Sweetwater Reporter (Sweetwater, Tex.), Vol. 114, No. 088, Ed. 1 Sunday, April 29, 2012 Page: 11 of 20
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Sweetwater Reporter
Sunday, April 29, 2012 ■ Page B3
Preparing for the
sacrament of Confirmation
When a person receives the sacrament
of Confirmation within the Catholic
church, that person is then seen as
an adult in the eyes of the church.
Though grown men and women can be
confirmed at any age, most Catholics
receive the sacrament around the age of
14 or 15.
One of the more important days in a
young Catholic's life, the day a young
man or young lady receives the sacra-
ment of Confirmation is often the cul-
mination of years' worth of preparation
and study. Students who attend Catholic
schools study their religion each day,
while their public school counterparts
learn about their faith at after school
programs sponsored by the church.
In addition to learning about their
faith in the classroom, young Catholics
approaching Confirmation age often
must prepare in other ways as well. The
following are a few of the things that
young Catholics might be asked to do
before they can deemed ready to receive
the sacrament of Confirmation.
* Commit to a service project. Many
young Catholics must commit to a ser-
vice project as part of their Confirmation
preparation. Requirements may vary,
but these projects often include volun-
teering within the local community so
youngsters can learn the value and the
importance of helping others, especially
the less fortunate. Service projects can
include coaching younger kids in sports
or serving as a school tutor.
Some churches allow candidates for
Confirmation to perform good deeds
for others as part of their service proj-
ect. These deeds might include helping
Mom and Dad around the house or
other acts of kindness that aren't neces-
sarily completed with the help of a char-
ity. Regardless of which service project
a candidate chooses, the goal is to learn
the value of service and its place in your
life as an adult Catholic.
- Choose a sponsor. Another impor-
tant part of preparing for the sacrament
of Confirmation is choosing a sponsor to
support and guide you through the pro-
cess. Sponsors typically must be fellow
Catholics no less than 18 years old, and
someone you look up to for their strong
sense of faith and commitment to the
church. When choosing a sponsor, it's
recommended to choose someone close
to you, be it a relative or close family
friend, who will continue to be a part of
your life after you have been confirmed.
In addition, it helps to choose someone
who lives nearby, as they will be required
to attend a few meetings with you in the
period leading up to your Confirmation,
as well as be there with you when the
Bishop officially confirms you.
* Choose a Confirmation name.
Candidates for Confirmation within the
Catholic church will be asked to choose
a Confirmation name prior to the cer-
emony. Choosing the name is no small
task, and many prefer to choose the
name of a saint whose life they want to
emulate or has inspired them up to that
point. Many programs require candi-
dates to write a report about the saint
whose name they seek to adopt. This
report includes information about the
saint as well as information about what
the saint means to the candidate.
Receiving the sacrament of
Confirmation is a memorable and sig-
nificant day in the lives of Catholics, one
that many have spent years anticipating
and preparing for.
For many RNs, entrepreneurship
is a prescription for success
Nursing may well be the most flex-
ible and opportunity-filled career there is.
After all, how many other professions offer
so many possible routes to licensure, areas
of specialization and choices of work set-
tings? Today, while most registered nurses
are employed by healthcare facilities, an
increasing number of RNs are forego-
ing institutional employment altogether,
supplementing their income with consult-
ing work or launching second careers as
independent nurse entrepreneurs.
RNs may choose self-employment for a
variety of reasons. For some, it combines
the satisfaction of nursing with the flex-
ibility of setting one's own work sched-
ules and the opportunity to boost their
incomes. For others, self-employment
offers new challenges and the ability to
specialize and customize their services.
Still others choose the entrepreneurial
path because they need or want to work
from home.
For today's RNs, entrepreneurship
opportunities abound, and new opportuni-
ties are just around the corner. Changing
demographics, novel technologies and new
laws and regulations all provide entrepre-
neurial inspiration for business-minded
nurses. Here are just a few of the possibili-
ties for RN-run business ventures.
* Think old. The aging population will
continue to open new doors for nurs-
ing entrepreneurs over the next several
decades. One area that will offer a variety
of opportunities for RNs is supporting
caregivers of the very old — people aged
90 and over. This group tripled over the
past three decades and is expected to qua-
druple over the next four decades. Nurses
who have experience in caring for elderly
patients will continue to be needed as care
managers who are responsible for assist-
ing disabled, elderly people and those
suffering from diseases like Parkinson's or
Alzheimer's.
* Follow the law. RNs with an interest
in law can become certified as legal nurse
consultants. These medical-legal special-
ists who are trained to use their medical
expertise to assist legal teams in decipher-
ing medical records and orders, are among
the best-paid members of the nursing
community.
* Plan ahead. Another lucrative option
for RNs is to become certified life care
planners. Nurses who choose this route
work with elderly or terminally ill patients
and their families to ensure that a pro-
gram of quality healthcare is in place.
