SHEsaysWITHaSMILE.blogspot.com

UI's most handsome, talented leading man! (jack kay!)

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 10:15 AM 0 comments

LESSONS BY ROBERT, Lancome Event @ Magic of Macys, Valley Fair, San Jose

great pleasure to meet you!  and loved learning about you as an artist; sculpture; builder; landscaper..  mixed media artist too!  'maximalist' home interior & exterior designer..     -friendly neighbor;

truly inspiring!  next level creativity!

****

and, now, i'm not fooling myself.  i stand about as much a chance of being able to duplicate the way you did my make-up, 

as i do, styling my hair the way it looks when i leave the salon.

***

my efforts usually pale in comparison, but i do enjoy trying..  and learning..    and, as i mentioned once or ten times, 

i am very grateful you taught me a new way to apply my eyeliner; under the lashes not over.  love it!

that i can do.   -and i've never used a bronzer before, ever in my life..  how did i live without this?

and can hear your voice..   'eye lid is valuable real estate..      you can make lighter darker, but not darker lighter' 

or was that..  

anyway..    enjoyed meeting ronnie too, and fun to be a part of the crowd, vibe, energy of your lessons by robert event.   thank anna for encouraging me to sign up for it.   -very glad i did.

and close, with my lancome request for the powers that be;  please make your moisturizer available again..  the one in the white bottle..  w/spf..  pump.  white color; texture: light, thin..

positively love your toner w/beautiful, light and subtle, but lovely fragrance..

positively love your idole lash mascara; and idole line of products.. 

and,  -feedback from this loooong time lancome customer.   -no one should be having to 'sharpen' make-up pencils anymore..  all that unnecessary yucky scraping of the lids or lips, until you sharpen again, and again..

may i suggest, chunky/large mechanical lip pencils and thin/small mechanical eye pencils only.

lastly,  love sharing with everyone

#magicofmacys   so much in the archives.. 

***

and adding more magic of macys experiences..    because write after Robert help my face come to life..

i got together with my new GFFS..  macys fashion stylist, rhonda, and with her help & guidance, found a few new wardrobe items for the fall season.   -pix upcoming..

****

then, followed all that with a manicure, pedicure

***

feel all put back together and ready to do things, go places..   

thank here also and of course!  my sexy husband, and my loving Jesus..

hallelujah & amen. 

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 2:41 PM 0 comments

REAL * LIFE * STYLES September 2025 near & far #fashion #reallifestyles

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 9:30 AM 0 comments

thoughts/validation re: autism & vaccines -sandra mickanen reporting

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 3:34 PM 0 comments

LISTERS -LOVE this documentary, -have a request.. sandra mickanen reporting

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 9:34 AM 0 comments

HIGHLY DISTURBING -sandra mickanen reporting

why is this being allowed?  tolerated?  normalized?

there should be a 'dont have current facts' pop up,  way before we just get exposed to blatant falsehoods.

correcting this should be an absolute priority!

selah & amen. 

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 8:54 AM 0 comments

from all in to zero interest -sandra mickanen reporting

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 8:17 AM 0 comments

Forgiveness and a Christian Revival... no weapon formed against will prevail

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 1:19 PM 0 comments

candy thieves a poem by (me!) sandra mickanen, to accompany skeleton bliss yard art 2025

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 12:00 PM 0 comments

Halloween Candy Competition 2025 WINNERS ANNOUNCED -sandra mickanen reporting

Met all criteria:   

The outer packaging is halloween themed.  

The inner, individual candy packaging is matching halloween theme; 

and then, look how cute!!  and the most important criteria:  the candy itself is shaped like a count dracula, and not just in shape, but with details!  

 -Would be #1, if that was all, but it's not, we also include taste

and who doesn't love a kit kat bar..   delicious!  

   -really, really in true halloween spirit  "CONGRATULATIONS!" 

i'm sure you have lots of people to thank..

