Thursday, October 2, 2014

Gold Bond Rough and Bumpy Skin Review


What is Gold Bond Rough and Bumpy Skin Cream?

Walgreens.com shows the following product information:
Effective for combating rough and bumpy skin on arms and legs as well as extremely rough, dry skin on elbows, knees and heels. Gentle yet effective combination of AHA, BHA and PHA exfoliates. 8 intensive moisturizers condition and soften.

Proven results: 90% experienced smoother, softer skin in just 1 week. 72% experienced reduction in bumps/the appearance of KP in 4 weeks. 89% experienced consistently less bumpy and significantly softer skin in 4 weeks.

  • Dermatologist tested
  • Fragrance free
  • Non-greasy and non-irritating

Made in Canada

Apply as often as needed, or as directed by a physician. Use sunscreen or other sun protection to prevent sun sensitivity while using this product. Discontinue use if there is any irritation or burning.
© 2014 Chattem, Inc.

What is KP?

Keratosis Pilaris (KP) is a very common and completely harmless skin condition. In the population as a whole, keratosis pilaris may affect as many as one person in three. Its name gives some idea of what it is. 'Keratosis' means that there is too much keratin – which makes up the tough horny outer layer of the skin: 'pilaris' comes from the Latin word for hair (pilus). In keratosis pilaris, many small (1 to 2 mm. across) horny plugs can be seen blocking the hair follicles on the upper and outer parts of the arms and thighs.
What causes keratosis pilaris?
Keratosis pilaris is an inherited skin condition, running strongly in many families, sometimes with a generally dry skin (ichthyosis). The way it is inherited varies from family to family, but often fits into an 'autosomal dominant' pattern – which means that there will be a 1 in 2 chance that each child of an affected parent will inherit the condition. Keratosis pilaris appears when extra keratin accumulates in the hair follicles. This is usually in childhood, and most obvious during adolescence, often it clears in adulthood. It tends to be better in the summer than in the winter. Keratosis pilaris is harmless, and is not infectious.

Product Review

I found the product to be too expensive initially. It was at Walgreens for $11.99. But my daughter has KP on her calves and it has begun to develop on the underside of her forearms. There is no discoloration, only a rough bumpiness. I have KP on the underside of my forearms and my triceps. I am dark skinned and the marks are even darker. Doctors have no solutions for us. I have found that exfoliating gloves and a lavender infused natural soap keeps the KP from progressing. But it is very slow in its effectiveness. I saw a commercial for this product and decided to try it out.

I immediately noticed softer smoother skin, but only in the smooth skin areas around the KP. I felt like Neil Goldman from Family Guy when Meg tells him, "I never noticed how smooth the skin between your acne is."

The second thing I noticed was the uncomfortable tackiness of the product. My skin stuck to my pajamas and made me uncomfortable all night. During the day, when I rested my forearms on my desk calendar, I found dead skin residue on the paper. It was gross and I was not pleased. But then I remembered that the product, although smooth to the touch, is an exfoliating cream. So I decided to only apply the cream at night. I also noticed that it does not wash away easily. When showering, you will really need to scrub the cream away.

In one week, I noticed a difference in the way my skin felt but not the way it looked. I began using it twice a day and wearing long sleeves to deal with the tackiness. By week 4, after sporadic use, the KP on my arms was 90% less visible and physically detectable than before. The product delivered on its guarantee. I recommend using exfoliating gloves or loofahs in the bath and a moisturizing body wash in combination with the product as it causes layers of dead skin to shed in a rapid amount of time. Keep the area covered to protect it from the sun and to speed up the process.

The product was definitely not overpriced as originally believed. I would purchase it again.




Mabon Incense Recipe


Mabon is defined as:

The holiday of the autumnal equinox, Harvest Home, Mabon, the Feast of the Ingathering, Meán Fómhair or Alban Elfed, is a Pagan ritual of thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth and a recognition of the need to share them to secure the blessings of the Goddess and the God during the coming winter months. The name Mabon was coined by Aidan Kelly around 1970 as a reference to Mabon ap Modron, a character from Welsh mythology. Among the sabbats, it is the second of the three Pagan harvest festivals, preceded by Lammas / Lughnasadh and followed by Samhain.

I like to mark the occasion by burning incense. Here is my recipe for Mabon incense that is burned on charcoal.

