Do you have the heart of a teacher?
We don't have to be a teacher in order to be sharing -- teaching or helping others learn.

Here is a short inspirational movie about teachers from Simple Truths.

Can you remember any of your favorite teachers?
I had a number of favorite teachers, starting with my kindergarten teacher. I just loved her. She must have had a lot of love too. Later I had wonderful teachers in high school and several professors in college who were terrific teachers -- they filled immense lecture halls and had students standing in line in hopes of openings.

And I don't remember any of their names. I can hardly remember what they looked like.

How about what they taught?
I don't really remember anything that was taught specifically, but somehow a lifelong love of learning was either inspired or nurtured in me. For that, I am grateful.

And my love of reading was likely a reflection of having good teachers.

Scary times too
I had a third grade teacher who shook me once until my teeth rattled, literally. I don't think a teacher could get away with that today. I doubt I ever told my family. It was bully tactics. I hated her before, and I hated her afterward -- or at least I hated the way she acted.

A bad teacher can do immeasurable harm.

And now?
For a long time I wanted to be a teacher. My father felt it was not something I would want for a lifetime, and perhaps he was right. OTOH, to some degree I teach everyday, so that desire to share what is learned is still evident.

How about you?
Do you count your favorite teachers in making your life happier? Did you ever have a teacher who belittled?

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2009-12-01 08:58:16.

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Once upon a time in a previous lifetime, at least it seems that way, it was so many years ago -- I taught professional makeup. I enjoy the fashion aspects of it; I enjoy tweaking it depending on what is currently in style, limited to my eye shape; I enjoy having makeovers -- and even giving them; and I thought I would begin to share techniques along the way as time allows.

I am an equal opportunity beauty aficionado. I have products across the board, from high end to low end. Some things are worth the money a high end company charges (some colors and skin care,for example); others are not.

Whenever possible, I try to buy with a gwp which gives me more to play with or to pass along as gifts.

And I always find something to buy if I am having a makeover -- or I would choose a different cosmetic brand to have one with. Spending the money for a high end lipstick or gloss or whatever seems easier to justify (whether I have to justify or not) if I've just had a makeover. Sometimes a makeover requires a minimum purchase. I try to avoid those, even though I usually will spend the minimum. And I suppose if a person really hated how they looked, the minimum purchase would be a moot point, unless they charged up front, which some do. I just don't like the constraint of it when it can be done for free. (It's free anyway, you are just buying product.)

When I have a makeover, I usually give the makeup artist free rein. I tell them I am not afraid of makeup; it doesn't have to look natural (think eyes) but I'd like my skin to show through (face); it just has to be in the right placement with the right colors. It's fun to see what they come up with. My eyes usually make or break an artist -- they either know how to do them or they don't. Some are scrubbers. And some find it hard to blend as my skin is so fair. I've been known to tell them to stop blending, because they are hurting me. Here is when a good set of brushes and a light hand is a necessity. And also a heads up on technique.

To a certain extent anything goes. If you like the way you look, you can wear it. There's a wide range between goth or exotic and natural. Don't be afraid to experiment. And do think about getting a makeover, if you never have. Update your colors; mix it up a bit. Be modern. I only dislike a makeup badly done. I think it's fun to see how others are out and about and what they are wearing.

After all, it only lasts a day. What have you got to lose? You can look flawless. It can actually improve your skin. You look more polished. You can enhance your beauty.

And if you really, really know what you like and think it will never change -- and if you know a good technician -- you can get permanent makeup. I've seen some beautiful work, and I've seen the opposite. I think even if I had permanent makeup, I would still apply makeup. I like the variety it offers.

You can be anything you want, starting with natural in the morning and working your way up to exotic. You can tweak your work makeup to go out to dinner (sometimes all it takes is another color of lipstick or a swipe of liner.)

I'll also be talking about products that work and do what they say. There is such a plethora of products now, all claiming the same things and working similarly but different, who knows what to choose. Not even the SAs know which of the lines works better unless they have personally compared.

Stay tuned.

Karin

Originally posted 2009-03-06 02:23:23.

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My day was productive in a steady way, no rush, no hurry.

I took my time with the start of the day, and I reorganized the bathroom counter. And surprisingly I can still find what I'm looking for! I streamlined the way I remember what products I used, if I write it up hours after the fact.

Did errands on the way to a meeting I conducted, including moseying to the post office. Once at the meeting site, before the meeting I went to two places. One gave me an estimate of changing a pair of earrings. I learned something new: this jeweler uses laser which has no heat to solder (maybe not always) but in the case of something that would break under heat. It makes it easy to make changes, but expensive to use the laser. I had asked him about turning the post into a loop. He didn't think so. I told him I had to make up my mind how I wanted to wear them. I liked them as posts, but didn't reach for them much, as I prefer longer earrings.

