Author: Peggy Rowland

  • Living Near a Park

    Is it a smart move to go for a house directly beside or across from a city park? While a listing agent may tout the park as an advantage, think about how the park will affect your life.

    I once lived about eight houses away from a city park. That was a great buffer. The park was close enough to walk to, but not so close that I heard much noise. I’ve never lived directly beside or in front of a city park. If you have, please share your experiences in comments. As for what goes through my mind when I see houses for sale very close to parks, keep reading.

    park-bench

    When I see a home for sale that backs up to a park with an ad saying something like “a park for your backyard” I often dismiss the house as not private enough. In addition to the noise factor, people in the park may actually be able to see into your house. At one city park where I used to walk, I remember the walking trail leading directly toward someone’s backyard (and back windows).

    What about a house across the street from a park? I’d still be concerned about the noise, particularly during the summer. You may see houses like these, as well as houses beside a community pool, up for sale during the winter months when it’s more quiet outside. Before you buy a house like that, ask the neighbors about the noise level. You never know. They may be honest with you.

    Since parks often bring with them trash cans and sometimes litter, you may also have a problem with pests, including mice. The park will likely bring more traffic into your neighborhood, as well as more noise when the landscaping crews are at work. If people walking their dogs aren’t considerate, you may also have to contend with walking around doggie poo near your property. And for parks with ponds, you’ll be living near geese and ducks in many areas and some may wander into your yard. I love them, but geese are fond of leaving large droppings on sidewalks, as I learned when living at one apartment complex with a lake. Also, some geese are aggressive if you get too close to them.

    On the positive side, living near a park could encourage you to exercise more, plus your kids and dog would surely love it! And you may see more birds, squirrels, chipmunks and other creatures of nature.

    Do you consider living very close to a park a good idea?

    (Image via stock.xchng)

    Post from: Blisstree

    Living Near a Park

  • Cervical Cancer Reality Check

    While great strides have been made in cervical cancer prevention, the disease remains the second leading cause of cancer death in US women in their 20s and 30s. For Cervical Health Awareness Month, singer-songwriter and actress Mandy Moore (pictured), Gynecologic Cancer Foundation (GCF) and GlaxoSmithKline teamed up to help encourage young women to reduce their risk of cervical cancer.

    A recent survey conducted on behalf of the GCF revealed that many young women aren’t well informed about cervical health. The survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive with 1,006 female participants in the US ages 19-25.

    According to the survey, 85% of young women don’t think they’re at risk for cervical cancer. Sadly, about mandy-mooreone of five young women surveyed had “no clue” what the cervix does. Half of the women said they couldn’t identify their cervix on a picture of reproductive organs. The cervix connects the uterus (womb) to the vagina and is located in the lower narrow part of the uterus. The cervix keeps the uterus closed during pregnancy until it’s time to give birth.

    “There’s a lot I didn’t know about cervical cancer and how to protect my cervical health, which inspired me to take action and rally other young women to join the cause,” said Mandy Moore. She commented that women shouldn’t have to suffer from the disease when there’s so much that can be done to prevent it.

    The survey also revealed that 33% of young women feel more informed about the hottest music than reproductive health care.

    One fact to know: Most women with cervical cancer or pre-cancer have no symptoms.

    While approximately 75% of cervical cancers in North America are caused by the two most common human papillomavirus (HPV) types, an amazing 63% of women surveyed think they’re not at risk for HPV. Plus, 24% of the women surveyed said that the purpose of the Pap test hasn’t been properly explained to them. Many women (21%) incorrectly think that the Pap test detects ovarian cancer.

    cervical-reality

    Of the women surveyed who’ve had an abnormal Pap test result, only 43% knew that cervical procedures to remove precancerous cells may be necessary. An abnormal Pap test may mean that changes have been caused by the HPV infection. Those changes can lead to pre-cancer, which can develop into cervical cancer if untreated. While 70% of women surveyed want to be mothers one day, only 13% realized that treatment of precancerous cells in the cervix could affect their ability to carry a pregnancy to term.

    Prevention of cervical cancer can start with a vaccine and lifestyle modifications to prevent HPV infection, as well as Pap tests. HPV is spread through direct (usually sexual) contact with an infected person. Above all, young women should visit a doctor and ask lots of questions about the Pap test, as well as the vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. Visit the Reality Check website to learn more about reducing your risk of cervical cancer.

    (Images via PR Newswire/Reality Check campaign)

    Post from: Blisstree

    Cervical Cancer Reality Check

  • Turn Him on the Natural Way

    This Valentine’s Day, many women are going to dress themselves up with perfume to be more attractive to potential (or current) mates. However, all those smell goods may be unnecessary when it comes to attracting a partner.

    According to a recent study in Psychology Science, women who go natural may do a better job at capturing their potential lover’s attention!

    natural-turn-on

    Humans may be more discreet than animals, but it turns out that smells are still very important. Animals have long used scent to choose a partner, but human males may do the same thing without realizing it.

    Florida State University psychological scientists Saul L. Miller and Jon K. Maner decided to see if human male testosterone levels are influenced by natural odor signals like in the animal world. Ovulating women, whether they realize it or not, do emit a certain odor.

    The Sniffy Study: (that’s my name for it)

    For three nights at various phases of their menstrual cycles, women wore tee shirts. The males in the study smelled one of the tee shirts that had been worn by a female participant. Some of the males smelled control tee shirts that weren’t worn by anyone. For testosterone analysis, scientists collected saliva samples before and after the men smelled the shirts.

    The Amazing Sniffy Study Results:

    Men who smelled the shirts worn by ovulating women had higher levels of testosterone than men who smelled tee shirts worn by non-ovulating women or the control shirts. Plus, men rated the odors on pleasantness after smelling them. Guess what? They rated the shirts worn by ovulating women as the most pleasant smelling!

    According to the authors, this research is the “first to provide direct evidence that olfactory cues to female ovulation influence biological responses in men.” That means that testosterone levels could be responsive to smells indicating when a woman is fertile. The authors concluded that the scents may promote sexy behavior by males.

    Perhaps you should avoid blind dates while ovulating…

    (Image via flickr.pedrosimoes7)

    Post from: Blisstree

    Turn Him on the Natural Way

  • Valentine Giveaway for Pets

    Your sweet purring cat nudges your nose gently and you get the whiff of tuna. That’s fine since he’s so cute, but wouldn’t it be nice to have a breath freshener on hand for your cat or dog?

    cats-valentine

    Don’t let a little stinky breath get in the way of Valentine snuggles with your pet.

    Enter to win DogToids and CatToids — pet breath mints in stylish tins you can slide into a pocket or glove box.

    They’re made in the US from human-grade ingredients by Bamboo.

    CatToids, with natural salmon and liver flavor, include parsley to freshen breath and the essential amino acid taurine for good health.

    DogToids include natural fish, beef and liver flavor with parsley. The pet mints retail for $4.99 per tin, but two lucky winners can try them for free.

    valentine-mints-cat-dog-mints

    Each winner will receive a tin of DogToids and a tin of CatToids! Just leave a comment on this post before 11 pm CST on Friday, February 5 for your chance to win.

    Winners must have a US mailing address and reply to my request for an address within five days. Please check spam filters on February 6.

    Good luck and happy Valentine’s Day!

    (Images via flickr.zemlinki -cats; and Bamboo – mints)

    Post from: Blisstree

    Valentine Giveaway for Pets