Beauty

[just bee]

Talk about crazy bird ladies...

Yesterday we took the dog to the bosque and ran into someone who told us that the Great Horned Owlets were getting big.  Then we spent twenty minutes trying to remember where their nest was.  Couldn't find it.

Yes, we have owls in Albuquerque.  And hawks.  I watched a large hawk in my backyard yesterday feast on a pigeon.  Second one in two days.  I call this hawk Andre Dawson.  Andre took his time and savored that pigeon.  My dog watched from the patio door and when Andre left the backyard bistro, I went out first to check for leftover bits.  Nothing but feathers.  And then I turned and saw the giant tumbleweed that had blown down from the retaining wall a couple days ago.  Andre had deposited a wing and breastbone on top of it.

Ah, nature!

[just bee]

Oh, no!  I've discovered yet another bird cam.  After I checked all the nests on the Cornell site, I started checking on all the eagle cams across the country.  A new one popped up and it's sponsored by the Institute for Wildlife Studies in Arcata, California.  The nest is near Humboldt Bay.  I graduated from Humboldt University a hundred years ago and I remember all the egrets that posed along Highway 101 between Eureka and Arcata, and I remember herons in Freshwater, but I don't recall eagles.  Shouldn't be surprised -- that would be the perfect location for them.

Right now the couple is nowhere to be seen.  They may have relocated to a new nest.  But this site also has cameras set up in Santa Cruz and Santa Catalina.  How am I supposed to get anything done now?

Oh, dear.  I haven't checked in on the Hanover, PA eagle nest in some time.  Looks like there's a problem with the egg and the cam will be discontinued this season.

[FindingMyJoy]

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@Oshare-girl wrote:

I've been away from the threads for a while.  Went on vacation to Japan!  It was so nice to relax.  The cherry blossoms were just starting to bloom.  Japanese culture is amazing. Everything is clean yet you can hardly find a trash can.  People take their trash with them and dispose of it, I guess at home.  Even the drunk guy on the train took his can with him as he stumbled along.

I took several mini sized products with me on vacation and only used up one, a Josie Maran body butter because the air was so dry.  Again it showed me that it takes me forever to use things up.  I was away for 12 days.  I'm still finishing up some things from the trip.  Also, I hardly wore makeup.  I just didn't feel like spending the time to do it.  Just the essentials, concealer, mascara, eyebrows and a lipbalm.  Even DH noticed.

I purchased some things like Japanese sunscreen.  They are super lightweight but high in SPF.  Smells a little chemically and I can't read the ingredients.  But I like them.  Also got some sheer lippies.  Love the Japanese sheer lippies!

I hit pan on the first color in my pan that palette today.  It took 3 months of daily use (minus my vacation days, I took a smaller palette).  Slow & steady....    

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What an amazing trip!! It sounds fabulous. Whenever I see photos of Japan, it looks beautiful.

Great job hitting pan!!! It also took 3 months for me to hit pan in 1 small color of my quad I've been working on. It's so weird to see that it really takes that long to make a good dent in eyeshadow!

[FindingMyJoy]

Yippee! i have no interest in the Mally TSV! I still need great coverage and these models she's using have next to nothing in blemishes or any red marks to cover. It wouldn't work for me unless I totally heaped it on like they apparently did to the 1 poor model who doesn't start with a fresh face. Not slamming her at all. It's just apparent that I would need to use a lot of product to cover my stuff too.

I am on my last few Andrew Lessman fish oil capsules and he had a TS. I ordered the jumbo so it will last me a couple years since I only take 1 a day. I really enjoy watching his shows - so informative, doesn't dumb it down, plus, he's easy on the eyes. LOL

I dragged out my capri pants/cropped pants from winter storage. I found a couple older pairs that look so haggard and worn that I put them in the garbage. Wasn't enough wear in them to donate or wear around home. Why did I pack them up last Fall instead of throwing them out? I need to start packing up my winter stuff now. Going to try to do a really good purge since I know some items were not used at all this winter and a couple sweaters are looking horrid. I already threw out 1 pair of winter ankle boots that survived many cold winters but were falling apart.

Anyone else doing a clothing swap out for change in seasons? I'm looking forward to getting out my cute sandals too!!

