I hope you enjoy my small contribution in this big world. A world full of diverse and unique women. There are so many things to cover and I hope you get a chance to come back and share them all as each week seems to bring something new especially in this unprecedented time.
When I first entertained the idea of creating a blog it was just something I figured would kill time and keep me busy. I‘ve played around with it off and on for over the last year but really had no idea how to get started. Then here comes 2020 and COVID-19 with all that it entails. I saw so many women going thru “IT” that I wanted to share something that would make you smile or cry, lift someone’s spirit, maybe laugh out loud. To share in a moment where we stand united knowing you aren’t going thru “IT” alone.
The years prior to Covid-19 I had been really going thru “IT”. Everything you could imagine seemed to be thrown at me along with the kitchen sink. Being blindsided and discovering my husband of 24 years was cheating. I was so busy working and raising our kids that I never even noticed. Trying to create the perfect life I thought I had achieved. Hurting my children that I had worked so hard to provide a perfect life for. By choosing to get a divorce and breaking up their family I felt like the bad guy ,though I had did nothing wrong. Watching those children become angry and defiant, living with the guilt. Getting sick with RA, and realizing that I would no longer be able to work. Learning to live with a permanent disability I didnt understand nor want to accept. Losing our home in foreclosure, Trying to keep the kids focused and out of trouble.Falling In love and remarrying. Building a new life, becoming a grandma and moving to a new state during the pandemic all while trying to keep Christ as the center of my life.
When I say I have been living thru “IT” I have been doing just that. But every woman has a different story to tell. Living thru a different IT, but equally feeling defeated, betrayed and hurt. Disappointed by those you love the most. Life turned around as you know it.. I know there are thousands of women out there living thru it everyday as well. That the face presented to the world can never tell the truth behind all that we as women endure.
But I’ve learned how important it is to be free. To stop caring what others think of me, to not let other’s opinions effect the choices I make in my life. That in sharing exactly who I am and what I have been thru and will go thru,I am free. Learning that as long as I present a false face in who I am that it just makes life harder to endure. I‘ve learned that no one person, job, lifestyle or situation define me and I am excited to start this new step in my journey of discovering myself and invite you to join me.
So you are planning an extended stay out of town, which means your accommodations are of the upmost importance. You pick a known hotel chain, like the Marriott Townplace. You study all the pics and read a handful of reviews. Everything looks good so you drive 20 hours and arrive at your hotel. It’s a dump. All the pictures were old or altered. Of course the lobby looks fine so you give them your credit card and check in. As soon as you hit the elevators you know you’re probably in trouble. Soon as you step in the room, even though it’s 11 at night you inform them you want your money back and you’re on your way back down. They politely tell you no management is available till morning so nothing can be done. The hotel is full. So now after 20 hours on the road your forced to sleep in a room that smells like damp floor, ratty furniture and you’re fit to be tied. The queen beds are actually full size and your two bedroom suite has one bathroom.
It really grinds my gears when supposedly reputable companies falsely advertise their services and you get horrible customer service. Of course I reached out to Marriot corporate and sent pictures. Needless to say since every representative I was speaking with was working from home that the experience left a lot to be desired. I need companies to stop using COVID-19 as an excuse for poor service. If you take my money give me what I paid for which is what you falsely advertised. I ended up having to go through my credit card company to be made sufficiently whole. Marriot should get these people back to work in a call center so they can stop working at home and be held accountable for their service.
Beware of deceiving online picture.
I am so tired of walking in the store with my mask and face shield on, sanitizer in my purse. Trying my best to stay safe and keep those around me safe as well, and see the fake mask wearer’s coming up the aisle towards me. On the phone talking loud, laughing, spraying germs and bacteria because they have on a mask but they’re not wearing it properly. They are saying screw you and everyone else in the way In which they are wearing their mask.I don’t know which grinds my gears more. The person with the mask over there mouth but not their nose, or the one with the mask on their chin. The one on the chin is letting you know flat out they don’t care about having a mask on, they just have it on to get in the store. The mask under the nose is really faking you out. They don’t seem to know what they believe but I don’t want to be behind you when you get to sneezing coronavirus all over the place.
Either way people it’s been nearly a year, put your mask on the right way. The virus is not going anywhere, so try and be considerate to others.
Restaurants are one of the hardest hit industries since the pandemic. I firmly believe we have to continue to support the food industry and have done so since the beginning. So when I got my mouth set on some rib tips, I kindly refused my husband’s offer to barbecue us tips fresh off our grill. I was adamant he not go through all the bother when we could show some love an support for a local rib joint. Keep in mind my husband is a chef who throws down in the kitchen so I would have been straight.
