Laurie Gauthier-Jones’ blog

I lost my brother two days ago. He was only 45 years old, and we believe it was a fatal heart attack. I am in a fog of grief and confusion. This wasn't supposed to happen. I have never experienced a loss like this. Will the world ever be normal again?

Wow, short and sweet. No pics...I dropped in to say Hi, and I miss you guys terribly and I miss blogging. I just took a quick look at what I write, and damn, I do have a way with words....a kind of the everywoman if you will. If the everywoman were certifiably manic. And medicated.

I have been on a one-woman house-hunting war. Our goal was to have found, closed escrow and moved into our new home before school started in the Fall. hasn't happened.Yet. I have lost count of how many homes we have been outbid by cash buyers.

I will not bore you all with the details, but we do have a very tight and strict set of financial guidelines we need to fit into for this housebuying thing to work out for us. We have been assured by the powers that be(loan officers, realtors, my parents) that while this IS difficult, is is nowhere near impossible. Just be patient, they say. When the time is right, they say. And everyday I have to keep my husband from wanting to beat the crap out of our tool of a landlord for not fixing something else that keeps going wrong.

Yet, I deal. And it's summer. And my children are making me crazy. And my husband had surgery on his ankle Thursday, and will be home under my feet recuperating for the next three monthes.

Whoo Hoo. Life just doesn't get any better than this. (Note the deliberate sarcasm here)

Pray for me. Pray for us all.

Hello all my darlings out in Voxland.......I am so sorry I have been away so long! My life has been an absolute zoo on so, so, SO many levels, and I promise I will bring you guys up to speed very soon, but I did want to share with you a little project I managed to pull together yesterday.

You all know that l love my mineral eyeshadows, but one thing I don't love is that they CAN be messy, and a little more time-consuming than regular panned eyeshadows. I know some of you really crafty gals use palettes from Coastal Scents and MAC, and even ELF, but I didn't want to bother ordering and waiting  for stuff to arrive......I am all about instant gratification. LOL.

 I saw a vid on YouTube where a gal talks about using a kid's waterpaint kit. She popped out the paints, sterilized it with alcohol, and used the wells for the eyeshadow.

I found this really cool one at Michaels for $6.99, and that was before a 40% off coupon that I should have used. It is by ART Alternatives, has 18 small wells, and a nice tin case.

For my mixing medium, I used Biosilk. Again, I used a YouTuber as my source of info. She said it has basically the same ingredients as the Coastal Scents, and I just happened to have a huge bottle already. Score!!!   BTW, I heard that Sallys Beauty carries a generic version of Biosilk for way cheap.

I used a glass shot glass to do my mixing. The 5gram jars were just about the perfect size for the small wells. I just dumped them in, added in a few drops of the Biosilk, a drop or 2 of alcohol, and stirred it up with end of the paintbrush that came with the watercolor kit. The really hard part was getting the mixture right. It should be sort of a *wet crumble*, but sometimes I'd have a little too much liquid, and that makes it harder for it to dry. Some of the pans looked really great; others look really bugly! On a couple of them, I was working with sample baggies and only had a teeny amount of color, so the pan is almost empty looking.

All in all, it was a huge learning curve, and since they are still drying; I haven't had a chance to use them yet. I did print up the color names, and I did decorate the tin, just cuz I like everything to look all pretty pretty! LOL

I did take pics, but I don't know why they are so tiny....sorry about that. Hope you enjoy them anyway.

Take to you soon!!!

TTFN-

Laurie

For-sale-sign

Again, I have been M.I. A  for just ages, but I think I have a good reason. At the ripe old age of mid-to-late-forties, DH and I have just been pre-qualified for our starter home! Course in our case, it will probably be our starter, our middle, and our retirement home....but it's all good.

I waited a long time for my Mr. Right. We didn't get married til I was 35, and he was 33. We have been renting since 2 years before we were married. We have had a lot of ups and downs in our married life, and there were times when I wasn't sure the relationship was going to survive, and the idea of buying a house in that kind of environment was just too scary to even think about.

But right now, we have a lot of stability behind us, and even though this is a horrible time for so many people right now, this IS a buyer's market; and even though we only qualify for a small loan, there are houses to be had for the price we can pay. We are also not afraid of a LOT of hard work! Actually I am thrilled at the idea of creating something together that is actually *us*.

This will be a short post since I am really exhausted, and I have a ton of other stuff going on as well, but I did want to let all of you now what was going in my life! 

TTFN!

Mascara fight club-2

My china glazes-1

Hi, All!!! Sorry I have been a little M.I. A. lately, but I had to give up wearing eye make-up for a week and a half due to my unfortunate pink-eye incident, but now I am back and ready to roll!

Since I had germies from the pink-eye, I had to throw away my beloved L'oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes mascara. Not. Good. I was not happy. However when I got to CVS to get my prescription, I swiped my CVS card, and got a $25.00 gift card with any paid prescription, so......I thought I'd try one of Maybelline's new offerings in the mascara wars: Lash Stiletto.

