The definition of reminisce is to indulge in enjoyable recollection of past events.  Enjoyable recollection... Hmm... It seems the more enjoyable the recollection, the more tears I cry and the stronger I feel that nostalgic ache.  Can you think of something that makes you feel that way?  I could probably come up with many but the most powerful one for me, and I would guess that it's the same for others, is music.  Country music more specifically in my case.

When I was younger I used to dream about being in a country music video... I loved watching those more than anything else on TV.  I absolutely LOVED country music.  I still do, but it's definitely changed since I was younger. Tonight I was reminiscing about all the time I spent as a teenager watching music videos and singing along, writing down the lyrics so I could memorize them and standing in front of the mirror singing them out loud.  I decided to look up some old videos on youtube and one thing led to another and by the end of my trip down memory lane I was in tears and longing for that time... all the feelings of love and passion... all the dreams I had. That's what country music does to me.  That's what music alone does to many people... It's amazing how much power it has isn't it?  

Even though it brought tears and longing for a time that once was and is no more... I think it lifted my spirit in a way nothing else could.  Sometimes a good cry is what we need.  Sometimes remembering is necessary.  I've never believed it to be a good thing to dwell in the past, but to dwell is not what I advise.  Simply let your heart and mind drift by certain moments... moments that will remind you of something that brought you joy and love.  Recharge your spirit... take the energy it gives you and apply it to your life right now.  Feed your soul and move on.  

~ Be Magical!

I was quite disappointed today when I found out that the libraries in my area suspend story time for infants and toddlers during the summer months to make room for more "appropriate" school age activities for those children who are on summer break.  I called all the local libraries in my county getting the same answer from each one.  I threw my hands up in exasperation.  I was upset and I was done.  For the next hour or so I just kept thinking over and over again how crazy it was to not have a story time to take my 18 month son too.  Sure there were story times available at places like Barnes & Noble and Pottery Barn Kids but those included children of all ages and weren't geared towards little one's involving music and things like finger plays.  "The whole summer?" I kept thinking to myself... In a feeling of desperation I ALMOST called the library and offered my services towards an infant and toddler story time for free.  I stopped myself though... I imagined my son clinging onto my leg crying "MA!" "MA!", the way he does when he wants my attention, knowing the purpose in which I would do such a thing would be eliminated if my son and I couldn't enjoy story time together.  The wheels kept turning and I just wasn't satisfied.  I jumped back on the computer and opened the search engine compiling as many different combinations of key words that I could think of. 

After about an hour more of searching I FINALLY came across ONE library that offered exactly what I was looking for.  I was elated and I called just to double check and make sure they weren't canceling their activities for the summer either.... A big "NOPE!" came through the other line with a smile, as if she knew they had the only magical key that unlocked the little arched wooden doorway painted on the wall under a whimsical tree in the children's section.  I hung up the phone and called my husband with the news.  He shared my excitement and offered to help me plan out the route I would take (since we're new to the area) when he got home. 

I was determined to find a story time for my son... it was something he had thoroughly been enjoying and it was a great thing for him to attend and be a part of.  If I didn't find anything I had every intention of somehow coming up with something... My next thought was creating a Meetup group where the mom's would switch off hosting story time.  My point is... I gave it all I got.  No matter what the situation or what the task is... if you want it so, make it so.  Too many times in the past I've sat by idly hoping certain opportunities would come my way... well now it's different, especially when it comes to the happiness of my son.  When it's magic he wants... I make magic happen.  Do the same!  For you, for your family, for anyone who needs it.  You have the power.... use it.

~ Be Magical!

We couldn't be more excited that our CSA has begun!  Today was our first delivery and we received spring onions, radishes, spinach and a transplant of marjoram!!  It was the perfect amount for our little family and I used a little bit of each item for a wonderful pasta dinner!  It was so humbling to be able to show our son these fresh vegetables and tell him how they came straight from a farm to our table.  We can't wait to take him to the farm and volunteer so he can truly understand where our food comes from. 

~ Be Magical!

So I never thought I'd do a review on anything but that's what I get for thinking "never" right?  So here it is... My review and comparison on the Diva Cup and the Instead Softcup...both of which are cups inserted vaginally to catch menstrual flow and are to be used instead of pads and tampons.  Now I'm certainly not an expert on either, so this will be short and sweet.