So he drives 20 minute there, 20 back, and comes home with barely edible garbage. Tips are old and tough as beef jerky. Here we are trying to show support for the restaurants in our area, and lately we continue to get sub standard fare. Not cool. If you’re going to keep your doors open, charge increased prices, plus a carry out fee. Can we PLEASE GET DECENT FOOD at the minimum. Something that slightly resembles the online photos. Getting tired of crappie service, inflated prices, and everyone blaming it on the corona. My husband ended up doing another round trip drive to get the food replaced. The second time because he checked it in house it was like night and day. What we should have received in the first place. Of course the day ended with a frown, snarky comment and I told you so from the husband.
Can sleep really help you retain the appearance of youth and beauty? The phrase " beauty sleep " exists for a reason. During deep sleep studies suggest our cells renew themselves and that allows the body to repair itself and the skin to rejuvenate. The suggested amount of sleep is at least 7 to 9 hours of deep sleep in order to see a number of health and beauty results. The body makes collagen when sleep which will reduce wrinkles. While getting fewer than 5 hours of sleep can actually increase wrinkles. The body also increases the blood flow during sleep which results in the skin having a glowing healthy appearance. While lack of sleep reduces the blood flow to the skin causing your appearance to look dull and lifeless. The appearance of dark circles and puffiness under the eyes can also come from a lack of sleep. Getting a good nights sleep and staying hydrated can help to reduce the puffiness and dark circles under the eyes. There are a number of other health and beauty benefits from getting a good nights rest. While lack of sleep will definitely leave us looking and feeling worse for wear. If you have a hard time sleeping like myself. Try a nice warm bath before bed, maybe a little aromatherapy, and try turning off the TV and just relax and be still while you clear your mind and focus on just going to sleep. Having our very own fountain of youth is just a good night's sleep away.
Let me start by saying I am going to be on the wrong side of this issue scientifically. Douching is a way that women clean out the vagina. It’s usually done with a mixture of water, soaps, herbs or other fluids used to insert and rinse the vagina. Today’s science goes against my own personal beliefs because of the way I was raised. I grew up with the plastic water bag under the sink knowing my mom used it to maintain her personal hygiene and keep herself fresh.I personally didn’t start douching until I went to college at which time I didn’t have to use the old water bag since summers eve had the individual mixtures ready to insert and squeeze. It’s what I have continued to do every since.
Women’s health groups have spent the last few year’s warning against douching. They state that the science show’s it to be a health risk for most women. According to the National Womens Health Information Center, women who douche have more health problems than those that don’t. They believe douching changes the delicate chemical balance of the vagina. Destroying the good bacteria which fights infections and can lead to increased yeast infections,pelvic inflammatory disease, vaginal irritation and even problems with pregnancies. A number of studies believe that douching does not get rid of vaginal odors nor does it really cleanse the vagina which is what most women actually douche for. They suggest you seek medical attention if you have continued problems in that area.
There are some doctors who disagree with this new science. Study researcher Albert George Thomas MD suggest that simple vinegar and water douches have a minimal impact on the natural chemical balance of the vagina. He does not believe there is an increased risk of infections if you are douching less than once a week.But does suggest women not douche during their menstrual cycle when the cervix is more open.
Ultimatly in the end the choice is yours. More experts suggest you don’t than you do. As for me I’m to old too change my up raising in this matter. I’ve never had any particular issues from douching. I feel fresher after and a little vinegar and water is believed to keep a girl tight. Now I know there are those who disagree with that and that’s fine. Just m opinion. Medical experts suggest you simply let your vagina regulate and clean itself. They suggest you wash the outside and it’ll take care of the rest.
The human body is 60 percent water, our blood 90 percent water. So it is no surprise that consuming water daily has so many benefits to our health. But less people realize how important water is to staying beautiful. We all want healthy hair rather we wear it long or short. One strand of hair is made up of 25 percent water. Drinking 2 liters of water a day will not just strengthen your hair but will also make it grow, according to kineticosa.com. When you are dehydrated it stops hair growth, turning the hair dry and brittle. By drinking 2 liters of water a day you’ll hydrate and stimulate the scalp for healthier hair. Drinking water daily also promotes healthy looking skin. Water flushes toxins out of the skin to help improve your skin tone. It helps prevent acne, tightens the skin for a more youthful appearance. Its also a great way to get rid of stubborn puffiness under the eyes.
