bags of tootsie roll pops, by April 15; Krusteaz pancake mix (15 pound bag), two 32 count packages of value pack dinner plates and a 2 burner electric top indoor hot plate, by April 30th.
 
2  dozen plain Easter sugar cookies for the residents to decorate to be dropped off at Retsil. (Please e mail me if interested in baking cookies. I don't have a drop off date yet).  

Last, items for spring and summer crafts. I will deliver all donated items collected at the meeting Saturday to Retsil next Wednesday, my usual volunteer day. Or, alternatively, donations can, of course, be dropped off directly to Retsil. If dropping off, don't forget to mention "DAR donation" and report all donations on your pink sheet!

As always, many, many thanks to you all for supporting Retsil and our veterans. Our efforts are very much appreciated. 

Regards,
[name deleted for privacy]
Chairman, Veteran Affairs 

Jane Goodall Is Turning 75 - Send Her A Hoot

There are very few people who have given so much of themselves for the planet. Please take a moment and wish Jane Goodall a Happy 75th Birthday. She is important to all of us!

Happy 75th Birthday, Jane Goodall! from The Jane Goodall Institute on Vimeo.