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Monday, March 02, 2015

We Called Her Mike

As I get ready to write my sister's obituary, I realize I need more than a few paragraphs to tell the world about her life.

Her name was Sandra Kay. We called her Mike. A friend of my grandparents did some work for them and the only payment he wanted was that they name the next grandchild after him. I think he might have been joking but, when my sister was born, she was nicknamed Mike.

She had her Thanksgiving reunion with family




I called her my big sister and we were always very close. After our mother passed away, we held each other up, we held each other together, and we just held on. My mother had taught both us of a lot before she passed away, but it was Mike who continued teaching me the things I hadn't always been ready to learn when Mom was around.

Mike taught me to cook - not just throw things out of a package and into a pot and call it a meal, but to put some heart and soul into the food, She taught me how to get past bad relationships and how to nourish the good ones. She was there when I needed to cry, laugh, be silly, or rant and rave. She was my buffer against some of the worst things life threw at me. She was there when I was sick. I was there when she was sick.

She was often sick in the past several years. First came the kidney failure, but there was dialysis. Next came the leg amputations, but there were wheelchairs. Then came the cancer, but there was chemo.

For dialysis, you need an access for the transfer to take place. Mike had a fistula in her arm. That was the safest option of the very few she had. The fistula was becoming worn though.

With family in November 2014
When you are in a wheelchair, you are plagued with sores and the breakdown of flesh and bone.

When you have chemo you - well, you know most of this: sickness, more weakness, more infections, etc.

Mike never complained much. She would get tired, of course. Getting around in a wheelchair isn't easy or that much fun for someone older and weaker. But, as tired as she got -tired of it all - she focused more on being an encouragement to the people around her,

Even in sickness & pain, she was a light
If Mike knew someone needed it, she would comfort them. There are young people all over the U.S. and around the rest of the world who were blessed by her- friends of the children she birthed and the children she raised. She gave them advice when they needed it, fed them to show love, held them when they cried over various things, and laughed with and teased them to brighten their hearts.

If you were her friend, you were her friend for life. She remained best friends with her ex-husband (who had been her high school sweetheart) for over 40 years. He called this week to find out what day he needs to be here for her memorial. He lives thousands of miles away in another state.

When the staff at the dialysis center where she received treatment learned of her passing, I personally called some of them and heard them break down in grief. I heard that others were absolutely heartbroken at the news.

Mike had known those people for a long time, but that's not why they reacted the way they did. They reacted the same way that anyone who met Mike for more than a minute would react at the news.

While she was in the hospital, nurses and staff that knew her for less than 2 weeks, felt a sincere joy at having met her. An anesthesiologist visited her after one of her surgeries just to say hi and have a moment's chat with her. For no reason other than he thought she was an amazing woman. He's right, she was.
Mike and D.J.

Before her last surgery, she sent me on an errand. "Go to the store," she told me. "Pick up something nice for the nurses." I had no idea what to get, but Mike suggested coffee or chocolate because "Nurses work so hard, so they can always use caffeine."

There was a patient in the room next door to Mike on the Renal Ward. When Mike noticed that this woman never had personal visitors, she had me make a point to speak to the lady at every chance. "Don't forget to say hi to the neighbor," she'd tell me any time I was leaving her room for something.

That was my sister.

So beautiful & always smiling
One day, when she was undergoing yet another session of poke-and-prod, I stood by, trying to be the comforting little sister. I held her hand and stroked the top of her head. After about 5 minutes, she waved my hand away and said, "Girl, if you don't stop stroking my head like I'm a genie..." I stopped and we all laughed about it.

That was also my sister.

When my sister ran into sudden and unexpected complications after a last surgery to create an access for dialysis and was moved to the ICU, she was weak and very, very tired. She didn't talk much, but she'd search my face to see how I was doing. Even at that point in her fight with Death, she was worried about me. We'd hold hands and, just because I couldn't help myself, I'd stroke her head. I'd kiss her face and tell her I loved her, She try to tell me the same.

Mike had a restless night on Friday, At some point very late into the night, she was given something for her pain and was able to rest. I moved away to sit on the sleep chair the hospital provided for me. I was just going to sit there and let my sister rest. I wasn't going to sleep.

Some time later, I don't remember the time, I woke up to the nurse's voice as she tried to rouse Mike. I ran over and tried to wake my sister. I held her hand and she seemed to be squeezing mine just a bit, but she didn't wake up. Her heart was beating but she was already heading away.

I called her kids - the ones who were here already in town - and told them to come say goodbye. And I watched the monitors that told me Mike was still breathing, having a pulse and heartbeat, I watched those monitors and realized that they mean nothing to a soul who belongs to God.

My sister belonged to God. I'm thankful that He gave her to the rest of us for 63 years, but I know that she was ready to go to Him.

One of the hardest things I have ever done so far in my life was to kiss my sister goodbye and tell her what she and I had told my mother on her deathbed. I told my sister that if she was tired enough, she should just go Home so she could rest. I told her that I would be okay, her kids - all of them - would be okay, and that everyone who loved her would be okay.

While the kids and I sat around her, holding her hand, touching her face and trying not to ask God for her to remain, I watched those monitors. Then something made me turn my head to look toward the windows. I looked out at the view of the mountains, just for the shortest moment - maybe long enough to take one breath. When I looked back at my sister, the kids were looking at the monitor. There were no more lines and graphs tracking anything, There was just a clock.

My sister is gone, but she's not. Everything beautiful that she brought to this life is still here. Mike is dead but she is alive. She's somewhere none of the rest of us can fathom. There is no music, there are not words, there's no scientific theory, and no creative imagining to even let the rest of us glimpse the glory she has gone home to.

I can't fit all this into a newspaper obituary. I can't fit in all the names of the people she is leaving behind. I can't describe how so many people who loved her dropped everything and flew into town just to attend her memorial - or how those who could not be here have been calling and sending flowers and cards and paying their respects by phone and email. I can just tell you that she was loved, is loved, and will be missed and remembered by us forever.

