Earliest Memories

One of my earliest memories is sitting on the passenger-side floor (it didn't dawn on anyone in the 70's to wear seat belts or sit in car seats) of my mom's 1970 American Motors Javelin, singing along with the radio to my favorite song of the time.

Do any of you forty-somethings remember this tune? It still makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

 

 

And for those of you who don't remember the American Motors Javelin, I give you this to ponder.

 

 

 

My mom must have looked fine driving hers around in her early 20's. Hers was blue with a red and white stripe down the length of the car. :)

A Fall Toast!

Chilly weather calls for Apple Cider in my cool "Big Owl" mug.

(Yes, I have a "Little Owl" mug too!)



Pier One Owl Mug

Green Mountain Apple Cider for Keurig

Freebies

Yesterday morning I had breakfast at the local diner. Halfway through my meal the waitress announced that the man who had just left handed her $300, told her he wanted to pay for the current patrons and for her to keep the rest as a tip. I assume he won big in AC and was on his way home. How cool is that though? The waitress walked off with a tip of $260! (Oddly enough, this is the second time someone I didn't know paid my tab in a diner!)

Today at work my department was playing a kickball game against another department. My company always comes up with neat activities for the employees. I was cheering my team on as an ice cream truck pulled up next to us in the parking lot. They were giving away free ice cream for 95.7 BEN FM. Both teams and those of us cheering them on all got a free ice cream and took our picture in front of the truck.

Two days in a row with free treats. I wonder who's going to buy me an iced coffee tomorrow afternoon????

Thank you for the freebies!

The Schmuck

Yesterday work closed at 2 p.m. in anticipation of the July 4 Holiday. I finally walked out the door around 2:15 with a smile on my face and began my journey home.

I stopped at a red light about 10 minutes into my drive. The light turned green and before I could move, the guy in the car behind me decided to move and promptly hit my car.

And there went my Holiday joy.

But wait, it gets better.

As I began to pull off onto the shoulder of the highway to call the police, the schmuck that hit me pulled around me, smiled at me and drove away. SMILED AT ME!!!!!

It was then that my Holiday joy turned into a combination of astonishment and anger. What kind of a person would do such a thing?

A Bensalem cop stopped and I explained what happened, gave him a partial tag number of the schmuck and we inspected my car. My car that's only 7 freaking months old.

Thank goodness there was no damage. Officer Bensalem, who was so fit you could bounce a quarter off his biceps, filled out a report in case there was a problem with the car that we didn't see right off the bat.

Anyhow, I was deflated. What a way to start my one-day vacation from work!

Happy Independence Day, everyone!

It's nice to be blogging again.

Look for the results of my "no buy" this weekend!

Maybe She's Just Looking for Someone to Dance With

Last week I wondered through women's clothing in Macy's. I meandered into the section that contained the dressy dresses. Elegant party dresses, Mother of the Bride/Groom dresses, and so on. I found one to die for. Not that I was really looking. But this dress...oh my, this dress, it was just lovely.

I pictured myself dancing the night away to an orchestra with my love. Slow dancing to Moon River. An elegant evening reminiscent of a 1960's romantic film. My love in a crisp suit and me in THE dress. Afterward we'd climb into his 1962 baby blue Cadillac convertible and drive through the damp, winding streets. The stars are shining. I Only Have Eyes for You plays on the radio.

It's just perfect.

And then it ends.

I put the dress back on the rack. Run my fingers down the front. The fabric feels cool against my skin. I am no longer in my 1960's-esque fantasy world. I'm back in Macy's under glaring fluorescent lights.

Last night I took out the kitchen and bathroom trash and some recyclables. Dressed in yoga pants and a t-shirt, my hair looked like a frightening cross between Witch Hazel's and my Aunt Gloria's.

As I tossed the garbage into the dumpster, two couples came out of the building across from me. Dressed to the nines, the ladies wore knee-length party dresses and their escorts donned crisp suits. They giggled as they descended the stairs and disappeared further into the parking lot.

I walked home, shut the door behind me and sat on the couch.

I thought about that dress and the fact I have no where to wear it. I can do without that.

I thought about my silly 1960's daydreams of an elegant, old-school evening on the town. I can leave that behind too.

But mainly I thought of him. And I wished he'd just show up.

And maybe even take me dancing.

