Another beautiful October visit

I had another nice visit with my friend after church today.  I always have a nice visit which includes conversation, laughter, and of course food. The day was lovely so I took some photos. I wish the sun was shining in the windows so the glasses on the window sills and the crystal on the curio would've been shining. Here's looking through Bonnie's kitchen windows.

Pretty glassware

Crystal in the window

My friend is very creative and her newest creative project is called Elite Elixir. There are two versions of this skin cream- #1 is what I show in the jars below, while #2 is light pink in color.  Bonnie is far from being described as 'ordinary,' and this cream fits in that category, as well. I've been using Elite Elixir on my hands, legs and feet and I'm not exaggerating, she needs to mass produce and market it worldwide. This is some good stuff. It's not thin or too thick- it makes my skin feel like it should- supple and moist. And it lasts. I gave a sample to a friend and she said, 'it's been a life saver,' and she wants more.  The ingredients are listed below so you can see whys it's good for skin, So you can see what this product looks like in the jars, I took the photos below and took the liberty to also show a small sampling of other Nature's Notables items- some delicious for eating, some for displaying and showing off.

Elite Elixir 1 (cream), a commissioned botanical composition, and packaged eatables 

Elite Elixir 1 cream comes in two ample sized  jars

I've been seeing jars of Elite Elixir displayed in some shops around the community and hearing some very good feedback from people having used it. And I personally report it's all that and more. It is slightly greasy for a few seconds after applying, then soaks in and your skin feels happy. I can honestly say it's far superior than any lotion I've used.  Like I said, if Bonnie has anything to do with it, it's gonna be a winner. She's gotten feedback that it's being well received. At a recent showing promoting Elite Elixir, her table she told me had the most interest and the product was well received-even men were interested in it for their backs and feet. Yes, I don't blame them, men should want moisturized, rather than itchy dry skin.  A Bonnie quote,"You can go to drug store after drug store trying this and that lotion or cream, but you won't find a better one than this."

You'll get a good amount- the largest jar is a little over 3.25" tall and 3.5" in diameter. I carry the small jar in my vehicle so I have some with me when I'm away from home.

Ingredients- mineral oil, vitamins A &E, collagen, elastin, petrolatum, aloe vera, wheat germ oil, coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, shea butter, cocoa seed butter, glycerin, diazolidinyl ura, and fragrance.

Update on Elite Elixir- I was informed by Bonnie of a pricing increase on 1/1/2011 due to supply cost increases. So place your order now for Elite Elixir- I recommend the large jar!  No.I don't receive a commission- I just want you be thrilled in your skin this winter. Makes for a nice gift, too. And just so you don't think I'm exaggerating, I did my own very scientific experiment to prove to myself Elite Elixir is in a class by itself. My other lotions are sub par compared to it. Now scroll down to end to see my 'experiment' photos.


Beautiful detail and vivid colors in these Nature's Notables pressed flower compositions

A close-up of a one-of-a-kind framed botanical composition

Here's another framed composition that's going to look beautiful on someone's wall. The colors and detail of this arrangement are a knockout as well.

Adore the colors in this framed Nature's Notables original.

I always enjoy my visits and look forward to the next to see what new creations are in the making.   You can be transported to Natures Notables right here. Contact her for some of your own Elite Elixir 1 or 2.

Click here for a previous entry I wrote on Bonnie's creative cooking and more artwork.

                                   
She won a blue ribbon for her carrot cake.

                                                       My experiment

I took Elite Elixir 1 and two of my previously favorite lotions. I applied them to my  arm taking care not to cross mix them.

My highly scientific experiment to see which is best on my skin

Elite Elixir on the left, other lotions the middle on the right

Elite Elixir absorbing in, the other two still penetrating

A few minutes, all absorbed in, the lotion on the right looks shiny

Conclusion- Elite Elixir is the winner in this experiment.  It starts thicker and penetrates without an opaque film on my arm. After it's absorbed in, my skin felt moisturized and dewy. Minutes later, my skin felt as if it was moisturized deeper than just the top surface skin.

The middle lotion was good, but I didn't feel the moisturizing effect as deeply, and this lotion felt as if it would evaporate soon.  The lotion on the right took the longest to penetrate, as if it melted in and then left a shiny film, which you can see in the photo.  It didn't seem to really penetrate deeply, and it being an intense repair lotion, it did not have the rich feeling as Elite Elixir. 15 minutes later I felt my arm and for sure, the area where I applied Elite Elixir still felt dewy and moisturized. Not greasy but dewy. The other two areas- no comparison. Elite Elixir is richer, penetrates deeper and lasts longer. It more than sufficiently moisturizes and makes my skin feel soft, and dewy

-This concludes my highly scientific experiment-

That's all for now. If you want your skin to feel happy skin, find Nature's Notables' phone number on Elite Elixir in the display photos. When you call, you'll enjoy a nice little chat with either Bonnie or Gene. 

View experiment No. 2  I conducted later in another posting.

Pumpkins and the horror!

