Saturday, June 14, 2014

10 Tips for Living with Misophonia

The struggle is real especially for folks battling misophonia. I live with two misophonians! I learned how to thrive not just survive with my husband (of 28 years) and my daughter. Both have misophonia. Check out my previous post to learn more about our happy household by reading Fast and Easy Ways to Annoy People with Misophonia.

Below are 10 Tips for Living with Misophonia. These are our top 10. Yours may be different:

  • Accept the disorder is real. Quit thinking your loved one(s) are just being rude, spoiled or obnoxious.
  • Write down a list of triggers together. If you are just getting acquainted with the fact your loved one(s) has misophonia, knowing the triggers are very IMPORTANT!
  • Avoid known triggers at all costs. Memorize them if necessary.
  • Don't pressure your loved one(s) to attend social functions. Social interaction is especially annoying with all kinds of sounds and noises.
  • Be aware that your misophone is hearing repeated noises that you may hear but ignore. They cannot ignore the noise!
  • If you notice someone triggering your loved one, ask them "Have you met Miso?" You can introduce people to the disorder without embarrassing anyone using this lead-in. Most people are interested in knowing more about misophonia.
  • You are not a failure if you commit a trigger sending your misophone into orbit. Over time, you will learn to never trigger them. Their disorder will become secondhand to you, almost like you have the disorder yourself.
  • Consider misophonia while grocery shopping. Leave the crunchy, slurpy, noisy food on the shelf.
  • Hang in there. I have noticed my husband's miso has gotten better with age. He can control it better. He also gives us a hint if we are triggering him. He simply says "miso, miso, miso". We know to stop, inventory what we're doing related to repetitive sound and quit doing it.
  • Keep calm and remember "It's not you, it's them!". Living with someone with misophonia can be hurtful at times for either or both parties. True compassion is your best weapon against the noise monsters.
Leave me a comment with tips you've learned living with misophonia. Let's help each other.

Quietly,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

A Membership with Perks



I LOVE DISNEY! 

Disney World is said to be "The Most Magical Place on Earth!" I agree. There's just something special about going to Disney World.

Do you dream of going to a place where dreams come true? A place that makes you feel like a child as soon as you walk through the gate. A place where you can see your favorite characters and shake their hands. You can sit by the water in the cool of a shade tree if you like and soak in the wonder. A place where even the plainest food seems like a gourmet meal. Finally, a place where you can experience the thrill ride over and over again. Does this describe Disney?

It's also a description of your local church! Church is a place where prayers come true. A place that makes you feel like you're a child of God. A place where you can see all kinds of characters and shake their hands. You can sit on a cushioned pew enjoying the coolness of the air conditioner while soaking in the wonder. You can eat on the spiritual food served here for days. Finally, church is a place where you can experience the ride of your life from earth to glory. Does this describe your church?

Disney Vacation Club has a slogan "Membership is magical." Membership is pricey too! I think the church should have a slogan that says "Membership is supernatural." Do you think that would make people want to buy in? Probably. I hope they're not disappointed when they find out church membership is free.

How many times have you been to Disney? Leave me a comment and let me know. Also, share with me if you have a church membership and where it is!

Member:  First Baptist Chatsworth,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Diaper Rash & Thrush: 2 Fast-working Natural Remedies


DIAPER RASH
I may be a new Grandmom but I feel older and wiser. I used a few home remedies with my kids. Glad I have a second chance to use more with my granddaughter. Diaper rash creams most often contain zinc oxide. Zinc oxide is a harmless water insoluble powder that works well on baby's rash. But I've found a mixture of Tea Tree Oil and Coconut Oil works better. The recipe is so easy. Mix equal parts of Tea Tree Oil and Coconut Oil. Apply like any other diaper rash cream. Conveniently buy the ingredients now to help your little one be happy and healthy.

