Early July Morning, Cocoa Beach, Florida

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Packing For A Cruise!

Here is a quick video I put together while packing for my cruise in a couple of weeks. I tell you my must haves and give you some tips on packing. 




Here is my must have list:

*Shoes I can wear on the beach,
*Sunscreen!
*A hat and/or something to tie your hair back with.
*Different types of bags....big purse, beach bag, day pack, etc
*Sunglasses (I forgot to talk about that one, but did add a pictures in the end...
*Essential oils
*Travel documents, including pass port or photo ID, travel insurance, credit cards
*Cash
*If you have to travel on a plane, zip lock for liquids
*Camera, batteries, charger, cards, protective case for them, etc.
*Light jacket

Some other stuff I did not mention....
*Two swim suites, because one seems to be always wet when you want to go back to the pool or on deck to sun.
*Two outfits/day, because when you get back from port, you are all sweaty, and will need fresh clothes to go to dinner and the show in.


Hope this helps, and hope you have a great time on your next trip!

Thanks for watching!

Tappingflamingo




Tuesday, April 28, 2015

The Bump Pregnancy Planner and Journal



This is the coolest thing! My daughter and her husband just had our first grand child, and I so wish she would have had this book!

There is a section called note to baby, that you can write things like, where you live, how mom and dad met, and some of your feelings like what you are looking forward to and what you are nervous about. 

There are places for pictures, including sonogram pictures. There are envelops to put test results, forms, shower invites, etc. You will also see important check lists...like the hospital bag, and baby proofing tips. There is even a place for you to write a letter to your baby and also some prenatal exercises and other informative things. There is so much to this book! 

I highly recommend this book to any mother to be. I plan to stash this away for my next grand baby's mom.

I received this book from bloggingforbooks.org for this review.

Monday, April 27, 2015

Who Is That Girl In The Mirror?


So, today we had a friend over for dinner. We've only know him for a couple of years. After dinner, he was looking at some of our family pictures and was shocked. I figured it was because we were skinny then, and now we are fat. But, no....he said, "Oh wow, this is when you were a blonde!" What!? I'm not a blonde?


I have been noticing for about the last two+ years that my hair has been getting a little darker, and it has really bothered me. But after he said that tonight, it made me very sad.


I told him that I've always been a blonde! He looked at me dumbfounded. Then I told him I have never colored my hair. He looked at me and said, "mmmhmmm." Now, I do want to say, he is a very nice man, and he did not say this to be mean. I think he was just a bit shocked.


About ten years ago, I started to loose my hair. Every time I went to a doctor for my annual physical, or when I was sick, I would mention it. One time I even went to a dermatologist about it. Every doctor I went to brushed it off. About three years ago, it got really bad, I even had some bald spots at my temples. I guess you could say I had reseeding hair lines. 


I had a friend that told me about essential oils. At first it was for rashes, and I had great success in getting rid of my rash. I then wondered if there was an oil that could help with my hair loss. After much research, I learned that Rosemary was suppose to be good for that. I started putting Rosemary and jojoba oil on my hair, and within about three months, I saw new growth! woot woo!!!


A few months later, I noticed my hair was getting darker, but haven't really thought much of it until the past couple months; and now after this experience. It makes me wonder if maybe it is the oil that is making my hair darker. I know it is my hormones...or lack of that have caused my hair loss, so maybe it is a hormonal thing. I do know that I will NEVER be put on any type of hormone treatment for anything!  Even hot flashes, night sweats, freezing, weight gain, hair loss, etc. Not since I have a history of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. 

I know most of you are thinking I am making a big deal out of nothing, but it is hard to look in the mirror and not see you. For so many years, I have not changed much, well except I am a lot bigger, but other than that I still look like me. Not anymore though. 

People say I should be glad I don't have gray hair...well, believe me, it's there, and it has not been that noticeable. But now that my hair is a mousy color, it will show up a lot more. 

Other's say, I should color it...nope, not gonna do that. I use to get perms all the time, and it got so damaged that it started to fall out. Not since I have that issue, no chemicals. Besides....I'm too lazy for that, and I don't like to spend $$ on that type stuff. AND.... I'm probably allergic and will break out. 




So, I guess I just need to embrace this new hair, and new self...*sigh* Easier said than done....





Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Yummy In Season Recipes and More!



Pure Food, Eat Clean With Seasonal, Plant-Based Recipes, by Veronica Bosgraaf  is a cookbook filled with yummy, in season, organic, good for you recipes. Veronica organized it by the month, to take advantage of seasonal produce. 

In addition to food recipes, this cookbook also includes various tips. What kind of tips? Well, natural pest deterrents, saving gas, edible flowers, gardening,  tips on natural cleaning, etc; she even has a lip balm recipe!

I love the way everything is broken down by the month. Some months she includes sample menus. For example in June she has Pineapple Sweet Bread for breakfast. For lunch, Hummus Pizza and Arugula and Wild Mushrooms (YUM!!). For a midday snack, Pineapple Cucumber Gazpacho. Then for dinner, Green Chile Enchiladas with Avocado Sauce and finally for dessert, Strawberry Ice Cream Pie! Now doesn't that all sound so good?!

 "I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."