April 28, 2012
It Smells So Good Outside!
Spring has finally arrived here in the Portland area! There are many flowering crab apple trees on my street and all of them are now in bloom.The heavily laden branches are bending with the weight of the fat, fresh blossoms, especially after a little more weight added by a spring shower!
Then the wind blows and some of the petite pink petals flutter to the ground. My freshly mowed lawn looks like it has pink snow on it! When I open the front door to walk to the mailbox, I am overcome with the soft,sensual scent of these beautiful blossoms. It just smells so good outside!!! I take a deep breath and then another one and then decide I need to share this experience with my readers.
And just in time for May Day!
February 23, 2012
Donate your old Bras
Bras are the most needed, yet least donated item of clothing for women. SOMA is collecting and distributing women’s bras in partnership with NNEDV – the National Network to End Domestic Violence. Simply bring new or gently worn bras to any Soma Intimates Boutique by this Sunday, February 26, 2012.
If you are in the Portland area, there is a store at Washington Square Mall. www.SOMA.com
July 22, 2011
Quote
The meaning of your life is to help others find the meaning in theirs.
- Victor Frankl
March 30, 2011
Color of the Year
I didn’t even know that there was a color of the year, but look out, there is!!!!
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Pantone captured the energizing hue of the honeysuckle flower to inspire and brighten the world during these otherwise gray times. Pantone has declared the color of the year for over a decade and has been the world’s authority on color for over 50 years. Leaders in product development and professional design depend on the Pantone color standards.
“In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going — perfect to ward off the blues,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®, Eiseman continues, “Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother-color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum. The intensity of this festive reddish pink allures and engages. In fact, this color, not the sweet fragrance of the flower blossoms for which it was named, is what attracts hummingbirds to nectar. Honeysuckle may also bring a wave of nostalgia for its associated delicious scent reminiscent of the carefree days of spring and summer.”
January 31, 2011
Sparkling Firefly
When undergoing Chemotherapy, I do not get pedicures because of the possibility of infection due to my lowered immune system. Over the last two years I have probably had only two or three pedicures. The other day, I decided that my immune system was strong enough for this foot pampering!!! Besides I had gone long enough without pretty toes and I like pretty toes! Now I have Deep Rose Red toes with sparkles. Totally befitting Sparkling Firefly!!!!
January 13, 2011
Portland Bridal Expo 2011
The Portland Bridal Show will be held at the Oregon Convention Center on January 15 & 16, 2011. This is Portland’s premier Bridal Show and they have some specific rules. Also they suggest that you purchase your tickets ahead of time.
For more information, please go to : http://portlandbridalshow.com/info.html
For a coupon for the show go to: http://portlandbridalshow.com/coupon.html
January 11, 2011
Bathrobe Coat
I enjoy watching the evening news. For the last several days, the lead story has been the shooting of Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson.
Well, last night (1/10/11) Katie Couric was on location in Tucson doing her interviews. The first interview was held inside and she was wearing a pale pink scoop neck sweater. She looked fine. The longer interview however was done outside.
Katie looked pale, as though she had on minimal makeup and no lipstick. She also was wearing a completely buttoned up coat with 3/4 length sleeves and leather gloves. Everything was in black or very dark grey. She would have looked right in place in Manhattan, but … this is Arizona. Southern Arizona at that, almost to Mexico. She could not have looked more out of place.
And her coat…. her coat was some sort of fuzzy thing; it actually looked more like my toasty warm bathrobe that has served me so well this winter than a high fashion coat. The coat looked like one that Jackie Kennedy would have worn. And even though I applaud the sense of fashion portrayed by the coat & gloves, appropriateness is a major component of fashion. In this area the outfit was a complete failure as was the coat fabric.
Every other person in the scene (and there were at least 20 of them) was appropriately dressed for the Arizona temperatures. Even the woman being interviewed was appropriately dressed with a casual suit jacket over a stylish blouse and skirt.
