Blemish Prone Skin

I don't know about you, but since I hit 30, I had been noticing the continual build up of dead skin and blocked pores on my face. With the build up of the dead skin and blocked pours came an increase in black and white heads and lumpy bumpy skin. Makeup would get caught in amongst the lumps and bumps and wouldn't come off no matter what I was doing.
I was cleansing, exfoliating, toning and moisturising every day, and still the problem was getting worse, not better until...
I was introduced to Facial Peel Creme by Nutrimetics!
You use this creme every night for a month, then give it a break for 2 months. This month is my third using it, and I think I may finish the jar by the end of the month.
It works by dissolving the glue that holds the dead skin to your face, but it is also a moisturiser; so not only does it help release the dead skin from your face (by washing your face in the morning) it softens all the blockages up too, so they almost jump out of your pores! Squeezing out blackheads has never been so easy and painless, plus I'm not bruising or breaking my skin trying to get them out!
Then, following up the cleansing with toning and moisturising, meant the pores are cleaned out and then minimised.
In the last 7 months I've noticed that I have a lessening number of blackheads on my nose particularly, plus others that I've watched disappear under the build up of dead skin, come back to the surface and then come out - HOORAY!! Also, by the end of the month, my face feels a lot smoother.
I look forward to the next Facial Peel treatment month each time because I notice the dead skin start to build back up again in the off months - even though I may be doing a different exfoliation treatment.
The other reason why I love Facial Peel Creme, is because other people have noticed. Obviously when I look at my face, I'm looking really close up; but to have other people comment (within the first 2 weeks of my first month using it - without them knowing I was using it) that my face looked clearer and better, is really good proof as well as reinforcement to keep using it.

He’s Always Been Faithful to Me

With the new year starting, returning to work has always been the goal for this year.

The close of last year brought to an end a few things: resigning from CCC, end of Stress Leave, end of the old me. But what would the new year bring?

I had planned to drive over to Queensland and back over the Christmas holidays, and in preparation, bought the Chronicles of Narnia on audio CD to listen to on the way. I didn’t end up driving, but still listened to the CDs; by the end of the Chronicles, I had noticed that Aslan at the beginning of each story, gave the children a list of instructions but then told them to take the adventure that came to them.

I realized that God does the same thing (or rather, Aslan does the same thing that God does). He gives us a list of instructions – on how to live, but then also tells us to take the adventure that comes to us. We are told to trust and obey. Talk about stepping out in faith! And just like God, Aslan is with the children on their adventures; they can always call on him in times of trouble and when they need assistance; their needs are always provided for, and despite their successes or failings along the way, they always accomplish what Aslan told them to do.

I realized that I need to do the same thing. To step out in faith, to trust and obey and to take the adventure that came to me. I know that God has always provided for all my needs in the past, and providing beyond my expectations; so I need to trust that He will continue to provide for me in the future. This part is the hardest!

Not knowing what the future, even tomorrow holds can be daunting. Not knowing if I will get a job this year, if I’m making wise decisions and so on, even if I will get paid next week…

Some friends have been very encouraging, and have helped me remember God’s promises to Himself, and to me with this song by Sara Groves.

 He’s Always Been Faithful

Morning by morning I wake up to find the power and comfort of God’s hand in mine. Season by season I watch Him, amazed, in awe of the mystery of His perfect ways.

All I have need of His hand will provide. He’s always been faithful to me.

I can’t remember a trial or a pain He did not recycle to bring me gain. I can’t remember one single regret in serving God only and trusting His hand.

All I have need of His hand will provide. He’s always been faithful to me.

This is my anthem, this is my song, the theme of the stories I’ve heard for so long. God has been faithful, He will be again. His loving compassion, it knows no end.

All I have need of His hand will provide. He’s always been faithful to me.

Fine breakfasting in Perth?

Is such a thing even possible?
I have to say, I often find going out for breakfast hard to stomach. I’ve eaten Weetbix for breakfast nearly all my life, so starting the day with something else, particularly on a week day, seems to throw off the whole ‘feel’ of the day entirely.
That being said however, I enjoy eating out and trying new things – provided my day started right!
So then my dilemma arises. There’s always lots of different and yummy options for breakfast, but what to choose so that the rest of the day ‘sits right’? Then what if the choice was a dud? Is it worth hazarding feeling slightly off for the rest of the day just to try something new?
My brother and I went to The Imp for breakfast Saturday morning and I have to say I wasn’t that impressed.
Usually known for it’s fine food and coffee, my breakfast wasn’t all that tasty; the coffee was just above standard thankfully, but nothing to write home about.
Both my brother and I ordered their ‘Big Breakfast’, usually a good choice and quite a standard dish at most restaurants. The tomato was over cooked, the bacon under cooked and also on the plate was a small serving of baked beans… which neither of us were impressed to see. (My brother was in Perth for a wedding that day, so baked beans wouldn’t have been a wise choice for him at all!)
The coffee (I had a latte), at least wasn’t a let-down. It did have a nice thick foamy top and it wasn’t bitter. For a large latte, the size of it was ok as well. It always baffles me however, when a large latte is served in a large glass, without a napkin or collar around it at all. How are you supposed to pick the glass up and drink your coffee without burning your fingers in the process? And what’s the point of ordering coffee if its going to be lukewarm by the time you get to drink it? Then if you use the napkin that comes with your cutlery, what do you do when your food arrives?
The whole dining experience can be ruined because of the lack of a napkin when you need it.