[just bee]

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@FindingMyJoy wrote:

Yippee! i have no interest in the Mally TSV! I still need great coverage and these models she's using have next to nothing in blemishes or any red marks to cover. It wouldn't work for me unless I totally heaped it on like they apparently did to the 1 poor model who doesn't start with a fresh face. Not slamming her at all. It's just apparent that I would need to use a lot of product to cover my stuff too.

I am on my last few Andrew Lessman fish oil capsules and he had a TS. I ordered the jumbo so it will last me a couple years since I only take 1 a day. I really enjoy watching his shows - so informative, doesn't dumb it down, plus, he's easy on the eyes. LOL

I dragged out my capri pants/cropped pants from winter storage. I found a couple older pairs that look so haggard and worn that I put them in the garbage. Wasn't enough wear in them to donate or wear around home. Why did I pack them up last Fall instead of throwing them out? I need to start packing up my winter stuff now. Going to try to do a really good purge since I know some items were not used at all this winter and a couple sweaters are looking horrid. I already threw out 1 pair of winter ankle boots that survived many cold winters but were falling apart.

Anyone else doing a clothing swap out for change in seasons? I'm looking forward to getting out my cute sandals too!!

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I'm taking a couple days off in early May to attend seminars (some vacation, no?) but I think I can squeeze in a mini-purge.  My mini-purge will be me purging my closet of mini-skirts.

Why do I still own mini-skirts?

Included in that purge will be shorts.  I bought shorts because I was told I needed to wear them.  Problem is I don't wear them.  Never have, never will.

I might even have some old skinny jeans that are currently too skinny for me to get into without a shoehorn.

I need to free up some hangers.

[aprilskies]

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@just bee wrote:

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@aprilskies wrote:

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@just bee wrote:

I almost forgot!  I got home from work yesterday morning and went online to see the big countdown on Ticketmaster's website: Tickets were going on sale for a Michael McDonald/Boz Scaggs concert at Sandia Casino Amphitheater.

Can't say I'm a big McDonald fan, but there have been some songs I've liked over the years.  But I do like Boz Scaggs.  Probably because I spent my formative years in the San Francisco Bay Area and Boz was huge in the 70s.

I bought tickets.  Better-half, as usual, is thrilled (major sarcasm there).

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Sounds like a good concert.  I would love to see boz scaggs.  Just pull your better half by the ear. 

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We are talking about the same guy who turned to me during the Ringo Starr concert and asked:

"Now who is this, again?"

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Omgosh, ROTFL.  What kind of music does he like?

[aprilskies]

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@just bee wrote:

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@aprilskies wrote:

I have collected skincare treatments that I don't seem to use.  I swore I wouldn't buy them again after throwing out so much a few years ago, but, here I am.  

I also have a collection of hair products I don't use.  I even threw some out.  I do regret throwing some things out.  At times, I get a bit hasty, but, I get overwhelmed and start getting into a zone.  I really don't need all these hair products. I don't see much diff in using them.  

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Hair products will get you every time.  I don't use them because I know they just won't help.  I've never bought a can of hairspray other than for an art class.  But I have bought shampoo and conditioner that have betrayed me.  And what happens when you try that new shampoo and conditioner for the third time and finally have to admit to yourself that it isn't doing anything for you?  You wash your makeup brushes with the shampoo and shave your underarms and legs with the conditioner.

I've recently started using a combo shampoo/conditioner product.  I realize these are ineffective, but I save time and water and I only have to deal with one useless bottle at a time.

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Yes, it always seems like I am trying to address some kind of hair issue.  The problem is they never work. I dont use hairspray either. I think I bought a few cans in my lifetime.  I do keep one on hand, just in case, but I never reach for it.  Not even sure why I bought it when I threw the last can out.

Shampoo is so tough for me. I can never find the right one. Since I started not liking the ones I have, I started mixing two of them.  I am liking that better. Before I finish these, it will be at least the rest of this year, I will start to research some so I dont get stuck at the last minute and make quick choices. I ditched conditioner at least 2 years ago.  I didnt see the point when I have so many leave-ins.  Although, I do wish I can find a great shampoo.  Your right, the ones we dont like end up repurposed.  I just use to throw them out just because it became too overwhelming.  But, I am trying to use up what I have now. It does take some patience not to throw them out and just start over. Why is it when we were younger, we could use just about anything and not think twice. Now, even shampoo is a project.