Drinking water is a easy beauty regiment that cost nothing but has many rewards. Not just in our appearance but in our overall health. Water relives fatigue giving you more energy. Since the brain is mostly water it also helps us focus and concentrate as we get up there in age. And we can’t forget it’s also the key to weight loss. So next time instead of grabbing a soda when you get thirsty grab a water instead. Your body will thank you for it.
I’m sure most women would agree shaving your armpits sucks. I know on those days to plan to spend a lot more time in the shower. Between the hollow shape, the delicate skin, and the fact that you have to turn the upper body several different ways to get a smooth shave says it all. Add to that, if you don’t shave properly your hair will grow back quickly or worst create dark skin under your arm pits.
Dermatologist have a few suggestions to help maintain smooth silky pits for as long as possible. First you have to choose the proper razor. A pivoting handle is recommended because of the shape and location of your pits. A head with multiple blades is also suggested. Make sure to replace the blade often. A dull blade can cause irritation and bumps, which can cause the dark skin under arm. The razor will make all the difference.
Next make sure you schedule when to shave. Shaving right before you go out does not give the skin time to heal. It’s not suggested to shave, before a swim, gym or event like a party which might have excessive sweating. Use a shaving cream or moisturizing gel instead of soap or a sudsy wash. Soap can dry quickly which can make the shave more irratating or painful. Shave cream glides easier and helps shaving in the right direction easier which is next on the list. Hair under your arms grow in every direction so you have to shave the same way.First it’s important to pull the skin taut with one hand. Than shave up down sideways, against and with the grain. That will leave the smoothest shave and remove hair not just on the surface but underneath to maintain it as long as possible. Pating dry and using a ingrown hair cream on your pits directly after helps to prevent bumps and helps you stay smoother longer.
I find myself washing my hands constantly since the pandemic first started. If I can’t wash them I’m sanitizing them as often as possible. The CDC has found that frequently washing our hands is one of the few things that helps prevent getting and spreading COVID-19. For that reason most Americans find themselves left with what I like to call corona hands. Dry, abrasive hands that crack and peel.
Here are a few tips to restore your natural oil and keep your hands soft and beautiful. Continue to wash your hands as often as possible but instead of using soaps which dry the hands out, use hand cleansers which help you retain moisture more. When done with washing your hands dry and apply a moisturizer while your hands are still damp. Thick moisturizers are recommended over lotions which usually contain water. The best thing I’ve found to work is good old fashioned petroleum jelly. It’s effective and inexpensive. Wash, dry and rub the petroleum jelly in really well. It’ll help retain moisture though out the day and help prevent the apperance of dry cracked hands.
Winter can definitely play havoc on our hair, rather it’s freezing northern conditions or brisk cold air in the desert. Cold air can result in dry damaged hair with broken ends and lots of frizz. One of the causes for excessive damage and hair loss is a dry scalp. When all the moisture is sucked from your hair it will cause your hair to be dry which results in hair breakage and falling out.
A quick easy fix for a dry scalp is a hot oil treatment. Here is a simple fix you can do yourself since you probably find yourself with a little extra time on your hands.
Find a hair oil that helps with healing and growth. I usually will use Majestic Mane Oil because I know the creator focuses on natural hair like mine, which is thick and prone to be brittle and dry if I don’t treat it. Anyway once you find a oil you want to use, pour enough to cover your scalp into a microwaveable dish. Warm the oil for around 15 to 20 seconds. Then remove and pour it in a plastic applicator( you can use a dropper as well ). Than part hair and apply directly to scalp. Be sure to cover the entire scalp. Massage in thoroughly. Can be applied to a wet or dry scalp. Wash and style as usual.
While I have never been to a light festival, it’s definitely on my list to do this year. May 1st in Littlefield AZ, this year’s Festival of Lights is scheduled to take place. There is supposed to be food and drinks, vendors selling goods and live music. Each ticket includes your own lantern to light and release. Sounds like great fun and the fact that it is an outdoor activity is even better because of Covid-19. The drive time from Las Vegas to the park’s location is one hour 30 minutes. Great for a day trip or a quick overnight stay since the lanterns are not released until dark. Either way it sounds like great fun and something new to do.
Zion National Park is one of the most beautiful, majestic places I have ever seen. Located in Southern Utah, it’s great for a day trip or a planned stay. The park is surrounded by majestic red mountains and canyons. There are several observation points that overlook white cliffs and lush green valleys.There are even cascading waterfalls to hike out to.
The park also offers camping, horseback riding, fishing and bicycling. It’s a great place to visit with the family during this period of lock down. The drive time from Las Vegas is 2 and a half hours.
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