More thankfulness

It's my youngest daughter's birthday! I am thankful to have given birth to a healthy girl, and to have raised her to the ripe old age of 14. She is full of life, a real drama queen, really. She is a great person to have around when you're feeling tongue-tied, because she is never speechless. Well, it may have happened once, but I can't remember for sure. Her siblings and I hatched an elaborate plan for how we'd give her the gift we'd gotten. We had her convinced that she wasn't getting one for her birthday while we were planning to buy one all along. We decided that after dinner, we'd have her open a couple of smaller gifts and then move on to the cake business. At that time, Ethan, her brother, would call her new phone that had surreptitiously been placed by the computer she uses. In our busyness, we'd send Megan to get the phone. Once she found it, she'd see that it didn't belong to us, and would realize that it was hers. The plan went off without a hitch, and her reaction was priceless! Truly "America's Funniest Videos" worthy, as a matter of fact. That reminds me that there was a hitch--ds forgot to bring the video recorder home. Anyway, Megan came back into the kitchen, cellphone in hand, asking whose it was. We were all smiling big, me with the camera pointed at her face to capture her reaction. It was then she realized the phone was hers and she shrieked, started crying, and collapsed, "I have a cell phone!" This went on for several minutes before she calmed down enough to actually check it out. This, I think, was one of the best birthday reactions ever in our home. Thus, I am thankful not only for Megan, for the success of her gift, but for my family, showing their love in making things special for her. There's nothing like the love of a family.

What are you thankful for?

My Thankfulness sale continues, get a free bar of soap with ANY purchase! Just leave a comment on the blog what you're thankful for, and you're eligible.

Not on my site are:
Herbal Bath Teas: Oatmeal, Milk, & Honey, Purely Herbal Blend, Four Milk Blend, and Relaxation Blend - $2/ea.
Liquid shower gel: All natural. 2 oz. for $4
Lotion: Hand and body lotion - 4 oz, $7
Foaming Soap, just in time for the holidays: Lavender, Apple Cinnamon, Pumpkin Spice, and Gingered Orange. I have a couple bottles left of Tropical Summer for you tropical die-hards. It's a pineapple based scent. Just $7/bottle for 6 fl. oz.

I'm also posting photos of Megan's birthday and a photo display entitled, "November Flowers," the last few flowers in my gardens that have escaped the frost to send out their last blooms. Unfortunately, I can't figure out how to rearrange the photos, so they are in backwards order. Sigh.

It's 2009!

It's hard to believe that another year has gone by, already. I'm working at catching up on all I've fallen behind with during the holidays, and will be setting goals for the new year. This month, I'll be catching up record-keeping for tax time. What about you? What goals do you have for 2009?

Right after Christmas, we drove to see our newest baby, Giovanna, as well as her siblings, Noah and Frencesca, and their parents, David and Amy. We had a good trip, and enjoyed them all very much. It's great to be home, though.

I would be remiss if I didn't add how spoiled I was by my family today, on my birthday. They helped clean up, shopped, and cooked a delicious dinner for me, and I had a wonderful day. They even got me some sweaters, one a periwinkle cashmere. How nice!

Now, I'm energized for getting back to normal and accomplishing what I set out to do this year; one of which is convincing my readers to take a bath. But, don't take an ordinary bath, take a bath with something that helps your skin, or just smells lovely.

We've seen how bath salts, oils, milks, oats, baking soda, and cornstarch all play a part in a therapeutic regime. Now, let's see how herbs can help.

* Chamomile has been used historically for skin healing and for relaxing. Do you remember Peter Rabbit's chamomile tea? Use this herb in a bath for its cosmetic value, and relax at the same time! If you have ragweed allergies, however, use it with caution, as they are of the same family.

* Lavender is a classic bath herb, thought to have both cleansing properties as well as relaxing properties. It also has been used historically for skin healing. Just like chamomile, lavender is an ideal bath herb, and most people love its scent.

* Comfrey has little scent to add, but does contain allantoin, a cell-regenerating ingredient. This herb is a plus for any bather!

Now, add lip balm to the list of products that are not on the website. For just $3/tube, you can protect and moisturize your lips with many terrific flavors.

Throughout January, I'd like to extend this offer:

Buy any 5 products, and get the 6th free! If the item is not on my site, just email me, and I'll take care of things for you. All products are included, and the free item will be the one at equal or lesser cost than the other 5. Shipping is not included.