Une femme recommends…
This last weekend definitely had its highs and lows. Saturday afternoon I was finally able to squeeze in a manicure after weeks of trying to make the time, and that night we had a lovely dinner at Akasha with family to celebrate le monsieur’s birthday. Everything we ordered was just amazing, and we all enjoyed the opportunity for a leisurely meal with some fantastic wines. Sunday, however, was an incredibly stressful day; trying to keep a developmentally disabled but energetic thirteen year old entertained on a grey and drizzly day takes every ounce of energy we have. We’re talking seventy pounds of almost pure Id. One can only visit the indoor mall and Target for so long. The attention span is very short, and the day is very long. (We’re trying to find some structured weekend activities like special needs social skills groups, but in the meantime we’re on our own.)
Add in laundry, grocery shopping, and the usual weekend chores, and by Sunday night, I was in serious need of some rescue! Fortunately I’d picked up a tube of Eve Lom Rescue Mask last week based on a recommendation by maquillage maven Donna Artz in this video. I’ve always been more than a bit skeptical when it comes to claims about do-it-yourself masks based on previous lackluster results, but this one delivers. Just taking a few q u i e t minutes after le garçon had gone to bed to pamper myself a bit was a heavenly sanity-saver, but even better were the results. When the mask came off, none of the day’s stresses showed on my skin, which now looks smooth, soft, refreshed and revived. Rescue Mask is a winner!
And if you love makeup and haven’t yet checked out Donna’s video tutorials, go now and have a look. She’s gorgeous and funny, honest and real, and incredibly talented. I’ve been inspired again to step up my routines (both skin care and maquillage) and am very pleased with results so far (more in upcoming posts).
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The solution to this for 13-year olds on the standard path is social engagement. No wonder it’s tiring for you to entertain him all weekend. I am glad you found the masque. And I too have been loving Donna’s videos and that sleepy, evocative voice.
Happy to hear that you managed to find a tiny pocket of time and a way to treat yourself well within it. The early-adolescent male has formidable energy and your son’s extra intensity must make for long and challenging days. I hope you’re able to find the kinds of programs that will make all three of you happy.
My developmentally disabled son is 13 as well; only 140 lbs! So I certainly live this part with you. We are planning on finally making the trip to Paris for my 50th birthday next year, only it won’t quite be the trip I’ve always dreamed of. Ah well. Pseu, one of the reasons I visit your blog is to keep some balance in my life while raising a developmentally delayed son. Do you have another blog where you discuss your parenting experiences? Since we have this in common I’d like you talk with you more in depth, but I don’t want to do that here since it isn’t the focus of this blog.
Anyway, I hear you and am glad that you found a bit of time just for yourself.
I have twin 4 year olds and had similar issues this past weekend… Pumpkin carving was one such distraction. I have girls, so baking cookies was another. Then we went to a store and bought Halloween decorations. That took about 2 hrs between the looking, the laughing and the choosing. I feel your pain. Hugs.
Glad to hear that you were able to sneak in some time for a well deserved treat…a bonus that the product performed and exceeded your expectations.
I hope that some weekend programs are available for your son soon.
I’m going to check out those videos now.
By what I have read, I understand that you appreciate time alone too. What a better way than hide inside a mask; )! I really hope that you will find weekend activity for your son. He would be pleased and so would you, knowing that he is having fun!
Hoping you find some resources very soon. Guess that sometimes going to work on Monday feels restful (and everything is the way you left it.) All families take commitment, but special needs, even more.
Wow, I am so honored to have been mentioned on this blog that I just added to my reader… I can’t believe I have been missing out on this, but like I say about beauty too, better late than never. HI beautiful, and I am so happy you enjoyed that mask! See ya’ on the tube>>>
I bought it too. When Donna tells me to buy something I listen to her. She is my E.F. Hutton of beauty. I haven’t used it yet. Can’t wait to try it.
metscan – thanks! He really does best when there’s a routine, and weekends can be so variable. I’m really focused on getting him into some organized activities.
LPC – I appreciate that he wants us to interract with him, but yes, it’s tiring.
materfamilias – I know he’d be much happier in some structured actitivies, at least for part of the day, so I’m on a mission to get him enrolled in some.
laurieann – oh my gosh, that must be challenging! Even at his somewhat puny size, our boy has a lot of strength, and if he decides to have a tantrum or bolt in public, it’s getting much more difficult to for me to physically restrain or remove him. I’ve been thinking about starting up a blog on the topic of special needs parenting, but in the meantime, PLEASE feel free to e-mail me if you’d like to talk some more.
spacegeek – twins, oh wow. That must be tough at times! Hopefully as they get older they’ll entertain each other a bit more, provided they get along.
hostess of the humble bungalow – enjoy the videos; they’re really engaging and informative. I was really impressed with this mask.
LBR – I hope you get a chance to try it soon. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Tiffany – yes, a bit toddler is just about right. Our son functions at about a 3 year old level cognitively. And thank you!
Duchesse – to be honest, the workweek is often easier than the weekend. It really helps to have the structure and routine (for both of us!).
Donna – it was my pleasure! I’ve gleaned so much from your videos already, and you’re doing such an incredible thing for we femmes d’un certain age! Thanks so much for sharing all of this great information.
Gosh, it sounds like you needed that tiny window of time for yourself. I have a 13-year-old son too, but he is largely self-sufficient these days – what you describe reminds me of dealing with my son as an energetic toddler. Adorable but such hard work. Best of luck with finding a group for him.
And from what I’ve seen in your photos, your skin looks great all the time!
Donna’s videos are fab and I’m thinking Eve Lom is where it is at! x
Deja, I really enjoyed reading this post. Thank you for sharing a bit about your son. I think what I love about blogs is finding that we all have some sort of human connection, and we can learn from and help each other in many ways, some unexpected.
I want to hear more about the Eve Lom mask. I have dry skin, would it work for that? I love Donna’s tutorials also!
Make Do Style – and have you tried her radiance moisturizer? LOVE!
Julianne – thanks for your support. He’s such a big part of my life, topic for another entire blog, really, if I could find the time. I’m not sure about this mask for dry skin, but it did work brilliantly on my combination skin.
“I have girls, so baking cookies was another.” Boys like to bake cookies too, Spacegeek.
Thanks for the mask suggestion, Pseu, I’ve been looking for a good one.