The Diva Cup   
The Diva Cup is a $40 reusable cup that is inserted vaginally to catch menstrual flow.  It can be kept in for up to twelve hours at which point you remove, empty, rinse and re-insert.  I began using the Diva Cup about five months ago and I have what I would call a Love/Hate relationship with this particular product.  The first time I tried it I basically thought... "there's no way".  All the instructions given with it I felt were practically impossible from "turning" it after it was in, trying to get it to fully pop open, and as far as removing goes... let's just say in short that I panicked, thinking how in the world was I going to get this thing out.  Well... needless to say after relaxing, bearing down as it tells you to do, and reaching farther up in there than I ever imagined I'd ever have to, it came out... so if you find yourself in this situation... don't panic ;).  When I read that it takes about three to four cycles to get it "right", I continued to try it and lo' and behold by the fourth cycle I was in-love!  It felt great to have the freedom of no pads and no tampons.  I've completely mastered the part of taking it out and I have my little routine of how I remove it, empty it and drop it in my bathroom sink as I finish my business... but the hate part of the relationship come in my periodic struggle that still remains to get it to fully pop open once inserted.  At the beginning part of my most recent cycle I took out my Diva Cup, inserted it, made sure it popped open and was on my way and continued to do this for the next couple of days.  However, when I was re-inserting it about midway through my cycle... I COULD NOT get it to pop open... I tried and tried but there's only so long I'm willing to have half my hand that far up there if you know what I'm saying!  That's when I removed it... washed up... and went downstairs to grab my sample pack of Instead Softcups that came in the mail. 

The Instead Softcup
The Instead Softcup is a disposable cup that is also inserted vaginally to catch menstrual flow.  It too can be kept in for twelve hours but is then disposed of once removed and a new softcup is inserted.  They come in a 14 count box for around $10.  Today is my very first day in trying the Instead Softcup and I was INSTANTLY in love.  I inserted it with complete ease and didn't have a single leak all day long.  It too was comfortable and worry free and there was no hassle of having to lug around pads or tampons.  Remember they are disposable... so if you plan on being away from your personal restroom for more than twelve hours you need to carry with you however many necessary for the time you will be away.  I only ran some random errands and came home sporadically throughout the day so I didn't need to carry any with me.  Unlike the Diva Cup, which has to be removed for sexual intercourse, the Instead Softcup doesn't let Aunt Flo ruin any possible date nights you have planned with your hubby!  It stays in while doing the deed!  A BIG plus for those who completely avoid sex due to it being that time of the month.  The only downfall I noticed with my first use of the Instead Softcup was the removal process, although quite easy, was quite messy.  I found the diva cup, even with it's emptying and rinsing, a much cleaner task than when I removed the Instead Softcup and had to wrap it up in tissue and discard.  Keep in mind though... that was my first time removing it and like the Diva Cup will probably take me a few tries before being a pro at it. 

And The Winner Is...
Both!  I truly think there is a time and place where one will work better than the other given the specific situation.  I had a friend mention she went camping recently while using the Diva Cup and it was great!  I would have to agree with that... if I went camping I would not want to deal with the mess of having to somehow dispose of the Instead Softcups.  However if Aunt Flo came to visit during a romantic weekend away with hubby... The Diva Cup would only turn into a hassle and the Instead Softcup would be my best friend!  With that said I think the Instead Softcup wins the majority of the time because of it's ease of use... and the Diva Cup will win if ever I foresee not being comfortable needing to dispose of anything in a given situation.  And last but not least I will say that the menstrual cup concept has been a godsend to me as a homemaker... trying to keep up with my little man is difficult enough without having to factor in bathroom breaks every few hours to change a pad or tampon and I certainly don't need anything else in my purse or diaper bag!  So if you haven't tried one yet... give them a try!  You will seriously think back to the days in high school and find yourself saying... "If ONLY I had one of these then!!  I could have gone to so many more pool parties and gone with my class to Breakers and I wouldn't have been so self conscious and paranoid on our Disneyland trip!".  Oh and remember... in order to try the Diva Cup (or any of it's competitors) you'll have to fork over the dough and just hope you like it... but with the Instead Softcup just go to their website and order a sample pack for just $2.50!

~ Be Magical!

PS... "Breakers" was a water park where I am from... just in case anyone was wondering ;).