Out-of-the-Box Nails

I own a million shades of red nail polish. Everytime I look at nail polish I am drawn to the red polishes with an invisable magnet. Every once in a while I'll branch out and wear my beloved Russian Navy (OPI) or Lincoln Park After Dark (OPI), but then I go right back to red.

This fall, however, I've discovered some lovely new colors and have branched out, at least nail-wise.

My first purchase was Chanel Le Vernis in Peridot. Depending on how you look at this color, it can look gold, green, or anywhere in between. It's totally fun, has an easy-to-apply formula and is very long-lasting.

I've also recently gotten into the company, butter LONDON. butter LONDON is, according to their website created "without the use of the harmful ingredients like Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP or Parabens." And, "butter LONDON was the first company to sell non-toxic nail lacquer in the United States."  Cool, right? And they have lots of nifty colors. For the fall I have purchased Bluey and The Old Bill. (I'm also jonseing to get a bottle of Blagger!)

The only fault I can find with butter LONDON polish is that you must apply at least three coats, as the formula tends to be on the thin side.

What nail polish are you wearing this fall? Did you branch out and try something new, or are you using an old tried-and-true friend?

Rite of Passage

The other day I googled "Doc Martens" to see what cool and hip boutique was selling them these days, as I'd like to pick up a pair of boots for the upcoming fall/winter season. And I don't know where to buy them anymore because the thing about Docs is, they last forever. I've had the same pair of three-hole shoes for over 15 years and they're not even showing wear for the most part. These shoes are indestructible.

So there I am...googling. And the results surprised the heck of me. Zappos? Nordstrom online? What?

Where were the cool and hip boutiques?

I have to pull a "back in my day thing" here.

BUT, back in my day, shopping for a pair of Doc Marten boots was an adventure. One you shared with your best girlfriends on a Saturday afternoon. These shoes just weren't available anywhere. You had to hop on a train and walk from 8th and Market to South Street. Your group donned their coolest skirts, Smiths t-shirts and layers of silver jewelry to make this trip. You talked about the boys in your circle and which one you wanted to hook up with.

You stood outside Zipperhead and took the final few drags of your cigarette, batting your heavily black-lined eyes at the Ian McCulloch look alike roaming aimlessly down the street. And finally you went in the store and asked the oh-so-intimidating older punk girl behind the counter for a pair of 14-hole ox blood steel toe boots in a men's 5 (because these boots didn't come in women's sizes).

And finally, you slip your foot into the coolest boots that ever were. They envelope your calf and your girlfriends nod in approval. These are the boots you've been waiting for and it's finally time to bring them home.

$120 that you saved from your minimum wage drugstore job later, you have finally acquired THE shoes. The shoes that are as cool as you are.

Buying Doc Martens was an event. It was brilliant. And like so many brilliant things that made up my younger years, it no longer works that way.

You just log on to the net and order them from Nordstrom. No dressing up. No best girlfriends. No trip to the city. Just the anonymous act of filling in your credit card information.

It was a simple thing, but a beautiful rite of passage nonetheless.

The Sleepwalker

Once, several decades ago, I slipped out of my bed and wandered into the doorway of my parents bedroom. They lay in bed watching TV, as I stood, wide-eyed, staring in their direction.

"Hello," I said, then turned around, walked back into my bedroom and climbed back into my bed.

And so was my first recorded episode of sleepwalking.

I wonder where the mind is during this moment where sleep and consciousness meet, yet neither takes over the body. What forces allowed me to safely walk into my parents bedroom, rather than out the front door or toppling down the 13 stairs into the living room?

Just yesterday I saw some photographs of myself that I haven't seen in almost 20 years. At first I laughed at the goofy expressions my friends and I were making, but then I looked closely at my face, my smile, my eyes.

I could see the anticipation of an unknown future in my eyes. I could recall the deep love I felt for one of my dearest friends that I tried so hard to overcome. I felt the flutter of excitement that used to overwhelm me when our group of friends got together to hang out, dance or party.

How I lived! How I felt every pleasure and pain so deeply in those younger years!

The only reminder I had today that I was alive was the steam burn I suffered cooking dinner.

Somewhere, between the smiling 18-year-old girl in the photograph and the 39-year-old woman with a steam burn, I fell asleep. And in that stupor I walked through the motions, unaware of what path I was taking or where I'd end up.

I'm not where I was meant to be. If I'd only had the courage to keep living my life, instead of becoming merely a passenger.