****

Let's talk about snickers for a moment..  they were just about disqualified for this trick:

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 8:09 AM 0 comments

Justice for Cynthia -sandra mickanen reporting

To: District Attorney Jeff Rosen, Matt Braker, Head of Homicide Unit

Cc:  Timothy Crockett, SVA,  Tasia Wiggins, DVS

Re: Carolyn Malinsky, DDA

   and, Rebekah York, Victims Advocate

Case:  People vs. ryan garner,  C1913932

Date of violent event:  July 18, 2019

Victim:  Cynthia Mykkanen 

Judge: Honorable Hanley Chew

Verdict, 9/17/2025:  ryan garner found guilty, first-degree murder; sentencing scheduled for dec 8, 2025.

Dear Jeff Rosen, Matt Braker,

We did not ‘choose’  or hire Carolyn Malinsky, DDA, but rather, we received an email that notified us our attorney had changed, (again) and our new prosecuting attorney would be Carolyn Malinsky.

What a God-send and blessing it’s been, that Carolyn Malinsky is the person who walked us through what the trial process would be like; and what her professional intentions were, in terms of seeking justice for Cynthia Mykkanen.

There had been numerous emails, but once we met in person, Carolyn could not have left a stronger first impression!  We knew from how clearly, professionally and compassionately she navigated very sensitive emotional terrain [murder/torture]; that we’d been blessed with an extra special and gifted attorney.

That first impression became our permanent and lasting impression, as we witnessed her presentations and listened to her arguments throughout the actual trial.  Well prepared, organized, thoughtful, patient, thorough; and with observable resolve.  There was not an issue the defense attorney shared with the jury, that Carolyn was not prepared to counter by asking questions which revealed the painful truths.

 The defense did paint pictures which aimed to assuage ryan’s character and behavior in the minds of jurors; but Carolyn repeatedly, expertly, calmly and successfully revealed the ugly, painful, traumatic truths through her process.

Her comprehensive range of expert witnesses, which included several criminalists; crime scene professionals, blood spatter expert, dna analyst, chief medical examiner; all provided jurors scientific forensic evidence, which in combination with eye witness testimony, law enforcement, character witness, and surveillance camera video, phone text records, proved instrumental in the guilty of murder in the first degree verdict.

The speed with which the jury arrived at its verdict is its own testimony about Carolyn’s professionalism, thoroughness, talents and gifts as a prosecutor.  As my husband, Robert, repeatedly expressed, “this wasn’t just another case for her, she really fought for my sister”     -That is invaluable to us, and our whole family.

In our initial meeting, she did prepare us for the potential of a second-degree verdict, wanting us to have realistic expectations,

But we believed in Carolyn from the onset; held on to our own desire, prayerfully, for a murder of the first-degree verdict; because that is the correct match for the horrific, brutal, torturous murder that ended Cynthia’s life.

We are enormously grateful to Carolyn, to each juror; grateful for the Honorable Hanley Chew  (and his delicious baked goods)

   -the experience has restored some of our wavering faith in our justice system.

We close this letter, with our highest praises also for Rebekah York, the victims advocate available to us and our family throughout the trial.  She has that beautiful combination of traits; a radiating kindness, understanding, respect; excellent communication skills, that seem to just bring some ease to the overwhelm; some much needed peace.  In addition to being so helpful with setting up teams, and available to answer our questions, we felt reassured by her very presence.    

Let this letter serve as our “Thank You!” prayer

With love & gratitude,

Robert Mickanen,  Cynthia’s brother

Sandra Mickanen,  Cynthia’s sister-in-law

*****

and speaking of prayers, 

it remains disturbing, 

having seen Cynthia in the hospital, having sat through this trial

every time i allow myself to re-realize, 

how big, strong, over-bearing ryan was, a 35 year old male..

vs. his mom, a 111 lb, 5'1, 57 year old female; she was so tiny..

   -ryan has a track record of abusing females that are way smaller than he is; that don't stand a chance.

and so, 

i really thank Jesus, that in prison, 

he'll perhaps have the opportunity to pick on someone his own gender, age and size.

selah! & amen.

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 11:46 AM 0 comments

Grieving HOPE -sandra mickanen reporting/sharing..

september 2025; a difficult, harsh..

