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Welcome! I invite you to join me on this journey we call Life. It's crazy, fun, silly, sad, happy, loony, dull, exciting and everything in between

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Wishing You A Wonderful New Year


HOPE. 
A word that means so much, does so much and hold so much promise. Today we start a whole new year. While it is in reality a simple continuation of time, another day coming after the one before, it is also another chance to start anew. A fresh beginning, a time to not only reflect on the past, but to learn from it and decide what we want for the future. It is for us to decide. 

While every day is a new chance to change our direction, to decide where we want to go and what we want for our lives, the calendar flipping over to a whole new year offers a mental breath of fresh air. We tend to clear out the cobwebs and blow the dust off our thoughts.

I don't really make hard and fast New Year's resolutions, because I have learned from myself that I not only put too much pressure on myself, but I do it over unattainable goals. I'll never lose a gazillion pounds and look like a supermodel. I'm okay with that. I'll always have a little OCD going on and the labels in my pantry will have to face forward and be in straight lines. I am okay with that too. I have learned to look to the future with change in mind. How to improve ME so I better my family as a whole. 

There is always a spark of HOPE in me. Even in tough times, I look for the good. In these troubling times, sometimes it isn't easy, but there is always hope. Sometimes, when hope seems so far away, it can appear to be crippling, holding us back and not allowing us to move forward. I have felt that myself. But don't give in to that. Hope is the light in the darkness. It is the hand reaching out to let you know you are not alone. It is the stranger offering you the hug you didn't know you needed.

Hope drives us forward, keeps us looking for the positive among the negative and keeps us searching for the greater part of ourselves. I hope along this life's journey we can all offer something of ourselves to one another. That we might share the hope and in the sharing, find the greater part of ourselves together.

I'm sending you my wishes of a prosperous New Year. I not only hope you have financially prosperity, I hope you find prosperity overflowing in your family life, in your friendships, in your joy and happiness, in the ways that monetary wealth can't really touch.  

I thank you for being along for the journey thus far. I have learned along the way and you have helped show me things, put things in perspective and helped me see things from different angles. I hope you'll continue to brighten my world as we meander through it together!

 May you have a wonderful New Year.

Friday, December 26, 2014

#TBT - Old Toys - Christmas Edition

One Christmas when I was little, probably around 6 years old, I received a set of handmade Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. My Dad's mother had made them for me. She lived in Washington state and we lived in Wyoming. I loved them! Andy even has his "I Love You" heart sewn on his chest. I apparently REALLY love my Raggedy Ann. She is more faded than Andy. I carried her around with me and played with her all the time. I lost her white apron at some point. 

These are a bittersweet rememberance for me. Since we didn't live really close to my grandparents and didn't get to see them often. When we did visit or see them, even at a young age I knew something was "off" but was too young to really put a name to it. I didn't know that she held some sort of resentment or even a hatred of my sister and I. She seemed to hate my mom as well. As I grew older, I began to see it more. At one point we even lived in Washington, but we were older by then and were more aware of her feelings towards us. My aunt and uncle have seven kids that were born and raised near Grandma and 5 of them were girls, but I'm not sure they received the same treatment. I just know she was very... unfriendly towards us. Like we inconvenienced her somehow. I think because of circumstances of her own life, she just projected her own self hatred onto us. I just don't think she understood it. It was a totally different time. I think God may have known what he was doing when she had five boys and no girls. Maybe if things had been different for her...... I have forgiven her the treatment she showed us and try to view her in a slightly softer light. 

I try to think that for a moment, when she made these dolls for me, there was a spark of love in there, even if it was hard for her to show it to me in person. And I still treasure my Raggedy Ann and Andy because she made them and they are the only thing I have from her that I received while she was living. 

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

MeasuPro IRT20 Infrared Non-Contact Temperature Gun Review




#MeasurProTempGun

When I found out I would be getting theMeasuPro IRT20 Infrared Temperature Gun, I wasn't entirely sure what it was or what it did. It looked useful and the fact that it could measure temperatures without contact looked appealing.

When I told my husband what I would be getting it he got a tiny bit excited. He had been thinking of getting one of these. He is an IT Specialist and works with computers and all the associated components everyday so he was able to clue me into the uses such a device can be used for. 
Since receiving the temp gun, I have been playing around, aiming it at things to see how hot they were. My arm, the laptop, the tablet, the window, the lamp, the cat. Nothing has been spared getting it's temperature taken around here! 
I can fully see where this device is not only useful but a safety tool as well. It allows an accurate reading without contact, sparing you from having to get too close to or handling hot items. 

