Show Us Your Life - Marriage Advice

I really thought I had already written about this....guess I had plans.....:)

When I saw this as the subject over at Kelly's Korner in her Show Us Your Life series....Marriage Advice...I thought it was about time...

We met and married in under 8 months and I can't say we knew much about marriage.  We've been through some really tough times.  Things we could control and much we could not.

Multiple moves (14 houses, 7 states)

Job Loss

Financial Collapse

Miscarriages (4 babies lost in 3 pregnancies)

Health Disaster (and healing!!!)

Marriage stress

Children stress (heart break version)

........

So I just wanted to share one huge thing with everyone.  If you get to the end of your rope....you think you cannot go on....there is no hope left...even if you are dealing with some big issues (we were not, thank goodness)... and all you care about is telling your kids and everyone else you did everything you could?

Then go to Retrouaville -  A Lifeline For Marriages.

A program to help couples heal and renew their marriage.

• Do you feel lost, alone or bored in your marriage?

• Are you frustrated, angry or hurt with your spouse?

• Are you constantly fighting?  Or, do you simply shut down?

• Have you thought about separation or divorce?

• Does talking only make it worse?

•          

•   ..............Retrouvaille provides the marriage help!

Retrouaville is an INTERNATIONAL organization dedicated to saving marriages.  3 couples who have "BTDT - been there done that" lead the weekend....Friday evening to Sunday morning...and what you will learn and share will just leave you speechless.  In our group, folks were there who had already filed,  were suffering from adultery or addiction, atheists/agnostics and one couple had already divorced!!  From what we could tell, all but one couple reconciled with exuberance and the one that did not..walked out holding hands as friends.

You've likely heard of the Marriage Encounter weekends...those are for good marriages to get a refresher course.

Retrouvaille is for the hurting marriage, the marriage hanging by a string.....even if you are already divorced, or already filed or SO OVER IT you can't imagine even saving it BUT you DO want to know you tried everything.

I can promise you this - if Retrouvaille does not only restore your marriage but bring you back to the reasons you married in the first place, it WILL bring you peace about moving forward.  You WILL be able to confidently say you tried everything.

We owe our 24 year+ marriage to the lessons and discoveries we made around year 15 or so....when friends kept our boys and we trudged off with bad attitudes to the "we did everything we could" marriage seminar.

The "us" that came back to retrieve our boys left our friends amazed.  They hadn't seen anything like it. Nor had we.

Since that experience, we regularly go to marriage seminars in general...just to keep fresh on meeting each other's needs and not taking each other for granted.  It is great to have time just for US.

You owe this to yourselves or to the friends/family you know who NEED this information.

Best of all?  It is free to those who have no means for donation.  You won't be sorry.  Trust me.

Click the link above or below and see when the next available weekend is in your area.


Good luck and God Bless!

Retrouvaille

Show Us Your Life - Random Acts of Kindness

Kelly at Kelly's Korner Blog is doing her "Show Us Your Life - Random Acts of Kindness" this week.  Go there to read many ideas.

One of my favorite random acts of kindness involves the wait staff at restaurants.  My husband used to be a server and has related many tales of not so nice diners versus folks who were a pleasure to serve.  I started several years ago making sure to get the name of our waiter/ress when we go out to eat.  Either myself or my husband will engage them in brief conversation, asking how their day is going, what is their favorite item on the menu, things like that.  

I particularly like to go to "regular" places where the servers make less than minimum wage and get "average" tips.   Having worked in service/commission jobs my entire working life (college years and a few years in real estate when the boys were teenagers), I know the importance of being friendly and attentive if one hopes to get referrals, good tips, or just have a nice day.  Frankly, I think all sales/service folks should treat others as they would treat their family.  Can't go wrong doing that!

If the server is pleasant, does a great job, and actually brightens my day (rather than leaving me without ice water, waiting forever to bring the check), I go home and write a letter to the management of that restaurant, bragging on how great "Server's Name" was on "Date and Time", and that I am so happy with the service, I will be recommended all friends and family to that restaurant.  In Iowa when I was still in real estate actively, I would also state that I would be referring clients there as well.  This makes managers VERY happy, and will bring kudos to that server!

One week, I had sent a letter to a local restaurant (if I remember correctly, it was an IHop!  lol) including my business card at the time, and just a few days later, we dined there again.  As we walked in, several servers stopped and directly stared at us, with odd smiles.  I wasn't catching on too quickly, and we sat down to look at the menus.  A few moments later, the manager came over and thanked me profusely for sending the letter, that he never receives such feedback and it brightened everyone's day (recognizing me from my business card).  Our former server also came over and thanked me sincerely.  I think being a server can be a really thankless job, and if you have a pleasant experience, why not take the time to send a short note praising your experience?  Kudos will go to your server and trust me, it will brighten their day!

Key - I really do recommend you send a handwritten note!

I had no idea I would be remembered or get any recognition for doing so, but it just shows you how random acts of kindness DO matter and are appreciated.  From that day forward, we received EXCELLENT service every time we dined there, and that was great. 

Have a glorious day!

Show Us Your Life - Your Favorite Things

Kelly at Kelly's Korner Blog is holding another "Show Us Your Life - Your Favorite Things" this week.  I love this topic!  Visit her link for more entries.

After 23 years of marriage, I can honestly say that this year has been THE happiest year of all.  We have worked so hard and achieved almost miraculous results.  I just beam from ear to ear and pure joy is in my heart.  Imagine 23 years of prayer and having it all come true.  That is my life with my amazing husband.  Sometimes, even when things don't appear to be working and some days you wonder if it is even worth it, God can work what seems like miracles in your life.  He has in mine and I am the happiest 23 year married woman I know EVER.  I hope to share more details in a future post!!

This is our most recent picture and I wish we had centered the camera a bit better to get a full shot of Andy!  He's a great man, that's all I gotta say about that!  Love of my life!

My 2 boys, 21 and 17.5 - we've had some rough years but a mother's love never ceases.  I hope they know this and never forget.  As mother's, we love our kids no matter what.

Now, for the rest of this post, I have to share again my newest obsession.  These products are a MUST TRY.  If you want to take 10 years or more off your appearance, order the sample packs from Simply Divine Botanicals.  My own mother cannot get over how much younger/better I look in photos.  (We live 8 hours apart and I can't wait until she sees my skin in person!!)

I cannot remember now how I even heard of this company, but Barbara's products are beyond incredible.  I could go on and on and may.  lol  She recommends you order samples as she only accepts returns if something is wrong with the product.

Here is a link to the main sample pack:  Sample Set   Or order different things individually as samples - some are as inexpensive as $1.50!!  Here is a photo of many of the containers in my makeup area  (all the smaller white containers on the right)-

And whatever you do, you MUST try the seaweed products - Seaweed Sample Set

Let me tell you how incredible the seaweed products are - I was in the sun last weekend and got inadvertently burned on my forehead.  It was bright red and SHOULD have peeled.  It did not!  These products are so healing, filled with such pure ingredients, NO chemicals - my husband has just been almost speechless.  

My lines and wrinkles are almost entirely gone.  My skin GLOWS.  Truly radiant.  And if you read my blog, you know my life is full of stress right now.  lol  My skin should be showing that stress, but instead, I look like I've been on a 6 month vacation to a blissful place.

Some stand out products:

 Black Velvet  Fabulous Foaming Facial Cleanser.  You will not be able to find the word to perfectly describe the pure heaven your skin will feel like after using this product one time.  Velvet surely comes close.  Amazing.  Check out these ingredients!

INGREDIENTS: Unconditional Love & Gratitude, Organic Whole-leaf Aloe Vera, Oils of: Jojoba, Avocado, Coconut, Sea Buckthorn, Almond, Palm & Carrot. Papaya, Banana, Cocoa Tree extract, Outer Body Experience, Seaweed, MSM, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium. Essential oils of: Frankincense, Myrrh, Lavender, Helichrysum, Blood Orange, Pink Grapefruit, Rosewood, Patchouli & Geranium.

If you have acne-prone skin, try the You Can't Zit Here - Banishing Blemish Foaming Face Wash.

 Next, use the Gypsy Rose Tea Toner/Astringent. 