[aprilskies]

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@just bee wrote:

Aprilskies, you need to cancel all your weekend plans and bingewatch every episode of Vinyl so you can watch the finale on Sunday.  If you don't, the third person who watches the series might spill the beans and spoil it for you.

Why am I always watching the low-rated series?  I think there were only four people watching Halt and Catch Fire...

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I did.  I am all caught up.  I am ready for season 2 now.  I am hearing songs I have forgotten about.

One less, bell to answer,

One less, egg to fry,

One less man to pick up after...

I cant even tell you the last time I heard that song.  I love this show for that.  Mick Jagger's son is doing a good job in this I think. Not that he has a major role, but enough of one.

[aprilskies]

Osharegirl, Japan, how awesome. I would love to go there. What a great trip.  I think that is one thing I love about traveling - just bringing what you need and maybe a little bit more, but keeping it is simple. I dont even bring jewelry.  Just because I dont feel like dealing with the airports.  It is wonderful keeping it light.  I really am striving to do that in my everyday life but I am not there yet.

Findingmyjoy - It is definitely time to reorganize the closets for spring. After decluttering so much, I dont have to haul things out of storage.  I do have one small container I keep for my summer shirts but only because it gives me more room in my drawers. But, it is time to push the winter items to the back of my closet and bring the lighter things upfront. This reminds me, I do need shoes. Maybe I will take a trip to the mall this weekend. I really dont have many left after getting rid of the ones that were too high, not comfortable, just didnt like, etc etc. 

[Oshare-girl]

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@just bee wrote:

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@Oshare-girl wrote:

I've been away from the threads for a while.  Went on vacation to Japan!  It was so nice to relax.  The cherry blossoms were just starting to bloom.  Japanese culture is amazing. Everything is clean yet you can hardly find a trash can.  People take their trash with them and dispose of it, I guess at home.  Even the drunk guy on the train took his can with him as he stumbled along.

I took several mini sized products with me on vacation and only used up one, a Josie Maran body butter because the air was so dry.  Again it showed me that it takes me forever to use things up.  I was away for 12 days.  I'm still finishing up some things from the trip.  Also, I hardly wore makeup.  I just didn't feel like spending the time to do it.  Just the essentials, concealer, mascara, eyebrows and a lipbalm.  Even DH noticed.

I purchased some things like Japanese sunscreen.  They are super lightweight but high in SPF.  Smells a little chemically and I can't read the ingredients.  But I like them.  Also got some sheer lippies.  Love the Japanese sheer lippies!

I hit pan on the first color in my pan that palette today.  It took 3 months of daily use (minus my vacation days, I took a smaller palette).  Slow & steady....    

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Welcome back!  So you were in the Land of ComPacting!  Minimalism as an art.  As a way of life!  I worked for a Japanese company for several years but never had the opportunity to travel to Japan.  Do you feel a little claustrophobic now, surrounded by stuff?  Are you noticing a lot of litter?

I wonder if part of what you observed was personal responsibility.  In New Mexico, something as simple as walking my dog is a challenge because of all the broken liquor bottles on the sidewalks.  But I digress.

Sounds like you had a lovely trip and discovered some new items -- and a new perspective. 

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Yes, I was in KonMari-land and it was heavenly.  Plus it was vacation so it added to the false reality.  But it reinforced the thought that hotels are so nice because they are not cluttered.  We stayed at a ryokan for one night, which is a traditional inn.  The room is multpurpose.  During the day it is set with a small table and chairs or floor cushions then while the guests are at dinner, they move that and set out futons to sleep on.  The next morning, the futons are put away in the closet and it's back to the table.  Ah...so much empty space inside with the view outside to satisfy the senses.  I do feel a bit smoothered back home surrounded by all my stuff.  And I have noticed all the trash, which I now try to pick up and throw away, and so many homeless!  I saw one homeless man sleeping in the subway during 11 days in Japan!  Just one!  I think that is also personal responsibility at work.  People take care of their families.  Japanese actually have a mostly elderly population and are trying to increase the births.  They also have a mandatory retirement age.  People live in multi-generational homes.  It's just how it is there.  Fascinating.

Back to real life...  I hit pan on another eyeshadow two days after hitting pan on my pan that palette.  Thrilling!

I joined a Facebook group started by Elle Is For Living on YT.  She has a makeup use up 2016 challenge going.  I love reading everyone's posts about using up what they have.  It's like the ComPact group here.  I encourage everyone to check it out if they can't get enough of Compacting.