Christmas is Over...A New Year fast approaching.

Hello to one and all... Wow, I've heard of cancelling Halloween a few years past however, I did not realize that Christmas would ever come to this...Churches in surrounding areas of Nebraska, Omaha- cancelled Christmas Mass, snow is so deep no one can get anywhere. My family is still trying their best to come over (December 27)- grandchildren 4 out of 7 haven't been able to get into my neighborhood. Gifts are still under the tree.
Neighboorhood is finally getting dug out and Yet, my vehicle is buried under in my driveway, I have a little Saturn Wagon, snow has drifted up over it, barely seeing the top of my poor little car.-
Doing my best to get motivated here to get my assignments for Units 7 & 8 finished. A&P II- no seminar yet we have assignments to post...wow, what a vacation. It will get done, today...no if's and but's about it...
Hopefully everyone out there is doing well and had a Blessed Chirstmas, May the New Year be joyous for one and all.

Christmas is Coming - A New Year too...Rejoice

Christmas Greetings to one and all,
Life here in Omaha,NE has been quite an ordeal for my household...I am without work since October 10, 2009...trying my best to keep up with assignments in school, looking for work, helping with grandchildren, and housebreaking a new puppy, (whom thinks he is the King of the house.)-
I finally put the Christmas tree up today, and now I am blogging my little fingers to the bones...trying to bake cookies for my little gift trays in which I do each year for the families, (My parents, the in-laws, and a few close, dear friends...)- so much to accomplish, so little time. LOL... Santa will be here before we know it.
I'm hoping he will leave me a package with lots of Knowledge, Energy, and Self Confidence...I definitely need all three at this time.
Things can only get better, If God has lead me to it, He shall see me through it. I firmly believe this. I wish you and yours a Blessed Christmas, and a Joyful and Beneficial New Year...
Be Well, Maddie

Where and How do I start to write?

The process of writing is a difficult task, some of the techniques are easier for some then others. Freewriting is usually a good starting point. One takes an idea and just starts writing their ideas down, no punctuation, grammar, or spelling corrections are needed, you are the only ones whom needs to understand it when reading it through.
Clustering, Bubbling, and listing, are also great ways to begin. Annotating is for me the best, I often print out copies of articles, highlight the areas which pop out at me, circle words I am not sure of, this way I can look up the definitions in an dictionary or do further research on the comments.
The subject is another big highlight, if it is something I am truly interested in I tend to do great research to get a better understanding of the topic. This is why I've chosen my topic, Muscular disorders...I've got a beautiful grand-daughter with Arthrogryposis, (multiple joint contractures), and a son- in- law with MS (multiple sclerosis).
This is boggling with unanswered questions for the family, and I thought if I could get a better understanding of these two disorders, I could pass it along.

Thank you for reading my post.- Maddie

Snow, I hate snow

Hello Everyone,
Well, as most of us know already, Winter has made it's appearance to most of us.
We are in a winter advisory at the present time. The schools are closed and the streets are nasty!!!! I noticed the open campus here in Omaha has even closed early today. Wow, that is something when they close schools around here. The kids are thrilled though. It is Cold here in Omaha,Nebraska.
It seems as though I've had a little problem with my citations, will need to go back through and re-read everything again. I'm finding information for the topic of which I chose however, most of it is not within the kaplan library. I know that the resources are legitimate, most of the information is coming from the National Societies for the Muscular Dystrophy, Arthrogryposis, and Multiple Sclerosis...
Good Luck to everyone on your citations, and final drafts,
Maddie

Unit 4 Citations, Plagiarism, and lots of love coming at you...

Hello one and all.,
Unit 4- Citations, Plagiarism, APA formatting. - Wow, lots of reading to go through, it has been a hectic three days for me and the hubby... Our three year old granddaughter was admitted to hospital for Oxygen level droppings, high WBC, and elevated temp of 104.5 (we ended up having the other two girls, whom are 4 years and 8 months- stay with us for two nights and three days). Speak of being worn out. (I finally realized, I'm not as young as I once was. LOL).
Any way: Citations are very important in the professionals standpoint., we do not want to over step our boundaries. We need to give credit where it is due and not use others words without giving them that recognition.
Whether the citation is word for word (Quoting), paraphrasing (Using our own words to express another's thoughts and words), or summarizing (shortening the original version) using your own words.- One must still give credit to the original author.
One should also be sure to use the citations in full when referencing.- This is done at the end of a paper...Use the full Title of the book, article, or journal, the year of which it was published, the Authors name.

Well, I shall catch everyone in seminar later this evening, or at least those whom attend.
Later- Maddie

Thesis statement-(or at least a good attempt)

Hello to Everyone,
I am somewhat of a critical thinker. I decide what needs to be done, how to do it, and then I jump in (both feet). I'm not saying that it is always the correct way to do something but, for me it seems to be the only way. I seem to contemplate on many aspects however, I seem to do what I set out to accomplish.