In the kitchen you can measure the reading of cooking foods with staying at a safe distance from boiling liquids and popping grease.
People in certain occupations will find a temperature gun an asset to their arsenal of tools. Electricians, HVAC professionals, Auto repair shops and computer technicians are just a few.

My husband mentioned that it will be useful to him when working with and on computers. It will be great for checking the heat sinks to see how hot they're getting. So he'll be adding this to HIS arsenal of tools!

Using laser technology, the MeasuPro Thermometer measures temperatures from -158°F - 716°F. It's efficient, simple, and safe. The Infrared Thermometer is FDA and FCC approved and RoHS compliant. It provides instant, accurate measurements. Using this thermometer eliminates the need of direct contact.

You can choose from Celsius or Farenheit, the LCD features a backlit display that can be turned on or off and the laser can also turned on or off to your preference.

#MeasurProTempGun

If you or someone you love works a job where knowing the temperature of objects and surfaces is important and can help add convenience and safety to the job, check out the MeasuPro IRT20 Infrared Temperature Gun on Amazon.com.

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Disclosure: I received the product mentioned above in exchange for my honest review. The opinions expressed are 100% my own based on my usage of this product. Your opinion and experience may differ. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!


On this Christmas Eve, I send you all my best wishes for a very Merry Christmas. I think it has been a difficult year for many of us. A year that at times has brought us to tears and quite possibly to our knees. I know I have read of the hardship some of you have faced with car troubles, sick family and even death. I have cried as I read these things, knowing that sometimes the things that trouble me are so miniscule compared to the things others face. I have tried to remind myself of this every time I am facing a tough situation... I know it could be worse.

I hope with the end of this year, we can all let go. Let go of old hurts, disappointments, and anger. I hope we can truly forgive those that may have caused these feelings in us. If there is anything I know, I know holding onto past trespasses against us only hurts us! We can let the negative eat us up, or we can let go and let the light once again brighten the days. 

So take a deep breath, let it ALL go and enjoy these days with your loved ones. These kind of day are all too short! I thank you for being here, reading what I put down, and letting me know that I am not alone in this great big world!

I wish you the very best Christmas. I pray peace surrounds you and your family. 


MERRY CHRISTMAS Y'ALL!!


Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Expandable Hose Review


#expandablehose

Garden hoses are't something that usually whip me into an excited frenzy, but this is one of the wildest hoses I have ever used! I received the Expandable Hose to review and I love it!
During the warmer months we use our hose all the time, but we can't really leave it where it's convenient for us because our darling doggies would make a meal out of anything we left out. At the same time we need longer hoses to reach the areas where we use the water. It's a bit of a conundrum.. we use our hose the most in the back yard, yet there is no spigot back there and even if there were, we couldn't just leave a hose hooked up and ready to use because the dogs would eat it. Literally. 
I need a hose available all year because we also have two indoor bunnies that use a litter box. I recycle their waste into our garden area, but like to spray out their box and cage and then wash it with baking soda to keep it fresh and clean.





I immediately found the usefulness of the Expandable Hose. It was SO light! After connecting it, I turned on the water and was simply amazed as I watched it slither around a bit and begin to increase in size.
Spot Approved


The Expandable Hose is easy to handle, yet tough and sturdy.  As it fills with water it goes from soft and squishy to taut and firm, yet it doesn't become difficult to use at all. I attached a wand sprayer to it and washed out the bunny's box. It attached very easily to our spigot and to the sprayer.
The entire appearance of the hose changes when it fills up. It's sort of like some creature from a sy-fy show! It is still light weight when full which is wonderful because I was able to hold it and move around, stand back from the box I was spraying and not get drenched. Another great thing, because it has been COLD here! 
The Expandable Hose has it's own cut-off valve too! If you were to need to remove a sprinkler or sprayer, you wouldn't have to go back to the spigot or worse, kink the hose to stop the flow while you removed. You simply flip the little valve to closed and when you're finished, flip back open.