* Speak out. Many nurses with special-
ized skills or knowledge offer seminars or
workshops for other RNs or the interested
public. If a RN has developed a specialty
— particularly one that is currently a "hot
topic"— and enjoys public speaking, giving
seminars is a good way to promote his or
her services.
* Find solutions. Is there something that
would make nurses' jobs or lives easier if
only it existed? If an RN has an idea for
a tool, device or application, he or she
should figure out how to bring it to life.
* Combine your interests. Many a busi-
ness has been born from nurses blending
their medical training and their interests.
RNs have been "reborn" as health/well-
ness coaches, fitness consultants, foot care
specialists, massage therapists, prenatal/
birth coaches, and much more. For nurses
who can combine imagination and deter-
mination, the sky's the limit.
Nine ways to
improve indoor air
In April 2012, a wildfire
broke out in a compost pile
in an area on Staten Island,
NY, that formerly housed
the Fresh Kills Landfill.
Residents across the island
worried if the billowing
smoke rising into the sky was
toxic in nature as a result of
the years of trash that had
been buried in the soil.
Though it's understand-
able to woriy about contami-
nants that could be polluting
outdoor air, it's important
not to overlook indoor air
quality as well.
According to the
Environmental Protection
Agency, air inside people's
homes can be two to five
times more polluted than air
outside the home. Although
the EPA regulates the qual-
ity of outdoor air and moni-
tors potential contaminants,
the air inside one's home
is his or her own domain.
Oftentimes, people do not
realize how polluted the air
in their homes and busi-
nesses can be. Cigarette
smoke, radon, carbon mon-
oxide, lead-laden dust from
old paints, dirt-filled carpet,
household cleaners, and fur-
niture made with wood glue
containing formaldehyde
are all sources of indoor
air pollution. Even cooking
on a gas stove may intro-
duce high levels of nitrogen
dioxide into the air, causing
respiratory problems.
The National Safety
Council says that Americans
spend about 90 percent of
their time indoors, so poor
air quality can greatly affect
persona] health.
There are several steps
that can be taken to improve
the quality of indoor air.
1. Open the windows and
let fresh air circulate. It is
important to change the air
inside of the home several
times a day to prevent the
buildup of pollutants. Even
opening windows a crack
can help.
2. Change the filters on
home heating and cooling
systems as the manufacturer
suggests.
3. Routinely clean the
exhaust vents in kitchens,
bathrooms and laundry
rooms.
4. Consider the installa-
tion of an air purification
system in the home. Or pur-
chase in-room HEPA filters.
5. Routinely clean bed-
ding used by pets and groom
animals to remove shedded
fiir.
6. Avoid the use of
toxic cleaning products.
Thoroughly cleanse the air
by opening windows after
doing any c leaning.
7. Use natural pest control
procedures inside when pos-
sible.
8. Introduce more plants
to the home, which naturally
filter air.
9. Use detectors to test
for radon and carbon mon-
oxide in the home. If there
are high levels present, go
outside and investigate ways
to identify the problem and
remedy the situation.
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Creating a multi purpose
three-season room
A space that serves as an indoor-out-
door transitional area in a home can
be a valuable living space. Screened-in
porches are often attractive to buyers,
but are ty pically not as popular as a room
that can be used once the warm weather
has passed.
Certain features of a home can increase
a home's resale value. According to
BankRate.com, a light, airy and spacious
feel is one characteristic that prospec-
tive buyers find very attractive. Richard
Gaylord, a member of the executive
committee for the National Association
of Realtors, says, "I haven't sold many
homes that aren't bright and airy." Even
the popular home improvement televi-
sion network HGTV touts brightening up
a home as a way to increase its value.
A bright, well-lit room helps people
feel more cheerful and relaxed. To easily
achieve more light and space, consider
the addition of a three-season-room.
When paired with energy-efficient new
windows, this space can make a welcome
addition to just about any home.
A three-season room is often called a
sunroom or extended season room. It
is not to be mistaken for a four-season-
room, which is fully insulated and gener-
ally has heating and air conditioning just
like the rest of the house. A three-season
room does not have these amenities, but
it may be used year-round with the help
of a portable heater.
There are many advantages to three-
season rooms.
* A room with regular windows can
make the space more comfortable. This
allows for the use of screens in warmer
months — letting in air and sounds of
nature. When the temperature drops, the
windows can be closed to help insulate
against the cold.
* Three-season rooms can add much-
needed extra floor space to the home.
* These rooms can also serve as a tran-
sition between the house and the yard,
which is a good way to reduce tracking
dirt and debris.
* They reduce the discomfort of sitting
outdoors among pesky insects.
* A three-season room lets in more
sunlight through windows or skylights,
possibly reducing home energy costs as
a result.
