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Spent. I have something to finish by 4pm (crossing fingers) and then a meeting to go into that will last way longer than it should and where my boss will tell some of the same stories I have heard for years. It's just one of those days.

yeah..I like the part about it slowing down the aging process... lol. That would be nice.

:heart: The power of music: It's a real heart opener By Val Willingham CNN Medical Producer (CNN) -- If you didn't catch the white coat and the stethoscope, you might take Dr. Mike Miller for a middle-aged rocker, roaming the halls of the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. Playing or listening to music can create a feeling of well being, which affects the vascular system. For years, Miller, a research cardiologist, has been studying the effects of happiness -- or things that make people happy -- on our hearts. He began his research with laughter, and found watching funny movies and laughing at them could actually open up blood vessels, allowing blood to circulate more freely. Miller thought, if laughter can do that, why not music? So, he tested the effects of music on the cardiovascular system. "Turns out music may be one of the best de-stressors -- either by playing or even listening to music," said Miller. The setup was basically the same as with the laughter study: Using high-tech imaging, Miller measured blood vessel size as people listened to music. The results did not surprise Miller. "The inner lining of the blood vessel relaxed, opened up and produced chemicals that are protective to the heart," he said. But when participants listened to music they didn't particularly enjoy, Miller said, "the vessels actually began to close up. Long-term stress can wreak havoc on the cardiovascular system. Over time, it can cause blood vessels to stiffen and become rigid, constricting blood flow. As people get older, arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, becomes a problem. Constricted vessels can cause blood pressure to rise and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Stress can also suppress the immune system, contribute to infertility and impotence, speed the aging process and even rewire the brain, leaving people more vulnerable to anxiety and depression. But music can counter the effects of stress. "It gives us an overall feeling of good, well-being -- a sense of euphoria in some cases," Miller said. A recent study out of Stanford University found elderly patients who were diagnosed with depression gained self-esteem and saw an improvement in their mood when they were visited by a music therapist. In fact, many hospitals across the country use music therapy to help patients heal. The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, uses music as part of its cardiovascular surgery healing program to "promote relaxation and reduce tension, stress and anxiety." Because music helps these patients relax, it decreases their pain, improves their moods and helps them to sleep better, especially during recovery. Miller has not only seen these same results in some of his patients who use music therapy, but he said he also believes music can be so relaxing that it can actually keep the body young. "We would like to believe that it may slow down the aging process," he said. But be careful what you listen to. Whether you like Beyoncé or the B-52s, Chopin or Johnny Cash, Miller found that listening repeatedly to the same tune diminished the music's effects on the body. "You just don't get that boost if you listen to the same song over and over again," he said. "You need to vary your songs, so when you hear the song fresh, it brings back the sense of joy and opens up the system." So, the next time your boss gets on your nerves, or the kids are driving you crazy, or the car breaks down, don't start pulling out your hair. Instead, turn on the radio, grab your iPod or pop in a CD, and let the music carry you away.

Pretty accurate

Evenings...

I confess that I really didn't like seeing my mother-in-law today for Mother's Day......I feel awful saying it, but it's true.

^ Did you read The Davinci Code, Ref? Is Angels and Demons in that same sort of vein? I saw the promos for the movie and wondered....

^ this is a cool thread.... A friend of mine gave me Damn the Torpedos when it came out as a Christmas present - I was in 8th grade. Once I listened to it, that was that. I was hooked.

unless they can

I was just about to start reading this Echos! I miss him too - it felt like such a big loss when he passed away. I read Big Russ and Me and loved it...he was a really decent, great guy.

These are such great photos PJ - you guys look fantastic! Love the dresses and you look really cute together. Hope you had a great time, it looks like it

that will make

I hate when people are disingenuous - it's sorta sad.....

ahh...I love kittens...he is adorable!! Have fun with him Ladywiz

1. How much time do you spend online in a given weekday? What about the weekends? Total time, maybe an hour or two a day... 2. What time(s) of day do you go online? Is it the same every day? Morning either after dropping the kids off at school or when I first get to work - sometimes later at night as well 3. When you first get online, what do you do first? What sites do you visit every day? Check email. Briefly check MySpace and Facebook. The Farm and a Pfeiffer syndrome support group for my son are the only type of forum/message boards that I belong to. 4. How many online journals/blogs do you read regularly? What are some of your favorites and why? I don't really check out any other than some families Caring Bridge journal pages for their little ones with Pfeiffer syndrome that we are close to. 5. Other than reading e-mails and journals, what else do you do online? (shopping, chatting, research, posting on message boards, etc.) Check out the news, do research (either medically for my son or for work purposes) sometimes shop for gifts on holidays, etc. 6. Take this quiz - How Much Do You Know About Blogging? Well, You Know What a Blog Is... You got 3/8 correct! But, truthfully, most blogs probably bore you.

I usually send paper cards....

Happy Mother's Day - have a great one!

^ ha..Ref, it's me..Cathy...but you can call me Marcia...I like that name! I didn't know if maybe the Tazzy people read this and know anyone to donate some of those things needed for the animals...the crates, etc...

Now and then. My husband and my oldest son will play chess. My youngest son and I stick to Candyland and Connect Four.

I don't know if this is feasible for anyone, but here is donation information for those in the area and anyone else who wants to help: How You Can Help Donations of Animal Crates Requested Individuals in our community who would like to support their effort may make donations to the Santa Barbara Humane Society. The following items are particularly needed: A large number of crates are needed to assist with sheltering the animals evacuated due to the fire. Please consider donating medium to large-sized animal crates. * Pedigree small crunchy bites dry dog food * Pedigree chunky beef and chicken canned dog food * Johnny Cat Original cal litter (unscented and non-clumping) * Whiska’s dry cat food * Friskies mixed grill canned cat food The Santa Barbara Humane Society is located at 5399 Overpass Road, and is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For further information call 805-964-4777. Food Bank With the Jesusita fire and the tens of thousands of people affected, there's an urgent need for specific donations to help those who have been forced to evacuate their homes. The Food Bank says please do not donate clothing or perishable items. It is encouraging cash donations because for every one dollar it receives, the Food Bank can buy seven dollars worth of food. If you wish to donate to the Santa Barbara County Food Bank visit their website at http://www.foodbanksbc.org/

LOL! I wonder if he had a night terror! - they are different than nightmares, I don't get them as much I used to but you wake up absolutely terrified - heart pounding a million miles an hour.... When my husband and I first got married, I woke up one night just screaming "get out! get out! Out of the room!" - he took off into the hallway not knowing what the hell was going on - ahh..I am cracking up as I write this - it was sooo funny. After the fact.

Congratulations PJ!

I LOVE Fridays...kids are in school, I get the day to myself.....what should I do?

1. Are you a back, stomach, or side sleeper? Does it change throughout the night? On my side and sometimes on my back 2. Do you have any bad sleeping habits (snoring/teeth grinding/talking/walking)? I am sure I snore, I think my husband told me I do. Also, I will occasionally have night terrors (those instances where you wake up...in terror). I have scared the crap out of my husband quite a few times because of it. They say children go through it more and grow out of it....but apparently I didn't. 3. How many hours of sleep do you average per night? About 6 hours 4. Are you a sound sleeper or do you wake up a lot? Wake up a lot. 5. Are you a "cold" or a "hot" sleeper? (i.e., Do you wear flannel pajamas and bury yourself under mountains of blankets, or do you throw your windows wide open in the middle of winter and complain about the heat?) I love being cozy under the covers, but I also like having the windows open when it's hot.

Definitely a recording of a TPATH album...