Thursday, April 16, 2009

My Quest for the Fountain of Youth

The number 30 steadily approaches for me this year. I have noticed that as time has marched on, it has begun to do so across my face. What's a woman to do? Call an Aesthetician! I booked a Signature Facial for myself just weeks ago. I have had facials before, but they were just cleansing, masking, and generally relaxing. This facial was supposed to actually do something, like perhaps take a few years off my face. I had no idea what I was in for... To begin she performed microdermabrasion. I had never had that before, I thought it went fine. After the dead skin was taken off it was time for a glycolic and lactic acid peel. This is supposedly a mild peel. She said I should feel "warmth". Well it felt like my face was on fire. So much for my massage while it was supposed to be penetrating my skin. She watched me and after a few minutes she could see the burn I felt. I went to wash my face off at the sink. She continued with the face mask, cleansing, and moisturizing, etc. About 2 hours later I was done. I looked in the mirror. I looked sunburned and you could see the lines of the microdermabrasion. Apparently all normal. Not to worry, just stay out of the sun and don't work out that day. By the next day I looked hideous! My entire face was completely scabbed over. The expensive products I purchased, at a staggering price, did nothing to alleviate the pain or improve the look of my skin. By that evening I called the woman on her cell. She said I should put Neosporin all over my face for a week. She was excited that my, "controlled wound", as she referred to my face was scabbing. "You'll get better results!" However, with this "mild" peel, my results had only happened 2 other times in her 10 years of experience. I'm thinking...that can't be good. I called a friend who works for a dermatologist she said to add some Aquaphor to my face along with the Neosoprin. Did you know that stuff, especially combined, never absorbs? All that week I walked around looking like a freak. Head down, hair pulled forward. I went to the dermatologist, days later, who said those 2 treatments, microdermabrasion and a chemical peel, should never be performed in one visit on someone like me. Well, I didn't know that! So after all was said and done the final results are in: I am out hundreds of dollars, no permanent scarring, and I think 1 wrinkle on my forehead looks less deep.....

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

My Angel in the Night!

So I have been busy cleaning, organizing, doing laundry, etc. to get ready for my in-laws to come visit for a few days. I am the type of person who cannot stop once I start something. It's a sickness really. So still in a frenzy late at night, I thought I will take the trash out at 11:00 pm because it simply can't wait until the morning. Well I forgot to unlock the door leading into the garage and found myself locked out! With no shoes I might I add. Of course the front door was locked and dead bolted. Of course every window was locked. Of course the sliding door was locked, not that it mattered since the gate was padlocked anyway. And it's not like I could have thrown a rock at Aidan's window to wake him up because he knows not to answer the door. And the snow flurries began to roll in. David works extra late on Tuesday nights and gets home close to 1:00 am. All three kids were sleeping inside. What's a girl to do? In a panic I walked up and down our street, every house had turned out their lights! Apparently no one stays up late. Panic continued to rise. I was freezing. I tried to pick the lock but nothing in the tool bag was the right size. I said a silent prayer and immediately my next door neighbor walked out of her house to take out the trash! Thank goodness we are in sync with the same household chores! I ran to her and asked if she could pick a lock. She went home to grab credit cards and a knife. I tried. She tried. Nothing was working. After 45 minutes she was ready to wake up her husband for help and gave it one last try. And voila it worked! We screamed out with surprise that it worked! So tonight I am so grateful for a neighbor who can pick locks with a little bit of luck. Now that's what we should learn at Enrichment...;)