Menstrual Cup Set Review

This post is for females, so if you're a male move on. Ha! 

I've heard of some friends saying that female supplies should be free, much like toilet paper is free when you go to a public restroom. If you feel that way, there are products out there that are fairly inexpensive, and can be used again and again. Because there are alternative products out there, I'm against women's time of the month products being publicly free.

Try a Menstrual Cup:

I know...I was weary at first. I think I had my first menstrual cup for 4 months before I was finally willing to try it out. Human's are so interesting when it comes to change. We want change for the better, but if it's new to us we're either excited about it, or stand offish.

My sister said, "Do you want to try a menstrual cup? I can get you one." I'm like, "I already have one. I just need to try it." I watched a few videos on YouTube where a girl from the UK talked about putting them in, and taking them out before I was comfortable to try mine. In the UK they are much more open, and willing to try new things.

What the Set Comes With:

It comes with 3 cups. You have the choice of small or large. I do wish the set had an option of one cup being small (for light days), one cup being medium (for mid cycle), and one cup being large (for heavy days). They are all different colors, so it would be easy to have them small, medium and large, and to know the difference. Instead I'll have one at home, one in my purse, and one at work.

It comes with a small fabric bag. The bag will stay in my purse.

Then there's an instruction manual. It shows how to use the cup.

Where to Get the Set:

You can get it on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L1KMK5Q, for $16.99 for a set of 3 small, or 3 large. The sets are on Prime. The cost is great considering you can reuse these over and over again.

Most women spends $120 a year on menstrual products a year. The cup lasts for up to 10 years.

Is it Gross?

The quick answer is no. Not anymore gross than tampons, pads or diapers. If you think differently than the quick no answer, than you haven't tried them. You are being judgmental like I was before I tried them.

There's no tampon string you pee on, and remove. Yuck! There's no bleach you are inserting into your body. Double yuck!

There's nothing clogging up the toilet. I remember when I was a teen, my parents had a plumber out to fix the toilet my sister and I used. Tampons messed it up! I was mortified!

There's a student worker that dumps the trash. She said, "It's so gross that people do not wrap their pads with tissue before dumping them. I agree. No one wants to see that! At the same time it is what it is. I don't like waisting toilet paper when it's only serving the purpose of covering something up. With the cup I use pads way less!

The clean up isn't gross. You take it out, and dump it in the toilet. At home I wash it in the sink before putting it back in. At work I wipe it with toilet paper before putting it back in.

Another great thing, the duration of when you need to change a cup vs. when you need to change a tampon is way higher.

There are no worries about Toxic Shock Syndrome; that tampons can cause. You can leave a cup in for up to 24 hours! I change mine more often during heavier times.

How to Use a Cup:

Step 1 - Boil them in water. You can do this between cycles.

Step 2 - Wash your hands.

Step 3 - It's a medical grade silicone, so they bend easily. Twist it up in your hand like so...

Step 4 - Insert it. Put it up until silicone end is left to grab. It will pop out on the inside.

Top

 Bottom

Step 5 - I have mine in all morning long on heavy days, and most of the day on light days. When it's to be removed. I was scared to take it out the first few times. You just pull the "nub" is what I call it. It comes out just enough to push on the body of it to make the suction go away. It comes out easily after that. 

I dump it, and wash it if possible. 

Simple! Less money! Less waist! Less toxic issues! 

Discloser: I got this product for free to help with this review. The company did not tell me what to write, or say.

Mama's #jewelry for #valentinesday Review

Do you celebrate Valentine's Day? 

I put a box of chocolates on everyone's spot on the table. Even my spot.

This year Mama's Jewelry helped treat my Valentine's Day with a Mother's Day ring.

These the rings I looked at:

I have to confess that I had this ring, and I lost it. I never loose much of anything. I looked at other rings, but ended up going with the ring I lost.

I also liked the ring below. It's more expensive, than the one above. They both are pretty!

I really liked these 2 designs below, but they didn't have a preview to look at. That was the only thing that prevented me from getting one of them. I had trouble visualizing them with just 2 stones.

I like more modern rings. I'm not a big fan of conservative ring designs. They have plenty of conservative designs on their site; if that's what you like.

What's in a Birthstone:

January is Garnet
February is Amethyst
March is Aquamarine 
April is Diamond
May is Emerald
June is Alexandrite
July is Ruby
August is Peridot
September is Sapphire
October is Pink Tourmaline
November is Topaz
December is Zircon 

Travis and Mica are Peridot, Isaak is Emerald, and I am Alexandrite. I really like that the boys have two different green stones. My favorite stones are Garnet and Ruby. I love red!