INGREDIENTS: Unconditional Love and Gratitude, Bulgarian Rosewater, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Witch Hazel, Lemon Balm, Rose Petals, Calendula, Chamomile, Comfrey, Rosemary, Sage, Cranesbill, Lavender, Horse Chestnut, White Oak, MSM, Rooibos, Alkanet Root, Jojoba Oil, Essential Oils of Rose Geranium, Myrrh, and Lavender.

 

I could go on and on.  Don't miss Barbara's first baby and favorite product, Creme de Rose Heavenly Facial Moisturizer.  I read her testimonial letters and started putting this cream on some eczema I've had over 5 years, on random pimples I get and other blemishes that don't go away easily and they are all disappearing!  Hubby is impressed.  

I am madly in love with her Skincredible Sandalwood Revitalizing Elixir.  This is actually a creme and the smell is just ........WOW!!  I use this on my rosacea, or should I say my FORMER rosacea and just whenever I desire additional moisturizer or just want to smell this amazing scent. 

Honestly, the product I think that has taken the most years off my complexion is probably the Honey I Shrunk the Pores - A Biologically Active Skin Polish with Fruit Enzymes.  You put this on for 15 minutes and then wash off.  It looks and smells like raspberry jam but wait until you see what it does to your skin!!

I ordered the Pure Rose Distillate and spray it on my face multiple times a day for hydration and the scent is so calming.   The Melon Medley  (with Omega 6 and Omega 9 fatty acids) is unlike anything I've ever seen and does not cause breakouts.  It just soaks in your skin like nothing else you've ever used.  Light as can be!

Oh no!  I see she has a new product I haven't even tried, and she says it's her best product yet!!  Crossing my fingers she offers it in sample form.  lol    YES!!!  She has it in sample for $4.95!!  Baby Face Energized Oxygen Treatment -  here is what she says about it:

Product Description

So new it doesn't have a label but we couldn't wait to make it available to you as we believe it may be one of our best products yet!

Baby Face will be viable for ten plus years but must be kept refrigerated at all times!

Successfully used on: Wrinkles, Blemishes, Skin Viruses, Skin and Nail Fungus,Burns, Bruises, Discoloration
 

APPLICATION: Gently but deeply massage into skin that has been thoroughly cleansed and toned every other night or as desired. May be layered over any Simply Divine treatment or moisturizer.

INGREDIENTS: Unconditional Love and Gratitude, Organic Rose Hip seed oil, Organic Avocado oil, Organic Olive oil, Sea Buckthorn oil, Essential oils of: Lavender, Rose Geranium, Chamomile, Rose, Bergamot, Rosewood, Palmarosa and Vitamin E., Infused with Energized Oxygen for six weeks.

Gosh, I could go on and on.  Almost all these products come in the sample pack.  Now, I will point out - If you go to her sample page, not all her samples are listed there (individual products).  Be sure to check the main product pages to see if it comes in a sample size if it isn't listed on the official sample page. You don't want to miss out on trying these samples.

With my next order, I am going to add her Foam Pump Bottle for the Black Velvet Foaming Facial Cleanser - think I will use less product with each use.

I know her prices seem a tad high (my "top" price I have ever paid for anything else related to face if $10, so this took me a while to bite the bullet), but ladies - TRUST ME.  Take a look at that photo of me above.  I am 43, have grown children putting us through the wringer right now, have chronic pain, you don't even want to hear all the crud in my life........trust me, I shouldn't look that young and I didn't  just a few months ago.  I promise you!!

Request this for your birthday or another holiday or special occasion.  Save your pennies.   I've had other online friends order the sample pack and contact me incredibly excited by what these products are doing to their complexions.  I have no connection to this company, although I sure wish I did - I could use a discount.  lol  I just sincerely love these products and have to tell you all.   I am scrounging through my house finding all kinds of things to sell to fund these investments in my health, IMO.  I've been avoiding chemicals including sulfates and parabens for almost a year now, and these products have just been an answer to prayer, truly.

You will throw out EVERY other product you have ever purchased for your face after you try these.  And start with the samples!!

Have a glorious day!

Show Us Your Life - Your Kid's Names

Today at Kelly's Korner Blog she is doing "Your Kids Names" through the Show Us Your Life series.  

