Review of Inspirational Greeting Cards to Encourage a Terminally Ill Friend

Want to send a greeting to encourage a sick friend when an ordinary get well card just won't do?

In this post I will show you some great inspirational cards you can customize to say exactly what you want to convey. Or, if words fail you when you learn of a friend's diagnosis or prognosis, but you want to share your concern and support, you might want to choose one of these notes that says what you don't know how to put into words yourself.

The sun sets for everyone someday.

When you know someone is in constant pain with a chronic or terminal illness for which there is no known cure, a regular get well card just isn't appropriate. In spite of your good intentions, receiving a typical get well message might just remind your friend she probably won't ever get well. What is needed is an inspirational card designed especially for those who probably won't be in good health again, and who, in fact, may be coming to grips with not having much longer to live.

Those chronically or terminally ill need lots of encouragement.

They often live with pain that is excruciating. They may wonder if they will ever feel good again. Often they are almost housebound because of mobility problems or the inability to drive and be independent. They may feel they are losing control not only of their health, but also of their affairs, especially if they are elderly and others have taken over their financial decisions and even their living arrangements. Many people's families have put pressure on them to leave their beloved homes and move into a new community where they don't have any friends. Why? Because it's more convenient for the family member who expects to be assisting in care giving.

I encouraged my own mom to move close to me when I knew she was approaching her last years. She was still healthy for the first few years she was near me, but she did miss her old friends "at home," and found it difficult in my community to make new friends that were as close as the people she had known for over 50 years. As long as she was able to drive, she did pretty well finding some friends at church and clubs. She also did some volunteer work. But in the last three years, she began to have trouble remembering her commitments and appointments, and she had to stop those activities. Her friends and her sister back home preceded her in death, and the notes and letters that kept her "connected" stopped coming. Then her health began to fail until she finally was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 89 and given only two more months to live. You can read about our relationship during those last years here.

Snail Mail Is Encouragement that Lasts a Long Time

Forgotten Mailbox in Oak Tree

In this day of emails and text messaging, many people have forgotten what it's like to receive real snail mail. It's hard for them to relate to people who were born before there was television -- let alone the Internet or cell phones. Many of those under 30 today aren't used to sending handwritten letters and notes through the mail and want all their connections to be instant. They live life at a fast pace and can't imagine not being constantly connected to others.

But the elderly and the lonely who may not understand the new technology or be able to sit for hours at a computer, or maybe sit very long anywhere, can receive a real boost in morale when they get a real written communication from a friend or family member in the mail. These people are often so lonely that even their junk mail gets read.

When I was a used book seller,  the children who cleaned up their parents' estates often used to call me to look over the book collections that were left behind. I remember one house where there were all sorts of books -- even duplicates, still in the shrink wrap they were delivered in. When I asked about that, I was told that the owner had been a shut-in and had ordered all kinds of stuff mail order just to have someone come to the door. These are the kind of people who look forward to the mail as a possibility of being the high point of the day. How disappointing when it's only junk mail and bills.

Older People Especially Appreciate Encouragement Via Snail Mail

Many people think it's silly to send someone snail mail when email is so much faster. But even when a person is young, a real card with a personal message from a close friend or other loved one can be treasured. The elderly and housebound treasure them even more. My mom had stacks of cards in her closet people had sent her. I found them when she died. I know that every now and then she would look through them and remember those who had cared enough to send them. She also sent a lot of them herself to those she loved.

Emails and text messages by their very nature are not permanent. Paper cards can usually last as long as the recipient wants them to. They can be stored and pulled out when loneliness is overwhelming or when one is feeling so sick or depressed one feels like giving up. They can be read again and again -- even after the sender is gone. They can bring back memories of happier times spent with the people who sent them. They are well worth the money. A beautiful blank note with your personal message of encouragement, or an extra sentence or two when you sign your card cannot only make someone's day, but maybe will also give a lift to many other days.

Coral Rose Card, Thinking of you today. Card 

Those who are sick and shut in often wonder if out of sight means they are out of their loved ones' minds. Sometimes a card with beautiful picture and just the message that you are thinking of them will let them know they are not  forgotten and that they still matter to someone. They might keep such a card where they will see it often.

Above is one such card. Be sure and write something personal at the end in your own handwriting. That is often the part that shows you really care. Here are more "thinking of you" card designs.

