I Remember the First Time I Wore Makeup

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Claudia Meydrech

Now girls wear Make Up at such a young age compared to when I was growing up. I was raised in a conservative home and went to a private school, and girls in my home didn’t wear makeup until high school. I do remember the first makeup that I wore. I had no idea how to put on makeup. Cosmetics Tips weren’t easy to come by at home, but we talked about our favorite makeup as girls in school. I do remember experimenting, and because of lack of experience, how much contrast there was between the color of my face and the color of my neck after applying makeup. Or the way some of the cheaper lipsticks that I used would turn red after applied no matter what they looked like in the lipstick case. I did have an eyelash curler and do remember putting on mascara, and light blue eyeshadow. That was the only color I ever wore. In time, my skills improved, and for years and years I just kept doing the same thing. Oh how nice it would have been to have been able to go on the internet (no such thing then) and visit a link like this -> Make Up Tutorials where I could learn from people who really knew what they were doing when they applied makeup, and how lucky for you that there are tools like this available.

Now, I don’t wear as much makeup as I used to, but still need tips now and then on how to use some of the newer types of makeup, like when they first came out with mineral makeup. There’s always something new to learn…and lots of resources to help you.

This post contains both personal and sponsored information.


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A Family of Caregivers

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Claudia Meydrech

I am from a family that has members that know more than many about what it means to be a caregiver.  It is not an easy role, but if you have the patience and support you need, in the end it can be a rewarding one.  How do I know? I have been surrounded by blessed caregivers all my life:

1.  I have a disabled brother who grew up on our home until he was an adult and moved to a group home.  My mother was his primary caregiver and poured her life into his.

2.  My grandmother had a stroke when I was 12 years old…she was in her 60′s and lived to be 90, lovingly cared for by my grandfather until she passed away at home with my grandfather at her side.  He lived over 10 years after her, until he was 97, he was a few years younger than my grandmother.  My cousin then cared for him for a few months after he fell.  We were busy caring for my father at the time.

3.  My mother also cared for my father at home for 5 years after he had a stroke.  She is so gentle and loving…I always tell her that I wish so much more of her would “rub off” on me than I know has.  I am not quite as patient, but so want to be.

These are just a few examples.  There are sites like caregivers.org that provide help and resources, but for the most part, their care came from their hearts with a little help from the outside when needed.  God has always faithfully provided the care-giving strength and help as it has been needed along the way.  So on this month some call National Caregivers Month, I have many examples to reflect on and be thankful for.


Posted in Aging, Ancestors, Brothers, Caregivers, Dad, Deaths, Grandparents, Mom | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Were My Babies Cuter than my Puppy?

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Claudia Meydrech

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Puppies vs. Babies for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Even though it was over 30 years ago, I remember the exact moment that I first saw each of my babies. Both were born by Cesarean Section (or C-Section) and I was able to be awake during both thanks to a shot in the spine of something that took away feeling and "paralyzed" me so I felt like a slab of meat, as I describe it, on the delivery table. It was an amazing moment seeing each of them as they held them close to my face after taking them from my body, then whisked them off to do whatever they do to newborns.

Though it hardly seems to compare, I was also there to see our Yorkshire Terrier born. I had never witnessed a dog giving birth to puppies except on television before, so the whole experience was awesome to me. That was almost 13 years ago.

I can't say that my newly delivered babies OR newborn puppy were particularly cute at first sight, but they were beautiful to me.

But putting sentiment aside for a bit, let me tell you about a Puppies vs. Babies online contest. taking place right now. You can vote for what you think is the cutest pictures of Puppies vs. Babies and the winner will receive $5,000. And when you have had a look, why don't you tell us here who you voted for, or tell us now about your puppy or baby before you head over to look at cute baby and puppy pictures and vote?

PvB-CuteDar-Green-300x250-Backup.jpg


Visit Sponsor's Site


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The Smell of Home Made Bread

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Claudia Meydrech

I was young during the Wonder Bread years, the bread that helped “build strong bodies in 12 ways”.  I don’t recall my Mom or my grandmother for that matter baking their own bread, but during the ’60′s and ’70′s when so many were getting back to old ways of doing things and getting back to nature…what people now would call “green living” or some such name…I baked bread.  There were no bread machines or Breadmakers then, just muscles, and time.  The smell of a loaf of whole wheat bread in the oven is unlike any other.  It would shine on top thanks to a brushing with egg whites before putting it in the oven.  I’d like to think it was healthier than wonder bread, not just because it had more nutrients in it, but because it took some real muscle to knead the bread, and filled the senses as it cook.

Later when I was raising my children in the 80′s the bread machine became popular, and the “old” way of kneading bread was replaced.  It still smelled delicious, but like so many things, convenience replaced the old ways.  So this day when, believe it or not, we remember “homemade bread day”, do you have any bread making memories?


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Halloween Isn’t What it Used to Be

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Claudia Meydrech

This year I haven’t put out the pumpkin decorations, and we just picked up our candy last night…partly because I’ve been dealing with a health issue, and now we are out of town…looking at driving home through a Nor’easter tomorrow, fun-fun.

Last night we did stock up on our candy…lots of yummy candy bars at a great price, so we’ll be ready..if we make it home through the early October snowstorm.

Each Halloween, now that our children are grown, my thoughts go back to the days when my children were young, and the day seemed to be so much more fun.  My children’s costumes were home-made when they were young, and I’d make dinner in a crock pot because children would start coming to the door from about 3:30 in the afternoon on.  We’d go out early in the evening, and usually gave out over 70 bags of candy each year.  When they ran out, which was rare, all the lights in the house would go out, and the candle in the pumpkin in the window was blown out.  Nobody minded, in fact, some children went home and changed their costumes and showed up at the door 2-3 times before I caught on to what they were doing.

But now it’s quieter.  My children are grown, there’s no grandchildren yet, and the number of children in our neighborhood is way down…if we give away to 30 children it’s a good year.

We wish you a happy Halloween, full of fun memories…yes, fun, I’m not much for the dark side of the season…smile, be happy, enjoy!


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Steampunk Jewelry – Victorian Meets the Future

Posted on September 29, 2011 by Claudia Meydrech

I like old things, but am new to the Steampunk culture, and wondered if Steampunk Jewelry and other gear could be considered nostalgic because of their Victorian connection.  Perhaps not, but it provides some of the best grown-up, dress-up play that I’ve seen in a long time.

With Halloween coming, thought I’d take a look at this unusual yet intriguing fanciful fantasy world of old meets new, or new as it may have been envisioned by those who lived during Victorian times when steam power was used as an energy source.

Steampunk enthusiasts have gatherings where they can dress in their Steampunk fashions, whether they put the costumes together themselves or purchase them pre-made.  Finding and piecing together your own costumes, jewelry and other gear is a great hobby for some, and a business for others.

However it’s not just Steampunk costumes and jewelry that are transformed, anything can be transformed to give it the Steampunk look.  Take for example the small Steampunk Box w/ Compass you see below.  Gears, pipes, nuts, bolts and other interesting fixtures make up at least some of the look that is Steampunk when combined in just the right way..and there is a right way.


Now, take that look, and bring it together in a piece of jewelry, and you have the following interesting piece:

Galvanic Inducer Cuff Bracelet
(Click image for more info.)
Steampunk fashion and costumes can be quite elaborate, and must be done just right. I had the pleasure of reading a great article on this at “Steampunk Costuming Made Easy” by an expert in all things Steampunk.

So, whether you buy your Steampunk costumes or your Steampunk jewelry online or at a Steampunk shop or store, perhaps I’ve given you a new hobby or costume idea for Halloween.


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