Are you stressed?

[rita]

unfortunately, to some extent because of genetics, or unforeseeable circumstance, that is true, Dabbit.

On the other hand, if you contracted pneumonia, would you let nature take its course, and risk death by refusing antibiotic treatment, or would you take every prescribed treatment to save your life? Another more pertinent example, perhaps, would be smoking...that's certainly something we've been warned about, and most of us choose not to do to prevent catastrophic illness, even though we probably all know at least one person who's defied the odds and smoked all of their adult life and lived to be a ripe old age. I guess its just a matter of which study we choose to identify with, and take action on, to increase of own odds of living a longer/healthier life, isn't it?

[Mark]

Rita, are you trying to tell us that it's all a gamble, whatever you do? I must agree...no matter how healthily one lives, eats, etc., there's always a chance that something catastrophic might befall you. However, that doesn't mean that I will take up unhealthy habits, etc, I'll just hope that the odds are with me...

[rita]

the more I think about it, Mark, yeah, so much in life is crap shoot, isn't it?

[Dabbit]

rita said:

unfortunately, to some extent because of genetics, or unforeseeable circumstance, that is true, Dabbit.

On the other hand, if you contracted pneumonia, would you let nature take its course, and risk death by refusing antibiotic treatment, or would you take every prescribed treatment to save your life? Another more pertinent example, perhaps, would be smoking...that's certainly something we've been warned about, and most of us choose not to do to prevent catastrophic illness, even though we probably all know at least one person who's defied the odds and smoked all of their adult life and lived to be a ripe old age. I guess its just a matter of which study we choose to identify with, and take action on, to increase of own odds of living a longer/healthier life, isn't it?

I fully agree with you Rita - for example I take medication every day without some at least I would become poorly - so I understand what you are saying. But I didn't really mean it in that way, what I meant was they way in which we are told not to eat this or drink that etc. I recall when my wife was pregnant she was encouraged to eat liver as it was full of iron. Now they are told not to eat liver when they are pregnant. We made our baby bottles up for the day - now they are told to make them up one at a time.

[rita]

How right you are, Dabbit! It is confusing and frustrating, I completely agree. Speaking of baby bottle issues, I had twins, and I always pre-made their bottles, mostly out of necessity. I'm sure some of things our own parents did were even worse than that, by today's standards! Isn"t it a wonder that we all survived?!

I remember a couple of years ago hearing that coffee was really bad for you -- now they're saying that it contains a great amount of antioxidants and is a good thing! Go figure! Which study is, in fact, correct? I don't know...but I choose to believe the latter because I can't face the day without it! LOL!!

[Dabbit]

It does make you wonder how we have survived doesn't it with all this 'do this' don't do that' advice. I recall some time ago here they were saying too much coffee can give you cancer, and as you say now they reckon its OK for you.

The drink eight glasses of water theory used to exclude drinks such as tea but now on TV last week they said that you can include it in your daily intake. What are we to do?

[rita]

welll, I guess all we can do is evaluate with common sense, and hope for the best. My own personal opinion is that a lot of it has to do with genetics; if your predisposed to certain illnesses -- your just out of luck, I guess.

[Mark]

Or, as the chanteuse sang, "Que sera, sera....whatever will be, will be...the future's not ours to see....que sera, sera..."

[rita]

Ha! My mother used to sing that song to me every morning when I was a child, as she was brushing my hair.

[Mark]

Aha, you'll notice I didn't start with the first stanza of the song, "When I was just a little girl I asked my mother, what will I be...Will I be pretty, will I be rich....Here's what she said to me." Then again, I'm no Doris Day, either... ;D

[Dabbit]

My Mum used to sing that too quite a bit too!!

[Mark]

I always thought it was a catchy tune, myself, Dabbit. By the way, how is your Mum, all moved and settled in, is she?

[Dabbit]

As settled as possible at this stage, she has the pension man coming round this week to check she has actually moved and she is who she says she is. And the rent still isn't sorted etc but yeah she getting there - thanks for asking

[Mark]

That's good to hear, Dabbit. Before long, we'll be having to make decisions about my own mother....and so it goes, doesn't it?

[rita]

yes...and so it goes. Living longer, has its advantages and disadvantages doesn't it? We are now the caretakers of our parent(s). Not an easy job -- to say the least. My own mother will be 93 this June, and being in amazingly good health, will no doubt be around for at least another 10 years, however, she's just too old to be living alone. So, last June my husband and I had to move into her home (she refused to leave hers). I don't recommend this to anyone. Its been a nightmare to be honest with you. But what can you do?

[Mark]

I don't know, Rita. It is a problem. It wouldn't work in my house for sure - she should be with one of my sisters, not with me, for obvious reasons. One of my sisters is blind and the other one has more than she can handle with children and grandchildren. Always a problem.

[rita]

I'm one of only two children. My brother is 15 years older than me, and has made no attempt to be of any help in this regard. But....he's still her favorite, go figure!

[Mark]

Unfortunately, that's the way it goes sometimes with these things - no easy answers.

[rita]

yep...and so it goes...

[Dabbit]

My brother did nothing to help move my mother either Rita so I can understand how you feel - but I always think that when I meet our maker I can say to him I did my best.