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Remember Those Who Serve(d)

Memorial Day, originally Decoration Day on or about 1868, gradually came to be known as Memorial Day.  In the years following the Civil War, it honored only those who lost their lives while fighting in the Civil War.

But during World War I, the United States found itself embroiled in another major conflict, and the holiday evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars and became an official federal holiday in 1971.

Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.  Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades.  Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season.

Show your red, white and blue patriotic nails.  Here are a few Memorial Day ideas.

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Flag nail art

IF . . .

If I Had My Life To Live Over

by

Erma Bombeck

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the ‘good’ living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later.  Now go get washed up for dinner.”  There would have been more “I love you’s.”  More “I’m sorry’s.”

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute . . . look at it and really see it . . .live it . . . and never give it back.

Stop sweating the small stuff.

Don’t worry about who doesn’t like you, who has more, or who’s doing what.

Instead, let’s cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.

Let’s think about what GOD has blessed us with.  And what we doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally.

My God meet all your needs!

Spring Cleaning and Your Nails

How does one begin?  Some may want to take a whole day?  Some, those of us that work all day, take a room a day, maybe a Saturday or our one day off.  And, some may do it the Mary Kay way. . . The 5 a.m. Club.  Or it could be the 4 a.m. Club.  It would depend on what time your day starts.  It would mean that you have to get up one hour earlier to do your cleaning for that one club hour.  I can’t even now imagine those with CHILDREN.  How long will this take with you doing it the Spring Cleaning way?  It  will depend on whether or not you linger or reminisce when you find something you use to wear or your child use to play with or made for you from the second grade(they are now 30).  It’s been a while.

No matter your method of cleaning.  We have to be mindful of the care of our hands, nails and cuticles.  Cleaning supplies and just plain old neglect can wreck havoc on the skin of our hands during this time of year.  Our skin and nails have gone through the cold, dry season to now be dried out even further with cleaning chemicals and harsh soapy water.

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The key to all this drying out is moisture, moisture, moisture, not grease or lotions filled with more chemicals and alcohol.  Try natural oils such as coconut, olive or jojoba added to your favorite lotion if you must.  ALWAYS wear gloves when cleaning with chemicals and cleaning detergents, you’ll be glad you did.

 

What happened to my New Year’s Resolution?

By this time, most people have abandoned their New Year’s resolutions.  We are going into our sixth week of the new year.  What about you?  How have you kept up with your promises to yourself?

Well, I haven’t done so well!  I’ve been eating what I want when I want and how I want; but I have been on a weight lifting regiment, maybe that counts.  My clothes do feel differently but that old stomach is still out there.  I’m shooting for a size 10 by June.  

Hold onto your hats here are the numbers of those that made promises to themselves that may or may not fall by the wayside.

45: Percentage of Americans who usually make New Year’s resolutions

10: Amount by which people who fully commit to making resolutions are more successful at keeping them.

1 in 3: Number of people who ditch their vows by the end of January. Top reasons include being too busy or not being committed to their goals in the first place.

66:Percentage of resolvers who set fitness goals as part of their resolutions.  (That’s me)

73: Percentage of those who gave up before meeting their goal.  (WOW!)

4: The number of times those same people have given up on their fitness resolutions in the past.

7: Percentage by which men are more successful than women at resolving to exercise.

38: Percentage of people who don’t make resolutions in the first place.

The Top American Resolutions

21% Weight loss

14%Improve finances

14% Exercise

10% Get a new job

7% Healthier eating

5% Manage stress better

5% Stop/reduce smoking

5% Improve a relationship

3% Stop procrastinating

3% Set time aside for self

3% Start a new activity/hobby

2% Improve my work habits

2% Stop/reduce drinking alcohol

1% Assertion/learn to say no

Which are you?

Stats from Harris Interactive

Happy “BELATED” New Year

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WHAT HAVE YOU RESOLVED TO DO IN 2016?

 

Read the “entire” Bible

Lose another 10 pounds

Eat healthy

Go to bed earlier

Less phone time(facebook, youtube, twitter)

Whatever the RESOLUTION have you already started to wane?  Well, if you have, get right back on schedule!  So what, if you had that extra piece of fried chicken?  So what, if you stayed up too late watching reruns of your favorite show?  So what, if you only read Genesis 1 before the phone rang and it was . . . ?

Let’s stop playing with ourselves when it comes to getting it together.  Something we all vow to do – ‘Get it together’.  We’re only one week off schedule!  I’m resolved.  What about you?

 

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Think About It:  No more excuses!!

Sweaty Palms or Palmer Hyperhidrosis

I recently encountered a young woman who wanted a French set of gels for her vacation.  I was more than happy to oblige.  As I checked her nails before going under the LED, I noticed that I could see the nail at the cuticle without any product.  All five nails!  The gel had pulled away from the cuticle or the product was separating.  I apologized, removed the gel, cleaned the nail and reapplied the base coat.  Thinking, ‘I might not have removed all of the oil from the nail plate.’  Again, the product pulled away from the cuticle.  I noticed she kept wiping her palms on the towel.  This time, I thought some nail filings was bothering her.  She admitted that her hands and feet sweat a lot,  all the time. She was my first client to want gels with “sweaty palms”.  However, I’ve had many clients that has moist hands or sweaty palms.  My mind was racing.  ‘How was I going to make this lady happy with her set of French gels?’

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This condition is known as Palmer Hyperhidrosis.  Excessive hand sweating can be a serious problem both in social settings and everyday functional activities such as opening a door, writing a paper, driving, computer usage or signing your name. These are just a few examples of how palmar hyperhidrosis can affect a person.  Many activities we often take for granted.

Normally, your sweat glands produce perspiration that’s carried to the skin’s surface when the air temperature rises, you develop a fever, you’re exercising or you’re feeling anxious, nervous, or under stress. When those factors are no longer an issue, the nerves that signal sweating are put on hold.  But, not for those that suffer with “sweaty palms” and feet.

Part II next week

Life Wisdom

I love, love this time of year.  It’s not too hot nor too cold, just right for sleeping.

As fall swiftly approaches, this time of year calls for changes in fashion as the weather turns.  Time to pull out our heavy oils and creams to keep hands and feet nice and supple.

It’s time to start that exercise and weight loss journey before the holidays.

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