An Inspirational Greeting Lets People Know You Are Thinking of Them Even if they Feel Alone and Forgotten

Some people are most encouraged by the words of Scripture. The cards in this set or four designs from DaySpring have messages that could encourage a person in a variety of situations. Click the image to see inside messages. If you prefer similar messages on other styles, just click the "related products" link under the title. The menu at the top lets you see cards for many occasions. You can also access free Ecards there.  This is a good  time to stock up on DaySpring Scripture cards for all occasions.  In the sale section I just saw a very appropriate box of cards to send to people who are going through difficult times. Check out the sale section for of great values on cards with Scriptures for all occasions.  There is a varied selection and it might pay to get those sale prices on cards you use a lot of so that you always have an appropriate card to send.    

The winter holidays are an especially tough time for those who may expect the current one to be their last. Send an inspirational greeting to let them know you are thinking of them. Though they may not feel good enough to really enjoy the holidays, they will want to be near loved ones and make the most of what may be a last holiday celebration. You probably won't be wanting to say " Merry Christmas and Happy New Year" because it might not ring true. So what do you say? Maybe something like this:

The message inside this card is very appropriate for those who may be in pain or who have suffered a loss like a death in the family. It sends your love. Just click card for purchase information. 

This is appropriate for someone newly diagnosed before the holidays who may be struggling with that diagnosis.  It is blank inside for your own encouraging message. Click card image to to buy. Check out other Breast Cancer Cards at zazzle.com

I designed this card inspirational holiday encouragement card especially for a friend who was soon to lose  her battle with colon cancer. It would have been equally appropriate for her surviving husband, since she actually died in December of the next year. Just click  the card for purchase information. 

Thanksgiving is another time to remind someone you are thinking of them. The inside of this card says "You have been a blessing to me." Click card image to purchase. 

One thing I've learned from visiting or caring for those who are sick and who rarely see anyone is that they often feel useless -- as though they  no longer matter to anyone. How will the recipient of this card feel if you write a personal note saying how much he or she has meant to you and why. Think far back. I once wrote a letter to the mother of an old high school friend for no reason other than  to thank her for her frequent hospitality when I was younger and how much it meant to many of us in our crowd. By then she was elderly and her nest was empty. I got a wonderful letter back saying how much my letter had meant to her.

The card above is perfect for writing your own thoughtful message for Hanukkah. Just click card image for purchase information.

The Terminally Ill Might Appreciate a Well-Chosen Easter Greeting

What could be more encouraging than the promise of resurrection? I will admit that Easter is my very favorite holiday. If Christmas presents us with a babe in the manger, Easter brings us a victorious Lord who has conquered death. It brings hope to every Christian with its promise of eternal life.

This blank Easter Calla Lily Greeting Card has plenty of space inside for your own personal message of hope and encouragement. See it and  more Christian Easter cards here. 

Here are some other encouraging greeting cards

You should be able to find just the right message among these. For some people, you might want to simply let them know they are in your thoughts. For people of faith, you might get a card with a Bible verse or verse of a hymn you know they love to remind them of God's love and presence in the midst of their pain or their fears.

This card contains a stanza from one of my favorite poems, "God Works in a Mysterious Way." It would be an encouragement to anyone trying to cope with a difficult or painful situation. I keep many of these on hand. Just click card for purchase information. 

This Dickinson quote strikes just the right note for anyone fighting a terminal or chronic disease or mourning a loss. Click card to purchase. See this quote on other designs. 

I created this card because I loved the brightness of the poppies. The Scripture quote from Psalm 103: 17&18 is a reminder that even though the poppy is temporary, as are we, the steadfast love of God will last forever. Click image to check price.

This card based on Psalm 23 mentions 'the valley of the shadow of death" -- a place where many of the terminally ill people find themselves. Sometimes this is the elephant in the room that no one wants to mention in person or in a card. Maybe you think it's easier for all concerned to pretend death may not be approaching and to put a happy  face on the situation to "cheer someone up." Sometimes this has the opposite effect. 

The terminally ill aren't fooled by cards encouraging them to get well soon. They know what's ahead, and sometimes they wish others would acknowledge the battle they are fighting -- wanting to live, but facing the fact they may not live much longer. When others seem to expect them to not mention this or to act as though they are going to get better, they feel they don't have "permission" to talk about the fears they may be facing. It's a gift to let them know you are aware of the emotions they may be feeling and you're not afraid to listen if they speak their hearts. 

I have done this with my mom and two special friends who were getting close to the end of their battles with cancer. None were offended by this. To my best friend, I sent flowers a few weeks before she actually died with a note that I wanted her to be able to enjoy them here. Her husband told me how much that meant to her. Here's a good way to send flowers to those who don't live near you.  Click card image to check price of card or purchase.

