Being Sick and Being a mom

Being sick and being a mom do NOT go well together because we do not get to have time off.  At least I don't.  I have so much going on I can't afford to be sick.  Well guess what.....  Last weekend we worked outside all weekend long.   And I mean worked.  Tilled up dirt, planted flowers, yard work......  You name it we did it I bet.

Sunday....  I noticed a little runny nose and a scratchy throat.   Ehhh  Allergies we have been outside all day.  Popped a Triese allergy pill and an OnGuard pill.

Monday....  Hmmmmmm still bugging me...  So I added the bomb towards the end of the day.... And some ibuprofen for the throat.

Now this blend will kick a minor bug fairly quickly typically.

Tuesday......  Oh dear lord did you get the name of the Mack truck that totally ran me over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   My body just ached and my throat hurt.  I had chills and would break in a sweat but no fever....  Did the bomb again. Since I only got one in the night before.  I normally notice a difference after 4.   #4 hit and I was worse.......

Wednesday...   Dr bound I was.  My throat was super icky nasty.  Tested for strep (even though I have no tonsils) and was negative.  Was treat for a pharyngitis.  After 2 of those magic pills on Wednesday Thursday I felt like a new woman again.  Now I had to keep telling myself to rest because I knew I was still sick...

Now you may be saying ok Brandi what is the purpose to this blog....   Well here it is.....

I am not a Dr.   Do I use oils to ease feeling under the weather or scrapes and such...  Yes...  But there is a time and a place where you have to go the Dr.  And this was it.  I told my PA that I had used oils, gotten worse and her I am.  She laughed, she said I am glad you see when you need to come in.  I am very lucky to have a dr that is into the essential oils like we are.  Some Drs. do not like EO users.  I am straight forward and will tell them what we have tried.  If it has worked or if it hasn't.  They love to here success stories and usually make a note of it.

So please remember, never just stop a medication and opt for essential oils.  If you want to do this I will recommend the oil to try and then I will advise you to speak to your Dr about stopping any medication.  I do not recommend that at all.  And if you have tried something and it has not worked or has even gotten worse....   Go to the dr. Tell them what you tried and what has happened.

I am happy to report today I am better.  Still sore throat but most other symptoms gone.  We went to Springfield to get some Girl Scout Items and are now taking it easy.  :)

Cook cinnamon rolls, no oven

So we have all been there.  Cinnamon rolls look so yummy and tasty, but then you think "Ugh, I have to turn the oven on, let it pre heat, then cook the cinnamon rolls".   I know, I have said this before.  But now you have a quick easy way to do it.  

Grab your waffle iron and tada!!!!  Cinnamon rolls.  Quick, easy and no mess or oven.

Place the cinnamon rolls on the waffle iron and close the lid smashing them down some.  Then let them cook.  Mine cooks up perfectly with the timer for the waffles.  You may have to test your waffle iron to see how long to leave them.

When they are done you have cute little cinnamon rolls :)

Babies and Essential Oils

Let's talk about babies and using essential oils.   There are many benefits of using oils on our little ones.   

Did you know that talc is found in most baby powders and in known as being an irritant to the lungs.
Or that many baby products use synthetic fragrances that can cause neurological, respiratory or even eye damage.

You can make safe, all natural baby products using essential oils that are safe, gentle and a fraction of the cost!!!!

I used many many many products made with oils after Colton was born.  Not only was his skin healthier, but the oils cleared up anything he had faster than any OTC product.

Tips

• To clean baby toys use 2 drops of lemon essential oil and 4 ounces of white vinegar in a glass spray bottle.  Fill remaining with water and clean.  
• Colic: Apply 1-2 drops of digestion blend on baby's feet
• Crying or overly tired baby: 1 drop of lavender or calming blend under their nose and forehead
• You can add any scent to a cotton ball and place in children's drawers for a sweet scent
• Soothing bath:  2-4 drops of roman chamomile or calming blend in the tub
• Sore gums: mix 1-2 drops of roman chamomile, white fir, or clove essential oil with fractionated coconut oil and massage into babies gums.  

Recipes

Diaper Rash Blend

1/2 cup fractionated coconut oil

15 drops melaleuca essential oil

15 drops lavender essential oil

15 drops frankincense essential oil

In a small glass spray bottle mix all the above together.  Spray a thin layer directly on the diaper rash area and reapply as needed.

(I personally did this and with one spray GONE)

Calming Colic Blend

3 drops digestion blend essential oil

2 drops ginger essential oil

1 teaspoon fractionated coconut oil

Mix together the above oils and massage over the tummy and lower back.  Repeat 3-5 times a day.

Cradle Cap Moisturizer

1 teaspoon fractionated coconut oil

3 drops lavender essential oil

Mix the oils together in the palms of your hands and rub on the baby's scalp.  Add cocoa butter if additional softening is needed.  