I usually enjoy watching what Katie will be wearing on the news every evening and she usually gets the highest marks from me. But for last night in Arizona, she gets a worse than failing grade….whatever that would be.
For those of you who have been reading my blog, you know that it is uncharacteristic of me to say something unkind, but that coat was a disaster! In retrospect, even my beloved bathrobe would have looked better! At least it is a pretty color! Hummm, I just might have to try it on with a pair of long gloves ala Jackie Kennedy!
December 22, 2010
Curly Hair
It has taken 10 months for my hair to grow out to about 3 inches in length; so adorably curly since it grew in after my 13 months of chemo. But I have never had curly hair before. Before chemo my hair was straight and if I wanted curls, then I had to buy them in a bottle, which I did!
I have been enjoying my cute curls immensely, but they do present a slight problem for me. One must style curly hair differently than you style straight hair. With my old hair I would have to spend at least 10 minutes a day getting it to look somewhat presentable. But with my new curls, I just sort of wash it and scrunch it and let it air dry.
During the 10 months that it has taken my hair to grow out, I have been trimming it a little bit myself, just to try to keep it looking OK while it grew out. But last week I could no longer do it myself. I decided it was time to see the inside of a Beauty Salon. But who do I get to trim my hair? One day at church I saw a pretty lady with an adorable style to her curly hair. Her hair always looks nice and I figured that whoever cut her hair knew what she was doing and was good with curly locks. So I asked for a referral and made the appointment.
It had been well over three years since I had been inside a beauty salon and I had forgotten how many odors are present inside one of those hallowed areas. As soon as I opened the door and entered the salon, the strong smells started to bother me and since I was early, I told them that I’d take a short walk outside for some fresh air. And none too soon, for I was already getting dizzy and fuzzy feeling from the onslaught of odors.
When I returned from my short walk, the beautician offered to open the door, which was really a good idea. Anyway, Darran really understands curly hair and she gave me the best haircut that I ever had in my life!
Now, I not only am thrilled to have hair, but I feel confident that I look good because I have a cute hair style and a great stylist. I just hope I get to keep my new curls because I am really loving them!!!!!
November 12, 2010
Brazilian Blowout Hair Products
The State of California has started a recall of all Brazilian Blowout Products. They are listed as being formaldehyde free but evidently contain very high levels of formaldehyde. You will want to avoid using these products….
October 17, 2010
Drying Hydrangeas
Hudrangeas by PDXfirefly
I was recently given some beautiful hydrangea blossoms which I wanted to dry . The giver of this gift suggested that I just leave them in the vase of water until the water evaporated away…. then the hydrangeas will dry naturally!
While you may want to cut the hydrangea blossoms for drying at the height of their color, this evidently doesn’t work. Fresh, recently opened blooms, rarely dry well in the open air. But, hydrangeas do well when allowed to dry on the plant before picking them.
So there you are…. dry them on the plant or let the water evaporate from a vase!
Enjoy!!!
August 7, 2010
No Scarf Today
My hair has been slowly growing over the last 5 months and today was the first day that I actually ventured out in public without a scarf or a wig to cover my head. So this is a milestone day for me.
Because my hair grows so slowly, it has taken five months for my hair to grow long enough for me to feel OK to go in public with it uncovered. I did babysit my grandson a few times over the last month without my turban on and I actually went out into my yard to water my plants several times (hoping that no one would see me).
But today was different. I had a lot of errands to do for an upcoming trip and I thought,”Well, why not?”! So I did. In my excitement to ‘bare what little hair I have’, I shared this milestone day with several people whom I met while out and about today. Their remarks encouraged me to feel much more comfortable. We will see how tomorrow goes.
By the way, it took me forever to ‘fix’ my hair. Now remember that there is almost no hair there, and I can’t believe that I spent so much time ‘fixing’ what little hair I have. I think I was gaining courage. For the last 16 months, I have not even looked at my hair in the mirror, but I sure checked every single angle of it today before going out. I needed to build up my confidence. I didn’t have to use hair spray because there isn’t enough hair to hold down!
