Category: goals

#16. Find the Perfect Mascara

In my makeup routine, I have found that the single product that changes the way I look the most is mascara. I like to look natural and fresh, even though we all know that it takes work to look “natural” and not “just-rolled-out-of-bed-greasy-and-rumpled.” So I’ve made it my quest to find the perfect mascara, and then I will buy it and keep buying it no matter the cost.

Here are a few products that I’ve used in the past, that have made me look for greener grass:

Too Faced Lash Injection
Sephora Brand (can’t find a link)
Mary Kay’s Ultimate mascara
Maybelline Full ‘N’ Soft
Bourjuois False Lash Illusion

I tend to like big, round brushes, but I’m willing to try other things. So the search begins…

April 23, 2009
I bought Lorac’s Lotsa Lash brown mascara. First impression: it’s thick and kind of clumpy, and actually takes a lot of work to get my lashes looking decent. It seems almost like it’s old and dry. Pretty sure that this isn’t going to be the one, but I’ll keep using it for awhile since I bought it.

June 6, 2009
I couldn’t stand the Lorac, so on a recommendation from my good friend Julie, I bought Almay’s One Coat Lengthening. This mascara is amazingly clean! There is next to no clumping, and it goes on very smooth. The brush is smaller than what I typically like, requiring more brush strokes to apply, but it’s also easy to maneuver. It lasts this way for a few months. The only thing it’s missing is a “wow” factor, which I want to keep looking for. I would have been extremely content to keep using this as it is a great mascara for the money (only $8.19 at drugstore.com)…

July 20, 2009
…but then I went to Sephora and bought Dior’s DiorShow mascara. I have to be honest, I’ve used this before. I loved it at the time, but then I read in some article somewhere that mascaras aren’t really that different from each other and therefore it’s an area where we can save money. After that I found it hard to spend the $24, which is a little pricey for my taste. HOWEVER. I now realize that this whole “find the perfect mascara” goal was probably one giant effort by my subconscious to justify going back to the Dior. When I used it again this time, there was an IMMEDIATE and DRAMATIC difference between this and all of the other mascaras I’ve tried in between (see above). Diorshow is thick, lush, and my lashes are noticeably longer when I use it. Be careful though; it’s powerful. If I smudge on my eyelid it’s a bit of a mess to clean up. Totally worth it though.

I’m considering this goal met. I had begun to think that my lashes could never look like this, and behold, they do! This quest wasn’t a “get the most for your money” type of thing, though, so if anyone out there has any recommendations for me that will allow me to achieve a similar look as the Dior for less money, by all means share!

August 2, 2009
Just Enjoying Life, Is All

This picture makes me happy. I took it this afternoon.

I’ve been enjoying the time I’ve created for myself since I last wrote. For example, I finished the book I was reading for book club, read a short story, and got through a couple of chapters of another book I’m working on. I cooked dinner for David and my parents, and it was good. While my mom and I walked the dogs, the men did some maintenance on my car. That was good too. I went to my cousin’s son’s first birthday party, watched a little TV with David, saw Harry Potter, cleaned the house. Worked some long and tough hours, then ate a huge brownie. Not all in one day.

I haven’t exercised much, but that’s okay.

I feel obligated to mention the goals I’ve completed lately as well. The meal I cooked for my parents was the fourth meal in four weeks, goal #2. It was enchilada casserole. I’ll put up the recipe sometime. I wear a pedometer at work now, goal #11. Apparently I walk between 3-4 miles while there. And part of the above mentioned maintenance on my car was new windshield wipers, goal #98.

I was going to run errands today, but I don’t feel up to it anymore. Instead I think I’ll cuddle up next to Cleo and read. Then when the sun starts to go down I’ll put on my running shoes and go for a jog. Shower, sleep. Wake up for another beautiful summer day tomorrow.

Life is good, you know?

July 28, 2009
Just Some Stuff

Lately I feel like there are so many things going on in my life, little and big, that it’s hard to keep straight. I just want some time to relax and read my books, but it’s hard to let myself have that time. Anyway, before I head to bed I want to share with you a few of those random things that are happening, or that I’m thinking about.

