Aspirin Mask

Well, I am trying to refine my girly side - which includes wearing make-up again.  The problem with that is that I tend to have ALOT more break-outs, so I researched the best facial masks/cleansers to help with this.  Believe it or not, the one that stuck out at me was the Aspirin Mask.  (if you are allergic to Aspirin DO NOT USE THIS!)

WHAT??  Don't look at me like that - it makes complete sense once you know the properties of Aspirin.

Aspirin is made out of salicylic acid also known as Beta Hydroxy Acid, BHA for short.  BHA is an exfoliant & has anti-inflammatory properties.  If you check out many of the acne care products on the market, you will see that they include BHA labeled as salicylic acid. 

I am sharing what I have used - feel free to research & find a recipe that works for you!

2 or 3 UNCOATED aspirin tablets
1 tsp of water
Honey (anti-bacterial)

First I crushed the aspirin tablets just a little bit to help speed up the dissolving. 

I put the crushed aspirin in a shot glass & added just a little bit of lukewarm water.  

Add a little honey ( I did a couple squirts, or maybe a tsp)

Mix this all up and viola, you have a mask/scrub.  (It is a little messy, so I do this before showering.  By doing this it allows me to get up to the hairline also since I don't have to worry about messing up the hair *ha so funny if you know me*)

Gently rub the mixture onto your skin in circular motions, avoiding the eye area.

Keep rubbing gently as a scrub
OR
Leave on for 10 - 15 minutes as a mask.  (this will not get tight like normal masks!)

Rinse off with lukewarm water - if you used this as a mask, use gentle circular motions again to gently scrub off.

Follow with a non-alcohol toner & a high SPF moisturizer!

There you have it - cheap & effective, just like me :o)

xo MJ

Consistency

But the LORD’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken. Psalm 33:11, NLT

“The LORD’s plans stand firm forever.” Are you frustrated by inconsistencies you see in others, or even in yourself? God is completely trustworthy—his intentions never change. There is a promise that good and perfect gifts come to us from the Creator who never changes.

When you wonder if there is anyone in whom you can trust, remember that God is completely consistent. Let him counsel you, and trust in his plans for your life.

What is YOUR motive?

LORD, have mercy on me. See how my enemies torment me. Snatch me back from the jaws of death. Save me so I can praise you publicly at Jerusalem’s gates, so I can rejoice that you have rescued me.  Psalm 9:13-14, NLT

All of us want God to help us when we are in trouble, but often for different reasons. Some want God’s help so that they will be successful and other people will like them. Others want God’s help so that they will be comfortable and feel good about themselves. David, however, wanted help from God so that justice would be restored to Israel and so that he could show others God’s power.

When you call to God for help, consider your motive. Is it to save yourself pain and embarrassment or to bring God glory and honor?

God On Trial

 Polly over at The 5th Sister ran this as her Sacred Sunday piece & I asked her if I may repost it.  I feel it is a message that we all need to hear, asorb, & reflect on.  She wanted me to make sure that I give credit where it is due because she was not the original author - Fr. Paul Scalia wrote this piece. (He's the son of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia)  This article was originally published in the Arlington Catholic Herald and subsequently posted on the Catholic Exchange website

(Image from Google Images; artist unknown despite extensive search by Polly)

God on Trial

Traditionally, the Church has understood Our Lord’s three temptations in the desert as a summary of the temptations we face. St. Thomas observes, “The matter of all sins were included in the three temptations.” By this interpretation, Our Lord occupies our place. On our behalf He undergoes and triumphs over the temptations of the evil one. Or, better still, in Him we triumph over all temptation.

There is, however, another way of understanding Our Lord’s temptations. Instead of seeing us in Christ’s place, we can see ourselves in the devil’s. Without denying the significance of the traditional interpretation, we can understand the devil’s temptations of Our Lord as signifying also the various ways in which we tempt God — that is, how we test Him and put Him on trial. It is not a flattering interpretation, to be sure. But we often need strong medicine for healing.