****

and i realized in one conversation..     well, it reminded, how i learned, 

that not only must we grieve a person; a loved one, when they die

but, 

how 'hope'    -hope itself, needs to be grieved, not along with, but as it's own separate death..

the death of a loved one.   the death of hope associated with given loved one.

***

i.e.,   the death of a person who loses their life to addictions.

and now, the death of the -hope- that the person would someday recover, turn their life around..

 -the death of person to a car accident

and now, the death of the -hope- for any future plans together

this can be a long list, 

but, 

i will skip to when my sister shared with me that Dr Maya Angelou had died.

and i grieved, in a quite a pronounced way, her death

but, 

so distinctly, i also grieved all the inklings of hope associated with meeting her in person..

not just listening to her in person, from a seat at an event..  which i had the opportunity to do on several occasions, 

i hoped in big and consistent ways..

i hoped so big, that i just knew one day...

and, 

as i recall it now, 

yes.  it's two separate deaths you need to grieve; the person;  -& hope.

*****

no energy at this time for an expanded blog post on the topic of hope, 

but in a Christian nutshell, 

it is different for Christians; hope.   -when it comes to hope.

    -the fruits of the spirit, found in the Bible..    they have Christian roots, but i have for a long time explained, they are:   spiritual laws

a common denominator to all human beings; you do not have to be a Christian to experience or share

love, peace, patience, joy, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness or self control.

but, 

only Christians,  -our common denominators, also include

believing in Jesus, in salvation, in eternal life, in divine justice, in heaven.

hallelujah & amen

i am inspired to also repeat, before i close:

we come to earth with instructions.

what you love to do; instructs you on what you are here to do.

what suffering you endure; instructs you on who you are here to help.

love & suffering are also spiritual laws, applying to all humans.  -where severity and type and number are all variables. 

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 9:46 AM 0 comments

"Thank You!" prayer, for great live music! for fun, local, safe venues! for the best of friends to enjoy it with..

  

blessing!  and our desire to go see them; support them, brought us to a venue we had never been to before:  mr mojitos   -grateful; good time..  already posted.

****

the next best time on iconics schedule, that allowed us to gather together again and go enjoy..

brought us to another venue we've never been to before:  little lou's bbq

    -so,  not only are we getting to enjoy iconics live 60's music, some dancing, a night out together with friends, and like-minded people, 

it serves to inspire us into new places; -see new faces..

****

now, i'm going to sock hop to thursday night, when robert and i, went, just the two of us, to little lou's to do some 'recon', as he likes to say

since it would be our very first time taking friends to little lous, we wanted to know, in advance, like, where it was specifically, what was parking like..  what was the place like, etc.

and that was our plan, just to do a brief  -get familiar visit and get back home.

but, what happened was..    something about that live music!  and a welcoming environment..  and a relaxed vibe, friendly staff..

we had just endured one of the most difficult days in court; seeking justice for cynthia, 

emotionally taxed; physically hungry

so we ended up ordering some brisket, grabbing a table, and listening, to what turned out to be fantastic rock, and rhythm & blue, blues..

it was not coming from one band; rather, it was an 'open mic' style night, where a variety of musicians show up, create improv bands, play improvisationally together,  -do a brief set, and then a new mix of musicians takes the stage

and it all sounded so good!  and fun to watch some independent free style dancers get up and dance, along with several couples doing couple style dancing, which i love..  different versions of the swing, some country couple line dances..    joy to watch

and we spoke briefly with a couple sitting near us,  duane & patricia, from los altos, 

and got to talking about live music, and local venues..

and, 

during that conversation, duane mentioned  -the poor house..

"CH!"

and, i know, that exactly because we've been in court, listening over and over to different 'expert witnesses'

and the 'event'  -is how they refer to it,  happened 6 years ago, 

there have been a number of times, the expert witness will ask permission of the honorable hanley chew, and explain to the jurors, 

      may i look at my notes from 2019, or, i need to look at my report from...

and there is, of course, a consensus, among everyone, that human beings don't have perfect memories; and we don't STORE, in a way, we can easily access, recall, and share

every detail of everything that happened six years ago.   "of course we rely on notes/reports!"

documents.

it's a main (although not exclusive) reason such meticulous notes are taken; a main reason to write reports

and for some of the expert witnesses, they've been documenting for hundreds of cases over the past 6 years, and for several years prior..

of course, of course, of course   -yes,  turn to your notes; your report from..