We called my sister Mike. She was born in Texas on December 27, 1951 and she died on February 28, 2015. It doesn't matter what she is called now. She is resting.

Peace
--Free



Friday, February 27, 2015

What's Hard About Dying

I'm sitting here, taking some time to pray and reflect while my sister is fighting several medical issues. Everything in this post is something I would normally share with her during one of our talks. I decided to share my thoughts here.




What's hard about dying is being the one left to live without a loved one.

It's hard to accept that the person will be gone, that you won't wake up with them here.

What's hard is not being selfish; being able to let them know that it's okay to let go. Hard not to make all the bargains with God that you have no right to make.

It's hard to suddenly come face to face with the idea that we all are born to, eventually, die. Life is temporary. We know that and we hear it in whispers every time we hear about the death of someone else's loved one, but we hear it as a roar of grief when it's us that's saying goodbye.

No matter how hard life is, death is harder. Life in hard for the individual, sometimes by their own choices. Death is hard on all the ones who love you, need you, and think they cannot go on without you.

What's hardest about death is that it's so easy.

I am loosely repeating something I once heard: "Everybody wants to meet Jesus, but nobody wants to die."

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Support Beams

I want to thank all my online buddies for there encouragement and prayers over the last several days.

This is the loneliest, scariest, most faith-testing time I have ever had to go through. I've gained some strenght and some character, I've cried and rejoiced. I've learned that this life is like a building. There are parts of it that are purely for decoration, but the most important parts are the hidden support beams.

I have had to find where my strongest support beams are. I have learned that there are the weaker ones too. They are there in the talking but not in the doing; there to be noticed, but not there when that earthquake hits.

I also am learning that the way a lot of people behave at the possible approach of Death has nothing to do with the way the behave at funerals and memorials.

Most important - and hardest of all, but the best - is that I have learned more about myself than I have about other people. I have learned that I am stronger than I knew, that I am often weaker than I ever thought. I have learned that I am tough. I have learned that I love harder than I realized.

So, thank you for your prayers and positve thoughts. Keep them coming. This battle is not over yet.

Peace
--Free

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Taking A Break

I have some urgent stuff happening in my life right now. Until things get back to normal, I will not be able to post often.

Keep me and my family in your prayers and thoughts.


Peace
--Free

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

**REVIEW** Sole Magic Foot Smoothing Pad

If you have problems with dry, scaly or callused feet, I'm going to scream at you to go and get one of these:


That is the Sole Magic Foot Smoothing Pad. And, boy, does it work.

You can get one of these online at the Sole Magic site. It's $7.99 (U.S.) and I'd very happily pay double (triple, if I had more money like that).  It's worth every single penny. I happened to find it cheaper and Walmart ($2.79). I found it a couple of weeks ago and, liked it so much, I went back for another one - just in case the price goes up.

I don't have money to throw around, and that I consider it a problem to "throw around" 3 bucks should tell you how hard up I am! Seriously, I have to be a little tight with the money so, when I bought this, I hung onto the receipt in case it was a dud. I have no problem returning bad products for a refund.

This is no dud. This works so well on my foot calluses, the only thing I wondered about was who the heck would be using it on their elbows. I'm not going to criticize though. My feet were so bad that I would never have taken a Before photo like the person on the Sole Magic site did. I can tell you that the photo is no trick. The foot smoothing pad works that well.

I am surprised that I never heard of this product before noticing it at Walmart. It was on one of those junky and badly placed racks where you can find everything from the latest things being hawked on infomercials to some hosiery. HOSIERY? Whatever.

The main reason I bothered to take a closer look at this smoothing pad is because I always take a closer look at any product for feet. And that's why I held on to my receipt until I saw the results I got. I have bought (and returned) so many products that claim they'll moisturize and smooth and, basically, keep you from shrouding your crusty, cracked, calloused feet in gauze to keep from offending other people. A couple of them did moisturize well (not well enough for my feet), and one or two of them lived up to at least part of the claims made (on TV, in magazines and by celebrity hawkers), but none of them worked fully as well as I'd like. One of them would have been great if it had been better designed.


The Sole Magic smoothing pad works mostly (I assume) because it has the basic concept of a foot file worked into a great design.

It's easy to hold and grip the smoothing pad, which seems to be the best part of the design. You don't have to exert a lot of pressure to remove the dead skin from your feet. And for the calluses... Oh! It just filed them right down to nothing.

I especially like that the pad smoothes the skin on your feet (and get's rid of calluses) without hurting at all. With some other foot file devices, I was afraid to use them too much because I didn't want to end up with scraped feet. It's the same reason I don't ever let anyone use razors when I (rarely) get a pedicure.

Before using this foot smoothing pad, I had stopped wearing certain types of shoes - just because my calluses were so painful. I could never walk barefoot around the house because the hardwood floors were like torture devices with each step. I spent about 10 minutes on each foot. Most of the time was used on my calluses because they were thick and located in odd places. The way the smoothing pad is made for gripping and angling is perfect. For my heels (which aren't so bad) and just for the overall smoothing out of my feet, I was done in no time.

Like with anything that files/smoothes dead skin, you're going to get that nasty skin ash falling everywhere. I usually try to do these kinds of foot treatments over the empty tub or over a towel, just to keep down on the mess. Plus, it's kind of gross. Another benefit of using the Sole Magic smoother is that it can be used wet or dry. I did my first smoothing treatment with a dry pad. A few days later, I did try it out in the bathtub. My feet were already pretty smoothed up by then though. I think that I will like it better wet for random "touch up" treatments, but I needed to full effect of a dry pad to handle these calluses!

After treating your feet to a smoothing, you can really tell a big difference - HUGE - right away, but you will be super impressed when you apply lotion to your nice new footsies. For me, it was better than a post-pedicure feel, and it didn't take all that soaking and waiting and paying. Besides, I'd rather take care of my own feet than risk some of the infections I've heard you can pick up at a mani-pedi salon...

