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Sunday, March 25, 2012

KenworthTrucks, Ustream.TV: KenworthTrucks.

After talking with other truck drivers that have driven a variety of tractors, I have come to the conclusion that the best truck to get is a Kenworth truck. The reason for this is that they stand behind their trucks, and they have the best total cost of ownership and resale value after driving it for three years.  They have just released the new T680 truck, which appears to be a great improvement. I like the fact that they have looked at both performance/economy issues as well as driver comfort.  As a truck driver myself, this is something that is near and dear to my heart.  Although I currently drive a company truck (a Freightliner Century), which is the best one for Freightliner, I think I want to get a Kenworth T680 when I get to the point of getting my own truck.  Additionally, from talking with other drivers (owner operators), it is also best to get your own loads rather than spending time with Schneider's DBLs. That way, I can be sure to always get good loads and to keep running and earning money. I need to keep my earnings up if I am to be able to pay for the tractor, support my family, and save up to get my own farm/ranch.

 Click on the below link to learn more about this truck.

KenworthTrucks, Ustream.TV: KenworthTrucks.

Reactive attachment disorder of infancy or early childhood

Definition

Reactive attachment disorder is a problem with social interaction that occurs when a child's basic physical and emotional needs are neglected, particularly when the child is an infant.

Causes

Reactive attachment disorder is caused by abuse or neglect of an infant's needs for:
  • Emotional bonds with a primary or secondary caretaker
  • Food
  • Physical safety
  • Touching
The risk of neglect to the infant or child increases when the:
  • Caregiver is mentally retarded
  • Caregiver lacks parenting skills
  • Parents are isolated
  • Parents are teenagers
A frequent change in caregivers (for example, in orphanages or foster care) is another cause of reactive attachment disorder.
Children who are adopted from foreign orphanages are commonly affected, particularly if they were removed from their birth parents during the first weeks of life.

Symptoms

Child:
  • Avoids caregiver
  • Avoids physical contact
  • Is difficult to comfort
  • Does not make distinctions when socializing with strangers
  • Resists social interaction
  • Wants to be alone
Caregiver:
  • Disregard for child's basic emotional needs for comfort, stimulation, and affection
  • Disregard for child's basic physical needs like food, toileting, and play

Exams and Tests

This disorder is diagnosed with a:
  • Complete history
  • Physical examination
  • Psychiatric evaluation

Treatment

Treatment has two parts. The first priority is to make sure the child is currently in a safe environment where emotional and physical needs are met.
Once that has been established, the next step is to change the relationship between the caregiver and the child, if the caregiver has caused the problem. Parenting skills classes can help with this. These skills give the caregiver the ability to meet the child's needs and help them bond with the child.
The caregiver should also have counseling to work on any current problems, such as drug abuse or family violence. Social Services should follow the family to make sure the child remains in a safe, stable environment.
Parents who adopt babies or young children from foreign orphanages should be aware that this condition may occur and be sensitive to the child's need for consistency, physical affection, and love.
These children may be frightened of people and find physical affection overwhelming at first, and parents should try not to see this as rejection. It is a normal response in someone who has been abused to avoid contact. Hugs should be offered frequently, but not forced.
A mental health evaluation should be completed. This evaluation will be helpful in developing a treatment plan.

Outlook (Prognosis)

The right intervention can improve the outcome.

Possible Complications

If not treated, this condition can permanently affect the child's social interactions. It can be connected with:

When to Contact a Medical Professional

This disorder is usually identified when a parent (or prospective parent) is at high risk for neglect or when an adoptive parent has difficulty coping with a newly adopted child.
If you have recently adopted a child from a foreign orphanage or another situation where neglect may have occurred and your child shows these symptoms, see your health care provider.

Prevention

Early recognition is very important for the child. Parents who are at high risk for neglect should be taught parenting skills. The family should be followed by either a social worker or doctor to make sure the child's needs are being met.

References

Milosavljevic N, Brendel RW. Child abuse and neglect. In: Stern TA, Rosenbaum JF, Fava M, Biederman J, Rauch SL, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2008:chap 8.
Schechter DS. Disturbances of attachment and parental psychopathology in early childhood. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am - 01-JUL-2009; 18(3): 665-86.

Review Date: 4/26/2010
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2012 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

             

Comments by: Thumper Pruitt

Based on the actions of our son Jesus, and in knowing his past history, this appears to be an issue that my wife is dealing with concerning our son. I will be posting additional information in this blog, so that I can share information with my wife and family. I am on the road a lot, with my new job as a truck driver, and we need to get on top of this issue with Jesus so that we can proceed with the forthcoming adoption plans that we have. We love Jesus, but when only my wife is home, without a good support system in place, makes this situation difficult and trying. I am praying that we can turn this around, as we want what is best for Jesus. Of course, doing this without loosing all of our hair in the process would be nice too. If any of you has good information to share that can be helpful to us, we would love to hear from you. This is draining for my wife, and anything that can aid us in helping our new son would be gratefully accepted.

