Jo Mikan

Those who know me in real life know that I am extremely self-conscious about my appearance, specifically my very thin eyelashes.  I know other people out there have much more serious problems and I am fortunate that this seems to be the biggest thing I have to worry myself about, but I can’t change the fact that it really bothers me.

I have tried all sorts of things to try to achieve thicker eyelashes.  My latest pattern has been trying out the various eyelash growth stimulators.  There is no shortage of brands to try out that is for sure.  Lilash seems to be one of the more popular ones however.  I really didn’t want to waste a bunch of time so I turned to the web for some guidance.  I read a Lilash review and it seems to be a good first place to start, so I ordered a bottle and I will be sure to keep you posted and let you know how it works out.

Continue Reading »

Many new mothers get stretch marks during and after pregnancy. These stretch marks can occur with anyone at any time and they are the result of the skin that was stretched to its limits and beyond. The result is a distribution of the underlying; the formation of collagen as it tries to collect and stretch mark scars are the result. These stretch marks are deep in the skin layers, and even sometimes you can run your fingers over the area and still feel a little ridge.

You rely on the Internet, so you search for almost everything - the latest trends in makeup and what celebrity is wearing what, what other women have to say. You have stretch marks. You’ve had them for years. You know you can not get rid of them, so you turn to the Internet for help. You enter the "best stretch mark cream review" and find a Trilastin SR review.  What stretch mark cream review should you read first? More precisely, should we believe them?

Continue Reading »

I wrote a half-entry, giving a brief description of Christmas with my family. But then I deleted because I realized that every other sentence, I was making excuses and explaining the reasons that why and why. I felt guilty writing about one of the best days in my family had enough time.
So I deleted and I’m here. I do not feel guilty to enjoy my family, the ability of people to donate and bring a smile to their faces. It’s never about the price - whether to give or receive. This is the thought that goes into each presentation. This is to celebrate a festival means a lot to my family and me, both in the religious sense and the sense that it gives everyone a full day, where schedules are put on hold and worlds are in ’stop so we can each other’ s company, the links between us and the love we all share. It is a day where the differences are put aside and all the inanity and small, to the serious and important, and are cast out of a day … we all have to leave the door and celebrate together.
I suppose if someone has a problem with me to share the details of that day and I think just sharing what I myself was blessed with … I am not the one with the problem.
/ Disclaimer
My parents are awesome and I think everyone was a little spoiled this year. In-laws, parents, nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters and their children … so, too. Although we both grew up, my mother will LOVES Christmas and way of making it special for all the world each year. It is my opinion that it has itself out of this year - I think Teresa will probably agree!
I was blessed with the Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS digital camera that I have been drooling over for the last six months (in pink!), An iPod nano 8GB (pink!), ITunes card, my passport Travel in Italy and I’ll Reese in May, a cappuccino / cafe / bar, a wireless mouse for my laptop, the new CD by Jeremy Camp, some pajamas for my sister. Teresa bought me a beautiful necklace of diamonds and gold at three hearts that go into some sort of tear drop-shaped, some makeup, lip gloss bag thing with all the taste and imagination (as I am a lip gloss prostitute), and different types of body wash stuff. David me season 1 of That 70s Show is one of my favorites of all time shows. An aunt / uncle made me hot pink, fleece, dress is a comfortable way and another aunt / uncle gave me a beautiful waterfall rock Thingy lamp to my room.
I can not remember everything, but I think that was the essence of it. Each year, we bought my mother socks, toothbrushes, deodorant, body wash, grooming toiletries and other - so of course we all had this sort of thing.
My aunt and uncle Joe Chris enjoyed their DVD camcorder we gave them. And I am officially Cousin Ever brilliant that the children were delighted with the lava lamp I bought for their rooms.
I do not know … it was just an incredible day, all around. Same type of what I, I feel the happy glow of the day wash over me again. We had a great Christmas and everyone has played the Wii that Santa brought this year, the children until their arms were sore. It was a party full of joy, days of memory … you know? The kind that will bring a smile to your face every time you think? Yup! One of them:).
If you wish, I posted my photos on Flickr that you’re more than welcome to go check:).
As for me, I gotta go finish the laundry. Teresa and I are renting a hotel in the city tomorrow evening and we will dance for New Year’s Eve! We’ll drink a toast and another at midnight, then return to the hotel when we are tired and swim or sit in the hot tub or whatever and eat what remains of dinner, we decide d go to. Since neither one of us will be driving, what happens to rock, too! I’m so excited - especially since New Year’s Eve is my favorite holiday. I was not in a good time and I look forward to this BIG TIME. As my mother said: "[I] need to go out and be 24 years old!"
Well said, well said … mom! Haha:)
I’ll try to make pictures to show when I get back some Thursday afternoon. And I say "try" because my mother is to have all of her nieces and nephews for New Year’s Eve, there will be a mad-house here until Saturday when they all go home. Can I start school January 12.
It will be very busy two weeks. But for now …
BRING IN 2009 !!!!!
I hope you have a safe and blessed the new year. I will pray for you all a wonderful 2009, full of good people, good times and good things.