2 parts sandalwood Powder
2 parts White Oak Bark (You may substitute Oak Leaves)
1 part rosemary
1 part cinnamon chips
1 part Apple Chips
1 part Frankincense


All ingredients must be dried and well ground. You may use a coffee or spice grinder but you should not use the appliance for food once you do. A pestle and mortar are advised. Just spoon the desired amount onto your lit charcoal and let smolder. Keep the remainder in an air tight container.

Friday, September 12, 2014

What Apple Fans Want Everyone to Know

We don't actually wait years for anything.

The fact is, Apple products are built to last. I still have a MacBook that I purchased before the release of the first smartphone. And guess what? It's just as fast, graphics are great, still just as compatible, and it's as virus free as the day I bought it. Sure there have been many changes in the MacBook line. There have been many changes to laptops and notebooks. But the thing is, I've never needed to buy a new one. The same is true of the IPhone. I still have and use my Verizon IPhone 4. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it. It's small, no bugs, compatible, nice pics, works great. I've had this phone over five years. So why do Apple users upgrade? There are three simple reasons. One, you have damaged or broken your product. Sometimes it's just cheaper to replace than to repair. Two, you're completely happy with your product except for one or two features. Once those features have changed, you're willing to upgrade. Three, You're a lessor. Many people like to have the newest version of everything. By constantly upgrading your Apple product, you will always have a new product that you can sell before it's completely depreciated. Much like leasing cars. I am an Apple fan that falls under one and two. I had my IPhone 4 so long that if I broke it, it would make sense to simply replace it. Also, as a mother, I LOVED the Touch ID and the Cloud. Sure other phones have these features, but not before Apple.

We aren't throwing away money.

There's a reason new Android phones and PC products are released so frequently. The life expectancy of the product is shorter. Imagine what would happen if your Galaxy gave out completely before the new version was released. Imagine that the release of the new version took as long as the IPhone. How many times would you have to purchase the same phone before the new version came out? The fact is, this was a part of the marketing campaign. Companies must determine the approximate amount of time before consumers realize they have purchased the same product more than once and therefore have an inferior product, before they decided to switch brands? Many new IPhone fans have purchased more than one Android phone before the next one was released. After realizing just how much was spent they figured, they could have bought one IPhone that would have lasted the entire five years. The same is true of notebooks and laptops. They came with screens that flip and spin and an operating system that mimicked Apple's. But the products failed to perform and they did everything but keep viruses out. A product that isn't expected to last cannot be expensive. It also has to regularly come up with new gimmicks to keep consumers faithful, to distract from the fact that they have the inferior product. The old adage "You get what you pay for" is so true when it comes to Apple and non-Apple products.

We don't believe the hype.

In fact, there is no hype. When a new Apple product is set to release, there is always the leak, and then the actual release. Every IPhone user I've known has said that they learned of the new IPhone from a non-IPhone user. That is because a good competitor spies the competition. But think for a moment about Apple commercials.  There is simply the product. In fact, sometimes, there isn't any dialogue or lyrics to the music. When you're selling a great product, you don't need all the buzz and fluff. Also, winners don't compare themselves to anyone else. If you're the best, why compare to the rest? And why would anyone want to switch from Apple to Android when they are releasing commercials that basically call us idiots that make poor decisions. "You're an idiot for buying that IPhone. Switch to Android." Yeah, that's not going to make me want to switch.

We don't want bigger screens, you do.

There were many surveys that determined the biggest reason non-IPhone users haven't switched was the screen. They loved, however, the quality, picture, function and security.Veteran IPhone users want privacy, hence the TouchID. We don't like others seeing what's on our screens. We don't like people in line seeing what type of credit card we have in our wallets. We don't like apps that use blanket permissions that allow regular monitoring of our phone content. So the IPhone 5s focused on those things. The reality is the IPhone 6 is not geared toward current IPhone users, It's intended for those holdouts who haven't taken the plunge yet. Veteran IPhone users, aren't complaining about the phones they already have.

The same is also true of the notebooks. Have you noticed how subtle the changes to a MacBook are? Have you noticed how every few years there's a new gimmick on the PC laptops? The reason is these features either fail to function or don't attract the masses in the first place. Apple hasn't really changed a thing. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The greatest difference was the MacBook Air, which, surprise surprise, was thinner and smaller. It is still the top selling notebook. In fact, when schools order computers and tablets, they order Apple, not Android, not PC. The reasons, the reliability and the quality of the products.

