Skin saga

Some background: I’ve had problem skin since I was about 12. Not really bad enough to warrant going on Accutane or anything really serious, just mid-grade blackheads all over, oily complexion, and the occasional breakout. All the time.

I started going to a dermatologist when I was a teenager, but that didn’t seem to help a whole lot, so I stopped and tried all sorts of over-the-counter stuff. Neutrogena, Clean & Clear, Clearasil, Pond’s– I’ve tried them all. When those didn’t really work either (and I had an allergic reaction to Clearasil that made my whole face blow up), I started going to the dermatologist again.

If you haven’t been prescribed skin treatments lately, allow me to let you in on a little secret: stuff ain’t cheap. I was spending upwards of $70 a month trying to keep up with it all and still wasn’t seeing the results I wanted to, and that was with prescription drug coverage. Now that I’ve lost perks like medical insurance (I’m working on it!) and disposable income, my whole skincare regimen has been called into question.

I’ve come to a realization recently. I’m fairly sure that over the past 12 years I’ve been working to dry out my skin, I’ve hit the balancing point and now have overdried my skin, kicking oil production up and keeping everything trapped underneath. The thought actually occurred to me when I noticed that my skin seemed clearer after working in the bakery a few weeks, when I’d come home sweaty and exhausted and oily as ever.

The next turning point came thanks to an almost-professional, though not a doctor. I got a gift certificate to a student spa clinic nearby (HIGHLY recommended!) and the aesthetician told me my skin was dehydrated. After I insinuated that she may be smoking something, she explained that there’s a big difference between water and oil to the skin. Hello… why had I never thought of this? I started moisturizing every day, and noticed that between the facial and daily moisturization my skin was getting a lot clearer.

I went again Tuesday for another treatment, and decided today that I’d skip my morning prescription and just moisturize, fully expecting to be greasy in a few hours. Surprisingly, I wasn’t!

Sure, the facials are a bit of a splurge, but they start at $26 for a 90-minute treatment that includes a consult and massage. Even when I’ve added on an eyebrow wax, ultrasonic treatment, and an exfoliating enzyme, it totaled $50. Anyone more well-versed with the spa scene want to comment on the savings there? Plus, when you add on treatments, your appointment runs longer and you get to relax more. So relaxing, in fact, that you might not mind if someone runs into your parked car while you run into David’s to pick up the sash for your wedding gown (true story).

It seems I may finally be on to my skincare solutions. I’m planning to go in for a facial once a month until the wedding to get everything worked out, then probably drop down to every other month or so to save some cash.

Anyone else have a similar battle? What’s worked or not worked for you?

Engagement Pictures!

We’ve been able to peek at our engagement pictures for a while now, but I didn’t want to spoil any surprises. Now that our fabulous photography duo, Mike and Kate Duval of MKD Photography, have posted some of their favorites on their blog, I decided I’d share. Check them out here!

Here’s the one just about everyone says is their favorite (and we like it too!)

More big news!

Just when you thought we couldn’t cram more excitement into our lives…

The FI was offered a position as a firefighter in the town where we grew up!

This might seem a little random for most of you, so I’ll explain. About 3 years ago, shortly after he graduated from college, the FI realized he was missing something. Most of his friends commissioned as officers into various military branches and shipped off to start their training, protecting the United States and doing their civic duties. Though he thought about the decision a long, long time, I think there was a part of him that wishes he did the same. He still felt that he had a lot to give back.

After more discussion, he decided to take the civil service test to become a firefighter here in Massachusetts. After taking the written test and the physical test, he (we) started the waiting game. If you’re not familiar with the process, it breaks down like this: the state analyzes everyone’s test scores and ranks candidates on lists by town. Preference (and thus ranking) on that list is given to females, minorities, veterans, family members of firefighters (especially those injured in the line of duty), and residents of the town.

I’ll just take a quick minute to point out that the FI is a white guy who has no active military service and moved away from his hometown (but still counted as a resident since we moved less than 3 months before the tests). No family on the force, nothing outstanding. To the state, at least.

We thought he might have had a position back in January, when he was ranked 5th or so on the list, but everyone above him was a vet, and the town hired according to the list. Fair enough, but then we got nervous. We also found out that he missed the cutoff for registering for the next test (the lists expire every so often), so once this list expired, that was it.We had gotten our hopes up the last time around, so we decided that we’d wait and hope and pray (lots of praying by lots of people) that he’d get another postcard.

And he did. And this time he was hired.

I can’t even begin to tell you all how proud of him I am and how much he deserves this. I know he’ll be the best firefighter this town has. We’re working together to keep his business running, which has been a really interesting experience (in a good way!).

The only downside (and I’m really not even convinced it’s a downside) is that he might be attending the academy, a 12-week program, starting in October. Of course. He told the chief about the wedding, so he’ll be able to have that day off, but we’ll have to postpone the honeymoon if he’s chosen to go to the October class. More time to plan and save, if you ask me! I’m just so happy he’s finally gotten the job that I don’t care when we go on the honeymoon!

And now for a happy, smiling picture of us at MOH K and M’s wedding: