Random Tid Bits

This post is going to be about taking two steps forward, and two steps back. Does anyone have the Paula Abdul song stuck in your head now? Has the world actually gotten better as time moves forward?

I think about this every single time I watch Little House on the Prairie.

1. Health Care used to be more for the people. Now it's more about business. A long, long time ago you could get healthcare in return for eggs, chickens and more, doctors made house calls, and everyone was guaranteed care. Costs went up dramatically because of technology. CT scans, MRI's all cost money.
   
   Pharmaceutical companies and Health Insurance companies are much of the problem.
   
   
   
   
   I think good doctors have always cared about their patients well being. A long time ago I think people had other people's backs way more than they do now. On the flip side our life expectancy is longer than it used to be because we have the tools to prolong life. Back then if doctors had the tools they would have used them. Right now many aren't getting the care they should have. I don't have the answers. I wish I did. In your opinion is healthcare better now than it was then?


2. Let's talk about food. Our food is so good. We have more gluten, nut and dairy allergies than ever. Where are all these allergies coming from? Is it antibiotics, and growth hormones that are given to animals that in turn hurt us? Is it the pesticides that are sprayed on our crops that weaken our immune systems? I have to admit that it's handy to have pre-made snacks. There's something to be said about how REAL food shouldn't last as long as it does. Are we better off, or worse off when it comes to food today compared to the olden days? 






3. I remember the the 70s and 80s where many moms would stay home with their kids. If my mom was working; there was surely a mom down the street that was around to help watch me. Yes I'm all for women making just as much as men in the same job. The women's right movement did do one thing in a not so positive way. We've gotten to the point in our culture where both parents have to work. I think kids are way better off if one parent is home with them. It could be the dad or the mom. The trouble is, most families can afford it.
   
   In my opinion: We helped equality, and at the same time we smashed child development in the process. 


4. There's always this argument about racism: Is it better, or worse now than it was many moons ago? Keep in mind that racism isn't only about race anymore. It's really about anyone that isn't like you. While it's true that black people do not have to sit on the back of the bus and women do have the right to vote, we still have racism in the world. I think we always will. I don't think we're born with it. I think it's a learned trait. Oftentimes those that learn it from their parents, will carry it to their children.
   
   If you've never listened to Jane Elliot teach about racism look up her name on YouTube. Her talks are very eye opening.


5. Technology! I have to admit I'm guilty of being addicted. I blog, I check emails, I check social media outlets. For work I run the school's facebook page. I'm on there a lot. If I didn't have all the technology I couldn't keep up with past students, friends and family. At the same time I wouldn't have my mouth drop when it comes to those people as well. I have a different view of some people because of what they post. Maybe they do of me as well.
   
   I do have to say that I have had positive things happen through social media:
   
   Someone posted that a family wanted to get rid of special needs equipment. I told my sister. Now my sister has a new friend + used/new equipment for Emerson.
   
   I also got a ton of baby food jars for my Color and Design Theory class because someone was getting rid of them.
   
   Is social media a good thing, or not?

@softsurrounding Merchandise #LiveSoft Review

I was super excited to review Omaha's new store called Soft Surroundings in Village Pointe. Their saying is: My Time. My Life. Myself. They have around 56 stores. That's if I counted right. Do you have the store Soft Surrounding where you live? If you'd like to see the inside of their store, please check out the post I have before this one. I show an in depth look inside Soft Surroundings.

The store really worked with me. They had an open house between 10 - 1. Something close to that. I worked until close to 5. They said, "Please come. A store clerk will have your bag waiting for you." That was so nice! Let me tell you the bag was stuffed full! I want to show you what all is in it!

First off how cool is that bag!? It's burlap, but has a printed design on it! I just love it!

What do my boys fight about: Who gets to hold the Soft Surroundings bag. I let one take pictures, while the other got to hold the bag. Yep I really should have read their slogan: My Time. My Life. Myself. before I went there.

Soft Surroundings has a mix of all different things. Their target market is females. I'm thinking ages 30 and up. Of course they welcome anyone in the store though.

I have to mention that I'm considering this bag to be a token for my wellness after my deviated septum and polyps surgery that's happening June 23rd. I'm sorry I talk about that so much, but it's much of what I think about these days and nights.

Color Pads:

I got 2 coloring pads! 1 has animals on it, while the other has flowers. Isaak said, "Mom can I have 1? You got 2 of them." Ha! Nope! These are mine. I will share some paper with Isaak.

Shower Burst Headache Buster:

Ok so I do need this before my surgery. You just wet it, and apply it to your forehead. You can put it in a sachet if you'd like. The best thing is that it lasts for awhile!