 
 My daughter and I used this recipe and it works! A few other things we did to promote fast healing are:
  • apply cream at bedtime and remove baby's diaper for the night. place a puppy pee pad underneath baby's bottom to soak up baby's water
  • make sure you let baby wear an absorbent, properly sized diaper. moving to a larger size diaper that is too big allows urine to stand on baby's skin which promotes diaper rash
  • be vigilant about changing baby as soon as he/she wets
  • clean baby's bottom with a regular washcloth instead of a chemically treated wipe
  • make sure baby's bottom is completely dry before applying mixture. this insures that no moisture is held on baby's delicate skin
 THRUSH
Be sure to check your baby's mouth for thrush whenever diaper rash is present. Your baby can get thrush at any time but they usually go hand-in-hand. What is thrush? According to WebMD, thrush is a yeast infection that causes white patches in the mouth and on the tongue. Your doctor may prescribe an anti-fungal such as Nystatin. A good natural home remedy for thrush is Grapefruit Seed Extract. Mix 10 drops Grapefruit Seed Extract with 1 oz. distilled water. Moisten cotton swab with mixture and apply to inside of baby's mouth 3 to 4 times daily where thrush is visible. I have provided a link to buy Grapefruit Seed Extract if you don't have it in your cabinet. I didn't.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. This blog is for informational purposes only and not meant to diagnosis or imply cure. If your baby has diaper rash or thrush, please consult your pediatrician.

Let me know how these recipes work for you and your baby. Leave me a comment.

Never too old to learn,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap

Monday, June 9, 2014

Mom-ism Monday #6

My Mom, she's a pretty cool cat! She doesn't get upset easily, takes things in stride and prefers to listen more than talk.

Mom rarely jokes
but sometimes....
she can say the perfect thing
at just the right time!

Like the other day. Her great granddaughter was wailing. Yes, wailing! The sounds coming out of her mouth were more than a cry or wimper. Her face was red. She was visibly mad. No tears though. If she had been on the floor kicking her arms and legs up and down, you could have called it a temper tantrum. Finally, a break in the crying when Lisette looked up at my Mom. She stared her square in those baby blue eyes and calmly said....

After Lisette resumed her crying, I laughed at my Mom. Her dry delivery was priceless. "Do you have fever with that?" I thought it was hilarious. Lisette not so much! I guess I think it's so funny because she's asked me a time or two before.

Use it with someone you know, adult or child. They may think it's amusing. Or, maybe not! Think you'll do it? Leave me a comment and let me know. I've said it to my husband before....once.

Where's the thermometer?
Tammy
The Happy Handicap


Wednesday, June 4, 2014

There's Something Wrong if you Fear your Daddy

Ah, the month of June! Sweet June reminds me of weddings, summers and Dads. Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there! A big shout out to my Dad, Clyde, my husband, Steve and my son-in-law, Trey! We've all heard the old saying "It takes more to be a Dad than just fathering a child." The saying is true for Dads and Moms. Procreation does not a good parent make.

I am thankful for my awesome Dad. I remember when I was young we would go to Woolworth's Department Store every Saturday. Dad would buy me a balloon on a stick. I'm not sure they even make them anymore. Getting me that balloon was our Saturday thing! We always ate dinner at Morrison's Cafeteria and then walked down the mall to buy my balloon. One week we walked down the mall and the store was closing. They wouldn't sell my Dad a balloon. He tried to get one but they refused. My heart was broken , not because I didn't get a balloon but because I still remember the sadness on my Dad's face and I was only five years old.  He knew how much I looked forward to my balloon and how much he enjoyed making me happy.

Our Heavenly Father is the same way. He enjoys making us happy. After all, he died to make us happy, to reconcile us to him in perfect love. The Bible says in I John 4:18 "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." How is your relationship with your Father? Heavenly and Earthly?

This Father's Day would be a perfect time to make amends or just tell your Dad you love him. And Dads I have an idea. Why not make this "the" Father's Day to remember? I don't care how old your child is...buy them a balloon! I bet they'll never forget.

Please tell me a special time you and your Dad shared. Leave me a comment.

Balloons still make me happy,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap