Blog - Blue Bottle Passion

May 14, 2021 by Sue Leave a Comment

United in Freedom We Stand

Our freedom is under attack. Current issues are seriously dividing us when we should be pulling together. Issues that concern all of us, whether Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative. Issues that should unite us as we find lots of common ground to build on.

Censorship

Freedom of speech is the cornerstone of all our freedoms. How do you have a healthy debate, when only one narrative is allowed? You may think this is okay, if your side isn’t censored. Whether you agree or disagree with those who are being censored, you have a right to all of the information.

Important issues including Hydroxychloroquine, mask wearing, vaccines, Hunter’s laptop, where the Covid virus started, and potential election fraud are being censored. Numerous conservatives, doctors and holistic medicine providers, religious organizations, conservative news organizations, the New York Post and President Trump have all been censored, banned or had accounts suspended from Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Google searches. You may think that’s only because they are spreading disinformation, right? Who’s deciding what constitutes disinformation and should be censored? Doctor Seuss is bad, but pedophilia is fine. Terrorists are allowed to post and plan on Twitter. Shouldn’t you have the right to decide for yourself? Censorship on social media leads to censoring books, publishing, television, radio, and on and on.

Facebook and Twitter are currently censoring what they consider disinformation regarding vaccines. The problem is, they are spreading misinformation themselves. Facebook’s community guidelines assert that its users may not state “that COVID-19 vaccines have not been approved.” However, it is accurate to state that there is no approved COVID-19 vaccine. During a public health emergency, the FDA can use its Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) authority to allow the use of unapproved medical products, or unapproved uses of approved medical products, to diagnose, treat, or prevent serious or life-threatening diseases when certain criteria are met, including that there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives. The FDA’s emergency use authorizations (EUA) for the COVID-19 vaccines states that: “This product has not been approved or licensed by FDA, but has been authorized for emergency use by FDA.” It is, in fact, a violation of federal law to claim that any COVID-19 vaccine is approved, yet Facebook’s guidelines permit claiming it is approved (which is false) and prohibit claiming it is not approved (which is true).

That is what happens when an unknown entity, which may or may not have a conflict of interests, is allowed to arbitrarily censor. It’s your decision whether you choose to vaccinate or not, but it’s just plain wrong to not have access to accurate and complete information regarding the risks vs. benefits.

Medical Freedom

Censorship leads us to the issue of vaccines, and in particular the Covid-19 injection, a gene therapy which delivers a synthetic, inorganic molecule that programs your immune system to synthesize spike proteins. It’s technically not a vaccine. The issue of whether one chooses to get this injection is hugely personal. The current Covid-19 injections were developed with cells originally obtained from aborted fetuses. Clinical trials for the Covid-19 injection won’t be completed until 2023, yet there is pressure to administer this to everyone, even children, pregnant women, and those with medical and autoimmune conditions that could likely be harmed by it.

Some colleges are mandating this in order to attend in the fall. Think of it. How can you mandate something that hasn’t even completed clinical trials? The manufacturers have no liability for potential harm the injections cause. Have you listened to the possible side effects for other prescription drugs on TV?

But what about herd immunity and the greater good? Before clinical trials are completed, do we really know whether the greater good is served by getting or refusing the injection? If this experimental jab becomes required, what about variants, and boosters next year? Do you really want to be a human guinea pig every year? What about other potential forced procedures for you and your children? I feel nothing is more important than freedom over our own bodies. When there hasn’t been long term testing, you don’t have informed consent. We do not want to mandate experimental procedures.

Election Integrity

Fundamental to all of our rights is election integrity. When people start getting banned from social media for questioning the integrity of our elections, it’s a huge red flag. Think about it. No one was banned after the 2016 election for questioning the results. Seems like that went on for years. 2020 comes along, and all of a sudden the same people that questioned the voting machines in 2016 tell us there has never been a more secure election. Why isn’t it possible to bring members of both parties together to examine the results, once and for all? If your favorite candidate won, great! But have you ever wondered how some of these politicians keep getting re-elected, year after year, for over 40 years?

Unbiased News

I’m so old, I remember when we had no idea whether the news anchor was more conservative or liberal, or who they might vote for. When both sides of an issue were presented equally. When newspapers kept their opinions to the editorial pages. Anonymous sources were verified. In recent years our news has turned into something that is no longer recognizable as news. Fear-mongering, divisiveness, rumor spreading, lies – that’s not news. We deserve to have facts presented to us in an unbiased manner. We don’t deserve to have propagandists masquerading as journalists intentionally inciting hate and divisiveness, and we don’t deserve news controlled by advertisers and sponsors. If it is, it needs to be disclosed.

United in Freedom

My hope is we can get to the point where we are united in freedom once again, but we have to be able to have discussions and listen to each other. We don’t have to agree on everything. We do need to protect our Constitution and the Bill of Rights. We have to be able to question everything. We have to follow the money. Covid-19 restrictions and censorship on social media has made having those discussions difficult. We all want the same things. Freedom to live, work, worship, raise our families in safety and the way we choose. I pray we find a way to unite once again.

Thinking about downsizing your home? Read about our journey here.

February 10, 2021 by Sue Leave a Comment

Introducing Frankincense Intense Hydrating Essence

How do you want your skin to feel? Adding Frankincense Intense Hydrating Essence can enhance your skincare routine!

What if there was a product that was designed to instantly hydrate and prep your skin enabling your skincare regime to be super-charged for maximum effectiveness? It’s here… our NEW Frankincense Intense Hydrating Essence will complement your routine. Sadly, as we age, our skin’s natural oils and moisture decreases, reducing its ability to easily absorb products. Fine lines appear deeper and skin appears dull.

Proof Organic Works

With a moisture-boosting blend of hyaluronic acid, purified pomegranate extract and organic argan oil, over time with use your skin looks healthier, brighter, and more refined.

Frankincense Intense Hydrating Essence is clinically proven to hydrate for 24 hours. *After one week, 80% of participants agreed their skin appeared smoother, and 75% agree their natural glow was restored. After two weeks, 80% of participants agreed the appearance of their skin was improved, and looked brighter, and 71% agreed their complexion was more refined. *Based on consumer trial with 100 women.

Improves performance

Add Frankincense Intense Hydrating Essence to your beauty routine and improve the performance of your Frankincense Intense™ Age-Defying or Lift Serum. It’s the perfect partner to enhance your Frankincense Intense™ routine.

Purified pomegranate extract helps to restore the natural flow of water in the skin, prepping it perfectly to better absorb serums, facial oils and moisturizers, improving their performance. A skin-conditioning combination of hydrating hyaluronic acid and organic argan oil plumps, nourishes and helps to strengthen skin, leaving it feeling soft, smooth and radiant.

First, cleanse your skin with Frankincense Intense Cleansing Melt and tone with Rejuvenation Frankincense Toner before using Frankincense Intense Hydrating Essence. Glide the light weight lotion over your face and lightly pat, enjoying the therapeutic aroma. Follow up with your eye cream, serum or facial oil, and moisturizer. Frankincense Intense Hydration Essence is not a substitute for your serum, oil and moisturizer, rather it preps the skin in order to maximize the benefits of your facial products. When used twice a day, a bottle of Frankincense Intense Hydration Essence will last a couple of months or longer. A little goes a long way! In fact, all your products last longer when you are layering multiple products, and they work better as well. I highly recommend the Frankincense Intense and the Frankincense Intense Lift range of products for aging well.

Enhances wellbeing

Inhaling the therapeutic aroma of frankincense, bergamot, mandarin and myrrh calms and centers while soothing your senses with our Boswellia sacra (frankincense) essential oil, treasured for centuries for its deeply relaxing aroma. Pamper yourself with a lovely facial experience using your Neal’s Yard Remedies skincare. Light a candle, or diffuse some relaxing essential oils, and turn your skincare into an experience that will leave you relaxed, calm and peaceful, and loving your skin!

Read about why you need a special eye cream!

January 17, 2021 by Sue Leave a Comment

Valentines With Stampin’ Up Hot Dog Stamp Set

A Blue Bottle Stamping post!

Once Christmas is over, it’s time to think about Valentine’s Day! The new Hot Dog photopolymer stamp set was my inspiration for Valentines this year. The sweet little heart stamp is just begging to be used on a Valentine! This Hot Dog Stamp set is so versatile!

I love to start with Kraft paper card stock. So versatile! And I hope you didn’t hide away all your holiday designer series papers, because those red prints come in handy for Valentines. Designer Series Paper Brights would work as well. I used the Real Red Classic Stampin’ pad. Additional supplies I used are an old wood stamp for the greeting, a bit of washi tape and baker’s twine.

I started out by cutting circles with my die cutter to stamp the dogs on. The photopolymer stamps make centering your stamp so easy, unlike the wood stamp I used for the greeting. I need to remember to stamp first, then cut out as you can see I struggled to center the ‘love’ stamp! I colored the dogs with our Crumb Cake Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack. The Ivory Card Stock worked with the Stampin’ Blends far better than the scrap of white paper, which tended to bleed. Below is the basic layout, and you could stop here and call it done. I used one and a half-two inches of the red print down the middle, and a bit of washi tape under the greeting.

I wanted to add those cute little hearts, so I stamped those kind of random, and added a baker’s twine bow to the dog with a mini glue dot.

So I was ready to leave it go at that, but the circles the dogs were on didn’t pop quite as much as I hoped. I thought a band of red print would be enough, but I decided to try cutting a slightly bigger circle in another random red print. Also, the dogs kind of appear to be floating, so I added a shadow underneath. You could put a few blades of green grass, but I didn’t really want to add another color.

So that’s how I will finish the rest. Inside I plan to stamp the phrase from the Hot Dog set that says “I love you – that’s the long and short of it.” As a Basset Hound owner, I love the short legged pups. My brother-in-law’s comment about Rosie, our pup, was she’s half a dog high and a dog and a half long. I’m making a total of 6 with this basic design, so the first 2 maybe aren’t quite as cool, but I always say, done is better than perfect. If I waited to get them perfect, I’d never finish any, lol!

So what are you stamping for Valentine’s Day? If I can help you with your Stampin’ Up products, give me a shout. Be sure to follow my Blue Bottle Stamping page on Facebook for all the latest news and specials. Sale-A-Bration continues through Feb. 28, 2021. Earn fabulous free products with every $50 purchase! Happy Stamping! And if you want to read more about Rosie, check out my post, Life is Better with a Dog.

December 28, 2020 by Sue Leave a Comment

Stampin’ Up Sale-A-Bration! – 2021

What’s new for Sale-a-Bration 2021? Fabulous stamp sets and designer paper!

*A Blue Bottle Stamping post*

I love being able to see the new catalogs before they become available! This year’s Sale-a-bration catalog does not disappoint!

SALE-A-Bration Products

Darling Donkeys (155264, free with $50 purchase) was the first item to catch my eye. These stamps will make adorable cards for everyone! Just a bit of color from Stampin’ Blends will take your Darling Donkeys cards to the next level. For easy projects, you can purchase a Darling Donkeys Project Collection for $62.25 to get everything you need including cardstock, Designer Series Paper Assortment, embellishments and ink. The project purchase qualifies you to get the Darling Donkeys stamps for FREE!

The Berry Blessings Stamp Set + Berry Delightful Designer Series Paper (1576123, free with $100 purchase) was the next item to top my list of must haves. This is a Two-Step set of photopolymer stamps for easy coloring. The stamps are great with the paper, but they also coordinate with the Sweet Strawberry Bundle in the January-June Mini Catalog.