Growing up, I had to spell my first name AND last name every where I went.  And to this day, I must spell my first name no matter what, if I want it spelled correctly.  I love it and definitely prefer my spelling over the common one for my name, but it is completely annoying to have to spell it and never see it written correctly.  I vowed my children would not have to spell their names.  And I promptly married a man with a top 5 most common last name in America.  lol

With my husband, Andy is his middle name and he commented to me early on that he wanted to call a child by their FIRST name only.   Going by his middle name has caused some legal hiccups as well.   And not only that, but his name is one of a VERY famous musical artist and it gets old with all the jokes and comments.  I just laugh along and say I married him for his money.  lol

I had always dreamed of having 2 girls and had tons of girl names I loved.  I grew up with only a sister and just never considered for a moment I'd have a son.  Let alone 2.  So to my surprise, we had to agree on 2 boy names.  lol

When pregnant with our first, we struggled to find a name we both liked.  We did not find out what we were having ahead of time.  This was 21 years ago, but my memory is that my favorite names were:

Holden

Forrest

Garrett

He was much more into "normal" names if I recall.   Hubs liked Benjamin Matthew, but another family member pointed out his initials would be BM and that was not cool.  (That family member's initial were very inappropriate when used just the two of them, so I understand his point.)   For a girl, we both liked Elise and Brooke. 

I remember calling my mom and telling her if it was a boy his name would be Jordan and she said "What would you call him?"  I was like, mmmmkkkk, lol, so that became his middle name.  Jordan quickly became a popular girl name in his class, so I was glad we changed that!

Ryan Jordan was born that year and we loved his name for about one month.  Until we realized EVERY ONE ELSE was naming their child Ryan.  Ugh.  I did consider changing it, but could not get the hubs to agree.  To this day, I wish we had picked a more unique name.   His name is so common that even in the category of golf, there are quire a few HIS AGE with the exact same names in the US right now playing golf in college.  ACK!  Note to self:  With a super common last name, choose wisely on first names.

When we found out we were pregnant again with another son, we wanted another 4 letter first name, but more unique.  But not weird.  You know, the perfect combination?  lol   I wanted to put a full court press out on Holden (another character from ATWT)  but that violated the 4-letter rule, so we fairly easily agreed on Holt.  We LOVED that name and so did everyone else.

His middle name would be named after a favorite soap opera character, Phillip Chancellor.  lol  Holt Phillip came late that summer.

It is such an uncommon name and if one doesn't strongly enunciate the "t" at the end,  almost everyone "hears" Hope.  Or Colt.  My poor 2nd son spells his name everywhere he goes, just like I vowed NOT to do to my children.  lol    But he is a Holt through and through and we get excited when we see someone name their child that.  I think there are now 10 people in America with that name.  LMBO

We did try to have more children, and as time went on, we settled on another boy first name - Camden.  LOVE that name!  Alas, never got to use it.

Looking back, we did consider family names, but nothing jumped out at us.  I'm not sure we would change anything going back.  Should we have ever been blessed with a girl, the last name we agreed on was Avery Elizabeth, but I'm sure that would have changed.  We're talking 21 and almost 18 years ago!!

Have a glorious day!

Closet and Makeup Organization

It's Spring!  Even for you gals covered in snow right now!  Is your closet crying for some attention?  I'm all for even decorating your closet to make it a welcoming place.  If you've seen my "color" posts, you know I'm a big believer in color affecting mood.  Well, organization and having a clutter-free dwelling also impacts your mental health and overall happiness.

My Colorful Life

Take small baby steps - and one small room to try is your closet!

I am a naturally organized person and always have been.  I suspect my "sensory issues" impact my need for a clutter-free life.  When my surroundings are in disarray, I feel stressed.  The sense of calm I get from cleaning and organizing makes me desire to do this daily.  lol  (One reason I LOVED home staging before my health crisis - loved helping others also!)

I wanted to share what we have done in my closet for my makeup area particularly.   Not being able to bend, lift or twist requires me to reorder many areas of our home and I love what we were able to do with this.