This is just one more step on my recovery and it feels so good. This has given me so much hope….
And it has driven my spirits higher than they have been in 18 months…..
Who would have thought that a little bit of standing-straight-up dark grey curly hair would have been such an uplifting thing?
PS: My Pre-Chemo hair was very fine, very straight, and dark blond with a few (very few) grey hairs and was also highlighted. This Post-Chemo dark grey poodle-like hair that I have is a completely different ‘look’ for me and that is the reason for my not feeling completely confident with my new look. But don’t get me wrong, I am so grateful to God for my physical healing and for my new hair ~~ whatever He has chosen to give me, I will gladly take!!! But it is strange that my hair is shorter than my Son’s short hair style!
August 6, 2010
Travel Size Deodorant
I know this is a strange title for a weblog post, but that is what this is about –travel size deodorants.
While getting ready for a recent trip, I looked in many different types of stores for a travel size of my favorite deodorant. Since it is a ‘all natural’ product, I even searched the pharmacy sections of my local health food stores . No Luck. Oh they carried the regular size, but the TSA allowable 1 quart bag per passenger is so tiny and I have so many things to put into it, that I needed the smaller travel size so I could fit everything into that TSA allowable bag.
In desperation, I called the product’s toll-free phone number. The customer service representative was very nice to me and informed me that stores rarely stock that travel size anymore. I groaned. She said that they do have a few in the warehouse and that she would be happy to send me one. I gave her my address and was about ready to get off the phone when I realized that it would not arrive in time for my trip. She then offered me what I consider to be the worlds greatest kept secret and a super travel hint.
She told me that I can ‘make my own’ travel size if I have an empty container to put it into. I told her that I did. This is what she told me to do.
Take what is left in the bottom of the deodorant container and microwave it for just a few seconds. I found that 5 seconds was enough. Be careful, It can be hot and spill easily! Then you just simply pour the now melted deodorant into the smaller travel size container. Let it set for a few minutes and you have now made your own travel size deodorant!
It was so cool, money saving, convenient and best of all, I get to use my favorite deodorant when I travel.
July 30, 2010
QVC Super Saturday Live Designer Sale
Super Saturday Live is this Saturday, July 31, 2010 from 11:00am – 1:00pm West Coast time.
QVC presents Super Saturday Live, a nationally televised sales event featuring designer products in support of the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF). The net proceeds from this event will be donated to OCRF to advance ovarian cancer research, raise awareness of the disease, and eventually find a cure.
Designer Sponsors
In support of the fight against ovarian cancer, QVC has invited top brand names and companies to donate high-quality accessories, beauty, jewelry, and home goods at wholesale cost. This merchandise will be sold during the Super Saturday Live event both on QVC’s broadcast and QVC.com with all net proceeds benefiting OCRF. Check out the brands that have partnered with QVC and OCRF this year to make this event a success:
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| Amrita Singh | Bare Escentuals | Dalton Cosmetics | DHC |
| Dr. Denese Skinscience® | Dr. Michelle Copeland Skin Care | Honora | It Figures!® |
| Joan Rivers Classics Collection® | Judith Ripka | Laura Geller | Lierac Paris Skincare |
| Lucky Brand | Mally Beauty | NARS | Perricone MD |
| philosophy | Slatkin & Co. | Supersmile | Smashbox Cosmetics |
| Talbots | tarte: high performance naturals™ | Votre Vu | WEN by Chaz Dean |
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| Jacqueline Kennedy Collection | Juicy Couture | kate spade new york | LORAC |
| Poppy King’s Lipstick Queen | Rivka Friedman Jewelry Collection | Theory |  |
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This is just a partial list, for more information, go to : http://www.qvc.com/cgen/render.aspx?qp=promo|supersaturday_2010&rewrite=no#
July 24, 2010
Shop QVC for Ovarian Cancer Research
Saturday, July 31, 2010 QVC will be having a special event to benefit Ovarian Cancer Research from 2 to 4:00 pm Eastern time. That would be from 11:00 am to 1:00pm Pacific Daylight Time on the West Coast. It is called Super Saturday Live and they actually have some designer items on sale online now.