Of course there is Designer Series Paper in a rainbow of gorgeous florals and patterns. (Three other sets!) There are four other sets of stamps with greetings, bouquets, hummingbirds and butterflies. Your choice of item free with each $50 and/or $100 purchase!

2021 Mini Catalog

So what to buy to qualify for free items? Well I’m glad you asked, as the January-June 2021 Mini Catalog has so many great options!

The Hot Dog (154497, $17) was my first must have. I’m a sucker for cute puppies, and even though these are probably weiner dogs, I plan to color them to look like Rosie, my basset hound. So cute!!! I’m thinking Valentines with this sweet set!

My craft supplies are not as organized as I would like. Sometimes, the idea of gathering what I need to craft seems so daunting, I don’t even start. Fortunately Stampin’ Up has some solutions! The You Are Amazing Project Kit (155370, $30) and the You Are Amazing Stamp Set (154534, $21) has all the major occasions covered. Beautiful greetings for birthday, congrats, and thank you. Simply add a Stampin’ Pad and adhesive of your choice and you are ready for anything!

The other set I ordered to preview is the Hydrangea Haven (154470, $26) Two-Step photopolymer stamps. Dies are available to take your stamping to the next level, and really, who doesn’t love hydrangeas?

I can’t wait to begin crafting! If you are interested in seeing some of my finished projects, I will be posting them on my Facebook page. Follow the Facebook link below. Shop Sale-A-Bration from Jan. 5-Feb. 28 2021!

Check out the digital brochure:

https://s.tamp.in/Gsa94d

Follow my Blue Bottle Stamping Facebook Page for all the latest Stampin’ Up news, sales, product, and crafting tips information! Here’s a quick and easy card tutorial.

October 8, 2020 by Sue Leave a Comment

Neal’s Yard Remedies 2020 Holiday Gift Guide

The Neal’s Yard Remedies 2020 Holiday Gifts are arriving in the United States. Here is your guide to finding perfect organic gifts for everyone on your list!

The first thing you will notice about this year’s holiday gifts is the stunning packaging. I have no idea how each year they are able to surpass the beautiful packaging from the year before. This year each package showcases a beautiful slice of tree rings in a gorgeous, artistic pattern. So, who’s on your list?

Holiday Gifts for Your Crunchy Friends

Whether your crunchy friends are familiar with Neal’s Yard products, or this is their introduction, they will love the Radiance Wild Rose Duo. This gift includes a .50 fl. oz. Wild Rose Hand Cream, and a .53 oz. mini of our hero product, Wild Rose Beauty Balm. The packaging is a bio-degradable plant pot, made from recycled wood fibre. These can be filled with soil and a seed or two and planted directly in your garden or window box. The Radiance Wild Rose Duo sells for $19.50.

Gifts for Your Grandma

Grandma will thank you for this beautiful hand serum! Specifically formulated to target the visible signs of aging on the hands, Frankincense Intense™ Hand Treatment Serum ($45) is clinically proven to firm and hydrate skin and reduce the appearance of lines, wrinkles and age spots. Enriched with restoring ribose, reviving narcissus extract and provitamin A-rich organic rosehip seed oil, this lightweight serum will leave Grandma’s hands feeling smoother, with a more even skin tone.

Gifts for the Kid’s Teachers

My next gift suggestion actually is a pair of new products, from the regular line. Defend and Protect Hand Wash ($9.50) is certified organic. It is delicately scented with a purifying blend of organic niaouli, lemongrass and witch hazel, and your hands will feel clean, fresh and protected. Gently foaming and with a non-drying formula, it’s the perfect hand wash for the entire family. Pair it with Defend & Protect Hand Lotion. ($10.50) Teachers will appreciate a lotion enriched with skin-conditioning sunflower oil, protective beeswax to help lock in moisture, and a purifying blend of organic essential oils. It’s the perfect post-cleanse treat for hardworking hands. Pick up a cute tray, gift bag or basket at the Dollar Store you have a gift that will be appreciated by all your kids’ favorite teachers.

