Do You Use Essential Oils?

For several years, my daughter has had some health issues. In fact, when I look back, a lot of these issues, she has had all her life, like her upset stomach. I think she thought everyone felt like that.

There is one thing that has come to haunt her in recent years that she did NOT have an issue with when she was younger...acne. Now, I am not saying she never had a zit, but she didn't have near the problem she has developed in the last few years; and she is 23!

Ashley is probably the few people I know that hardly wears makeup and washes her face like she is suppose to, so that is not the problem. She is also a very healthy eater, so that's not the problem. She has been to numerous doctors and most of them say, "Accutane!"  Well, she will NOT be going down that path, too many negatives with that drug. I'm not sure if she is a candidate for it anyway. She has the cystic acne, but since she is married, at child bearing age, is at high risk for osteoporosis, and has intestinal issues, etc. All these (and then some), make her pretty much ineligible for the drug.  Besides, I think we have figured it is more of a hormonal issue.

My daughter has been doing A LOT of research lately on the foods we eat and how they affect our body. She has also been doing some research on essential oils.  When she first looked into the oils, I was a little skeptical. When her and her husband ordered them and started using them, I was amazed at some of the claims. Essential oils are a bit pricey, but if they do all that they claim to do, it would be worth it.

As time went on and Ashley and her husband used the oils, some of her symptoms subsided. Her husband's dad has had some health issues, and he started using the oils too--with great success. As I talk to some of my friends and other family member who use the oils, all I hear are great stories. So, I've decided to try them.

A few weeks ago, I found myself in the hospital with a ruptured appendix. I spent eight days in there, and this was just two weeks before our 30th wedding anniversary cruise. The doctor had me on "the gorilla of all antibiotics," as he called them. I am allergic to a lot of antibiotics and can't take many. The stuff he started me on were doing NO good, so he brought out the big guns. After I left, he didn't want to send me with any antibiotics due to the risk of me developing yet another allergy to an antibiotic. A friend who has been doing the oils for awhile now, sent me some oregano oil and Digestive Blend and told me how to take these while on the cruise. I did, and was fine. I really didn't know if it kept me from getting sick, so I was still a bit skeptical. 

On the way home from the cruise in Florida, we stopped to visit with my daughter and her husband. I had ordered small bottles of lemon oil, lavender oil and peppermint oil. On the way home I developed my fourth set of fever blisters since my hospital stay. I read where lemon oil could help, and so I tried it. Within three days, they were GONE!!!! Hmmmm...Jury is still out.

I have had a nagging cough for MONTHS! Like maybe four or so. I get it every year, usually around Thanksgiving, and then it is gone by the summer, not this year! Anyway, I saw where you can take two drops each of lemon oil, lavender oil and peppermint oil into a capsule and take three times a day for allergies. I have heard that most cold/cough issues are allergies, so what the heck I'll try it. I took my first capsule last night before I went to bed. When I got up....I could really tell a difference. Not coughing as much at all! So I took another capsule at breakfast, and then at lunch. There is a HUGE difference in my cough. All the crud in my chest is breaking up and my cough is almost gone. 

Okay....I guess I will have to be ordering me some more oils. So, do you use oils? If so what are your favorites? I have lemon, lavender, peppermint, oregano, Digestive Blend, Metabolic Blend (my daughter got this for free and she does NOT need to loose weight so I took it), and then Ashley gave me some Whisper for Mother's Day (mmmm, smells soooo goooood!).  How do you like to use your oils? I would love to hear from you as to what and how you use your essential oils.

A New Project

Several months ago, my mom was telling me about some necklaces she had seen and tried to describe them. I had no clue what she was talking about.

A few days ago, we were in the mall and went into one of those places where people rent spaces to sell their craft. We noticed one vendor made the necklaces my mom was trying to describe to me so many months ago. When I saw what they were made out of, I remember I had seen the yarn in a store recently. I was sure Walmart carried it, so we made our way there. I was wrong, Walmart does not carry it. I was disappointed because we were going to go home and create.

The next day, my mom and dad went back home to Florida. They had been visiting and sadly, their stay had come to an end. As I was changing sheets and doing other chores, the phone rang. It was one of my friends from my stitch club. She knew I liked to make jewelry and asked if I had ever worked with ladder yarn. THAT's it!!!! The yarn my mom and I were looking for the day before.

My friend proceeded to tell me she had a bunch of it and wanted to know if I would like to buy it off her for REALLY cheap. I met her that afternoon, came home and made a bunch of these.

Sure wish my mom would have been here! Oh well, I guess I'll just have to make here one...