To start, we have had this large metal cabinet for years, to keep things locked up that kiddos don't need access to.  We deliberately chose a tall one to use for my makeup station and being 5'8, I can walk right up and the mirror is at my head level.  No bending necessary.  (My next project will be to make a decorative fabric cover for this "ugly" metal cabinet.) Here are some photos:

Rug at the base of the cabinet to protect carpet from all the things I drop!  To help pick those items up (since I cannot bend ever again), I use a grabber - $9.99 at stores like W.almart.  I have 5 around the house and it is also how I do laundry.

These grabbers/grippers can pick up a bobby pin off the floor.  I love them!

So, on the top of this cabinet, I have always kept my make up mirror, but I had to lean down a bit and had my makeup and other items scattered all around the top, along with in the carousel to the left.  Made it hard to keep clean, dust, etc.  I asked my engineer hubby for help on getting the perfect organizing storage items and this is what we came up with.  I love it!

This is actually a makeup carousel AND a plastic 2-tier lazy susan (from wally world) below, holding the makeup palettes.  The makeup carousel had broken and on longer turned.  This worked perfectly and holds all the smaller items.

This is one of my favorite all-time gifts.  My dear mother got this for me from P.ier One several years ago and it holds earrings and other jewelry, along with anything else I throw in there.  And it is so pretty!  Those are ceramic drawers.

We purchased this metal organizer at wally world and then purchased a small bag of plastic bean bag filler beads at M.ichaels.  This makes a perfect medium to put the brushes in and they stand up and come in and out easily.  I found it now much cheaper at J.o Ann's.

Since I originally posted this, I decided I needed a cleaner 'look" for the makeup brushes and found this ceramic container on sale and with a coupon.  It works better and looks much cleaner.

Michaels also had a 40% sale on the Loew Cornell paint brushes, and I was able to get the Maxine Mop brushes (purple handle with white brush bristles, although in the photo above, the handles look more blue than purple - they are to the right hand side of the photo) for 40% off.  They are originally $3.99 and $5.99 or so?  How awesome is that?  These work JUST as well as the MAC brushes, which can run over $30 each!   There were 2 displays of the Loew Cornell and American Painter brushes, but a separate section had a mixture of natural bristles.  We were able to get the percentage off showing that coupon (they didn't ring up automatically on sale). 

Ok, now to the large drawers on the main unit.  Of course, my engineer hubby had to go to Lowe's and get me some non-skid rubber mats.  Love him!

Top drawer holds my different creams.  If you want to feel utter bliss, go to Simply Divine Botanicals and order their Samples Pack - this is all those smaller white containers. 

Middle drawer has separate organizer drawers (of course, lol) and holds eye liners and gels, lip products, concealers, and then mascaras.

Back to organization.  Do you have an old tie rack from years ago?  Hang it and use it to hold necklaces!

For my clothes, I recommend sectioning shirts, pants, dresses, etc.  And for me, nothing beats color-coordinated items!  Even little things like this can make a huge difference in what your brain perceives as clutter.  Quick dressing and beautiful to look it - perfect!

Now for shoes - I don't keep the original boxes as that "looks" cluttered.   These plastic see-through containers can be purchased very inexpensively and protect your shoes. I've seen some folks take a photo of the shoe inside and put it on the outside edge, to make it even faster to find what you need.   I have narrow feet and cannot purchase cheaper shoes, as they fall right off my feet.  When Andy met me 24 years ago, I was selling higher end shoes and I warned right then and there that if he had a problem with purchasing quality shoes, I wasn't his girl.  Not to worry, as I found out - his favorite shoes then were Allen Edmonds to the tune of over $200 a pair (in 1986!!).  What I spent for shoes paled in comparison to this, so I was safe.  ($50 was expensive to me.)  Match made in heaven. 

Sadly, I can no longer wear ANY of those shoes.  These are the dressier shoes that can no longer be worn.   Heels or any shoe that is not perfectly flat presents a danger to me.   I am slowly discarding these.   Sigh........  These are the shoes I CAN wear:

Notice how no bending is required?  I can just slip them on.  Dankso shoes are very safe for folks who need stability and require ideal shoes for posture.  Nurses and health professionals love these shoes.  Definitely pricey, but they last forever.