"I should have told him I loved him. I should have written novels. I should have done so much more," I thought, climbing into bed last night.

And it was then, as I prepared for sleep, that I decided it was time to wake up.

The Top Five - Things I Will Be Doing This Weekend

1. Water My Garden While the Local Ducks Play.

There is a stream that runs gently behind where I live and it is a haven for the duck community. Every spring there are groups of babies, waddling behind their mommies, pecking at the earth for worms. If you have any love of animals or nature, you can't help but be in awe of their communities. Because they see some of us so frequently, they will approach some of us without fear. Many times when I'm out watering my garden, one, two or up to a dozen ducks can be at my feet, curious to see what's going on.

2. Watch Coverage Updates of the Casey Anthony Trial.

I'm a sucker for true crime and I have been known to be seduced by the Nancy Grace show, even though she gets on my nerves...I cannot explain it. But, I have been frequently tuning in to hear what's going on with the Casey Anthony trial.

3. Refresh the Paint on my Patio Furniture.

If you read my blog normally, you may remember I re-did my patio furniture last year. I still love the look, but the table has seen some peeling and I have to sand it down and apply some fresh coats of paint. I'm hoping the humidity is low tomorrow so I can get this off my checklist.

4. Grocery Shopping.

When I got there, my cupboards where freaking bare! Yes, it's not glamorous, but I will be hitting Wegmans sometime this weekend; most likely early Sunday morning. I am already dreaming of the delicious fresh fruit...

5. Old Navy.

I hear Old Navy is having a special on tanks this weekend...only $2! Whoo-hoo! I think I may run over there tomorrow and pick a few up. I also have a $5 coupon so depending on what they have I may walk out with more than a couple tank tops.

It's Blogger Challenge week and that mean Cousin Elizabeth and I are in serious competition! Well, not really, we're just blogging on the "Top Five" of anything we chose. Read Liz' blog here.

The Top Five - Jennifer and Diane Moments

In case you're not aware, my friend Diane and I have been pals since September of 1986. We have been through it all and have some great memories. Some of which we were recalling tonight over appetizers. At one point I grabbed my pen and notebook out of my purse and told her that our memories would be tonight's Top Five list. I'm not sure if it's cheating when you have a collaborator for Blogger Challenge...I hope not.

1. Shopping for Christmas Gifts on South Street.

Sophomore Year of high school, Diane and I went to South Street to do our Christmas shopping for our friends, including each other. While in Tower Records, I picked up a Smiths tape for myself and I believe she chose a Love and Rockets tape. Instead of just buying our own items, we decided they would be each others Christmas gifts so I paid for Love and Rockets and she paid for The Smiths. We exchanged bags outside and acted truly surprised at the contents of each bag and thanked each other profusely.

2. Making An Entrance.

Also Sophomore Year, we went to a high school party. We think it was Pat Duffy's birthday, but cannot be sure. We remember walking through the house and being told the party was in the basement. We both went to walk first down the flight of stairs and ended up falling on our butts and sliding down the entire staircase, right into the middle of the festivities. We still swear that the record screeched to a halt and everyone stared at us for a minute before going back into their conversations.

3. Mad Cow Disease.

In May of 1995, we took a trip to London together and ate just enough not to get alcohol poisoning. However, what we did eat was steak. And steak. And then there was the night we ordered steak. And just as we washed down the last bite, the Mad Cow Disease story broke. And for the following year or two whenever one of us got a hangnail, we were convinced it was the beginning of the end.

4. The Glow Bra.

Okay, this happened to a friend (who I will not name because I don't have permission), but Diane and I were there. On night we were at the club we always frequented...Revival. At one point on the dance floor a black light came on and our nameless friend was laughing that you could see a spec of white fuzz glowing here and there on our black clothing. And then we looked at our friend. Our friend whose white bra was glowing right through her black shirt for the whole world to see.

5. The Little Guy Under the Kitchen Table.

One night at a small gathering of friends, Diane and I may have drank too much. The group decided to play with a Ouija Board, but the oracle was missing. One of the guys said the oracle was in his car and I ran to go get it. I did, and ended up hooking up with said guy in the woods.

There was another boy there who was living in the basement of the house. Evidently he accessed it through a trap door in the floor under the kitchen table. Diane ended up hooking up with that guy.

After these hookups, we both separately wondered to a field behind the house we were hanging out in. We laid down together, side by side, under the stars.