In summary, Apple fans are people who want quality products that last long enough not to need a gimmicky upgrade every year to distract us. We aren't hipsters looking for the trendiest products. We are techies who seek out time tested technological advances. No matter how many You-Tube videos you make about us, we aren't switching.

Saturday, September 6, 2014

What Classy Women Know




This is merely a compilation of things that self-described classy women say has set them apart from other women. There were many other things that were named but I didn't want this post to be too long. The following is in no way meant to pass judgment on others.


Go tagless.

Those tags on your lingerie, cut 'em off. The point of a lacy thong is to show off your assets. A slender, pink tag with your size on it, sticking out of your crack is not attractive. In fact, the only tags you should have on your clothing should be the designer's label. If you can't remember your size or how to launder your clothing, you have other things to focus on. Lingerie should not have any labels at all.

You don't need to raise your voice to be heard.

Speaking loudly, shouting, rolling your neck will certainly call attention to you. Unfortunately, it will not be the attention you seek. Change your vernacular, use different tones and facial expressions to emphasize your point rather than raise your voice.

Don't use words you don't know.

Most people attempt to use words they don't know in order to sound more intelligent. But the reality is, it has the opposite effect. It is better to take the time to learn the words you don't know and how to properly use them. The same is true of enunciation and pronunciation. Over enunciating and pronouncing words with excess, in an attempt to sound "proper" makes other's wonder about you. Be yourself.

Your bra is not a purse.

There are several styles of handbags, purses, clutches and totes. There is never a reason to use your bra as a purse. No one wants your sweaty money. It's not very classy to reach down into your bra at the counter at the grocery store.

Take it easy on the perfume.

A woman's perfume should not announce her arrival to a room. It should also be light enough to last but mere seconds when she leaves the room. It should last just long enough for someone to want to follow her out of the room to ask her for her number.

Make-up is meant to enhance your beauty.

Eyebrows should be easily identified as neatly groomed strips of hair. They should not appear to be painted on or drawn on with a Sharpie. If it takes you two washes to remove all of your make-up at night, you're wearing too much make-up.

Dress for your body type.

Thin women should not wear high-waisted pants and full-figured women should not wear low rise jeans. The reason is that certain garments cover up the natural beauty of a woman's figure. For example, low-rise jeans on full-figured women brings attention to the waist. Curvy jeans or hip-huggers provide the same look in a more flattering way. A flat chested woman can wear a ruffle front top and appear to be more balanced at the top. A smooth front top on a full-figured woman, as simple as it is, can make a man's jaw drop. She has curves that should not be disguised.

Polish can be flashy but your nails should be simple.

There seems to be a trend of pointy manicures. Women are wearing lattice patterns on pointed, witch-like nails. You may love your new nails, but your man is secretly praying you won't gouge his eyes out when you reach for him at night. If you have to type with the underside of your fingers rather than the finger tips, your nails are too long.

Keep it in the closet.

You are woman, we've heard you roar. There is no need to discuss your sexual escapades in public. If someone wants to know what you're like in bed, then they should at least have to ask you on a date to find out. True, men are attracted to overt displays of sexuality. If this were false, twerking would not have made a comeback. But what keeps a man coming back for more is the mystery. Which is more exciting, an unwrapped birthday present, or a wrapped one?

Sunday, July 13, 2014

How to Give Her a Mind Orgasm

We've all heard the Alanis Morissette song, All I Really Want. She practically ignited a riot amongst Generation X when she shouted, "And all I need now is intellectual intercourse, a soul to dig the hole much deeper."

Many Star Trek fans also remember at least one episode per version of the show where someone performed a mind meld. It began with Mr. Spock and continued on to Deanna Troi on The Next Generation, as well as Odo on Deep Space Nine to name a few. It would seems as though the geeks and nerds of the Sci-Fi genre have a deeper understanding of what it is that women truly want. Their ideas of making love tend to involve discussing literary works or scientific theory before somehow, telepathically perhaps, tapping into her deepest desires and satisfying her in ways even Captain James T. Kirk couldn't accomplish. Could all of these geeks and nerds be wrong? In my opinion, no.