Using the Blank Note Card Effectively: What to Say

If writing comes easy for you, but you just don't know what to say to encourage your friend, you might just say that you are sorry he or she is so sick or in so much pain, or that he or she has been diagnosed with the disease. If this is a chronic disease or condition that is not terminal, you might say you hope your friend begins to have more good days soon. (Those with chronic conditions often fluctuate between having good days and bad.)

Let the recipient know you care, that you are there for them, that you are praying, or whatever comes from your heart. If you live close enough to be able to follow up with a visit later, you might want to say something that lets the person know you are willing to listen as he expresses his thoughts about the illness and what changes it might bring.

It doesn't take long to fill a blank note. And your thoughtfulness in taking the time to write will be very much appreciated. Sometimes the pictures on the cards themselves will inspire you and help you find the right words.

A Final Suggestion

I have found that when I shop at Zazzle, it is smart to evaluate my greeting card needs for the next year and order everything I anticipate needing at once. I buy several of my favorite cards or postcards for coming birthdays, holidays, friendship, thinking of you, and other occasions I see ahead, such as graduations. Zazzle has a bulk rate on greeting cards and postcards, so buying more than ten assorted at a time saves money and buying a lot at once also saves on shipping fees. It also means I don't get caught off guard when I need to send a get-well or sympathy card. I always have one that's appropriate.

I have been a fan  of greeting cards all my adult life. I have read them, sent them, bought them for stores and even managed a Hallmark store. Read all about My Life in Greeting Cards.  

How will you encourage terminally ill friends?

I hope I've left you with something useful you can apply as you express your care to friends who deal with lingering illnesses, chronic pain, or getting to the end of life's journey. If you have other ideas, please share them in the comments. Please use the sharing buttons at the end of this post to inspire others to encourage their loved ones with snail mail greeting cards. Why not share this image on Pinterest?

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Treasures By Brenda on Review This

I am thrilled to be a new member of the team on the Review This blog site. I have worked with the group of women who write reviews here for years and look forward to working with them for years to come.

Who am I?

I am an empty nester, an eBay seller and a blogger.

I love Canada and I love having fun. (See photo for proof though know that I will not always be wearing a pretty red moustache.)

I am a wife and mother of two young men.

I find many parts of our world fascinating so you never know what I might have in store for you but you can count on me to be regularly writing about the movies, about cooking and anything to do with food and about my travels both locally and in faraway lands. Alternatively, I can be found listing new, used and vintage finds on eBay.

A few of my online projects include:

Treasures By Brenda on eBay
Movie Treasures By Brenda
Treasures By Brenda, the Blog
Culinary Favorites From A to Z

Of course, there is always social media:

If you are on Instagram, I am here.
If you are on Pinterest, you will find me here.
If you are on Twitter, you will find me here.

Thank you for visiting. Please come back soon. You never know what I might have in store for you!

Brenda
Treasures By Brenda

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Frigidaire Gallery Series Fridge Review

Frigidaire Gallery Series

Our New Frigidaire Fridge & What We Love About It

We recently had to purchase a brand new fridge. I say "had to", because it wasn't optional; our old one had officially done it's time and was put out to pasture.

So, like most people, I decided to do some homework before we made a large purchase. The photo to the left is the fridge we decided to go with: The Frigidaire Gallery Series - Model #FGHC2355PF

Why We Didn't Choose a Fridge with a Bottom Freezer

Although we really wanted the 'french door model with the freezer on the bottom', there were a number of reasons why it wouldn't work for our kitchen:

1. Crazy as it sounds, because I'm on the taller side, bending with these less than perfect knees every time I would need something from the freezer was an issue
2. I find the bottom freezers have more potential for disorganization (I have a lot of people in the house, and supervising how they remove and put things back isn't possible)
3. I prefer the freezer items to be at eye level (or most of it at eye level)
4. The location of our fridge in our kitchen wasn't really conducive to having a large freezer drawer pulled out - it would block the flow of traffic

What Almost Made Us Choose a Fridge with a Bottom

The Inside of Our New Fridge

Freezer:

1. The Fridge sections are wonderful! They have double french doors (although some come with one door if you would prefer that)
2. The wider upper fridge area easily enables you to store food width-wise - very convenient for cakes, trays and other large serving dishes.
3. They look amazing!
4. If money wasn't really an object and I were to choose a bottom freezer fridge, 

So that brings us to Why We Chose the Side by Side (22.7 cu.ft):

Our previous fridge was a side-by-side, and we're used to it - However, after we compared the bottom freezer to the side-by-side, these are the main reasons we went for it:

1. The stainless steel finish had to be the 'finger print proof' kind - We did like another manufacturer's product, however the fridge was not treated with a finish to prevent the ugliness of constant finger prints and thus constant wiping of the doors.
2. The side by side french door model was important to us - Our kitchen size works best with this kind of fridge
3. We wanted an Ice and Water Dispenser and really liked how easy this one was to use and understand
4. We love the lighting in the fridge - It's a daylight lighting with a very light blue hue to it - looks modern, and looks great at night when you open the fridge (futuristic)

A Closer Look Inside of our Fridge at the Lighting

Ok, so it can't be all sunshine and roses right? 