Well, had I tried this before I tried the L'oreal BT, it might have been my new HG, as it is a darn fine mascara. It does give great glossy length, and comes off easily with soap and water. It's very easy to use, and does give pretty Va va voomy lashes with multiple coats. It is not at all water-or-smudgeproof.

L'oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes, however, for me, is and will remain my HG. Yes, it does take a little longer to apply since you have to apply a primer and the mascara inself. Yes, the brushes are a little unwieldly. But, OMG, they give you the must gorgeous long, full(for me, anyway-this is NOT a volumizing mascara!) almost faux-looking sexy fringe of lashes that LAST. I mean these lashes are practically indestructible, however, nice hot water will dissolve the formula, and it will slide right off, just like smushed up spiders.(yes, I know---gross visual, but that what it looks like)

I believe that there is a time and a place for both of these little beauties in your make-up bag, and if you get them, you will thank me. Money is good, as is MMU, and dark chocolate! LOL.

Will be back in a while to rave about my new China Glaze Nail Lacquers!

TTFN

Hello, I am back! First of all, I want to say sorry for the truly teeny-tiny photos. I took them with my camera phone and I did something weird with the resolution, I think, so they won't enlarge when you click on them. I'm bummed, since I spent some time making them look all *arty* and stuff. You know it's all about the presentation. That's why we buy all the the war paint, don't we?

On to my ongoing nail-polish saga. I think I have determined that China Glaze Nail Lacquers are my new favorite, hands down, giggle,giggle. I hadn't quite had a chance to meet them when the Rodeo Diva collection came out, but I tell you, if ever get a chance to pick up Gussied-Up Green, I'll be so all over it. I did manage to snag Emerald Sparkle, which I raved about in a previous post. While I was in Ulta last week, I almost tripped over the new Spring Collection-Les Romantiques, and Ou la La....I am in La Amour.....

First I have to say that I don't do pink. I also don't do pastels. But this collection has ensnared me with it's quiet, sultry charm. These are soft, deep, dusky, metallic pastels with an edge. I wanted to take a photo of the display for you, but the manager at Ulta had a bug up her tush and wouldn't let me. I bought one color, Poetic-a midtone peachy-rose for $6.50 since I had a coupon for $5.00 off a $10,00 purchase.

On my way home, I stopped at Sally's Beauty Supply and found that 1) they do carry China Glaze, and 2) if you have a Sally's card, you can get the nail polish for $3.25!!!!!

So, I bought 4 more:

Adore: mid tone dusky teal

Awaken: steely grey

Passion: cool mid tone gold

Joy: subtle fuchsia/purple

Each of these colors is very shiny and metallic. I found the polish itself to be a little thick, but I also think you could get away with wearing just one coat if you wanted to; two just makes it a little smoother. It does take a little extra to dry, but with color this rich and gorgeous, I'm willing to wait.

Ok, I need to stop getting any more nail polishes.  I am set for quite a while!

That is, unless Gussied-Up Green wants to fall in my lap!

TTFN

Laurie

OMG, yesterday so sucked in so many ways! I have been going along, blithely enjoying a really, really good month, and then, all of a sudden, out of the blue, fate decides to smack me right in the kisser, or in my case, right in my big, bright hazels! I woke up yesterday with my right eye a little inflamed. I thought I'd scratched it or something in my sleep, so I paid it little attention and went on with my day. I put on make-up as usual (luckily, none of my good minerals!!!!!) and just resigned myself to looking a little *off*.

I had to attend a funeral  for a girlfriends'd father at 3 pm yesterday afternoon. DH was going to go with and we were going to bring the kids, but at the last minute we decided not to take them since it was just pouring, and we were not sure whether or not it would be a gravesite service; plus my kids have never been to a funeral before, and I didn't want them acting up.

Well, it turned out to be an inside service, but it was all in spanish, which my family does not speak. Then my girlfriend got up to speak about her dad, and it was so moving and she was just bawling and then I was just bawling and rubbing at my eyes more, and then I noticed that they were EVEN more red and starting to feel all sticky and glue-y and gross. By this time it was 4:45; I was 20 minutes away from my Dr.'s office, and there was NO WAY I could get there before he closed. At this point it is more than obvious that somehow I have contracted pink-eye!

So, I clalled the office, and of course the Dr. had left for the(long) weekend. I call his service and explain that I am SURE that I have pink-eye and can the Dr. please call me asap so he can call the pharmacy for some meds, so I don't have to deal with this crud all weekend and get my little kids all infected. Jerk-off Dr. FINALLY calls me an hour later, and tells me that he will not give me a script over the phone and that I need to go to Urgent Care. The closest one is, of course, 25 miles away, and it is still effin pouring rain!!!!  I finally make it there, and naturally the place is jam-packed, since IT IS FRIDAY THE 13TH. I wait 3 hours to see a DR. for 3 minutes to tell me, that, yes, indeedy, I do have pink-eye!

Whoo-Hoo! Of course there is no pharmacy onsite, and it is now 10:30. Luckily there is an allnite pharmacy on my way home, and it only takes an hour to get my meds, you know, since everybody and God is there, since it is FRIDAY THE 13TH, and people just do dumbass stuff

Oh, and of course I am not supposed to *get close* to anybody. So there goes my romantic Valentines Day..And I really hate walking around looking like poop on toast.