How many times have you come home to a woman who is rambling on and on about "that bitch at work" (or the PTA, or the grocery store, or wherever) and wondered what you did to deserve to be tortured? You really don't want to hear her crap. But guess what, she want's to talk about it. And what she wants more than to talk about it, is to have you listen to her. And I don't mean sit there blankly while fighting the urge to dose off. I mean active listening, asking questions, relevant questions and giving a corresponding opinion. Making a woman feel like you are actually listening to her and valuing her thoughts is the equivalent to unfastening her bra. It won't be long before you're bumping uglies in the dark, or smashing, as it has been recently referred.

But you can't just sit there and listen to her babble. Although, depending on the woman you chose to be your mate, you may have to do just that. In reality, most women want to talk about something more. Ask her about the situation in Tel Aviv, her opinions on the misogyny of feminism, when is the right age to wean a child from breast feeding. Even if she has never thought of those things before, chances are, she will be grateful that you even attempted to have an intellectual conversation with her. Don't get me wrong, every woman wants to be beautiful and esthetically attractive. But the truly confident ones are already content with their outward appearance. They don't need or want any reassurance from you that they have "a big fat butt." What they want is to know that they are more than just a "dime piece." If you encounter a topic she knows nothing about, teach her. She will respect you for it. Think of the football fan in the fall, all set to watch his favorite team when his woman walks in. She has no idea what's going on or even what a touchdown is. But he recognizes that she wants to be a part of this aspect of his life, so he teaches her. And although she may ultimately choose a different team as her favorite, together they can enjoy one of his past times simply because he took the time to teach her.

Try it out one day. Pick a Friday or Saturday when you both already planned to stay in. Turn off the t.v. and pour some wine. Only turn on the stereo if you intend to discuss the music playing. Strike up a conversation. Make and maintain consistent eye contact. Discover things about her you never knew before, while sharing things about you with her that she never knew. If you run out of things to say, say nothing. Her mind will peak multiple times in ways you can only imagine. This is the equivalent of removing her panties. I'm sure you know what to do from there.

Stimulating a woman's mind is the best way to show her that she is more than just a sexual object to you. That is the best reassurance you can offer her, whether or not she is insecure. But of course, that doesn't mean that she doesn't enjoy meaningless raunchy sex anymore. It just means you finally made her mind feel what her body feels. If you need more clarification, go ask a geek or a nerd.

Things to Consider BEFORE You Have An Affair



Every wife has thought about cheating on her husband. Exactly what she's thought about it may vary. Some women will swear to the Lord above that the only thoughts they have ever had on cheating is that they would never and that their husbands had better not. But then there are the ones who are seriously weighing their options. Here are some things to consider while you ponder the unthinkable.

Why are you doing it?

There's never a good reason for it. There may be very understandable and forgivable reasons, but no justification ever exists. So figure out your motivation for doing it in the first place. If you're bored, angry, unsatisfied, you may want to put in a little more work with your husband. As Ludacris once said, "Some say that sex is overrated but they just ain't doin' it right." If ho-hum has hit your sex life or if too many arguments have turned you off, find another solution. You will find it extremely difficult to live with yourself once you work through your rough patch if you have an affair for such a simple reason.

But then there are the more complex reasons. I know people who have done it because they can't afford the divorce. Affording the divorce goes beyond the cost of a divorce. In a divorce, consider the living arrangements for the children, which friends you will undoubtedly have to stop seeing, the cost of child support etc. Justified or not, there are some situations where it's easier for some women to supplement rather than replace. Whatever your decision, make sure the reason you choose is one you can live with.

What do you want out of the affair?

There are long term and short term affairs. You have to be clear before you have the affair of exactly what you want. If you are looking for a full-fledged relationship to replace your own, it's better to wait until the relationship has officially ended. "Once a cheater always a cheater" is a concept that applies to women as well. How will your new belle or beau be able to trust that you will be faithful when you were cheating when you met? This will certainly trip up your road to happiness. If you want short term, does your lover want the same thing? We've all seen the stalker stories on Discovery ID and Lifetime where one person wants sex and the other believes they were soul mates. If what you want is short term, consider how far the other person may be willing to go to keep the relationship going. If what you want is long term, can you handle letting go?

Are you willing to lose everything?

This goes back to my first question. Why are you doing it? If your reasons to have the affair outweigh your reasons to abstain, in theory, your situation is such that you are ready to lose everything. Which is why some say, just end the relationship. When you have the affair, you aren't just risking your marriage. Your friends and family will judge you. Some will forgive you, others will not. Your employer may find out thus ending your employment, especially in an at-will hire state. Are you a PTA member, philanthropist, public figure, community leader? If so, you may do irreparable harm to your career and your community. What will you do when your child's teacher finds out? Will the couples you used to hang out with shun you to protect their own relationships? Being a cheater can be very lonely.