There must be something I don't like about it?

Well, yes there is: The ice maker dispenses the ice very very quickly, so if you get this model, remember to put a larger cup underneath to catch the fast-spewing ice, otherwise some of it will end up on your floor. Other than that, there aren't any other negatives for us.

We would probably choose a slightly larger style than this one, but other than that, we really liked it.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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A Mouse Review for Race your Mouse Day

August 28 was chosen by Thomas & Ruth Roy of Wellcat.com to be Race Your Mouse (Around the Icons) Day.  They created the day just for fun as a way to entertain yourself while you are waiting for a page to come up on your computer.  This wacky holiday is aimed at your 'computer mouse', but there are a few other fun 'mouse' things we shall review here. 

The House of Sylvestermouse

Most people say “Eek!” if they see a 'mouse'. But the resident Mouse-in-the-House of Review This! is a special and much loved lady known as SylvesterMOUSE. 

Polar Bear & Penguins Felt Centerpiece Kit

Sylvestermouse created the blog you are enjoying reading ~ Review This!  Our MOUSE is a multi-talented writer who shares  stories, recipes, craft tutorials, and fun facts about fascinating animals.  She's a photographer and a crafter and a wonderful friend to many.  Check out her About Me page for a list of her fantastic and fascinating sites online.  My favorite is the HOUSE OF SYLVESTERMOUSE which includes links and stories about terrific items found in her Zazzle and eBay stores. The charming polar bear and penguins centerpiece kit above is an example of the cute crafts she carries in her eBay Store.

If you are curious how Sylvestermouse got her name, read her delightful story here. Yes, it involves a real-life mouse! 

Plush Toy Mouse

Little Crochet Toy Mouse - Etsy

Little mouse, cute gift for kids, nursery decor toy.

This charming mouse will bring good mood, joy, and love to his new home!

Plush mouse can be found in the Etsy Shop of CozyToysByOreshek

 

A Mouse on the Table

 

Mouse Hot Pad in Colorful Crochet

For a useful and unusual hot pad for your table, how about a hot pad in the shape of a Mouse.  It's sure to invite interesting dinner table conversation. 

Cute Kitchen Combo Set

Crochet Mouse Hot Pad & Matching Potholder

The mouse hot pad is hand-crocheted in royal blue and red with yellow ears. It measures 10 inches long and 8 inches wide with a 6 inch tail. The hot pad is made double-thick of washable acrylic yarn. The body is blue, the face is red and the ears are yellow. Crocheted dark blue eyes and nose in yarn complete the features. A whimsical, happy-looking mouse for hot dishes on your table will be a novelty conversation piece.

The mouse hot pad comes with a matching blue and red potholder for your cooking chores. Crocheted of ombre yarn, the color pattern changes throughout. The back and the front have different designs. Potholder measures 6 x 7 inches.

How Did the Computer Mouse Get It's Name?

Douglas Engelbart created this special tool in 1968 to help people navigate graphics-filled computer screens.  The first 'mouse' was a small wooden block on wheels with a long cable sticking out of the back, making it look like a tail.  One of Mr. Engelbart's researchers called the tool a mouse ~ and the name stuck!  There are scientific and technical explanations for how this all works, but us ordinary computer-users are just happy that we can roam around our computer screens with a simple motion of the hand.  We'll leave understanding the technology to the experts! 

Logitech Computer Mouse

Today's computer mouse is so sophisticated that you don't even need a 'cord' (tail) anymore as the cordless mouse does the work for us through Wi-Fi. They come in a multitude of shapes, styles and colors for your enjoyment while you work and play online. 

Check out this review of a Wireless Computer Mouse here on Review This!

Have a fun 'Mouse' Day

So, put August 28 on your calendar to celebrate the many mice in our Mouseland Review and acknowledge Race Your Mouse Day!