Coffee Doesn't Affect Psoriasis Risk After All, Researchers Say





FRIDAY, March 23 (HealthDay News) -- Although earlier studies had linked coffee to an increased risk for psoriasis, a large new study finds no such evidence.

Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes skin redness and irritation. Most people with psoriasis have areas of thick, red skin with flaky, silver-white patches called scales.

"Our hypothesis was whether caffeine would lower the risk of psoriasis because there are hypotheses in the past that caffeine might be an anti-inflammatory," said lead author Dr. Abrar Qureshi, an assistant professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School in Boston.

"However, we found there was no association between coffee intake and the risk of psoriasis," he said.

These findings agree with other studies that found no association between coffee and this skin condition, the researchers noted.

The reason that there has been an association of psoriasis with coffee may have to do with smoking and alcohol, which are known risk factors for psoriasis, Qureshi said. In the study, those who drank the most coffee also drank the most alcohol and smoked, he said.

"There have been reports that coffee increases the risk of psoriasis and that coffee helps quell psoriasis," he said. However, this study found no risk or benefit from coffee, Qureshi added.
The report was published in the March issue of the Archives of Dermatology.

For the study, Qureshi's team collected data on almost 83,000 women who took part in the Nurses' Health Study. In this large population, the researchers found no link between coffee or caffeine and developing psoriasis.

Dr. Doris Day, a dermatologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, said that this finding "makes perfect sense; it's what I would have suspected."

The real risk factor may be smoking, she said. "Smoking is toxic to every organ system and is especially toxic to the skin."

However, Day said that caffeine can be soothing to the skin and it is an ingredient in many skincare products, but it is not used for psoriasis, she said.

More information

For more about psoriasis, visit the National Psoriasis Foundation.


Comment by:
Thumper Pruitt

I have been dealing with Psoriasis for the past year and I also enjoy coffee.  It is nice to see that additional research has confirmed what I have always suspected, that coffee doesn't hinder nor resolve psoriasis. I believe my issue is resultant to my increased stress levels, and trying to find work. Now that I have a good job, maybe this will help. Of course, being away from home and family has its own issues and stress, but I have to take it one day at a time. At least I can chat with family over the phone, which helps a lot. Still need to change my provider from Cricket to Sprint though, as I do not have good signal everywhere I go on the interstate from Cricket. Too many dropped calls and bad connections. 

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Avila Family Visit November 2011

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Saturday, March 10, 2012

8 Ways That Tech Can Help You Save - DailyFinance

Fool.com: A Motley Fool Special Report - Retirement Savings Information

Personal Note: Although this is an advertisement, it does have some useful information that can help us when it becomes time to retire. As an old adage goes, it is always best to prepare for the worst and hope for the best, that way you reduce surprises and poor outcomes. Of course, things can always happen, but we need to better educate ourselves about personal finance if we are to be successful in life and then in retirement.  ~ Thumper Pruitt
Click here to sign up for Motley Fool Rule Your Retirement!

The Shocking Can't-Miss Truth About Your Retirement

We assumed the government was looking out for us...

Worked hard for decades, thinking that when we retired Social Security would supplement whatever pension we might still receive and dividends from the savings we'd accumulated.

Boy, were we wrong...

I could go on and on about how evil the government is. I could write pages about how immoral it was for politicians to take loans from the Social Security trust fund to pay for expensive programs wanted by this or that interest group so that when their reelection campaign came up, funding it would be a breeze.

But frankly, my rant wouldn't be productive. What's done is done.
Of course the situation may not be quite as bad as the media would have you believe; Social Security and Medicare aren't going to disappear altogether.

According to the most recent Board of Trustees report, Medicare and Social Security's surplus funds will run out in 2024 and 2036, respectively.

After that, retirees will still receive their monthly checks and Medicare coverage -- but at a lower rate.
The same trustees predict that through 2085, Social Security will be able to pay out 75% of the benefits estimated today, and Medicare will function at about 90% when its surplus is gone. 

But we both know that's little consolation when you're about to retire...

Because after all, a 25% haircut on income we assumed was ours -- income we assumed we were working to receive -- means a 25% more difficult time financially when we retire.

It's true that politicians are clamoring to come up with a fix, or change the system to make it more solvent. But they've made it clear they're not the best people to trust with your retirement...