 When you turn off the water, the hose expels it like there is a mini pumping station inside! It quickly drains out, returning to the soft, wrinkly form. I wound up the hose when It finished draining, I gave it a little shake just to make sure the water was all out. I carried it back into the house and it didn't leak or drip out water. It was so light, I didn't have to make two trips to bring everything back into the house. This hose is going to get A LOT of use during the summer!
#expandablehose

If you want to experience the hose that has the strength of a beast and is as easy as pie to use, the Expandable Hose is available on Amazon.com



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Disclosure: I received the item mentioned above for my honest review. The opinions expressed are 100% my own based on my experience using it. Your opinion and experience may differ.



Monday, December 22, 2014

TruMedic TM-1000PRO Deluxe TENS Unit Review


#trumedic

If you've ever had ongoing or chronic pain, you know how it can not only be debilitating, but that it affects those around you as well. Sometimes the treatments affect you and those around you too. 

I received a truMedic TM-1000Prp Deluxe TENS Unit to review. Having never used one, I wasn't sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised to find I really like it and it really offers me relief!

Pain makes it hard to be productive. All you can think about is the pain. You feel negatively so you react negatively, even to those you love, even when you don't mean to. 

Prescription medications help some people, but not everyone and not everyone can take them. Even over-the-counter medications can have serious side affects. I rarely take any medicines at all and have to be very careful when I do. I get sleepy if I take aspirin! So sometimes I just suffer through minor aches and pains.
My husband on the other hand, has suffered from migraines since he was young. Over the years they increased in frequency, duration and strength. He would very rapidly escalate to vomiting and not being able to keep anything down. Not even the medication that was supposed to help. At one point, we were paying a couple thousand dollars a month for prescription medications. 
In addition to the medicines, he got massage and chiropractic treatments. They helped to a degree, but they cost a lot of money and time. He had to miss a lot of work to go to various doctor appointments.

Being able to get relief at home or even while working, is a huge convenience! The truMedic TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator) Unit makes that possible. Because TENS therapy is considered free of side effects, you can use it whenever you feel the need.
The TENS machine itself is a small electronic device that delivers current through electrodes placed on the skin. Unlike systemic drugs, which affect the entire body, electrotherapy targets pain exactly where it occurs.

This unit is not only easy to use, it is incredibly lightweight! It weighs only 4.5 ounces! It is no bigger than most television remotes. The included case makes it easy to discretely carry with you so you can use nearly anywhere.
With the dual electrode jacks, you can treat more than one area at a time. You can even share with your partner by placing the second set of electrode pads on the area they need treated. The pads are even reusable with just a little care to keep dirt and skin oils off them.
There are 20 treatment levels for your comfort. The large BACK LIT LCD display shows you at a glance exactly what is happening, including the setting "Massage, Beat, or Knead" and the time left on the cycle. And the unit is rechargeable so you're not constantly replacing batteries and it makes it easier to take it on the go.
Below is some information showing where you can place the electrodes to treat different areas for different types of pain. I have seen a few different diagrams about this, but one key thing to remember, is not to place the electrode over a joint or "bony place", as there is no muscle tissue there.



Electrode placement for lower back pain



Electrode placement for upper back pain.



Electrode placement for neck pain and whiplash.


For hip pain, place the electrodes on the front and back of your hip.



Hip Pain electrode placement.

Electrode placement for knee pain. For 4 electrodes, the 2nd pair goes on the front and back of the knee.


Electrode placement for shoulder pain. Place electrodes on outside and inside of shoulder.


Electrode placement for tennis elbow.


Electrode placement for ankle pain.


Electrode placement for back pain with sciatica.


Electrode placement for Ankylosing Spondylitis.

My knee feels very good after using this TENS unit! I never would have imagined this! I love the different settings and how I can adjust from one to the other as well as the intensity of each.
This TENS unit can be extremely effective for all of your aches and pains, on almost all areas of your body. Use it on your wrist, hands, shoulders, elbows / joints, back, shoulders, calves, knees and many more. Perfect for lower back pain back, which affects an estimated 80 percent of Americans. with the truMedic TM-1000PRO, you'll be ready when body pain strikes.
#trumedic


With the truMedic Tens Unit unit, you can take charge of your pain management on your own terms. Check it out on Amazon.com.

*** People with certain pacemakers and pregnant women, should not use a TENS unit. If you are not sure whether TENS treatment is right for you, consult a doctor first ***


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Disclosure: I received this product for the purpose of my honest review. I was not compensated in any other way. The opinions expressed are 100% my own based on my usage of this product. Your opinion and experience may differ.