Author: Wednesday Elf

Wednesday Elf can also be found at:
Crochet-Crafts-Critters Blog 
Coastal Crochet Crafts Etsy Shop
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Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation Movie Review

I had the opportunity to see Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation a few days ago and I did find it to be mildly entertaining, yet somewhat unbelievable.

My husband had previously seen the movie and loved it.  He thought I would enjoy the movie as well.  He knows that I appreciate movies that have leading women who are treated as intellectual beings and not sexual objects.  The relationship between the two main characters, Tom Cruise and Rebecca Ferguson, maintained the professionalism of respect and admiration of two co-workers who rely on each other to accomplish a "mission".  That particular aspect of this movie was definitely appreciated by this reviewer.

It is to be expected with any of the Mission Impossible movies that the characters would have "impossible" physical abilities.  However, this particular movie exceeded my ability to suspend reality enough to avoid being distracted by the inconceivable.

Mission Impossible - Rogue Nation Movie Review

 Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation [Blu-ray]If you can ignore the plot and over the top action scenes, you will find that there are a some redeeming qualities, namely a few of the actors who you just can't help but like.

Simon Pegg, who played Benji, was by far my favorite actor in this movie.  As the loyal friend and agent partner to Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise), his character was more realistic.  He is intelligent, but not perfect.  He provided what light fun and entertainment I derived from the movie.  He actually made me laugh a few times.

Jeremy Renner and Alec Baldwin both played believable characters who each faced moments of personal decision and crisis with loyalty, strength and character.

The two main characters in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation were actually simply stated, impossible.  They both had superhuman physical abilities that reminded me of a combination of Spiderman and Superman, both fictional cartoon characters who we love, but we also know they are not even remotely "real".


Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation is categorized as an action thriller, but personally I would have to say I found it to be more of a fantasy filled with wishful thinking.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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SLS-Free Toothpaste and Why I Brush With Tooth Soap

"I'm Going to Wash Your Mouth Out With Soap!"

Did your mom ever say that to you? I hope not, but if she did, she was actually onto something. In fact, after extensive research, I no longer use toothpaste. Instead, I brush my teeth with tooth soap!

Most of my life, I had a major problem with mouth ulcers. If you've ever had those white, painful sores on the inside of your cheek or lips that make it difficult to eat, then you know what I'm talking about. Several years ago, I started searching for a cause for mouth ulcers and I came across several articles about SLS in toothpaste. A good number of people like me were reporting that using an SLS-free toothpaste put an end to their mouth sores.

I was interested, in fact I was thrilled. But what toothpaste should I use? And where could I find toothpaste without SLS, one that was safe to use? My research continued.

SLS stands for sodium lauryl sulfate which is used in many products from toothpaste to industrial cleaners. Why? Because SLS causes a reaction in those products that makes them foamy or sudsy when they're used. But get this. It's also used as a skin irritant in testing of products made to heal skin conditions.

What about other potentially harmful ingredients in toothpaste? Did you ever wonder about the “Do Not Swallow” warning on the label or why many toothpastes say they are not to be used by children under six-years of age?

Many of the ingredients in toothpaste can be dangerous. For instance, there's silica. Medicinenet.com defines silica this way: “The chief component of sand and a substance responsible for lung disease and cancer.” Read the label on your own toothpaste and I’m guessing you’re going to think twice before you squeeze that tube tonight on your way to bed!

But back to SLS-free toothpaste and why I brush with tooth soap.

My research eventually led me to tooth soap which at that time was expensive and somewhat hard to find. Since then, I make an effort to put fewer ingredients that I can't pronounce into my body. A few of the "natural" alternatives for brushing that I've tried are these (prices are subject to change):

* The Tooth Soap brand is what originally sold me on tooth soap. Get a 4-ounce jar of peppermint shreds for $23.86 with Amazon Prime.

 * Squigle Tooth Builder, Sensitive, 4.4 oz Toothpaste, $9.50 with Prime. Ingredients: 36% Natural Xylitol, water, calcite, glycerin, poloxamer, cellulose gum, Methocel, calcium propionate, lactoferrin. I like this, but it doesn't make my teeth feel as smooth as they get with tooth soap. And it's expensive.

* Xyli-White Toothpaste 6.4 oz $3.99 add-on item. Ingredients: Water, xylitol, hydrated silica, glycerin, sorbitol, sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium coco-sulfate, carrageenan, tea tree leaf oil, peppermint oil, spearmint oil, papain, potassium sorbate. I've tried this and it's actually pretty good (discounting the silica on the ingredient list) and it's cheaper than most on this list but, again, it doesn't clean as well as tooth soap.