Depending on how well I treat my feet (keeping them moisturized) and how dry or humid our weather is, I expect to do a smoothing treatment about once a month. Just touch up work. The pad seems to be sturdy enough to last for at least a few months, maybe more.

I'd check out my local drugstores before I ordered online. If your feet are in the shape mine were, you're not going to want to wait for shipping. Plus, it's nice to stock up on a couple of better-priced products while you can.

Recently, I've been wearing all my cute boots that my calluses made just standing uncomfortable. I can't wait for summer when I can wear my sandals...

Peace
--Free

Sunday, February 15, 2015

**REVIEW** Derma Roller System

This was one review that I was a little frightened of once I saw the actual product. The Derma Roller System is a skin care product device that is meant to
"naturally stimulate collagen and elastin in the skin to promote healthier skin cells"
Also, use of the Derma Roller is promoted as being able to "treat common problems such as wrinkles, skin hyperpigmentation, scars (including acne scars), uneven skin, stretch marks and even hair loss." Please remember all that for later in the review...

This is the device -

1.0mm needle length

Those little "teeth" on the rolling part at the top? Small as they are, those made me nervous - much the way toddlers can do. Those needles are tiny and the length you choose are based on how you plan to use the Derma Roller: 0.5 - 1.0mm for face; 1.0mm (and up) for body; 0.5mm for hair.

Thank goodness I chose the right size for either face or body! Once I saw the device, I decided a body treatment was the way to go. No way am I rolling those little needles on my face! I'm sure there are people with more guts, but I'm just a chicken about scratching, poking, or doing anything the slightest bit invasive to my facial skin.
Even the Roller is not huge
Since I decided to do a body treatment, I wanted to start with a "test" area. My legs could use some work. They look lots better now but, after losing weight, I could use a little help in the skin tone.

I prepared for my first treatment and immediately ran into issues with the directions and the other item included in the package. There are only 2 items in the packet - the Roller and this "Purederm" mask of mysterious uses.


A mask comes *with* it? Well, duh!
Let me say this: I can be excited about almost anything that is described as "Soothing. Relaxing. Moisturizing." The thing is, from what I can tell, that mask has not one thing to do with the Derma Roller Treatment.

Oh. Wait! I might be wrong...

 Item Number 2 of the instructions (for the face treatment) indicate placing "one sheet of Peptide Mask" on your face for 10 minutes.

Nope. Not wrong. The mask they included is not the mask they are referencing.

Oh boy.

As I continued reading the instructions, I realized that it wasn't just the Peptide Mask that wasn't included. Depending on which treatment you chose, you were going to be making a store run for something.

It was at this point that I started to wonder about the effectiveness of a treatment that:

  1. Claims to help stimulate collagen and elasticity to my face, but instructs me to purchase collagen, peptide masks, etc.
  2. Claims to help treat wrinkles, etc., but instructs me to purchase a "nutrient rich" lotion; and
  3. Claims it can help treat hair loss, but instructs me to purchase Minoxidil at my pharmacy.
I didn't expect to have to go shopping
Why wouldn't I just purchase all those things in the first place and skip this Derma Roller treatment?

Could it be that the wording promoting the Derma Roller is just twisted around? Maybe they should inform potential customers that use of the Roller enhances the use of other skin and hair products? 

I don't know.

This all put me off a little. I didn't expect to have to round up a bunch of other products in order to use this one. You know?

At any rate, I went ahead and tested the Roller on a spot on my leg. I used my own "nutrient rich" lotion after and the results aren't in yet. I do know that I'm very glad I tested this NOT on my face. My leg tingled for about an hour after the treatment. I don't know if it was a cell-renewing tingle or not, but it's not a tingle I'd want on my face. Other than that tingle, which started about 10 minutes after treatment, I can't see any real difference. 



I even marked the treated area on my leg

Maybe I'm not supposed to see immediate results, but I don't think I will be using this device again. I'll just stick to my nutrient rich lotion.


If you want to know more - because I only tried the one treatment - this is the website for the Derma Roller System. You can try the product for 60 days, risk-free, with their guarantee.

Peace
--Free


DISCLOSURE:
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Friday, February 13, 2015

**Book Review** Starfish on Thursday

This is a review of "Starfish on Thursday", a collection of essays written by Amie Ryan.



Ms. Ryan manages to put a new lens on wonderful glimpses of common life incidents. I found myself nodding along with so much of what she had to say that I felt like a bobble-head doll. In a few instances, I was pulled in with fascination at learning more about something I'd only ever had a passing glance at from my window on society. Almost all of the time, I was laughing and giggling and making mental notes to share a tidbit of a story with a friend.

If I'm correct, I counted 23 essays and I thoroughly loved 22 of them. I even sort of like the one that was for people who love animals more than I do. 

Amie writes with such an honest voice about things most of us can relate to so well - dating and raising children, and she has the best ever options for gun ownership. Even when she takes on the most serious subjects, she does so with a thoughtfulness and openness that anyone can respect.

The feeling that stayed with me was that, in this book, Amie was not just writing to her readers but having conversations with them. Not all conversations are about pleasant things. Real conversations are about life and death; race and money and gender; being young and being not-so-young, and being human. Some of those conversations are easier than others. 

Yes, I enjoyed this book very much. I enjoy reading anything that helps me grow a new thought, create a new smile line, or stop reading to take notes on how to be a better writer myself. Amie nailed it.

I'd also like to mention that this book would make a great read for group discussion among friends.

By the way, I am thinking of adopting a couple of the author's ideas for my own life - mainly the "15-minute rule of cooking". Oh - and, before I forget, God bless Jimmy Hoffa!

Peace
--Free



Disclosure: Amie Ryan and I are online friends, but there should be no doubt about my ability to be objective in this review. I didn't even get the book for free. But seriously, there is no reason not to be objective and honest. For one thing, Amie wanted an honest review and  I respect her far too much to offer less. Also, I respect my blog readers too much to be anything but honest with them.