I was told that the show items are very nice, high quality and that they are below retail prices so they sell out very fast. This sounds like you should not miss this opportunity to pick up a few goodies (early Christmas shopping perhaps) and benefit Ovarian Cancer research in the process.
Some items are already available onlline at:
http://www.qvc.com/cgen/render.aspx?qp=promo|supersaturday_2010&rewrite=no
July 18, 2010
America’s Next Top Model Auditions
The auditions for America’s Next Top Model, cycle 16 are now under way.
In the Portland area you must go TODAY from 10:00am -2:00pm to be considered for the show.
1221 Southwest 12th Avenue
Portland, OR 97205-2036
(503) 226-7355
The basic requirements are: 18-27 years old, a citizen of the United States, at least 5’7″ tall (although there are exceptions). You must live in the United States and be able to obtain a valid US Passport as international travel may be required. Three photos are required, a head shot, a full length, and one in a swimsuit. A video (no longer than 3 minutes in length) is required. Producers are looking for a variety of models, including plus size models.
You can go to this weblink for additional information: http://www.nw32.com/entertainment/antm/
Good Luck!
July 9, 2010
Hair Length
It has now been 4 months since Portland Firefly went off Chemo. I’m doing well and my CA 125 numbers are relatively stable. My eyebrows and eyelashes have grown back. YEA!!! And my hair is making a slow comeback.
It is the longest at the nape of my neck and it sometimes peeks out from under my head scarves so it looks like my hair is longer than it really is. Last week I saw a documentary on PBS about a woman who gave up everything and became a Buddhist nun. Her shaved hair is longer than mine.
And so, when people ask me I tell them that my hair is shorter than a Buddhist nun’s hair!
July 5, 2010
Dr.Oz and Olive Oil
Well, Dr. Oz did it again! He (his staff) came up with some unusual uses for olive oil. None of them really surprised me.
He emphasized that drinking olive oil will help reduce bad cholesterol and showed this with one of his ‘science experiements’. Then he had one of his guests shave her legs with olive oil. She liked it as it also moisturizes your legs. Then he had her pour olive oil on her long dark tresses; massage it in and cover with an old shower cap for 15 minutes. You then wash your hair.
I wonder if her husband thought that she was a salad!
July 3, 2010
A Good Wishes Gift
Portland Firefly was just made aware of a business that sells accessories for women’s hair. This business owner now makes pre-tied head scarves available for chemotherapy patients who have lost their hair.
So I called their toll-free phone number after I viewed their offerings online. They asked me to give them three choices on fabric styles and that they would be mailing a headscarf to me within 3 weeks. I am pretty excited about this offer as I have been wearing scarves for 17 months now. I love the scarves I have, but it is always fun to get a new something for the wardrobe!!!
June 16, 2010
Eyelashes
As you know, Portland Firefly lost all of her eyebrows and eyelashes during her 13 months of Chemotherapy. I would pencil in my eyebrows, but you can’t put mascara on something that isn’t there!
It is now three months after my last chemotherapy treatment and my eyebrows and eyelashes are finally growing in. I actually had to pluck the stray hairs from outside my eyebrow line! That is something I have not had to do for 16 months! Last weekend, when I applied my mascara, I could actually see my lashes again! There were only a few times during the course of my chemo that I choose to wear my false eyelashes and that was for special occasions that came up during my treatment. Now I can put those false eyelashes away for another ‘rainy day’. And I ‘ll have to go and get some more mascara!!! Black , of course!
