Thoughts for a New Year

I like this poem by Lillian Gray:

Thoughts for the New Year
Let us walk softly, friend;
For strange paths lie before us all untrod:
For New Year, spotless from the hand of God,
Is thine and mine, O friend.

Let us walk straightly, friend;
Forget the crooked paths behind us now.
Press on with steadier purpose on our brow,
To better deeds, O friend.

Let us walk gladly, friend;
Perchance some greater good than we have known
Is waiting for us, or some fair hope flown,
Shall yet return, O friend.

Let us walk humbly, friend;
Slight not the heart's-ease blooming round our feat:
The laurel blossoms are not half so sweet
Or lightly, gathered, friend.

Let us walk kindly, friend;
We cannot tell how long this life shall last,
How soon these precious years, be overpast:
Let Love walk with us, friend.

Let us walk quickly, friend;
Work our mite while lasts our little stay,
And help some halting comrade along the way:
And may God guide us, friend!
Hope your 2017 is filled with family, friends and fun!

What Do You Remember

What Do You Remember?
The following quizzes, and the subsequent paragraph, are attributed to the late Charles Schulz, creator of the comic strip, Peanuts. I'm passing along his thoughts because I think it's important that we realize what is really important in life.


Quiz 1
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade's World Series winners.


Quiz 2
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.


"The applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners. The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones who cared."

- Charles Schulz

Who will remember you? What will they remember you for?

A Christmas Prayer

A Christmas Prayer

Now that Christmas is officially over I have to reflect on just how blessed I am. My husband's family celebrated Christmas on December 17. On December 23rd my daughter and her family came over to celebrate our traditional Christmas meal. On Christmas Eve my daughter and her family,siblings, nieces, nephews and parents were together at our house.  

We are all in good health, have jobs and homes. Life is exceptionally good. 
Unfortunately it is not that way for everyone. My prayers go out to all who are experiencing heartache and hopelessness this year. Here's a musical video "A Christmas Prayer". It's my wish too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FibFdAWrgUQ

Wordless Wednesday

Which list are you on?

Lessons From Santa

All I Needed to Know About
Life I learned from Santa

Encourage people to believe in you. 

Always remember who's naughty and who's nice. 

Don't pout. 

It's as much fun to give as it is to receive. 

Some days it's ok to feel a little chubby. 

Make your presents known. 

Always ask for a little bit more than what you really want. 

Bright red can make anyone look good. 

       Wear a wide belt and no-one will notice how many pounds you've gained. 

             If you only show up once a year, everyone will think you're very important. 

      Whenever you're at a loss for words, say:

    "HO, HO, HO!"

Wordless Wednesday

Time to get that Holiday baking started!

Thought For The Week

     At this time of the year we all rush around to get our last minute holiday season shopping done, and our levels of irritation seem to increase proportionately with the amount of things that we need to get done.

     Since our lives and needs are important to us, we tend to think that they are far more important than those of others and we forget that others have needs too.

     So when you join the hustle and bustle of this festive season, take a deep breath and count to ten every time you are about to lose your cool, and keep in mind that the person next to you is also looking for that perfect gift, making their money stretch, getting everything done, and would also rather be at home having a quiet and relaxing afternoon or evening.

     On a different note - if you are undertaking any air travel at this time of the year, also remember to drink lots of fluid, and stay off any alcoholic beverages when flying, as it will act as a diuretic and you will lose even more fluid. The cabin air in pressurized aircrafts is very drying, since it contains very little moisture - so also add a good moisturizing cream or lotion when flying.

     Try to enjoy these days before Christmas!

Wordless Wednesday

Wish I looked this happy and relaxed when crossing the finish line!!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Having fun at Grandma's house.

Can You Be In Love Every Day?

     My husband and I just celebrated our 43rd wedding anniversary. Sometimes it seems like just yesterday I was a nervous bride walking down the aisle and sometimes it seems like I've always been married. We have been blessed with many wonderful years together.

     I just happened to open up an old Sept. /Oct. issue of the Saturday Evening Post to an article by Liz Flaherty. It's called "You Can't Be In Love Every Day". In it she asks what it's like to be married to the same person for over 30 years. 
You know everything about your spouse, you've seen them at their worst and sometimes they're a pain in the neck. Yet the person you're married to finds the best in you and makes you smile.

    Isn't that boring? she asks. Well, maybe once in awhile. Then she compares long marriages to the sun. Sometimes it's hidden under dense clouds and sometimes it shines bright during the coldest seasons. Like the sun a marriage wraps itself around you to keep warm.

