For the many members of my family. For the many friends. And for those who have fallen. I remember you everyday and thank you and your families for your service and sacrifices.
Credit to the youtube.com member who created the video and a tip of my hat to Slobokan for sharing the video.
Honestly, today is the first I’ve ever seen the video for this song. This song was also the one and only song played at our wedding. I always find peace and some odd inner strength when listening to this one.
It came to mind today while contemplating the many ways in which the dynamic of the relationship between Joseph and I has changed over the last 8 and a half years we’ve known each other.
On the Saturday before Mother’s Day, Joseph and I borrowed a cargo van from his place of employment and drove up to Atlanta to get some things from Ikea. And when I say “some things,” I mean nearly a house full of furniture.
I spent two years planning and saving for this trip. During those two years of pouring over the catalogs, I frequently consulted my dearest husband about the furniture choices and why and what to expect when shopping at an Ikea and reiterated to him many times that we would have to put together most of the furniture ourselves. On the drive there, he acted like he’d never listed to any of these “conversations.” It was a trial.
Or so I thought. The real trial was when we got home and he decided to immediately begin putting together furniture. Let’s just say, I didn’t know Swedes could be called so many derogatory things. We are now 10 days into furniture building everything has been built. Except for the shelves that go above the TV bench. Those will go up once we’ve finished painting our bedroom.
The painting part should be fun. (Please note that is said with sarcasm). Joseph will be taking the 12th through the 15th off from work in order to paint the interior walls through out the house.
A dear friend once told me, “The couple that can build a home full of Ikea furniture together will be a couple who stays together.” We’ve made it through that bit but the real trial, I’m sure, will be when the OCD couple paints a house together. But it will be worth it in the end.
Just incase you happen to find yourself at this website and you are in or near Macon, GA. Leave me a comment or use the contact form (link in the sidebar), if you would be interested in taking in a kitten. We currently have 5 babies that need homes. One female, she is a tuxedo taby; one short haired black male; one med. length hair black male; one short haired grey & white tuxedo male; and one black & white tuxedo male.
These babies are have been raised around my rambuncious boys and actually are thriving in the environment with two special needs children. They are incredibly tolerant and affectionate and are completely litter trained.
Again, leave a comment or use the contact form if you’re interested.
I wish I could thank you for all of the fish. That was my final thought directed towards my teeth as the IV sedation started to take effect last Thursday morning.
I’ve always taken good care of my teeth. Brushed several times a day. Wore retainers starting at age 6, moving along to braces at age 10 then back to retainers for 2 yrs at age 16. Had my wisdom teeth removed at the right time. Had cleanings twice a year. But it wasn’t enough to save them from the fate they met last week.
When you have a lifetime of health problems that effect your teeth, sometimes you just cannot continue the fight save them. Sometimes you reach a point where you’ve had enough oral pain and just want to finish it. So, after a lifetime of asthma, acid reflux, sinus & allergy problems, and 3 pregnancies spent vomiting from conception to birth and a bad habit of grinding teeth when angry instead of unleashing the verbal tirade of anger, I had several crumbled teeth, cracked teeth and bruised teeth. I elected to have them all removed.
Dentures in two weeks. The two weeks part surprised me. I thought I would have to wait at least 6 months but was assured that with the shaping and smoothing that the oral surgeon did, as soon as the swelling goes down and the pain is gone, I should get fitted for dentures to prevent and further shrinking of the jaw line.
Until last night I had the repeating thought of, “This isn’t hurting anywhere near as bad as they told me it would.” I called the oral surgeon’s office this morning and she said that my gums themselves didn’t reach maximum swelling potential until last night because my jaw had to be dislocated to prevent breaking it so the previous swelling and pain was from the dislocating and repositioning of my jaw into the joint. Supposedly it should be loads better tomorrow as long as I’m doing hot & cold compresses and the salt water rinses. Basically whatever feels the best and helps the swelling at this point.
Another thought occurred to me in the last 4 days… Whomever coined the phrase, “Beauty is pain,” had to have just been through a dental procedure. Either way that whole beauty part won’t come to fruition until I get the dentures. I can’t wait to have a pretty smile again.
My apologies for the delay of this post. Like the Bounty commercial says, “Life is messy.” I’ve beens swamped with teenager drama and homeschooling Baby Boy.
This post needs a bit of a back story…
Norbert from Akron Grove Bath Products left a comment that went into spam moderation. It was in the comments for a post about wishing for after-hours nail salons and how unsatisfying I find the whole concept of home spa products. You’re just never leave feeling as relaxed as you do leaving a day spa.
When I read his comment that was tagged as comment spam, I felt conflicted. I have never done the whole paid advertisement thing on my blogs. None of them in the last 7 years. But his comment, while promoting the business he and his wife run, was sincere. I didn’t want to be my usual rude self so I contacted him and made him an offer to use & review their product/s if they wished and would give him a graphic link in the sidebar.
It has now been over a month and I feel like a complete arse for not getting to this sooner.
I was delighted to recieve their sample products. They sent the following product samples for me to try & review:
I cannot give these products enough praise. I think my absolute personal favorite is the Goat’s Milk & Honey Lotion with Shea. It feels like liquid silk and makes my very dry and sensitive skin feel just as silky. Also, I have a nickel allergy, when I shave my legs and other bits, thanks to razor blades containing nickel, I’m always left with itchy skin and nasty little red dots. I discovered that lotion prevents that dermatitis reaction! As soon as I’m able I will be purchasing as much as I can afford.
Baby Boy really liked the Green Tea soak. Ever since he was severely burned at age 3, the skin on his back from donor skin grafts has frequently itched. He is still asking when I’m going to order more because they instantly made his back stop itching the moment he got into the bath tub and laid back to relax.
The green apple scented products were a bit too strongly scented for my senses, however, they’ve been great for Boy #1 who has a difficult time waking in the morning due to what is called “sleep inertia.” Once I can get him awake and to the shower, and remind him to use the Green Apple with Olive Oil shower gel, he perks right up and is pleasant to be around. I’m a huge believer of the powerful effects of aromatherapy. Again, it’s another that is going on the list of items I plan on ordering from Akron Grove.
If you’d like to know even more about Akron Grove Bath Products and the people behind the products, you should take a moment and read this article from Tonawanda News. Donna and Norbert are real people discovering real business success starting with a recipe they found on the internet and still make in their own kitchen.
Akron Grove Bath Products has more than earned their graphical link in the sidebar. They’ve earned my respect and I’ve learned that sometimes, it pays to review what Akismet throws into the spam category. I thank them for the opportunity to review and promote their products. Not to mention their patience in waiting for this review!
