Are you ready for a pretty card today? Clean and simple, just the way we like them on a Monday!
I decided to pull out my Simply Jane (Papertrey Ink) stamps and dies today. Bright colors on a white card base are always so pretty, aren't they?
I chose a color combo based on this strip of paper from My Mind's Eye's Miss Caroline Dolled Up collection. It's always easier to pick your paper first, and then match colors accordingly. I picked Melon Mambo/Kiwi Kiss/Baja Breeze/Blushing Bride inks to match.
Now that I've distracted you with a pretty card, I am going to issue my annual spring public service announcement.
TICKS ARE HERE!
Yes, tick season is upon us. Time to treat your dogs and cats in an effort to keep those ticks away from your beloved pets and family members.
Why do I mention this every spring?
Because several years back, I contracted Lyme disease from an infected tick.
Here are some of the facts you need to know:
*According to the Center for Disease Control, new Lyme disease cases are FOUR times more likely than new AIDS cases.
*Lyme disease is now the leading cause of vector-borne illnesses.
*Fewer than 50% of new patients recall being bitten by a tick.
*Lyme disease can cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from mild-flu like symptoms to long term disabilities.
*Lyme disease is often misdiagnosed, and tests for Lyme disease are often inaccurate.
My symptoms were rather typical for most cases. They included:
*fevers
*swollen glands
*joint pain
*severe headaches
*sensitivity to light
*neck pain
*rash
A bulls-eye rash is a common indicator of Lyme disease, but this presents itself in only forty percent of Lyme cases. My rash was not isolated in a bulls-eye fashion.
It is important to be able to recognize a tick and know how to properly remove an embedded tick as well.
If you suspect you may have contracted Lyme disease, it is important to get treatment (typically antibiotics) as soon as possible.
For more information on Lyme disease, I highly recommend this website:
www.ilads.org
The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society has a lot of information, as well as photographs, videos, and articles.
Now that your skin is feeling all creepy crawly, I'll distract you again.
Look! Pretty flowers!
Happy Monday, friends!
Love you Jane card. I belong to a Jane Austen book club so I had to get that set. So fun. I love the picks of your garden and your tips about the ticks..good reminder. My late hubby got Lyme disease twice before they new what it was..What a horror for him. Thank you.
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