So hard to believe that we are at the end of another year. I thought this morning, the way this time of years past is always thinking. Lists achieve anything - that is good, bad, ugly, hot, not coming down, the Top 10 of this and the other. I have not even glanced at the television, but I am sure there will be the usual back too, in the countdown.
Funny also how ringing in the new year with a party, drinks and lots of singing seems hearald in NEW. A new start for most everything. The new year brings a chance to draw a line under what has happened, turn a new page, start with a clean slate.
And while I’m unlikely to be effective everywhere, but the land of nod to the magic hour, I’m always asked to reflect on the year, me and my family had. And this year, I think it has been generally good. A lot of room for improvement, yes certainly (…. decluttering these plans have yet been made for one!), But many things that we were able to celebrate at a time, and again at reflection.
This afternoon while I was mucking around in my photo albums on the computer, I tried to identify some pictures that I want to print the page in December I have loans through the SBO comp. Photos must be really the very essence to understand what comes from our December was like this year because they are all about 1 "square. And as I went through them, I had trouble try to understand each image to represent the day when I’m filling in on the layout.
I selected the ones I’ll use on the page, but I also learned a little something at the same time I played in Picassa.
This is not a characteristic of other faces that I do not have permission to pop here, but it gives you a taste of our December I think.

March follow-up:  So it turns out my husband actually has a sleeping disorder.  His snoring had been getting worse and on our Ohio trip, I had been noticing that he would stop snoring and then wake up gasping for air, before falling back asleep.  And there is no question that he is tired all the time.  Well he went to the doctor and was sent for a sleep apnea test.  It turns out he has a moderate to severe case of it and will probably have to go on a CPAP machine.  While he is not crazy about being hooked up to a machine with a hose all night, it is a good thing we found out as it can be deadly in extreme circumstances.  We’ll see what other sleep apnea remedies might be available such as a dental appliance or whatever, but it a great to finally have a name and a reason for what has been going on.

Continue Reading »

So I had a conversation with a dear friend today, whose husband left shortly after their 9th wedding anniversary. It is all better now and his own life and he wants a divorce at some point. He thought about the filing of this right before Christmas, children, but did not have Christmas because of the expense. How noble of him to wait!
I do not know how one can simply walk on their families. I had a word to my friend, selfish. He left for himself, he was not happy, it is now healing and will not return to the past. It is all about him.
What about wedding vows? What is the alliance that you do with that other person to care for them and honor them.
I pray for blessing on it blessing in his life. It is a wonderful gift and the person and deserves much more. I do not understand how anyone can ignore these wishes and look only for themselves. He ignored his wife and children. I am baffled by the whole thing. I can not even imagine what my friend was concerned. Sometimes I just want to slap this kind of head.
She told me that God has really helped her through this and we are both comments, we do not know where we would be without him. When the crisis in the world, it is man is our only hope. I firmly believe that I would not be in this life if not for God. I was so devestated by the loss of my father that I wanted to die. I knew that if God had a plan for my life. My friend is not as painful as the loss of that God has a plan for her life and her children. Want to know which includes your spouse, but she knows, with or without him, it gave their lives for a reason!

I’m so in this kind of mood this week.
It seems that every time I’m at work, I pulled in a thousand directions. Then I go home and enjoy Hannah and when she goes to bed, I’m ready to just lay in bed watching television or reading a book until the time passes around bed.
I have not exercised in a week because of schedule conflicts and Christmas launched for good measure and just when I think that goes well this week I reported late for work, which would have been my first day return period. Needless to say I did not on Monday.
I hope that my coach did not think that I purposely ignored because I was on a roll and hope to continue my progress, sometimes at the end of this week. I also decided I’m going to join the Y! I am quite happy for that hope and I really agree my husband to come! My mother is coming with me so that will be super fun. She used to be a fan of fitness in her younger years, I am curious to see if it becomes that way again.
I set my goal to lose at least 80 pounds by October. With really try to lose more than 100lbs, but I do not feel too overwhelmed and so I always say 80 lbs. I hope this good work! I need to lose 10lbs a minimum of one month and feel successful with my goal. It is hoped that the world around me, it can offer support and encouragement of my goal. I need this body to a weight to bear a child!
As a side note, I find it very ironic and insensitive to all at the same time … we had secret santa santa my work and gave me DOVE CHOCOLATE! WTH! and hot chocolate! This person you mind and knew that I exercise and eat healthier on earth, so why would it give me candy!
Other unsually my crappy mood, Christmas was a great pleasure! Hannah is it opened and played with her toys! I was very impressed because many people told me that this Christmas would not be fun. I beg to differ.
My MIL said, "Next year will be much better, it will be more toys." Do not ask me if this comment came from because neither Tom nor I complained about Christmas are not fun. "Sometimes I think people talk themselves to hear.
A friend of my knowledge has recently made several attempts to re-ignite and our friendship, even if it was given my phone number and e-mail two months ago, she has just now sent me a e-mail at 12-23. I thought it rather interesting because I have not spoken to his nearly five years, our friendship did not end in good condition and I was fine with it. When I stop a friendship, it is justified and that it was super shadow and my mother never paid back a sum of money has been all the motivation I need to stop seeing her. So anyone, she sent me an email about how sad it is and how often she thinks about me … blah, blah, blah. At first, I said what happened long ago is not a problem, etc, etc … but the more I think about it the more annoyed I get. I have all the friends that I really need and do not want more. If you withdraw, it was for good reason, and I’m really not looking to turn our friendship lost. I have two best friends that I’ve never had a fall and that’s all I want. I do not need fair-weather friends. Fortunately, I managed to get rid of all of them and do not want them back. Does this mean me? I feel like I’m nasty, cruel and Christian. But I really did not want to let people who hurt me in the past, in my world … Perhaps it is asking too much?
I think I need a holiday, but for now I’ll settle on the breakdown of this blog. Thank you to everyone who is at the bottom of this post, your comments are appreciated!

