Friday Favorites, This and That

"Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." Psalm 90:2

Happy Friday! Today I have some favorites to share with you and an update on what's been going on around here. The view above was taken from the beach at Pt Ruston. Looking at our Mt. Rainier is always a favorite of mine. Here are five other current favorites:

Worship Song:  I discovered  "My Feet are on the Rock" by I AM THEY while listening to Spirit 105.3 in the car. It's SO good!

Beauty product:
Don't judge, but before my daughter's wedding this Summer I discovered the "Tinkle" razor while watching a YouTube video. It is a very safe, gentle way to remove facial hair. They are sold on Amazon and come in a 6-pack. It's not just for eyebrows; use it for anyplace you want a smoother surface. (My Mama passed on her Norwegian furry cheeks.) Make-up applies easier on a smooth face. The name is goofy, but it's a really cheap, helpful item!

Healthy thought posted on a local fitness chalkboard:
"Don't diet and work out, nourish and train." Isn't that good?

A favorite funny moment on a recent flight:
I think my fight attendant forgot he was pouring me wine, not juice... What do you think?

Favorite gift-book for the expectant Mama:
I found The Very Hungry Pregnant Lady while roaming around "Aunties" bookstore in Spokane, but it's also available on Amazon. My daughter, who is almost 37 weeks pregnant could TOTALLY relate to this hilarious rendition of the classic story about The Very Hungry Caterpillar. This might become my go-to shower gift!

My husband has been traveling a LOT for work and a few weeks ago I finally got to tag along when he went to Scottsdale. Arizona is one of my favorite spots to go for sunshine. We stayed at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass. It was quite a Native American cultural experience. I filled up on as much Vitamin D as I could and hope it will keep with me through the rainy PNW winter season.

I've had a chance to see my Spokane kids this Fall and my baby girl has had two wonderful baby showers. Sarah has been "nesting" downstairs and at the same time, our kitchen is completely torn up for an island remodel. I will show before and after pics when it's finished!

Yesterday at our MOPS meeting we were focussing on friendship. (I love being a Mentor Mom and I have made SO many dear friends due to that ministry.) I am convinced that women of all ages need community! I don't know what I would do if I didn't have my tribe of girlfriends to get together with, do bible study with, and call for encouragement or prayer. I hope you have a small group of close girlfriends too! I highly recommend looking into mops.org or a local group called Village 253 if you are a young Mama.

If you are an empty-nester it can be difficult to make new friends if you've moved to a new location. Try to put yourself out there. I experienced being new in 2010 when we had to move back to Illinois for a time. I made a few acquaintances that really helped my loneliness by joining our village Newcomers club, a Bible study, and asking a neighbor to go on walks with me.  It only takes courage and a smile to begin a friendship.

The countdown to our grandbaby's due date is in 23 days!!! WE CAN'T WAIT!
Thank you for stopping by See Jane Learn. Wishing you a fun Fall weekend.

In His Grip,
xo Jane

The Journey So Far: My Whole 30 Adventure

"How blessed is the man whose strength is in You, In whose heart are the highways to Zion!"

Psalm 84:5

One week down, three to go... Hi Friends and family! In my last post, I might have vented mentioned that I am doing the Whole 30 Diet. I sort of jumped on the train with my husband and youngest daughter without asking "where are we going?"

So...except for the first day when I may or may not have had wine while in Portland (no, I did NOT start over like the rules say,) I have been following the program. I am NOT doing this by myself or by my own strength. I have amazing friends who are encouraging me, holding me accountable and giving me menu suggestions. My husband and daughter are good teammates. I also have received help from God when I'm feeling weak.

"People need more than Bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God."

Matthew 4:4

(Jesus was tempted for 40 days in the wilderness.)

Here are some reflections after eight days:

• I had some really unhealthy eating and drinking habits. (I'll write more about that later.)
• Just like a computer occasionally needs to be restarted, my body needed a re-set.
• I adjusted to black coffee!! 
• Day 5 was UGLY. My husband and I were CRANKY!
• Sugar is in SO MANY THINGS! It is scary to find out how many food items have sugar added. No wonder I've been an "addict." 
• Little things are exciting; when I realized my mouthwash was Alcohol free.
• Sweet Potatoes are my new best friend.
• I am surprised that I really don't have cravings for desserts! 

Here are some tips:

• Have plans/things to look forward to or reward yourself with that DON'T include food. I got some new flowers to plant in the front yard. Perhaps in the next week or two I can book a massage! 

Melanie Bolen wrote a good article that includes ways to reward yourself that don't include food.

