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I’m Addicted to My iPhone

Monday, July 11th, 2011

Minda

Our guest blogger this week is, Minda Brown Jaramillo, from Cleveland, Ohio. She recently moved back there after spending 10 years in the Southwest. She has been employed as a Licensed Independent Social Worker for the past 26 years and is currently managing programs for Women in Recovery. She enjoys reading, traveling, listening to music, and movies. She has been married for 15 years and has two dogs.

I think I’m addicted to my iPhone. After 2 Droids (the original and its upgrade), I was really tired of spending money on something I wasn’t satisfied with. I’m amazed by my iPhone’s speed, accuracy, and how the touch screen for texting is so right on. I also love the general easiness of its functionality.

Using my iPhone

How do I know I may be addicted? I am a licensed clinical social worker and work with addicts on a daily basis. In order to be diagnosed, there is a little book called the DSM IV Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders that provides clues as to whether you meet criteria for this. Although I don’t believe in labeling people, it does give one a good point of departure to work from. Here’s a sample of some of the questions the book asks regarding addiction: “A maladaptive pattern of use leading to significant impairment or distress manifested by three of the following in a 12 year period:

1. Have you gone through withdrawal? Wow…I don’t know yet because I’m never without my phone. I can only surmise that I would go through withdrawal or, at the very least, panic if I did not have it.

2. Have you build up a tolerance? Hmmm….well, I guess since a phone is nothing I can ingest orally or through injection to determine if I’ve built up a tolerance; I can determine that I use it more than I used to, not to mention others have told me the same thing.

3. Have I given up important activities or relationships that I would normally participate in or a failure to fulfill normal obligations? Well, I think I’m safe with this one. I wouldn’t stay home to be with my iPhone. I’d just take it with me.

4. Have I suffered any consequences, legal or otherwise due to using my phone? I don’t think so, although again, I am conscious to not text while driving. However, I will look to see if I’ve received any emails. I do have to be careful while in business meetings to not focus on my iPhone.

5. Is there a great amount of time spent trying to get to my phone? Well again, I’m really never without it.

6. Have I suffered a physical or psychological disturbance that is exacerbated by its use? No, I can honestly say I have not.

7. So the good news for me is (according to the DSM IV book) since I haven’t had my iPhone for a 12 month period, I’m in the clear – at least until the new iPhone comes out in September which is supposed to rival all other phones on the market.

Check with me a year from now and it may be an entirely different story.

No Signs of Recovery!

Tags: beautifulwomenover50, feeling overwhelmed, iPhone, women and technology, women over 50, women's humor, womenwritersover50, writers over 50
Posted in Beautiful Women >50, Health, Living, Main, Money, Other Voices, Products, Products, Products, Products, Shopping, World | 5 Comments »

Sadhvi Sez: It’s No Secret that Life is Beautiful!

Friday, June 10th, 2011

SADHVI

I think that because life is so absurd these days, I am coming to a place inside myself where I feel at peace with it. Funny, huh? You too?

In spite of this, I can’t help but notice an occasional “odd thing” popping up on my radar every now and again. Like how the media has just about dropped any news coverage of the nuclear meltdown(s) in Japan. Like it never happened. Oh I know, I mean really, why worry us, the masses, about something that is out of control, right? It’s just that, oh, never mind…I will just not think about those kind of things.

Something funny that I saw and wanted to pass along…The Secret was a big thing a few years back, and there are people that I bump into who just “discovered” it and can’t believe how amazing it is today.

Like attracts like and it’s really as easy as that! Just wish for a new car, or even a check in the mail for a million dollars, and it will appear. I mean, it was all there in the book and you could even see people just like me and you who experienced it: OMG! Many, many people spent money and made the people who came up with this incredible idea very rich. Well, it’s no secret that the founders fought and sued each other over who would get all that money and no longer talk to each other.

