Archive for October, 2009

We got rain last night, and it came down hard a few times. We ended up with around 2 inches. Then the winds came and man, did they blow and are still blowing hard. Wind gusts up to 40 mph. Seen on the news tonight that Burlington has received 49 inches of rain this year, over a foot above normal. WOW!

When I got off work this morning it was damn near 70°F, so I opened up a few windows and shut off the heat. I started messing on the computers and paying bills and by the time I finally went to bed (around 11:30am) it was down to a little over 50°F and cold. So once again I closed the windows and turned the heat back on. What a weird weather pattern.

Now to as what I was doing on the computer. I uninstalled Spy Bot Search & Destroy and I also uninstalled Spyware Blaster. I also made sure I did not have any adaware by Lavasoft installed. I personally have discovered over time by watching what I do and most of my family has learned not to just click on stuff, that I do not need these programs. Some which over time interfere with the browsers. So I removed them all and I did install Microsoft’s Defender.

So bottom line is I run Avast anti-virus, Windows Defender, and I do keep Malware Bytes up to date and run it once a month or so. And because I have kids at my house I also have setup and use Open DNS.

And that is my Bottomline Of The Day. BOTD/Manley

by O. Kay Henderson on October 28, 2009

Governor Culver has delivered a sort of ultimatum to unionized workers in the Departments of Corrections and Public Safety: agree to pay reductions or hundreds of employees in those departments will be laid off.

”We’re talking about keeping the roads safe. We’re talking about keeping the general public safe with those correctional officers in our prisons,” Culver said during a news conference this afternoon. “…I’m hopeful that we can find an alternative to laying off hundreds of those essential workers.”

Culver also today ordered over 3000 workers in the executive branch of state government who are not covered by a union contract to take seven days off, without pay, over the next eight months.

Culver held a news conference at the statehouse Wednesday afternoon to announce his decisions on a variety of budget-cutting fronts. But the focus was Culver’s push to reopen the contracts that three state unions have negotiated for the current year, a process that might yield reductions in pay or other benefits.

“The last thing we want to do during a recession is lay more people off. If you talk to any economist, they will tell you that that will only contribute to your economic downturn,” Culver said. “So the idea of allowing people to have a job, to have benefits like health insurance is critically important, especially during a recession.”

Culver refused to discuss what specific concessions he is seeking, only speaking in general terms. ”What we are trying to do is two things. Number one: protect essential public safety services,” Culver said. “Keep as many troopers on the road, keep as many correctional officers on the front lines at our correctinal facilities and to avoid unnecessary layoffs…that could contribute to this economic challenge for our state.”

Danny Homan, president of AFSCME Council 61 – the union that represents the largest share of state workers, issued a written statement, saying the union has agreed to “meet with the Governor to begin holding discussions for the sole purpose of reducing layoffs.” Homan said he is “unsure where the talks will lead,” and can’t say much more about the private negotiations.

Culver, too, was reluctant to discuss details. ”I have committed to each union that all negotiations will be done in private and not discussed with the media until we have an agreement — or not,” Culver said in an opening statement. “My preference is to resolve this issue through negotiations that allow all state employees to contribute to a solution to our budget challenge.”

Culver has set Friday, November 6 as the deadline for the leaders of the three unions to make a decision on their current contracts which outline pay, benefits and other on-the-job issues.

In answer to a reporter’s question, Culver closed his news conference with a direct appeal to unionized state workers: “What I’ve asked is that they join us in getting through a very difficult time for our state. I’ve respectfully asked every state employee in the executive branch — nearly 20,000 people — to help us solve this challenge.”

Culver ordered a 10 percent, across-the-board cut in the executive branch of state government earlier this month. Last week, state agency directors submitted plans which called for laying off nearly 800 state workers. Two-thirds of the proposed layoffs came in the Department of Corrections.

Culver has approved most of the plans for other state agencies, but indicated he intends to ensure some cuts are restored for programs that help poor and elderly Iowans. The governor today approved plans that will lead to layoff notices for about 180 state workers.

(This story was updated with additional information at 4:50 p.m. and again at 5:09 p.m.)

Finally got my swimming pool closed for the year. It was calm enough today to get the last of the oak leaves out and finish getting the bottom vacuumed up. Put winterizing chemicals in and wife helped me get the winter cover on. Disconnected the hoses and took pump and filter, (a freaking heavy SOB) and placed them in the garage so they don’t freeze.

I’ll tell you what, it doesn’t take long for your hand to go numb in 45°F water. In fact it takes just a few seconds, and it hurts getting that cold.

Nice thing is now for a while anyway until I have to turn on heat in garage, I will be saving around $70 a month not having the pool pump running.

I don’t know if it because I’m getting older or what, but I get just a little more hatred towards having that pool every year. Once kids are grown and gone, not too sure if it will still be around or not.

Till later! /MANLEY

Submitted by Tyler Woods Ph.D. on Oct 25th, 2009

According to the American Diabetes Association, 21 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, with about 90 to 95% having type 2 diabetes. New studies are finding that people with type 2 diabetics reverse their condition by lifestyle changes.

New studies are showing that that type 2 diabetes can be reversed. According to a study completed by researchers at UCLA, changes in diet, moderate exercise and weight loss can help reverse diabetes in at least 50% of patients.

This is not to say that everyone with Type 2 diabetes is overweight, and it is true that many obese people never get diabetes, however, 95% of people who have Type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. Most experts believe that obesity combined with genetic predisposition could trigger and lifestyle changes could reverse type 2 diabetes condition.

The key to managing diabetes is the keep a close eye on your blood sugar levels so that you can identify which foods and medicines cause a spike. Once you have identified these items, you can remove them from your diet. People with type 2 diabetes should watch all trans-fatty acid, hydrogenated oils, bad fats, carbohydrate and sugar. Getting plenty of vegetables and healthy proteins can help create a healthy diet for diabetics.

Dr. Judith Korner, who is the assistant professor of endocrinology and metabolism at Columbia University says, “losing weight helps reduce the visceral fat in the abdomen. The fat encases the organs, including the liver, making it more difficult for the organs to respond to insulin.” She believes that losing as little as 5% to 10% of one’s body weight can produce a noticeable decline in blood sugar.

“Eventually most patients will follow a course of lifestyle, medications, then insulin,” said Dr. Enrico Cagliero. “Overall about 30% of all diabetics are on insulin, but, given the progressive nature of the disease, close to 60% can expect to be on it eventually.”

Dr. Wei-An “Andy” Lee, an endocrinologist and assistant professor at USC’s Keck School of Medicine states, “I wish more doctors and patients would not assume insulin injections are their only option,” he said. “I don’t see why more don’t give lifestyle a try. It’s better for the patient, costs less than medications or surgery, and is better for the country.”

References: LA Times, Life Clinic, The Diabetic Connection.

Written by Tyler Woods Ph.D.
Tucson, Arizona
Exclusive to eMaxHealth