The only person you can trust to secure a wealthy retirement is YOURSELF.

I'm convinced that even if you're retiring within the next five years, there are steps you can take today to make your golden years more enjoyable.

So to help you take the reigns of your own retirement, and to make it more wealthy and enjoyable than you're expecting, we've compiled some of the most effective tips from top retirement experts, along with an exciting and unique opportunity to receive even more first-rate portfolio advice as you prepare to retire.

A Simple Tip to Boost Your Social Security Checks

The average retiree currently receives just $1,177 in Social Security benefits per month. Which works out to about $36.72 each day. 

After factoring in Medicare premiums, he's left with just $26.14 a day. That's less than holding down a minimum wage job full time.

It's a sobering thought...

But this number isn't set in stone. Which is important because if you're going to be receiving a pension, or have even modest savings for retirement, there's one step you can take to boost your Social Security payouts by as much as 25%.

Simply delay collecting benefits.

You may be aware that the longer you wait to collect Social Security benefits, the higher your payout will be.

But you may not know that for each year you hold off on claiming Social Security, your benefit could increase by as much as 8% per year.

There are some caveats, of course: You can't delay past age 70, and the annual rate of increase depends on the year in which you were born. But here are the specifics:

Year of Birth Yearly Rate of Increase Monthly Rate of Increase
1933-1934 5.5% 11/24 of 1%
1935-1936 6.0% 1/2 of 1%
1937-1938 6.5% 13/24 of 1%
1939-1940 7.0% 7/12 of 1%
1941-1942 7.5% 5/8 of 1%
1943 or later 8.0% 2/3 of 1%
Note: If you were born on January 1st, you should refer to the rate of increase for the previous year.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration
And you can delay even after you retire from your current job.

It's easier, of course, if you've got a pension coming in, a decent-sized portfolio or savings account you can draw down on, or you're planning to pick up a part-time job to stay busy.

But even if you don't want to work for a paycheck ever again, many retirement experts advise that it's actually better to live off of retirement savings for a few years and delay Social Security than to immediately claim benefits and let your savings grow.

After all, an 8% annualized gain isn't something you can guarantee in your brokerage account. But each year you delay taking your Social Security benefit, you are locking in an 8% return.

There's one exception: Dallas Morning News columnist Scott Burns summed up a recent study by the Center for Retirement Research this way, "Married women should take Social Security benefits early. Married men and single women should take Social Security benefits late."

Why is this?

Because married men earn more over their career on average, their Social Security benefit tends to be higher.

Furthermore, women tend to outlive men and widows can receive half of their spouse's Social Security payment if it is higher than their own. So if you're married, this is often a smart move you can make to benefit both you and your spouse.

If you're still not convinced Social Security will be enough...

Unfortunately, you're right. Social Security should ideally just be a portion of your retirement plan. And like I said earlier, the only person you can trust to provide a wealthy retirement is yourself.

So if you're still working, it's time to become 100% laser-focused on building a rock-solid portfolio of your own -- out of reach from the government, and large enough for your own circumstances that you'll be comfortable in retirement.

I'd like to empower you to achieve this end.

3 Simple Tips for a Wealthy Retirement Without Relying on Social Security

Building a solid retirement portfolio isn't difficult. But it does require discipline.
You can summarize all the experts' advice into this retirement-saving trifecta:
    1. Spend less than you make.
    2. Invest the difference.
    3. Manage your money with diversity in mind.
Spend less than you make

Track your monthly inflows (paychecks) and outflows (bills and other expenses) for one month using personal finance software like Quicken, Mint.com, or even a spreadsheet of your own.

Is there more money coming in than is going out? If so, you're off to a good start -- but could there be more?

Go through each expense line by line to uncover unnecessary expenses, like too-frequent trips to Starbucks, or dinners at your favorite restaurant.

Do you really need over 1,000 channels from your cable provider? Do you ever send more than 50 text messages in a month, even though you've got an unlimited plan?

Eliminate extravagances, and trim necessities if possible, then for the important part...

Invest the difference

All that extra money you've now freed up can -- and should -- be invested.

Ideally, try to max out your tax-advantaged accounts like your 401(k) and IRA -- especially if your employer matches 401(k) contributions. The good news is that if you're close to retirement, you're allowed to contribute more to tax-advantaged accounts than younger folks.

Here are the IRS-instituted maximums for 2011:

401(k) Contribution Limits (under age 50): $16,500
401(k) Contribution Limits (50 and over): $22,000
IRA Contribution Limits (under age 50): $5,000
IRA Contribution Limits (50 and over): $6,000
If you're already maxing those out each year, invest the surplus in a regular taxable brokerage account.
And lastly, make sure to...

