“USA 🇺🇸 North Carolina ~Monthly Blog Series of….It’s Never Dull!! ~JANUARY 2024”

• January 31, 2024
• By Pen
• 0 Comment

We Have Officially Rolled in to The New Year; 2024!!!

We had the family over on New Year’s Day for dinner, and to celebrate Joeys birthday, which was actually end of December. Joey works shifts, now, so being all together was super great!

I did a fun thing, and learned how to make Grits. It’s definitely a southern crowd favorite, but the first time I ate them, was when I flew from Oregon to Georgia for work, and breakfast was provided for the gathering, on each morning. I honestly thought the dish was a mistake; something that didn’t go right… ha!  I never tried those again. Yuck! Well, fast-forward, 30 some years, and Daryl and I are guests at our friends; Tom and Kaylee’s house. She served us Grits n Shrimp! Suddenly, I was in that dining hall again, 30 years before… but hey. SHRIMP. I love shrimp. Being a polite guest, I ate my lunch. Guess what? THE BEST GRITS, EVER!!!!! 🤣

⬆️ Photo by Kaylee of her Shrimp n Grits she made for Tom, but discovered the naughty elves were eating!

In talking with Kaylee, I got all the details and her delicious recipe. My suspicions were correct, from all those years ago, because if Grits aren’t cooked right, they aren’t very good. The second thing is; Grits can be made gritty, or creamy. Obviously the creamy, which up until I ate Kaylee’s dish, I had never tried; are definitely the way to go, in my opinion.  

So I perfected the way to make proper, creamy cheese grits, and served the same Shrimp n Grits for the Richardson clan. I figured Joey, being a southern boy from Georgia, would know good grits from otherwise. I got the thumbs up from him, so I feel accomplished in the grit making department. 

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While it is very cold at night, (as low as 27 degrees on some chilly mornings), we have some sunny days in the 50’s and great to get on the beach to search for Shark Teeth!

Kaylee picked me up, and off we went, one beautiful morning in the new year. This was such a special time, because when I met Kaylee, quite randomly, 11 years ago, on a cruise ship in the US Virgin Islands and learned she lived in North Carolina near Chelsie and Joey, (all being associated by the Marine Corps), I also learned we BOTH love to hunt for shark teeth on Onslow Beach!

Onslow is the private Marine Corps Beach at Camp Lejeune, and one only has access, if being a Marine, a dependent of one, or a family member.

So we said, way back on that cruise ship; one day, we would go shark teeth hunting, together! Well, this was that day!!!

What we found on the beach on this day, were the tiniest of Shark Teeth, which was a bit unusual, because in the past, we both have found various sizes; this size, plus bigger.

………Well you know what that means? We are gonna just have to keep going to the beach and hunt for them, more often. Now that the grandkiddos are back in school, Chelsie will also get in on some hunting, when she can. She loves it, too! 

Kaylee and I had so much fun and as per is the norm, on good weather days, with calmer seas, we saw a pod of Dolphins, playing in the surf, next to the beach.

In years past, I even found the ultimate finds: two prehistoric Megadolon Shark Teeth. One has a broken tooth on one of its two sides, but it’s a great find, just the same.

Another find on this beach, from over the years I’ve gotten to search it, is an ancient Quartz Arrowhead. These come from back in the day when the native inhabitants moved their camps to the beach to hunt fish, seasonally. It’s a very rare find, indeed!

Here is my blog post from a few years back, on Onslow, as well as showing pictures from other years, past collections: (Arrowhead and Megaladon Tooth)

https://2gypsiesinthewind.com/northamerica/united-states/north-carolina/usa-jacksonville-north-carolina-onslow-private-beach-camp-lejune-marine-base-and-more/

⬆️ I use various charts from the internet, to help identify, from which shark, the teeth have most likely come from. The bigger, top left tooth is likely a Great White Shark. The two larger ones on the right are likely Prehistoric Megalodon Shark teeth.

I also joined a Facebook group on Carolina Shark Tooth Hunters, as well as Carolina Shellers. I’m learning a lot and enjoying so much more time on the beach this visit, because we are here for such a long time. 

