Happy Mother's Day

Only One Mother
Hundreds of stars in the pretty sky,
Hundreds of shells on the shore together,
Hundreds of birds that go singing by,
Hundreds of lambs in the sunny weather.
Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,
Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,
Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,
But only one mother the world wide over.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mother's that have influenced our lives!

Operation Hi Mom

One of my colleagues at school has two sons in the military. Barb's son Adam returned from a tour of Iraq in Dec. just about the time that his brother Scott was headed back there for his second tour of Iraq. She was very supportive of me when my son Jon was in Iraq so I have tried to return the favor.

I read in Woman's Day magazine about a wonderful project sponsored by http://www.canvasondemand.com/ So I emailed Scott to tell him about it. Today, Barb was surprised to receive a box containing a picture of her two sons (who happened to have one week's overlap at the same base!) in their military gear printed on a 11 X 13 canvas! It is so awesome! She of course was totally overwhelmed. I'm guessing she is going to find a very special place to display it.

I wish the folks at Canvas on Demand could have seen Barb's face when she first saw the canvas! This is from their website:

Operation Hi Mom awards hundreds of our deployed men and women a free fine art canvas, printed from a favorite photo, which will be presented to their moms on Mother’s Day. Deployed soldiers can simply go to a specially-designed webpage to submit a request, write their mother an endearing message, and upload a photo. It’s a way for soldiers to say to their mom, I love you…and it’s a way for Canvas on Demand to say to our troops, Thanks for a job well-done!

I'd like to say to Canvas on Demand, "Thank you for a job well-done!" You really brightened Barb's day and mine! You helped to restore my faith in the kindness of strangers.

Wordless Wednesday

Well, maybe just a few words. This is my new daughter-in-law being surprised by my adorable son. He managed to drop off the bouquet of tulips and a gift in the room the girls were using to get dressed before we all arrived. Angela opened a card from Jon that was so romantic. Then she opened the gift only to find a set of pearls for her to wear with her dress. I love that I captured her expression here. More details of the wedding to follow...

Bathe Yourself in Chocolate

Wow, with a title like that you just gotta keep reading right? I think this is every girl's fantasy. So when I saw this incredibly cute "girl in a chocolate bath" over at the More Style Than Cash blog I had to share it with you!

Check out the directions to make this really cute cookie/chocolate bath at http://www.ow.ly/1Drqy

Better Brushes, Better Hair

A good brush is an investment. You may spend more than $20 on one, but it will last many, many years with care. To wash hairbrushes, soak them in a warm bath with a few squirts of a clarifying or baby shampoo, then rinse with hot water.

Here are some brushes you may want to check out.



T3 FREEFLOW VENT BRUSH
Designed to help shape and smooth hair while using a T3 hair dryer. Vents in the body and Tourmaline in the bristles maximize styling power by letting air freely circulate to dry and shape hair quickly. Vented body lets air circulate freely through brush. Tourmaline infused so brushing emits negative ions. Smoothes hair in preparation for drying.
http://www.t3micro.com/images/popup_tourmaline.jpg


TRAVEL BRUSH
Fekkai's Travel Brush leaves hair shiny and static-free as it protects the hair and stimulates the scalp.
(http://www.fekkai.com/)



ADVANCE TECHNIQUES CUSHION BRUSH
It stimulates your scalp with every stroke. The bristles are sufficiently spaced so that your hair comes out smooth and shiny, not plastered down or oily. (http://www.avon.com/) This one is only $5.



PADDLE BRUSH
Sephora's basic, handcrafted paddle brush is perfect for normal to fine hair. Customers love that it has a mix of boar and synthetic bristles, won't snag hair and won't fall apart in a year's time. At less than $50, it's may be worth the price. (http://www.sephora.com/)





HAIR CURLING BRUSH

This unique brush allows you to style your hair whether it's wet or dry. It curls, lifts and adds volume without tangling your hair. The Kurl*mi Brush has a vented center that allows for maximum dryingand quick style setting. You don't even have to section your hair before using the Kurl*mi Brush. The sophisticated design of the Kurl*mi Brush allows you to roll the brush continually through your hair, saving you time and energy. This versatile brush is also easy to use: Start underneath, brushing your hair from the roots to the ends while continually turning the head of the brush. For shorter hair, just twirl the brush through your hair to create the same styling effect as you would with a pick or a styling comb. (http://www.koolatrononline.stores.yahoo.net/)


What's your favorite hair styling tool? I always use a plastic pick (do they even make those anymore? Mine is incredibly old) to detangle my wet hair.

Better Brushes, Better Hair

Wordless Wednesday

House For Rent