• Use a fun water bottle. I got a new cap for my Hydro Flask and it makes me happy. I take it everywhere.
• An easy way to give up cream in your coffee is just pour some expired half and half in your cup and watch it curdle-that will help "turn you off."
• Shop at Walmart a couple days before you start and watch lots of overweight, unhealthy people fill their shopping carts with fattening snacks and processed foods. (Sorry if that sounds judgmental, but it was true...)
• If you discover something you thought was compliant isn't on the "can have" list, don't quit. Just don't eat it again!
• Tell your girlfriends what you're doing so they'll support you! My sweet friends have cheered me on at two gatherings this week. We all like to hear "good job!" It was a tad sad to watch delicious wine being enjoyed and not being able to partake, BUT... I learned I can still have a very fun time SOBER. (I also learned I'm just as random and spacey as I am when I'm tipsy.)
• If you hear that someone is doing the program, tell them they look slimmer and more healthy-whether it's true or not! Those words were balm to my soul.

Even though I'm on a "train" I never intended to board~I plan to finish this journey!

In His Grip, 

jane

photo sources: National Railway Museum, wikiHow

5 Favorites For Friday

Hi! Before I begin sharing my list of this week's favorite things, I want to share a surprise I found on my computer a couple weeks ago. My #3 son had helped me add a program. (Yay! I love WORD so much better than Apple PAGES!) When I turned on my laptop the next morning I found this:

Can you read it? It says, "TJ is the best. He is my favorite son and I will always favor him! Mwhahahaha "
LOVE it! LOVE him! I have FOUR favorite children (and two favorite daughter-in-laws). I am a proud Mama because TJ will be graduating with his Masters in Family and Marriage Therapy in three weeks and he was just offered a great job!

Here are my 5 Favorites for this week:

1.Quote:
 "God views every mess as a masterpiece in the making." Read Alicia Bruxvoort's devotion in today's Proverbs 31 Ministries and you'll find out the context. God is definitely not finished with me yet!

2. Current Nail polish
This week I took OPI's Cajun Shrimp to my nail salon for my pedicure. It's described as a spicy shade of coral. (I like to take my own bottles in case the color chips and also so I know it's fresh.)

Some other classic OPI shades I like for my toes are:
Charged up cherry (a hot pink-red) and Strawberry Margarita (sip into this bright pink and enjoy!) Nail polish names are so clever and always make me smile.

For my short fingernails which I have nibbled on since I was a CHILD, I like OPI:
Mod about you (totally modern light pink) or OPI red. In the Winter I love shades of blue and gray.

My other favorite brand is Sally Hansen. Super easy to apply and lasts! My go-to color for Spring is Grape Gatsby. I get lots of compliments on it. Reminds me of Lilacs...

3 Inexpensive lip care:
The only time I've had my lips look at all like Angelina Jolie's, was when I had an allergic reaction to something I ate. Needless to say, I don't like to spend a lot on lip products.  I DO like these two items I picked up at Target, made by e.l.f. (eyes/lips/face)

e.l.f. Lip Exfoliator 
This helps if you have chapped lips. Use it before you brush your teeth, then apply balm.
It's only $3 and online it comes in different flavors. (Mine is Sweet cherry)
"Gently exfoliate lips to remove dry, chapped skin with our Lip Exfoliator! A sweet sugar and smoothing sensation, infused with Vitamin E, Shea Butter, Avocado, Grape and Jojoba Oils to nourish and protect. This Lip Exfoliator treats and smooths lips for a conditioned and revitalized feel." 

Tinted Lip Balm
This balm goes on sheer and smells great! It comes in several shades. I have "Bare Kiss" and "Berry Sweet." It's about $2. Score!
"This beautifully tinted lip balm helps create baby soft lips so you can always be kissable! Each color provides a sheer tint of coverage for a lovely and luscious lip effect. Infused with Vitamin A & E, Grape Seed Oil, and Jojoba Oil to help nourish, protect, and moisturize lips. The silky smooth formula glides on lips for lasting comfort while the minty flavor keeps lips feeling fresh."

4. Biscuit Recipe
I'm craving bread right now since I'm trying to cut back. As I was looking for a recipe for a MOPS brunch I'm attending next weekend I saw this recipe on my "breakfast page." It is for 2 ingredient biscuits. That's it! Two things; self-rising flour that Walmart sells for $2.38 and Heavy cream. Not nutritious but great, fluffy and easy! When you click on the link, music starts to play...