"I just hooked up with [insert name here to protect the innocent]," I said, picking leaves out of my hair.

"I hooked up with the the little guy who lives under the kitchen table," she replied.

"Huh? He what?"

And that's when we may have have passed out cold.

It's Blogger Challenge week and that mean Cousin Elizabeth and I are in serious competition! Well, not really, we're just blogging on the "Top Five" of anything we chose. Read Liz' blog here.

The Top Five - Things That Make Me Think "Summer"

1. Mister Softee Music.

How many times as the summer sun slipped into evening did you hear the familiar tune of Mister Softee in the distance? Even now, as an adult, when I hear those notes, I feel the need to run to my mom and ask her for a dollar to buy a Popsicle.

2. Ray-Ban Wayfarers.

I bought my first and only pair of Wayfayers in 1984 for $45 (can you imagine?). Although not in the best of shape, I still own them; they reside in my car for those sunny days when I forget my current shades. And although I wore them year round for decades, they always remind me of Don Hendley's Boys of Summer. (A song I never understood until I grew up, I might add.)

3. Noxema.

The smell of Noxema always reminds me of those summer days when I got too much sun and I would sooth it on my upset skin. The cool formula would "pull" the heat right out of sun-burned skin.

4. Love's Baby Soft.

Did you know they still make this fragrance? They do!  A staple in the beauty wardrobe of every lady under 12 in the 1980's, Love's Baby Soft is infused with delicate notes of baby powder. I recently saw this in a CVS and was instantly transported to the summer of 1984 or prior. The smell made me recall that feeling of playing all day in the sun and bike riding in the neighborhood, then getting a refreshing shower and laying down on cool, fresh bed sheets. It was just so airy and clean.

5. Iced Tea Mix.

Growing up we always had a pitcher of iced tea in the refrigerator. ALWAYS. Lipton Iced Tea Powder in an enormous tub. And although it was a year-long staple, it evokes summer memories because we drank it that much faster and had the inevitable "who gets stuck making the next pitcher of iced tea fight." All you had to do was take something like 6 pre-measured scoops of the stuff and mix it with tap water, but you'd think it was torture the way we avoided it. Two ounces left in the pitcher? Put it back in the fridge; you didn't finish it and shouldn't have to make it!

The Top Five - My Summer Must Haves

1. LOFT gem row bracelets.

I just bought two of these little suckers the other day (one blue and one purple) and I love them. Lightweight and delicate, they are a perfect summer accessory. And did I mention they're shiny? Now who doesn't like shiny?

2. Dooney & Bourke Florentine Satchel.

Who doesn't need a new summer bag? Awesome for both work and play, the large satchel is perfect for holding all my goodies. Moreover, this bag is a long-term friend, as it's a timeless design.

3. NARS Blush/Bronzer Trio.

The most popular blush and the most popular bronzer have been combined in one convenient package! Yippee for NARS Orgasm blush and Laguna bronzer. Plus, you get some Albatross for highlighting as well. This is so convenient to just toss in your bag.

4. Old Navy Flip-Flops.

These flippies are a serious must have in my summer season. I have a bunch and try to add more colors with every trip to Old Navy.

5. Juicy Couture's Couture Couture Perfume.

I do not own this...yet. This is the happiest fragrance I've sniffed in a long time and it just screams "summer" in my opinion. Can't wait to get my hands on some, especially now that my samples are all gone.

The Top Five - Things That Creep Me Out

1. Bathtubs.
Well, not the tubs themselves, but the sheer thought of laying in one and taking a bath. I am strictly a shower kind of girl. The thought of stewing in the same water for a given period of time actually makes me feel a little nauseous. Weird, huh? This is also related to my fear of swimming in oceans, lakes or any body of water without a running filter and tons of chlorine.

2. Hair that detaches.

Blech! Eeeewww...I can't even think about it too much. I skeeve every time I wash my hair and little strands come off in my hands in the shower...and it's my own hair. All I can say is it's a good thing I'm not a hairdresser.

3. Clowns.

I know they're supposed to be all happy and jovial, but underneath the forced grins, I think they're pure evil and plotting to kill us all. I blame the film Poltergeist for this fear. (Shivers...)

4. The smell of roasting chestnuts.

Every darn time I'm in NYC in the fall or winter and stop to cross a street, I inevitably am next to a vendor who opens the damn roasting chestnuts and the smoke blows right in my face. This odd and smelly phenomena has plagued me since childhood.