It’s already on Tuesday evening. I packed our bags (which was probably too much weight. Yes, mom, I know you offfered to mail stuff to us. Selected clothes for tomorrow, has reserved a bus, set the alarm clock, my radio clock, and the wake up call to the hotel, all to ensure we meet the bus at 4:15 in the morning. Yes, the flight is at 6:15. I think I do not have to be there 2 hours earlier, but an hour and can change.
Time has flown by. It’s incredible because I always feel that I have not seen a lot of people I wanted. I just saw Kristin, and is in the room! I saw my brother and my sister once. I never see my aunts and Becky Patty or my grandmother. Sigh.
I realized today that I would have liked to have Keb botany Center. Now that he is older, I think it was the love of the state. We did not go. We also did not see the zoo, the science center, or the State Historical Museum. I think we have come in the summer and in Des Moines treated as a tourist destination, which makes time to see all these things.
I did my cousin, Michelle, advice and 2 pairs of glasses of America’s Best. I’ll take a bet, because they have to ship (it will take 7-10 days). They could be wrong. Then the two pairs are a cost of less than $ 200, then I am ready to take the chance. I did find many managers j’aimais. I have to cut down. The two executives cost $ 99. How does it for a good deal? Thank you Michelle!
I went to the new branch of the main library, which replaced the one I used to work. My former boss, Debbie, retired 12/12. Bad timing on my part, I think. There were only 2 people I know who work there. I hate the new building. I LOVED the architecture of the old building. It was made of wood and marble, glass and stone. It was, for me, beautiful and elegant. The new building, while acknowledging the needs of the city better, looks a bit like Ikea - and not in the right direction. It is too cheap and industrial research. It is a cool concept, from the top, it looks like an airplane, seems to have been built in a "green" manner and is in harmony with other buildings in the city. Children’s Department, who was in what appeared to be a closet, is much larger and better for children. He has many good aspects. I still hate. That’s me.

Today was an interesting day. I started with Michael Gabby all day today. He took her to his appointment today and Dr then spent the rest of the day hanging out with her. I am really pleased to see how much he loves her and how much she loves him too. Then I go to work today, only to discover that the head of our department is resigning. It always seems like there’s something strange in the way. Hopefully things will not all be crazy and weird at work now. Maybe this will be the beginning of better things to come for us all to work. After work today I went to get dinner for Michael and I trying to come back to my car and its on the right side of the mine. Well, needless to say I sort of his car hit a little. I was a little scared and upset that I do that I almost did not tell him. Well, to my great surprise, he was not upset or angry or anything. That’s why I love him so much … .. he does not care when I do stupid things like that. It always makes me feel better when I do something stupid.
Gabby asleep now. It looks like a little angel when she is lying in her crib to sleep. Sometimes I just over her crib and watch her sleep, and I still can not believe that the precious little girl is my daughter. She’s amazing.
I hope that prayer and the snow is not too bad when I leave for work in the morning or when I go in the afternoon ….

I was on a website break as I have been spending time with my wife and children and the Christmas we received the children this year. Our "big" gift of this year was a Wii, and I was blown away with all the things that little box in more games. And by the way, the games are pretty impressive - I think I almost had tennis elbow playing baseball with my daughter.
I can check the weather and the headlines of the Wii not to mention that I can access the Internet and watch YouTube videos all in my home wireless router. I learned how to send emails back and forth between Yahoo Mail and the game console and turned my TV show in an aquarium. Everything from a small box. Oh, and in fact, my wife and I plan on buying the Wii Fit program to help us with a little exercise. The technology is extraordinary.
BUT.
I am pleased to have taken a break from the Internet. No emails. No blogs. No Facebook. Just face to face with my family.
Do not worry, or perhaps, be warned, I plan to be in force very soon, with updated blogs on my mindless wandering.
Happy New Year to you and your families. I’m going to spend the wealth of our church volunteered with my family for a youth event. This is something really cool.
Peace.