Consider the devil’s basic question to the accused: “If you are the Son of God …” (Lk 4:3, 9). This expresses an attitude, implicit if not explicit, that we assume quite often. It is a petulant, peevish response to God’s self-revelation. He reveals Himself and rather than taking Him at His word, rather than responding in faith, we demand proof. We say, in effect, “Oh, yeah? Prove it.” Zechariah copped this attitude and received a rather severe punishment. God’s messenger declared to him, “you will be speechless and unable to talk … because you did not believe my words” (Lk 1:20).

The devil also exemplifies the particular proofs we demand. There is, first of all, the proof of worldly comfort: “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread” (Lk 4:3). For us to believe, we demand that He give us want we want for our worldly comfort. We may not have this exact thought process, but the attitude lurks within. For some reason we suppose that our health and wealth is proof of His divinity — and that the lack or loss of them is reason to doubt or reject Him. How many people lose their faith precisely because they lost the worldly comfort on which they had based it. If He is God, they say, He would not have allowed this.

Second, we demand power. “All this will be yours, if you worship me,” says the devil (Lk 4:7). Now, we would never be so crass as to demand that He worship us. At least not in so many words. But we do demand that He conform to our way of thinking and our way of living before we will let Him into our world. In other words, He must set aside His divine claims before we allow Him in. No, we do not close Him out entirely. We just require Him to take a lower, less divine place — right there alongside our other devotions, interests and hobbies. Instead of conforming ourselves to Him, we demand that He conform Himself to us.

Third, we demand “signs and wonders” in order to believe. The devil demanded a spectacle — that Jesus throw Himself from the temple parapet and let His angels save Him. That would get their attention. Likewise, we demand something stupendous and amazing (which Our Lord warned against specifically: cf. Mt 24:24; Mk13:22; Jn 4:48). We are not content to marvel and wonder at the “small” workings of God. We have grown bored with His “regular” works. We want something big!

Chesterton succinctly condemns this spiritual boredom: “There is only one sin: to call a green leaf grey.” Sin comes from boredom with the wonder of God’s creation, with His small voice, and with His smaller presence in Mary and in the Eucharist. The irony is, those who insist on miracles typically do not believe them when they come — exactly as Our Lord warned: “If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead” (Lk 16:31).

“Prove it” is not a good attitude toward God. We should instead say, “Help me to see!” Mother Church gives us Lent as a time to correct our mindset and cultivate the proper openness to and delight in God’s self-revelation — so that as Easter comes our response to Him will be one not of doubt but of devotion: “My Lord, and my God!”


Polly, thank you for sharing this piece with us originally & thank you for allowing me to repost.  I chose to use your wording for the introduction because it was very well written & gave the proper accredidation to the orignial author.  xo - Mary

Sunday Stealing Part Duex

Check out part One here Cheers to all of us thieves!
Sunday Stealing: The Clown's Meme 2

34. What do you like about the summer?  the ability to flex the schedule some (Goose has to be on a strick schedule during the school year)