We vacuum every week, so I keep the floors clean and tidy as well.

I am willing to sacrifice the entire left side of my closet to be able to iron peacefully!!  I recommend it!  The shirts are next up for ironing.   

And finally, we keep a file cabinet for our private papers and I use the top for additional storage.

This keeps the bathroom counter clean and tidy, as I can reach in quickly to get what I need.

When I met Andy, he had the most organized closet and was one of the most organized men I had ever met.  Nowadays, not so much (lol), but I wanted to show you his closet.  This is how he prefers to keep his closet - and I don't impose my color-coordination on him.  lol

I will be linking to the following:

Motivate me Monday

Metomorphosis Monday

Make it for Monday

Toot Your Horn Tuesday

DIY Day

Talented Tuesday

 Show Us Your Organization Tips!

Nester - 31 Days - Organization

Sunday Favorites

Have a glorious day!

A Typical Day with Chronic Pain

 

Kelly over at Kelly's Corner is doing a meme today on "Typical Days in our lives" and I thought I'd participate, since I'm sure my situation isn't common.

First of all, does anyone else suffer from chronic pain that limits your life?  It can get to feeling really lonely, I'll admit.  But I'm still "me", with my loud mouth running all the time and my mind racing........so it's all good!

My boys are now 21 (in a week) and 17, so they don't need much mothering anymore.  lol  I do help them with homework and we chat a lot.  I'll tell you one good thing - I'm ALWAYS available!!  lol

Due to an injury in 2005 and subsequent surgeries, I now have permanent nerve damage with lateral numbness hip to toes on both legs and muscle weakness and atrophy (deterioration).

After a bit of a battle, I now have had a SCS - spinal cord stimulator - for just over a year.  This is like a pacemaker for nerves, and I feel a constant buzzing/massaging on the inside of my body (like a massage chair at a salon) and this is blocking some of the pain signals from my screaming legs from getting to my brain.  It is heaven!!  I have my own remote control - what husband doesn't want a wife with that!  LMBO

 

However, I no longer can bend, lift or twist for the rest of my life. Since I fall very easily due to the numbness and balance issues, my husband respectfully requests that I patiently wait for him to accompany me at night or weekends and asks that I venture out sparingly.  One more fall and I'm probably done for, so I understand his fear and concern.  I can't even go for a walk by myself.  These limitations are some of the hardest issues to face with this.

The good news is, though, that I still have my mind and my mouth (and obviously typing fingers!!), so I get to balance the frustration of wishing my mind and body matched with the realities that things could be so much worse and how grateful I truly am at the end of the day.

So a typical day starts like this:

Bed time:  3AM or later

Wake up:  11AM at the latest, usually

(Hubs does wake me up when he goes to work to give me my morning meds that I must take every 8 hours.) 

Lunch:  Noon or so.  We choose to live close enough to hubs work so that he can come home for lunch almost every day.  This is a love of his and I am happy to oblige.  Such a great time together and to look forward to.  

1 to 5PM:  I get any housework done that I can do - laundry, dusting, Swiffering or vacuuming the hard flooring, sinks, counters, anything I can reach.  Since I am unable to BLT (bend, lift or twist), I cannot do the dishwasher, the toilets or the tubs I have grippers/grabbers all over the house, and this is how I pick things up that drop and also how I do the laundry.   These are around $9.99 at Walmart.  Heavier duty ones are at Walgreens and medical supply stores for a bit more.  These babies will pick up a bobby pin off the floor, so they are very helpful!

I can only do a bit of housework at a time and must rest frequently.  Takes very little to "overdo" and then that affects my time with hubs and the boys.  So I MUST be careful.   When I am not up doing things, I spent the majority of my time reclined, with my legs up.  This keeps the pressure off the S1 nerve and keeps it from flaring.  I still have good and bad days, and know what I need to do to try to avoid flares.  

I have an adjustable laptop desk that pulls right up to my chair, and I use the Internet as distraction from the pain and to keep me occupied, as sitting can be quite boring.  But I must do it.   If you look in the far corner of this photo, you will see my "set up".  I have a printer there and everything (under the gold blanket)!

