Rio Laser, Hair Removal System is Fantastic!!!

For about a year or so I have been using the Rio Laser (single hair model). I wanted to do a review of it, as many people have asked, so here it goes. I like the safety features, the code and key that needs to be used before enabling the system (no children playing laser tag with this model). Overall my rating is POSITIVE. The results are cumulative, meaning, it will over time, keep the hair from growing back. It is not a one time solution, but one that involves some time (I use mine while watching television). Instantaneous results are a ridiculous assumption, you have different hairs in different growth cycles. . .some at the time of lasering are in the dormant phase, you will have to nip those lads at a later time when they rear their ugly heads. Hair grows back finer if and when it does grow back. I have noticed that although I have been a lax laser wench, that, where I had three hairs growing out of one follicle, there is now one or zero :). Now, with waxing, you will have the lumps and bumps, this system delivers relatively no pain, no bumps, the only negative here is the smell of burnt hair, but this means the laser is working. Plus the laser will last for approximately ten years. . . .once you have done your body, you can start working on your husband's back hair~~~~yes, this unit can be used on men!!!! One mention about upkeep~~ to keep the unit sterile, I use a small Q-Tip and alcohol (rubbing, not Gin), to sterilize the laser housing. The "ouch factor" is just not there, I would say mild mosquito bite at best when using the laser, if it does happen. Normally, the hair is treated and one moves on to the next offending seedling. Once in a blue moon, you will have the satisfying experience of having a follicle blow up (well, a pouf and a glow). This was an exciting pyro-moment, that neither hurt nor scarred. The best skin to use it on is light skin, with dark hair, which is fantastic, as we are the ones complaining about ape-like hair growth. I wandered through many a review, mostly "cons" and almost did not buy the Rio Laser, I am happy I did. I do not have unsightly bumps from waxing (which also scarred). In my opinion, if you read the directions, have the expectation that there is a time commitment, and verse yourself in the science of hair growth, then you are ready for the Rio. Also remember, laser hair removal at a salon is a time/cost investment. . . . .at least a few sittings, a couple of grand, and you have to make that appointment, this unit can be used at home. I was not paid, nor given a free system :C for this or any review.