5. New to me children's book: 
I was unpacking a shipment of books at work the other day and I discovered a book I'd never read. I had to read it (research for customers, right?) It's called Dragons Love Tacos  
and the story and illustrations are adorable! I might have to get it for my friend who ALWAYS has me over for Taco Tuesdays or for my TJ who LOVES tacos and dragons! Maybe a graduation gift?!...

I am off to our women's retreat tonight and tomorrow. Spending time with my sisters in Christ is always a favorite!

What are your weekend plans?

Grateful for Grace and In His Grip,
xo Jane

Let's Get Real: About Beauty

Some days the mirror doesn't seem kind. Because my cold/infection forced me to stay home for a week, I wasn't exactly making myself "presentable." My pets don't seem to care WHAT I look like~they just want food and attention. My husband has been traveling a ton for work so I've only seen him about 20 hours and he doesn't mind when I pop out my contacts and put my glasses on. (The picture above was taken several years ago up in Vancouver, B.C.~ I always feel my prettiest when I get to wear a dress and go out with my amazing husband on a date.)

Around the house I don't always look "selfie ready." I shocked myself when my youngest daughter "Face Timed" me the other morning and I saw myself (through her eyes.) I was not pleased...

I've been sick but I admit, most days I devote time in the bathroom trying to style my hair and put make-up on. I also realize I spend TOO much time worrying how I appear to others and yet... I want to make myself "presentable." 

There is a battle going on in my mind; culture and magazine ideals vs. God and what matters. Our church is currently doing a sermon series about Spiritual Warfare. It seems fitting that I listened to it as I thought of how the deceiver attempts to convince me that I'm not pretty enough (or smart enough or creative enough, etc.) 

I love beauty products. I love Ulta and Sephora and make-up and magazines articles. I also LOVE GOD. This brings me back to thinking about how God sees me, my self-worth and time spent "getting myself presentable." 

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30

If you've been alive for 50 decades, like I have, you probably know that what was considered beautiful in the past might not be so popular now. Fashions, hair and make-up trends continue to evolve. Another thing to consider is where in the world we reside. In some cultures it is beautiful to be a BIG woman, in others it is beautiful to have face tattoos or huge holes in your earlobes.

I found a wonderful talk on You Tube this morning since I was home instead of at my usual Tuesday morning bible study. I hope you'll put aside 20+ minutes to listen to Rachel Hollis from "The Chic" give a talk called "What is Real Beauty?" It will be worth your time whether you're in your 20's or 80's... You can watch it while you put on your make-up and get dressed!...

As the mother of two BEAUTIFUL daughters; inside and out, my wish for them is not to obsess over their outer beauty, but to be confident in who they are as amazing young women who love the Lord. 

 

photo source:http://www.hippoquotes.com/true-lies-quotes

"But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 1Samuel 16:7

I'm super excited to go see the new "Beauty and the Beast" movie (hopefully Sunday!) It has always been one of my favorite Disney movies, and it totally goes along with the message that I hope young women understand; beauty lies within. 

Check out the lessons learned in this "Oh my Disney" blog post. 

Today I had make-up on (I worked this afternoon.) Tomorrow I get my hair done (yay!) 

As you can see, the journey to "beauty" isn't always pretty...

I still care about how my outsides look but my real goal is to leave the house with enough confidence that I can focus on what really matters; loving others and sharing the good news of Jesus.

On days I'm not feeling great about the way I look, I can peek at post-surgery pics from almost two years ago when I had a Basel skin cancer spot removed from my nose and then I feel much better about myself!

How do you define beauty? Is it an image you saw once on the screen or on a magazine cover? Or is it someone you know and love because they have a wonderful heart?

Grateful for Grace and In His Grip,

xo Jane

It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time...

July has not been the best month for our family finances... We've been the target of fraud, medical bills are arriving, plus I'm still legally blond and gullible. 

I've been putting off going to the Mall partly because of the expensive bridge toll, and mostly so I won't get too excited at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale when all I really need are two things at the cosmetics counter. Some of my favorite beauty products are pretty inexpensive and found at drugstores or Target, but a couple items I love are made by Bobbie Brown and Clinique which is only found at department stores. I'll have to share my personal favorites in a future post.

So...I'm almost out of eye cream and serum and I was scanning Facebook when BAM! Christie Brinkley and Diane Sawyer (two faces a bit older and a lot prettier than mine) were attached to some products. The deal was a trial for just the cost of shipping. I was excited to get eye cream and serum for under $12 and it would keep me from heading to Nordstrom!

WARNING! DO NOT DO WHAT I DID. THERE ARE SOME ADDED COSTS NOT MENTIONED...