I'm seeing pumpkins everywhere right now-in stores, curb markets, on magazine covers and in Fall decorations on peoples' front doors and yards. This year I'm seeing white pumpkins- that's different. I've never had any success growing pumpkins, so hat's off to anyone that can.
I just did a little reading on the history of Halloween and the Jack O'Lantern.

A sea of pumpkins

Photo credit: acrylicartist from morguefile.com

Trick or treating as a child was fun, especially before the scare of child abductions. I do remember hearing on the news after Halloween that a razor had been found in an apple. I never got an apple for Halloween. I grew up thinking Halloween was for getting candy, not fruit.  Back then us kids, and I'm referring to my fellow trick-or-treater's, had to start allowing a parent view all the candy we got prior to use eating any, for our safety and check and make sure nothing looked like it has been tampered with.  It was fun deciding how creative I could be making my costume by using things around the house. Then as I got older, it was fun to make the trick-or-treater's that stopped at my house perform a trick in order to get a treat. Most just stood there not knowing what to do. They were eager to get going to the next stop.   That was their trick. It was fun times going up and ringing doorbells of homes and yelling, "trick or treat give me something good to eat!"  Well, the last Halloween I remember going trick or treating I decided would be my last. I was with my friends and some of their friends so we trick-or-treated at a lot of doors that night. My bag was heavy when we finished, surely I enough sweets and goodies to eat for weeks. I couldn't believe it, even to this day I still remember the horror when I dumped my bag on the table to see the sugar laden bounty I'd collected.  Rocks. Lots of rocks.  Why would someone give me rocks?

Anyway, that was a big let down after all my hard trick-or-treating effort and toting that heavy bag back home. I even remember saying my bag was the heaviest and how I planned to add so much candy in my lunches for the next two months. I had envisions for that candy. But it wasn't to be. The others had their laugh but were nice enough to share some of their candy with me when they saw how devastated I was.  But it wasn't the same. Halloween fun that night was tarnished forevermore in my mind.  I was the only one that had gotten any rocks. That had really affected me.

For the love of candy

Photo credit: dee from morguefile.com


There used to be a haunted hayride out this way every year. I heard it was a good production. A lot of volunteers eagerly hid in the woods and jumped out to spook the riders on the wagons. I just heard about it and was invited to go plenty of times, but never went. It was popular with people driving miles to come to it the last two weekend nights in October.  But the haunted hayride is no more as of about three years now.

I remember going only one time to a scary Halloween house with my Mom, my sister and brother back in the late 60s. It was actually an empty office building transformed into a scary Halloween attraction. As soon as we paid to enter, then around the very first dark corner, it was either my sister or brother that was too scared to continue, so we left. All I remember is a person with a hideous mask stuck their head out. No one screamed or anything, but I guess the hideous face was much too close for my brother or sister to continue. Maybe it was good we didn't.  Even back then I thought that production had to take a lot of time and effort to bring about producing screams from people wanting to be scared and frightened on Halloween night.

I took the above photo a few days ago. This old house is decorated by a man every year for Halloween. If I get a chance to go by at night, I'll include a night photo. It's different every year, but from past years, at night  is when this place looks real spooky. I don't like ugly things, and I surely don't believe in skeletons or zombies, but I do believe in ghosts, which I think are spirits. Spirits of dead prophets are mentioned in the Bible that came to give a warning. We all have the breath of God in us, which is spirit, which is the part of us that will never die. If you're reading this, know that your spirit has been quickened, is alive and sealed for life in heaven when you accepted Jesus as your savior. That's what being born again is.  God is Spirit and he made man in His image.  Our bodies will die, but our spirit won't and will go to either heaven or hell. If hell, then later your spirit will end up in the company of Satan and his brood in The Lake of Fire and there you'll be tormented forever. Now that will be the horror of all horrors. Please, if you've been putting off getting saved, or not understanding something, make it a priority to get yourself in right standing with God, ask a solid Christian, so you can make the most important decision in your entire life and accept by faith his Son Jesus as your Savior. But you've got to mean it in your heart. First hear the Word, and then with your heart because you can't get to heaven on your own accord.  Don't be deceived, there is only one way and God says it's through Jesus who died for you. Don't allow Satan to deceive you from the truth another day.

See my other blog on how to receive the gift of life forever with God through His Son and be saved from the penalty that sin in a place that will be beyond horrible, or watch this video.for instructions as well. Angels in heaven will rejoice knowing another soul has been saved.

On Target

I scored 174 out of a possible 180 shooting a 9mm today on the pistol range. That's not too bad  shooting with a bad wrist. Last year my score was 178. So I'm still in the 170's. I'd say those are pretty decent scores. To tell you the truth, I like firing a pistol. I like shooting with a bow and arrow, too. I like shooting darts. I guess I like the challenge of getting the hand and eye to work together, aiming at a target, relaxing, and slowly pulling the trigger or releasing the an arrow or throwing the dart as smoothly and fluently as possible. If I had more practice I bet I could improve my score.

This is not the pistol range I went to, but it's sort of like it

Photo credit: jazzmikele from morguefile.com



To shoot and score well involves your entire body. It's not as easy as it looks.

