Calling All Readers!!

What is your favorite music to listen to when you clean the house? I welcome any and all suggestions. God knows, I need to straighten up in here. Illness has a way of letting housework go undone. Help me get rid of these house-cleaning blues!

Labor Day Edition

It's been a while since my last post, and that is mainly because I have been working my tail off. I've been sick with every little thing that's been going around, and am now fighting off the last of a nasty cough and cold. Enough already!

I did think to post a few things I've found interesting, amusing, or amazing, though. I figure it's the least I can do, since I'm sitting at my desk at work, on Labor Day, manning an office that doesn't really need my presence. I'm not bitter about it. No, not at all. Enjoy!

I've enjoyed Phoenix's album from beginning to end. It's peppy, but not poppy. It's fun, but not frivolous. Great for a gloomy day. Find it here.

Toothpaste for Dinner never fails to make me smile. If laughter is the best medicine, this web comic is better than penicillin.

My hair has really been brittle, dull, and prone to breakage lately. I picked this up at the grocery store when I went yesterday for soup and juice. Today, my hair is shiny, easy to comb through, and actually has body, again. I'm not terribly keen on the smell, but it's worth smelling a bit like fruit salad. Put it on for 3 minutes, complete your other shower activities, and rinse. Awesome? I think so!

I'm reading a very gripping, quirky novel that I can't wait to get home and finish, called The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon. It's written from the perspective of a young Brit with high-functioning autism, and his fascination with mysteries. I cannot recommend this book enough.

I've been lucky enough to have 4 Seasons of Boston Legal to keep me company while I've been illin'. If you missed this show while it was on the air, do yourself a favor and just buy the boxed sets. It's hilarious, the closing arguments are both inspiring and entertaining, and the friendship between Alan Shore and Denny Crane is better than any I've seen in real life or in TV Land.

That's all I've got for now, Kiddies. I'm off to make myself some tea, and sit out this day. Then it's jammies and quality time with the dog! Have a happy and safe Labor Day

Michael Jackson Tribute!

At the bottom of my page, you'll find that my music player has been replaced with a mix of some of my favorite Michael Jackson songs. Despite what you may think about his personal and private life, I defy you to find a person that hasn't been affected by his music. I've decided to celebrate his talent by dancing, and reminiscing about my own connections with his music. I'm going to keep it up, and playing for a little while. Consider it my own little vigil for the King of Pop. My heart absolutely goes out to his family.

It's easy to say that his music has always been a part of my life, though hard to pinpoint the exact moment I knew who Michael Jackson was. I absolutely adored the Jackson 5 when I was really little. Their music was happy, and easy to sing along with. I remember putting on concerts in my bedroom for all of my stuffed animals, and singing along to their songs on the radio. As I got a little older, I was very much influenced by my music fanatic cousin, Brian. He was a big fan of the solo stuff. I remember listening to the albums on his portable record player whenever I would go to his house in the summer, and him making me tapes to take home. Dangerous was one of the first CDs I ever bought with my own money. Thriller played on repeat on my first Halloween in my own apartment, and every Halloween since. It's fair to say that my musical tastes have gotten away from pop music, but it's just as fair to say that Michael Jackson plays heavily on the soundtrack to the fondest memories of my life thus far.

Send me your comments if you want to remember him, too!

Beauty Review: Lush "Ocean Salt"

I haven't written a product review in a while, but this is mainly because I haven't had anything to review. When you have a car payment to make, any fun money tends to disappear. It's a sad fact of life. Especially when you're a beauty junkie, like I am. Thank God for birthdays!

My amazing sister went to Santa Monica for her vacation, this year. While she was there, she stopped into the Lush boutique, and picked up a lil something for me. What she presented me with on the aforementioned birthday was a little wonder called Ocean Salt. Allow me to bestow upon you it's many virtues...

This sea salt based exfoliator is meant for both face and body. At first I assumed the salt would be too rough, and drying for my face, so I used it on my feet. It softened them right up, callouses and all. It smells like a margarita, so naturally, I love it. I pulled up the reviews on their website, and decided that it would be okay to try it on my face on Sunday night. If it wasn't for me, no harm done. Imagine my total surprise when a newly formed blemish I noticed when I got up on Sunday, was totally gone on Monday morning! I so friggin' love this stuff.

It is slightly drying, so follow with your normal serums and moisturizers. I wouldn't recommend it for people with sensitive skin, because it might be too harsh, but I know that my combination skin is happy and my complexion glows. I've been getting nothing but compliments since I started using it, and it's only been 3 days.

We don't have a store here, but don't fret if you don't have one in your area, either. The website is not only shoppable, they ship all over the world! You don't get better than that:)

So, I bought the car...

...and I've driven it all weekend. I'm thrilled spitless with the vehicle. I got a great deal, and it's more car than I thought I'd be able to afford.

It's only just sunk in that it's mine. I'm responsible for payments, maintenance, insurance. This is the real thing. I have to put the fear and nerves out of my mind. I can do this.

I'll post more here in the next few days. This is an exciting time. Pics pending.

All Request Saturday!

All right, my dearies, the music player is in need of a few new songs. Send me your requests. I'd love to get my ears on some new tunes, and get to know you all a bit better, through your selections. Channel your inner D.J.

Cars, Used-Up "Punk Bands", and Oklahoma Style Controversy! Oh, My!

So I've finally found a used car that's worth paying on for the next 5 years of my life, and I'm driving an hour out of my way to see it, this afternoon. I truly hope this is the one I wind up with, because the search is entirely too exhausting. First you have to take the mileage into account, both what the odometer reads and what you'll be getting out of a trip to the gas station. Then you have to overlook certain things like sun damage, nicks and dings, and a laundry list of other things, because you are buying a used car, after all. Then you have to decide if you can live with that color, because boy are you stuck with it. I'll tell you what, if I get the car, I'll post some pics.

In the meantime, here are a few little gems for you to enjoy:

This article, from Best Week Ever, made me laugh so hard, I nearly peed. I've often said that I appreciated the American Idiot t-shirts from Green Day's last tour, because it made it easier for me to immediately know who to avoid in a room full of people. Oh, the irony!

The Flaming Lips made local news here in Oklahoma, when "Do You Realize??" was named as the official State Rock Song. The song was voted on by 21,000 Oklahoman's (myself included), and was shrouded in quite a bit of controversy. Bassist Michael Ivins, apparently wore a t-shirt with a hammer and sickle on it to the state capital and a handful of real "stick in the mud" politicians caused a big stink over it, and tried to overturn the vote. Thank God Governor Brad Henry stepped in and put an end to the nonsense. You can read the article here, but I encourage you to watch the video and listen to the lyrics, as well. I can accept the fact that these guys aren't for everyone, they are wild and weird, which is a huge part of why I like them so much, but seriously...If these old coots had bothered to listen to what the song was about, I doubt they'd have wasted their precious alloted time being offended by someone's clothing.

Speaking of precious allotted time, I've got to get myself in the shower so I can meet a friend for lunch. Enjoy your long weekend, everyone! Get out and enjoy it:)