Sunday, 16 February 2014

The STREAMING MUSIC FROM YOUR SHOWERHEAD

STREAMING MUSIC FROM YOUR SHOWERHEAD

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Kohler Co. for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I thought there was nothing better than a great showerhead with a steady stream of hot water, until I found out about a shower head that streams both water and music!


Meet Moxie. Cute name, right?

It is the new, brilliant, music -streaming shower head from Kohler.

KOHLER Moxie is a shower head + wireless speaker that will give you a new way to sing in the shower.  Sync a streaming source enabled with Bluetooth technology of your choice (my choice is my iphone, my daughter's choice is her Kindle Fire) with the wireless speaker from up to 32 feet away.
Streaming your music playlist is just the beginning!  You can stream audio books, podcasts, live news...whatever you are in the mood for.


The speaker offers up to 7 hours of battery life before needing to be recharged.  It pops right out of the showerhead to recharge.

Here is the cool thing.  Not only can you use it in the shower, but you can also use it as a wireless speaker.  You can take it poolside, slip it in your car drink holder, or just take it out in your backyard as a way to provide music for all to enjoy.

My youngest girl takes it to the art desk with her to listen to an audio book as she creates.  I take it into the laundry room with me to listen to my Daily Audio Bible app while folding laundry.  I also use it while I take a bath, keeping it tucked into the shower head so I no longer have to worry about dropping my iphone into the tub!

I've used it to play romantic music in the bedroom; I've put zen music on while doing yoga --the possibilities are endless.

I must say, my favorite way to use it is in the shower. There is nothing like listening to Viva La Vida by Coldplay to wake up in the morning while showering.  I plan on playing a few practical jokes with it, too.  Since you can stream from up to 32 feet away, I will stand outside the bathroom door and sync Madesa's 'Good Morning' song when a grumpy someone is needing a little morning pick-me-up.  I'm sure it will make them jump out of their skin!

 I am super impressed with the sound quality of the speaker, and Kohler certainly did not compromise quality in the sprayface feature. The spray is perfection.  Installation is a breeze.


My middle daughter likes to take long showers, so I plan on using the shower head as a sort of timer for her, reminding her that 3-4 songs should be long enough.  My youngest daughter takes the worlds fastest showers, so to make sure she stays in there long enought to smell good when she comes out, she has to stay in there for at least 3 songs.

The cute factor does not end with its cute Moxie name.  The colors you can choose from are Chartreuse, Navy Blue, Cherry Red, Retro Blue and Original White.  I prefer Original white to match my simple grey and white bathroom.  My daughter went bananas over the Retro Blue.

Make sure you follow KOHLER  on Facebook and on Twitter to see how others are using it, and learn little fun tidbits of information--like the fact that KOHLER Moxie was inside this year's Grammy gift bags!


What do you think?
What color would you choose?
What would be your songs of choice for the shower?
Would you use the speak outside of the shower?  How?

HE IS MAKING ME Top of the world

HE IS MAKING ME


I spent most of the day yesterday making appointments.  Not just for me, but for my family, as I have fallen behind in life during my surgeries and the holidays. 

~Orthodontist (2 girls)
~Ophthalmologist (3 of us)
~Dentist (2 of us)
~Pediatrician 
~Parent Teacher Conference 
~Counselor
~Oncologist #1 (Zoladex shot)
~Oncologist #2 (6 month check up)
~OB (follow up on pelvic ultrasound)
~Plastic Surgeon (2 month followup)
~Hair Stylist (me)

February is full of appointments, but I still felt good about it all.  It felt great to get things on the calendar that I have not been able to get to.  At least it did yesterday.

Today, I need an attitude check.  I no longer feel great about a month full of appointments, because I've had to add a few more. 

My sweet friend Ann was here with me this morning and we were sharing our hearts.  I told her that I have had some new side effects from the new meds I am taking--joint pain in my feet, ankles, spine and hips.  She understands as she has been living with rheumatoid arthritis for at least 15 years.  She knows joint pain, and has shown me what it looks like to walk through life with pain and grace.

I also told her that I have been having some chest pains that remind me very much of when I had pleurisy and pleural effusion after surgery about a month ago.  The pain is not as severe as it was, but very noticeable on my inhale and causes me to breath shallow.  I'm also feeling a little breathless, and have to stop mid-sentence at times to take a breath in.  It has kept me up at night.

My Ann gently encouraged me that it was time to call the Doc.

I needed that push. You see, I chose the word NEW as my word of the year.  I am healing very nicely from surgery and everything does feel new and fresh.  I have REALLY been enjoying that feeling, and if I had it my way...that nice, shiny, new, no-problem feeling would stay around for a bit…if I had it my way. 

So I start dialing.
Being a cancer patient, one question we often run up against is "which doctor do I call?"  I have my 6 month checkup February 19 with my oncologist, and if I had my way, they would move it up for me and see me now due to my chest pain.  They have a lab right there in office, and an x-ray machine.  It would be easy, one appointment, nice and tidy.  But that is not usually how it goes..and it didn't.