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

**REVIEW** Majestic Pure Rosehip Oil



A 100% organic, cold pressed Rosehip Oil from Majestic Pure


Let me start this post with a little bit of a rant about my phone... Somehow my photos of this product was lost in that thing that I use to do almost everything but make phone calls. That's why I had to snag a product photo.

There. Done. Now on to the review:

It may not sound very objective of me to say how much I like the products from this company, but it's the truth. The reasons: the quantity and quality as compared to a lot of similar products from other brands. Majestic Pure is pretty consistent with what they put out there. That's important. This, straight from their site
Majestic Pure Cosmeceuticals  essential oils are 100% pure with no diluents or additives. We provide high quality organic and/or 100% natural botanicals to the public at very competitive prices, with an emphasis on the pure aesthetics and freshness. We have always put an emphasis on conducting business in an ethical, responsible, clear, and ecological way. 

Some of you know that I have a love/hate thing with Rosehip Oils. It's the smell that puts me off. A while back, when I was still getting used to R.O. in general, I almost couldn't stand it. But the benefits to the skin and hair are so good that I have tried different brands. I really, really like this one by Majestic Pure.

This R.O. feels thicker, or heavier, to me, which is good. That odor is still there but it fades fast (or maybe I am just getting used to the smell after using several brands). Because of the thick texture of this one, I came up with a really good use for it on my hair (especially natural, kinky/curly types) and on my hands.

For the hair:

  1. Shampoo the hair and rinse really well. (I find that the better I rinse out the shampoo, the better the rest of this treatment works.) 
  2. Get ready a small size plastic bag (trash or grocery) and some really warm water (not boiling!) so you can use it in a moment.
  3. While hair is still very damp (just "squeezed dry"), rub the R.O. on your palms. Pat palms on your hair. Add more to the ends of your hair (and to the more damaged areas).
  4. (Optional) Instead of wiping your hands free of the R.O., moisturize the edge of your hairline - and the backs of your ears.
  5. Soak a towel (or, as I prefer, a t-shirt) as wet as you can stand to have wrapped around your head.
  6. Fit the plastic bag over your towel-covered head and...
  7. ... Relax. for a while. I like waiting for about 15 minutes before I rinse with lukewarm water.
  8. Couple tips: for different textured hair (fine or not as kinky/dry), you might want to rinse with warmer water, or just use less oil - concentrating on ends and damage. Also, I have done this after just rinsing my hair instead of washing. Whatever works for you.
For the hands:
  1. Use this - instead of or along with- regular lotion before wearing gloves out in cold, dry weather. 
  2. Use after shaving, exfoliating, masking or konjac sponging the skin. You can coat the skin, then blot or wipe clear, or just leave on for soothing effects.
  3. This can be used (very lightly) as a facial moisturizer if you allow time for it to absorb, then blot. At least it works when my skin is super dry. I don't know how it will work for those with different skin types.
The ingredients? Just one:

Like I said, this is a really nice oil. Rosehip seems to be one of those oils that actually provides most of the benefits we hear associated with it.

Finally, Majestic Pure offers a guarantee: they will refund your entire purchase price if you aren't happy.

Peace
--Free


DISCLOSURE:
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.




Tuesday, February 10, 2015

More Online Learning Links

Because this:



A big huge thank you to +Marla Hughes for additions to the links I posted the other day. (When you yell "Help!" Marla is always the first one to arrive. Love her!



Here are the links she provided. I will add more as I have time and hear from other folks:

So there. Can't say you can't learn. Not with all these kinds of resources!


You really can

Peace
--Free

Sunday, February 08, 2015

**Update Attempt** Life-long Learning (links)

*****originally published 8//10 - I have not (yet) updated any links or info because I would like to hear from some of you first. Have any wonderful links to add to this list? If you do, please post them via comments here or on Google Plus. Someone was looking for this kind of info & I think we could all appreciate it. Thanks!*****


I don't usually do this: post info here that belongs on my other blog. But...

I know that some people who read this blog don't always check out my World Wide Wow blog (that's a new name for it, btw!),  and I want to do some shameless plugging for it, so I am posting some self-ed and career links here. If you are into life-long learning or need to refresh or up your skills, these links are for you. Enjoy!

  • Learn Well - This one charges only for C.E. credits (in other words, you can learn free & only pay if you want/need credits). Nice, huh? Covers C.E. courses for RNs, Mft, LCSWs, MFCCs, Pharmacists, Dental Health Workers and others. (Don't get discouraged, keep reading the post for more links!)
  • O.E.R.  (Open Educational Resources) - Here's how they explain their site: "In a brave new world of learning, OER content is made free to use or share, and in some cases, to change and share again, made possible through licensing, so that both teachers and learners can share what they know."  There are various subjects (Arts, Business, Humanities, Math & Stats, Science & Tech, Social Science) and different "grade" levels. Please explore.
  • E-Learning Center - They offer free courses for  those interested in learning HTML, A+, MCSE, Excel and Office. (I see they also have many other courses listed on the homepage - for pay?) Check it out.
  • English as a Second Language - is just exactly what the site is about. From the links on the page, I see there are "listen and speak" tools, podcasts and all sorts of goodies. Really cool & should be helpful to those interested.
  • Free Ed - Nice site & covers LOTS of subjects. (Minor gripe: lots of ads make the site difficult to deal with, but, hey, it IS free, so...)
  • Wanna Learn - good site, lots of topics. A little meandering since you have to find a  subject, then wade through more links to narrow things down. But, again, it's free! LOL
  • Open Learning Initiative - Whew! Can be a little intimidating at first glance, but please give it a shot. (First link I spotted was to a course in "Engineering Statics." I thought it was a typo! ROFL. Shows what I know.... There's a course in something called "Computational Discrete Mathematics" O...kay then... I guess if you understand that then you are smart enough to appreciate that it's free.
  • Math.com - for those who aren't ready for computational discrete mathematics... LOL (like ME!)
  • Wikiversity - Well, we all know how I just love anything "wiki-like!" This is the spot to choose your language preference. When I got to the English page, I noticed that there are supposed to be close to 13,000 learning resources. Wow.
  • Creative Commons - I'm not sure how to describe this resource, so here's their take: "Creative Commons is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to making it easier for people to share and build upon the work of others, consistent with the rules of copyright." I do know that it's free and what really caught my eye is that they have MIT Open courseware available. Somebody has got to love that!
  • G.C.F. Learn Free (Goodwill Community Foundation) - described as "your free learning source." The offerings listed on its homepage are for Everyday Life, Math & Money, Computer Training and Work & Career. Cool.
I think that may be enough for now (if not overload!), and I really hope you take a look at the full list on World Wide Wow. (I update that blog often as I can, but I think I'm going to  have to take a free tutorial so that I can make it look nice and be a little more user-friendly. If anyone wants to volunteer to help a sistah out...!) Also, if you are looking for specific links on something, contact me & we'll see what we can do for ya.