The woman I hoped that Book Girl would meet was not going to be in until after we had left the area, so that will have to be for another day.

After the meeting and having lunch out, we mosied our way home via another couple of errands, Starbucks, and the library.

Once home, I asked Book Girl if she preferred the earrings as posts or as hanging earrings. She said, definitely hanging. I don't wear many posts that are earring-y. My posts generally dangle. I decided to see if I could turn the earring posts and save the money to convert them. Nothing ventured; nothing gained! The only thing I had to lose was possibly needing to get them converted by laser.

One worked perfectly. The other lost the tip of the post because I had to rework it, so I had to jury rig another wire. But it was a great idea. Probably the best one of the day. I had wondered for a while if this were possible. Today was the day I executed it

Then it was on to dinner (lots of corn on the cob to go with), Curves, and blogging. At Curves I met a woman exercising with me who works with the local agencies that handle foster care and children with severe emotional or developmental needs. I shared with her some of my understanding and experience. She said she learned a lot from me, that I should give talks to her SWers. We exchanged cards.

What did you do today? Don't you feel good to get some organizing in?

Not to mention opening the empty Avon container! And hearing from a friend on facebook; getting some interesting followers on twitter; just a generally good day, one you'd like to remember, but is just your basic average day that is nothing memorable. Of such is the stuff of life. And in a couple of ways it was more than remarkable.

I hope your day was a good one!
Karin

Originally posted 2009-04-25 00:35:57.

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Here's a town in Japan that is 80% zero waste, zero garbage and expects to be 100% by 2010.

I know there are times I feel guilty about the footprint I leave, and I recycle everything that I can. How about you?

What do you think?
It sure is a worthy goal!

Karin

Originally posted 2009-05-23 12:28:21.

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Book Girl and I went to a movie this morning, 17 Again, which we thoroughly enjoyed, then wandered into a shop, had lunch and went on a trek to take advantage of 15-20% sales.

And we wandered into a Benefit makeover session with national makeup artists in Sephora, with a nice gwp + 15% off everything in the store with an email coupon.

So my pictures from today are after the Benefit tweaking, and I forgot to take pictures earlier.

Unfortunately for me, the lippie that I chose as I walked in was sold out by the time I knew it was the one I wanted, as were the other products she used on me that I didn't already own.

You can't buy it, if they don't have it!

On the way home we thought of an idea to rearrange the furniture in the family room, so at midnight my 13 yo was helping me shift furniture around. The 11 yo was at a sleepover.

It looks great! Very usable. But there are still a few things to do in the morning. I wish it were totally done, but it was impossible!

I promise to post FOTD pictures from the Benefit makeover tomorrow.

I'm going to bed for now.

Thanks for coming to visit!
Karin

Originally posted 2009-04-18 00:49:43.

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I've wanted to try Fyrinnae for a while now. I've liked the looks on others and was pretty sure they would look good on me if they would apply nicely (as they did.)

For $26 I received all of this (in the two photos below):

Lip Lustres: (L to R) Lollipop-pop, Shibuya, Glitter Kittiez, Type A
You can see my review here and the colors as I wear them.

Shadows: (L to R)
I will be reviewing these as I wear them.
Top: Daijodan, Arcane Magic Dragon Mix
Lower: Arcane Magic Archmage, Professional Colors Embrace
Right side alone: Immortality (free sample with order)

What I wore today:
Lips: Visual Kei Lip Lustre
Lids: Digital Faerie (pictured left below)
Lower and lined above: Biker Chic (pictured right below)

Fyrinnae is clear on their home page the time frame for receipt of their products. Mine came in good order, in less time than I expected.

Do you wear Fyrinnae? What colors have you tried? Do you love it?

So far, after one day's application, I can say I do love it! If you haven't tried anything of theirs yet, give them a try. Let me know what colors you tried and how you like them.

Karin

Originally posted 2009-04-02 10:04:23.

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This is from a guest writer today, Keira of Love Romance Passion.

Grace, Generosity, and Gratitude for Christmas -- the 3 Gs

The meaning of Christmas is ever growing and yet still incredibly timeless and practical. This year for me three words stood out above the rest. They are grace, generosity, and gratitude.

Grace – Everyone should want to experience a growth in grace this Christmas.

What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds. - Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, page 4, lines 3-5.

This is the time to be the most gracious, express even more goodwill, and to forgive unconditionally. Give up anger, animosity, and annoyance. Let grace run your day and you will be happier for it.

Generosity
This is the season of giving, and there should be a readiness to give and be generous on your part. What’s the use of giving, if there’s a bitterness or smallness about it? The Grinch started Christmas with a meanness of heart, described as a heart "two sizes too small," but ended with a largeness of heart (it expands three sizes). If you’re feeling pinched this holiday, work daily on expanding your heart with an overflowing of generosity. And remember, generosity comes in many forms and can be expressed in many ways. Don’t let preconceived notions of generosity stunt you.