Is this going to be a secret?

If you plan on keeping this affair a secret, can you handle it? In order to keep an affair secret, you have to be able to behave as if nothing at all has changed. You also have to make sure that the lover you choose has just as much to lose if not more than you. A single man has nothing to lose if your husband finds out, but a married man would. But then that elevates your transgressions to include an entirely different family. Can you live with that on your conscience? You have to be very discreet about your affair if you choose to have one. You can't risk being seen in places where you will be recognized. There is always the chance that your spouse's friends may be out one day and see you with your lover. What happens then? How will your spouse react once he or she discovers what you did? Is your spouse suicidal, homicidal, likely to take the children and flee? If you choose to have an affair, you will have to spend more money to travel to far away or private places. Or, you will have to spend all of your time indoors, which may be what you want in the first place.

Will you use protection? 

This seems like such an obvious answer, but Maury Povich isn't famous for political interviews. The fact is, the average woman does not know when she's ovulating. Which means, if she is having sex without birth control or barriers, she will increase her probability of getting pregnant. How do you explain a pregnancy to your spouse? What if you're still having sex with your spouse, will you know who is your child's father? Will your lover cut and run the moment he discovers you're pregnant? The thing to remember is, you are having an affair. The lover you choose, may not feel the need for monogamy. Who are you to criticize? Your lover could bring home everything from HPV to AIDS. If you aren't using protection, you risk infecting your spouse and any unborn children. If you use protection with your lover that you normally don't use with your spouse, you will be discovered.

How will you handle an unplanned pregnancy?

There are a few choices. You can come clean to your spouse and keep the baby. You can come clean and choose adoption. You can have an abortion. You can lie and let your spouse believe it's his baby. Keeping the baby opens your whole family up to ridicule. Having an abortion, right or wrong, will have a lasting emotional effect on you. Choosing to allow your spouse to believe your lover's child is his own presents a number of issues. Your lover may want his child to be with him and his family. Your spouse may become suspicious and decide to ask for a DNA test. Your friends will be burdened with the decision to tell your spouse or remain loyal to you. Your child will grow up not knowing the true identity of his or her father.

My goal is not to sway your decision either way. But one must consider all possible consequences of their decisions. Only you know what the right decision for you will be.

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Reclaiming Your Life From Time Bandits

One of the biggest complaints from my readers is the inability to manage their time. Some are overwhelmed with their full schedules. Others can't seem to figure out just how to manage a productive schedule. This is the common complaints of most parents. Time management is easy when you have a job. There is a supervisor over your shoulder micromanaging the job with which you were entrusted. But what about at home?

The first thing to do is to identify where all of your time is going. Clearly it isn't being spent doing what you need or want to do, or you wouldn't be searching for answers. I compiled a list of the most common Time Bandits based on reader response.

The Laundry

If you have your own washer and dryer, you are a victim of the a time bandit. The average person throws their laundry in the wash and walks away. They don't come back until they realize they need to put it in the dryer some time later. When that time comes, the clothes go into the dryer and again, the person walks away until they remember to go back which can be over an hour later. Then the laundry is shoved into bags or baskets and dumped on a couch or bed before the person goes to the next load. In some cases, the laundry either is folded and left out, or not folded at all. The whole family lives out of the laundry pile until the basket is needed for dirty clothes. So the cycle begins again.

The Solution

On Mother's Day there was a Mommy Dearest marathon. In one scene, Christina is in Joan's laundry room after returning from school. In the laundry room there was a table, chairs, magazines and snacks. This is actually how Laundromats began. "The help" would remain in the laundry room and wait for the washer and dryer to stop so that no time was wasted between loads. Laundry was immediately folded or placed on hangers to prevent the need to iron later. Then it was immediately put away. Yes, this is boring. But it saves a tremendous amount of time. What I do, I listen for the buzzers and set the timer on my phone. This way, I can get other things done without forgetting the laundry. I also have a folding station in my garage, available at Target. I gained about 4 hours by simply watching my laundry. Another tip is to hang up clothes in ready made outfits for adults and children. If you're ever running late, everything you need is on one hanger.

Mealtime

Read any recipe, watch any cooking show, and they will tell you the prep time for each meal. Sometimes it's five minutes. Other times it's 15 minutes. Multiply that by the number of meals you cook per day, per week, and you'll find your time bandit. Don't forget the clean-up after meal preparation. 