Gifts for Your Favorite Neighbor or Co-Worker

The Balancing Aromatherapy Candle ($44) will bring a sense of harmony into your favorite neighbor’s or co-Worker’s home. Beautifully scented with grounding bergamot and relaxing patchouli organic essential oils, Neal’s Yard Remedies candles are made from an organic beeswax and plant-oil blend and are hand-poured around a textile wick.

Holiday Gifts for your BFF

One of the best ways to enhance your radiance, is with the Radiance Wild Rose Collection. Includes smaller sizes of the Wild Rose Body Polish, (2.53 fl. oz.), Wild Rose Shower Oil, (3.38 fl. oz.), Wild Rose Body Lotion, (3.38 fl. oz.), and Wild Rose Beauty Serum, (0.27 fl. oz.). Also available in our full size versions separately is the Wild Rose Body Polish (5.29 oz) at $29.50 and Wild Rose Body Lotion (6.76 fl. oz.) at $29.50. Loaded with Certified Organic Rosehip seed oil that is cold pressed to preserve the radiance-boosting goodness of provitamin A.

Gifts for Mom or a Special Lady

When you are looking for a gift to impress, you can’t go wrong with the Frankincense Intense™ Lift Collection. This beautifully packaged gift targets the loss of firmness, elasticity and definition that are the second signs of aging. Scientifically formulated with lifting technology, it also helps your favorite lady relax, as she inhales the therapeutic frankincense aroma while applying. Includes Frankincense Intense™ Cleansing Melt, (1.01 fl. oz.) Frankincense Intense™ Lift Serum, (1.01 fl. oz.) Frankincense Intense™ Lift Eye Cream, (0.53 fl. oz.) and my personal favorite, Frankincense Intense™ Lift Cream. (1.76 oz.) Read about what makes it so special HERE.

These are just a few of the awesome Neal’s Yard Remedies Holiday Gifts for 2020. Who else is on your list this year? I would love to help you choose the perfect gift for that hard to buy for person. I have a limited number of mini gift guides that I will pop in the mail to help you with your shopping. Fill out the form below to request your copy of the 2020 Holiday Gifts mini catalog!

Join Neal’s Yard Remedies!

You can join the Neal’s Yard Remedies family for $60 through Nov. 5th, 2020! Be the first to hear when all the Holiday Gifts arrive, and shop with a consultant discount! Learn more HERE, and reach out to me with any questions.

September 30, 2020 by Sue 4 Comments

Are You the Target Audience?

Social media is something I look forward to spending a bit of time with (well too much, actually) every day. During divisive times, social media changes and instead of being fun can cause anger, hurt, and worse.

Sometimes I post something, and I know not every one of my friends or followers will agree. I understand we support different causes, or candidates or whatever. If you post something about a candidate and I support the other candidate, that is absolutely fine. If I post something about the candidate I support know that my post was intended for anyone still on the fence. As a conservative leaning person, I see everyday how those types of posts are censored and shadow-banned on social media, and my hope by sharing is to help make additional information available.

Sometimes I see things that I think might give hope. I recently came across some figures about surviving coronavirus. I took a screen shot and shared it, thinking this was really good news

What I didn’t expect was to be jumped on and told this chart was bull and wishful thinking. I didn’t expect my post would cause anger and hurt. The reactions left me upset, so I deleted my post, and yet I feel I need to respond. I’m sure I’m not the only one this is happening to.

First of all the post is not bogus. The chart is on the CDC website and you can find the information here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/planning-scenarios.html If you don’t want to wade through the entire article, here is a screen shot of the portion these figures came from.

Now I realize survival ratios are not the entire coronavirus story. Over 200,000 deaths is horrible, yet even that is not the whole story.

After I posted a friend reached out to me privately and shared how devastating her experience with contracting coronavirus has been. I realize there is more to it than just surviving, and of course surviving does not mean it isn’t a serious disease with serious ramifications. But these figures above do not reflect the fear mongering we hear on the news every night, or the continuing restrictions on everyone’s lives and businesses.