35. What do you like about spring?  the renewal & rebirth it brings

 36. How many states provinces have you lived in? 1

37. What cities/towns have you lived in?  Mt Blanchard, McComb, Bowling Green, Middle Point & my current one

38. Do you prefer shoes, socks, or bare feet?  bare feet all the way!

39. Are you a social person?  friendly more than social

40. What was the last thing you ate?  a piece of toast

41. What is your favorite restaurant?  Texas Roadhouse - plus several mom & pop type places

42. What is your favorite ice cream?  Orange & Vanilla Swirl

43. What is your favorite dessert?  use to be cheesecake - anymore nothing

44. What is your favorite kind of soup?  Zuppa Toscana

45. What kind of jelly do you like on your PB & J sandwich? Grape

46. Do you like Chinese food?  love it!

47. Do you like coffee? I would have an IV of it some days

48. How many glasses of water, a day, do you drink on average?  32 oz (not enough I know)

49. What do you drink in the morning?  Ice Tea

50. What non-banking related card in your wallet is the most valuable to you?  Starbucks Card

51. Do you sleep on a certain side of the bed?  where ever I flop

52. Do you know how to play poker?  use to play it in High School study hall - I'm sure I could relearn

53. Do you like to cuddle?  use to  - not any more though

54. Have you ever been to Canada?  yeppers - Windsor a couple times & Banff, Alberta, Canada (BEAUTIFUL!!)

55. Do you have an addictive personality?  ha - no

56. Do you eat out or at home more often?  home

57. What do you miss about highschool, if anything?  the simplicity, no bills

58. Do you know anyone with the same birthday as you?  not personally

59. Do you want kids?  I have 2, so that would be a yes!!!!  I wanted 4

60. Do you speak any other languages? un pocito espanol

61. Have you ever gotten stitches?  too many times to count

62. Have you ever ridden in an ambulance?  twice

63. Do you prefer an ocean or a pool?  ocean & the endless spance of if

64. Do you prefer a window seat or an aisle seat?  aisle

65. Do you know how to drive stick?  sure - it's been awhile, but it's like riding a bike

66. What is your favorite thing to spend money on?  others

Did anyone notice?

Did anyone notice, did anyone care that I didn't post all week here??

Do I really care if you did notice or not?? Nope!

I feel like a new woman / blogger :o)  I started a new adventure and couldn't be happier with it.  I do need to figure out how to get the feed burner to show up over there, yes I know there is a gadget for it, but for some reason I couldn't get it working.

This sight will continue to host my Weekly Wisdoms, Faithful Fridays, & random tidbits about my life & the girls.

For those of you that I follow & normally comment on, if you noticed a decline in comments from me it is not your imagination!  I have been selfish the last couple weeks and focused on me, but I am ready to jump back in with both feet & share my love.

xoxo
MJ

WAY TO GO!!

I JUST HAVE TO SHOUT WITH JOY FOR A CLASSMATE OF MINE!

HE WAS SIGNED ON AS ASSISTANT DEFENSIVE COACH FOR THE DENVER BRONCOS!!

The Denver Broncos on Thursday hired Craig Aukerman as the team's defensive assistant, it was announced.


Aukerman, 33, enters his 11th coaching season, his first at the NFL level, after serving in various capacities in 10 seasons at the collegiate level.

Last season, Aukerman guided linebackers at Kent State and helped the Golden Flashes hold four opponents without a touchdown. Junior middle linebacker Cobrani Mixon earned a spot on the All-Mid-American Conference first team after leading the Pirates and placing eighth in the conference with 108 tackles.

Before his stint at Kent State, Aukerman spent four seasons (2005-08) at the University of Miami (Ohio) where he started as the linebackers coach before adding co-special teams coordinator duties in 2007. During his watch, three of the RedHawks' linebackers - Joey Hudson, Clayton Mullins and Caleb Bostic - appeared on the Butkus Award Preseason Watch list in 2008, the first time in the history of that award that one school had three nominees.

From 2003-04, Aukerman served several roles at Western Kentucky. In 2003, he led the Hilltoppers' outside linebackers before being named the school's special teams coordinator and inside linebackers coach in 2004. Under his watch, the school ranked in the Gateway Conference's top three in scoring defense while producing a pair of all-conference linebackers.

In 2001-02, Aukerman was a graduate assistant at Miami (Ohio) where he was responsible for the team's defensive backs while breaking down the opposition's offense and directing the offensive scout team.

Aukerman's initial coaching position was as wide receivers coach at the University of Findlay in 2000.

A four-year letterwinner (1995-98) and two-time NAIA All-American at Findlay, Aukerman played defensive back, wide receiver and contributed on special teams to help the Oilers win two national titles.

Aukerman, who received his bachelor's degree from Findlay, and his wife, Summer, have a son, Cayden.

Bring it

Well, yesterday was the Daytona 500 - which means that I am officially a Nascar widow.  It's great.  I really don't mind the sport, but to have to sit hours on end and watch a bunch of cars go around and around a circle while someone commentaries is just not my cup of tea.  I would much rather be there where I can experience the smells, people watch & just asorb it all.

I also hate Valentines day.  Yep, I said it.  I really, really hate it.  Not because I do not receive anything, but because it has become such a Hallmark holiday.  I think it is a crock that there has to be a day that we go out of our way to show our love for each other.  That and when I went out Saturday night to pick up a few little items, WalMart was a mad house.  WHY??? because they were afraid that their significant others wouldn't know they loved them??  Give me a break.