The Solution

To save time and money, plan at least two meals that contain the same ingredients. You can make the same meal twice or two different meals. For example. I am making frybread tacos for dinner tonight. On Friday, I am making spaghetti and meatballs. Since I am already thawing out bison for the tacos tonight, I may as well use the other half of the meat to make my meatballs now. Come Friday, I'm simply warming up the meatballs and sauce, and cooking the spaghetti. A 30 minute meal, just became an eight minute one. Stick to meals that can be frozen at the prep phase or that has ingredients that will last the week. If you intend to take any food with you to work the next day, package it while you cook. Once you serve dinner, put away the extras while it cools. You'll not only save time, you'll also exercise portion control and expedite your clean up time. Do the dishes after your meal, but before you do anything else. You won't be in the mood to do it later. You'll wind up with double the dishes and half the time. Drink a cup of coffee after dinner to give yourself a boost of energy. Another tip is to buy simple breakfasts that can be microwaved or come ready to eat. Cold cereal and toast, instant oatmeal, Jimmy Dean meals etc. are all examples of quick breakfasts that will save time. If you or your family members are not much for breakfast, make your own Starbuck's protein boxes. Slice some apples and cheese. Add some walnuts and cranberries with whole grain crackers. Put them all in a small container. You and your kids can eat in the car or drop them in their backpacks until they feel like eating. A thermos goes a long way, literally. You don't have time or money for Starbuck's or any other coffee runs. Get a Keurig and take your coffee to go.

Bedtime

It's Sunday night and your kids need a bath, all of them. They all are refusing to bathe because they don't want to go to bed. You finally catch one of them and get him into the bath. By the time he's cleaned and in pajamas, you're exhausted and your back hurts but you may or may not have more children to bathe. This process, depending on the number of children you have, can take two or more hours. Your work extends beyond the bath due to the fact that you have to clean the tub out each time.

The Solution

First, infants and toddlers up to age three can be bathed together. That's at least one less bath. The same is true of children of the same gender and ages. However, the older they are, the less practical this is. In fact, if your child is in second grade or higher, teach him or her to take a shower. Set a timer so the next kid can get in the bathroom. When actually running the water for a bath, place your child in to soak. When you have just enough water to cover the lower half of your child's body, start scrubbing. Let the water out of the tub while you rinse. Clean the dirt out of the tub immediately. Remember, the goal is to bathe everyone quickly, not marinate in Calgon.

Morning Mayhem

Parents or not, many people tell me about how they look at the clock and have plenty of time to get to work on time, then they blink and they're late. Many have tried getting up earlier but wind up paying for it later. Parents tag team the kids, but one always ends up running late.

The Solution

Remember when you were a child, your parents told you to eat your vegetables first? The reason is because once you got through the stuff you didn't like, you could take your time and eat the stuff you liked. It's the same principle with your morning routine. You already know your children are going to slow you down. So start with them. Start by setting two alarms, one to break your sleep, another to make you get up. Wake your eldest child first. Get him in and out of the bathroom, which will be easy since he bathed the night before. Have him dressed in the clothes he laid out the night before or one of the outfits ready to go on the hanger. This is why the laundry solution is so important. Let him feed himself. While this is taking place, wake up the younger children and follow the same routine. By the time your eldest is ready to eat, depending on his age, he can serve his siblings. This is why the simple breakfast options in the mealtime solution is important. When everyone is ready to go, do the same for yourself. Kids love cartoons, let them watch them. It keeps them out of your face while you get ready. Kids also love telling parents what to do. Let one of your kids do the clock watching. Have him tell you the time every five minutes to keep you on track. Limit your morning prep time to ten minutes if you can. Make-up should be simple enough to be done in five minutes. If not, and you're not working, apply foundation and move on. You can finish your airbrushed look after taking the kids to school. I work, so I have a make-up kit at work for the days when I am running late. I apply my foundation at home, then go to work and apply my eye shadow, mascara and lip gloss. However, if you happen to be a morning person and don't need the snooze bar on your alarm, do this solution in reverse. Completely dress and prepare yourself before starting the child prep frenzy. But be advised, once the children wake up, they will be in your face.


There are many other solutions to your Time Bandits. Try these for a while and email me your results at : TheRedHousewife@yahoo.com.