****

and i bring it up here because, silently, to myself, when duane mentioned, the poor house..

and it immediately resulted in a Cerebral Hyperlink for me..

i found myself saying to myself, more than to him,  -may i check my notes...  to help me verify.. and confirm..   refresh my recollection..

-because, without my notes [my blog; my external memory storage]

i know we went there!  the poor house...

i know we had a great time!   i know i couldn't believe i got to sit so close, and have such great seats to listen to the equivalent of joey banamassa    -and didn't have to pay $200 for tickets..

i know i loved the house-turned-restaurant, concert venue..  i remember sitting outdoors.. 

and the gumbo, jambalaya, birthday-cake like corn bread..

but i would not be able to tell you, 

the date.   -except i know i went with robert, so it is after we met..  

name of musician(s).

****

but i had my phone with me, when duane mentioned it, so, 

i was able to pull up my blog...   scroll to 'web version'

and type in  -pour house in the search bar

  -NOTHING came up..

how can that be?  i KNOW we went to the poor house and had a great time "I KNOW IT!"

then i remembered, 

try typing 'poor' house in the search bar, not 'pour' house..

   -so, worth noting, that if i could 'speak' my search bar request, vs type it,   -that would help.

but, anyway, 

once i typed poor house in the search bar, 

up it came!  and turns out i have the muscians name in my post, and duane knew who that was..

pretty cool.    

*****

before i close,  -for human memory storage nerds like me, 

it is worth noting, this way i can access memories on my blog, 

but only if i spell them correctly..  or not 'correctly'  but, if i misspell key words originally, i need to misspell them again when i'm looking the memory up..   so, consistent typos/errors can work, but not, 

spell it write/spell it wrong. 

i ran into an issue before, and learned that i had not been spelling

san juan batista correctly..

which created some unnecessary hickups when trying to retrieve..

*****

upshot:  thursday night was an unplanned, but tremendous blessing! there is some real healing power in live music you love listening to..

and friday night, with our cherished friends..  a night out, all together, 

the iconics, live!     and i will just share here, an extra part i loved..

before we arrived, karl & valerie both mentioned, they probably would not be dancing.. both with some minor physical pain..   foot; knee..

but guess who still got out there on the dance floor..

that's what great music can do..   upsurped their minor pains and took their mind off it for a while..

and, 

extra "thank you!" here to taylor, who we met thursday, and who helped us reserve 8 seats for friday

  -appreciate you!

****

all of it "thank you!" prayers..   and, happy to tithe for our local, safe, venues, and our cherished bands, musicians..     

was a $5 cover to see the iconics..   and, smiled, because so recently i re-posted about a $5 cover charge..

hallelujah & amen!

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 8:57 AM 0 comments

Football Season at long last!! for (the micks!)

brief mention, since 2025 is #fashion year; that, yes, i have NFL & team t-shirts that match my husbands, or close to it, anyway..    t-shirts i've had for multiple years, and was..

i laid one out to wear, and it just seemed so blah..

and i am without time really, to shop for new ones..    so!

grabbed my favorite blouse, for our first NFL 3 games SUNDAY,  and happen to have a coordinating color for the 3 teams we were cheering for..    (and remind, i would have every color..  even more colors if they offered them; along with some prints..)

i just hand-cut out the logo from the older t-shirts i did have, and then, yes, both safety-pinned, and stapled the logos on my favorite blouse.     -this felt much better.

and, all 3 of our NFL teams "VICTORIOUS!"    -plus, college teams, "VICTORIOUS!"

plus, high school team,  with outstanding cheerleaders     -"VICTORIOUS!"

so, we are very excited football season is upon us at last!  AND!  clearly off to a great start.