* The three-season room enables those
suffering from seasonal mood disorders
to extend their time spent in the sun.
* A three-season rooms is often the
ideal place to entertain company because
it tends to be bright and cheerful.
Handy homeowners may be able to
convert an existing porch into a three-
season room or build one from scratch or
assemble the room from a premade kit.
However, those homeowners who prefer
to leave the work to someone more expe-
rienced can hire a contractor.
Before getting started, it is best to
contact the local building and permits
office to determine which building codes
for the new room must be met. While
screened-in porches may be adequate
with a certain level of foundation and
structure, rooms that will be using glass
panels or standard windows may need
some modifications to make them safe.
Apply for the necessary permits and have
the work inspected to be sure it is legal.
Where you locate your sunroom may
depend on the direction of the sun or the
space you have on the property. Consider
your landscape and property lines before
doing any building.
You may have to reframe certain parts
of the room if you are converting a porch
to a sunroom. Be sure to use materials
that will accommodate the addition of
heavier, thicker glass or windows.
Many homeowners find weatherproof-
ing the room is a good idea. Use con-
struction-grade materials you can com-
monly find at home improvement cen-
ters. Wrapping the room in a material
that guards against heat, humidity and
moisture will ensure a more comfort-
able environment once construction is
complete.
Building a three-season room can add
substantial value to your home and cre-
ate another family-friendly space.
Slim down
br summer
It can be sobering to realize that beach
and pool season is right around the comer.
Maybe that diet you hoped to go on got
stuck in neutral. What can you do now?
The prospect of days spent in the sun
without the security of a bulky sweater or
baggy pants to cover up bellies and bulges
often inspires people to reassess their fit-
ness goals in an effort to lose weight. There
are some right and wrong ways to shed a
few pounds, and here are some guidelines
to get you started.
1 Crash diets: Nutritionists have long
noted that crash diets can be unhealthy
and ineffective with regards to long-term
weight loss. But new research disputes
those claims. A recent study from Tufts
University found that a slow-and-steady
diet is only successful for the very few who
are not sidetracked by rich foods or other
common food challenges in daily life. In
fact, they confirm that, if done correctly
with a healthy, calorie-cutting, food-based
diet, fad diets can produce quick and last-
ing success. Clinical experience shows that
somebody with a serious commitment to
weight loss can lose up to 20 pounds — and
two to three dress sizes — in two months.
This is not to say you should sustain
yourself on grapefruits or cabbage soup.
Weight loss that results from such diets is
more water weight than fat. Reducing por-
tion sizes and caloric intake could provide
a metabolism boost.
- Exercise: Being active is usually con-
ducive to losing weight. But the right exer-
cises are also key. Heavy manual labor may
not be the best route to take, as building
muscle could also increase overall weight
and add bulk to the body. Cardiovascular
and light toning exercises can help many
people achieve their weight-loss goals
more quickly than dieting alone.
Many people find the warm weather
naturally inspires them to be more active.
Make the most of the beautiful weather by
getting off the couch and going outside for
a w alk or a jog.
* Indulge in good foods. Filling up on
foods that help your body realize it is full
can help with weight loss. These include
foods that are high in fiber and protein.
Choose nonstarch vegetables like broccoli
and cauliflower, which are high in fiber.
Chickpeas and other legumes will also fill
you up fast. Snack on berries and apples,
which are filling and also a good source of
fiber. Look for whole-grain breads, which
are more substantial than overly processed
breads.
* Set reasonable goals. Research from
Tufts indicates that it is a physiological
fact that the human body can only lose a
maximum of three pounds of actual fat a
week. Other weight loss is often an emp-
tying of the intestinal system and water
loss. Starvation is not a healthy way to
lose weight, as it actually depletes muscles
while taxing the cardiovascular system.
Therefore, plan how much you want to
lose and then divide that number by three.
Then you'll have an accurate measurement
on how many weeks it will take to lose the
weight with aggressive dieting. If you want
to lose 30 pounds, it could take 10 weeks to
achieve that goal.
Even a small amount of weight loss can
result in marked improvement in how
you look and feel, especially when sport-
ing a swimsuit. Personal health should
always take precedence over losing weight
to improve your appearance.
_ _ Randy,*
Neugebauer
Pnncprvativp * ■ ^ IT .Q rnnorpcc
Conservative
U.S. Congress ★
PLEASE JOIN
Congressman Randy Neugebauer
FOR
Coffee With The Congressman
Thursday, May 3rd, 2012
10:30 A.M. - 11:30 A.M.
Java Jax
325 Oak St.
Sweetwater, TX 79556
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Sweetwater Reporter (Sweetwater, Tex.), Vol. 114, No. 088, Ed. 1 Sunday, April 29, 2012, newspaper, April 29, 2012; Sweetwater, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth229752/m1/11/: accessed May 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Sweetwater/Nolan County City-County Library.