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My next day on Onslow Beach was really stormy. Chels and the kiddos came to pick me up at The Whale, and got me on Base. We all enjoyed the beach together for a bit, then I was on my own for several hours.  Eventually, the waves were so big and high, there was no beach left, thus ending my beach combing. Chels came back to pick me up and I so appreciate her willingness to get me out, doing what I love. I’m actually obsessed with Shark Teeth hunting. Chels gets it.

🤣

⬆️ Luke began building something…..

The other two kiddos; McKenzie and Rylan, helped Luke build a cross on the beach, using sea grass and sticks. Luke said: “Maybe somebody will see the cross, and it would help them to feel good.”

❤️

⬆️ ⬇️ There are a few shelters with bathrooms at Onslow. Thankfully, I could get out of the weather to wait, several hours later, for Chels to pick me up, when the tide was way up!

⬆️ My collection from this outing. Onslow has quite a variety of interesting finds, besides shark teeth. I love heart-shaped rocks, holes in small rocks or won shells, agates, sea glass, pretty shells or worn colorful shell pieces, and of course sand dollars or sea biscuits. It’s a great beach!

BTW, Rylan found a crab claw and gave it to me to keep. (❤️ him) 

⬆️ I keep my Onslow Beach collections in vases, large shells. or jars, from over the years. 

⬆️
I learned something interesting this trip to the Carolinas. I’ve often found these small bar-looking things which appear to be the same material as shark teeth… some, if you look very closely,  have ridges on them. I learned these belong to the mouth plates of stingrays.

⬆️ This pictures shows a bigger section of the mouth plate (not my photo)

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We got invited to Tom and Kaylee’s house for Tom’s yummy homemade Clam Chowder, where they dug their own clams. Then, we headed for the Emerald island Beach and took a drive. Vehicles are only allowed on the beach in the winter, with a permit, required. It was a beautiful afternoon. We had a great time!

⬆️ The pier on Emerald Island got damaged from the first tornado around Christmas.

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Unfortunately, we had another serious storm come our way, but this time, we knew; way in advance, and once again, we would close the slides up on The Whale, and say our prayers. This time Daryl stayed the night and toughed it out. The rec center building at the campground was made available for guests, if anybody felt the need to leave their RVs. Daryl stayed in The Whale, and while it was pretty crazy, thankfully there was no damage to our coach.

I was more than happy to go spend the night with the grandkiddos.Storms are very noisy, living in an RV. I’m so filled-up by now, on the experience. 😝 So, I drove Jonah to Chelsies house, before the winds got too bad, because 65 mph winds were expected and those would blow the Bug and me, right off the road!

Since this storm was on a school day, students got a 2-hour early release, and a 2-hour delay the next morning, giving us extra time tigether.

In addition, Camp Lejeune closed up at noon, with a plan to open back up at 10AM the next morning. That’s something that rarely happens. They don’t usually close the

⬆️ We are staying in the pink area, along the coast, on the right. 50-60 mph winds were expected. But a gust of wind, of 78mph, was recorded in Jacksonville.

BTW, after we lost power, by 7:30AM, but it was back on by the morning, thanks to the hard working road crews and power line workers!

⬆️ Kenz was studying for a test the next day, even without power. She is very committed!

⬆️
The boys we doing art drawings on their tablets 

The family trampoline did break away from the back yard, flew up and crashed into the neighbors roof! THAT was mighty crazy. It ended up out by the road, after that. Nobody was hurt, but we are not sure if the trampoline will work again. The littlest was very sad…

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The next morning, after the tornado storm, Kaylee picked me up from the campground, a very short time, after I got home from Chelsie’s; just long enough to kiss Daryl hello and goodbye, before off we went, to enjoy another Onslow Beach day!

The day after the Tornado storm the gates in the base did open at 10AM, and it was a gorgeous day on the beach!!! I have also never found so many tiny teeth on this beach, before.

No Megalodon Teeth for me, as I was so hoping for, but my friend found one. It was so exciting!!!!

Funny story: Chels got to the beach after we did, but was “feeling it” to start at the opposite end of the beach, from us. She found a real nice shark tooth, but then she had to leave to pick the kiddos up, after school, so we ended up not even seeing her….. she scored a nice Tooth; likely from a Tiger Shark ⬇️ 

Chelsie called and tell us about the area, before she left the base beach. She told us where she had been, and she felt like it still had potential, so Kaylee and I went to that area, and this is where Kaylee found her Megadolon Shark Tooth!!!

