Make-up, Malamutes, and More!!

I'm thinking I may have to change the name of this blog to Make-up, Malamutes, and More.  As this new chapter of my life (getting divorced) leads me into strange territory (being single after 16+ years), I am finding new things that are making me happy!

Yes, I love, love, love my crazy dogs!  They are still making me laugh on a daily basis.  I am sure I can find some more pictures, and maybe a video or two, of the craziness that is my home with the critters :)  Make-up is still a fun avenue of expression for me as well.  I still love playing with the colors and textures.

As for the "more" part.....my son, Taylor, and I have started ice skating this year.  Before February 11th of this year, I had never, ever been on ice skates.  That night, Taylor and I started a Learn To Skate class at a local ice rink.  I was clinging to the rink boards for a lot of that first class.  Soon, I was able to skate around the rink without holding on to something, or someone.  I have never been so sore in my life though!  Ice skating takes full body effort to remain balanced and up-right.  While the pro's on TV make it look effortless, it is one of the hardest workouts I have ever done.

After taking skating lessons, both as part of a group and individually, we have progressed to playing hockey.  Taylor and I found some people that play as part of a "beginners group" organized by the rink.  It is supposed to be a forum for newbies to come, get ice time, and learn the game from people who have played for a while.  We have had so much fun with this group.  The more experienced people are incredibly willing to share their knowledge of the game.  We play for an hour, once a week, so can put the skills we learn in lessons to use in an actual game/scrimmage setting.

Taylor and I are also taking hockey lessons one night a week.  This lesson is a group lesson, for all ages.  For this session, I am the only adult there.  The kids that are 9 or 10 on up, can skate circles around me!  They can beat me up and down the ice big time.....but at least I know how to stop!!  Several of them can skate like crazy, but they have no brakes.  It's a fun time to learn stick and puck handling skills in a controlled environment.  Well, as controlled as it can get with a dozen kids under the age of 7 on the ice!!

This time I am getting to spend with my son is amazing.  I lost a lot of time with him when I was so sick with Depression.  While I can never get that time back, I am so enjoying this opportunity that I am getting, to show Taylor that I CAN be a fun, happy person.  We spend so much time together now, and that is something that really hasn't happened over the past few years.

My parents have also started a flock of chickens.  My dad will be retiring at the end of this year, and he wanted to have a small "farm" to keep himself busy.  He has built a beautiful hen house with an attached chicken yard for the feathered gang.  Taylor and I love to go over and help with the peeps.  They are a riot to turn loose in the garden for free-range time.  Of course they all tromple through dads raised flower and veggie beds.  We are all looking forward to the time when they start laying eggs.  I think we still have a couple of months to go until that happens though.

We have 15 chickens currently.  One rooster had to go as he was too aggressive towards the other birds.  We still have 2 more roosters, and they will probably have to find new homes as well.  Dad just doesn't want the noise of a crowing rooster, nor does he desire to have any chicks hatching.  The chick that I picked out is a Black Cochin Bantam.  We named her Charli, since with her feathered legs, she appears to waddle like Charlie Chaplin.  She is a cute little thing, but can make a BIG noise!  When she gets a treat, she almost sounds like a goose honking.  All of the birds enjoy treat time.  They are big fans of grapes, blueberries, cherries, watermelon, and hard-boiled eggs.  Yes, they like eggs.  Isn't that like feeding bacon to a pig???  Taylor likes to feed the chickens straight out of his hand, so they are becoming pretty easy to catch and handle.  He is becoming as big an animal freak as I am!!!

Well, those are a few of the things that are keeping me happy and busy now!  I'm loving life and am so thankful for my friends and family.  Thanks for stopping by!!

Have a great day.

Project 10 Pan - Completed!!!

It took a while, but I finally completed my Project 10 Pan!  I finished up the 10th item on June 22nd, but have been busy since my son is now on Summer Vacation....so am just now getting to posting what I used.  I will post what I finished, and a brief synopsis on what I thought of each product.