Facial Things: 

Transport | 2 is used to smooth your face. I haven't used it just yet.

Nourishing Cleanser | 1 cleans your pores without stripping the moisture from your skin.

WunderBrow - Wunder2 is a gel for your eyebrows. The best part is that it lasts for days.

Bee Venom Cleansing Balm tones and cleans your skin. 

Veneffect cleans pores.

Jane Iredale products. The tubes are HandDrinks. The lipstick I think is a lipgloss. It's the cutest because it's 1/2 the size.

A Cailyn Mummy Whipping Bubble Cleansing Mask. I have to admit masks sometime scare me. If I have an allergic reaction it's all over my face!

Blue Copper 5 which firms skin. I'm not sure on this one where to apply it.

A cute pouch for makeup, or face cleaners. 

A Scarf to wear.

Or if you're my Mom a new table runner. That's what she uses them for. Ha! This is really pretty!

I really feel pampered with all this new stuff. I can't believe they got so much to fit into the bag!

What would be your favorite thing that I got? Would you get any of this for your wife, or daughter if you're a guy reader?

Follow Soft Surroundings on facebook, pinterest, twitter, YouTube, instagram, and google+.

Disclaimer: I received a bag of merchandise from Soft Surroundings in return for writing this post. The store certainly inspired me to write this post. I only review things that I think my family or readers will enjoy, or find useful. 

@softsurrounding Store #LiveSoft Review

I was super excited to review Omaha's new store called Soft Surroundings in Village Pointe. Their saying is: My Time. My Life. Myself. They have around 56 stores. That's if I counted right. Do you have the store Soft Surrounding where you live?

I have to admit I didn't know what to expect. Their website is wonderful, but I've never been to one of their stores before. It's really beautiful!

The only thing I'd change: I would be to loose the kids. Their store is geared towards relaxation. Mica and Isaak are goofy around each other! If you're a mom that has kids attached to you like I do, you may want to find a sitter. With that being said, I did put my kids to good use. They took some of the photos in this post.

Close to the Counter:

They have what I call a Beauty Bar. It's full of bath stuff.

They also have a nice display of jewelry.

They Were Certainly Welcoming!

I got greeted at the door with bottles of water, macaroons, and the greeter told me where to go.

Photography was welcomed. I love that! My favorite reviews are ones where I take my own photos.

Displays:

I have to say that my favorite parts of the store are their displays. I swear they could almost take close up photos of their displays, print them large format and frame them. They are really cute!

They gave me a bag of all kinds of things. I'm going to post about what all they gave me next.

Piggy Display:

Bird Display:

Bunny Display:

Travel Mail Display:

Spa Section:

They have spa stuff throughout the store. It's not just one section, but here and there. Face masks, bath bombs, and some makeup. 

The boys wanted to smell anything that had a scent. Me on the other hand...well I'm back to not being able to smell due to these nasal polyps, and grass allergies. I'll take their word...they all smelled really good.

If I had to guess I think that their bath stuff, and clothing are their biggest selling items. People that are on a budget may migrate towards their bath stuff. Women that want nice clothes that will last may get locked into looking at their clothing. 

Clothing:

Their clothing has a lot of color, which I love. Price wise it's more on the higher end, but it seems like it's clothes that will last!

This was my favorite: I simply loved the muted colors on this one: 

Accessories:

They have a ton of this and that! If you are interested in an outfit there's a necklace for it. If you need something for your house they have lamps, bedding, pillows, rugs, and more.

For the pet lover:

Accessories for me thank you:

I adore this lamp:

The bedding wasn't really my style, but it was detailed, colorful, and fun:

A basket full of rugs:

Pillows...lots of pillows:

A rack of sunglasses:

Just an overlook of the store:

A place to rest, while shopping is a must. I grew up with sisters and a mom that loved to shop. I have to say that I like to shop more than the guys in my life, but not as much as the girls. If you're waiting and waiting on someone, it's nice to have a spot to relax.

Overall I loved my experience at Soft Surroundings. Even with my son's at my side it was fun. They did help take pictures! Will I go back again? For sure! I think the store is welcoming! They have a ton of variety, and lots of fun colors. I love their displays! 

Follow Soft Surroundings on facebook, pinterest, twitter, YouTube, instagram, and google+.

Do you enjoy going shopping?

Disclaimer: I was received a bag of merchandise from Soft Surroundings in return for writing this post. The store certainly inspired me to write this post. I only review things that I think my family or readers will enjoy, or find useful.