     This was a good article to remind me not to take my husband for granted. When you get right down to it, marriage isn't boring. It's incredibly hard at times, yet it's been more fun than I ever imagined! My husband puts up with my moods, my bad habits and the times when I'm the pain in the neck. He still melts my heart whenever he kisses my hand or brings me flowers. I hope we have many more wonderful years together.

     Don't take your spouse for granted! 

Lest We Forget

Wordless Wednesday

Makin' Music.

Get Beautiful Nails At Home

If you want your hands to look younger, give yourself a manicure!  Here are some common mistakes and the smart fixes to protect your nails.  

Don’t file nails back and forth.  The sawing motion weakens your nails and can cause them to split.   File in the same direction with a soft emery board. (Those old-fashioned orange emery boards are too harsh for nails, causing small fissures and cracks that lead to breakage and tears.) To help prevent your nails from breaking, keep them short and square with a slightly rounded edge. The best time to file your nails is when you are already wearing a polish. This will prevent splitting or breaking of nails.

Don’t use acetone-based polish remover.  This strips away the moisture and natural oils that will keep your nails flexible. 

Don’t cut your cuticles.  Your cuticles act as a barrier against infection-causing bacteria. Instead, soak your nails in warm water to soften your cuticles and then push them back with an orange stick or washcloth.

Don’t paint your nails with old polish.  Buy a new polish that’s free of formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and toluene such as Obessive Compulsive Cosmetics (occmakeup.com), Spa Ritual (sephora.com) or Mineral Fusion (available at Whole Foods Stores).

Don’t wear polish every day. When you wear nail polish, make sure to give your nails a break from time to time. In other words leave them without polish for a few days, every now and then.

Cut your nails to a manageable length. There is no point in having extremely long nails, they snap off (painfully) and take a while to grow back into a normal shape.

Moisturize the nail bed and the cuticle. While there is little in the way of medical data showing that moisturizing the nail bed will help nails grow, it can make cuticles look better and help protect nails from breaking due to a lack of moisture. If your nails are prone to breakage, it could mean they need moisture -- and putting oil around the cuticle helps moisturize the entire nail. 

Change shampoos. While you probably know when your shampoo doesn't agree with your hair, you might not realize it may not agree with your nails -- even if your hair looks great. This is particularly true of detergent shampoos, or those for oily hair.  If your nails are dry and you are using any products that strip oils, there is the potential to dry nails.

Remember toenails count, too!  Everything that applies to your fingernails applies to your toenails

Here’s a little nail trivia—did you know it takes 8 months for nails to grow an inch? 

Wordless Wednesday

Wish we could keep our windows open like this!

Celebrate but Be Safe!

Wordless Wednesday

Is this really a pumpkin? It doesn't feel like one!

10 Fragrance Tips

   Here are some tips on wearing your special fragrance perfectly…Ready, Set, Spritz!

*Want just a touch of a fragrance?  Spritz it in the air and walk through the mist.  Not only will you smell  good but your room will too!

*Store fragrances out of direct sunlight and in a cool place. (in the original box is great)

*Citrus based fragrances usually disappear faster while musks and woody based fragrances tend to last longer because these oils evaporate slower.

*Fragrance should only be detectable to you and those who get within 2-3 feet of you. 

*Always apply perfume before putting on your clothes and jewelry. Some fragrances will leave permanent stains on fabrics, metals, and pearls. 

*Fragrances have a shelf life of about 3 years.  Keeping them in the refrig. can help them last longer.  (isn’t that a ‘cool’ tip!)

*As a general rule of thumb, fragrances will last 4 to 8 hours. 

*Gently apply your fragrance to pulse points behind your ears, knees, wrists. Your scent will last longer. You can also lightly mist your hair. Don’t rub wrists together after applying fragrance as it breaks down the oils.

*Layer your fragrance.  Use Body Mists and Lotions in the same scent.  

*Fragrance will last longer on skin that is well-moisturized, because oils on the skin trap the fragrance notes and make them last longer. I would suggest applying a body oil or moisturizer post-shower and then apply your fragrance.

What is your favorite fragrance?

     

The date my new granddaughter is expected!

     I was reading in an old Better Homes and Garden magazine about a woman who counted up all the days she celebrated in a year and came up with 65! So I thought I would count up all the days that I (we) celebrate. I came up with about 23. I'm thinking she must be celebrating a whole lot of smaller things.
     What's wrong with that? We should be celebrating more often I think. I could be celebrating the first day of summer, the first day that I see a tulip or daffodil in the spring, the anniversary of my first date with Jerry (I do remember it!) and other dates that aren't on a calendar but do deserve to be recognized. I'll add to that list the school break days that we get to spend with the grandkids.
     In our busy schedules we don't often make time to focus on the really important things in our lives. So here's a challenge for you. Make time for everyday special days. Even the most laid-back occasions can bring family and friends closer together. What surprising occasions do you celebrate?

