January - Cervical Cancer Month

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Did you know that? Probably not. Did you know that cervical cancer is one of the least known about cancers?

WHY ARE WE NOT TALKING ABOUT CERVICAL CANCER???

Whew, that rant is over. But, really, let's talk about cervical cancer.

Shan from Last Shreds of Sanity has a great post about cervical cancer- it's quite in depth and I highly recommend reading what she has to say as a survivor.

What are the risk factors for cervical cancer?

Most cases of cervical cancer stem from the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) but smoking, immuno- suppressant drugs, HIV, Chlamydia, Diethylstilbestrol (DES), and family history are all common risks factors.

How do I get screened?

The best thing you can do is get a PAP smear. You may have HPV and not know it. The longer you wait, the more dangerous HPV can be.

What is HPV?

As Shan writes "It is a very common virus. There are more than 100 types. About 15 types can cause cervical cancer. Some types cause warts on the fingers or feet but do not cause cancer. Other types cause warts in the genital area that are not cancerous."

Check yourself before you wreck yourself, people. That's all I'm saying.

For more information, head to Cancer.org.

The Mom Look

Do you have have days where you feel like your outfit is lacking and your hair sucks? That was me yesterday. I tried something "different" with my hair. I blew my hair dry with smaller round brushes and used them as makeshift rollers. So, my hair was big. Well, not 1980's big but big for me. I hated it. Everyone at work loved it.

Lately, I feel like I'm in a funk with my clothing and with my hair. A few weeks ago, I told the man I felt like Velma from "Scooby Doo" and he took that as a compliment for me. Needless to say, when he called me his "Velma" a few days later, I did NOT take it very well. He didn't get it.

I felt like this Velma:

Not this one:

I feel out of my element with clothing lately. I've always been a fan of fashion and I'm usually fairly fashion conscious. Lately, I've acquired the "mom" look. I'm not sure what that means but rather than looking like a hip 20-something, I resemble a "mom".

Don't get me wrong, I have no issues with looking like a Mom if I had kids. But I don't have kids. Unless you call Cecil and Sparky "children" as opposed to my "fur babies".

I'm in a rut. Any suggestions? (Shopping is not a suggestion)