Moving Is So Hard

I'm not sure most people realize how hard it is to move, especially for pre-teen and teenage children. Of course, those of you who move around a lot like we do, get it.

celebrating our 20th anniversary 

My husband and I have been married for 30 years, and we tend to move every three to five years. No, we are not military, we just tend to move a lot due to my husband's job as a Mechanical Engineer in the pulp and paper business. Each time we move, we look at it as an adventure, and, for the most part, it has been; some bad, but mostly all good.

our youngest son enjoying the lake in Crossett, Arkansas

Moving so frequently really never was been an issue until our children got older. Well, not an issue for our kids. When we moved from Wilmington, North Carolina, my husband practically took me kicking and screaming. I loved that area, and I had some good friends too.

I loved going to the beach in Wilmington!

When we moved from Muncie, Indiana, that was when it was getting hard on our children. When we first moved to Indiana, it was quite the adjustment. Both my husband and I grew up in the South, and we are not a fan of the cold weather. The kids had a good time there, due to the snow they had never really been around. Well, around much...we would get a couple of inches in Crossett, Arkansas that would stay around for a tiny bit. Nothing like the feet we would sometimes get up in Muncie.

Moving to Monroe, Louisiana from Indiana, was when our kids really started to balk at moving. Bill and I were so glad to get back down to the South were it was warm, but all of us missed our friends in the North; and so did our children. Our daughter especially was upset, as she had to leave her boyfriend. It all worked out in the end...they are now married! See things work out for the best!

This last move from Louisiana to Western Kentucky was probably the hardest. We lived in Monroe longer than we had lived anywhere else--almost six years! I left behind some wonderful ladies and I truly miss them. I feel that we will be lifelong friends.  Our two youngest sons hated the move too. Especially our youngest--it was his Senior year. I said I would NEVER do that; move when we had a child still in high school. I learned to never say "NEVER."  But, it all worked out in the end. He finished high school early and started going to BYU-Idaho this past January. 

our youngest taking a stroll at Black Bayou in Monroe, Louisiana

As I said at the beginning of this blog, "I'm not sure people realize how hard it is to move..." is so true. I'm not going to mention any names or places, as I have met some great people in ALL the places we have lived, but there have been a few places we have been to where it was rough in the beginning. One place we had just moved to, I was told that, as a new person, it was MY responsibility to be the one to stand up and introduce myself. Well, first off, I tend to be VERY shy. I have come a long way since my high school years, but that shyness is still there, and it is very hard and awkward for me to be pushy and stand up and say, "Hey, I'm new!" Not sure how that would come off either when people are in their own little clicks and not paying much attention to others around them. 

I'd like to say, Kentucky is NOT the place this happened in. I have loved being here in Kentucky. Everyone is so nice and has welcomed our family with open arms. I am grateful for that! I just wish every place could be that way. Even with my shyness, I try to go up to people at church or at the YMCA, etc and introduce myself. It is hard for me, but I feel it is MY responsibility to go up to the newbie rather than them come to me.

at the park in our new town here in Western Kentucky

So, I would like to challenge everyone to seek out the new people you come in contact with at school, church, fitness center, the kid's ball games or dance lessons, work, etc, and welcome them. Who knows, you might just meet your best friend.

Rubber Duckie...You're The One.....

I've been missing for a few weeks. But now, I am back!!!! 

About a month ago, I found myself in the hospital with a ruptured appendix. This happened just two weeks before my husband and I were to leave on a cruise to celebrate our 30th anniversary. 

We were able to make the cruise...barely and had a great time. I'm sure I will be blogging about it soon.

While I was in the hospital, my sister sent me a cool video class on how to make these Amigurumi animals. I finally was able to sit down yesterday and take the class and finish it today.

So, what do you think? There are a few boo boo's, but for my first one, I don't think it's too bad. I learned a lot making this critter. I had never done any increasing or decreasing so I learned how to do those, and I had only done something in the round once, and I really did not know what I was doing (kinda made it up as I went). I learned THREE new things doing this cute little duckie. He is actually suppose to be a little bluebird, but since I had bright yellow and orange yarn on hand, I decided to change it up a bit.

Sox doesn't know quite what to think about the duck, but I thought the both of them looked good together....

Happy 30 Years!!!!

I just found out that Bill and I got married on Star Wars Day, lol yes..."May the forth be with you" which is May 4th. I can't believe it's been 30 years.

The old saying, "Time goes fast when you're having fun" is so true. These past 30 years with Bill have been the greatest!

Here we are celebrating 21 years.

This is where we were married; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint's Washington DC Temple.

And here is the result of our marriage--four beautiful children,

and growing. In recent years we have added a wonderful son in law and a sweet puppy dog! Not so much a puppy now...

PS...since I am not home and at my folks old computer that came over over on the Mayflower, there are a few technical errors to this blog. Also, this is why I have not been blogging for awhile. I was in the hospital then off to Florida soon after I got out. A few more days til I will be back on my old, but not as old as their's...computer.

Bead Soup Blog Party 7 Reveal 2!!!!