5. Yucky tootsies.

This is far worse in summer than any other time of year because of sandals, but I freak at the sight of feet that are all scaley and cracked. Eek! Seriously, invest in some lotion!

It's Blogger Challenge week and that mean Cousin Elizabeth and I are in serious competition! Well, not really, we're just blogging on the "Top Five" of anything we chose. Read Liz' blog here.

The Top Five - TV Shows I Should Be Ashamed That I Love

1. The Jersey Shore.

I don't know if it's my deep love of hairspray or my addiction to bronzer, but I love those darn Jersey Shore kids. And, yes, I may have a little (big) crush on Pauly D. What can I say? It's all that GTL he does, I guess.

2. The Real Housewives of New Jersey.

Although I'm a bit disappointed in Season Three, I can't get enough of those ladies from Franklin Lakes, NJ. Caroline is my complete favorite - I love her common sense and no-nonsense approach to life, I totally miss Dina because she was so darn cute and I wish Jacqueline would beat some respect into her daughter Ashley. Don't like these NJ girls? Beware that I don't flip a table on your butt.

3. Jerseylicious.

Wow, there's a real NJ theme going on here. I can never tell if I'm on Team Olivia or Team Tracey when it comes to these tacky lasses from the Gatsby Salon. I love, love, love the over-the-top clothes, enormous hair and cat fights that make up every fun-filled episode.

4. Tabitha's Salon Takeover.

Tabitha is a stuck up hairdresser from the UK. She goes into failing US salons, berates the owner, mocks the skills of the staff and points out how filthy the place really is. Then she has the place cleaned and beats sense into the staff and all is well. What more could you want from a TV show?

5. Pretty Little Liars.

OMG! This show makes me want to be a high schooler all over again. But this time I'd go to public school so I could wear all those fantastic outfits, date a teacher and try to find out who murdered my friend in my spare time.

It's Blogger Challenge week and that mean Cousin Elizabeth and I are in serious competition! Well, not really, we're just blogging on the "Top Five" of anything we chose. Read Liz' blog here.

The Top Five - Yummy Places to Eat

1. The old Mexican Post in Philadelphia.

One beef Chimichanga please. Please? No, seriously, PLEASE? The Mexican Post is a delightful, narrow and unobtrusive little place that you would miss if you sneezed too hard while walking down Chestnut Street in Philly. From the food to the tattooed waiters (yes, the waiters were always hot), this place is yum, yum, yummy.

2. Morning Glory in Philadelphia.

The place the be for the breakfast or champions...or, a breakfast so delightful and delicious you will not think about food for the rest of the day. And, they have outstanding coffee, I may add. If you find yourself at 10th & Fitzwater, I highly recommend the Neighborhood Frittata. Oh, and bring cash...Morning Glory accepts no plastic.

3. The Crab Trap in Somers Point, NJ.

Seafood, seafood, seafood. They do seafood and they do it amazingly well. I'd get the fried seafood combination if I were you. And while waiting for it to arrive, munch on the bounty of oyster crackers and horseradish on the table. It'll clear your sinuses, I swear. Just be prepared to wait unless you go during the week just before noon (oh, yeah, I've done it!), as it can take over an hour to get a table. But the Crab Trap is worth the wait.

4. Tarantella Ristorante in Medford, NJ.

Delicious Italian food in enormous portions. Owned by the Coppola Family, who work on the premises and speak Italian to the patrons, Tarantella is simply divine and quite reasonable. Their complimentary house salad is so good you'll want to lick the bowl, as is the complimentary bruchetta. One negative, they don't do good coffee...drive down Route 70 and find a Dunkin' Donuts...trust me on this.

5. Mack and Manco Pizza, the Boardwalk in Ocean City, NJ.

Mack's has several location on the boards, but the 9th Street one is open year-round. Yes, I  know this off-hand...I'm not proud. Stand in the long line for this pizza. I repeat, STAND IN THE LONG LINE FOR THIS PIZZA. Then grab a bench looking out toward the ocean and munch on the goodness. Swooping seagulls are included.

It's Blogger Challenge week and that mean Cousin Elizabeth and I are in serious competition! Well, not really, we're just blogging on the "Top Five" of anything we chose. Read Liz' blog here.

