Coping with a loss

Haven't posted in a while but have been dealing with the anniversary of my husband's death. May 28, 2013 made a year since he has been gone and it is never easy for me when I think of how much he meant to me. Still trying to get my peace from it and it just isn't coming fast enough but maybe through more time, it will. Time does heal all wounds so I am grateful for the strength of my friends and family who continue to keep me encouraged. If you are dealing with a loss of a loved one I just want to encourage you that no matter what, you will get through it. In due time, the tears will stop flowing and you will remember them with smiles and laughter. I am still in the tears phase but also some smiles and laughter as well. Always remember the good times and please don't stop living because that is not what they would have wanted for you. Just wanted to encourage someone with these words. Be blessed!

L'OREAL Paris Magic Skin Beautifer B.B. Cream Review

#MagicBBCream @LOrealParisUSA @SheSpeaksUp 
Hello fellow viewers! I have another review for you and this product is from L'OREAL Paris.  The product is called "Magic Skin Beautifier B.B. Cream".  I was excited to be given this opportunity to try this product myself and provide my views on it.  As you all know, their are a lot of B.B. Creams on the market and it is hard to chose which one is right for your skintone.  Like, some of you, I was kind of skeptical about trying a B.B. Cream, but said to myself, "I gotta start somewhere"!  When the opportunity presented itself for me to try this product, I said, "Why not!"  I love trying new products and felt that L'OREAL would be the perfect product for me!  The product is infused with skincare ingredients like Panthenol, Vitamin E and Glycerin for 24-hour moisturization.

Now a little bit about this new B.B. Cream from L'OREAL Paris.  It has four (4) beautifying actions in this one cream which (1) Primes, (2) Perfects (3) Hydrates, and (4) Corrects.  That's a lot of benefits for me to put to the test! I have combination skin which my T-Zones are oily and I have large pores on my cheeks and nose.  So this B.B. Cream would really have to live up to it's name of being a "Magic Skin Beautifier".  It is not a large bottle which is good for me because I don't like bottles that take up a lot of room on my bathroom shelf.  You simply dot on and blend with fingertips. The self-adjusting beads will instantly transform and blend to your skin tone.  Pretty straight forward and to the point right? Well, it delivered everything that it states and I was really amazed.  Check out my before and after photos in the SheSpeaks photo gallery for this product. It blended very well with my skintone and left my skin looking beautiful to where as you did not even see the oil in my T-Zones at all all day! How is that for 24-hour moisturization!  Now that is a product that I will use for life!  The product comes out literally looking white on your fingertips but once it is blended on your facial it absorbs to match the tone of your skin. Now that's Magic! So have I convinced you to go out and buy L'OREAL Paris Magic Skin Beautifier B.B.Cream? I sure hope so because you won't be sorry if you did. You can purchase at mass food and drug retailers nationwide and it is available in four shades. L'Oréal Paris Magic BB Cream retails for $10.95 for 1 fl oz.  Go on, check it out!


Disclaimer:  I was given a sample of L'OREAL Paris Magic Skin Beautifier B.B. Cream in Medium tone through SheSpeaks Blogger Society Program strictly for my review.  This review is strictly my own opinion.

My Torani Recipe Update

Good Morning everybody! I just wanted to update on my Torani Syrup expreience.  A little background first.  I am a member of SheSpeaks Blogger Society and this is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks and Torani Syrup.  All opinions are totally mine.  I was given the opportunity to try Torani syrup and tell you all about my experience with it.  As I stated in my last post, I was given 2 free bottles of Torani flavored syrup (Gingerbread and Sugar free Salted Caramel) and some $1.00 Torani flavored syrup coupons for future purchases.

At first, I wasn't too sure about the flavors that I was given (Gingerbread and Sugar free Salted Caramel) and what recipe I was going to use because the recipe on their website for these flavors are limited. (www.Torani.com)  But to my surprise, I came up with one.  Gingerbread pancakes.  That's right! They have all other flavors of pancakes (sweet potato, red velvet, etc.) why not Gingerbread! I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out but to my surprise, they were very delicious.  Here is the recipe that I used.