I thought about making a whole family ring, instead of a son only ring. The site doesn't tack on more money with each stone if it's an imitation stone.

What's your favorite stone?

Packaging and the Ring:

I love how fast they shipped the ring out! I just ordered it last week, and boom I got it over the weekend.

It's super pretty!

I'm glad I have a Mother's Ring back again!

About Mama's Jewelry: 

Mama's Jewelry has been designing rings and pendants for moms for 30 years, and we have no intention of slowing down! Our company is committed to creating exceptional mothers pendants, rings and earrings at affordable prices.

A key benefit to shopping with us is our fast turnaround times. As soon as we receive your order, our CAD technicians and certified jewelers get to work designing and building your custom item. All of our processes follow strict quality control measures. Everything that comes from us has our seal of approval. If we wouldn't give it to our loved ones, we won't send it to you!

Most orders for mothers rings and pendants are able to be sent out within 3 to 5 days, reaching you about a week later. If you're shopping at the last minute, Mama's Jewelry will take care of you and ensure that you get a custom made item that looks like it took months to make! For More Information Visit: https://mamasjewelry.com/

Pick Up a Ring for Valentine's Day!

Disclaimer: I got a gift code to help pay for a ring on https://mamasjewelry.com/ to write this review. This company did not influence me on what to write.

Conniption Fit

See these cute little Apel's:

Don't let them fool you! Turn that Apel into another word. I think you can figure out what that word is. 

I wish Bill Cosby and all the others I liked that turned to the dark side weren't such punks. Cosby had a skit about kids eating chocolate cake for breakfast, and the Mom having a conniption fit. It would be so fitting to post with this. 

The two Apel's have been at home. I made them lots of food, and mentioned lots to do, and left them very little tasks to do.

Day 1: Mica washed and dried the sheets, but forgot to switch the last load over. Then he brought up Isaak's comforter partly wet. 

Isaak decided it was a great idea to eat lunch at 10 something. Why? Because he was hungry. Never mind that there are snacks in the house. I left them a 9x12 pan full of Pizza Burgers. They ate 3 each, and barely touched the bag of veggies I left.

Day 2: I got home, was finishing up an app. Isaak was extra bouncy, needed attention. I was getting annoyed big time. 

Then I asked what they did all day? Isaak said Mica was in his room most of the day reading, playing with Legos, and listening to music. 

That's when I snapped. I got on Mica big time. Mica can be alone all the time, and be ok with that. Isaak on the other hand needs interaction! There was a time when Isaak was in Kindergarten where he didn't get time with us because Travis was sick, and I was decorating cookies with my Mom and sisters. He was a green dot kid that turned to yellow and red. He stepped on a kid's scissors and wouldn't take his foot up. Well Isaak was in one of those needy bitter moods yesterday.

I said, "Mica your job as a babysitter is to make sure the house doesn't blow up, make sure everyone gets fed when it's time to eat, and to entertain who you are watching. Cleaning up is a perk. I can overlook some of the mess." 

He said, "Mom I'm not babysitting." 

I said, "Watching anyone younger than you is considered babysitting. Get out of your Mica world, and see how your brother feels." 

By this time Isaak was in his room crying. 

Two different personalities  + a mom that had a conniption.

Travis was going to take them to work but I said, "No let's see how they did after we got after them." 

Today at the end of the day they are to write how their day went privately. We'll see how they did.

How to be a Mindful Mommy

Becoming a parent is, of course, a huge blessing and a wonderful experience: nothing quite compares to being a mommy. It’s also true though, that since the birth of your little love, you’ve likely struggled to find much time for yourself; the morning flies by before you’ve had a chance to brush your hair and change out of your pajamas. January quickly becomes June, and other than marking the milestones in your baby’s development, life becomes a bit of a blur!

If you can relate to this feeling, then perhaps introducing some elements of mindfulness in your daily life will help you reconnect.

Make Mindful Movements

The next time you’re walking around the block, with your little one in a stroller, take a moment to really observe the space around you. Look at your neighbors’ front doors: how many different colors can you count? Getting into the practice of being alert and connected to your surroundings, rather than inside your mind with an internal monologue planning what else needs to be done in the day, will allow you to take greater ownership of your time.

Even if you’re housebound most of the day, you can make your movements more mindful when doing anything from brushing your teeth to chopping vegetables.

Use the Time You Get to Nurture Yourself

Regardless of whether your child takes long or short naps, you can steal back little portions of time and spend them on yourself. For sure, get the dishes washed and toys packed away so you’ve got space to breathe, and then sit yourself down for a short meditation practice. You can feel the benefits from even 5 minutes spent breathing mindfully; reducing stress and anxiety, especially if you’re having a stressful day.