Wordless Wednesday

Grandpa I think I could get more done with a bigger rake!

What Beautiful Eyes You Have

     Have you ever been told how nice you looked, how well you did a task or had someone give you a compliment and you brushed it off? I know I have. I've brushed it off with a glib comment or made some excuse. It seems hard to acknowledge that they might be right.
     Why is that? Shouldn't we be proud of what we do or how we look? I think we need to learn how to accept compliments graciously and to believe them! I try to be sincere when I compliment someone and hope they can tell.               

     We can learn a lesson from little children. When I compliment my little granddaughter she will sometimes say, "I know that,grandma." She not only accepts my compliment but she truly believes it herself! 

     I am going to try to be more gracious when someone gives me a compliment. I'm not going to try to belittle it by downplaying it. If someone is kind enough to let me know, than I can be kind enough to accept it. When was the last time you really accepted a compliment?

Lipstick Tricks

 

    Doesn't every little girl like playing with lipstick? I know I did--but mine was a fake tube made for kids. My granddaughters also like to play with some plastic toy lipsticks that I have. When you grow up you get to finally play with the real stuff! Here are some tips to keep your lips looking beautiful.

    

1. To keep lip prints off your water glass, simply (& discreetly) lick the lip of the glass before drinking.
2. Never use a test lipstick on your lips. It's just plain unhygienic. Instead, test lipstick on your fingertips. It's a closer fit to your lips than the back of your hand.
3. Before applying any lipstick or lip liner, it is important to prep your lips. Brush your lips at night with a soft bristle toothbrush to get rid of any dull and dry skin.
4. You can create a great lip color by blending lipsticks you don't like.
5. Apply with a lip brush. When applying directly from the tube, you are really applying about 5-6 layers of color. About 4 layers more than you really need. A brush applies 1 even layer that stays on a lot longer
6. Lightly take a small eye shadow brush, and brush loose powder over lipstick to set. On top of this, you can apply your lip gloss in the center of the lips. Powder applied after lipstick will keep lip gloss on longer.
7. Broken lipsticks? This has happened to me so often! Don't throw them away. Press them back together and store them in the refrigerator till they look fixed. Store them in cooler places to avoid breaking again.
8. Blot lips after applying lipstick, it will help set the color and remove excess of it. You can add a thin layer of loose or pressed powder and then apply color again. 
9. To keep your lips going all day, first pencil all over lips with a soft lip pencil then apply lipstick over it and blot. 
10. If it’s a hot, humid day, don’t leave your lipstick in your purse. Instead, store it in the fridge while you’re home. It will last longer, and will be much healthier for your lips.
11. If your lips are thinned out and wrinkled, avoid matte or a gloss and stick with a creamy lipstilipstick.
12. Give  them a try when you are applying lipstick next time! 

Wordless Wednesday

Checkers anyone?

Pumpkin Trivia

  Tis the season for…Pumpkins!  A little pumpkin trivia and fun beauty recipes using pumpkin.

* In 2015 the largest pumpkin ever grown in North America weighed in at 2,230.5 pounds, with a circumference of 224 inches, garnering a $3,500 cash prize.

*Surprise! The pumpkin is actually a fruit, a member of the Cucurbitaceae family of plants with trailing vines.

*Six of the seven continents can grow pumpkins including Alaska! Antarctica is the only continent that they won't grow on.

*Pumpkins were once recommended for removing freckles and curing snake bites.

*Pumpkins are 90 percent water. Pumpkins have zero cholesterol.  They’re also low in calories, fat, and sodium and high in fiber.

*Pumpkins contain enzymes that when applied to skin, loosen the bonds that keep dull outer skin cells clinging to the surface. Pumpkin also delivers a burst of nourishing and hydrating botanicals, leaving skin as smooth and glowing as a jack-o'-lantern.  So here are “beauty recipes” for you-- using some pumpkin!

