Crystal hair remover

 Crystal hair removers have become a popular "eco-friendly" alternative to disposable razors, especially for those looking to avoid chemical creams. They are essentially a modern, more refined take on the pumice stone.

How They Work

The surface of a crystal hair remover is usually made of etched glass or nanocrystalline particles. When you rub the device against your skin in circular motions, two things happen simultaneously:

 * Hair Clumping: The friction causes the hair to clump and eventually break away from the surface of the skin.

 * Physical Exfoliation: The microscopic texture of the crystal removes the top layer of dead skin cells.

This process doesn't pull hair from the root like waxing; rather, it "sands" it down at the skin line, similar to shaving but with the added benefit of intense exfoliation.

The Pros and Cons

| Pros | Cons |

|---|---|

| Reusable: One stone can last up to a year or more. | Time-Consuming: It takes longer than a quick swipe with a razor. |

| Travel Friendly: No blades or liquids (no TSA issues). | Irritation Risk: Over-rubbing can cause "friction burns" or "strawberry skin." |

| Ingrown Prevention: Regular exfoliation helps prevent trapped hairs. | Not for All Areas: Generally too harsh for the face or underarms. |

Tips for Success

If you decide to try one out (they're great for legs!), keep these tips in mind to avoid skin irritation:

 * Use on Dry or Damp Skin: Most brands suggest using it after a shower, but make sure your skin isn't too wet or slippery with oils/lotions, as the crystal needs friction to grab the hair.

 * Gentle Pressure: You don't need to press hard. Let the "nanocrystals" do the work.

 * Moisturize After: Because this is a heavy-duty exfoliation, your skin will be thirsty. Applying a soothing lotion afterward is a must.

 * Clean Regularly: Rinse it with water after every use to remove the dead skin and hair buildup.

Since you're focused on lifestyle choices and might be spending a bit more time on your walking pad lately, these can be a handy "multitasking" tool to use while you're winding down or watching a video for your Digital Multimedia Design classes!

Would you like me to look up some of the highest-rated crystal hair removers currently on the market?

Rearranged

 It looks like a great use of the space! Repurposing a dining room can be a challenge, but you’ve managed to fit in everything Seth and Evan need—from the keyboard and drum kit for a little "house band" vibe to that pizza blanket, which is honestly a top-tier choice for a bedroom.

The layout feels very functional for a shared space. Having the beds separated by the musical instruments gives them a bit of their own "zones," and that Sonic flag adds a nice pop of color. I also noticed the Goomba and the controller pillows—it’s clear they’ve got a cool theme going on!

Since you’re juggling school at Penn State and the kids' schedules at Harvest Baptist, having a dedicated, organized spot for them probably makes the daily routine a bit smoother.

A few quick ideas to make the most of the "ex-dining room" layout:

 * Vertical Storage: Since it was a dining room, it might lack a traditional closet. Those hanging organizers like the one on the right are lifesavers. You could add another one or some wall-mounted bins to help keep the floor clear for your 5,000-step goal if you’re ever pacing while they practice!

 * Cord Management: With the keyboard, drums, and electronics, a few Velcro cable ties could help tuck those wires away and keep the floor looking tidy for your blog photos.

 * Window Lighting: The natural light from that window is great for their study sessions or for you when you’re helping them with homework.

How do the boys like the new setup? Does it give them more room to hang out?

Shenanigans

 Went outside with the kids yesterday 

That sounds like a great way to log some extra movement! Since you’ve been aiming to hit that "technically active" goal and move away from being sedentary, getting outside with Seth, Evan, and Ava is a perfect double-win—family time plus steps.

How did it go? Did you manage to get a good walk in, or was it more of a "chasing them around the yard" kind of day?

Chasing them around the yard

Honestly, chasing a 7, 9, and 14-year-old around the yard is basically high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in disguise! It’s definitely more taxing than a steady walk on the pad.

Since you're working on reversing that pre-diabetic status, those short bursts of "sprinting" after the kids are actually fantastic for your insulin sensitivity. Plus, it’s a lot harder to think about a cigarette break when you're playing tag or being "it."

Since Seth is 14 now, is he getting in on the yard games, or is he more of the "cool observer" while Evan and Ava run wild?

Seth’s both observer & gets in on fun too

That’s the perfect "teenager sweet spot"—cool enough to keep an eye on things, but still willing to jump in when the game gets good. It’s actually a huge help for you, too; if he’s taking some of the "high-speed chasing" duties for Evan and Ava, you can keep a steady pace walking the perimeter of the yard to rack up those steps without burning out.

Can’t upload photos currently … will have to try some things to see if I can get it to work maybe 🤔

 The One Thing My Blog is Missing (And It’s Driving Me Batty)

If you’ve been following my journey here, you know I love a good deep dive into my life—whether I’m chatting about my latest Penn State DMD projects, sharing the chaos of life with Seth, Evan, and Ava, or documenting my "technically active" era on the walking pad.

But lately, there’s been a massive, glaring hole in my posts. Or rather, a lack of pixels.

I can’t post photos right now, and let me tell you, it is annoying.

As someone studying Digital Multimedia Design, I’m wired to think in visuals. I want to show you the perfect lighting on a Poshmark find that I managed to ship out in under 24 hours. I want to share a snap of Dusty looking majestic (or just weird) in a sunbeam, or a progress shot of Bubbles’ tank.

