Crystal Deodorant

Since changing to The Diva last year, I have convinced many others to "convert". Well, my sister-in-law(SIL) just told me about a deodorant that she has been using. I know that the normal stuff has aluminum and is not good for you, but I am a pretty sweaty person (sorry, TMI). I have to wonder about all these chemicals we put onto and into our bodies every day and the relation they may have to rises in cancer, etc... So my SIL told me about this Crystal deodorant. I thought I'd give it a try and I've been using it for a week. I can't say I've noticed a difference, good or bad, so I guess I'll just keep using this crystal instead of deodorant. My SIL's doctor actually uses it and that's how she found out. I guess you can use it on feet or anything that gets sweaty. Derek was with me when I bought it and he has one too (not pink, it's a little more manly looking, but the same thing: mineral salts). The website sells it for 6.99 but Meijer has it for 4.59 and I got it on sale last week for 3.59!

Recommended Reading

I usually do not have a lot of time to read during the school year -- partly my own fault, I'm sure I could find the time if I really wanted to -- so I usually have a quite a list of books I want to read when summer rolls around.
This book that I read about on another blog looked very interesting and I finally checked it out and read it. It is so interesting! I really recommend it for anyone (even husbands can learn a lot). It taught me so much more about my body than I ever learned in 5th grade sex ed or from the packet found in your tampon box. Let's admit it, most people do not find it comfortable talking about sexual organs. Whether you are single or married, trying to prevent pregnancy or trying to conceive, or even going through menopause, it is a very informative easy-to-read book. I've been trying to check it out of the library for about a month now and it's always checked out so I ended up getting an older edition from a library in a nearby town. Weschler even wrote a teen version. They should sell a package deal with the diva, huh?!

Want a drink anyone?

We've had these coasters for over a year now. I wanted to put photos in them but the slots are so small and they do not fit any "normal" sized photos (not even these school sized photos). We haven't used them much because they aren't very fun to look at... until now.

I just dug through my scraps of paper and made them look a lot better! It was super easy and quick; I wish I would have thought of it sooner!

The Towel Wedding Cake

My Mom and I made this "cake" for my cousin's wedding shower last week. The bottom layer has 2 bath-sized towels rolled up, the middle layer has 2 hand towels and the top layer has 2 washcloths. We wrapped ribbon around the layers and used long straight pins to secure it. Then we tucked some silk flowers into the layers. Viola!

Girlfriends Album

My mom bought this album for me before I got married. (I think she got it at Kohls). I put a few pictures from college in it and set in on one of the shelves in our living room. I continue to add photos to it when I develop them, but ONLY girls go in it! :) It is really fun to page through and see all the good times I've had with my girlfriends. It doesn't really mean much to my husband but that's what makes women so different, we need these kinds of relationships!

Here are some of the most recent pages:
Visiting some college friends in St. Louis, MO and going to the beach with Debbie:

Almost our whole suite! We were having some fun in EGR. Also, Debbie visiting at Christmas and my SILs:

Some more suite-ness, a boat ride with a friend, hiking with Amy and Kristin, and "craftiness" with Amy: We never did hear, did you guys get those? :)

Backpacking the Manistee River (such tough women!) and this fall on the Muskegon River:

Good times. Good times.

Divas Are Catchin' On

Last week I was at a baby shower (a couples shower with the spouses in attendance also) and the Diva came up. No one knew what they were and I was sort of caught off guard so I just became very embarrassed and quickly told them and changed subjects. I forgot how uncommon this is and yet, peoples, it rocks! I absolutely love mine. It was one of the first posts here. I was talking to a friend about what I should do with all the tampons and pads that I have not used and she suggested I drop them off at the women's shelter in town. What a great idea! I may keep just a few in the bathroom in case a friend would need them, I don't know. Even Gayle at the Grocery Cart Challenge blogged about them. Some people use it because it is so cheap, some use it because it's just so much better for your body and some use it because it is better for the environment. Whatever the reason, yay!

Warning: very "girly" post

I'm spreading the girly love here. A few months ago I bought a Diva Cup. I thought it would be cheaper than buying pads and tampons all the time, plus better for me... and easier too. I LOVE it!! I have even convinced others to get it too. Now I'm convincing YOU. You need to get one! It is so easy to use and cleaner feeling than all the other menstrual products. Plus, I usually forget it's even there. I don't worry about when I'll start or about changing it every few hours. I usually just think about it when I wake up and when I go to bed.