****

hopefully SJCC will follow suit and be "VICTORIOUS!" also,  -game starts in 15 min...

my husband prepared 10lbs of chicken hot wings for tomorrow..    games at 10a, 1p, 

and 5p, "Vikings!" 

hallelujah & amen! 

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 5:51 PM 0 comments

Chain Breakers -sandra mickanen reporting

and a common denominator for chain-breakers, is that they are not consumers of tv, magazines, movies or any stories, fiction or non-fiction, which just swim in dysfunction

-sometimes glamourizing dysfunction

-sometimes celebrating dysfunction

-sometimes just wallowing in dysfunction..   where dysfunction itself is a type of entertainment. 

none of these stories appeal to chain-breakers; chain breakers navigate toward stories, programs,  that showcase and feature healthy people; victorious people; noble people; successful people; stable people.

more than conquerors type people.

chain breakers are highly selective about what they consume. 

****

selah! & amen

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 5:09 PM 0 comments

signs & wonders as seen by (me!) sandra, topps, writeousmom

and, beautiful light on my bedroom floor in the shape of a cross.

i like when i get to notice these things; take a picture; post on my blog..

"Thank You Jesus!"  amen

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 4:52 PM 0 comments

did you say, 'rollin' silverware... sandra mickanen, remembering...

so, we (robert & i) were with awesome elva having lunch, chit-chattin'..   

and our wonderful waiter, he said to all of us at our table, "if you need anything, i'll be over there just rollin' silverware'

****

CH!

****

and, it is part, imagination; part, very much creative-non-fiction..

i'm going to re-read it write now, and see how clear i made that for the reader..

what i can tell without, and prior to re-reading it..

the point i was trying to make, 

that cultural-training/messaging and practical life experience had me with the understanding, 

that in order to be heard..

to be heard by a male 

just include a little sex talk..

that would provide the opportunity i was really looking for:  to share my genius idea!

so, without re-reading, 

all the work up, suggestive talk, is entirely make-believe; fiction,  -from my imagination only.

but, 

that i worked at courtyard marriot; that i really did roll silverware as part of my many responsibilities;

that i really did have a great idea about how to improve, and make it all more efficient..

all true.

***

my magtimeframes.com experience taught me   -even when i did have a genius idea; at the write time, for the write audience..    and took it to market...    that resulted in thieves and a bankruptcy

and my filing for a patent, on a never-seen-before in the hobby industry product: DENIED

while i watched copies, unoriginal products and ideas patented left and not-write!

****

i still believe,  (for that time frame)

if a male were to have had the same idea, for the silverware..

applause, promotion, goes to market, gets accomplished, publishes a book, hits the speaker circuit..

****

it has improved since then, i'm grateful to witness..

but not enough; not near enough.    male/female relationships in the workforce..  its own very long topic.

****

younger women, in their 20's, 30's, 40's..

****

what is the work place environment for them now?  2025...  give and take 10 years on either end..

in any variety of industries.. 

****

-off to re-read my silverware post..    and share it with awesome elva..

****

selah & amen. 

****

RE-READ IT..    good; i made it very clear, what part was imagination...

and i laugh re-reading it...      grateful i captured it/wrote it/blogged it..

and true story, i still have..  written down/unshared  -'ideas!'   like great ideas, that even to this day, i do not see available in the current marketplace..

i KNOW there is a market for them; i KNOW they could be profitable..

i've learned not to share or bother..

   -just save them, for future generation..

*****

amen. 

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 11:31 AM 0 comments

Skeleton Bliss Sept/Oct 2025 Yard Art by (robert!) & (jerry!) #bliss

  

and now, usually, my husband and i collaborate on the yard art; this is the first time he flew entirely solo..  and WOW! to how he shape-shifted our previous picnic/bike ride yard into...

what you see here.  i believe i already posted 'in process' pix a while back..

anyway, LOVE the result..   last year at halloween, he already knew he wanted to make this year, all skeleton; all black n' white..

and "Thank You!" again to our awesome artist friend Jerry Heinrichs, for his new and highly complementary contributions:  the skeleton pets...   dog & cat.   -perfect!  we love them so much..

and you.

and Sandy.. 