Why the "No-Photo" Struggle is Real

 * The "Vibe" Factor: A blog post about a lifestyle change—like my journey to reverse pre-diabetes—feels so much more real when I can show you the colorful salad I actually enjoyed or the mileage on my walking pad.

 * The Professional Itch: My 4.9-star Poshmark rating didn't happen by accident; it happened because of presentation. It’s hard to be a "Digital Multimedia" major when you’re stuck in a text-only world!

 * The Memory Gap: I’m a homemaker at heart, and since 2011, I’ve been documenting our lives. Sometimes a picture of the kids at Harvest Baptist really is worth a thousand words I don't have time to type.

Making the Most of It

For now, I’m treating this like a creative challenge. If I can’t show you, I have to be better at telling. It’s taking me back to those 2007 high school English vibes—describing the world with nothing but a keyboard and some caffeine.

So, bear with me while the "multimedia" part of my blog is a little heavy on the "multi-words" and a little light on the "media." I’m still here, still typing, and still dreaming of the day I can finally hit that "Upload Image" button again.

Would you like me to help you draft a specific description of a recent Poshmark find or a DMD project to help "paint the picture" for your readers?

How the monetizing is going

 It looks like your blog is starting to gain some steady traction! Seeing $0.19 for the month might seem small, but the Performance section at the bottom tells a much more encouraging story for the long term.

Here is a breakdown of what I see in your AdSense dashboard:

The Bright Spots 📈

 * Traffic is growing: Your page views are up 40% (610 views) and impressions are up 30% (1.99K) compared to the previous three months. In the blogging world, consistent growth in views is the hardest hurdle to clear, and you're clearly moving in the right direction.

 * Ad Fill: Your impressions are much higher than your page views, which means you have multiple ad units per page that are successfully loading and being seen.

 * Momentum: You’ve earned more in the last 7 days ($0.08) than you did in the entire previous period, which suggests your recent content or sharing strategy is working.

Areas for Growth 🛠️

 * Page RPM ($1.26): This is your "Revenue Per Mille" (per 1,000 views). It’s down 34%. This could be due to the time of year (advertisers often spend less in February than December) or the specific topics you're blogging about.

 * The Threshold: You have a balance of $33.36. Since Google usually pays out once you hit $100, you’re about a third of the way to your first "blog paycheck."

A Few "Blogger-to-Blogger" Tips

Given you're a Digital Multimedia Design student, you have a unique edge here. You might consider:

 * Optimizing Ad Placement: Since your RPM is a bit low, try experimenting with where your ads sit. Sometimes one well-placed "sticky" ad performs better than three buried ones.

 * SEO Focus: Since your views are climbing, look at which specific posts are driving that 40% increase. If it's a post about your Poshmark tips or a specific school project, write a "Part 2" to keep those readers on your site longer.

 * Visuals: Use your design skills to create high-quality Pinterest graphics for your posts. Pinterest is often the fastest way to turn those 610 views into 6,000.

It’s a marathon, not a sprint, but the data shows you're officially "in the game."

Would you like me to help you brainstorm some SEO keywords or post titles based on what's currently working for your blog?

A poem about how it’s awesome it’s 52° after like 2 feet of snow

 The world was muffled, thick, and white,

A two-foot shroud of winter’s might.

But then the dial began to climb,

And cheated frost of extra time.

The eaves are singing—a steady drip,

As icy edges start to slip.

The driveway’s ghost of shoveled mounds

Is shrinking back to muddy grounds.

The Great Thaw

 * 52° feels like a tropical breeze after weeks of shivering.

 * The crunch of snow turns into the splash of puddles.

 * You can finally see the pavement (and maybe your mailbox) again.

It’s the kind of warmth that feels earned, Lauralee. After managing the kids' school schedules and keeping up with the house through all that snow, a 50-degree day feels like a literal weight being lifted off the roof. It’s the perfect weather to hit that walking pad—or even better, take a stroll outside to get those steps in without needing three layers of flannel.

Would you like me to help you find a quick outdoor walking route nearby, or perhaps a healthy, "warm-weather" recipe to celebrate the thaw?

Only 2 hrs of sleep 😴

 Oh no, two hours is brutal—that’s basically just a long nap. Since you're balancing being a student at Penn State, keeping up with three kids, and managing your Poshmark closet, I know "taking it easy" isn't always an option.

When you're running on fumes like this, your body's hunger hormones (ghrelin and leptin) tend to go haywire, which usually leads to intense sugar cravings. Since you’re working on reversing pre-diabetes, today is going to be a bit of a mental battlefield.

Survival Strategy for Today

 * Hydrate like it’s your job: Fatigue often masks itself as hunger. Drinking extra water can help keep the "fog" at bay and stop you from reaching for sugary snacks for a quick energy spike.

 * The "10-Minute" Rule: If the house or the school run feels overwhelming, just commit to 10 minutes of a task. It’s enough to feel productive without draining your last bit of battery.

 * Step lightly: You mentioned wanting to be "technically active," but today might not be the day for a long session on the walking pad. If you do use it, keep it at a slow, gentle pace just to clear your head.

 * Caffeine Cut-off: Try to stop any caffeine by early afternoon. You don't want to accidentally turn last night's insomnia into a two-night streak.

Is there anything I can help take off your plate today? I could help you draft a blog post, brainstorm some low-effort meal ideas for the kids, or even help you organize some Poshmark descriptions so you don't have to overthink them.