I am ready for high school drama to end.  I even offered to walk away before things get out of hand because I can not deal with it any more.  I am 32 thankyouverymuch.  Yes somedays I resort to acting like a teenager, but for the most part I act as the mature, responsible adult I am.  Yeah I have flaws, who doesnt??  One of my biggest would be that I don't always think through things before I form an opinion.  Over the last year I have done so much better, but every once in a while it rears its ugly head.

So my friends, I'll catch you on the flip side - like my previous post stated, I'm not sure how much I will be posting here.
Love you all
MJ

M.I.A.

Between:

this was the first snow fall

Chuck E Cheese B-day

Yep, it came out finally

AND how can I forget this

I just haven't had the time or gumption to really be a good blogger
.

That and I am about blogged out.  It started as a great way to share what I was thinking and feeling. However, when I learned that everyone and their brother (from IRL) were reading it I started sensoring what I published.  I have many things I would love to share, but have been using my old fashion journal to log my thoughts because of fear of retaliation.

I have gained so many wonderful friends because of this site.  Here are just a few, in no particular order:  HL, 5th Sister, Erin, Lee, Tracie, Tami G  I will still be visiting several of you & commenting, but my posting will be sporadic.  I thank each and every one of you for your love, support, tears, & laughs. 

Love,

MJ 

Sunday Stealing

1. How old will you be in five years?  37 and some change



2. Who did you spend at least two hours with today?  Me, myself, oh and the girls



3. How tall are you? 5'6"



4. What do you look forward to most in the next six weeks?  Spring (one can hope right)



5. What’s the last movie you saw?  like to go to the theater??? I don't remember - altho I do have a couple free passes to use up, hmmm



6. Who was the last person you called?  the Hubs



7. Who was the last person to call you?  Momma



8. What was the last text message you received? Nice.



9. Who was the last person to leave you a voicemail?  oh lordy, let me see if my Swiss Cheese Head can remember - Aunt Julie!



10. Do you prefer to call or text?  a little of both.  If it's just catching up, then text for sure.  If it's business, it better be a call - not very professional to text work stuff, kwim?



11. What were you doing at 12am last night?  dreaming and what a dream it was.   Then I woke at about 1 am wishing I was back in the dream, but ended up talking some to a friend



12. Are your parents married/separated/divorced? married



13. When is the last time you saw your mom? Last weekend for Goose's b-day



14. What color are your eyes?  I guess hazel.  they can be more green or blue it just depends on what I am wearing or mood. 


15. What time did you wake up today? 1a back to sleep at 330, then up for the day at 6



16. What are you wearing right now?  My old holey jeans, BGSU alumni t-shirt, & BGSU sweatshirt.  And my pretty piggies are sticking out :o)



17. What is your favorite christmas song?  Oh Holy Night or Christmas Canon



18. Where is your favorite place to be?  the woods



19. Where is your least favorite place to be?  the hot seat



20. Where would you go if you could go anywhere?  hhmmm, where ever my heart leads me



21. Where do you think you’ll be in 10 years?  same place I am right now - well maybe



22. Do you tan or burn?  burn at first then tan :o)



23. What did you fear was going to get you at night as a child?  honestly nothing



24. What was the last thing that really made you laugh?  a text msg



25. How many TVs do you have in your house?  3



26. How big is your bed? Queen



27. Do you have a laptop or desktop computer?  both



29. What color are your sheets? steel blue



30. How many pillows do you sleep with? 2 or 3



31. What is your favorite season?  Spring & Autumn



32. What do you like about Autumn?  smells, crisp air, the changing of colors



33. What do you like about winter?  the snow covered pine trees.  heck, snow period!!!

GRATITUDE

At times in life we have all felt like our cup is half full and want to experience the overflowing cup of abundance, but it often feels just beyond our reach.

*thanks to Google Image for pic*

I have a solution for you - start being grateful for all that you have right now. Focus on all the good and abundance you already have and YOU WILL attract more of the same to you.

One of My Blessings

Six years ago today I was granted a very special blessing.

sorry for poor scan job!