Oh my, what a wild few weeks our family has had. Originally, I was signed up for the 2nd reveal, then I had to go and get my appendix out. What was suppose to be an easy procedure turned out to be quiet an ordeal with me being laid up in the hospital for 8 days, but that is a whole other post.

So then I was moved to the 3rd reveal, seconds after I was able to get my bead soup posted almost a week late; so now, here we go with my 3rd/2nd reveal, lol......

Tammie Everly of TTE Designs, sent me some really fun beads, and I had a blast putting them together to create the following. Before I go on, I have to tell you all something. Many of the pieces that I created for this blog party, I entered into a regional arts and craft competition. Several of my pieces earned some ribbons, some even FIRST place! All first place pieces will be going to state this summer for an opportunity to win CASH prizes!!!! I'll have to keep ya'll up to date as to how they do.

The first piece I made was nothing like I have ever done before, and I had fun making it. I took some of the sari ribbon, the chip beads and one of the polymer clay beads she made for me and added some chain and copper wire to it. I loved the clasp she sent, so I put it where it can be seen. This piece won a second place ribbon.

Don't you just love the bead she made?

This next necklace (below) received a third place ribbon. It is made of the ribbon, chain, glass beads, wire and one of Tammie's handmade beads. I attempted to make the clasp.

Tammie actually sent me several polymer beads. I love them. I'm thinking about learning to make them.

I took some more of the clay beads and paired it with some of the glass and wood beads she sent, added some chain and jump rings and came up with this.

Then I made these earrings.....

and a matching necklace. I wear this set quite a bit.

This is another favorite of mine that I wear A LOT!!!

 As soon as I saw the glass beads she sent, I knew what I wanted to do with them.

I wanted to use the other clasp she made along with the wood an crystal beads and crochet a necklace with wire.  This necklace took first place in it's category (crochet jewelry).

Tammie sent me some really pretty turquoise and blue polymer clay beads. I had some turquoise and silver chain, and turquoise and green glass beads, so I  put it all together to create this.

The earrings are very fun to wear.

I had received sari turquoise ribbon in my soup, so I made another necklace. 

I combined the two necklaces along with the earrings and won first place in this category of Beading. I feel quite certain, Tammie's gorgeous handmade polymer clay beads is what helped me to win first place in this category!

Here is what I sent Tammie. You need to go check her site out to see what she put together. I'm sure you won't be disappointed, because she is really creative!

Well, there you have it. My Soup is complete, now go and see some of the other beautiful creations from the rest of the guests.

I've been trying to get the list of 3rd revealers posted to this post, but for some reason I am having an issue. So click here to go on over to Lori Anderson's blog and you will see the list there. Sorry. I kinda had to throw this together because of my appendix, which all occurred two weeks before our 30th wedding anniversary cruise.  Ok, enough of the excuses.....

HOMEMADE D. O. FOR YOUR B. O.

 Since I found out I am allergic to several ingredients that are in our hair, body and makeup stuff, I have decided to try to make some of it. I put in an order for some of the ingredients and it came...very quickly. As soon as it arrived, I nabbed it off the porch, opened the box, and took out all my new things.

 The first thing I wanted to make was deodorant.  A couple of years ago, I started to break out under my arms. The rash was not only unsightful, but was very, very itchy!!! I tried all kinds of underarm stuff, even the ones that claimed they were for sensitive skin. Living in Louisiana and walking four miles everyday, I needed something, especially in the summer. When all the underarm stuff didn't work, I tried baby power and then medicated powder.  I figured I was just going to be stinky for the rest of my life. Actually, I am lucky that I don't really sweat are smell too bad.

Again, I got this wonderful recipe from Robin over at Thank Your Body. Told you I would be referring to her site a lot. Her recipe called for:
2 Tblsp baking soda
1/3 cup arrow root powder
1/3 cup coconut oil
10 to 15 drops of essential oil
I left out the oils for two reasons, one--I don't have any, and two--my dermatologist that did all my allergy testing said not to use any smelly stuff, even essential oils for a couple of months. DARN!!!

I used virgin coconut oil, which smells divine!  I love the way coconut smells, so really, I don't need the essential oils.

 I first mixed the dry ingredients real well, then added the coconut oil. Now for those of you who are not familiar with coconut oil, it is a funny thing. When it is cool, like it was today, it is a solid. When it is warm, it turns into a liquid. I found it a little difficult to mix the coconut oil, but I just kept working at it. I used a fork to break up the coconut oil, and then the back of a spoon to smoosh it all together. Then I spooned it all into a baby food jar. 

My only complaint is the jar I put it in. Just because the lid does not stay on too well. I think this stuff will probably last me awhile. It is still on the cool side, so I really can't give you a good review on how well it works. In a few weeks, I will be down in Florida and the Caribbean on a cruise, so I am sure by the time I get back, I will know if this is a go or no go. I sure hope it is a go.