The Noehren's

Here is a cool video done by the University of Kentucky that features Brian and other researchers.  I think it is really well done.  Check it out! Last week I interviewed Dr. Petersen's postdocs (the lady in the video talking about satellite cells) for an article I'm working on and it is just amazing research.  I am definitely NOT a scientist, but have amazing respect for the work all research scientists do.  It is demanding work, but how cool is it to be the first to discover something new - especially when it can directly translate to better health and improved therapies!  Let's hope those crazy politicians get their act together with this whole fiscal cliff business and continue to fund meaningful research like those shown in the video.  Without federal grant funding none of their studies would be possible, nor would jobs like Brian's (whose promotion and tenure depend on securing federal grant money to fund his research) be available....

Last night, the first night of Hanukkah, we lit up the menorah and played some dreidel!  The kids love learning about Mimi Noehren's heritage and so do we.  Our melty-from-the-attic-all-summer candles have extra character, don't you think?  Hoping for a gimmel...  Grant is the dreidel king - he won most games!  Santa even came for a visit.  Ridiculous, I know... Happy Hanukkah Mimi!  We can't wait to see you soon!

Last Saturday Haley and her school's robotics team headed to their first regional competition near Louisville.  Here she is with her robotics gal pals.   So, what exactly is a robotics competition, you ask?  I was wondering the same thing.  This particular one was sponsored by Future Engineers of America.  In a nut shell, the kids build a robot made from legos, and program it to complete certain tasks.  This particular competition focused on mobility issues and their robots has to help perform tasks like pushing in a chair, walking a dog, etc.  They have 4 rounds of 2.5 minute session during competition to perform as many tasks as they can and are judged by how well their robot performs, and their oral presentation to the judges.   Here is the high school gym where I spent many, many hours (we were there from 8 am - 6 pm).  Note to self - next time bring a padded stadium seat.  Here is Haley's team w...

Most readers of my blog (all 5 of you) know that I've struggled with maintaining my thyroid levels and all the fun stuff that comes with that for years.  I'll have a great 6 months, and then for no rhyme or reason the fatigue, fogginess, coldness, pimples, hair loss etc. return.  It is frustrating to say the least.  At least I am blessed with enough hair on my head for 5 people, so I can afford to lose a some! You might remember when earlier this year I was enjoying feeling great because of the addition of iron supplements and Vitamin D in my life.  But then over the last month or two the honeymoon was over and the old symptoms returned.  Boo.  Blood work confirmed what I already knew, my thyroid levels were off again.  So, a few months back my sister was diagnosed with Hashimotos disease, an autoimmune disease that is the cause of hypothyroidism in a lot of people.  As with any autoimmune disease (like celiac, lu...