The Top Five - Odd Things I Love

1. Having my hair shampooed by someone else.

I don't know about you, but when I have my hair shampooed at the salon, I am sent into world of complete and utter relaxation. I close my eyes and feel the warm water cascade through my hair, flooding out the color. And then the hairdresser lathers the suds throughout and gently scrubs my scalp, messaging along the way. That feeling alone is almost worth the $100 every 6 weeks!

2. The smell of Crayola Crayons.

I don't know what it is, but the smell of Crayola's makes me so happy. I'm sure it has something to do with happy childhood memories. And it HAS to be Crayola's - crappy knock-off crayons just don't cut it.

3. Cleaning.

You're probably thinking I'm nuts, but hear me out. Keeping the house clean is a super-mindless task and after a week full of stress at work, 15 hours commuting in traffic and whatever freelance work I may be doing, working on something mindless that has a tangible result when I'm finished is very satisfying.

4. Diners.

Maybe this is because I was born and raised in the great state of New Jersey, the land where you can't spit without hitting one, but I love eating in diners. Diners that have waitresses that call me "hon" make me even happier. My favorites are Diamond Diner on Route 38 in Mt. Laurel and Pete's Diner on the Black Horse Pike in Williamstown. I'll meet you at the counter for a cup of coffee.

5. Nancy Drew Books.

About a year ago I purchased a Nancy Drew book in an antique store. I fell in love with the simplicity of the characters and the wholesome manner of the Nancy Drew world. The world Nancy Drew lived in never really exisited, but it's nice to think there was a time when people hoped it could. Since that first book, I have purchased and read a few more. I hope to build the collection in time.

It's Blogger Challenge week and that mean Cousin Elizabeth and I are in serious competition! Well, not really, we're just blogging on the "Top Five" of anything we chose. Read Liz' blog here.

Just for Fun - Beauty Questions

So I came across this beauty quiz and I thought, "This will be a quick, easy and fun blog topic."

I love hearing about the products people use and getting new ideas.

I hope you do too, otherwise I spent and hour linking products for absolutely no reason and that would just stink!

How many times do you wash your face a day?
Twice

What skin type do you have?
Dry to normal

What is your current facial wash?
MAC wipes, Clinique Facial Wash, Up & Up Apricot Scrub

Do you exfoliate?
Yes

Waht brand do you use?
Up & Up Apricot Scrub

What moisterizer do you use?
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, Neutrogena Tinted Moisterizer, Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum, Clinique Youth Surge Night

Do you have freckles?
A few here and there

Do you use eye cream?
Clinique Repairwear Intensive Eye Cream and Olay Total Effects Eye Transforming Cream

Do you, or did you ever, have acne prone skin?
I got acne prone skin in my thirties

Did you ever use Proactiv?
Yes. It was good stuff, but dried out my skin

What foundation do you use?
MAC Select SPF 15 Foundation, MAC Studio Fix Power Foundation

What concealer do you use?
MAC Select Moisturecover

Do you know your undertone color?
Cool

What do you think of fake eyelashes?
I love them, but don't wear them

Did you know you're suppossed to change yor mascara every three months?
Yes, I do

What brand of mascara do you use?
Loreal Voluminous Carbon Black  and Loreal Telescopic Clean Definition

Sephora or ULTA?
ULTA because they're closer

Do you have a MAC Pro Card?
Sadly, I don't :(

What tools do you use in makeup application?
Brushes and an eyelash curler

Do you makeup base primer for the eyes?
Urban Decay Primer Potion

Do you makeup primer for the face?
Smashbox Photo Finish

What is your favorite eye shadow color or shade?
Cranberry by MAC

Do you pencil or liquid liner?
I like both. Liquid is great for a cat eye, but recently I am getting into tightlining and I use a pencil

What do you think of pigment eye shadows?
I have two pigments and I'm not good with them. I make a mess

Do you use mineral makeup?
Nope

What's your favorite lipstick?
MAC Viva Galm IV and Lancome L'Absolu Rouge Rose Crystal

What's your favorite lip gloss?
Clinique in Whisper

What is your favorite blush?
I don't have one, but I just bought NARS in Orgasm in a trio and think it looks great

Do you buy your makeup on Ebay?
Nope

Do you like drugstore makeup?
Yes. Especially mascara. I've never found a high-end mascara that I love

Do you go to a cosmetic company outlet?
No. I don't know of any.

Did you ever consider taking makeup classes?
I would love to!