Gratitude
As I was examining this word, I ran across another version of the word… overgratitude. Can you really communicate or convey gratitude over and above what is needed? I think not, because if there were a cap on gratitude, then there would be a cap on how much you appreciate something or someone, which implies there’s a time you wouldn’t be grateful for it or to the person. Ingratitude is easier to express, because you simply have to do nothing, but if you do nothing, you’re limiting yourself spiritually and emotionally. The best gift this year you could give anyone is the gift of gratitude. What are you grateful for, or to whom are you grateful? Share thankfulness, appreciation, and warmth of love. Be overabundant with it, and you will feel it in return. There is no shortage of loving gratitude.

How will you articulate grace, generosity, and gratitude this Christmas?

Keira

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We have a very old, battered silver tree from the 50s, that has been in my family since forever. I always think it might be the last year, because it sheds silver every time.

It really looks bad, until the lights and ornaments are put on. At night, when lit, it is magical. This isn't a very good picture, but it will give you an idea.

I actually looked to find a new silver tree a year or so ago, but the new ones were less silvery looking.

Magical!

One year my niece said there was only one thing she wanted of mine when I no longer wanted it. What was it? This tree! I will have to find lights on a white cord, not on green, but in RL you don't see the cord. I've used the white cord on a different decoration.

Merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate it. And peace and love to all.

What kind of tree do you have?

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

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Yesterday I wrote about realizing I've walked over 200 miles this year. Wow! It was really interesting and motivating to me yesterday.

But everyday is a new day. You can't go on yesterday's inspiration, and today, the same thoughts were just mundane. I wasn't motivated one way or the other, but I did walk.

Meantime, I counted the number of steps I climb each time -- 26 -- which isn't a lot, compared to some who might even have stairs in their homes, but for me, living in a single story, not even having a second floor on the local malls, and living in an area where hills do not exist, 26 is as good as it gets. But hey! over the course of a year, that is more than 5200 steps I've climbed.

And thinking of the amount I've walked -- it was about 67 hours. Now that's impressive.

Even if it does feel mundane today.

What do you do to stay active?

Karin
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First off, let me say that I like to be active, but I am not in the least athletic. Nearly everything I really like to do is sedentary, but I think it is right to be active.

For a couple of years I did Curves, and I really liked it, until locally there were a lot of changes, and it no longer seemed the place for me. I wasn't going consistently, and when I went, I wasn't happy, so I went less and less. One location would have been perfect for me, but it was too far away to go daily.

I think there are as many reasons not to exercise as there are people -- it's too hot; it's too cold; it's raining; the sun's too bright; it's scary at night; there are too many bugs/mosquitoes; it's Monday; wait, no, it's Wednesday; I just don't feel like it; I don't have time...

But I figured a 20 minute program, such as Curves, was doable for me -- let's not get too crazy!

So I joined a gym with a walking/running track. It's temperature controlled and no bugs! I like to go roughly the same time of day, so after a while there are familiar faces.

As I walked this morning, I thought: I generally walk a mile 5 times a week, but for argument's sake, let's say it was only 4 miles. Wow! over the course of a year, I have walked more than 200 miles. Isn't that something!

Of course, I know how little that really is, compared to some, but it's great for me and really made me smile, because I asked a man at the gym how many miles he has run in a year. You have to know that he runs like a beautiful machine. He makes it look totally effortless, with such grace, and a light foot. He said he really didn't keep track, but when he was training for the marathon he just ran, he ran 1000 miles in 16 weeks, but generally he runs about 30-35 miles a week. Imagine how many miles he has racked up over the course of a year!

And there is a local man here who regularly runs 100 mile marathons. I can't even conceive of that. Seriously. Can you?!

Well, suppose you have some physical disabilities, maybe you could walk 5 mins a day in your house, sustained walking. You probably walk way more than that just moving around, but with stops along the way. Take your cane or walker and just walk for 5 mins. Then say, you don't really do it every day, maybe 200 days in a year. At the end of the year, you will have walked more than 16 1/2 hours.

I can't say I love it every day. Some days I'd rather have an excuse, and I do realize the gym exists for me, not the other way around, so I don't have to beat myself up if I don't go.

It ain't fun, exactly, but there is some enjoyment. That's like an oxymoron.

Along the way this year I did some heavy duty walking in Rome and in Israel, with some extreme heat in Masada and at the Dead Sea, so I likely have walked more than I thought this morning, but hey, you know, it's still pretty exciting how it adds up.

What do you do to be active?
What could you begin to do, with a small beginning?
I've even been known to read a magazine or a book as I walked the track. One friend has done weight training with a trainer. Another jogs slowly several times a week, then runs 1/2 marathons -- and even a full marathon at Disney. You go, girl!

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

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