March 8, 2010
Lip Stix Remix
Portland Firefly enjoys watching the show ‘Shark Tank’ where inventors pitch their products to the 5 multi-millionaires in the hopes that they will provide money and guidance . There are some deals that are made and one regarding lipstick caught my attention.
A young woman has developd and patented a product that enables us at home to melt and re-make our broken and partially used lipsticks into a usable product. She has named it Lip Stix Remix. You can find it on this web site: http://www.lipstixremix.com/index.html
January 23, 2010
Brides Against Breast Cancer Gown Sale 2010
The Brides Against Breast Cancer organization is having their annual sale here in Portland this weekend, Jan 22 – Jan 24th. It is at the Doubletree Hotel at Lloyd Center. For brides looking for a wonderful bargain on a unique dress this is the ‘must attend’ event. The gowns are beautiful and are often one of a kind designer or sample gowns that would normally sell for up to $9,000. The gowns range in price from $99 to about $800. Be sure to eat a high protein breakfast before you go and take a power bar and a bottle of water with you to keep you thinking straight while you make this important decision! If you can take a friend with you too.
Happy shopping for your dream dress!!!!
Portland, OR
Friday, January 22,
General Sale – Free Admission
Friday, January 22, 11 am – 8 pm
Saturday, January 23, 10 am – 8 pm
Sunday, January 24, 10 am – 5 pm
Doubletree Hotel
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Executive Meeting Center Portland – Lloyd Center
1000 NE Multnomah
Portland, OR 97232
For more information, please go to this web site:
http://www.bridesagainstbreastcancer.org/index.html
December 18, 2009
From Hair on Out
A few days ago I wrote that my head was aching and that has been known to be a precursor to my hair falling out. I knew the signs, but since my hair has just started to grow back in, I didn’t want to believe that it would really happen a second time. Well, I was wrong.
Wednesday night when I was washing my hair, I kept getting hair in my mouth. “Oh, no,” I sadly thought. “I was told by more than one person that it would most probably fall out, but I wanted to believe that I was different.” My head hurt so much… it is so tender that I cannot even touch my hair without my head hurting. Imagine barley touching your hair and the dull aching pain radiating into your head.
So I got out my trusty hair cutting scissors and started cutting my new 1 inch curly locks (well almost locks). My hair fell into beautiful tiny crescents on the sink and counter. I have never had curly hair before and I really hated to cut it off. I was after all just starting to get used to it and now I had to cut it off.
The reason I choose to cut my hair really short (almost completely off) is because when it starts to fall out, you have hair everywhere. It gets in your eyes, in your mouth, in your toothpaste, on your clothes, in the bed, on your towels on the computer and is really a mess.
But this time I do not plan to go to the beautician and have my head shaved like I did last time. I have been through this once and right now I am less willing to lose my hair than I was the first time. I guess that means that I am much better than I was last time! And you know I am!!
December 11, 2009
Skin Care VII
Recently a friend asked me what products I use. I have given the names of several of them in my previous posts on Skin Care (I – VI). But I have not mentioned the name of one particular line of products that rate right at the top.
One time when I was visiting my daughter in West Hollywood, she made an appointment for me at a Beverly Hills Salon. That was fine with me!!!! I felt really special going to a Beverly Hills Skin Care Salon. I was impressed with their beautiful expert nurse, Joy and she has ‘the most beautiful skin’ of anyone I have ever seen in my life (and as a flight attendant I have seen lots of people).
I walked out with several of their high quality products and I have continued to use them ever since. Now, I know that you are sitting on the edge of your chair wanting to know the name of the salon and their products….
The name of the salon is Leaf and Rusher; www.leafandrusher.com. The one product that I never want to be without is their Rapid Resurface which is their microdermabrasion in a tube. I love their high quality products and value the information that was given to me at my consultation. If I lived in the area, I would be making appointments there several times a year.
Here is a picture of the nurse who has the most beautiful skin in the world!