1.  Bliss Oil Control Lotion.  This lotion smells good, like most Bliss products!  My personal view is that it didn't control the oil extremely well.  But I do have to state that my face is quite oily. It is a good product, it just didn't do enough for me.

2.  OPI Hand Lotion.  For normal day-to-day use, this lotion is ok.  I kept this by my kitchen sink, so I could have something to rub on quickly after doing dishes, washing hands, etc.  I don't find it to be moisturizing enough for drier skin or chapped areas.  I don't think I would buy it again as I have used plenty of less expensive brands, that did the exact same thing.  Smelled amazing though!

3.  Loreal Ever Straight Shampoo.  I purchased this because I needed a sulfate-free shampoo after having a straightening process done on my hair.  The salon alternatives were 4 times as expensive...or more!  I really liked this shampoo.  My chemical processes lasted very well, and my hair felt great.  I believe this is now called EverSleek.  If it is, I have not tried the new/re-labeled product.  This is definitely a shampoo I would keep in my shower!!

4.  Loreal Ever Straight Conditioner.  As with the shampoo, I tried this as a cheaper alternative to the salon products that are sulfate-free.  I was very happy with this conditioner.  I have very thick, wavy/curly hair that is colored and highlighted.  This product did great.  It, along with the shampoo, smelled amazing and definitely performed as well as some of the salon products I have used over the years.

5.  ROC Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer.  No, I do not have deep wrinkles.  One of the benefits of having oily skin!  I used this every day since it has retinols in it which help me keep the upper layers of my skin from looking dull.  I have fought cystic acne in the past, and my dermatologist advised I use creams/lotions that would assist the shedding of the cells that block the pores.  This worked extremely well.  Having tried more expensive brands and prescription products, this was a fantastic (and affordable) option.  An added bonus is that is has an SPF of 30!!

6.  Lolita Lempicka Midnight.  Simply put, this is a staple in my scent collection.  Light enough for day use, but sexy enough to wear out at night.

7.  Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF 15.   This was a great mineral powder foundation for me.  Used over an oil absorbing primer or lotion, it lasted all day.  It even lasted through light to medium exercise!  Plus it has quite good coverage.  I'd say you could make it from light to medium coverage with no problems.  Has a beautiful glowy finish to it as well. This will be another staple item in my cosmetic collection.  I use "Rich Vanilla" during the summer, when I have more color, and "Real Sand" the rest of the year.  Excellent product.

8.  Murad Skin Perfecting Primer - Matte Finish.  This was a good primer.  It is tinted, although I didn't notice the color on my skin....at all.  This would be good for anyone but those with very oily skin.  I liked it, didn't love it.....just not enough shine control for my skin type.

9.  Murad Oil Control Mattifier.  This is actually a moisturizer/oil control product.  I really, really like it.  This is a must-have for me.  If you have quite oily skin, give this a try.  I smooth this on to clean skin, wait a few minutes, and then apply my make-up, and am set for most of the day.  Great oil control.  The down side is that it has a medicinal scent which some may find unappealing.  It also is very thick....kind of like Elmer's glue. But it smooths on very well and absorbs quickly.  This will always have a place in my make-up kit.

10.  Powder F/X Mineral Foundation.  This is a mineral powder foundation by Cover F/X.  I would be more inclined to use this product as a setting powder over foundation, not as the foundation itself.  I didn't find it to have anything but a sheer coverage.  Worked fine as a setting powder, but at $35, it costs more than many in that category.  Wouldn't purchase again.

So, those are the items that I actually completely finished.  I kept a sheet of paper on the back of the bathroom door, and added an item to the list only when the container was empty and thrown away.  It has been a fun way to make me dig through all the stuff that may have been shoved to the back of a drawer or bin, and use colors that I might normally ignore.  I plan on keeping this Project X Pan going.  I want to keep using the items I have, instead of cluttering up my rooms with more stuff!  This has been a rewarding experience in that I am gaining space in my bins, drawers, and cabinets!!!

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great day :)