February 27, 2015

Stupid Family Members, Facebook and an idiotic question....

We all know that I am not a huge Facebook person.  Yes, occasionally I will check in on my personal account; but it's rare.  My blogger account gets even less love.

But after my dad's funeral, in a fit of familial love, I "friended" a couple of family members.  And, for the most part, it's been fine.  Apparently, the majority of the people I "friended" (all of three) are about as diligent as I am about posting on Facebook; which means almost never.

But that "one" person...yeah.  I'm already regretting that friending.  And because of the familial relationship I can't actually "unfriend" him (unless he wouldn't know that I unfriended him?  Is that possible?).

So far, I've only cringed at one or two posts.  Until today.  Today, in less than one hour, I have seen two posts that have made me insane.  And the thought that other, sane people in my timeline are seeing this tripe that he is spouting is making batty.  Because, holy moley, I don't want people to think that I associate with that kind of insanity.  I mean, seriously?  How were we raised in the same environment?  And while we are in that vein of thinking, how can anyone seriously think that this kind of garbage is worth sharing.  Particularly when they start off the post with something along the lines of "It's Friday.  I'm going to get drunk.  I may offend.  But it's only in a sense of humor."  (First of all, that last sentence doesn't even make sense!)

Seriously?

So tell me, Facebook fanatics, is there some kind of secret way to hide his updates from anyone else who is a "friend"? I've looked all over Facebook's help section and, if it's there, it's not jumping out at me.  But there has to be a way to hide what he posts from the others who can see what's on my "wall".  God, this is so complicated.

Back in the day, you just avoided the person; and certainly NEVER allowed them around your friends.  Now, all their nastiness is out there, ready for all of your friends to see.

In all honesty, I'm *this* close to just deactivating my Facebook account.  It just seems easier.

February 16, 2015

A break-up and finding new loves

I don't know if I've mentioned it here (I'm sure I may have at some point along the way), but the only lipstick that I've worn for about, oh, probably the last ten years or so is/was CoverGirl Outlast Lip Color in Timeless Ruby (#528).

I loved every single thing about this lip color.  It lasted most of the day.  The color was amazing.  My dentist always told me that it made my teeth look SO white.  My dental hygienist loved that it didn't smear all over her gloves.  I liked the packaging.  It was perfect.  I could put it on in the morning and FORGET about it.  Like I said; perfect.

Late last year, I noticed that it was getting harder and harder to find this particular color.  And then, when I went to Houston, I was in dire need as I had exhausted my supply.  I searched high and low and could not find it anywhere.  So I did what any normal woman would do; I turned to the Internet.  Where my heart was immediately broken.  It has apparently been discontinued.  I was not the only one who was gutted, as you can see from some of the comments found in the link above.

I tried a couple of different colors; but the results were disappointing to say the least.  Too pink.  Too orange.  Too brown.  Too shimmery. Too...something.  Too ick.

Then I did the unthinkable.

I tried different brands.  They were....okay.  It pretty much stayed on.  But I didn't care for the two different colors I tried.  I may try another one.  We will see. (Actually, I probably won't.  When I went back to the drug store this afternoon; this particular product was also conspicuously missing; discontinued maybe?)

Next up, I tried the Revlon Colorstay Overtime Lipcolor in Stay Currant.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

We may have a winner here! (As long as they don't discontinue it.)  Now, to be fair, I've only been using it for two days, but so far this one seems to last the longest and the color is just about perfect.  In fact, if the truth be told, I think I like it better than I liked Timeless Ruby.

My only complaint? (Ah, come on, you knew there had to be one!) With the CoverGirl product, you received two containers.  One with the lip color and one with the topcoat.  This worked perfectly for me in that I could put the color on in the morning; leave it at home (where it belongs) and carry the topcoat in my handbag.  With the Revlon product they've combined the color and the topcoat into one tube with each product on either end.  Which means that I have to carry the whole thing with me.  This is inefficient to me.

Theoretically, I shouldn't need to have the color with me at all times.  The only other thing I don't care for is the brush for the topcoat.  But that may just be because I'm not used to it yet.  And?  The topcoat is kinda goopy.  But again, that may be a "I'm not used to it yet" issue.

And since we are on the topic of beauty products...let me tell you about my latest discovery....Sally Hansen Miracle Gel polish.  This stuff claims to give you gel-like results without the hassle of UV lights, salon visits, etc.  I used this last week to paint my nails and just yesteray I noticed one tiny chip.  That means for the first time ever an at home manicure has lasted me 8 days; without any extra maintenance!  Thanks to this stuff, I may actually paint my nails more often.

When I removed it using my acetone nail polish remover, it came off easily.

It's odd though, according to some of the comments in the Sally Hansen link, this polish didn't work for some people.  I don't know if that's because they didn't follow the directions, or if it is just something about their nails or if they just got a bad batch.  For me it worked fine.  Sure, it didn't go the full two weeks; but it lasted longer than regular polish.

While at the drug store today, I picked up two more colors.  I love this stuff.  It goes on easy and dries fairly quickly.  If this new manicure lasts as long as the last one, then I will definitely be a convert to using this polish pretty much exclusively.

So, what say you?  What is your new favorite find?

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Disclaimer:  This is NOT a sponsored post; despite all the links.  All brands mentioned have been purchased with my own funds and every opinion is mine; mine alone.

February 8, 2015

The October List: A book review.

I love Jeffrey Deaver.  He writes the most delicious thrillers.

So when I happened across this book, I was excited.

And then I started to read it.  And to say I was confused is beyond an understatement.

Usually, when I read, I ignore the chapter titles.  It's a major flaw of mine, I will readily admit.  But after two or three chapters I began to pay attention...mainly so I wouldn't have to keep re-reading the previous chapter.

From the book jacket;

The shocking end is only the beginning...#1 bestselling author Jeffrey Deaver has created the most riveting and original novel of the year --  a race-against-the-clock mystery, told in reverse.

Yeah, somehow I missed those last three words.  It's true, this novel is written completely in reverse.  Once you catch on to that fact, it's an amazingly well written.

Again, from the jacket:

Gabriela waits desperately for news of her abducted daughter.  At last the door opens.  But it's not the negotiators.  It's not the FBI.  It's the kidnapper.  And he has a gun....

A mind-bending novel with twists and turns that unfold from its dramatic climax back to its surprising beginning, (again, I missed that part) THE OCTOBER LIST is Jeffery Deaver at his masterful, inventive best.

According to the Foreword (which is appropriately, prior to the first chapter - which is also the last chapter) Jeffrey Deaver got the idea to write a novel after listening to a Stephen Sondheim interview in which he discussed Merrily We Roll Along a play that began in the present and moved back in time.

It's an interesting approach and, I imagine, one that might be difficult to actually implement.

But, he pulled it off.  It's a fabulous book and one that I heartily recommend.  Just pay attention to those chapter titles.