* Tom's Toothpaste. Tom's has a reputation for using natural ingredients in its products. Unfortunately for me, they use sodium lauryl sulfate as a dispersing agent, so I have to eliminate this product from my "recommended" list. Apparently there is a low-sudsing variety without SLS, so look for that and give it a try.

* Coconut Oil Toothpaste. I have tried brushing my teeth with coconut oil, fresh from the kitchen, and that wasn't a very satisfying experience, though your results may vary. Additionally, I tried a coconut oil toothpaste in a tube and had mixed results. Why mixed? Because since coconut oil is responsive to temperature, during cold weather it became partially solid and was nearly impossible to squeeze out of the tube, so I became very frustrated and quit using it until summer.

* Today's winner and my overall recommendation: Uncle Harry's Tooth Soap (peppermint) $8.99 for a 2-ounce jar, free shipping. This is something I found recently, started using it a few weeks ago, and I really like it! The price is right (those 2 ounces will last a long time), I love that it's a whipped formula and not a shred like the original Tooth Soap brand, and my teeth are getting much cleaner than they did with the xylitol toothpaste I previously used. Recommended!

You might be asking yourself, does tooth soap taste like soap? Well yes, it actually does. The Uncle Harry's tooth soap that I've been using contains organic peppermint essential oil so when I open the jar, it's the minty fresh smell that I notice. It doesn't take much soap to brush, just a dab on the tip of my toothbrush, so my mouth doesn't fill with suds and spread the soap taste to my taste buds. Plus, by now I've gotten used to brushing with soap and it doesn't bother me a bit. You'll get used to it, too.

Bottom line, I brush my teeth with tooth soap, always SLS-free, and my mouth ulcer problem has disappeared. I no longer wake up with an icky mouth and a coating on my teeth. Instead, my teeth feel smooth and clean after I brush. And, (did I mention?) no more mouth ulcers with SLS-free tooth soap! It worked for me and I hope it will work for you.

(To learn more about SLS, visit this page at Mercola.com.  It's a very interesting topic to research.)

--Susan Deppner

About the Author

Posted by Susan Deppner

About the Author

Susan Deppner is a baby boomer, a cancer survivor, and a Southerner who believes in the Golden Rule. She enjoys writing about food, faith, and fitness; health, home, and holidays; people, places, pets, and patriotism, and more. Follow Susan on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Site Review: Heart of the Home Kitchen

Looking for Kitchen Ideas?

In most homes the kitchen is apt to be the one room in the house that family and friends gather to share both food and time together. The website Heart of the Home Kitchen honors this long standing tradition with ideas for items to use in our kitchens, ways to decorate our kitchens and even gifts for the kitchen.

Old fashioned kitchen

If we look up the word kitchen in the dictionary we find that it simply means a room or area where food is prepared and cooked. Kitchens in a home are so much more than that simplistic definition, though. At least that is the case for me in my life's journey and I would imagine it is more than just the room where food is prepared for most people. It truly is the "heart of the home", the one room where most activity takes place during any given day.

We could most probably trace this tradition all the way back to prehistoric peoples. The community fire would have been where the women were cooking the food for the clan, the children would have been close by to play and be looked after, the men would have been gathered around to stay warm and to discuss the next hunt or the new peoples who had entered their territory. It was the gathering place, the heart of the community.

What can you find at Heart of the Home Kitchen?

I love this website dedicated to the concept of the kitchen being the heart of the home for all sorts of reasons. You can find categories like: 

• Bakeware
• Holiday Kitchen Decor
• Aprons
• Teapots
• Gifts
• And more!

My kitchen has always been the hub of activity in our home as it was in my Grandmother's and my Mother's kitchens. As I was working on a meal, my children gathered around the table to do their homework and tell me about their day. It is where my friends have always gathered to share their joys, divide their grief and laugh together. Because I spend so much time in my own kitchen, I love to find sites like Heart of the Home Kitchen that have ideas for products that I can use or decorate with.

I love to bake so when I found this idea for heart shaped bakeware, I was delighted! There are ideas for cake pans, pie pans, muffin tins and even casserole dishes all shaped like hearts. Now, those would come in handy for holidays like Valentines Day but I will use them for other occasions , too. When I know the grandchildren are coming, I'll bake up some goodies and it is fun to have them shaped like a heart. The kids love it and it is just another way for me to show my love for them. 

There is even a video in the article that shows how to make cream cheese filled cupcakes that of course would be fun if they were baked in a heart shape! Yummy and fun!