I called my oncologist and because my surgeon was the one to deal with the pleurisy a month ago, she said to call him.  I had a feeling she would say that.

I called my plastic surgeon's office and his nurse was so very sweet, but she said exactly what I knew she would.  "You need to call your primary care doctor and be seen and let her listen to your lungs."

Now I'm sitting here, not dialing and honestly….pouting.

I don't want another appointment.  I love my primary care doc, but I know she will be thorough and order a whole bunch of tests, which will send me around the city of Lincoln and cause me to have to make more appointments. 

After making all these phone calls while my dear Ann was still hear, I received a call from my OB with results from an ultrasound I had last week.  It was to make sure the shots I take really has shut down hormones.  This is important as I am taking a med should only be taken if a woman is in menopause.  The OB nurse told me I need to be seen to discuss the ultrasound.  There is still what they think is a cyst on my ovary which surprised us all, because I am on shots that cause chemical menopause.  

This is when I got upset.  

I'm taking these shots so I would not have to deal with these cysts anymore.  The news that it is still there really surprised me.  I'm not happy about it.

This is when my Ann, after holding my face with both hands and giving me a hug, started to sing a song.  A song that she could not get out of her head. She asked me if I had heard it.  

We looked it up on YouTube and listened together.  I have listened to it 3 times since she left.


Here is what I am reminded of through this song:

There has to be broken to be healed
There has to be empty to be filled
There has to be loneliness, to know our desire is really for Him
He is making me.  

Make me broken
So I can be healed
'Cause I'm so calloused
And now I can't feel
I want to run to You
With heart wide open
Make me broken

I heard the beginning of the song, and my immediate thoughts were.."I don't want to be broken.  I don't want to heal anymore." Yep, right smack in the middle of my pity party.

But I know my God.  I know He is healer.  I know He is faithful.  I know how amazingly precious the moments have been with Him in my most broken state.  Precious moments I would not trade.

I do not want to become calloused and unfeeling.  This is what I feel when I start thinking of 'what-ifs' and worry about the future and all these crazy appointments!  My head spins, my thoughts worry, my heart pouts & I become distracted and numb. This is NOT what I want.  

I want a heart wide open.  So yes, Lord, make me broken.

Make empty
So I can be filled
'Cause I'm still holding
Onto my will
And I'm completed
When you are with me
Make me empty

Did you notice above how many times I said "if I had it my way"?  Tight grasped holding onto my will.  Oh why do I want it?  Have I not seen?  Have I not heard? 

Isaiah 40: 28-31
Do you not know? Have you not heard?The Everlasting God, the LORD, the creator of the ends of the earthDoes not become weary or tired.His understanding is inscrutable.He gives strength to the weary,And to him who lacks might He increases power.Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly,Yet those who wait for the LORDWill gain new strength;They will mount up with wings like eagles,They will run and not get tired,They will walk and not become weary.

I am completed when you are with me.

[Chorus:]
'Til You are my one desire
'Til You are my one true love
'Til You are my breath, my everything
Lord, please keep making me

My one true love, my desire, my breath my everything.  Sounds like a Valentine.  So fitting for February.  

Make me lonely
So I can be Yours
"Til I want no one
More than You, Lord
'Cause in the darkness
I know You will hold me
Make me lonely

Oh boy this is a tough one.  One I am doing battle with.  I want to be heard & understood.  Cared for. Loved.  Held.  

God knows the desires of my heart.  He cautions me to not want anyone or anything more than Him.  He tells me He will hold me in the dark, fully known, fully loved.

[Chorus}
'Til You are my one desire
'Til You are my one true love
'Til You are my breath, my everything
Lord, please keep making me

Yes, my word of the year is 'NEW' and my Ann reminded me today that He is making me new daily.  He gives me a new day, gives me new strength, and opens my eyes to the new.

So I will set aside my pity party, and make the phone call.  Maybe.

Or I might wait until the 19th for my 6 month checkup and see what my blood work says and if Oncologist is concerned and pain is still there, she can order a chest x-ray to be done in her office.  I will see what my body tells me in the next day or two.  If it stays the same or gets worse, I will call my doctor.  If it gets better, I will wait.

In the meantime, I will listen to the song one more time, and remember:

There has to be broken to be healed
There has to be empty to be filled
There has to be loneliness, to know our desire is really for Him
He is making me.  