                             Pumpkin Face and Body Mask

Mix together: ½ cup canned pumpkin, 1/4cup white clay,1T. honey, 2 T. water, 1 T. almond oil and 2 tsp. cinnamon

Apply evenly to your face or anywhere else that you’d like to smooth. Leave on 10 minutes before rinsing. Almond oil moisturizes, clay draws out impurities, honey replenishes collagen and cinnamon improves circulation.                                                                              

                               

Pumpkin Face Scrub

• 1 T canned or fresh pureed Pumpkin  
• 1 T cut oats 
• 1 T water 
• 1 t Corn meal

 Directions:    In a small bowl, mix oats with warm (not hot) water. Let it sit for a minute or so and soak. Mix in the Pumpkin puree, blending well. Add the Corn meal and stir well.

 Apply a small amount at a time to a clean face while scrubbing in circular movements gently. After scrubbing the entire face, leave on for about 5 minutes longer or just until it is almost dry, but not entirely. Gently remove with a warm wash cloth. Moisturize like usual. This amount is enough for the face, neck, chest area and shoulders. Leaves skin silky soft!

Pumpkin carving tip:   Score the inside  rind of your Jack-o-lantern and then sprinkle with ground cinnamon, nutmeg or other spices so that as the rind heats it will emit a pleasant fragrance.

20 Manicure Tips

   

       I haven't posted any nail polish ideas or tips so I thought it was time. Here are 20 tips you may or may not have tried before. Keep those nails looking good!

I Love Massages

     I just love getting a massage. If I was weathly I'd have one every week. Maybe even my own personal masseuse. Since I'm not, I'll have to try this DIY Facial Massage.

Face Massage

Massaging your face can help prevent new tension lines and wrinkles from appearing. It does this by relaxing the muscles and by stimulating the blood vessels under the skin. You should cleanse your face thoroughly before you begin. Follow the steps described below. 

1. Start by stroking the whole face. Use both hands and work up the neck, out across the cheeks, then glide gently inwards, work up and out over the forehead. Finish by applying gentle pressure to the temples.

2 . Stimulate the skin by using the back of your hands and loosely rolling your fingers up the cheek. This can also be used on the neck and under the chin.

3. With your thumb and forefinger, gently pinch the skin along the jawbone and under the chin. This is very stimulating and helps prevent a double chin.

4. To release tension around the eyes, firmly squeeze the eyebrows with your thumb and forefinger. Always work from the bridge of the nose towards the temples.

5. For  tension in the neck and shoulders make firm circular  movements working up either side of the neck then out across the shoulders

                                      

Taken from an article at Holistic.com

Wordless Wednesday

Funky photo of my Hosta bed.

Tips for More Beauty Sleep

Sleep hours are a potent time for your body to repair itself, skin included. Here are tips for adding more beauty to your sleep:

 Sleep flat on your back: Smashing your face into a pillow creates fold lines that eventually become permanent if they're repeated every night. Spending time on your back also helps counter the effects of gravity that accumulate during the day. In a recent study of  women and men, Japanese researchers found there was greater wrinkling in the afternoon than in the morning; they concluded that the face literally falls with gravity as the day progresses. At night, you get a chance to reverse that.

Stay hydrated: Keeping skin moist from the inside out is a simple, relatively inexpensive, and quite effective moisturizer. Drink six to eight glasses of plain water throughout the day and include omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish and nuts) in your diet, says Dale Prokupek, MD, a Beverly Hills internist and an associate professor of gastroenterology and nutrition at UCLA. To help avoid moisture loss from the skin while sleeping, turn on a humidifier. "I used one in my bedroom for a dry throat problem and soon realized my skin never looked better," he says. (Be sure to clean the humidifier often, especially if you're prone to allergies.)

Use a moisturizer after bathing: Seal in the moisture that the topmost layer of your skin has absorbed with a hydrating body lotion or cream. Because you're going to bed--not pulling on a silk blouse or cashmere sweater--you can try a cream that's richer than you would feel comfortable wearing during the day. 

Taken from an article by Janet Kinosian. Janet is a journalist who writes for the Los Angeles Times.

Fragrance Tips: Do's and Don'ts

* DO wear more perfume if you have dry skin. Scent needs oils to last. 

* DO wear stronger scents in cold weather. Cold reduces a scent's strength. 

* DO wait ten minutes before deciding to buy a new scent. 

* DO try scents on your own skin, as everyone's skin chemistry is different. 

* DO apply perfume right after you shower or bathe. Your pores will be open and soak up the scent. 

* DON'T use deodorant soap where perfume is applied. 

* DON'T use perfume near pearl or costume jewelry. The alcohol in perfumes can cause pearls to yellow and can strip the coating off jewelry. 

* DON'T stick to one fragrance all year long. Temperatures affect the intensity of fragrance. 

Taken from an article on this website:  Free-Beauty-Tips.com