Of Loss and Gain

There has been somewhat of a sea change in my life of late. A shift to something of which I have no idea, it is almost the feeling of "nesting" ~ getting things in order, ready for who knows what. I have shed some of the negative people in my life, and although it initially brought about feelings of anxiety, in the long run, it has been a change for the better. To enjoy the light, you have to know what the dark is, and with the winter, it was a bleak time, although a time for introspection. Sometimes having to rework relationships, shed those that are social vampires, and set up boundaries can be a difficult thing, but in the end it does promote growth. Now, with spring on the horizon, there is the growth phase. There is only one relationship that I feel is lost, and it is a family member. I think when I finally had the biscuit after many years, it gave the person the freedom to get on with his new life. He may have felt he had to choose, which was not the case. Possibly he was pushing for this to happen? What better way than for him to attack? He told me every pain I had, (and at the time I was groaning about Bert the hernia, which was by his standards, in my head). Which he knew would burn my bum. Now, because some people who peruse this site are family, and have only heard his side of the story, or version of it, now if they want to judge, here is my side. Maybe in time the relationship will take a turn for the better, but I will not hold my breath. The funny thing is that I don't miss what it was. I miss the idea of it. I only miss the good times, but those were on his terms. What made him mad was that I wrote him an email that was open and honest. No response was given, and after I did try to make contact three times. That's my limit, three times. Here it is. . .uncut well, except for one sentence that refers to a third party, that will remain between him and I. (and when I mentioned anxiety~~~it refers to driving). I want to address what was said and insinuated in the phone conversation. I had considered you not only a (relationship deleted for privacy) but a friend, and I suppose that was a grave mistake. There have been many times in conversations, that I have let things go, this one I am not. The idea that Fibromyalgia, and Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome is a manifestation of problems in your head is generally misunderstood by the general public. Prior to being diagnosed, I spent more than fifteen years of my life dealing with Lymphocytic Colitis, which is a relatively unknown form of colitis, I had absolutely no idea that I had it, and was too proud to get it checked out. My knees have Patella Femoral Pain Dysfunction. My back has been diagnosed with Scoliosis and Sacro Illiac problems. I didn't have a hysterectomy for the the enjoyment of it, nor spread my cheeks, both upper and lower for the excitement of and endoscopy or colonoscopy. Prior to being diagnosed, every ache and pain was dismissed by many of my doctors. Prior to being diagnosed, lymph node activity, where they grew and were painful were dismissed as "mono". When someone tells me, that this is a mental problem or insinuates this, it makes me angry. For one thing, it is dismissing the actual pain, I am going through, and the actual, diagnosed diseases that I do have, which I never expected to have, nor ever wanted. This year for me has been a difficult one, and the fact that my own (relatiionship deleted) has dismissed me, based on the fact that, I had anxiety issues previous, is bunk. I hope that you never go through what I have gone through. Simultaneously, if my "shrink", "therapist" or doctor felt that this was mainly a psychological problem, it would have been dealt with in the fashion of psychiatry. I went to groups, I put in my time, and I am not against ever having to tread those same waters again. Unlike you, I went to an actual group once a week, where by every fallacy was broken down by both therapist and other people. My life was put "out there" for strangers to judge, and tell me if I was an asshole. You have not taken up that methodology, and I suggest that you do it. Maybe you would gain the empathy that we all know that you lack. "THE CUT SENTENCE". If you want your soon to be mother in law, or yourself to peruse my blood work, and make educated diagnoses based on actual tests, fine. Yet do not lump me in to a generalization that my illness is not real, nor debilitating. It is my choice at this time to step away from you, time may pass, and I may forgive you, I may not, but I will remember. The conversation today was a catalyst, as I have previously ignored your attitude in the past. At this point, I am done. Another was a person who manipulated themselves into my life, through lies and pomp, she is gone, it was again, another relief. This time, I gave no reason, just cut off contact. I am tired. So tired of trying to keep my mouth shut, and be the one who lets things go by the wayside, in order to keep the peace. I am tired of worrying about other people and the trials and tribulations that they are going through. It's not my job. What have I been showing my kids by keeping people in my life solely by de~facto? I am showing them that they have to put up with the bullshit. The worst thing you can tell your female children, is to "be nice". The better way is to tell them to realize that there are "not-so-nice" people out there, some you may have to put up with, but always be true to yourself and your values. Don't placate continually, as you are self sacrificing. You can do good for the sake of good, but don't let others walk all over you. The funny thing, is when you change, it doesn't mean that others will change with you, or embrace the change. My change has been to shed my skin and now live in the moment, hell, sometimes I can't even get through that, depending on what my body is doing to itself. Another relationship went by the wayside, I have no idea what I said or didn't say, maybe applause was needed when I didn't feel like I should be a monkey with clangers. Who knows, people come into your life for a reason, and sometimes fade out. Maybe because I didn't feel like putting out the effort to pat every sentence on the back, and become part of the harem, irked the person. I don't want to be part of a harem of followers who pirouette on every comma. Yes, it was fun while it lasted, but beyond that, it was what it was. We shall see how the cards fall. I have been told you do lose friends when you aren't up to snuff, mainly because they cannot deal with the different "you", even if you don't talk about it, it remains as a shadow. I thank god for the friends I do have, and the relationships that are true, not made of false pretense, to impress or because of blood ties. I raise my glass (in this case a coffee) to the ends and a toast to a new beginning, whatever that shall bring :)

Personality Crisis # 3.14. . . . .