>The triathlon that I’ve been training for is about a month and a half away. I’m pleased to report that running is going very well. As long as I don’t attempt it in the heat of the day, I have no trouble running the 5k. Swimming is another matter. After I successfully completed the entire 750m, the next couple of swims were extremely tough. I feel like I’ve backslid in that area. And as for biking, I don’t go that often because it takes so long, but I am confident that I can complete the 14 miles. I’m quite slow at all three events, but my goal is just to finish. Unfortunately, my training buddy cracked a rib this past weekend and can no longer race. I’m left to do this one on my own, which is no fun. It’s hard to stay motivated, but I’m really going to try to tough it out.

>I’ve been enjoying listening to podcasts while I run, and also while I drive. A few of my favorites that I’ve found so far are: The Dinner Party Download, Stuff You Should Know, Filmspotting, and Radiolab.

>We only have 8 beds (out of 28) open on my floor at work now, so there are only 2 nurses needed per shift. It’s very strange; the rest of the unit looks like it’s under some weird kind of quarantine. We will be floating to other units a lot now, and on Sunday I actually have to work the 3-11 p.m. shift. I’m kind of nervous about it, mostly because I don’t stay up that late hardly ever.

>Yesterday I registered to be a bone marrow donor. This was one of my 101 goals. Methodist made it pretty easy, because they had a table set up right in the lobby. It only took a few minutes to fill out a form, swab my cheek, and done. I didn’t realize it, but 70% of bone marrow donations are done by pheresis, which is just like giving blood.

>Ellen, a good college friend of mine and one of my bridesmaids, had a baby today. It blows my mind.

Off to bed now, one of my favorite times of day!

July 16, 2009
Honey Mustard Chicken

As far as homemaking goes, I may be a little behind the curve.

Strengths: cleaning, organization, scrapbooking, getting the bills paid on time, and taking care of you if you’re sick.

“Growth areas” (this is therapy speak): sewing, gardening, decorating, and COOKING.

I am completely inexperienced with cooking, which at times makes me feel like less of a woman, or something. (I’m exaggerating, people.) Anyway, I know I’m not going to go from newbie to chef extraordinaire overnight, so I’m starting slow. Hence my goal #2, cook dinner once a week for a month.

This is the meal I cooked on Friday, and hopefully I can follow it up for the next three Fridays to complete the goal.

Honey Mustard Chicken (from my friend Ellen)

Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup prepared mustard
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste and place in a lightly greased baking dish.

3. In a small bowl combine the honey, mustard, basil, paprika and parsley. Mix well. (I used a whisk.)

4. Pour 1/2 of this mixture over the chicken.

5. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Turn chicken pieces over and brush with the remaining 1/2 of the honey mustard mixture.

6. Bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear. Let cool 10 minutes and serve.

My notes:
I made the full recipe so that we would have leftovers, but I have also cut it in half before and it was just as good. I made Rice-a-roni to go with it, and I’m so proud of myself for also making green beans! Neither David nor I particularly like vegetables, so it’s hard to get each other to eat them. Also, in the interest of full disclosure, this did sort of stain my pan yellow. So you might want to stay away from using any pans you bake brownies in.

Verdict:
The meal turned out nicely and David liked it too even though he doesn’t really like chicken. He said there was so much good sauce that he barely noticed the chicken flavor. I’ll definitely make this one again. Remember, if I can make it, you definitely can!

July 6, 2009
#55. Change Passport to Married Name.

Another easy goal out of the way! All I had to do for this one was shell out the $75 fee and get my paperwork together. It required me to mail in my old passport, and while I was not sorry to see that horrible picture go I was sorry to part with all the stamps I had acquired:

Three examples: France, England, Ireland.

Just the other day I got my new passport in the mail. All clean and blank and empty, full of potential. David has never been out of the country so I hope to take him one day.

Oh, and they also mailed me my old passport back. :)

July 4, 2009