Some serious bow shooting in this photo

Photo credit: lisasolonynko from morguefile.com

I owe the instructor that gave me technique pointers on shooting the 9mm pistol. Today I was reminded of my fingers and hand placement so the pistol is securely seating in my grasp and will have less wobble. I also owe thanks to my fellow Marines when I was stationed at Cherry Point, N. Carolina. They showed me there's really nothing difficult about shooting. Since then, I've enjoyed the sport of shooting at a target and take on the challenge whenever an opportunity to shoot.

Target for the game of darts

Photo credit: earl53 from morguefile.com


 I recently heard another tip to improve your shooting score.  I can't remember who gave me the tip so I could give them credit, but the tip is this---- cut out coffee and all caffeine for at least a day prior to shooting day which will help in holding your weapon steadier without 'caffeine jitters'.


What do you think if this quick draw, sharp shooter?




Well, that's what I grabbed onto interesting and fun today.
Semper Fi.

My obvious regret

I really try to think about my actions and what affect they'll have on my future and on others.  I'm just that way. Not perfect, but I do try to be conscious of my actions. I was driving this week and took this photo because I have a regret concerning the man who once lived here.

Once the home of a elderly gentleman

This place is right off a well traveled road and passing it many times over the years I would wave to the gentleman sitting on the front porch. Of course back then his yard was mowed and you could clearly see the entire house with him sitting on his porch. He was always by himself and I'm sure he waved at many a car that passed. Every time I saw him he was sitting on his porch wearing overalls and waved when I waved as I drove by. I thought how long had he lived there? Was he a widower? Did he have children?  What sort of work did he do? Was he lonely? Did the house have electricity? Did he have help with transportation to town? These were some of the questions I had about this gentleman and I thought to myself I would leave home next time early enough to stop and visit with him a minute or two. I'd pay him a friendly visit and I bet he would like that, a visit from one of the drivers always zooming by so fast.

Well, the years went by, and now I have this regret.  Weeds have grown up, bushes now so tall they almost completely cover the little wooden shack and it's now abandoned and empty. I will never know about the gentleman that once lived in the simple wooden small house. My loss and I regret that to this day and it's brought to my attention every time I drive by. My loss.

Changes in life are natural

You can expect life changes, there's no getting around that. On my website, on the about me page, which I wrote last year including my Mom, and my animals, each very important and dear to me. Well, some major changes occurred this year. It's come in three's, if that number has any significance, I don't know.  Changes have occurred with my Mom, one of my dogs, and my oldest pig.  Mom had a stroke in April, my oldest dog, Chi Chi,  died while Mom was in a nursing facility, and then two months later I had to make a very difficult decision and put down Skunk, my oldest potbelly pig.  Skunk was born on a very cold Winter morning of 1995, one of the two that survived in a litter of eight, I found alive. His surviving brother didn't live more than a couple weeks, so Skunk was spoiled all his life. I even took him to work with me that Winter and he slept on a heating pad under my treatment table in my office. He was so cute with a white diamond on his forehead. He was always well mannered and never gave a minute of trouble. Pot belly pigs are very smart and since they're the only pigs I've ever had, all I can say is they are one of the best pets.  Skunk was special, as all pets are with their unique, distinct personalities.  Skunk was aged and I didn't think it was fitting or fair for him to suffer any longer. His legs had gotten so arthritic that he could hardly walk. I did all I could by giving him what the vet told me and all I could think of to make his life as comfortable as possible. The Summer heat is very stressful on animals, and that heat was going to intensify his suffering. I couldn't think of him suffering more than he was already.  I never imagined having to make such a decision for another living being. I weighed my decision for weeks, and wondered if I could live with myself in the decision I was going to make. God knew I cared very much for Skunk and I knew in my heart that Skunk knew I loved him from first sight. He had brought me years of joy and I hoped he had as good a life as any pig could every have.  My oldest dog, a black lab, died peacefully a few months before Skunk.  She also had a long good life in dog years. I'm sure anyone that's cared for a pet fully understands how I felt and still feel. I buried her myself, then went to the nursing facility with Mom.  Mom has been slowly improving with medication she's had to learn to take for the first time in her life. It's been an adjustment for her because she has always been so anti-medication or anti-drug of any sort. I thank God for medical doctors and their training.

Once new,  time ages and brings changes to all things

Photo credit: taliesin from morguefile.com

Life calls for changes - we get aged and old. Sometimes it's easy to adjust, sometimes it can be a monumental challenge to adjust to natural life changes.  But we must. It's a natural part of growing each day. I thank God we have loved ones about us to help us with this.  I'm up for the challenges of every tomorrow God grants me. I can do it with the strength He gives me. It's going to be interesting, that I know.

As for anti-aging, well, all we can do is age with grace with the blessing of God, and do all we can to remain as healthy as possible to be as productive as possible to the last breath we're granted.  Check out my website on health and be sure to click on the links on the home page, such as Everything Anti-aging.

Keep young at heart, and keep nurturing loving relationships.