Gingerbread Pancakes

1 cup of Self-rising flour

1 large egg

2-3 tbsp of sugar

2/3 cup milk

4-5 tbsp of Torani Gingerbread flavored syrup

Mix all ingredients  except the Torani Gingerbread flavored syrup in a medium sized bowl making sure that you stir any lumps out of the batter.  You can add more milk depending on how thick you want the batter.  After you get your batter to your desired consistency, add the Torani Gingerbread flavored syrup and stir.  Warm up your skillet and grease it with whatever you choose to (Pam, oil, or butter).  I like to use butter. (That is just my preference) Pour the desired amount of batter in the middle of the pan and let cook until you see little tiny bubbles come up on the top of the pancake.  Then flip the pancake so that it can cook on the other side.  You can pair your pancakes with whatever meat you choose and some eggs, juice, and coffee.  This mix will make about 6-7 pancakes.  I have a small family so this batter is enough for my family but if you have a large family measure accordingly.  If you are time saving family, you can substitute all of the ingredients and use a ready mixed pancake batter (I often buy Krusteaz from Sam's Club) and add water or milk (depending on the instructions on the package) and add your Torani flavored Gingerbread syrup to the mix. Here is a picture of the finished product!

These pancakes were a hit in my household and I will be making them again.  I hope that these will be a hit in your family as well.  Enjoy them I know we did!

I hope that you all will enjoy the recipe that I posted and I hope that you all go out and try the many different other flavors of Torani syrup.  I know that I am going to have fun experimenting with them. 

About Torani:
Since 1925, 3rd generation family-owned Torani has been crafting great tasting flavored syrups that coffeehouses use to make their flavored drinks taste so delicious. With over 120 flavors in Regular and Sugar Free varieties, Torani flavored syrups are perfect for flavored lattes, mochas, coffees, cocoas, Italian sodas, teas, lemonades, cocktails and smoothies. Coffeehouse professionals choose Torani flavors because they are expertly crafted and made with the highest quality ingredients, like natural flavors and pure cane sugar. The Sugar Free flavors have no calories and are sweetened with Splenda. Now, Torani flavored syrups are widely available at retail so you can easily create authentic coffeehouse quality drinks at home.

Torani Flavored Syrups

Hello Everyone!

Had an awesome Thanksgiving and I hope that you all had the same.  Now that the Thanksgiving cooks have had a chance to rest and the Black Friday shoppers are all shopped out, I want to share with you all the new product that I have the pleasure of trying out.  The product is called Torani and I have the pleasure of trying their product to create my own recipes with drinks or sweets or trying some of the products recipes.  I am a member of SheSpeaks Blogger Society and this is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks and Torani. I was given two Torani flavored syrup bottles to sample (Gingerbread and Sugar Free Salted Caramel)  and I can't wait to get creating.  I was also given 5 $1.00 off Torani syrup coupons to give away.  I can't wait to let you all know how I like Torani flavored syrup and how I use it in my recipes or drinks.

About Torani:
Since 1925, 3rd generation family-owned Torani has been crafting great tasting flavored syrups that coffeehouses use to make their flavored drinks taste so delicious. With over 120 flavors in Regular and Sugar Free varieties, Torani flavored syrups are perfect for flavored lattes, mochas, coffees, cocoas, Italian sodas, teas, lemonades, cocktails and smoothies. Coffeehouse professionals choose Torani flavors because they are expertly crafted and made with the highest quality ingredients, like natural flavors and pure cane sugar. The Sugar Free flavors have no calories and are sweetened with Splenda. Now, Torani flavored syrups are widely available at retail so you can easily create authentic coffeehouse quality drinks at home.

It's party time!! Shespeaks Twitter Party

I support all kinds of causes and I am excited to join Shespeaks in their fight for childhood cancer.  Aflac is a well know company that helps families with financial support, lodging, and additional insurance for illnesses that are not usually covered by traditional health insurance. Details for the party is below. Please join us and "tweet for a cause" to help with childhood cancer. RSVP for the #AflacKids Swim With Friends Twitter Party Thursday 9/6 at 9pm ET!