My thesis statement is always the most difficult part of any paper., I suppose it is because I just think about questions and write, rather than researching and putting information down. I shall attempt to write my thesis statement for our final project: Please, let me know what you think of it.

There are many disappointments when diagnosed with a muscular ailment. Some of these diseases may be treated after years of there first findings. Some may be life threatening and no known cause nor treatment. Others may have devastating results and become worse. Arthrogryposis is one such disorder that may result in death for infants, Multiple Sclerosis may become progressively worse, and Muscular dystrophy, devastating from the very beginning. In an attempt to clarify some of the truths and falsely commented approaches this paper will hopefully shed some light on this matter.

Maddie

Hoping everyone had a Blessed Thanksgiving.

I pray that one and all had a wonderful fulfilling Thanksgiving. We, my family and I did, and we get to repeat it again this evening with my side of the family.
Yesterday was with my husbands side. Yes, we are Blessed with children from two families, so there is a lot going on with children (6) of them, three which now have families of their own., and three still under our roof...7 grandchildren, not all in Omaha though.- Unfortunately, however, we did let the fingers do the walking, we were able to speak with everyone on the phone yesterday.-
Thank God for small miracles, we were informed that one of my son-in-laws co-mates in the military was shipped back to Iraq yesterday morning., (I feel so awful for the guy and his family however, very lucky to have my kids still nearby via webcam/telephone). God Bless and see everyone in seminar on Wednesday.- Maddie

Thanksgiving Day Planning

Hello fellow classmates and Bloggers:
I'm not definite what my final plans are going to be as yet, I've celebrated Thanksgiving with my son, one of the daughters, was invited to my parents, and to my sister in laws house for that feasting day. Thanksgiving dinner...
My oldest daughter and her family are living in North Carolina, so they will not be here for sure...first year in 29 that she's not been home for a holiday. The other three children (decided to do their own thing also this year). I feel left out, I am still planning on cooking a 14 pound Turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, corn, pumpkin pies, and a fruit salad, along with the trimmings that are customary... Mashed potatoes, yams (candied) of course.- dinner rolls. Who knows, if nothing else, I'll have my own Turkey dinner with the hubby.-
Oh well, I pray that all of you and yours have a Blessed Thanksgiving day, Be safe, Be Thankful for what we do have, and Thank God for the waking of another day- Family and Friends to think about, and all the Freedom we do have.
Thanksgiving wishes,
Madelyn Mandina (Maddie)

Tuesday Morning, "Howdy do to one and all"-

Hello Everyone,
Yeppers, it is the one and only Maddie here, rise and shine everyone...I am up and getting ready for a cup of JAVA., maybe that will help me go back to bed for a while. I am an insomnia sufferer...I know, caffaine will wake me up, not in my case. It actually helps me fall asleep. (I never said that I was normal, then again, what is normal these days. LOL.)
Oh well, I shall sleep a little later probably, after taking kids to school, washing breakfast dishes, and whatever else I can get done.
I know, I'm just too darned exciting for all of you., I had to laugh. Sorry, I get silly when I am really tired but, unable to sleep.- My next suggestion would be for me to take a melatonin, it occassionally will help.
Anyone have a suggestion that works for them? I'm open for suggestions, honestly. Maybe that is what my final paper should be on, nope- already started writing ideas and research - won't change it yet.
Well, I shall let you all get to bed, Have a super day and see ya in seminar on Wednesday.- (Maddie) @ 2:45 AM CST...

Another day in my life

Hello Everyone,
It is yet another day in my life, running kids to school, taking care of our little puppy (Mufasa), 4 month old pomeranian...trying to get housebroke. Homework, and the daily routine Laundry,meals, dishes, maybe get to relax a little before class this evening.- LOL
Hope everyone is doing well, and things are going as planned. Spoke with academic advisor yesterday, as my A&P class is not audio as planned to be...was told that previously none of the classes online were audio and it is the decision of the instructor to have it or not to have it...so, I will deal without it I guess...what an experience this shall be.
Any way- hope all is well and shall chat with everyone in seminar....Maddie

Here is my first blog.

Hello Everyone,
I am Madelyn Mandina, a 49 year old wife, mother, grandmother and returning student (to obtain my Associates degree in Medical Assisting). Although I did graduate from a medical assisting program 30 years ago., I am learning new material every day, and in the most exciting ways.
I have never made a blog site of my own before so this was an experience I shall not soon forget. I hope I can keep up with this along with my other courses and assignments.

Thank you for sharing with me, and if you have any constructive criticism, Please, let me have it.!

Until next time- Catch everyone in seminar or on the blog.
Maddie