Peace
--Free

Saturday, February 07, 2015

**REVIEW** Poppy Austin Eye Cream (with Green Tea & Vitamin C)

It might sound a little silly that when I received this product to review, all I could think about for the first ten minutes is how good it felt on my skin. I didn't think about smell, ingredients, or if it would irritate my face. I was mesmerized by the texture of the cream. Nothing else.

please ignore my dirty laptop screen!


It's Poppy Austin's Eye Cream with Green Tea and Vitamin C. And, by the way, according to my sister, it's very faintly scented and smells of... green tea? (I have a cold so I had to get her opinion.)
Okay, that photo sucked just a little, so...



Thankfully, I pulled myself together and got back to the job of doing an objective review for this eye cream - (though it's not just for the eye area).

This comes in a pump jar. I like products in a pump jar, but only if I can get a lot of use with minimal pumps. So, the first question, for me, was: How much coverage would I get per pump? Answer: one pump to do my undereye area and across my nose. One pump. Nice.

The reason one pump of this covered so well is because of the texture I was raving about right off the bat. The cream is super moist (I think I described it as almost damp. Most creams - even the most moisturizing - don't have that kind of "wetness"). I believe - and this is just me - that it's what the label calls its "enriched blend" of ingredients. The aloe could also lend to the high moisture level.

Whatever the reason, the texture and the feel on my skin is what really wowed me. The cream itself looks like just about any other facial moisturizer: white, thinner than body lotion, and really creamy.

Because what dispensed with one pump was more than enough for my undereye area (and because the cream can be used as a full-face product), I went ahead and, well used it full-face.

Dispensing the cream onto the back of my hand, I used my fingers to just dot tiny amounts around my face, then rub it in. Know how we are warned to be so gentle with the eye area? So that we don't tug at our skin? Well, there's no tugging with this. It's so moist that it just glides over the face, Good coverage, small amount. Love that this will last a long time.

This is how the product defines its use:
 Directly Tackles Dark, Sagging, Baggy Eyes as well as Fine Lines, Crows Feet and Wrinkles.
Well. I don't have the dark or sagging or baggy eyes, but I do have the fine lines, crows feet and... Well not a lot of wrinkles.

#SmileLinesAreNotWrinkles!

Moisture is the biggest weapon against fine lines on the skin, so I think this is going to be great for minimizing, or at least keeping those lines in check. I'd love to hear from someone else about whether this works as well for dark circles. Lord knows, we are all living with enough stress to develop some of those skin problems.

Now. That is all what I love about this product. I didn't have any negative issues with it, but ran into something that is my personal flaw: I have combo skin. Depending on the weather, my face is "Normal/Dry" or "Normal/Super-dry". (As in arid as the Sahara.) This cream worked amazingly well as a moisturizer of the Normal and Dry parts of my face...

... Except for my chin. My chin is just ri-dic-cu-lous!

The Poppy Austin cream actually did soothe the dryness of my chin, but after a while, I had to add more product to that one area. Who knows, maybe with continued use, even that part of my face might get better? Let us hope.

Now, for the other important stuff, I'm going to leave you with a list (well, a photo) of the ingredients, and the happy note about the manufacturer's guarantee of a FULL refund if you are not happy with the product.

Also be sure to check out the actual Poppy Austin site! I like what they have to say on the "Our Story" page.

Here is a partial list of ingredients from the product page on Amazon, and a photo of more ingredients as shown in the product page photo:
"Poppy Austin® revitalizing under eye cream contains a cleverly combined blend of 72% organic and natural ingredients. These include our luxurious organic Aloe, Grapeseed Oil, organic Jojoba Oil, Green Tea, Lemon Citrus, organic Rosehip Oil, Vitamins E and C and many other sumptuous moisturizers and natural antioxidants. A full list of ingredients is located on the product packaging" 


Since I had trouble with the image copy, my photo attempts to better show all ingredients listed:


Peace
--Free



DISCLOSURE:
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Sunday, February 01, 2015

Love to my Circle

I think I have finally (finally!) found the perfect way for using Google Plus. 

All I did was re-organize a little. Put the people I actually communicate with in a priority circle, and put all the rest in their own big circle. Now, all I have to worry about is (maybe) moving folks from the big circle to the priority circle. 

The past couple of days on G+ have been the best. I'm actually having conversations with people instead of running all over my stream trying to keep pace.

So, love to my special little circle...




Can't wait to meet more of the best.








Wednesday, January 28, 2015

**REVIEW** Minzos 4-in-1 Turbo Pen

This is a product that is probably intended for people with more important things going on than I do, but I can always use a new gadget, right?

4 tools in 1 handy little gadget that I can clip to my pocket, purse or backpack:



It's Minzos 4-in-1 Turbo Pen

The best about this -
  • A ballpoint pen that writes well. It's smooth and not leaky.
  • The penlight which I like because it keeps me from using the app that drains my phone battery.
  • The stylus is probably my favorite part of this tool. The point is thick and cushy and it doesn't seem like it's going to deflate so quickly (like my last stylus did).
  • Also... Okay, I don't really have a sensible use for a presentation pointer, but it's great for playing "Climb the Wall" with our cats, so there's that.
It's a great idea - and it's actually a pretty cool tool, but I had some minor problems with it:
  • Ballpoint pen top does not store on end of pen. Easy to lose it because it rolls around on tables and desks.
  • Whatever is printed on one part of the pen (battery insert instructions, maybe?) is so small I literally could not read it with a magnifying glass. Gave up and hope it's not important. But... it's probably about the batteries, which...
  • Fell out when the top popped off after I'd been using the pen the very first day. They are little, itty-bitty batteries and I'm still looking around for the one I lost.
The popping off of the top is a real problem. I didn't even get a chance to get photos of the light functions in use because, well, it's only a 2-function tool if you lose a battery.