I have had similar experiences when I shared optimistic information about hydroxychloroquine. Followers jumped on my post pointing out how ridiculous it was to think this could help with coronavirus, or how bogus my sources were. Hydroxychloroquine is another subject being censored on social media. Even doctors are not allowed to share experiences without being censored.

Now we are a month away from an extremely divisive election. People will be posting things you may not agree with. If your first instinct is to comment bull sh*t or add something nasty and hurtful to that post, or to criticize the source of their information, ask yourself, Am I the target audience for this post? Is my comment helpful? If every time you read someone’s posts it makes your blood boil, maybe you aren’t the target audience, and maybe it’s time to “Snooze” that person for 30 days. Facebook has a wonderful feature where all you do is look for the 3 dots in the upper right hand corner of their post and choose “Snooze for 30 days.” If you snooze someone soon, you won’t have to look at their posts practically until after the election.

Another thing to try is scroll by. We can ignore many things if we try. Posts that are a nasty attack on the candidate you support can be difficult to get past. That’s where Snoozing, and limiting social media time might help.

I will be giving more thought to what I share in the next month in particular. But keep in mind I use my social media for business as well as personal, and you may not be my target audience. Another great feature on Facebook, is the “like” button. If none of my social media audience click the “like” button, I get a clear message about my post. I even enjoy the occasional respectful debate of issues, but lately that doesn’t seem to happen.

The world would be a boring place if we all agreed on everything. Know that if you and I differ on important issues, I can respect you and love you, while disagreeing with you. We can agree we are blessed to live in a country where we are free to speak our mind, even if it means criticizing our leaders. We can agree on all the important things, like wanting the best for our families and our country. If we disagree on how to go about getting that, we can pray God helps us in the end. God bless America.

July 17, 2020 by Sue 1 Comment

Celebrate Sunflowers Greeting Card Evolution

Last month I finally did it. I signed up with Stampin’ Up as a demonstrator. Maybe I fell in love with the new annual catalog and the Celebrate Sunflowers Stamp Set. Maybe it was the solitary months at home. Maybe it was all the packing and unpacking I’ve done since we decided to move. Maybe it was the extra bundle of products for signing up in June. Anyway, whatever the reason, I feel like I haven’t had a chance to work on creative projects, and now I can totally justify however much time I choose to spend on card making, lol!

I would really love to offer card making make and take classes here in my home, but with the corona virus I’m not sure if anyone would be comfortable coming over, so I thought I would play around with creating a card and sharing here in my blog. Start out with a 4 1/4″ X 5 1/2″ plain yellow card from one of Michael’s multi card packs. I will definitely be using Stampin’ Up card stock in the future, but I believe in using what I have, and we all need to save where we can. Daffodil Delight, item # 119683 will work from Stampin’ Up, and 1 sheet will make 2 cards.

I received the Celebrate Sunflowers, item # 152517, in my demonstrator kit. Did I mention what a great value the demonstrator kit is? Anyway, you could totally use the note card plain, but that’s no fun. I did a little search on Pinterest for inspiration. Sometimes I don’t feel like I have a creative brain at all, but I’m okay with that, as long as I have access to Pinterest.

I started out by stamping the large sunflower 3 times, overlapping the edge of the card a bit. Now if you wanted to, you could call it done. I used a mustard stamp pad that has since been discontinued. You could use brown, if you have it, or Cinnamon Cider, item # 153120 would work well.

I wanted to use the thank you greeting, so I cut a scrap of white cardstock 7/8″ X 4″ and stamping it with Old Olive, item # 147090.

Again, we could call it good now, but I thought it needed something to tie the Old Olive in the greeting to the base. I added a few leaves, stamped in Old Olive.

Now I wanted to give the greeting a bit more depth, so I cut another scrap with an orange print 1 1/4″ by 5.” I glued the greeting to it, with a little angle cut, and attached it with Stampin’ Dimensionals, item # 104430.