Happy Birthday my dear Goose!

Love you to the moon and back!!

She Thinks my Tractor's Sexy

Goose is friends with a little boy and she was rattling on this morning about him because there was a good chance she would get to go sledding with him this afternoon.

"Adam & I are really good friends.  We even play tractors sometimes!"

My response "Well that's true love there Goose!"

Ah to be young again and have everything be as simple as that.

The Great Advantage

The great advantage of having nothing is that everything becomes a gain.   Losing everything is at the same time the scariest, as well as the most liberating experience you can have. When you have something, - anything, you've got to protect it from disappearing. And so worry becomes a resident in your heart. When you've got nothing, your heart overflows with gratitude for every offering you receive.

{picture courtesy of Google images}

Look-a-Like

I don't think

OR

National Wear Red Day®

Heart Disease is #1 killer of women. Know your risk factors on National Wear Red Day®.
Friday, February 5, 2010

Do you know The Heart Truth® about women and heart disease? More women die of heart disease than any other disease-even breast cancer. In fact, one in four women dies of heart disease. And living with it can lead to disability and a decreased quality of life.

Join The Heart Truth campaign on Friday, February 5, 2010—National Wear Red Day—to help spread the message that "Heart Disease Doesn't Care What You Wear, It's the #1 Killer of Women.®"

Having just one risk factor can double your risk for developing heart disease. Multiple risk factors, will, multiply your risk.

What can you do to lower your risk?  Know the risk factors for heart disease:

High blood pressure

High blood cholesterol
Diabetes

Smoking

Overweight/obesity

Physical inactivity

Family history of early coronary heart disease

Age (for women, 55 and older)

Talk to your doctor to find out if you are at risk. And take action. Not smoking, heart healthy eating, physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and taking prescribed medication can help to control and reduce the risks.

To find out more about women and heart disease, visit The Heart Truth  or call the NHLBI Health Information Center at 301-592-8573.

Cause for Celebration

Today you have a cause for celebration. Today, you should celebrate what an unbelievable life you have had so far: the accomplishments, the many blessings, and, yes, even the hardships because they have served to make you stronger. Just as a gem cannot be polished without friction, nor can a life be perfected without trials. Take this time to acknowledge your life and to praise yourself.

I resolve to . . .

I woke up in a FANTASTIC mood & I have decided to quit throwing pity parties for myself.  I know that things will not always go the way I want them, but I need to feel blessed that I am alive and that I have my family & friends.

My view coming in this morning just re-confirmed that I am so lucky to experience each and every day anew.

If you'd like to be happier (who wouldn't?) the first step may be to challenge your own views about happiness.

Maybe you think that to be happier, you need more than you have now -- more freedom, more money, more love ... fill in the blank. Or maybe you've convinced yourself that this is as good as it gets.

We already know that basing our happiness on external circumstances can be tenuous at best. So what does create feelings of happiness? Happiness is a personal concept that is probably different for each of us.

Take a moment to consider what happiness means to you.

That's one important step in understanding how you can bring more happiness into your life.

Think about the people, places, and things that fill you with joy and peace. Do you feel happiest when you're at home, or at work? How about when you're spending time with friends and loved ones? Or when you're reading an uplifting book, watching a funny movie, or donating your time to help others?

Whatever activities you enjoy the most, make an effort to bring more of them into your life.

It's easy for us to sabotage ourselves by placing restrictions on our happiness. We affirm that we'll be happy if this happens, or that happens, but not when the other happens.

Of course, certain situations just aren't pleasant no matter what - but for the most part, we can choose to enjoy most of our experiences and outcomes, even if they aren't what we originally expected.

Beyond all of this, however, most important is our willingness to accept that happiness is largely a choice we make in every moment, regardless of our surroundings.

Happiness is not a gift we're waiting for - it's already within us.

All we need to do is choose to embrace it; which can be easier said than done, especially if we're in the midst of difficult circumstances. The true skill we should be strengthening within ourselves is learning how to be happy on a basic level, even if our lives aren't perfect. By acknowledging that our lives will never be "perfect," we give ourselves permission to enjoy our lives as they are now.

Make today a great one!
xoxo MJ