Beauty

[dosey]

On 1/21/2014 just bee said:

On 1/21/2014 geezerette said:

On 1/21/2014 just bee said:

On 1/20/2014 KonaKat said:

On 1/20/2014 Lisa8301 said: Please include me on the Compact for 2014. I did buy a sweater, but that was something I had eyed before Christmas so that really doesn't count right? It was on sale, and then, being the careful whooper that I am, called to get a price adjustment when it was further reduced. I spent money on home improvements this week. I finally found a handyman to fix the leaky faucet, paint the baseboards, and enlarge the tv niche. It feels really good to finally be able to do those things. I am trying to focus on the important things in 2014.

Good job on pursuing the price adjustment. Home improvements can make for a tight budget, so cutting back on some expenses does permit these to be done. I think I have some in the future also. Ouch!

I used to shake my head when my parents would get so excited about a new appliance. I'd think: "These two have to be the most boring individuals in the world!" And of course I'd do what any teenage girl would do: I'd roll my eyes. But to be even more of a PITA, I'd make an annoying, condescending "tsk" sound. I can't believe I still have my teeth.

Now that I'm older I realize that Better-half and I have become my parents. We talk about food, go shopping for food, discuss menus, and cook food. At least my parents occasionally went to restaurants -- we avoid them. So who's boring now?

My parents gave each other gifts. We don't exchange gifts. We give to the dog or to the house. I've got to get someone out here to evaluate our current tree situation (we need serious trimming). I've changed: I'd rather plant a tree or buy something for the kitchen like a new Dutch oven or saute pan. Appliances are suddenly thrilling. I'm fantasizing about a new vacuum cleaner for Valentine's Day.

Anyone got any suggestions? Is the Shark any good?

ETA:

More proof that my parents were smarter than I gave them credit for. I'm going to go see The Glenn Miller Orchestra next month. (Yes, we do become our mothers!)

Boy, ain't THAT the truth?! When I was little I vowed to myself I was never going to say or do what my parents did when I grew up. But, lo and behold, slowly I found myself not only saying and doing the same things, I think I'm worse! Like you, justbee, my husband and I don't patronize restaurants (neither of us can tolerate the food) or exchange gifts. I've realized my parents were actually more 'hip' than I have become!

Actually, though, now that I am older I realize that my mother was a pretty cool lady. And I won't be displeased if I really am becoming her.

(But wait until you and your better-half start discussing, umm, 'bathroom habits'--then you've really become one of the senior crowd!!)

We've been together 23+ years and I think that's because we have two bathrooms. Sometimes "secrets" are a good thing.

My previous hairdresser called that keeping dignity in your relationship. Yes, it's a good thing!

[Squirrel Lover]

It is so frustrating. It is going to take me months and months to go through all of the lips losses I have. It will probably take a year. It is ridiculous. I have acted ridiculous in buying these lip glosses as 'backups.' What did I think that somehow all of the lipgloss in the world was somehow going to just disappear and I needed to stock up like a 'prepper?' Stupid. I am determined to get out of this mode. No more backups for me anymore. It will take a long time to go through all of the back ups that I have.

Also, no more upscale lip glosses and lipsticks for me. They are too expensive and I use them too much to spend so much money on them. They are not like foundation ect. I am also going to shop smarter and buy some items at the drugstore such as mascara, lip glosses, lipsticks, shampoos, and so much more. I fell for the Sephora email that said buy a bunch a stuff so you don't lose your VIB status before the end of the year. Well, now I actually regret doing so! I feel really dumb. I spent money I do not need to spend.

[dosey]

Momentum is on our side. We can do this! Now if I would just stop reading threads, like the one about Skinn. I have told myself that Dimitri is on what seems like every month, and he has deals with each visit. I do not need a thing right now. When I do, I'm sure he will have something for me to try. There will always be a good deal.