Here is Kaylees Meg tooth. It was so special ⬇️

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I did have one very annoying moment on the beach: I was walking towards the receding surf with nobody around me, and when I was a few tiny steps away from an amazing shark tooth, a little bigger than Chelsie’s find, some guy came rushing from my right, splashing me as he jumped right in front of me, and grabbed that tooth!!!! I was honestly quite mad. How rude was that?

We all had a blast, aside from that idiot on the beach, and actually walked 3.5 miles, and spent six hours on the beach, right up to dark.

The sunset was spectacular!!!

Kaylee and I went back, again, the next morning, too! We all had plans to go clamming, but there was still a small craft warning, out on the water, so we have to wait till the wind gets better out there, for boating.

It’s best hunting for shark teeth, after big storms like this, though, and within low tide parameters. The tornado, a few weeks ago happened around Christmas. Nobody had time to get to the beach, but now we have the time and didn’t miss the post-storm, finds!

I have since bleached out my precious Sabd Dollar funds. They are so perfect and pretty ⬇️

I have to leave some of my beach finds, outside The Whale for awhile, because of the smell. It takes longer, if the sun isn’t shining, but if the sun is out, the drying goes much faster! 

⬆️ I LOVE my new chest waders I got for clamming. They also work super great for shark teeth hunting, too!!! I can now get hit with the surf waters and not get soaked, when I’m so focused on looking for teeth, I don’t notice the tide till it’s too late. With regular boots, water gets in and then one walks around in squishy wet boots after that. I can now, also sit in the wet sand, to rest my back, and dig around me, or lay around, horizontal, whilst resting; staying dry. They also help, overall, to stay warm when it’s windy and cooler.

*All that being said, I never turn my back to the waves, when it’s storming. That would be dangerous. But, when the waves are normal, on a beautiful calm day, it’s totally safe to turn my back on them, as I hunt for treasures!

I’ve been Trying to get Daryl his new waders, but he is difficult to buy for, needing a 15 to 16 size boot. I thought I might have to special order some, but in the end, while I did have to spend twice as much money for Daryl’s waders, than mine, we got him outfitted. Yay!

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The very next day, Kaylee, Chelsie and I hit up Onslow, again. (I can’t believe I didn’t take ANY pictures of us) 😩

….Anywayzzz, None of us had all day to comb the beach, for various reasons, so we made the best of the time we had. We all found lovely pieces from the sea, that nature graciously served up, for us to find.

I also found my first, solid  vertebrae 

⬆️ Marine life Vertebrae

⬆️ When I get this cleaned up and dry; a beautiful Whelks Channel Shell find from Onslow, I’m going to put all of my shark teeth inside it, to display. I even bought some tiny LED lights on a string to add ambiance.

While I do love this shell, which I found in great condition, I’m still on the hunt for a blonde colored one. This grey just doesn’t pop.

BTW, I thought “finding” a Megadolon Shark Teeth on the beach was the greatest thing, ever, till today, when my friend, Kaylee, GAVE me her Meg tooth! The one she found, yesterday, when we were at Onslow! I will treasure this gift forever, and will think of Kaylee, every time I look at it!

Thank you, Kaylee!! ❤️

⬆️ The Megalodon Shark Tooth is whole, and has calcium built up on it. Daryl said he can take off the build-up, but I’m gonna think on that for a bit.

We took a family vote, so it got cleaned up, but I did leave a few spots on it, because for me, it told an ancient story from the sea.

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 Happy Birthday to Me!

 Every year at this time, I turn another year older. Funny how that works. Ha! But this year, the grands were overnighting with us in The Whale.

After I woke up, on my bday, they did a dance/song for me, they had practiced the night before, behind closed doors….wishing me happy bday. I took a video. They are so sweet and thoughtful! Videos aren’t supported on this platform, or I would share it. 

Then, each one handed me a special hand-written note, full of love, and again, thoughtfulness. Kenz had been asking me a lot of questions, lately about my favorite thing…… favorite food, animals, fruit, places, etc.

 ❤️❤️❤️

Then, I made homemade buttermilk pancakes again and eggs to order.