Ode to the Cream Bun

Oh lightly browned crust
That just doesn't crumble
All over my shirt
From just one small bumble

Soft white fluffy bun
How thy insides do please
Thy texture is light
Could be caught on a breeze

A diagonal cut 'cross the top
Doth thy rift
Yet were it left empty
T'would cause more than a fit

Thy filling is quite
A delight to mine eyes
Not too much or too little
The right, exact size

White, fluffy and creamy
Only moderately sweet
Causing both sides of the bun
Together to meet

A dollop of jam
On top doth create
The right harmonization
For the discerning palate

I gently prize thee apart
And spread all of thy filling
Evenly betwixt both thy sides
Preventing the possibility of pilling

The first bite, what delight!
A smile spreads over my face
Yet fades all too quick
How often the case

Too quickly consumeth
The cream bun doest I
But savoring the moment
Till another I doest buy

Style

Is there such a thing as a wrong style?

Everything seems to have it's own style nowadays, not just fashion.
If something or someone does things differently, they're said to have their own style and in this post-modern culture of tolerance, everything and anything is acceptable. The 'right' and 'wrong' boundaries have disappeared and everyone is left to figure it out for themselves.

Teachers are not supposed to say something is definitely wrong – which makes giving anything a grade rather difficult; but then giving a person a grade is no longer acceptable. Telling someone they failed is wrong; or saying that something can’t be done, shouldn’t be mentioned!

The ‘pop’ psychologists of the 1960’s have a lot to answer for. The introduction of this false notion of ‘self-esteem’ in child psychology meant that parents were no longer allowed to discipline their children, because of the negative impact it may have on the child’s self esteem. Yet, for a child to have a good self WORTH, (which is more important than self esteem) understanding your own weaknesses as well as strengths is important! Understanding that there is a right and a wrong way of behaving and treating others is important just as understanding your place in your family structure and being held accountable in the structure is important. This removal of ‘finites’ and the acceptance of ‘tolerance’ has done a lot of damage in how we view ourselves, others, the world and God.

Girl & Dog

That day finally happened. The day when parental consent was finally given.
The silly thing is that parental consent was even needed. It's amazing how parents continue to affect and impact the choices you make, long after you leave home. I guess actually moving out of home doesn't stop them from being your parents.
Well, as a result of the aforementioned consent, I now have a dog!

P.S. – The only reason consent was given, is because their disapproval and fears were ignored on another level. 

Pet Peeve

Do you have a pet peeve? I sure do. In fact, I think I have several… But when it comes down to it, I think the one that is at the top of the list is Perth drivers.

Nothing gets me more frustrated, worked up, annoyed and angry than dealing with Perth traffic.

The way no one can STICK to the speed limit. Everyone seems to do 5-10 km over or a standard 20km under, especially on the Freeway.

Did you know that people on the freeways travel at different speeds, no matter what the traffic is like at different times of the day? For instance, traffic is slower between 3 – 4 pm, no matter what day of the week it is, than it is between 4 – 5 pm.

Have you realized that Perth drives prefer travelling in straight lines and on a level surface. Any slight curve or rise in the road causes everyone to slow down.

Now I know that safe driving means being careful on corners and hills, but Perth doesn’t have any hills! Especially not ones we drive up! A slight rise for a railway bridge means drop 10km/hour; a slight bend in the road, even on the freeway when you can see what’s ahead, means drop 10km/hour; if someone is pulled over on the side of the road, drop 10 – 20km/hour so you can have a good stickybeak on the way past; and then there’s the merging (which we really can not do at all) – Taking Turns???  no way! I need to be first! The other day driving back up to Perth from Mandurah, people were slowing down, in both lanes, every time we passed an exit and entry, even though there didn’t appear to be any major problems. 

Oh and then the dreaded speed cameras! I can be travelling along at a safe distance from the car in front of me, cruise control on at the correct speed limit; and then for no apparent reason, everyone slows down to almost a crawl! I’m wondering what the problem could possibly be while braking heavily… no, there is no bend in the road, there is no incline, there’s no one broken down on the side of the road, no road works, no merging required and then.. oh its a speed camera! “Quick slow down now because if I was speeding before, if I drive very slowly by, they wont have noticed!”

Have you ever come across a Phantom Breaker? You know, those people who like to brake for no reason what-so-ever… Do they get bored with going slow and have to go slower for a bit to make them feel like they’re going fast when they return, eventually, to their previous pace? Do they have twitchy feet that need to press things just for the sake of it? (I have a brother who just loves to push buttons. Every new car he jumps in, he automatically starts pushing the buttons, rather randomly, not to find out what they do, but just for the sake of it)

Phantom Traffic Jams  Break Reaction

There’s more things that Perth drivers do, but I think I’ll save that for another time.

What’s your pet peeve?