*****

  -to keeping the halloween spirit ALIVE    -el chupacabra "cheers!"

****

our yard art, celebration, party with friends and family is our "thank you!" prayer..   

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 11:01 AM 0 comments

NOT IN OUR OWN STRENGTH sandra mickanen reporting,

     

* we are currently in trial, seeking justice for cynthia, who would have celebrated her 64th birthday on Sunday, September 7th, 2025.

* my best dad ever, took a bad fall, face first in cement..  and is healing in rehab

* a niece hospitalized with a nasty stomach virus; lingering

* a former,  former due to divorce, a former family member died, losing a long battle with addictions

* and we are ever aware of the issues going on, not just within our own family/friend circle; but our neighborhoods, city, state; the world at large..   the violence, the deaths, the hate, the evil; the radicalized; the indoctrinated; the extremists 

my very first conscious, waking thought-prayer this very morning:  that they (law enforcement) would catch the person who assassinated charlie kirk.  this is an answered prayer.

****

also on hold, but briefly mention here:  i am enormously grateful to finally get to see/experience/witness cameras being used to catch criminals!   -cameras, like anything/everything can and are used for both good and evil; and i've seen plenty 'criminals' on film without the result of the film/evidence resulting in arrests or convictions..  so, with cynthia's trial, and with kirk's assassination; cameras are contributing to the actual capture and arrest of criminals.   -this too, is an answered prayer.

****

that's how we start each day; and how we conclude it:  prayer.

****

to stay afloat, compartmentalize, 'leave all that lies behind, behind'  cast our cares and stay strong

we are blessed with God, Family, Friends and good times.. 

'creative and productive' is in our prayers..  and robert has completed our october halloween yard art, and decorating our garage, partially done inside our home

i am still in process, but lion's share done, painting room for our current (and future) grandchildren

and last night, 

after a grueling, heart-breaking, highly disturbing day of evidence presented in trial, 

   -a perfect, unplanned, unexpected, delightful and restorative night of live music!  

i will expand on all of this at a later date..

i have a house to clean and a room to finish painting...

selah, amen & amen.   

 

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 10:41 AM 0 comments

My Sister's Wedding -inspirational and very romantic! (Scott & Karin!) July 26, 2025

at last!  i've been excited to share..   and you must know, the music that plays to the slideshow

"written by Scott!" my sister's husband; our new brother-in-law.  Creative non-fiction lyrics; 

it is their real life story of meeting and falling in love.  -and, since i did get to hear all about it, in real time, as it was happening,  -via a text here, a phone call there..

to hear it now, all put together in one beautiful song..  with a slideshow from their wedding..

  the best!!      /kleenex please..   for happy tears... 

"CONGRATULATIONS!"    We LOVE You!!   Very Happy for the two of you; for ALL of you!!

   -maybe my sister can plug in names, but, 

a wonderful photographer..   a wonderful mother/daughter team that did decorations..

all in Scott's parents glorious and gorgeous backyard..

and officiated by Pastor Mike Barris,  -who baptized my sister & both her children years ago;

and who was the Pastor of Centerpointe Church in Pleasanton when my sister was a pre-school director there..    deep connection with my sister/her family,   and Pastor Mike Barris, also, baptized me, as an adult, on Valentines, in 2010.    Great to see him and his beautiful wife Debra again..  

****

and like Robert & I,  -everyone i think, considers just going to the courthouse to get married in a very low key way; just fulfilling legal obligations..  especially when it is not a first marriage

but, like Robert & I,  -when you have the experience of being surrounded by family/friends who love you; who you love..

you end up very glad you didn't just go to the courthouse...

no one would have wanted to miss out on their beautiful, romantic, inspiring wedding!!   -which is simultaneously a family/friend reunion..

****

God Shining Throughout...    Hallelujah & Amen

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 9:13 AM 0 comments

many great memories of main street brewery in pleasanton

"Thank You!"  & amen

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 12:50 PM 0 comments

#vellumdays

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 12:26 PM 0 comments