Basically, I really do like the tool. It's pretty nice having the multiple functions without digging around in my purse for a bunch of different gadgets. I will get around to replacing the battery when I get around to it but, in the meantime, I am just using to pen and stylus. 

Another positive thing I want to point out is that this is not a cheap, light-weight item. It's sturdy enough in the hand and looks good. There is an insert with the product that instructs you to register the item within 10 days of purchase "for a free upgrade to your warranty" (from 1 year to 18 months).

I kind of don't like the confusing wording of the "upgrade" deal. After the initial notice that I mentioned above, instructions follow for you to register for the exclusive "Alpha User's Group). As a member of the group, you get a "free extended warranty" on your product "from 1 year to 18 months (immediate replacement)" 

Anyway.

From reading some other reviews just now, I see that some users have the same issues I do with the top coming loose. The biggest problem with this item is that there are many similar gadgets to choose from (at varying prices). The few irritations could send a customer to another product.

Peace
--Free


DISCLOSURE:
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

**REVIEW* Adovia Dead Sea Bath Salts (UPDATED)

Since I have tried (and mostly love) many Adovia products, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one:

INSERT PHOTO

Ta-da! Adovia's Dead Sea Bath Salts.

Nice, big, 1.75lb pouch. At least I could tell that was the weight when I weighed the bag for myself. You see, there was no label indicating the weight on the package. I also had to rely on the product page to get any information on how best to use the salts.

But.

Once I did get the information...
"The mineral rich salts of the Dead Sea are wonderful to use when attempting to naturally soothe aches and pains from dry skin disorders, joint pain disorders, and muscle pain disorders. They're also great to use when unwinding from a long stressful day or week and your body has been overexerted. Salts of the Dead Sea have been used for centuries to provide soothing relief and now you get to enjoy the benefits of the Dead Sea, too! Use them to sooth painfully dry skin due to Psoriasis, Dermatitis, or Eczema. Use them to relax after a long day at work. Use them to sooth overexerted muscles after a long workout at the gym. And you could even use them to sooth pains from Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. This natural muscle soother is even perfect to use when creating a spa like setting in the comfort of your own home. All you have to do is set the mood in the room where you plan on soaking in the Dead Sea salts, fill the tub, pour in the salts, soak and enjoy. Using Dead Sea salts to soothe dry skin, joint and muscle aches and pains is a fast, effective, and natural way to find relief. Did you know that you can soak in a tub full of these natural salts and warm water to find relief from stress and insomnia as well? Directions for Use of Dead Sea Bath Salts 1. To use these natural bath salts, simply pour 1 cup of salts into a bath tub that is filling with warm water or that has already been filled with warm water. 2. Allow the salts to dissolve before getting in to the bath tub. 3. Get into the bath tub, relax and soak for about 20 minutes. 4. Follow-up with a warm rinse. Dip your body into a Dead Sea salt enriched bath tub every evening before retiring to bed, or at the end of a very long week at work. Use them every day or as needed. The choice is yours. One thing's for sure, regardless of how often you use these naturally soothing bath salts you'll never regret their investment thanks to the many rewards you'll discover." (straight from the product page at Amazon)

...I was happy to see that the salts "Contain absolutely zero additives, colors, or scents. Higher Level of Minerals and Relief than Epsom Salts", but I was still curious about the "over 26 essential minerals the body needs for natural soothing and relaxation" and such. I want a list of the minerals.

If something has great ingredients and there are different ways to use a product, I want to know without having to do a lot of research. Basically, with this product, I wish that all the information had been printed on a cheap piece of paper and slipped inside the bag of salts. Or taped to the back. Or stapled to the bag. Something. You know? (I'm having issues lately with products not coming with adequate information included. Just a peeve of mine.)

Anyway, I don't suffer from any serious skin conditions and I don't (thank goodness) have problems such as Arthritis or Fibromyalgia. What I do have is (selfishly) a love of soft skin. And feet that are more high maintenance than a trophy wife.

Now, my feet are doing better (thanks to a nifty little item I found at a local store, but that's for another post), but I decided to treat them with a soak using these salts. (Okay, here's the deal: I already had a shower today and I'm too lazy to do the whole-body bath thing this late at night.)

So... I tested the salts on these troublesome dawgs of mine. Since I was just doing my feet (and using a foot tub), I went with a quarter cup of salts dissolved in very warm water. I soaked my feet for about 15 minutes. I would have gone the whole 20, but my phone battery was going low and I was expecting an important call. Whatever. 15 minutes or so was apparently good enough because, wow. My feet came out so soft. Actually, I got my feet and ankles, which is good because the backs of my ankles get so dry and irritated from my footwear that the skin is always flaky. (And now you know too much.)

I don't know and cannot tell you if these salts work for the more serious issues addressed in the product description but, baby, if you want something to soften your skin - well, these salts will do it. My feet are like the go-to part of my body for testing a product! If these can soften my feet, well...

Another benefit to these salts is that they actually softened the water. When I lived in Arizona (and some parts of Texas), the water was so hard that you could almost beat someone with it. Here in Alaska, we have some of the best water in the world, but these salts did give the water a soft and almost silken feel. That's going to be heavenly when I take a nice, long bath.

If I have one caution, it's this: I know that some people use Epsom salt to get rid of excess water (by ingesting or by soaking). If these salts do the same thing, just take precaution when using. Besides, I'm not sure what all 26 minerals are involved.

Adovia is great about standing behind their products, but I didn't see any kind of guarantee on the product page. However, this is set at a great price (about $12) for such a hefty bag of salts.

Enjoy!

Peace
--Free

P.S.: The temps here have been sticking at single digits here for the past several days. I have a nasty cold and the chills, so I took a nice, hot soak in the tub last night. Added about 1 cup of the bath salts and fell asleep for about 40 minutes. (Yes, 40 minutes. No kidding. When I woke up after the first 25 minutes, I just added more hot water.) The rest of my body love these salts as much as my feet do. One other thing I noticed: when I moisturized right afterwards -and promptly went to bed - my skin stayed better hydrated throughout the whole night. I don't bathe often in really warm water because it's not good for my skin and I have to double-down on the moisturizer. This bath was long and warm, but I made it to late morning before I had to re-moisturize. Last of all, I don't think I slept any better than usual, but the bath was relaxing.

**UPDATE** I forgot to add something. This tends to leave the skin ashy and dry. Make sure to rinse your body thoroughly and moisturize very well after using.

DISCLOSURE:
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

**REVIEW** Shine Whitening

For about a year, I've been wanting to do a treatment to brighten my teeth. I kept backing off because the ones I saw at local stores were too expensive or too complicated looking. And I have a short attention span.

When I got the chance to review this one, via Tomoson, I took the jump. It's Shine Whitening.

www.freebeingfree.blogspot.com review of Shine Whitening
Doesn't look anything like me!
If I'd had to purchase this, I don't think $30 is too much to pay. (I've seen ones at the store as high as $50+). This one also didn't sound like it was going to be that complicated. Here's my one gripe as I get ready to try it out: The instructions on the package itself are very general. I mean, just basic. For something that I'm going to be using on my teeth, I expected a little more info included with the product. Instead, I was directed to a website address which didn't load properly. I had to delete the "/zero" part to get started. Minor as far as that goes, but I was already annoyed that I had to go online for the full instruction. (What if I didn't have regular access to the internet?)

Instructions for mouth trays decent. All other instructions were too brief.

By the way, I found the website to be lacking in many ways. For instance, the links to FAQs and other areas went nowhere useful. (Also, the Amazon product site didn't have a list of ingredients for viewers.)

The ingredients: Glycerin, Sodium Bicarbonate, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Fluoride, Aloe Barbadensis, Leaf Juice, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Flavor.
Anyway, let me back up to say that I used the package instructions to prepare the mouth trays. How hard could that be, is what my brain was telling me. Well... This is what the trays looked like when I followed the instructions to shape them to my teeth:


www.freebeingfree.blogspot.com review of Shine Whitening
My bottom teeth are really this jacked up?

www.freebeingfree.blogspot.com review of Shine Whitening
Top teeth... Not so bad. 


~sigh~

Okay. So maybe I should stop listening to my brain since it's kind of sarced out.

By the way, after I shaped the trays, they no longer fit as well into the provided retainer case.


I decided that, yes, I should probably check out the more detailed instructions online (for using the mouth tray because, let's face it, I was going to have to do the re-shaping of them again).

Okay. I got the trays to fit better. I got the "detailed" instructions. I manged to get the light working (had a little run in with the battery cover, which is not easy to grip). I managed to get the trays lubricated with the whitening gel and into my mouth. THEN... I had to get the light into my mouth. I felt like a Cracked Magazine version of a chick imitating Hannibal Lector.


www.freebeingfree.blogspot.com review of Shine Whitening
It's pretty awkward having to have the trays and light stuffed in your mouth for fifteen minutes. (It's suggested to use for 15 to 30 minutes per treatment.)

I lasted 13 minutes and 43 seconds before I was drooling all down my shirt. The whole time I was drooling and trying not to lock my jaw up, my little nephew was trying to hold a conversation with me about his new toy car and my sister (who is a little loopy from an infection) was laughing at the both of us. I couldn't wait to get that contraption out of my mouth.

But when I did. Wow.

This is what my teeth looked like pre-whitening:

www.freebeingfree.blogspot.com review of Shine Whitening
I didn't even brush with paste before this pic

This is what they looked like after one treatment:
Lips need a scrub, but the teeth are whiter
That's not a trick of the light. I used the kit, rinsed, and then brushed my teeth with a non-whitening paste.

I didn't expect such noticeable results right away. The package label suggests using the kit for 4 weeks. At the rate that this worked, I'll be happy just using it once every few weeks. This stuff really did work. I'm not kidding about using it just every now and then. If I used twice a day, as suggested, I think I'd end up with unnaturally white teeth. I'm pretty impressed. I'm impressed enough that I don't mind the hassle I had to endure to use the kit. I'm impressed enough that I think I'll be purchasing another kit when this one runs out.

This is one of those times that I expected to be kind of ticked off by a product (which has really only happened once before), but come away amazed by the quick results. So, to summarize:

CONS -
  • Instructions are lacking & having to go online for only slightly better "detailed" instructions is annoying. Why not just insert better instructions into the packaging in the first place? Especially when the website you give for more instructions is not there.
  • The trays are difficult to shape to your teeth (or maybe I just have really crazy-to-fit teeth), If my fitted trays indicate the way my teeth are shaped, I'm a little embarrassed.
  • The gel cartridges are a bit awkward also. The instructions to use a "drop" don't really work if what you really have to do is spread the gel along the front of the tray.
  • There will be some drooling involved. This is not the most discreet way to whiten your teeth.
  • There should have been a larger case included to hold the fitted trays. Once you shape them, the case might not be adequate. (I ended up putting my trays into a baggy for storage.)
  • I don't know about you but, in spite of what the website says, I won't be using this "on the go or in the office. Not unless I am President and have Secret Service agents keeping out anyone who might see me with this thing in my mouth and drool wetting my chin. No, ma'am. I have no idea how anyone would even manage to use this "on the go". Where are you going to go looking like a deranged, drooling maniac? With a blue light in your mouth? Huh.)
  • I didn't see any mention of a product guarantee.
  • Though this states that botanical ingredients are used instead of peroxide, I couldn't find a list of those ingredients on the product website. You'd have to see the package for that.
PROS -
  • There really is none of that weird feeling you get with some other whitening products. No numbness or irritation of the gums. It doesn't even taste that icky. That might be because...
  • ...This kit uses botanical ingredients* instead of peroxide.
  • There is a support number listed on the package in case you have questions. (Con: it's not a toll-free number.)
  • You don't have to use the light; it just "speeds up the process". (But the results with the light seem to be pretty awesome.)
  • It works.
  • It works the very first time you use it.
  • It's fifteen minutes per treatment. Now that I know what to expect, I will do my treatments while bathing or having nothing else in the world to do (including possibly being seen by any other human being).
  • It. Works.
Here is what you get all squeezed into that small box:

The mouth trays are inside the white case

www.freebeingfree.blogspot.com review of Shine Whitening
You also get the little chart
www.freebeingfree.blogspot.com review of Shine Whitening
The light battery cover


If I didn't use this again, I would be happy with the improvement. I drink a lot of coffee, eat a lot of staining berries (and I have cheated with the smoking...), and I drink tons of tea. I don't brush my teeth after every meal. I'm human. If this improved the look of my teeth with one treatment, I imagine it will be amazing for someone motivated enough to use it twice a day for 4 weeks. I imagine you'd be able to use the whiteness of their teeth for a nightlight after 4 weeks.
www.freebeingfree.blogspot.com review of Shine Whitening
This part of light is for your mouth
UPDATE: I realized that I had not removed the tabs from the mouth trays the first time I used the kit. The tabs are there for when you are using hot water to shape the trays. Once I did remove them, the trays (and light) fit much better. It's still not a good look for "on the go" or at the office. Unless you work from home. Behind a locked door. Still, this works so well that, with the trays fitting better, I will be using more often.

Peace
--Free

DISCLOSURE:
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

**REVIEW**Digital Luggage Scale by Gear District


True story:

On one of the trips I've taken in the past 3 years (I can`t remember which trip), I sweated all the way to the airport, worrying that my luggage was going to be too heavy. Since I was being dropped off at such a huge airport, my ride was not going to be able to stick around after tossing me out at the curb (at my own insistence). For the whole ride to the airport, I was toying with the idea of rearranging and unpacking some stuff so that I could just send for it later. I didn't  reorganize or unpack, but I was sure praying that I didn't end up giving away clothes at the airport just so I didn't  have to pay any of the outrageous over-weight luggage fees.

(True-story-inside-a-true-story: a family member once tossed a bunch of cosmetics at the airport. Can`t remember if it was a weight thing or a TSA thing...)

Anyway, on this particular trip, I get to Baggage Check and, thank goodness, I had a super-nice agent. One of my bags was slightly over while the other was lighter. The agent let me rearrange some stuff so that both bags met weight requirements. The only good thing I remember about that trip was that I was too exhausted from the baggage worries to be as nervous as I usually am about actually flying.

Remember when air travel was fun and relaxing? Yeah, me neither.

Anyway. I took you on that little story journey to tell you about this:


Ignore my bad photography. 
 That's the Digital Luggage Scale from Gear District. And I think I'm in love.

Man, I hate flying, but I will sure be loving this the next time I have to go somewhere on a plane. Until now, I`ve used bathroom scales and toddlers to try to get an idea of what my luggage will clock in at. (Yes, toddlers. If you know how much the kid weighs, you try to guess how much heavier or lighter than he/she is than the bag. By the way, neither method works very well.)

This scale is pretty awesome. The only complaint I can come up with (if I dig real deep) is that I struggled with trying to figure out how to put the battery in. On the other hand, I am a little sarc-slow. And, hey, at least they did include the battery. (The battery is one of those flat watch type deals, and I never have any of those around the house. Can`t even dismantle the kid`s toy for one.)

That's the itty bitty battery on the left.
The digital read-out is very clear. You just adjust whether you want lbs or kgs. Hook the scale to the handle of your bag and... well, pick it up and wait for the news. I tested it on some luggage that I still have half-packed from the Thanksgiving trip (don`t dare judge me!) and I would try guess what the weight would read. I was never right. I was never even close.

Um, I should have gotten a photo of a readout, I guess. Oops

This box photo doesn't do it justice, but...
There`s really nothing else I need to tell you about this. It`s just kind of a lifesaver when you travel enough  give yourself ulcers over baggage fees. I`m going to be as arrogant as hell the next time I check bags. Or, at least, I won`t be sweating bullets and playing the game of "Which Pair of Shoes/Jeans/Coat Could I Absolutely Live Without?"


Oh - the scale came with a bonus item: a little combo luggage lock. It`s nice, but I haven`t reset the combination. I might use a lock on my luggage while I am at a hotel or staying with friends who have friends I don't trust, but I`m not trying to dare the TSA to bust into my suitcase. I`m that person who always - ALWAYS - finds that notice inside my bag that it was opened for a "random" check. How random is it when it`s always me? Whatever.

Still, it's nice to have the lock. For hotels & such.

The scale looks nice, too. It`s a brushed stainless steel that feels real sturdy. I mentioned that the readout is clear and easy to read. It`s black numbers on a vibrant blue background. It`s small enough to tuck into your purse or briefcase (and it`s light enough so you don`t add to your worries about its weight.





Yeah, so, if you travel and are not rich (or foolish) enough not to worry about paying overweight bag fees, this is a nifty gadget. The price is good too. When I was sent mine, it was priced at about $15, down from around $40, but I guess that depends on discounts and other changes in prices. It's still cheaper than one payment of an overweight baggage fee. (Trust me, I know from experience.)



Finally, I have to say this: Usually, when a product claims to be a "great gift idea", I wonder if the Marketing crew just ran out of positive things to say and needed to fill some space. With this product, I will say it because it's true: This is a great gift idea. 

And.... the warranty is a Lifetime Hassle-free one.

Peace
--Free

DISCLOSURE:
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.