Footprints on my heart...

Gina's grave marker was put in this week.  In some ways I think this makes it more real, but it is so good not to have just an empty spot of grass.  Now mind you, it is NEVER empty.  Someone always stops by and puts flowers or balloons.  I always leave Oreos for her.  That was "our" thing.  Every night she would come downstairs for "our" snack.  She would have 7 Oreos and I would have 5, no more- no less!  We would each dunk them in our glass of milk and discuss the day.  Those are the moments I miss most, the ordinary, everyday moments that you only realize were special later.  Of course, every day with Gina was special.  My son chose a wonderful girl that showed us all how a life should be spent - with love, laughter & smiles.  She will always be with us and has left footprints on my heart.  Love you G Girl....thank you.

What a sad day....

So hard to accept that 30 of our US Special Forces were killed in Afghanistan.  My heart goes out to their family and friends. My son Andrews friend is a SEAL.  Thank God he is safe.  They were roommates at VMI, Virginia Military Institute, which forms a special bond.  He just got engaged this week to one of Gina's friends.  I can't imagine the worry that his family must feels 24 hours a day.
My nephew, Christopher, is on the Iwo Jima and will be deploying right after Thanksgiving for 6 months.  I know and understand the worry and emptiness that my niece Holly, feels when he is gone. The families make a tremendous sacrifice as well as the Servicemen and Servicewomen.  They are forced to go through births, deaths, water heaters breaking, washing machines overflowing and daily chores that we take for granted, ALONE.  My niece is lucky as my sister and brother-in-law live close by as does her sister, my other niece Heather and her family.  She has a great support network but my heart breaks for those that are on their own. 

I think we all need to pause and give thanks to our Troops and their families for their sacrifice.  Our freedom should never be taken for granted, it comes at a VERY HIGH PRICE!  Thank you to you all.....
All my best,
Mimi

Did you know....

Did you know that I believe children and men cause wrinkles....especially the big one between your eyes!  The one that takes the most amount of Botox, the Glabella Muscle.  They make use worry, frown and fret thus it is all their fault!  Just saying...but I thought you really might like to understand how wrinkles really are formed!

Collagen is created by fibroblasts, which are specialized skin cells located in the dermis. These fibroblasts also create elastin. The dermis is a layer of skin beneath the epidermis(outer layer) that consists of connective tissue, and cushions the body from stress and strain(aka men & children).  When the skin is wounded, fibroblasts help to repair the damaged tissue and assist in the process of forming new tissue.  Fibroblasts never completely lose their ability to create more collagen, the process just slows with age.

From the age of 11, we start to deplete our collagen levels.  As we age, we lose tightness in our skin, moisture, elasticity and suppleness.  Wrinkles appear as a consequence of weakening collagen fibers. Picture your fingers interlocking and then pull them apart....this is what happens with our collagen fibers as they wrinkle.  The thinner skin around our eyes are particularly prone to wrinkles as there is less collagen and elastin to begin with there.  Age is only one of the factors that contribute to collagen degradation, sun tanning & smoking are two big contributors.  Free radical damage effects collagen greatly! 

The body requires Vitamin C in order to make collagen.  An example of Vitamin C shortage and its effects on collagen are the old English sailors that suffered “scurvy”.  This deficiency caused a serious and painful disease in which defective collagen prevents the formation of strong connective tissue.      

There are many ways to promote the stimulation of collagen.  Two of top methods are Microdermabrasion and Peels.  Chemical peels break down the bonds between the cells of the Stratum Corneum which is the outer layer of the epidermis(your top layer of skin) and slough away the old dead skin.  It stimulates your body to produce more collagen and elastin .  This makes your skin thicker and stronger from the inside out! I happen to love Lactic Acid peels and do it to my skin once a week.  The collagen molecule is too large to be absorbed into the skin, don't believe those products that claim to put Collagen directly into your skin,. What we can use are topical products that will stimulate the collagen, among them Vitamin C and Vitamin A.   Microdermabrasion abrades the skin, enhancing the surface of the skin, but the process goes deeper into the skin, stimulating collagen and elastin growth.  The great upside to Microderm is that you look better instantly without any downtime!

All my best,
Mimi