My bank notified me I'd overdrawn due to an unexpected charge of over  $175 from the Lumare Skin company. What??? I immediately called and had a little "chat" with the company's customer service. I had been enrolled in an ongoing deal... (Did any of you ever order Proactive for your teens and thought that was annoying?)

I never saw prices or membership mentioned. I'd unknowingly opened one of the products so I can't return it but I am getting half my $$ back and I'm NOT EVER GETTING MORE OF THEIR PRODUCT. I will use it up and I'd better start to look TV and magazine ready!!

It's been awhile since I've made such an idiotic choice that sounded like a good idea at the time.

My hubby has also been guilty of falling for "the deal." There was a vacation weekend when we lived in upper Illinois and had four littles under the age of eight. that we will never forget. My hubby found a "great deal" for a family "resort" on Elkhart Lake in Wisconsin. The photos and description were just what we were looking for and the price was right! It was a two hour drive and we couldn't wait to have fun beach time.

Perhaps their marketing was not completely honest?? Or brilliant, depending on how you look at it...

Here's what we found upon arrival at the "resort": a room so small we couldn't open the door all the way without crashing it into one of the saggy beds (where would our port-a-crib go?), a dirty room without air-conditioning, and no sunny beach area (just a rocky, shady, high-bank dirt area.) Needless to say we were discouraged. We tried to make the best of it the first night and went for a boat ride the next day.

While out on the lake saw something in the distance... Cue the choir singing.

The most beautiful resort was right next door. Even though money was tight, my hubby made the wise decision to move us over to the Osthoff Resort for our second night. It was amazing. The kids played at a sandy beach, we swam in the pool, and the big kids got to see 4th of July fireworks over the lake. It was worth it to spend a bit lot more. 

The place we stayed our first night back in the mid-90's is no longer in operation. It's been completely remodeled, changed owners and is probably fun for young families. Hopefully the brochures are truthful.

Lesson Learned: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is... RESEARCH!

Have you ever made a decision that sounded like a good idea at the time but you later came to regret?

In His Grip,

Jane

Thanks for stopping by See Jane Learn!

I Must Be Famous

depositphotos.com

Perhaps I've had a little too much time on my hands... Perhaps my bedtime pain meds are playing with my mind... Maybe I just decided to pretend I'm famous rather than worrying about my bandaged nose. Here is my list of reasons why it must might be true...

• I have a personal assistant, live-in nurse, cook & bartender and groundskeeper. His name is Michael and he takes very good care of me.
• My entry is guarded. OK, it's my puppy-dog Sydney. She does a great job!

• The weather here has been sunny and hot. Maybe I'm really in Los Angeles on a Harbor "set?"

• I've been signing a lot of autographs. Do birthday cards and graduation cards count?
• A professional washed my hair Saturday. I couldn't get my bandage wet so my "personal assistant" took me to our salon around the corner. Having someone else wash your hair is the BEST!
• People flew into town to visit me. A new friend from Tennessee and my son from Spokane!
• My city put on a festival just for me! Due to our downtown location, I could hear the music and boats honking during the weekend's Maritime Festival. It FELT like it was just for my enjoyment!
• Even though deer have not been spotted since we moved in from Fox Island last September, one came all the way to check on me yesterday! She respected my privacy and stayed at a distance.

• I have a professional make-up artist on "stand-by." Yes sweet Inga, I will most likely need you when my sutures come off and stitches come out...
• I must be playing the part of a princess because I spent a lot of time trying to get comfy in bed with peas.

emmablock.co.uk

• When I go out in public (rarely) I wear a hat and dark glasses to stay "incognito." I also throw off the paparazzi by driving an unknown car. Or...I might have loaned our convertible to my son and his finance so they could have a fun drive up to Vancouver, B.C.

All valid reasons to believe I might be famous, right? I decided it's more fun to pretend I'm famous, then to wallow in self-pity since I look like I have a pig-nose. Have you watched the 2006 movie, Penelope?

www.wallpaperez.net

It's a fact that we often believe what we dwell on. Self-talk can be helpful or harmful. I'm trying to believe that the inner-package really is more important than what is on the outside, although I am way more vain than I even thought I was. 

www.arlongpark.net

God's word has lots of good reminders for me (and any of us) who are feeling a little insecure in our identity.

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Colossians 3:2

"We are God’s temple." I Cor. 3:16

"Our purpose is that our lives might bring praise to the glory of Christ." Ephesians 1:12

"We were chosen by God." Ephesians 1:11

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12

What is your mind telling you lately? We need to remember that you and I are sons and daughters of   the KING!

In His Grip, 

Jane xo

Thanks for stopping by See Jane Learn!