My kitchen is the first room I go to in the morning and the last one to have the lights turned out before I go to bed. It is the soul of our home, the place where I feel that I can nurture family and friends with my food and my company. That is why I appreciate sites like Heart of the Home Kitchen where I can find new ideas for my kitchen and gift ideas for others who feel the same way about their special area where not just food is prepared but where family gathers. I think you will love this site, too.

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Back Packs or Rolling Totes!

For many of my friends and family, the time is drawing quickly to a close when summer holidays are a done item and the back to school craziness is again upon us.

Along with all the clothes shopping that needs to be done, there is also that list of items needed for the start of the new school year, and that list seems to grow every time you head out to the store.
There is just that one other new thing you just know will be perfect for your scholar. Whether it's a new backpack, lunch bag, pencils and pens or notebooks, you are sure that you will need them all.

So Will it be a Back Pack or a Wheeled Tote?

The answer will depend on the child....read on! When kids come home from school, their back packs or rolling totes, seem to be the most important item they will have. After all you need something strong and sturdy to carry home all the books and journals/notebooks that are the sign of a new school year.  Their backpack will need to be large enough to contain all their "things" and at the same time, be manageable for youngsters to either have on their backs or roll home.

Now, I know that many parents seem to be divided when it comes to the "type" of school bag, their kids are going to be using.

Young kids in grades 1 through 3 seem to like back packs that go over their shoulders and hang down their backs. These types of bags do tend to make the children stand up straighter, but sometimes the weight is a little too much for their growing bones to handle.   So,  instead of them standing up taller, they slouch in a way to make the weight lie across their backs a little more evenly. Either that or you have children that have sore backs from carrying the weight of all those books, or the bottoms of their bags are falling out, because they are dragging their backpacks home.  You will have to keep an eye out on your child's behaviors when dealing with their back packs and moving them back and forth.
Having a carrier that has good straps and functional pockets is half the job, the other half is being ergonomically designed so that filled with books, it is still easy to have on your back and not make you tired or sore.  If you are finding that your child is dragging their backpacks along the ground, it just maybe too heavy for them to handle.  In that case a rolling tote is a much better answer.  You don't want your child to arrive at school already tired from the load they are carrying.

If your child is wanting a rolling pack for school, there are also lots of choices.This is just one of the styles available and suitable for school aged children. The only down side to the wheeled packs would be, winter where lots of snow, would make pulling this, just a little cumbersome.

Which ever way you choose to for your youngsters to get their books and gear back and forth to school, I'm sure that there is a fashionable and fun way to do just that.

For every child there is a Back Pack or Rolling Pack to suit their tastes and needs.

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Sobriety Rings for Men Inscribed with the Serenity Prayer

Choose from These Men's Sobriety Rings

If you've ever journeyed through the pit of addiction with a loved one, you know how profound, and deeply consuming it is. There isn't very much in this life that compares to this kind of hurt.

The pain of this plight, this horrible plight, can only be understood when you've personally held the crushed and broken soul of someone you love raining mountains of tears as they wonder how they can ever, IF they can ever, fight this all consuming demon.

This men's sobriety ring is inscribed with the well known Serenity Prayer: God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can and the Wisdom to know the difference.

I can't think of a more appropriate gift for the brave, the very brave, who have fought, and are still fighting for their lives. Wearing this prayer holds more power than a quote in a wallet or a quote displayed on the wall. There's a common saying we've all heard, 'we are what we think'. Certainly a sobriety ring inscribed with the serenity prayer gracefully reminds the bearer that these powerful words are worth repeating multiple times a day, each and every day.

• One single ring (photo shows two stacked on each other so you can see much of the inscription around the ring)
• Can be For Men or Women
• Comes in Many Size Choices
• Sobriety Ring Inscribed with the Serenity Prayer

Sobriety jewelry, is jewelry like no other; it holds a forever meaning and like taking that first step, represents the ongoing battle with self.

I would like to take a minute and dedicate this song to those who cried, hoped and held the heart of a loved one suffering from addiction. The moment I heard it, I broke down in my parked car, screaming inside for God to help me help my loved one. The words say it all, "I'm just trying to reach you, 'cause I don't want to lose you, why won't you let me get close to you, 'cause there's nothing I wouldn't do". 

Blessings to all of you trying to reach someone you love. Stay with it, persistence gets you closer every day.

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The Call of Cthulhu Review

By BenduKiwi (Unknown) via Wikimedia Commons

Source: CC-BY-SA-3.0

If you like Edgar Allan Poe, you will definitely enjoy H.P. Lovecraft's "The Call of Cthulhu."