I LOVE spending time with my grandchildren and I do spoil them. I mean what wouldn’t a MeMa do for their grandchildren?

Apparently I do have limits….

Luke: can I get a clean fork to eat my eggs with, from the one I ate my pancakes with?

Me: Nope

Later, Kenzie asked if she could make my coffee. I don’t drink yummy specially coffee very often, anymore, because of calories, but it’s my bday, so of course. I asked if she knew how to make iced coffee. She listened to my step-by-step, because she insisted I relax 😎 and she did a wonderful job!! Lucky MeMa.
Thx Kenz ❤️

My birthday was filled with lots of fun, laughter and loads of LOVE!
We had cake and ice cream; yummy! We also took the family to Chinese food for dinner. Joey was working, so Chels got him his food to go.

We all know I’m 63, but I was just trying to fake everybody out! 🤣

Just for perspective, a friend from high school sent me this picture on my bday; from wood shop, in High School ⬇️

Oh that youthful look at 15

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While it appeared the tornados were no longer a threat, like the rest of the nation, a big cold snap swept through. It was a LONG week of mighty cold days and nights. A few days we never got above freezing.

We are fortunate we faired well enough in The Whale. Most of that is because the daytime temps got up past freezing. Our heated water hose is only rated for 20 degrees at the low, so we did not have water on one morning. Daryl got over to Home Depot after that, to get some insulation for that hose. It did the trick and we’ve been good, though we have had to burn some diesel to heat inside, since our electric heat pumps don’t work well, when temps, outside, drop under 40 degrees. We also have a heater switch in the basement that keeps our pipes and water tank from freezing.

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While my friend, Kaylee, is not a fan of cold weather on the beach, Chels and I got out there and had a blast. We pretty much had the beach to ourselves, on those cold days. 

⬆️ Definitely an interesting find. In some research, it is possible this is from a Monasauer (prehistoric croc species). I’m no expert, but it is fun to imagine and not a stretch at all, since many fossils from prehistoric times, are found on this beach, on the regular. 

⬆️ I came up with a clever, hands-free shark teeth collection pouch, using a lanyard and plastic ID holders. It works so good!

Between the tides coming and going out so quickly, it is easy to loose out on grabbing “that” tooth, before the waves snatch it, back! Sometimes there are two or three teeth, together. Ya gotta be fast!! Carrying my sand scooper helps, if the teeth are bigger than the mesh on the scooper. With it, I can scoop up the area and move out of the crashing surf to dump away from the tide.  I’m also carrying my thermos of hot beverage, on occasion. I really need like three or four hands, sometimes, but now that I’m not carrying a bag with me to put the teeth in, it’s one less thing to hold. I now just pop the teeth into the slit in the plastic, which hangs around my neck.

This was a short lived idea, though. It was very practical, but  the plastic corroded too easily by all the use, because of the salt water. I even washed them after each trip. So, I’m on to another hands-free plan of some kind.

I do have a backpack I can add to the mix, once the temperatures get so warm on the beach, I will be taking off layers, only needed for the cold morning temps. It is the Atlantic Ocean, so the water stays very cold, year around. I’m gonna wear my waders till summer for sure! 

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Believe it or not, it’s not all just playtime at the beach around here. Nope. There are chores to be done. So Chelsie spent a few half days, deep-cleaning The Whale.

I can stay up on the day to day, but deep cleaning with my broken body, ended many years ago. Since we’ve been here, I threw out my back on New Years day, while on my knees, cleaning the bathroom floor. I was in misery for about a week and it really put a damper on my shark teeth hunting time!

Chels did a fantastic job and she will be doing it regularly, for me, while we are here.

Grateful for my sweet girl  ❤️

Change of Plans

Time is going way too fast, even with so many storms and all. So, Daryl and I have decided to forego departure from North Carolina in May, as originally planned.

We have decided to stay in North Carolina till September, and after the grands are back in school. What a fun summer we will have with them, at the beach and going out, boating, with our friends.

We are happy not being on the road, and staying in one place for now, as we begin our eighth year of full-time adventuring. We have a pretty good monthly rate for our stay, and our campground is great! In the summer, their pool will open up and the Grands will love that!!

Another fun thing about extending our stay is, we will get to celebrate (almost) everybody’s birthday while here. Daryl will be the exception to that fact, since his bday is not till October, but we will celebrate his in September, together, just before we depart.