Happy effing FRIDAY THE 13TH to me!

TTFN,   Laurie

SDC11047

Well, here it is....my new tattoo! I just had it done a couple of hours ago, and I am soooo happy with it. You may remember from a previous post that I bartered a Christmas present that I wasn't going to give the love it deserved  to a lovely gentleman  who wanted that item for his wife in exchange for a tattoo, which I have been jonesing for a good couple of years. His name is David, and he took an idea that I gave him, and turned it around into a totally gorgeous and unique and colorful design that is totally *me*. You can't tell from the picture, but it is on my right forearm,; about an inch and a half below my elbow.

I hope that you like it!

TTFN,

Laurie

Aquafina

SDC10229

My previous post nonewithstanding.......I really don't have a heck of a lot to complain about. Even in these uncertain times; my family is healthy. We have a roof over our heads and plenty to eat. We have a steady income, 2 vehicles that run well, and we have health insurance. We have great friends. We are indeed blessed. So I am grateful  not just for the big, big things, but for the little things that that can make or break a day.

One thing I just noticed is that even as cold and wet as this winter has been (in sunny California---LOL) that my lips have not gotten dry or nasty or chapped at ALL. Back in October when I was in Walmart I picked up a 4-pack of Aquafina Flavorsplash LipBalm. I think that it was $2.47 for all four. They have jojoba and almond oil and vitamin E. There were 1 each these 4 flavors, citrus, raspberry,, wildberry, and minty something. Anyway, all of them smell really good; feel really smooth and glossy-smooth on, and have a hint of a *tingle* on the lips. I kept one in my car, one at my desk, one in my purse, and one by my bed, and they were so pleasant and yummy to use I just always remembered to wear them.....hence, no dry lips. Which of course begs the question, is the lipbalm really good, or is it just the fact is was constantly used? Hmmmmm. Anyway...I liked it.

Ohhhh, this is so cooolll!!! Elizabeth, the stylist from Eclipse- the Aveda salon that did my *bob* do, called me last night. She needs a hair model for some new colors Aveda is presenting, and she wants me!!! She says it will be very multi-dimentional, which I think means a few?? different colors. Ok, I'm up for that..

So, Tuesday, new tattoo. Wednesday, new hair color. Now, maybe Thurday, I could get free whole body lipo???? LOL.

TTFN,  Laurie  

Valentines fingenail

I'm going to whine a little right now. My friend, who shall remain nameless, calls it baaaaaing, but I need to get this off my chest! You all know I started getting my nails(acrylics) done a few months ago, and how much I really do love them for so, so, so many reasons. Today I had them done this really awesome shade of warm, shimmery red, just in time for Valentine's Day next week. They looked gorgeous, and I was really happy, and then I thought, hmm, why don't I get one of those cute little stickers they have for holidays put on my thumbnail. I chose a little heart, hence the *heart-on* double entoundre; it took him 2 seconds to put the thing on; then they charged me an extra $2.00 frikken dollars for this stupid little sticker. O.M.G!!  Did I mention that every single time I get my nails done in this salon I bring my own bottle of nail polish, instead of using their yucky, old, congealed bottles????. Am I stupid for being annoyed by this? And I am a damn good tipper, too.

Another thing about this salon. I  also get my eyebrows waxed there. They do a nice job; and it's cheap-about $10.00 with tip. I would rather suffer the quick pain of waxing, than endure the miserable agony of pluck, pluck, pluck! Anyway, there was a new gal doing the waxing, and the first thing she said to me was, *oh, you want upper lip done?* I DON'T THINK SO!-----then I ask her to please not use oil to take off the wax since it makes me break out, and she tells me it won't and she uses it anyway, well this week, I have a row of cystic acne zits right under my left eyebrow!! Those suckers hurt like heck, too.

Where I live, there are little salons like this on every other block.....do you guys think I should give this salon another chance, or should I just bag it, and change salons?

Ok, done baaaaing!

Now for the fun news!

I received a Christmas present from my mother that I really wasn't that interested in, so I very tactfully let her know and she gave me the info on the online shop where she had purchased it, so that I could exchange it. Long story short, it was past the return date, so I was out of luck.

Or so I thought. I put it up for sale on Craiglist----no bites.

I put it up for barter on Craiglist, and OMG, I am getting something I have so been wanting for the last 2 years.......let's just say that it involves ink and needles, and that it is permanent.

Yeppers! Another tattoo! My appointment is for next Tuesday the 10th at 11am. I cannot explain the design except that it will be sort of celestial and floral and very colorful. I plan on it being on my right forearm, but that may change.

I'm stoked.....this will be my 3rd tattoo. I have a sun/moon on my left ankle, a tuxedo kitty on my left wrist, and now finally I'll start evening up my right side......LOL. As every person who has every gotten a tattoo will tell you, once you have one, you start planning your next one!

My mother says I'm gonna look really gross when I get old with all these tats. I think my grandkids will think I'm a cool old lady.

TTFN! Laurie