My son introduced me to this author by suggesting that I read "The Call of Cthulhu."  I was so enthralled in this short story that I didn't put the book down until I had read the last word.

This is a review that will no doubt surprise my friends and follows because I don't normally like horror stories, but this one has a paralyzing effect on the reader and I was simply too mesmerized to stop reading.

Apparently I am not alone!

 

 

The Call of Cthulhu Short Story Synopsis

Written by Cynthia Sylvestermouse

 The Call of CthulhuCheck PriceThe Call of Cthulhu is a thrilling short story about a creature that by merely knowing of his existence, places you in danger.  From the very beginning of the story, you feel as if you are being entrusted with a great secret that could cost you your life.  In the days that followed my first reading of this tale, I found myself glancing in dark corners with a certain "expectancy."

This story starts as a narration by Francis Wayland Thurston who was named as the executor of his granduncles estate.  His uncle, George Gammell Angell, died after an encounter with a unidentifiable dock worker.  In sorting through his granduncle's effects, Francis finds a bas-relief of a mysterious alien entity.  He was intrigued by this cast and conducts an investigation of its origin and meaning. What he finds is horrific!  It seems that an encounter with this "creature" results in mental illness or death.

Actually nothing could describe this story better than the very opening statements of the tale.  "The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents.  We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far.  The sciences, each straining in its own direction, have hitherto harmed us little; but some day the piecing together of dissociated knowledge will open up such terrifying vistas of reality, and of our frightful position therein, that we shall either go mad from the revelation or flee from the deadly light into the peace and safety of a new dark age."

About the Author, H. P. Lovecraft

A True Literary Genius

 

Source: Wikimedia Commons

"Howard Phillips Lovecraft (August 20, 1890 - March 15, 1937) was an American author of horror, fantasy, and science fiction, known then simply as weird fiction."

Like so many other great authors and artists, Lovecraft had a very limited following during his life.  His reputation as one of the most influential horror writers of the 20th century, has only been established since his death.

With so many products, books sold, and cult following status, it seems quite the shame that Mr. Lovecraft himself, never got to enjoy any of the proceeds and know the extent he has touched so many lives. 

Stephen King has called Lovecraft "the twentieth century's greatest practitioner of the classic horror tale."

Not that I would have as much influence as Stephen King, but I must say that I honestly have never read more captivating tales than those that were written by H. P. Lovecraft.

Call of Cthulhu Games & DVD's

This short story has also inspired a role-playing game similar to Dungeons and Dragons.   If there are only two of you who want to play, don't worry there is also a boxed card game.   And for those of you who prefer a video game, fear not!   An Xbox game has been produced for you.

I have not seen any of the Cthulhu videos, but I do know there are a couple of different versions to choose available.

 Call of Cthulhu: Horror Roleplaying in the Worlds of H. P. Lovecraft, 6th EditionCheck Price Call of Cthulhu LCG The Mark of Madness Deluxe Expansion Card GameCheck Price The Call of Cthulhu
Collectors Edition DVDCheck Price Call of Cthulhu Rpg Keeper Rulebook: Horror Roleplaying in the Worlds of H.p. LovecraftCheck Price

 Toy Vault 12" PlushCheck Price

Cute Cthulhu?

There are actually quite a few "cute" Cthulhu puppets, plush and other toys also available.  Not everything is eerie or scary.

My own son carried a Cthulhu backpack for several years to school.  If you didn't know the story of Cthulhu, you would have just thought it was a funny green creature backpack.

He also has several of the Cthulhu plush, including a Cthulhu Christmas wreath.

The Cthulhu Birthday Cake

 

A few years ago,  I made a Cthulhu birthday cake for my son.   In true Cthulhu form, the cake split down the center and started falling apart before I could even finish drawing the image!

It was, as if, Cthulhu was breathing down my back.  I felt chills and an eerie sense of being "haunted."

Cthulhu Cake by Sylvestermouse

Weird, you say?   Absolutely!

My Personal Opinion of Cthulhu

 

Cthulhu is a work of literary fiction, but it is very easy for me to embrace the idea that there is a demon (my word) roaming this earth stealing minds, driving man to insanity or suicide.

I have noticed when I read other critiques of this story, that each one had a different emphasis.   I find it fascinating that we all read the same short story, but were "touched" in such a wide variety of ways.

Perhaps one of the reasons this short story has been so popular is because we can all define Cthulhu by our own established personal beliefs.   I would love to hear what you think about the story.

 Click to See Cthulhu Gifts

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