Page 34 - 2020junejuly

BEST SPRING CLEANING EVER

gh! Spring is here. Interpretation being—it’s time for the by Susan J. Decuir
dreaded “Spring Cleaning.” With so many fun things coming
Uup, like the grandchildren’s end of the school year program,
Evan’s eighth grade graduation, his fourteenth birthday, senior center
events, etc., perhaps I’ll be so busy I’ll just skip some of the bigger
cleaning projects. event at the Carrollton and Farmers Branch Connection Senior Centers
were cancelled. Even my teeth cleaning appointment. What was left?
Then, suddenly—Coronavirus—a highly contagious, fast moving What would I do after I read my two books?
virus invaded our world. Texas Governor Abbot instructed everyone
to shelter in place for our own safety, to go out only when necessary, Ugh! Spring cleaning, that’s what was left, beyond the usual vacuuming,
to wear a mask if we had one, wash our hands often, and use hand dusting, mopping, etc. With no place to go and with all that time on my
sanitizer. No one knew how long this would last hands, I devised a plan to tackle one project a day.
As a senior adult, I was in the high-risk category, plus I take The master bedroom lace curtains, neglected for several years, are
immunosuppressants twice a day due to a kidney transplant eleven now sparkling clean and smell as fresh as a walk through the Dallas
years ago. Avoiding sick people and applying hand sanitizer every time Arboretum on a Spring day. When it’s open again. I washed and ironed
I go out is my daily norm. Thankfully, I found several masks leftover the kitchen curtains another day. I didn’t want to overdo it. Ha ha.
from my kidney transplant on the top shelf of my medicine closet. One day I emptied out the dusty drawer that housed decades of greeting
When everything closed, except for necessities like grocery stores, cards from family and friends with the intention of sorting through them
pharmacies, gas stations, and drive-thru or curbside delivery restaurants, and throwing most of them away. After reading one heart touching
I was thankful that I had two library books that I hadn’t read before the message after another and wiping back many tears, I realized how
library was also shut down. blessed I am to have so many loving, caring, family and friends. Every
card went back into the dusty drawer, but at least it was more organized.
When schools were closed, I was thankful that my grandchildren are
used to being homeschooled. The two oldest attend a homeschool Ron, my husband, didn’t give it a thought when I climbed onto a stool,
academy three days a week. Ava, in the first grade, goes two days a a soapy wet rag in hand, and dragged that stool from room to room
week. The other days my daughter administers their assignments at washing the dust off the top of every door in the house. The fans and
home, sent by their teachers through the computer. fixtures received their spring baths the next day.
I sure do miss hugs and kisses from my daughter and grandchildren. Ron climbed onto the stool another day to take down the beautiful glass
Thankfully, my daughter set up my cell phone so we could face time. bowls (some were moms) housed on a top kitchen shelf. No telling how
It’s not the same, but it is definitely better than not seeing their smiling long it has been since I washed them.
faces at all. Sadly, the school events I was looking forward to were also Now that my house has been spring cleaned better than ever, perhaps I
cancelled. will plan a big celebratory party when things get back to normal. Keep

In fact, everything on my calendar had been cancelled. My exercise on praying everyone, and stay safe. This too shall pass.
classes, hot dog day, the camera club, luncheons, and every special

5 SKIN PRODUCT MUST HAVE'S FOR WOMEN OF A CERTAIN AGE!

3. RICH FACE CREAM OR MOISTURIZER
In our 50s and 60s, our skin not only starts to become
thinner but drier, too. Look for products made with oils
like jojoba or castor seed in their protective and emollient
qualities, and humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid
that can pull water back to your skin,

4. EYE CREAM
1. EXFOLIATING CLEANSER Another area to focus on in your 60s? Your eyes. Because
Use a gentle chemical exfoliating cleanser with glycolic the skin starts to appear more dry and crepey, it is important
acid to remove some of the dry skin that builds up. to keep the skin around the eye contour as hydrated as
2. SERUM WITH AGE-DELAYING INGREDIENTS possible, starting with an eye cream.
The penetration of topical ingredients is improved as 5.SUNSCREEN WITH AGE-DELAYING INGREDIENTS
our skin thins, so active proteins like growth factor and Like cleanser and moisturizer, sunscreen is a staple at any
peptides can be more effective in stimulating corrective age. That said, with the threat of sun damage and skin
pathways in the skin that have slowed with age. cancer in your 60s, there’s no time like the present to get
serious about sunscreen.
page 32 | celebrating life after 60!