By SheSpeaksTeam 6 days ago :: 35 Comments Twitter Parties You’re invited to a very special Twitter Party that that raises money for pediatric cancer research with every Tweet.  Join us on Thursday, September 6th at 9pm ET as we help Aflac kick of their Swim With Friends initiative. For every Tweet that uses the hashtag #AflacKids, Aflac will make a $2 donation that goes directly to pediatric cancer research! Plus – we’ll be giving away over $1,000 in prizes – including a $200 Target gift card! RSVP to be eligible for the door prize by commenting on this post with your Twitter handle (Ex. @SheSpeaksUp)! Did you know that approximately 12,000 cases of pediatric cancer will be diagnosed this year in the United States?  You can make a difference today to help stop childhood cancer – and it’s a great time to get involved.  September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month and Aflac needs your help to kick off their newest campaign to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer research – while having a little fun doing it. Starting September 1st, when you dive in and join the Aflac Duck to Swim With Friends by donating $12 to fight pediatric cancer, you’ll receive a rubber duck and an entry to win a family vacation for 4 to Orlando – plus, Aflac will match your $12 donation! Then, watch the virtual duck race on Aflac’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/aflacduck on Tuesday October 9th at 12pm ET to see if your duck will win the race and the vacation!  You can find out more about Aflac’s commitment to fighting pediatric cancer here.  Official rules for the race can be found here. The Party Details: When: Thursday 9/6 at 9pm ET Where: Twitter - follow hashtag #AflacKids Custom TweetGrid: http://bit.ly/MuCM0d Brands: @AflacDuck Panelists:  @Zipporahs, @LisaSamples, @StacieInAtlanta, @Scentednights, @MommyBlogExpert Twitter Party Prizes* We’re giving out over $1,000 in prizes – there will be prizes every 10 minutes!  You could win our Twitter party grand prize – a $200 Target gift card, or some of our fabulous prizes that will inspire you to Swim With Friends. $50 Sunglass Hut Gift Card Coleman 70-Quart Xtreme Cooler $200 Target Gift Card Party Topics We’ll be talking about how we give back to causes we care about – and ways you can help join the fight against pediatric cancer. We’ll also be joined by the Aflac Cancer Center’s Director of Clinical Research Dr. Howard Katzenstein and a Cancer Center patient who are ready to answer your questions. To get started, click here to Tweet: “Join me to help fight pediatric cancer at the #AflacKids Twitter Party w/ @SheSpeaksUp & @AflacDuck 9/6 at 9pm ET! http://bit.ly/AflacKids” New to Twitter Parties? No problem. Check out our TweetGrid 101 video and our Twitter Party tips and hints. Then get ready to jump into the conversation! Be sure to RSVP for the party by commenting on this blog post with your Twitter handle to be entered to win the amazing door prize – a $200 Target Gift Card! Let’s get Tweeting! Don’t forget, the more you Tweet with #AflacKids, the more money goes directly to pediatric cancer research. If you blog about this Twitter Party, please email your post to blogteam@shespeaks.com. *Door prize winner must have RSVP-ed via comment and be participating in the discussion to win. Open to all United States residents. One prize per winner. No purchase necessary. All Twitter party prize winners must complete a form with mailing details within 48 hours of the party. The form will be DMed if you win a prize.

Fabulous Friday

It's Friday!!! Yay! That means time to unwind from the daily grind of the work week.  All over the East and West Coast we have been enduring a heatwave so let us all be weary on keeping safe during this heatwave. Let us remember to keep hydrated with plenty of water to avoid heat exhaustion.  If you have air conditioning, be grateful. Keep it at a comfortable temperature and stay indoors when the sun is at its hottest which is between 10 AM and 4 PM. If you are not fortunate to have an air conditioner, find a friend or business that does to stay cool.  Please check on the elderly and make sure that they stay hydrated and cool.  Sometimes the elderly can be stubborn and that is how most become sick from dehydration so please be mindful and check on them.  Also, be careful of your time in the sun if you have to work out in it.  Make sure that you have access to plenty of water and if possible, cover your heads with a hat or cap to protect your scalp from sunburn.  And please always remember to always wear sunscreen no matter your race because we all burn.  Make sure that you cover your skin even the areas that are covered with your clothes and don't forget your ears!  Have a great weekend and make sure that you are heatwave safe! Have fun!!

Haven't written on my blog in a while.  Been going through a lot since my husband passed away.  Nothing and nobody can prepare you for the loss of a loved one but let me tell you that it is a hurt that can't be explained.  But the good thing about it all is that he died in the Lord and he is no longer suffering and as long as I continue to trust in the Lord, follow his commandments, and allow His Spirit to use me, I will see my husband again.  He will be whole and free from pain.  Now it is time for me to mourn and to move on with my life.  God put people in our lives for reasons and seasons and I know my strength and I am more than willing to show myself strong.

Over 40 and Focused: Self-Worth

Over 40 and Focused: Self-Worth: Good Morning!!! Do you know your Self-Worth?  There are a lot of people who do not know there self-worth.  What exactly is self-worth? Acc...