You don’t even need to put your child down to sleep to meditate, by purchasing a baby mobile or sound machine, the little one can be simply taking their own timeout while you do the same. If you’re worried about leaving them awake and unattended, take a comfortable seat on the floor of their nursery — you never know, you might find the sound machine calming for you too! If you’re in the market for baby bedtime entertainment, an online parent guide will lead you in the right direction.

Mommy Baby Yoga

A craze that’s blowing up right now, and for good reason, is the practice of mommy-baby yoga. Whether you look for a yoga studio near you, or just find a class or tutorial online, yoga can further strengthen the wonderful bond you’ve got with your child through stroking and soothing techniques. It also won’t hurt if you want to get your pre-baby body back!

If you’ve only recently given birth, consult an expert opinion before you start any rigorous exercise though.

Mindful moms raise mindful children

As a parent, you’ll know the importance of leading by example. If you can adopt mindfulness in your everyday life — through mindful movements, short meditations or yoga — the benefits will transfer to your child too.

Disclaimer: This is a guest post.

Random Tid Bits

1. Our car was in the shop getting an oil change. I wrote on the drop off form to check the breaks. There was a squeak whenever I stopped. They checked them, and it needed back breaks because they were paper thin. Travis gave the ok | thumbs up for them to put on new back breaks. Travis is a pretty serious guy. If he ever jokes around it's because I came into his life. Ha! I know how to mess with him. I paid for the car. He came home with our other vehicle.
   
   I said to Travis, "I can't believe you'd pay that kind of money at that shop!" *Really it wasn't all that much. He said defensively, "But we needed new breaks. They were paper thin." I said, "That's what they said. Did you think to check them out at another shop?" He said, "Alissa they weren't that much." I said, "Got ya!" I got him for sure. Yes I'm a punk like that.


2. We went to see my parents during Mother's Day. Mica said, "Grandma you look really pretty in that color!" It sounded like a compliment.
   
   He then said, "When you die we should put that color of dress on you. Then we should find an amethyst necklace to put on you."
   
   Instead of me closing the conversation I said, "Mica she doesn't like to wear dresses. She can't wear her special shoes with a dress." - She had Polio.
   
   My Mom said, "They don't bury people with shoes on."
   
   I asked, "Well...how will you walk through the pearly gate then? I guess you won't be doing that."
   
   We were all laughing. 


3. We have an ant problem. I've been trying to keep the counter clean. It's just hard working full-time, and always making our own food. I've been wiping it down with vinegar, which ants are supposed to hate vinegar. Then I put Boric Acid with syrup around on bottle lids. What do you do for pesky ants?


4. Isaak said, "Mom when I grow up I want to be a movie maker, a movie actor, and a hair stylist. I also want to have a family. How will I ever have time for all that?" I responded to, "Welcome to my world son." What did you want to be when you grew up?


5. I was at Michaels with Isaak. They had all these classic books right by their cash register. I said, "Isaak why don't we get these to celebrate your class birthday." He picked out 12 Secret Garden books, and 11 Tom Sawyer | Huckleberry Finn books for his class. 

Source

Happy Mothers Day!

I told Mica to go ahead and get dressed. Usually he picks out his shirt and I pick out his shorts or pants. This morning he got himself all read to go.

I cracked up because the boy does not match. He doesn't have to go to school. Part of me wants him to leave his clothes on. This way every time I look at him I can smile and/or laugh.

He handed me a letter this morning. It says:

Dear Mrs. Apel, {I have no clue why he put Mrs. Apel. He calls me, "Mom."}

I love you so much that your heart is makeing {making} fairy tales.

Love,

Mica

How sweet that is! He has a gift for me. I'm making him wait to give it to me when Daddy and Isaak roll out of bed.

Happy Mothers Day Mothers!

Wordless Wednesday - A Drawing of Me By Mica

Portrait of Mommy - By: Mica, 5 years old

Mica made this drawing of me. He said that the drawing was for Daddy to take to work. That way Daddy could look at it whenever he misses me.

Mica made a portrait of Grandma Spiehs to give to Grandpa Spiehs as well. It's purpose is the same as my portrait.

Grandma Spiehs' Gift - A Night Out Seeing Mannheim Steamroller

• I wish I could of gotten a shot with me in it as well. 
• I really wish I could of gotten a shot with us in the actual Orpheum Theatre! No camera's aloud. Not even before or after the show. Bummer!
• Grandma Spiehs {my mom} is on the left, Aunt Angela in the middle {oldest of my sisters} and Aunt Terra on the right {youngest of my sisters}.

Mother and Son

• So Isaak's not smiling. But I thought I better post this.
• I just don't get a lot of photo's of me with the kids since I'm usually behind the camera.