2012 rolled in swiftly, and now, January is almost over. How time flies!
We are expecting the first snowfall in our area late tonight into tomorrow (Saturday), so that means – by daybreak, the grounds will be blanketed with powdery white snow.
It’s been awhile, so an update is definitely overdue. Thus, let the pics speak for itself.
We rang in the New Year with family and friends. For a change this year, we chose to spend the eve of New Year with them (as opposed to staying in). We had fun! With the sumptuous dinner dutifully prepared by an ex-Chef, it was a delight!
Christmas eve was with the same group of family and friends, same place and same Cook. The food was simply awesome! I regret that I was not able to capture the buffet of dessert.
Thanksgiving was pretty much the same, except for the fact that the volume of food that was up for our growling tummies was way too much. It was indeed a bountiful table! Again, I regret that I was not able to capture the buffet of dessert (see the dishes served here).
With my renewed passion for jewelry, I’m dead bent on finding for myself which polishing cloth works best. Hence, a few months ago while I was also hunting for unique christmas gifts online, I went ahead and purchased several polishing cloths with the intention to finally settle with the one that works best.
In the old days, I was content with a hodgepodge of polishing cloths that delivered what they claim to do, but I was not satisfied with the performance. I bought what was out there on the shelves.
hodgepodge polishing cloths
Here’s what I found out, and I bought a few months ago. My new generation of polishing cloths.
new breed of polishing cloths (one for each box) being tested
These Selvyt polishing cloths are non-treated and safe to use in both precious and semi-precious stones and all types of precious metals. They are washable using only water ( I still have to find out how this works, and how clean it will be without using any detergent). I like these but I don’t like the fact that the fabric shed off leaving some threads inside the jewelry box or worse it gets stuck in between the prongs of my jewelries.
selvyt
I like this hands down (Realm) over selvyt. I don’t have to deal with threads shedding off and the size is substantial (10″ x 10″). However, this is not cheap at $9.99 per piece.
realm microfiber cloth
The best among the lot is this one (below). It is indeed made of high quality microfiber. It feels different from all the others. However, this is made in England and I can’t source it from here. I have a few of this and was given to me for free from my purchase of my golden south sea pearl stud earrings from Jewelmer. I’m hoping to find a supplier (locally) of the same kind.
high quality microfiber polishing cloth
I will continue to test other brands until I find something that meets my criteria. I will update as I do the test.
I started with the variant: Fig of Wen Cleansing Conditioner. My hair responded so well for the past two years, and I have no plans on switching to any other brand anytime soon.
Five months ago, I tried the variant: Pomegranate. I equally loved it, so I decided to try the Replenishing Treatment Mist and the Body Cleansing Creme.
I’m not as thrilled with the Body Cleansing Creme. I’m not that convinced with the idea of using a no-lather cleansing product for my body. I bought two bottles, and five months later the first bottle is not even halfway consumed.
The Replenishing Treatment Mist however, is a different story. I intend to keep this in my arsenal. My hair has never been softer, shiner and hydrated. I mist it after I shampoo when my hair is still a bit damp. I don’t need any other styling product, and I never deal with frizzy hair anymore. It can be for the face too, to add instant moisture and hydration but I haven’t used it for that purpose.
I’m planning yo try other variants to find out what suits me best. For now, I know that I’m keeping Wen for my hair.
Bella and her husband (our neighbor), are residents of both New York and Florida. They have the best of both worlds. Why? Because they get to hie off to warm and sunny Florida during the colder months in New York, and escape the stifling heat in Florida by moving back to New York by late Spring into the summer.
The couple have become close to us through the years in spite of the generation gap. As you may have a clue by now, they are retirees. We don’t live on the same floor but that did not keep us from striking good friendship.
A week before Thanksgiving, they left for Florida and had to ship their car as always through a reliable car shipping service. That has become a routine for them and they have been perusing the same company for years. I guess it goes without saying that they are very satisfied with the kind of service that are accorded to them annually. Knowing how technically savvy they both are, they must have researched and read up on reviews about the company via consumer reports. When dealing with service companies, it always pays to have a firsthand info about the service being offered as well as reliable reports from prestigious organizations.