PURPOSEFUL LIVING SERIES

PURPOSEFUL LIVING SERIES


Foundation Post

Overview Posts 




Correct Priority #2.  Emotional Health
Disney World Made Me a Better Husband, Father & Person


Correct Priority #3.  Social Health – Friends–Having A Mentor
Being Purposeful In Meeting With A Mentor


Correct Priority #4.  Social Health – Immediate Family–Spouse
Three Books To Strengthen My Marriage 2013-Part 1
Planning A 2013 Cruise


Correct Priority #5.  Social Health – Immediate Family–Children


Correct Priority #6.  Work


Correct Priority #7.  Mental Health – Scholarship


Correct Priority #8.  Physical Health
Am I Becoming A Nutritarian?
Documentary Review - Fat, Sick, & Nearly Dead
Documentary Review - Forks Over Knives
Physical Health Report 2013
Account ID: pub-2161420592376004
Client ID: ca-pub-2161420592376004


Correct Priority #9.  Emotional Health – Balanced Personal Pursuits / Hobbies


Correct Priority #10.  Social Health – Extended Family–Siblings / Parents / Grandparents


Correct Priority #11.  Social Health – Friends–Close Friends


Correct Priority #12.  Social Health – Friends–Being A Mentor


Correct Priority #13.  Social Health – Friends–Neighbors


Correct Priority #14.  Spiritual Health – Religious Activity


Correct Priority #15.  Social Health – Extended Family–Cousins / Etc.


Correct Priority #16.  Community Engagement / Public Service 


Correct Priority #17.  Miscellaneous

51 BEST CHRISTMAS COOKIE RECIPES

All 51 of these recipes can be found on New Nostalgia's

Holiday: Christmas-Cookies Board on Pinterest. 

Click on this link to find all of these recipes!  They are listed below in the order they are found on my cookie board. Mmmmmm!

White Chocolate and Cherry Macadamia

Christmas Wreath Cookies

Spritz Christmas Cookies

Star Pretzel Rolo Cookies

Dipped Peanut Butter Oreos

Cherry Chocolate Kisses

Candy Cane Kiss Christmas Cookies

Cherry Thumbprint Cookies

Reindeer Cookies

Anise Christmas Cookies

Cran-Pistachio Cookies

Patterned Mitten Cookies

Bourbon Salted Caramels

Red & Green Sugar Cookie Brittle

Sugar Sparkled Gingersnaps

Fudge Brownie Cheesecake Bites

Skinny Cranberry Bliss Bars

Scotcheroos Chex Mix

Christmas Candy Cane Cookies

Turron de Navidad - traditional Mexican Cookie

Fruity Chocolate Bark

Sugar Plums

Raw Gingerbread Cookies

Amaretto Snowball cookies

White Chocolate Cranberry Bark

Salted Caramel Butter Bars

Chocolate Graham Cracker Peppermint Bark

Candy Cane Snowballs

Pretzel Hugs

Peanut Butter Balls

White Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies

White chocolate Rice Crispy Treats

Christmas Cookie Bars

Katie's Pretzel Wreaths

Candy Cane Marshmallows

Sparkly White Chocolate Lemon Truffles

Reindeer Chocolate Doughnuts

Rolo Turtles

Dark Chocolate Cherry Thumbprints

Holiday Peppermint Chex

Swirled Sugar Cookies

Milky Way Teddy Sleds

Chocolate Vanilla Swirl Cookies

Hot & Spicy Gingersnaps

Candy Cane Kiss Kettlecorn

Andes Mint Cookies

Puppy & Kitty Chow

Christmas Crack

Candy Decorated Christmas Sugar Cookies

Triple White Chocolate Peppermint Blossoms

Mantecaditos-Traditional Puerto Rican Cookie

INCREDIBLY EASY HOMEMADE DISINFECTANT

I can't tell you how great it has been to no longer choke as I am cleaning from the fumes of harsh chemical cleaners!  I love that I can assign my daughters different jobs around the house and not worry about handing over bottles of cleaners to them.  It just is a good feeling.

This homemade disinfectant can't get any more simple.  It just uses hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of essential oils for scent, which is optional.  

For heavy duty disinfectant jobs, like raw chicken, I've read all over the Internet about a this study, which uses a hydrogen peroxide and vinegar, in two separate spray bottles.

"It doesn't matter which you use first - you can spray with the vinegar then
the hydrogen peroxide, or with the hydrogen peroxide followed by the vinegar.
You won't get any lingering taste of vinegar or hydrogen peroxide, and neither
is toxic to you if a small amount remains on the produce. As a bonus: The paired
sprays work exceptionally well in sanitizing counters and other food preparation
surfaces -- including wood cutting boards. In tests run at Virginia Polytechnic
Institute and State University, pairing the two mists killed virtually all
Salmonella, Shigella, or E. coli bacteria on heavily contaminated food and
surfaces when used in this fashion, making this spray combination more effective
at killing these potentially lethal bacteria than chlorine bleach or any
commercially available kitchen cleaner. "

Homemade Disinfectant

Hydrogen Peroxide
10-15 drops of essential oil (optional--for scent)
Spray bottle 

*update-an opaque bottle is a must for hydrogen peroxide.  Guess I will have to go shopping.  I've read that a small spray bottle top can fit right onto the bottle that the hydrogen peroxide is sold in, so that is my plan!