So there it is, a super easy and quick thank you card! I like to make at least 2 at a time. This would be a great design to make several, and maybe use different greetings. Next time I will try a design with the Sunflower Dies.

I would love to have you join my Stampin’ Up community. Follow my Facebook page Blue Bottle Stamping for the latest product info and specials! If you are interested in shopping online for the products in this post or others, go to Stampin’ Up, click on FIND A DEMONSTRATOR at the top of the page, then click on FIND MY DEMONSTRATOR and enter Sue Kaup, Stillwater MN to shop with me. Thanks for following, and keep on Stampin’!

June 3, 2020 by Sue Leave a Comment

Why a Former Bernie Supporter Prays for Trump

I’m not in the habit of sharing my politics, but if we want our country to survive, something has to change.

Even though I was a Bernie supporter in 2016, I wasn’t upset when Trump won the election. After Hillary hijacked the Democratic nomination it became clear both parties were corrupt, and don’t represent we the people. It was clear the voters realized neither party had the people’s confidence.

After the election I sincerely hoped Trump would rise to the occasion. Instead he seemed to intentionally give the media plenty of ammunition. And no one was willing to give him a chance. After all, the only reason he got elected was because the Russians meddled, whatever that meant. Or did they? Soon I could no longer watch late night TV. Sure, Letterman and Carson use to poke fun at previous presidents, but it wasn’t this vicious, mean-spirited stuff. I can’t think of anyone who’s ever had this type of hatred directed at them. Not even Nixon. Everything Trump does is wrong, according to the media and the Democrats.

When friends complain about Trump, I’d ask if they listened to the speech he gave. Well no, I hate him so much I can’t listen to him, they say. But let me tell you, there’s a huge difference to what he says, and what the media says he says. Just listen to a press conference. They don’t even attempt to hide their bias.

And you know what? He is a jerk, and he’s crude, and he’s an arrogant narcissist. And he uses Twitter for what purpose I’m not quite sure. But he’s our president. And the Democrats and the media would see the country destroyed, rather than have him get re-elected. And folks we have six more crucial months with him as our president. He’s in charge. It’s on him whether we recover from our current situation.

He said he’d drain the swamp. I don’t think the swamp dwellers intend to let that happen, and they are desperate to do anything and everything to make Trump look bad, even if it destroys our country.

This week after Trump visited the Episcopal church and a Catholic shrine, I can no longer stay quiet. Not about turning them into a photo op, but that the clergy would presume to know what was in his heart. How do they know? Recently he announced the churches need to reopen after months of being shut down, because our country needs more prayer, and he’s absolutely right. He visits the Episcopal Church burned by rioting, holds a bible, and the the bishop is “outraged.” Yes, I heard there were peaceful protesters that were cleared for the visit. Maybe excessive force used, and maybe it wasn’t. We’ll never know for sure, because the media spins it. And the Archbishop condemns his visit to a catholic shrine? Why? Since when do we know another’s motivation? Is it possible these photo ops have something to do with the executive order he signed on Tuesday, June 2, promoting and defending religious freedoms abroad?

I’m not trying to tell you who to vote for. I’m never going to change your mind. I’m not even trying to defend Trump. I’m just so sick of gaslighting and political spinning. I’m suggesting for the next six months we use the energy put into hating the man in the White House and put it instead into prayer for our country and it’s leaders, and whoever will be the president for the four years after that.

For the next six months. Our country depends on it. More prayer. Less hate. I, for one, am hoping for the best.

April 3, 2020 by Sue 4 Comments

7 Steps to Survive “Sheltering at Home”

Sheltering at home is definitely not something I ever thought I’d be writing about. And I certainly do not consider myself an expert. But I do consider myself a survivor at this point, so here goes.

Stick to a Schedule

Sure it’s tempting to binge-watch the hottest series late into the night, but getting a good night’s sleep is important for your health, both mental and physical. Stick to a bedtime you can live with, and get up the same time every morning.