Although I spend so much time reclined, I CAN go and do things now with the spinal cord stimulator.  No cure, but it did give me a lot of my life back.  Yay!!

Sometime around mid-afternoon, I will get my shower.  I usually wait as late as possible, as hubby really likes that fresh clean hair and skin (truth), and shoot.........if I've already waited THIS long, why not wait until he's almost home.  Right?  lol

6:00PM - Usually eat dinner around this time.  Most often, just a light dinner as we eat our heavier meals at lunch.  A few times a week, I will cook a full dinner for everyone, but they have to help finish. I'm not able to stand up that long for hte full prep, cooking and cleaning.

7 to 10:30 PM - TV time with hubby

10:30 - 11:00PM - Time to tuck hubby into bed, snuggle and chat some more.  Once he's fallen into a deep slumber, I'm back out to the living room, where I usually read voraciously online for many hours.   Current topics: EFT/Meridian Tapping, EMDT - Eye Movement Desensitization Response, and learning how to thread my own eyebrows!

I do miss the "old" Cheri's life.....I was such a hyper girl, always buzzing here and there.  Never did I have a clue that in my late 30's, life would take such a turn.  I'm now 43 and wish my body looked it!  It is humbling, knowing this isn't exactly why hubby signed up for, let alone what I deal with every day.  But I put that smile on because things could be SO much worse, and I know that.  

I have the most amazing husband, who has stood by me through all of these surgeries and procedures, and is an excellent nurse.  He is my best friend and just an amazing support for me.  Without him, I don't know where I would be today.  He's absolutely the best. 

Show Us Your Life -My Favorite Beauty Tips and Products!

 

It's .Beauty Tips and Favorite Products week over at Kelly's Korner!  I am getting no reimbursement from any of these companies, FYI.

OK, first and foremost, the number one product I canNOT live without (and I have tried to live without for over a year!) are these 2 products from SWISA Beauty - 

This Dead Sea Salt Facial Peel is the BOMB!! (Found under the Anti-Aging section of the website.)  First, it lasts forever and you use it about once a week.  You rub it on your face and it peels all the dead skin layers right off, leaving the most luscious, smooth skin ever!

Then I follow with the Dead Sea Firming Moisturizer. You must use this just after the facial peel, but I also use it every day prior to makeup, as I love it so much!

I have always purchased this at mall kiosks, but I see it is also online.  I don't know why, but we did not pay as much as this website claims.  I don't know if they raised their prices, but we got the facial peel, the moisturizer and the rainbow sea salt souffle for a total of $80 if I remember correctly.  I know, GASP, right?  But honestly, I went over a year without this product and I just could not find anything that even came close to the results.  I saved my holiday and birthday money, and purchased more as soon as I could!

Now, on days I am going out, I will use the following and consider it a must as well (but not if I am staying home for the day) - Korres Face Primer.  In fact, I reviewed this HERE.  If you have never tried a face primer but hate the smelly chemical ones and not sure if you want to use silicone on your face, THIS product is for you!  Your foundation will go on flawlessly and gives a glow to your skin.

In general, I do not like to spend a lot of money of makeup, but will spend a bit more on skin care.    I have  been trying a brand new product exclusively to Sephora for the last month, and I have to say - it is living up to its claims.  

Philosophy Miracle Worker(TM) Miraculous Anti-Aging Retinoids Pad and Solution

When you first open the product, you poor that liquid into the pad container and use one pad per day for 60 days.  As I said, I am one month in, and so far 2 doctors have said I look 10 years younger, and Andy lays at night and runs his fingers over my face, commenting how beautiful and smooth my skin is lately.  My fine lines and wrinkles are less noticeable and overall, my skin is tighter and firmer.

So, now to the actual makeup!  I usually use the cheaper foundations, although I do love Jane Iredale mineral makeup and especially her Disappear concealer.  This amazing concealer has Green Tree Extract and helps heal the blemishes you are covering up.

I use her Amazing Base Mineral Powder in the summer.  I use color "Natural".

However, on a normal day, lately I have been using Maybelline Dream Liquid Mouse in the color Light 3.5.

