Playing Possum

We'll get to the cryptic meaning of this title eventually, as usual. First, I am going to do something that will take my life into my hands. I am going to show you a picture of Doc, after I picked him up from his Mohs surgery. He is doped up, swollen and feeling no pain.

My heavens, that's horrid. The incision is way bigger than we thought it would be, but the edges are nicely approximated, so it will probably heal nicely. The stitches have to stay in for 7 - 10 days, and then we can remove them. I'll show you the result. He said it hurt later on that night. One of his eyes is also slightly black.

On Saturday, I went for my usual run through HB Central Park. The bird life is ramping up. There are different species of baby birds everywhere. I saw this group of cute babies.

                                Here's mama. These are called either coots or mud hens.

Then we went to take my mom out. We went to Hobby Lobby to get picture frames for the chihuahua silhouettes that I got at the fair.

                            I got red leather. They now live on one od the bookcases in our office.

I am somewhat worried about my mom. She's 95. This little trip exhausted her so much that she had to take a nap. That's a bad sign. She seems tired all the time. But there's not a lot to be done to perk up a 95 year old. She said she feels a little better today - she has been "overdoing" it. Good for her.

On Sunday, I went for a shorter run around my 'hood.As I was rounding the final bend, this is what I saw.

Round 2 with Mr Racoon. Now I wouldn't show these if he were really dead. My neighbor, who is a sheriff, was standing outside, and he came over. Then Mr Racoon jumped up and ran across the street into a little park. I didn't know they could do that, but it was mighty impressive..

For lunch, I made a recipe from Popsugar, bacon wrapped hot dogs. First, I wrapped the dogs in bacon - using toothpicks to hold it on.

You bake them at 350 for 30 minutes, rolling them every now and again. I sauteed peppers and onions for the top.

                               I got two cans of toppings - sauerkraut and hot dog chili sauce.

                                                       I made sweet potato fries.

Here is the final spread - dogs, sauce, kraut, veggies, cheese, fries, and condiments. I also toasted the buns on the frying pan with butter spread on both sides.

                             

                                    And here's my dog, all dressed up and ready to go !!!

So, speaking of dressed up, what am I wearing today??

This is a sleeveless dress by Kenar, topped with a jacket by Joseph Ribikoff, which was made in Canada.

It has a nice jeweled zipper pull and shoulder pads, but it's unlined. With it, I wore my Joan Rivers convertible neckwire with the large pearl teardrop.

The dress has white detailing down the front and along the empire seam on the bodice.

                    I carried a black and gold bag and wore my Vince Camuto sandals.

                On my left hand, my wedding rings and two gold/diamond dust bracelets.

            On my right arm, my matching enamel/crystal ring and bracelet from Saks.

All that's left is Monday linking. Rachelle from www.pinksole.com has How I Summer, while Deb at www.elegantlyfashionable.com has Classy Monday. Have a great day, and I'll see you all soon!!!

Arbonne International Review

Remember, on July 23rd, I went to a facial party for Arbonne International skin care products. I bought 4 things. I have been using them since July 31st, so that's 3 weeks. Before I reveal my opinion, let me tell you why the company impressed me.

The line was started in 1975 in Switzerland. It is based on botanical principles, is cruelty-free in it's testing process, and has been practicing green methods for 35 years. The packaging is mostly made of recycled paper.

                                  My box came about 3 days after I placed my order.

                                             Here are the four products I purchased.

I ordered Smoothing Facial Cleanser, Intensive Renewal Serum, Instant Lift Gel, and Genius Nightly Resurfacing liquid and pads.

  Here are the tubes out of their boxes. They are elegantly and nicely packaged.

So here's what goes on. I first use the Smoothing Facial Cleanser every morning and night. At night, I use my Clarisonic to scrub it in. It only takes a tiny dab of this product. I remove my makeup first, using Estee Lauder regular makeup remover.

Then I use the Genius pads. They can be cut in half to make them last longer. Half is enough for me.

Before I used them for the first time, I poured the bottle of liquid into the container of pads. Then you wait at least a minute before using one.

These are called Nightly Resurfacing Pads. I use them only at night. They are supposed to improve elasticity and firmness, and decrease fine lines and dark spots. They have mandelic and azelaic acids. They also have sativa, alfalfa, chicory, ginger root and bitter orange as the botanical ingredients.

Then I apply the Instant Lift Gel. I spread a small amount over my face and neck. Then I have to wait three minutes before continuing. I use this time to put on my Clinique Eye cream and brush my teeth.

Then I use the Intensive Renewal Serum. It has 2% Alpha and Beta hydroxic Acids, and fagus sylvatica for the botanical.

After three weeks, here's what I think. It definitely plumps up the fine lines, and even the marionette lines. My crow's feet are gone. It also tingles a bit, especially the Genius. So that bit of irritation adds a Glow to your complexion. I like the results. It also smells very nice, like orange blossoms. I will keep using this. Before I said these things, I asked Doc and a couple of my friends if they could see the difference, and they all agree that it works.

I hope this helped, and you can go to www.arbonneinternational.com to see the range of products and the pricing. For myself, I chose the antiaging products. i also got one product for free, I think because I bought three. It was some type of promotional offer. Have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!!!

Mohs For the Nose

Today, Doc is having Mohs surgery on his nose. He has a basal cell carcinoma that needs to be shaved off before it causes any trouble. He has plenty of nose to spare. So do I. We are both blessed with significant honkers. Mohs surgery is where they shave off a micro-thin layer, look at it under the microscope, and keep going until all the margins are clear. I hope he will let me take a picture.

Yesterday, just by chance, I spoke to an old friend when I had to call St Jude's Hospital about a patient we have in common. So we decided to meet up for a drink after work. The locale:

The Lazy Dog Cafe in Huntington Beach. Although we didn't, you can bring your dogs as long as you sit outside by the fireplace.

We had a great time reconnecting. There will be more to come.  I didn't want to be weird by snapping a bunch of pix of someone I haven't seen in 5 years, so you only get the outside. When I got home, Doc had brought me flowers.

As you can see, Elli approves. (She insists it was HER idea).

So what am I wearing today? Well, it's a thin sweater dress by Studio M, a Macy's brand.

My friend Lynne calls it my angel dress. Doc agrees, although he said that I am lacking my wings.
With it, I wore a necklace made for me by my late neighbor, Evelyn. RIP, Evie.

On my right arm, my Swarovski Nirvana in Black Diamond and my Swarovski Platinum bracelet.

On my left arm, a smoky topaz ring and a costume bracelet from Stein Mart (very old ).

                  I wore pumps from Newport News, and carried my Aldo bag from Orlando.

That's all, except for the links. First, Dawn Lucy at www.fashionshouldbefun.com has Fun Fashion Friday. Then, Christie at www.theclosetbychristie.com has Friday Favorites. And last, Lauren at www.stylelixir.com has Fab Favorites. So have a Fun, Fab, Favorite Day!!!

Some Things Are Just Too Hard For Grandpa

Yesterday was Doc's day off, so he was asked to babysit Benjy and Calista while Kim took Joseph to school. He brought reinforcements.

                              As you can see, Elli is not too sure about this assignment.

                                            She immediately began plotting her escape route.

At last she found egress. When I got home, she was sprawled on the tile floor. Doc gave her a bowl of milk and another bowl of chicken to compensate her for her time. Good nannies are hard to find.

So remember last weekend, the scorcher of all time? I went shopping while Doc watched TV. I said that I went to South Coast Plaza, but it was actually Fashion Island. (Sunstroke brain). I got two items at the Neiman Marcus end of season sale. I had a gift card as well. Here are the spoils.

                                   This black moto jacket was 80% off. It is pleather.

It has silver studs in the shoulders and upper arms. It also has quilting on the shoulders, front panel, lower arms, and pretty much everywhere.

                                         The back has a band of studs for shaping.

I will be busting this out come fall. I also got a nice sweater dress. It was a good deal, but not as fabulous as the jacket was.

                     It was half off the half off. Here's a full length shot of the pointelle knit.

                                                    It has a jersey knit type lining.

            Okay, that's out  of the way. Whew. Shopping is SO hard. Onto today's outfit.

It's my nice INC printed sundress with the silver studs all over it. I am wearing the top half of a Jones New York pantsuit as a jacket. Here it is, without the jacket.

INC makes such nice, colorful. easy care dresses. No wonder everyone has them. I went with a small mother of pearl necklace.

                             On my right arm, two silver bracelets and a large peridot ring.

On my left arm, a seraphinite bracelet from the Southwest Indian Foundation, a citrine ring, and a diamond eternity band.

                        My Carlos Santana suede gladiators finished the outfit off nicely.

So let's do the usual Thursday links!!! Alice at www.happinessatmidlife.com has Throwback Thursday, Nicole at www.highlatitudestyle.com has Top of the World Style, and Tara at www.mixmatchfashion.com has Summer Style. Have a great day, and see you round the bend.