[Squirrel Lover]

Oh, I forgot to add that I never heard back from that good job I was a candidate for. I have now been out of work for over a year (I had to resign from my position to take care of my father who was dying of cancer.) Every job I have applied for I have gotten an email saying they hired someone else. My daughter says that since those are not my field I should not feel bad, but I do. There is nothing in my field local and I do not want to drive two hours a day. I hate to complain as I have a husband who has a great job and we are not financially insecure and I have a very nice home and everything I need--except a job to add to the world! (No, I do not and have not ever received any job loss benefits or gov't money). I feel really trapped. I am educated and I have a master's degree am not old (48), but the economy is just not picking up no matter what some experts say. I am still volunteering at the hospital at the info desk and as vice president of our soroptimist group and at our local lighthouse, but I need to do more. I am going stir crazy. My husband is very supportive I must add. I am a gourmet cook and a very good housewife and he is old fashioned so I do not have to prove myself to him. He says relax, but it is hard as time is still ticking away. I think that maybe next week I should go and talk to a job recruiting agency here in our county. I definitely do not want to go back to school for nursing like our dear friend Just Bee, but I may have to do that just to get into a new field!

[dosey]

Aw, dperry, I understand why you feel emotional. First, do not get too upset with yourself over your makeup purchases. What's done is done. You recognize that you bought a few too many lip glosses and lipsticks. So did I. My lippies are organized by color family and in three containers. By the end of the year, I vow to get down to two containers. Like you, I am trying to find good drugstore replacements for my department store products. However, unlike you, lip glosses and lipsticks are the only things that I do not mind spending a little more for. That is because I am so ridiculously picky about them. Also, eventually I am not going to have 50 of them. A few will do. For just about every other cosmetic, I have replaced or am trying to replace with a drugstore product. Today, I used a Maybelline eye shadow palette. It is very pretty. Why do I keep searching?

Second, it is so difficult finding a job. Reports say that things are improving, but I am just not seeing it. And I live in the south where the recession wasn't as bad as in other areas of the country! It seems like job openings are being filled without advertising them. Also, I'm 51 yo, and employers are discounting what mature people can bring to the workforce in favor of hiring someone younger for less money. I am educated like you are and have skills and experience, but at this point I will take anything. All I am really looking for is a chance with a company where advancement is possible. There are days when I feel so desperate. Not for the money but for myself. I must be able to support myself. Something will come along. I wish you the very best in your job search!

[just bee]

On 1/21/2014 dperry said:

I definitely do not want to go back to school for nursing like our dear friend Just Bee, but I may have to do that just to get into a new field!

I don't recommend it, either!

You say you volunteer at a hospital so you must be familiar with the environment. Are they hiring HUCs or techs? Some training would be involved, but I have to say I don't recommend that, either! (When I first started toying with the nursing idea, I became a HUC and then a tech. Many hospitals have eliminated the HUC position.)

Since you are not in a "desperate" situation and your husband sounds like a peach, I would use this stretch of unemployment as an opportunity to try on a new career. What did you want to do when you were 17? 20? 25?

When I was laid off after September 11, 2001, I applied for 82 jobs in 7 months. I ended up working at a non-profit arts organization and it fulfilled that crazy need I had when I first when off to a university at 17 to major in theater/film. I loved it and stayed three years. Met the most wonderful people -- every day was an adventure. Especially since the place was in one of the worst areas in town!

I had the opportunity to "wear different hats" and do a little bit of everything. I just wanted to do something completely different, something fun. I had applied for jobs at the hospitals, schools, colleges, museums, doggy daycare, and even our local public TV station. Ended up working in community theater and it was a fantastic transition period for me. Gave me time to reconnect with what I had loved as well as time to figure out what to do next. (I did just about everything but perform, ironically.)

Are there any little gourmet shops in your area? Places that sell food or places that sell culinary items? There are stores like that here and some offer cooking classes. Have you thought about working for a caterer? Or starting your own business?

What do you love? What's your passion?

