Winter Necessities

I must admit, winters in southern Arizona aren't the harshest you will find, but we do stay at or below freezing at night for much of the winter, so mornings can be nippy.  As I get older and my skin gets drier, I'm really searching for products that will counteract that.

Here are some of my must-use products during the winter:

Softsoap Coconut Scrub Bodywash makes me feel like I'm on an island vacation and it does great things for my skin, too:

My skin drinks in Jergens Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer. I've used Jergens for many years:

Staying hydrated is important for the skin and overall health.  I love Dasani water:

A product I've found for my hair that seems to do a great job during the winter months is Infusium 23 Moisture Replenisher shampoo and conditioner.  It smells wonderful, too!

For lips, my latest product of choice is Smashbox Lip Shine.  It's a lip gloss that's actually not sticky!

All of these products can be found on Amazon.com, or in stores such as Ulta (with the exception of the Dasani water which is available in most grocery stores).

What are some of your must-have winter products?

Happy Sunday!

My first meme

I'm borrowing this meme from Maggie at Do These Shoes Match This Purse?


I haven't blogged in a long time and I've missed it.  It's been hard to get the creative juices going.


So, here's the meme:


1. ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT?
Chicken pox scar on my forehead

2. WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR ROOM
Two calendars (yes, DH and I have separate calendars), one of ginger cats and the other of Australian Shepherds.  Also a watercolor painting of a castle that my stepfather's friend painted a long time ago.  I just love that painting.  It's so whimsical and happy.

3. DO YOU SNORE, GRIND YOUR TEETH, OR TALK IN YOUR SLEEP?
Ugghh, embarrassing lol.  I both snore and grind my teeth at times.

4. WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO?
Mostly country

5. WHAT TIME WERE YOU BORN?
I never remember this, but it was in the afternoon.

6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?
For people to be kinder to each other

7. WHAT DO YOU MISS?
I miss my son.  He moved out on his own last week to another city that's four hours away.

8. WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION(S)?
I don't know if pets can be considered possessions lol.  Actually, they possess me.
Otherwise I'd say my car.  It's a Mazda 3.  It's ice blue and it's adorable and three years after I got it I still love it SO much!  It's just so me!

9. HOW TALL ARE YOU?
5'7"

10. DO YOU GET CLAUSTROPHOBIC?
Sometimes

11. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK?
Never

12. THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU CRY?
Someone at work.  Ick...I prefer not to think about it.

13. WHAT'S YOUR WORST FEAR?
Something happening to my children

14. WHAT KIND OF HAIR/EYE COLOR DO YOU LIKE ON PEOPLE YOU'RE ATTRACTED TO?
Very dark hair, olive complexion, blue eyes.  Hey...what a coincidence...that describes my hubby! lol

15. WHERE CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF PROPOSING?
Does not apply lol

16. COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINK?
Coffee!!!!

17. FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPING?
Veggies of all types

18. IF YOU COULD EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Salad lol.  It's not that I'm such a healthy eater...I'm really not.  But I have always gotten cravings for salad and I eat at least one every day.

19. FAVORITE COLOR OF ALL TIME?
Pink!!!!

20. HAVE YOU EVER EATEN A GOLDFISH?
No way!

21. WHAT WAS THE FIRST MEANINGFUL GIFT YOU EVER RECEIVED?
The first thing that comes to mind is a book of "Desiderata" that my neighbor gave me when I graduated from high school.  I've always found it very profound.

22. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH?
Yes, on my hubby.

23. ARE YOU DOUBLE JOINTED?
No

24. FAVORITE CLOTHING BRAND?
I don't think I have one.

25. WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE/MALE CELEBRITY?
Reese Witherspoon and Mark Wahlberg

26. DO YOU HAVE A PET RIGHT NOW?
I have six pets.

27. WHAT KIND IS IT?
Three cats and three dogs...various kinds.

28. WOULD YOU FALL IN LOVE KNOWING THAT THE PERSON IS LEAVING?
I don't know. This really doesn't apply to me because my DH is the love of my life, but I would have fallen in love with him no matter what, so I guess the answer is yes.

29. SAY A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED?
87

30. BLONDES OR BRUNETTES?
I'm a brunette.

31. FAVORITE QUOTE?
My all-time favorite quote is "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent".  I need to remember that at times.

32. FAVORITE PLACE?
The beach...any beach.

Card Making

I've realized recently that I have no true hobbies.  I love to read, but for some reason I only do it for a few minutes before I fall asleep.  I've been thinking about what I can do as a creative outlet, because it feels like all I do is work, and that's not healthy for anyone.

I have recently become a little obsessed with the idea of making cards.  I used to make them on a simple basis when I was a child.  I've been a little put off by the notion that I need to buy a lot of supplies for it, such as a Cricut, and money is tight.  I do think it's something I'm going to pursue, though.  My son will be moving to another city in a couple of days, so his bedroom will be free and I'm thinking of turning that into an office.  That means I'll have an actual place to work on hobbies.  I'm so excited about that.

Here are a few examples of cards I like and that give me some inspiration.  These images are all borrowed from splitcoaststampers.com.

Aren't these lovely?  I'd be interested in hearing from some of you about whether you've ever made cards and what supplies and equipment you use.  Also, does anyone have any good links for blogs or general websites that have tutorials to share with me?

Have a happy, peaceful Sunday!

Keep Tucson Kind

I want to thank everyone for the kind, comforting words I've received on behalf of my community of Tucson, AZ.  I received virtual hugs via this blog, e-mail, and Facebook, and I can't tell you how much it means to me.  The memorial services will begin today, and perhaps we can start to heal.  It is still very tender around here.  It's a shock that will take a long time to move past.  President and Mrs. Obama will be speaking at my workplace today.  Although I would love to see them and hear from them, I don't handle crowds well.  This event will be in the basketball arena and will be packed.  I seriously have full blown anxiety attacks at these types of events, so I will regretfully have to pass.  But  my thoughts will be with everyone who is there.  Please pray for the families of the deceased and for the victims who are still recovering.

Terror in Tucson

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40978517/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

This is what we've been dealing with today in our fair community.  This senseless act of violence has left Arizona, and indeed the whole nation, in shock.

Regardless of your political leanings or feelings about Gabrielle Giffords, please send good thoughts and prayers to the victims of todays mass shooting.  While it looks promising that Congresswoman Giffords, who is from my beloved city of Tucson, will survive, others were not so lucky.  Among the deceased are a Federal judge and a precious 9-year-old child.  Please pray for them and their families.

I am just devastated and sickened by this.  I know that soon things will return to "normal", but my fervent wish is that the events of today will not discourage other politicians from doing what they need to do:  reaching out and interacting with their constituents.  How sad it will be if they become even further removed from the hopes and needs of the people they represent because of fear of attack.  I can't say I blame them if it does deter them, I just pray that it doesn't.

Happy New Year and an Exciting Win!

I hope you all had wonderful holidays!  I'm sorry I've been neglecting my blog, but I've been off work since Dec. 22nd and having so much fun...plus getting my house decluttered and a bit more organized!

I started off the new year right when I won a gift certificate from Danielle at Danielle is Nesting.  The gift certificate is for a site called All Modern.  It was so hard to choose from all the items they offer, but in the end I picked this adorable basket:

 
I think I'll put it in my living room and store books or magazines in it.  My husband says that more than likely one of our cats will adopt it as a bed!  Whatever...it's SO cute!

Have a great New Year's Day, everyone!