Here’s a funny clip that made me laugh, from the Austrailain TV comedy satire show, “The Chaser’s War on Everything” that makes fun of “The Secret”:

Whatever your space these days, I do hope you feel more optimistic than pessimistic, and remember…during these intense times, try to do what one of my favorite new illustrator’s, Katie Daisy, says to do:

Tags: katie daisy, Sadhvi Sez, the chasers war on everything, the secret, womenover50humor
Posted in Beautiful Women >50, Entertainment, Home, Humor, Journey, Laugh Lines, Living, Main, Money, Products, Sadhvi Sez, Style, World | 4 Comments »

Sadhvi Sez: The Best Prices on Vitamins and Herbs

Monday, January 31st, 2011

SADHVI

As a woman over 50, I am always looking for deals. Ok, to tell you the truth, this has nothing to do with my body being over 50; I have always liked being a bargain hunter and finder! And I am always into sharing. So here’s the best place I have found to buy quality vitamins and herbs that will save you lots of money; it’s not in any store, it’s online at a site called Swanson Vitamins.

SAVING MONEY FOR A RAINY DAY!

I now buy vitamins twice a year from Swanson, and smile when I go to the health food store and look at the prices of the same vitamins there that cost a lot more money. Do you have a better place to save money? If so, please share because these days we are all into simplifying our lives and saving money!

Tags: best buy on vitamins and herbs, best prices vitamins, sadhvi sez vitamin deals, swanson, swanson oops 50, vitamin and herbs, vitamins women over 50, women over 50 health, womenover50
Posted in Alternative Health, Beautiful Women >50, Health, Home, Living, Main, Money, Products, Products, Products, Products, Products, Sadhvi Sez | 4 Comments »

Women Over 50 Who Love Their Pets

Tuesday, January 11th, 2011

Annice

If you recall, over a year ago, I wrote about Gus, my 10 year old Chesapeake Bay Retriever. We rescued him eight years ago, complete with a bullet underneath his belly.

Gus taking it easy

My post at that time was about how constipated he was and how putting him on prednisone turned him into the dog from hell. Needless to say, it was a messy time for both of us.

Well, poor Gus is not only constipated again but it’s much worse: perianal fistulas. When the vet gave me the diagnosis, I immediately went home to research it. I already knew the condition was painful because poor Gus took forever to poop, and moan while doing it. Besides the pain, there was the itching, and irritation of the skin surrounding the anus. Worse still, the poor guy has the beginnings of small ulcers surrounding his anus (I’ll spare you the photos). Since Gus can’t take prednisone, he has to take an immunosuppressive medication (cyclosporine) which costs almost $300 for a month’s supply, and that’s if I buy it in Canada. The doctor doesn’t know how long he has to be on it, but Gus doesn’t care than it costs more than my car payment. Oh, he’s also on an antibiotic, and Flagyl (prescribed for anti-inflammatory bowel). And don’t let me forget to mention, he’s also taking Tramadol for pain relief for the ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) connecting the shin bone to the thigh bone.)

Gus at play

In the end, we’ll probably have to change his diet to an even more expensive one because studies have shown the benefits of feeding afflicted dogs a grain-free diet containing one single protein the dog has never eaten. This reduces the possibility of triggering the immune system and preventing abscesses from healing. Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance (Venison & Sweet Potato, Lamb & Rice, Sweet Potato & Fish) and Blue’s Buffalo Venison, Sweet Potato & Vegetables is another option. Oh, I could also make his food, in which case, I could eat it, too, and keep it simple in the kitchen!

Good dog

Despite all that, Gus is still very athletic, eats like it’s his last meal, and scares anyone who comes to the door unannounced. And most of all, he’s extremely affectionate and worth all my efforts. Obama care for dogs? That’s what I’m talking about!

Tags: Beautiful Women >50, Chesapeake Bay Retreiver, Dogs, oops50 humor, writers over 50
Posted in Annice'sAngle, Beautiful Women >50, Entertainment, Health, Home, Humor, Living, Love, Main, Pets, Products, Products, Products, Products, Products, Relationships | 7 Comments »