Manage your money with diversity in mind

Your portfolio should contain both stocks and bonds.

John Bogle, legendary founder of The Vanguard Group and index fund advocate, advises that your age should match your bond exposure.

So if you're 20, a safe balance is to have 80% of your portfolio in stocks and 20% of your portfolio in bonds. If you're 60, a safe balance is for 40% of your portfolio to be in stocks, with the remaining 60% in bonds.

The bond side of your portfolio should be spread among U.S. Treasuries (higher safety, but lower yield), corporate bonds (lower safety, but higher yield), and everything in between.

A well-respected bond fund like Dodge & Cox Income [DODIX], Managers Fremont Bond [MBDFX], or iShares Lehman Aggregate Bond [NYSE: AGG] offers diverse exposure to the total bond market with below-average fees.

The stock side should contain a mixture of growth-oriented companies, and -- especially as you near retirement -- dividend-paying stocks.

The latter is important because:
  • Dividend-paying stocks outperform non-dividend-paying stocks over the long term.
  • Dividend-paying companies tend to be more conservative in their management style (less likely to take on high levels of debt, etc.).
  • Even in a market downturn, a safe dividend means your investment is still earning something.
You could hand-select long-term dividend payers like Coca-Cola [NYSE: KO], Abbott Laboratories [NYSE: ABT], and Johnson & Johnson [NYSE: JNJ].

Or you could invest in a best-of-breed dividend ETF like iShares Dow Jones Select Dividend [NYSE: DVY].

Of course, though these tips are helpful advice, this merely scratches the surface on how to perfectly set up your portfolio for retirement.

I'd like to share with you a unique solution that will give you even more expert advice on 401(k)s and IRAs, annuities, wills and trusts, and all other aspects of retirement that matter to you most.
I think you'll be surprised at all the information I'd like to share with you.

Your Chance to Get Expert Retirement Advice From a Respected Certified Financial Planner

As I said, there's plenty more I'd like to share with you about preparing for retirement.

But first allow me to introduce myself...

My name is Matt Argersinger. I'm the executive publisher of Motley Fool Rule Your Retirement, a retirement-planning newsletter written by Robert Brokamp, CFP®.

Before joining The Motley Fool, Robert was a financial advisor at Prudential Securities. He spent years researching proven money-building retirement strategies, the latest money-saving tax loopholes and more to help his clients make the most of their money.

Though he worked with some excellent people, he wasn't satisfied. More than anything, because he was forced to sell his clients what the company offered.

So he left Prudential and became a Fool, eventually founding our Rule Your Retirement newsletter, where he combines his love of teaching with his vast insider knowledge of retirement planning, to bring you the most up-to-date investment strategies around.

Robert is a widely respected retirement expert

Not only has he written countless articles on Fool.com and in renowned publications like Newsweek, Robert Brokamp has also authored (or co-authored) 4 top-selling books and recently gave a speech at the SEC that was broadcast on CSPAN.

Not to mention -- he's the in-house financial advisor for Motley Fool employees as well!

Now if you're like most Americans, your retirement planning could probably use a jumpstart...
From college loans and mortgages to raising children, many expenses have popped up making it difficult to save as much as you'd like.

But that doesn't have to stop you from getting ahead right now!

It will certainly take time, discipline, and -- most importantly -- sound education, but it is possible to get yourself on the path to a carefree retirement... today.

Which is why I'd like to invite you to join Robert and become a member of his Rule Your Retirement newsletter service today.

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Each issue will hand you:
  • A New Tip to Perfect Your Portfolio: Sometimes you'll get investment ideas, other times you'll take a look at tax-saving tips, or perhaps examine the ins and outs of wills, insurance, and annuities. Whatever the topic, you'll get everything you need to get your portfolio in order in an entertaining and understandable manner.
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Your membership to Rule Your Retirement also grants you exclusive access to:
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Mossberg on iPad Remote-Desktop Apps - Fox Business Video - Fox Business

Mossberg on iPad Remote-Desktop Apps - Fox Business Video - Fox Business

This is one more reason to have a tablet with you, when you are on the road/traveling.  It is one more thing that you can do on a tablet that won't require you to lug around your laptop computer.  For me, I need to save up the money to obtain a good iPad or tablet computer.  Until then, I will still need to lug around my laptop computer, but when I have the money, to get a desktop setup at home, and to have a tablet to be able to remotely access that PC would be ideal for me.  This, coupled with the increase in Cloud storage and computing is making the use of a tablet for my interface more appealing.