Winter Cheeks Balm

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tablespoon beeswax

20 drops lavender essential oil

IN a small mason jar mix the ingredients together, and lower the jar into a warm saucepan partially filled with water.  On low heat melt the beeswax, coconut oil, and olive oil together stirring every few minutes.  After the wax is completely melted remove from the heat and add lavender.  Mix together and cool until hardened.  Rub the balm over reddened cheeks to ease and protect.  

Baby Stain Remover

8 ounces of water

2 tablespoon borax

20 drops lemon essential oil

Add borax and oils to a spray bottle.  Add water and shake thoroughly.  Spray directly on stain and wash.

These are just some of the most common things I seem to get asked for.  There are some great recipes here and they all work wonders.  

Here is a link to purchase the oils:

Purchase Oils Here

**The proceeding statements about essential oils have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products and methods recommended are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information provided here is in no way intended to replace proper medical help. These are simply things that have worked for me personally, and my friends.

Troop #6374 May Events & Service Area 20

I am going to try and make a quick blog of events for our troop and service area so everyone knows what is upcoming.  

So for May we have our regular meeting on May 2nd from 6-7 at the Fireman's Club.

May 16th is a big meeting.  We will have our Daisy to Brownie Bridging Ceremony.  
  If you have a Daisy (first grade level) that you will have bridging to a Brownie Please let us know      by April 25th so we can explain what you will need for the ceremony.

May 30th there will be no scout meeting.  This is Memorial Day.

Service Area 20 Events

May 6th and 7th   this is the service area camp out

Arrival is from 4-430 on May 6th and depart 2pm on Saturday.  This is open to any registered girl scout.  We will be exploring the basics of camping and will be camping in tents.  This will be at the Hillsboro Scout Camp Wechetoowin next to the golf course.

Cost: $15.00 per girl and $8.00 per adult (Cost includes camp fee, Friday supper, snack, Saturday breakfast, lunch and snack for all; crafts, activities and patch for girls).

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27

Send to: Sarah Laurent, 399 Lakecrest Trail, Hillsboro, IL, 62049

Questions? 217-556-3049 or email: sarahmarie62049@yahoo.com

DIY Oatmeal Bath Soak

Today I made these Lavender Oatmeal bath soaks as a door prize for a Girl Scout leadership appreciation.  Super easy to make and smells great!!!   You can customize these bath soaks with any oil you like!!  I like lavender because of its relaxing properties and if you happen to have dry, itchy skin the combination of the oatmeal and lavender are a great mix for this as well.    Below is the directions on how to make.

I use my blender when I am doing bigger batches of this.  I fill it almost to the top with oats.  Any will do.  Then I add about 1/2 a cup of baking soda.  The baking soda helps to detox your body.  It is also great for the skin.   I then pulse this until you get a fine powder.

Once I have a fine powder I add my oils and pulse some more to blend that in.  I add 20-30 drops of my favorite oil to the powder.  Once done you can add to some cute containers and use for gifts or set on your shelf in the bathroom.  Very inexpensive and easy to do.  I have done this many times and made a spa basket with this and DIY sugar scrubs and lip balms.  

Add a 1/2 cup to a cup to the tub and soak.  You will have to rinse the tub out following this soak.  The oatmeal will stick to the sides of the tub.  My kids love to take oatmeal bathes especially when they have dry skin.  

Florida Vacation

We are back from our vacation!!!!  And what a great vacation it was!!

The photo above is from the Okefenokee Swamp Park.  This was a very very neat place we went to on the way home.  The alligators are wild and there are NO FENCES holding them in.   There are signs everywhere to stay on the walk way they do not go on them.  And all encounters are wild.  

The upper 2 photos are of a very very big boy laying by a bridge.  That bridge is what you cross to go to the bathroom.........  I'll hold it thank you :).  Some of the workers came by later and got him to move.......   But when I said they are wild and no fences there ya go.  

This was a gator we saw in the water I was able to snap this gorgeous photo of.  

Our first stop was Jacksonville Beach and then on to Daytona Beach.  Above is Colton's first jump in the ocean.  It was great!!!!  Out of the 2 beaches Jacksonville is our favorite by far!!!!!  

We also fed the sea gulls at Jacksonville

This was our view from the Best Western Oceanfront Hotel at Jacksonville!!!

Smack in the middle of vacation we had a surprise for the girls that involved a scavenger hunt to find the prize.

Needless to say the girls were a little excited to find out that we were headed to Disney for a day.  It was a great day in the Magic Kingdom.  Even mom and dad were like little kids since none of us had ever been.

Bailey was selected to go on stage with Captain Jack Sparrow and become a pirate!!!!

And Colton melted our hearts with this encounter with Cinderella.  He was tired, he was crabby but upon seeing Cinderella this happened.  

The girls got to meet their favorites as well and were supper excited.  

All in all it was a great and exhausting day for all.

On the way home we passed Metropolis, Illinois.  the home of Superman so we had to stop there and show the kids. 