Fall is so pretty on the east coast, as well, so we won’t mind seeing the colors, again, either. I’ve had to cancel reservations which is a pain, but I’ve also saved all my research for the same future stops. I will just make reservations again, when the time is right, as we will still depart NC and hit up several National Parks, but just moving a little quicker is all, so we can enjoy the fall colors in the East, but get to the New Mexico area before winter. 

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The rest of January flew by and we even got some spring-like weather, following the cold snap. This is good for all the repairs needed around the area with downed fencing and clearing trees, etc.

My friend, Kaylee had a shoulder thing she had to deal with, so has been out of commission from combing the beach for a bit. This also meant we could not get out in the boat to go clamming, either. Tom is the only one still working, between us all, so he isn’t able to get the boat out, either, during the day, because of that four letter word: W O R K.

In the meantime, I got out to Emerald Isle to visit Kaylee during the week, plus Daryl and I took them dinner (homemade Lasagna) on the weekend, so we could all visit.

 While Kaylee was recovering, Chelsie and I had some serious Onslow Beach time, together.

I did another two-in-a-row days of shark teeth hunting, so my back was really down, but the finds are always so worth it. My heating pad is set up in my chair at home, so that helps, along with a good nights rest. Daryl keeps me laughing, because he always offers to draw me a hot bath when I get home, but we have no such tub in The Whale, like we do in our stix and brix home in California.

Also, there is no way this mama can be all comfy-cozy on the beach and in the ocean water, in my waders, while my daughter is in soggy wet boots, freezing, so Chels is also sporting waders and looks adorable in them, too! 

Another fun find on the beach for me, came by way of fossilized Dungong rib bones. These are very old and come from the extinct Dungong, which looked a lot like the current day, Manatees. The main difference, between the prehistoric “Sea Cow,” and the Manatees, is the Dungong was completely a salt water creature, only. The rib bones are so heavy, and they are just broken portions, only, so it’s evident the Dungong was a large creature in its day.

More Shark Teeth hunting stories and shell finds! ⬇️

⬆️ This beauty is a Cameo Helmet Shell and quite a find. Without waders and my sand scooper, I could not have gotten to her; comfortably, anyway. That ocean is cold!! I love how the shell looks like a sharks’ mouth!

⬆️ Chels is scanning and digging through the sand/pebbles for Shark teeth

You would think this is all we do, lately; just go to the beach and search for Shark Teeth and shells…Well, that’s actually NOT too far from the truth! ❤️

The kiddos are in school, so the Mom and the MeMa get to play!

⬆️ Chels got to Onslow before sunrise at low tide, one morning, and found herself a Megalodon Shark tooth!!!
Good job Chelsie!!!!

⬆️ On her way back off the beach that same morning, Chelsie also found this blonde shell. She said she instantly thought of me, because she knew I was wanting to find one, this color, over the grey Channel Shell, to display my shark teeth in. She couldn’t wait to give it to me.
Thank you Chelsie!!! ❤️

So I found this little treasure while hunting for Shark teeth, on Onslow beach, yesterday ⬇️

It looked pretty cool, so added it to my collection, as I moved along…. As I was cleaning all my finds at home that night, I showed Daryl…right away he said; it’s a crab claw 

🤣🤣🤣

……once all the sand was out of its cavity… yup, crab claw. There are so many “posers” on the beach, that look like shark teeth, but this was my “Best Deep Fake” I’ve ever found!!
🤣🤣🤣

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More Memories with the Grand Kiddos!
Sleepovers -Weekends!

Have you ever made Croissants 🥐 French Toast. The kiddos really loved it!

Grandpapa started feeding the Squirrels. The kiddos give them names ⬇️

⬇️
MEGALODON WOWZA!!!

⬆️ And THIS is why Kaylee, Chelsie, and I spend so much time on the beach, looking for Shark Teeth!!!!

Kaylee really scored big time with this Prehistoric Megalodon Shark tooth, on this day! She is making a strong comeback on the beach, after shoulder repair!!
What a moment that was! Science says it takes 10,000 years for the Meg teeth to turn black….