Get Dressed

I’ve seen lots of jokes about staying in pajamas all day, and it’s certainly tempting when you don’t plan to see anyone. But resist the temptation, and put on a bit of makeup and jewelry. It just feels better!

Plan Healthy Meals

Whether you live alone, or have a family, don’t underestimate the importance of eating healthy. Don’t beat yourself up for snacking more than normal, just make sure you are getting plenty of fruits and veggies, whether fresh or frozen. Look on Pinterest for a new Instant Pot or sheet pan meal.

Take a Walk

If you have family and a dog with you during this time of social isolation, you are blessed indeed. Get outside, first thing each day if possible. If you can’t get out to walk, find a youTube video to exercise with.

Socialize Virtually

Reach out to friends and family, whether by phone, text or email every day. Check on those who live alone. We’re distancing, not isolating, even though it feels that way more often than I’d like.

Nurture your Spiritual Side

I miss attending church most of all. Our church has been posting Mass on their website, and so I can watch it on Sunday mornings. Choose someone to pray for each day, without telling them. We all know someone with serious issues that will benefit from extra prayers. Our leaders certainly need prayer during these times.

Count your Blessings

I really miss going out to eat, but I’m blessed to have plenty of good, healthy food here at home. I’m tired of not seeing friends and family, but I’m blessed to live in a comfortable home. Look around. An attitude of gratitude goes a long way during difficult times, including sheltering at home. When life hands you lemons, make lemon pie.

January 18, 2020 by Sue 1 Comment

The Sensitive Skin Collection from Neal’s Yard Remedies

Finally effective skincare that is kind to sensitive skin!

And at this time of year, isn’t everyone’s skin is sensitive?!

The second biggest skincare concern after aging well, is sensitive skin. Neal’s Yard Remedies new Sensitive Collection is dermatologist tested and approved, fragrance free, alcohol free and certified organic. If you have ever experienced redness, irritation or excessive dryness and sensitivity, read on!

Many women with sensitive skin experience dryness, however products aimed at dry or atopic skin are frequently formulated to reduce water loss by acting as a barrier which locks in moisture. This is not always appropriate for sensitive skin as that can cause itching and irritation. The Sensitive Collection is formulated to encourage a healthier skin barrier while allowing skin to ‘breathe’.

Comfort + Hydrate Micellar Cleanser

A perfect morning and evening routine begins with cleansing. Sensitive Comfort + Hydrate Micellar Cleanser cleanses, hydrates, refreshes and soothes for 12 hours. Skin soothing oat extract moisturizes and plumps and hyaluronic acid attracts and retains water molecules, helping to plump the top layers of the skin.

Sensitive Restore + Smooth Serum

Just two drops of Sensitive Restore + Smooth Serum after cleansing provides a restoring blend of sodium hyaluronate, helichrysum and sea water extracts, and hydrating hyaluronic acid and smoothing oat extract, reducing the appearance of redness over time, and fine lines and wrinkles appear visibly plumped.

Sensitive Replenish + Balance Moisturiser

Finish your routine with Sensitive Replenish + Balance Moisturiser. A combination of skin-conditioning fatty acids, antioxidant-rich oat oil and helichrysum extract soothes, comforts and nourishes skin. Massage onto face and neck following cleansing and serum with gentle upward strokes until fully absorbed.

What’s left out?

What you won’t find in the Sensitive Collection is every bit as important as what is in it. Fragrance and alcohol are frequent irritants for many, and they are left out of the Sensitive Collection. Neal’s Yard Remedies has a list of 10 ingredients that could cause you or the planet harm, that you will never find in their products. Among them are ingredients derived from petroleum, an irritant for many.

Pamper your sensitive skin and protect it from harsh weather, dry air and the stress of hectic living with the clinically proven Sensitive Collection from Neal’s Yard Remedies! As with all Neal’s Yard Remedies products, you are protected with a 45 day guarantee. And if you hurry, you can save $40 when you try the trio while supplies last before February 9th, 2020!

Read about easing facial redness here!