It will be months before we see them again. In fact, it comes to a point when I kind of miss her. Bella dresses very well for her age. She is fashionable and I have no doubt that she is one of the few that I have seen around our neighborhood that can pull off every attire that she puts together. I can only wish that I will be like her when I reach that age.
Our temps here in New York today dipped into the high 30′s but it later warmed up a little bit. It definitely felt like winter is here, but I had no choice but brave the colder temps. I can take this weather condition any time as compared to yesterday’s rainy and gloomy condition.
As I passed by the park, I noticed the park benches covered with yellow and brown leaves ( indicating that the Fall season is almost seeing its end), instead of seeing the park-going residents right in the complex where I live. Likewise, the picnic tables are also devoid of picnic necessities. I can only surmise that with the industrial quality of the park fixtures and the playground equipment in the parks here in our property, I’m sure that they will still be there waiting for eager residents when Spring and Summer roll in.
I’m seldom out of the house that early in the day. It was refreshing to be out early, thanks to the appointment with my Internist. As expected, I was home much earlier than usual and I had a lot of quiet time for myself. Staring at a blank wall can be beneficial at times (what a realization!). It led me to suddenly realize that I have a lot to thank God for on top of the usual. Apart from that, I was reminded to search for Adirondack chairs. At this time of the year, I’m hoping to score a great deal for possible replacement of our patio chairs.
While I’m writing this post, I can see the dark surroundings enveloping my side of the world. The end of the day is here, yet I still didn’t get the phone call that I’m anxiously waiting for. I rest my case. I shall patiently wait.
Okay, it’s not exactly that new, as I’ve had it for almost two months already. While many would not consider such as a ‘toy,’ I do. Most toys are those nifty gadgets etcetera, but since I’m not one of those techie type of gal, I’m freely referring to it as my toy.
My lover affair with the gym came to an end three months ago. I just quit one day and declared I was not going down there anymore. My husband couldn’t believe it but as he expected, that gym-going phase of my life will soon stop thus, he was not that surprised. He didn’t expect it to be that soon, though.
Being inactive and lacking that much needed exercise, I must admit, got me more lethargic. But I made up my mind that going to the gym is not an option. I disliked the idea of having to deal with the other gym-going residents, and getting dressed to exercise. Call me weird but I was more comfortable in my jammies (with my sneakers,of course) at home while taking a spin on my Fitness Disc, lifting my own weights or walking with Leslie Sansone on DVD. Sure, I missed the kind of workout I used to get via the treadmill, elliptical, bicycle and other equipments at our Fitness Center but I already made up my mind.
The next best thing to do was to get me an Elliptical Machine. I did a thorough research, went to the nearest Fitness Showroom and tested different Precor Models and I wound up with this one.
In five days it was delivered and assembled in twenty minutes by two nice and polite men. It can’t be any easier than that. In no time, I was on it, after weeks of being inactive. That meant- sore muscles big time after the first workout! But I’m fine now, and I’ve been enjoying getting on it every day except for the last few days.
Although this machine was intended for me, my husband finds himself getting on it (right after his workout at the gym) instead of the elliptical machine at the gym. Now he wants a treadmill too… here at home. Having both will bring more pressure to me. I will feel that I need to use both every single day to justify having both machines.
I keep saying that I’m done with Holiday shopping but it’s really hard for me to turn my back on great deals. There’s just too many of them on the net just like the carhartt shirts I saw earlier.
With my shopping in active mode, that also means I keep revising my list. All of the presents that I already bought are waiting to be wrapped, and I’m glad that I haven’t wrapped them up yet. Having such a fickle mind and changing the gift for each as I see new potential present is not good. At the end of all these, I might end up with many extras. If that happens somehow, I know I can always make use of them for next year’s Holiday gifts.
Staying away from the internet is not an option at this point. More than ever, I need it to keep me preoccupied. With my seemingly long days this past few, waiting and waiting for what seems like forever, I need the internet to keep my sanity.
So my mindless browsing continues. You’ll know when I’m finally off it.
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