After I put on the foundation (following the Dead Sea Firming Moisturizer and the Korres Face Primer), I will put on this Fast Fix Eye Shadow Base from Sally Hanson Natural Beauty by Carmindy.  This will hold your eye shadow in place all day.

 

Now, did you know that if you have BROWN eyes and are approaching your 40's, that you should not wear peach colors?  Many brown-eyed girls love peach, but it honestly ages us.  Try using pink shades, such as this and notice how much younger and brighter your eyes look.

Neutrogena Nourishing Eye Duo - in Sweet Dusk or Sugar Plum.  Use the pink shades on the lid overall, and then a plum or cocoa shade in the crease.

I've also started wearing these new Maybelline Expert Wear® Eye Shadow Quads in "Charcoal Smokes"  So pretty with brown eyes!

Now, for eye lining, I like 2 different products.  Did you know that you should put the liner on the top of your lashes only?  Just maybe put it in the corners on the underside, but never all the way under your lashes?  I used to wear it upper and lower lashes and when I switched to just lining the upper lids, WOW.  What a difference!  Really makes your eyes POP!

Jane Iredale Cream to Powder Eyeliner - I use the brown shades, but this site recommends the color in the photo below for brown eyes.  Maybe have to try that!

And I recently purchased these eyeliners from Cover Girl Line Exact Liquid Liner- I LOVE the "Smoke" color and also the "Very Black".  These go on so smoothly - just beautiful!  Also, a nice compact size that fits so well in your hands and makes application so easy.

 For Mascara, I either use Maybelline Great Lash Washable Mascara in "Very Black" for everyday.

But if I am going out, I LOVE this new mascara from Loreal -Telescopic Explosion in "Blackest Black".  This gives you a real WOW look, super long lashes that last all day long.  I don't wear this every day, as it is a little dramatic.  lol

For blush, I use Neutrogena Healthy Skin^® Blends Sheer Highlighting Blush in the color "Healthy".  This looks beautiful on your skin with the varied shades mixed giving natural highlights.

For my lips, I generally use Maybelline SuperStay Lip Color in "Wildberry".  You put on the color, then wait a bit until it feels sticky, then use the other end which is the lip gloss and smooth it on your lips. This lasts a very long time, through eating and even kissing! 

 

For shampoo and conditioners, I am trying to avoid all SLS - Sodium Lauryl Sulfates and other chemicals. Here is a link that explains what we should avoid: 

  Top 16 Ingredients That Should Never Be Used in Shampoos.

 My current favorite is from the Kinky Curly line.  (I have wavy/curly hair and currently flat iron it.  But when I get out of the shower, my hair is a tangled mess, and these products are amazing.)  I LOVE Come Clean Shampoo and Knot Today Detangler.  Since I have wavy hair, I do rinse most of this out.  For those with thicker, curlier hair, they can leave the detangler in.  You have never experienced hair THIS soft, ever!

 

 

A new product I am using prior to flat ironing my hair is Marrakesh Oil from Earthly Body.  This is a wonderful product that you put in damp hair and it :

• Gives Brilliant Shine
• Moisturizes & Conditions Naturally
• Protects & Moisturizes for Thermal Styling
• Absorbs Quickly, Without Greasiness
• Controls Frizziness
• Protects Hair From Elements

Just today, I read on "A Love Worth Waiting For" by Lyndise,  a recommendation to get Kenra Hairspray, so I  ran out to try some.  Oh my goodness - I LOVE it!  I got the  Volume Spray "25".  I am VERY particular on hairspray and was very shocked to find one I like better than what I've used for years (which has been discontinued.)  There are several choices with this hairspray, from light hold to super hold.  The stylist recommended the "25" as it is their most popular product in this line.  You can still run your fingers through your hair, but it holds nicely and has nice shine.  I came home and tried it and WOW!  She's right! 

I'm loving my new Sedu Professional Ceramic Tourmaline Straightening Iron.   It is AMAZING! 

 

Phew!  Am I done?  I think so!  lol  This will be so nice for me to look back on, as well.  Love how blogging can help you journal everything about your life!

 Have a glorious day!

P.S. I apologize for all the font and color changes. I do NOT know what happened, and have spent too much time trying to figure it out. Coding is all going blurry on me. Hope it isn't too distracting!