Self-Worth

Good Morning!!!

Do you know your Self-Worth?  There are a lot of people who do not know there self-worth.  What exactly is self-worth? According to The American Heritage College Dictionary  4th Ed., it states:
                             
                            Self-Worth (n) - Self-Esteem, self-respect

According to the New Oxford American Dictionary 2nd Ed., it states:

                           Self-Worth (n) - Another term for SELF-ESTEEM

Now with two different definitions that have the same word (Self-Esteem), that should be saying something to you.  Let's see what Self-Esteem is.  According to The American Heritage College Dictionary 4th Ed., it states:

                           Self-Esteem (n) - Pride in oneself; self-respect

According to the New Oxford American Dictionary 2nd Ed., it states:

                          Self-Esteem (n) - confidence in one's own worth or abilities; self-respect

These words are interchangable.  We as individuals have to have pride and confidence in ourselves.  So many of our youth do not know their value.  That is why we have so many teen suicides, bullying,  and teen pregnancy, etc.  Once our youth are taught their self-worth, there is nothing that they won't be able to do.  We as parents have to encourage our youth to have confidence in their abilities.  We have to continue to build up our youth.  I am not only speaking to our youth, I am speaking to anyone who does not understand the meaning of self-worth and that is me included.  Sometimes we forget who we are when we are faced with adversity.  We are valuable.  God made each of us in his image.  There is nothing that we can't do as long as God is by our sides.  So tell your sons and daughters that they beautiful/handsome, tell them they are good, tell them they are loved, and most important, tell them they have SELF-WORTH!!! 

Tsue ~ That's What She Said: Twitter Party: Make The Switch Challenge with Jennie-O & Champions For Kids

Tsue ~ That's What She Said: Twitter Party: Make The Switch Challenge with Jennie-O & Champions For Kids

Forgiving Friday

Forgiveness is an action word that for some people, it's hard to do.  Some people have been hurt by others or one person so badly, that it is hard to forgive.  We have to realize that forgiveness does not mean that you condone the behavior, it means that once you forgive, you start your healing process.  Forgiveness is not for the other person, it is for you.  Some people have hardened there hearts so till forgiveness is out of the question for them.  But what if God treated us that way and not forgive us?  God forgives us over and over again and once He forgives, He remembers it NO MORE!! Unforgiveness looks ugly on people because they are so hardened.  God is a loving God and He loves unconditionally!  I learned this when I was going through my forgiveness journey.  It was really hard for me because hating was so easy to do.  But I realized that I am blocking all of what God has for me by not forgiving and I want everything that He has for me.  So I praying and asking God to help me with forgiving this person and I started to read this book called The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. The book consisted of reading a chapter a day and journaling what you have learned from that chapter and how are you going to apply it to your life on that day.  It was not a book to just read and apply later on, no, you had exercises to perform right then and there.  I knew that God was speaking through to me through this book because I got half-way thru the book and got stuck on one particular chapter called "Mending broken relationships".  I kept asking God what did He want me to do because He would not allow me to read the book any further.  I kept having dreams about this particular person and did not know why.  One day I was home alone and was trying to continue to read the book and I heard God whisper to me, "Write a letter".  I wanted to write it but did not know what to say in it because the hurt was so deep I knew that I would get angry all over again so I ignored His whisper and for 4 days I battled with it.  I went to talk to my mother about the situation I was going thru and she told me that I had to ask God.  So I just opened up and humbled myself and told Him if it is a letter that I needed to write then please help me to find the words to say.  The Holy Spirit fell upon me as I started to write this letter and by the time I was finished, it was four pages long front and back.  I mailed it and this person did read it because God guided me to call this person and they were shocked to hear my voice.  We talked about the letter and after about 30 minutes on the phone, we hung up and I thanked God for what He did for me because it felt like a weight was lifted off of my heart.  Of course there was some tears but tears are for the cleansing process.  I slept so good that night and when I woke up the next day I wanted to continue to read the book and I was able to finish the rest of the book with no problems.  See how God works?  When He wants you to do something, He expects you to do it! Although I hesitated and waited and was trying to avoid the inevitable, I then was obedient to his Word and my healing process began.  Forgiveness is a process and it will take some time to do but if you want all what God has for you, ask Him and He will direct your path.  I pray that this helps someone who is struggling with forgiveness.  God Bless!