⬆️ The significance of this picture 

….See those little shark teeth? They were all encrusted; hiding inside those (3) oblong, tubular- shaped sea shells. (Olive Shells)

It took some soaking to get them out…. SCORED!! Oh yes, it is quite evident I have not found my own Great White or Megalodon Shark tooth yet, on this visit. I know it’s not from lack of trying!!! I have found them, in the past, so I don’t feel skunked or anything, and I’m sure I will eventually find some on this visit, too.

BTW
Do you want to go to Santorini Greece?

Our dear friends have their beautiful home available for booking on Santorini, in Greece.

We’ve been to their home and it is very private. I learned to make Masouka there! We also walked to the very beautiful beach, and we rented horses, very close by, too. Fun Times!

 https://www.booking.com/hotel/gr/ab-eco-villa-santorini.html

Walking to the beach: https://picsbypen.smugmug.com/Places/EuropeanLife/GreeceLife/Santorini/Vlychada/Around-the-Beach-

Horseback Riding: https://2gypsiesinthewind.com/europe/greece/greece-horseback-riding-at-vlychada-beach/

Visiting the home and friends: https://2gypsiesinthewind.com/europe/greece/greece-another-fun-night-with-our-friends-for-life-plus/

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Only get going on these X39 Patches, if you want to feel better ⬇️

X39 LifeWave

So I’m getting this blog posted, on this last day in January, and want to share some exciting news. Daryl and I, and several friends of ours are “getting patched up!”

Just so you are aware; stem cell therapy is not new technology, but it is newly available to the masses. It is groundbreaking stuff for us to have access to.

We all have stem cells, and these patches activate YOUR very own stem cells. It’s not medicine or drugs. The patches are not transdermal. ….Wear the patch 12 hours during the day. Take that patch off for 12 hours. New patch the next morning and the same time…. Every day.

I’m working on healing my back pain, as well healing my eye disease. Daryl’s focus is healing his GERD, just to give you an idea. The “side affects” are often times: white hair turning natural color, again, Bald spots growing hair, wrinkles disappearing, scars disappearing, to name a few.

The patches can be used on children and pets. I’ve read hundreds of testimonies. People are getting off medications! It doesn’t matter if you are vax-damaged or un vaxed. These patches help, no matter what has been put into the body.

I was given bad info last year, and should have been more pro active. I was told the cost was like $400/mo. Four months later I learn they are way more affordable, at $100/mo. I lost many months, but hey, all in Gods timing, right? 

Here is my referral link, if you are interested in the x39 patches. These are next level care, I’m telling you!

My ID # is 2217909

Referral Link: https://www.lifewave.com/colleenhalley/register? (https://www.lifewave.com/colleenhalley/register?)

What to Expect with X39:

The First Few Days 4,000 Genes *Begin to Reset

Within 24 hours the stem cell activation patch begins to reset 3,000-4,000 genes to a younger healthier state. People using the stem cell patches will experience an immediate effect through elevation of antioxidants, a decrease in inflammation, an increase in energy and joy.

~ Melinda H. Connors, DD, November 2020

Within 1-3 Months
*Physical Changes Occur.

Activating your stem cells leads to an increase in collagen in the skin, which decreases wrinkles and increases hair growth. Even if you don’t feel the effects, rest assured, the new stem cells may be regenerating an internal organ or tissue before repairing something you feel.

Within 3-6 Months
*Active Stem Cell Repair

The pluripotent stem cells turn into any cell your body needs for repair. Your stem cells are now actively creating deep healing in your body and repairing damage caused by the aging process.

Within 6-12 months
^Reverse Aging

“In a recent study, 14 out of 15 people lowered their vascular age by an average of 8 years after just 6 months of using X39.”

“IT’S NOT ANTI-AGING, IT’S AGE REVERSING.

-David Schmidt, CEO, Inventor of LifeWave “

For X39 – any spot will do!  We never know exactly what it will do for YOU – the only way to know is to put it on! 

Always remember The Law of Highest Priority:  It’s the innate intelligence of the body that is guiding and directing the stem cells, as to where to go.  The patch is actually resetting 1/3 of the body’s genome.

The key is CONSISTENCY.

It is recommend to wear the patches for at least one month per decade of life, before determining if you’re noticing change.

There is a Health Tracker PDF available for you to help keep track of healing.

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