[KonaKat]

dperry--It is a frustrating time to find a job. Employment opportunities are down in many areas and the jobs that are mostly available are of the lower paying job. The school system has reduced its employees, so these individuals have had difficulties finding jobs. They are considered over trained for many of the jobs available. We have an individual with a Master's Degree who worked as a store clerk for two years before finding another job. Many have resorted to driving 3 hours round trip a day in order to work in the city. Those who live in a rural area find it difficult if they are professionals who lose their jobs. Hopefully, your area finds more opportunities.

[MMim]

Mid January progress report: I actually finished off a jar of M Asam reservatol cream and the night serum, both from a today's special several years ago, tossed a few bottles of Joan Rivers' nail polish that were almost as old as she is, and gave away a LG liquid lipstick that was way too bright for me.

A new nail polish color and a couple of very cute journals stayed on the store shelves, and the new Linea jacket was not ordered. 0ver 20 jackets in the closet is enough.

I must confess I did order some of LG's whipped blush from Haute Look, as it is quite pale, the perfect color, is being discontinued, and I was able to use a $10 credit before it expired.

And, I find that I must add yard stuff, seeds, bulbs and all things flowers to my 'no buy' list. There are still bulbs awaiting planting from several years ago.

[just bee]

On 1/21/2014 MMim said:

Mid January progress report: I actually finished off a jar of M Asam reservatol cream and the night serum, both from a today's special several years ago, tossed a few bottles of Joan Rivers' nail polish that were almost as old as she is, and gave away a LG liquid lipstick that was way too bright for me.

A new nail polish color and a couple of very cute journals stayed on the store shelves, and the new Linea jacket was not ordered. 0ver 20 jackets in the closet is enough.

I must confess I did order some of LG's whipped blush from Haute Look, as it is quite pale, the perfect color, is being discontinued, and I was able to use a $10 credit before it expired.

And, I find that I must add yard stuff, seeds, bulbs and all things flowers to my 'no buy' list. There are still bulbs awaiting planting from several years ago.

Why do we do this? We get so excited about a new project and we run out and buy all the components, then never actually do the project we were so excited about. Is it just another excuse to go shopping? I especially love the projects that involve buying things to help us organize all the items we've collected, but then we never use the organizers to organize it all.

[aprilskies]

On 1/22/2014 just bee said:

On 1/21/2014 MMim said:

Mid January progress report: I actually finished off a jar of M Asam reservatol cream and the night serum, both from a today's special several years ago, tossed a few bottles of Joan Rivers' nail polish that were almost as old as she is, and gave away a LG liquid lipstick that was way too bright for me.

A new nail polish color and a couple of very cute journals stayed on the store shelves, and the new Linea jacket was not ordered. 0ver 20 jackets in the closet is enough.

I must confess I did order some of LG's whipped blush from Haute Look, as it is quite pale, the perfect color, is being discontinued, and I was able to use a $10 credit before it expired.

And, I find that I must add yard stuff, seeds, bulbs and all things flowers to my 'no buy' list. There are still bulbs awaiting planting from several years ago.

Why do we do this? We get so excited about a new project and we run out and buy all the components, then never actually do the project we were so excited about. Is it just another excuse to go shopping? I especially love the projects that involve buying things to help us organize all the items we've collected, but then we never use the organizers to organize it all.

Lmbo, so true. I do think it's an excuse, at least that is the only thing I can come up with. the more I declutter the more I find my project stuff. I just found a box of color tapes when I came up with an idea of making my own hula hoops after buying two that cost me 100bucks and that was my latest obsession. I thought I can make these myself and it will be my new hobby. I bought so much stuff. I was going to give one to my niece, friends etc. Yep, I tried a small one and that was the end if that. I never got back to it. All the tubing I bought, different sizes of course, I tossed last year. I just put the tape in my tool bag and rachet tool and connectors I still have. It will come in handy I suppose. The more I declutter, the more I uncover. My closet corners can tell you some stories. I have to laugh at my insanity.