*Change The Ending… It’s That Easy

 Starting today, I want you to spend a little time imagining happy endings to things that normally stress you out. Think of the possibilities. For example, I hate going to the dentist because of the chance that he might find a cavity.  Did you notice the word MIGHT?? Wouldn’t you feel a lot better if the new ending was a fast and easy examination instead? Why do we put ourselves through the stress of something that hasn’t even happened yet? It would be soooo easy to change the ending, but it’s something that we will have to work on and  I’m definitely working on it!

*Stock Up

Between baking and taking relaxing baths, I am quickly running out of oatmeal, so if you are anything like me, stock up. Over the next year, you will be using it a lot.

Oatmeal Soak

Step One… To make the mixture, add equal amounts of oatmeal and dry milk powder and then display in a pretty glass jar that can displayed right in your bathroom. For each bath, spoon 1/2 cup of oatmeal/dry milk powder into a muslin bag and then toss into your bath.
FYI, the starch in the oatmeal is a super skin softener and the milk contains lactic acid, which smoothes away dull skin.

*For Men Only – Product Build-Up

 You might have noticed that your hair is beginning to look dull and lifeless. It could be that you are suffering from product build-up. The gels you use, the pomades, even shampoos leave behind a nasty bunch of gunk that needs to be removed about once a month. That’s where clarifying shampoos come to the rescue. They strip out all of this gunk and restores your hair back to it’s original state… clean and healthy looking. There are lots of clarifying shampoos on the market and to make it easy for you, it will say so right on the bottle.

Softer Lips This Winter

Heat, as well as, cold can contribute to dry lips.
*Another cause of dry lips is aging. The older you get, the more prone they are to chapping.
*Avoid licking your lips which is easier said than done, I know, but read on
*Another bad habit that you can fall into is biting off bits of dead skin.
*Chewing on your lips is more popular than you might think. And for women who wear lipstick, here is a bit of trivia that I dug up for you. Did you know that women who are habitual lip chewers eat four to nine pounds of lipstick during their life?

First Footing… New Years Resolutions and Traditions

Does anyone do anything unusual on New Years Day? I was just reading that in Brazil, they eat pomegranates to ensure prosperity. Apparently the high number of seeds ensures a lucrative year ahead.

 I guess the older the country, the more unusual the tradition. In England (where my husband was born) they have something called “first footing” Every household hopes that the first male visitor to appear at the door will bring good luck. But there is a twist. This person is supposed to bring money, bread or coal. Okay, here’s another twist. If the person should happen to be a women who shows up at your door. look out. You are in for a year of bad luck. Why is it always us lol?

 Any other traditions out there to share?

A Quote for a Rainy Afternoon

It’s a pleasure to share one’s memories. Everything remembered is dear, endearing, touching, precious. At least the past is safe though we didn’t know it at the time. We know it now.

Susan Sontag

Maybe a nice cup of tea and a half hour of perusing an old photo album is just the ticket for this afternoon. And I must make a point of taking more photographs. It should be so much easier now that we have digital cameras. Once upon a time, we didn’t have that luxury!! 

It’s Never Too Early

I have just picked up a notebook so that I can jot down ideas for Christmas presents for next year. I hate it when I’m stuck for ideas. I want to enjoy every minute of Christmas 2008 and this just might help. It’s all about being big time organized!

Deep Grooves and What To Do About Them!

Do you have marionette lines?? It’s those deep lines that run from the nose to the mouth. Every couple of years, a new product hits the market and promises to fill in those lines. If you have tried something that works, we all want to know about it.

A Little Useless Trivia… About Lip Balm

Did you know that the first lip balm was actually earwax. It worked, but the flavor left something to be desired. Really didn’t need to know that now did you. Will you ever be able to apply lip balm without thinking about ear wax?? I first heard this in the early seventies and it’s just one of those things you can’t seem to forget!

A Quote to End the Night

“In life you may have friends, fond, dear friends, but never will you have again the inexpressible love and gentleness lavished upon you, which none but mother bestows. “

Thomas Babington Macauley

It really makes you think of all those times when your Mom was there for you. We took it all for granted…