I have to admit, I am tired of this blog, mostly because, my brain is tired. I told my husband that I wanted to find work outside the home the other night and then started bawling. I want my social life, I want my independence, I want to have the right to voice my opinion on where we are to move, what sheets I sleep under, without grumbling or sighing, or passive aggressive bullshit. I could go back to where I was working, but I know damn well, with the fast pace, and the florescent lighting, I wouldn't be able to do it. I know how I physically felt then, and now, I feel even worse, the one thing that has changed was there were names put to it. A label. Everything healthwise in my life makes sense, and it has been proven. The only grey area is the immune system, and if it will be deemed as Lupus down the road. He said, why don't you try to go back. . . that would be a suicide mission for me. If I can't haul in wood anymore, then how the hell would I be able to hold a sealer gun for ten hours. I don't think he understands or wants to understand the gravity of what I am dealing with. I am supposed to coddle him when he is down, but it really doesn't get reciprocated. I have been looking in the want ads, perusing the farming jobs, possibly working with large corporations, snipping the teeth off piglets. I know for sure, that my back would not be able to take it. So I am left at square one, I kick myself for not taking that nursing course. Addled would most certainly begrudge more money coming out for tuition. Then I think of all the germs I would be dealing with, and it scares the shit out of me. I would rather be up to my armpits in manure, then have to deal with a toddler with a snotty nose. Then I again looked into degrees on line. . . drooled, then my eyes went blurry and had to step away from the computer. This is not the life I wanted, nor expected. Fuck, I didn't even think I would live this long. I do feel that my girls need me more than ever, and they have said this. Maybe, this is where I am supposed to be, another eight years, and the cycle of hands on motherhood will be past, and the kids will be out of the house, and I will be in my early forties. Most likely creeping my children, following one to Japan and the other one to a Culinary school somewhere . . .I will live vicariously through them. Maybe it is then where I will find my niche. Until then, I will just keep putting items up on line in hopes of dragging in some money. That is what seems to "count" in life, is the money. The pipe dreams of hobby farming, and me shaving alpacas still loom in the not so distant future, but I still kick myself. I should have become a veterinarian, I should have thought out my life in a different fashion. Yet what is put in front of you is not always what you want, and dreams have to be put on the back burner for now. Maybe one day I will get back on track, but until then, I am going to just keep everything quiet, quell the stirrings inside me somehow, and fill the void with enjoying my daughters, and loving them. Right now, that's what counts. Still going to look at the jobs that I am either over educated or under educated for. The bitch of the whole thing, is that regardless if I am at home working dealing with tenants, or hang drying laundry, I would have to do all that when I got home from working outside the home. I know damn well from experience, that that is what is expected. Those expectations could be changed, but it would take even more work, instead of just going with the status quo.

Bits

I was in emergency the other week, a little concerned about my second concussion. While I was there, waiting with the masses, who were spraying rhino viruses (no masks on them either), and spewing H1N1, I noticed two older ladies. They must have been in their early seventies, short curled hair, long coats and slacks. The word slacks must be used because, well the perma-crease was evident. One came with a bladder infection and her friend was along for the ride, they were giggling. Talking about this and that, the fact that the bladder infection had gone on for a little too long and her piss stunk, and the other lady asked her, do you want a tuna sandwich from the cafeteria. Off she went in a fervour and returned with the sandwich, the type served at funerals, where the innards of the sandwich are squeezed from a tube. They also shared a coffee. They were jovial, a day out, to the E.R. seemed like a day at the carnival for them. You could tell they were not afraid of catching any germs, nor were they afraid that their voices were loud. I don't think either of the tight curl girls were deaf, but they seemed to be life long friends. Francis had a colostomy bag, and they were talking about how he have to empty it on his own now that his wife had died, poor old Meg had succumbed to THE cancer. He had to do his own "warshing", and they wondered if he would keep up with all that as well, and maybe they should pay him a visit, to see how life was going. Then they started talking about rest homes, and how, that would be the end of them. They wondered if they could room together. UTI lady had to get up and go wee in a bottle, and the friend sat there masticating the tuna sandwich, that by this time had wafted towards me. I looked at her, and couldn't help but shoot her a smile. These ladies were hilarious. UTI came back and commented that her back had an ache and she'd probably be on those antibiotics again. The friend started telling her the process of how to wipe, front to back, no poop getting in the front hole. Then they started laughing again. The gay male couple seemed to be getting a little irritated by this point, I was actually stunned to see a gay male couple in the area, and wanted to shoot them my phone number, but when I saw the looks of contempt towards the ladies, it made me feel sad.

Too Cold

It's so cold, minus 15 with the windchill, brrrrrr. Even my dogs don't want to go outside. I may have to make them little snowsuits. My friend asked me today how does a baby poop in it's diaper, does it lift a cheek when sitting? I wondered if it would be like a baby on top of a rising crust pizza, or an inflating air mattress, they don't do anything, but sit and gain a little height. It's a crazy day today.