How to Find More Preparation Space in the Kitchen

Space in the kitchen at a premium and the dinner party dishes are not leaving any spare room for cooking? What to do?! Help is at hand with this really simple fix. It isn't a permanent fix but it does create a handy extra space when the need is really there.

Get a sturdy chopping (bread) board.
Open up a kitchen drawer at the top level. Make sure that the draw is sitting steadily and is not wobbling or threatening to fall on the floor.
Rest the chopping board across the drawer. Make sure that it fits across the space snugly and is not going to slip or fall into the drawer or off the drawer.
Use your newfound preparation space. When you need to move it, it's as easy as lifting it up and either washing it or putting it somewhere temporarily.

Be sure that the drawer is sturdy and able to take the weight of the board and your food preparation movements.
If desired, you can substitute a chopping board with a sturdy cookie sheet/baking tray or even a serving tray. Anything flat, strong and wide enough is fine, provided it is also clean.
Another possible extra area is the sink. If you have a double sink, think nothing of covering up one sink with a board and using it as extra space. You can still use the water and wash dishes in the other sink as you go.
If you don't have a bread board or other item that fits the size of your drawer well, cut a piece of wood that does fit the drawer size. Keep this in an accessible place to pull out whenever you need the extra preparation area.

This is unlikely to work on old, wonky drawers. Which probably means it is time to fix your drawers!
Get the necessary utensils out of the drawer before using this method!


Drawer, sturdy, upper level
Chopping board or tray/cookie sheet

Missing My Babies

Well, it's been five days since my kids and their dad attend church Camp. The are still there over at 8 miles Icecle River camp. They should be there until sunday. I have been missing them so much. I got used to talk to them everyday whenever I want to.

The good thing is they are having fun. They get to see their church friend from all over the place.Just few more days and I will be able to talk to them again.

The Different Types Of Bipolar

Bipolar disorder represents not a single disease, but a spectrum of disorders. Learn about the most common forms.



Some 10 million Americans are suffering with bipolar disorder. Also known as manic-depression, the disease is characterized by intense periods of elevated mood, or mania, alternating with periods of depression. Sufferers may seem euphoric one minute and despondent the next. In addition, these cycles may seem unpredictable, with no apparent trigger or cause.



That said, not all people diagnosed with bipolar disorder exhibit the same behaviors or require the same medications. The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance categorizes the condition into the following five categories. If you suspect that you or a loved one may be suffering from any type of bipolar disorder, it’s important to consult with a health-care professional. He or she can give you an accurate diagnosis and make treatment recommendations.



Bipolar I Disorder: This is the most severe form of the illness, characterized by one or more extreme manic episodes or mixed episodes and one or more major depressive episodes.



Bipolar II Disorder: This disorder is diagnosed after one or more major depressive episodes and at least one episode of hypomania, with possible periods of level mood between episodes. Hypomanias are extreme highs as compared to manias in bipolar I. This disorder can be misdiagnosed as major depression when hypomanic episodes go unreported.



Not Otherwise Specified (NOS): This type of bipolar disorder fails to follow any kind of specific pattern (for example, recurring hypomanic episodes without depressive symptoms). NOS may also be indicated when bipolar disorder is present but is not the patientÂ’s primary disorder.



Cyclothymia: This milder form of bipolar disorder is characterized by several hypomanic episodes and less severe episodes of depression that alternate for at least two years. The severity of this form can change over time.



Rapid Cycling: This form of bipolar disorder is diagnosed when a person experiences four or more manic, hypomanic, or depressive episodes in any 12-month period. Rapid cycling can occur with any type of bipolar disorder and may be temporary for some people.

BIPOLAR DISORDER MYTHS—BUSTED

One of the best ways to manage bipolar disorder is to prevent manic episodes before they start. Although that’s not always doable, it is possible to identify triggers that may lead to mood disturbances. Follow these tips to reduce the likelihood of a manic episode:



Stick to a daily routine. Schedule meals at a regular time, make exercise a part of your daily schedule, and practice relaxation techniques each night before bed.



Establish a regular sleep schedule. Changes in your normal sleep patterns can alter the chemicals in your body, which can trigger mood changes or make your symptoms worse.



Avoid alcohol and illegal drugs. Alcohol and drug use can make symptoms worse. Even a single drink can interfere with sleep, mood, or the medication used to treat bipolar disorder. If caffeine causes mood fluctuations, it should also be avoided.



Reduce stress at home and at work. Try to keep regular hours at work or at school. If daily stress is a problem, therapy may help to alleviate the pressure.



Monitor mood changes. Write down daily moods or symptoms in a journal or calendar. If there’s a pattern or warning signs of a mood swing, seek treatment immediately.



Enlist help from family and friends. Family or friends can provide assistance during a manic episode, especially if bipolar disorder causes confusion in determining the difference between what's real and what's not real (psychosis).



Continue treatment. It can be tempting to stop treatment during a manic episode because the symptoms feel good. But it's important to continue treatment as prescribed to avoid taking risks or experiencing negative consequences associated with a manic episode.



Plan ahead. It's important to recognize warning signs and seek early treatment to avoid more severe, prolonged manic episodes. Have a plan of action in place and a support system to help follow the plan when symptoms of a manic episode begin.

Bite The Bullet

Many tasks can seem far too daunting, especially to chronic procrastinators. So you procrastinate and procrastinate, and you never get the dastardly deed over with!
Remember that you'll feel much better once you've done it You're already stressed out, or at least filled with dread. Keep in mind that, once you're done with this terrible task, that will be the end of it, and you'll be able to move on.
Eliminate distractions Think about what you have to do and nothing else. If necessary, unplug your TV, computer and phone to prevent distractions.
Remember that you're more likely to regret never having tried than you are to regret failure. Putting off asking out that cute girl? Just think how much worse you'll feel if you never ask her than if you ask her and she turns you down. What if you found out months later that she had once liked you?
Get any thoughts of failure out of your head For example, if you can't bring yourself to write that English essay, visualize getting a paper with a huge "A+" on the top. Try your hardest to not think about rejection or failure.
Just do it. Block out all other thoughts, and put yourself in the "zone." Just run up there and do it; don't look back!
Set stopping points for rewards Just got through half your essay? Done with twenty of the algebra problems? Stop for a few minutes, do something you enjoy as a reward. Just remember to start again
Congratulate yourself You just overcame the hardest of all conflicts: man against himself. Bask in the glory, even if you didn't do as well as you hoped you might have!

* Don't let yourself be talked out of doing what you want to do. That way, it'll never get done. Cut out all negative influences from your life.

* Once you've gone out into the firing line , do what you need to do and do it well. Wimping out makes you look weak and you'll look like you have no backbone.