Now it is back to reality and getting the house ready for summer!!!!!!  We also have a ballet recital approaching quickly and lots of fun activities with the scouts and school!!!

L'Oreal Paris Advanced Hair care Sample and Review

I came home from vacation to these FULL SIZE bottles of L'Oreal Paris Advanced Hair Care Extraordinary Shampoo, Conditioner and Oil Serum Treatment.   I was supper thrilled.  

I did receive this for free, but the review is solely based on me.  

I used them first thing today after my vacation and could instantly tell I liked them. My hair felt softer after the shampoo!!!!  I used them both and the serum and did nothing else to my hair.  Normally I have some fly aways and have to straighten my hair to get it under control and today I did not!!!!  I am going to continue to use and try and my daughter as well and will update this blog in a few days.  

**Updtae as of 4/18/2016**

I have used this since arriving home from vacation and I really like it.  Normally when I get up in the morning my hair is wild with flyways.  Not after using this system.  I can run a brush thru it and go if I want.  No need to flat iron it.  Going to try it on Bailey tonight :)

In Memory of Balin Robbins

In Memory of Balin Robbins

Believe in Making Someone's Life BEDR

August 21, 2014 our lives changed forever.  That was the day that Balin left our lives, but touched so many.  I will never forget the phone call I received on Aug 19.  My best friend called and I could tell something was wrong.  Her nephew was in a car accident and airlifted to Children's Hospital.  As I hung up I ran out the door to meet her as she jumped out of the moving vehicle into my arms.  From that day until the 20th we were at each other side.  I was dubbed the official babysitter lol.  I even took her to the Old Settlers Festival and my daughter forced us to ride a ride all together ;)

We cussed she squealed in delight and to this day we still laugh our asses off at it.   

Now before I go to much further you may be saying so who is Balin Robbins?   Truthfully I had never met him.  But I have heard thousands of stories and feel like I knew him my entire life.  He was not yhour typical teenager.  Most typical teenagers worry about themselves or getting in trouble.  Balin had a very caring heart.  He loved to help others and every picture I see of him he had a big smile on his face.  He was a little mischievous but in a comical way.  He was never in trouble.  HE loved super heroes.  His full name was Balin Ethan Daniel Robbins or for short..... B.E.D.R.   

His initials BEDR......   BEDR...   Sounded out basically it stands for better.    This is the foundation of the meaning behind make everyone's life BEDR.   Just as Balin tried to do.  

Even after death he continues to make others lives BEDR through his legacy.  He was an organ donor as well.  

The community rallied after his death.  It was amazing to see how the community pulled together for the family.  Unfortunately our small community has seen to much tragedy and to much death.  Especially of young ones.  Since Balin's passing there have been so many tragedies.  Our community is fragile, but still holds strong.  We come together when we need to and support the family that is in need.  

Superhero was the theme....   Everyone was encouraged to wear super hero shirts to the celebration of life. And oh my did they!!!  The service was perfect.  Pastor Jimmy Hayes did a wonderful job speaking not only to us adults but to the room full of classmates.  His words were perfect and touched the heart.  For the most part we did well.  We were able to celebrate a life and not cry to much.   But the kids.....  Oh the kids....  If me and Amanda saw the kids break we broke......   Our kids were hurting a new kind of hurt they had never known.  This broke us.   

August 30,2014

Memorial Lantern Release

My first "official" photography gig for Amanda and her family was for this lantern release.  It was beautiful.  The lanterns slowly guided up an over the lake as the bag pipes played in the back ground.  I ran around like a mad woman getting photos.  

The first photo I remember laying on the ground below the girls to take this photo ans saying..  Please don't drop it  lol And caught this great photo of them.  Bottom right is Balin's mom, Upper left is Amanda his Aunt and my best friend, and upper right is his great aunt.

I think they turned out pretty good  ;)   

The first year and holidays went by.  They were tough but they stayed strong and united as a family.  They held a fun run in honor of Balin to help raise funds for a bench at the high school in his honor.  They did other fundraisers as well and raised the funds for the bench.  Now they continue to raise funds to award a scholarship in his honor.  

4/2/2016

Today was the bench dedication.  A little windy and cold.  Oh who am i kidding it was like gone with the wind on the prairie lol!!

Even though it was super windy it was still a great day.  I am looking forward to going out when it is not so windy and getting more pictures at the bench.

This year will be the 2nd Annual Balin Robbins Memorial Superhero 5K Fun Run/Walk.  It will Be June 11, 2016 at 9 AM.  Come out and dress as your favorite super hero and join the fun!

So as you go through your day think about how you can make someones life better?  How will you be remembered?  Will you be remembered as the person who never helped.  The person who is always putting people down..  Or will you be that person who attempts to make someones life better.  Even with the simplest acts of kindness.  It could just be opening a door for someone with a handicap.  Think about that as you go through your days how can you make someones life BEDR