Name a makeup crime that you hate?
Not blending in foundation and seeing that line of demarcation at the chin/neck area

Do you like colorful shades of makeup?
I like to play with color on my eyes and I always love red lipstick

Which celebrity always has great makeup?
I think Adele always has a great look

If you had to leave the house with just one makeup item, what would you use?
Lip balm (I'm addicted!)

Could you ever leave the house without makeup?
I have, sadly

Do you think you look good without makeup?
I look like the Crypt Keeper

In you opinion, what is the best makeup line?
I have a lot of MAC, so I guess I favor them

Grief

I dreamed about my father for the first time since he passed away the other night.

In my dream I was small and I found his briefcase. I routed through it looking for important papers, but all I found were black Pentels and blank yellow legal-sized tablets. My father walked in the room and laughed, telling me it was time to stop playing.

I woke up with a jolt. I could smell the leather of that familiar briefcase as though it had been in the bedroom with me. I longed to fall back asleep and visit with him again, but it was not to be.

I find myself crying at odd times. The other week my friend Sean was in town from overseas. I drove into Philly to visit him and I was so happy...it's not often I get to see or talk to him. As I crossed the bridge I had a flashback of visiting my dad's office as a little girl. I remembered the smell of the office supplies, his big desk complete with ashtray and a pack of Camels (yes, you could smoke in offices then!) and the room-temperature bottles of Coca-Cola that were always on hand. I sobbed.

Grief is so lonesome. No matter who you speak to about your sorrow, or how many people you surround yourself with, grief still rips at your heart. Quietly. Relentlessly.

Endlessly.

The Flying Cross

If you were to ask me if I am a superstitious person, I would most likely reply in the negative. However, that would be a bit of a fib for there is one thing I am totally superstitious about. The flying cross.

The flying cross is a simple gold cross on a thin gold chain. It was a gift from my mom years and years ago when I preferred yellow gold over silver...think mid-1980's.

In later years I only wore the cross when I flew on airplanes because I believe you can't pull out too many charms when catapulting through the sky in a metal tube. But that's me.

On September 11, 2001 the flying cross was in my hand during my blessed flight, for I broke the chain prior to my flight. On that trip I bent one of the arms of the cross for I held it so tight, not to lose it.

After that trip I bought a Saint Christopher metal to join the cross. Saint Christopher, as you may know, is the Roman Catholic Patron Saint of travelers. As I mentioned above, you can't pull out too many charms when catapulting through the sky in a metal tube. And I figured the cross may need a helping hand after keeping me safe on September 11.

I cannot fly without these items. I cannot.

I have a business trip coming up and the other day I found the gold chain with only the Saint Christopher metal on my bedroom floor. One of the kitties must have knocked it off of my dresser.

Where was the flying cross?

I have been filled with panic for days trying to find it. How can I possibly get on a plane without my protective adornment?

I am happy to say that today I found my little bent cross. I breathed an amazing sigh of relief as I held the delicate cross in my hand.

So am I superstitious? Well, I guess I am. But only when when catapulting through the sky in a metal tube.

But that's me.

Circles

As I was driving the 28 miles home from work this evening, I heard a traffic report stating there was a lot of congestion on I-295. I was a mile north of the packed Interstate and quickly decided to make a right of Route 73 and take Kings Highway home.

I drove past the street that led to the house my friend Peggy grew up in. I recalled some of the moments that our circle of friends shared at that house. I remembered Peggy's fluffy white comforter, the American flag that hung from her bedroom ceiling, the little round frozen pizzas that were in one of the extra refrigerators in the garage.

I missed my friends. I missed Peggy, Jennifer, Diane, Sean, Nick and the others that came and went from our circle. I missed getting together almost every night. Drinking coffee after coffee at Denny's. Watching movies in Peggy's family room. The endless pitcher of iced tea at my house. Listening to Sean's band practice in his basement. I missed dressing up to dance the night away at Revival and the Troc.

I missed heavy black eyeliner, crucifixes and Vogueing. Black tights under jean shorts, 14-hole Doc Marten boots and crazy haircuts.

How wonderful those days remain in my memory - our perfect little circle.

I came back to 2011 when it was time to decide which of the dozens of lanes I had to be in to get across Route 70. I still don't quite get the confusing stoplight system that replace the Ellisburg Circle.

Two circles which have dissipated; which changed through time.

I understood those circles, even though those outside the loop never quite got it.