Fabulous Day

I know, right?  You haven't heard that sentiment out of me since, well... I don't know.  I can't remember either.

The hubby is out of town, coaching at "State" (NY state regatta).  So I'm home alone.  Showers forecasted for the weekend.

Great.  My favorite.  I figured I'd be in a seriously bummed mood since the funk I've been in for the past, oh, EIGHT months has been seriously affected by the weather.  But strangely enough the weather has contributed to my good mood!!

First of all, last night I ran to Wegman's and bought me a microwave steamable dinner and an orange, pomegranate martini mix. (don't you judge me!!)  and proceeded to have a just fine TV night all by myself.  Then this morning I was up and at 'em and at Target purchasing necessities by 9am.  The day was overcast and threatening to rain at any moment.  But it's in the 60's!!!  So I grabbed a bunch of gardening stuff and headed to the front yard and started weeding, pruning.... you name it.  If it started to sprinkle I just headed inside.  Big deal.  I don't melt!  My goal was to get the front yard ready for mulch by the end of the weekend.  I had half of my goal done by noon today!! 

Whoo hoo!!!

I finished the rest after lunch.  I practiced a little piano while a little rain moved through and headed out to finish.  As usual, I can only imagine what my neighbors think of me. It did not escape my notice that I was the only person on the street out working in their yard today.  And if anyone caught me working in said yard they certainly got an eyeful.  No - no flashing this time around.  I was in capris and a long sleeve T, not a faulty bikini top.  Have you ever seen those wood cut outs that are supposed to look like the fat hind-end of a granny in a moo moo bent over tending her garden?  Yeah, that was me. 

But I was also pruning a sand cherry (ornamental tree) right out front and would pull a branch down to trim it and on more than one occasion would accidentally let it go and it would slap me in the face or head, sending water and little white flower blossoms spraying everywhere.  Really what are you going to do?  Laugh.  That's what I did.  'Cuz I'm sure it was good entertainment for anyone watching.  Especially since I did it more than once.... (followed by me having a complete conversation with myself to remind self to not do that again... even though I did.)

Once all that yard work was done I figured I deserved a Corona while I waxed and did the hair color.  But I have a bit-o-waxin' wisdom to share.

All these years I've told you that I do my own waxing. I do.  I didn't lie.  I prefer the microwave wax that requires no strips.  You apply it, it hardens on it's own but stays flexible enough that you peel rip it off without the need to apply a fabric strip.  I've been using this method for years.  Today, at Target I bought a brand I've never tried before (because I usually buy my brand at Wally World, but they're going through a remodel and I didn't want to deal with that additional craziness....)  When I got home I realized the new brand is the type that comes with fabric strips. 

CRAP!!  I don't want this kind!!  But I'd figure since I had might as well give it a try. 

I LOVE IT!!  It works soooo much better than the other kind!!!!  It gets everything on the first pass!!  Who knew??

WARNING - you must be an experienced waxer.  The wax is thin and will get everywhere!  I have been doing this for years and managed to still get wax all over my hands.  and myself...  Oh well.  I'll take it for the better results. 

BTW - in case you were wondering, I waxed first then applied my hair color and then kicked back with a Corona.... didn't want anyone thinking the Corona impaired my waxing acumen.  But note to self - never try to wax and color at the same time.  That could produce disastrous results....

Now to paint toe nails.  Probably with another Corona.  Or since I've deemed it a girlie "ZooKeeper" weekend, perhaps an orange pomegranate martini.  Was going to go with a dark red but on second thought, with alcohol involved perhaps I'll choose a lighter color.  Easier to hide when you color outside the lines...  Just sayin'

Now what to do tomorrow with definite rain and thunderstorms?? 
MOVIE DAY!!!!  yeah!!! 
Any suggestions??

In search of the perfect shave

Haven't we all, at some point, been on the search for a perfect shave??  I've been on this quest for some time.  And I know some of you have too.

And it's more than just a shave.  I'm concerned about the environmental effects of going through those metal shave gel cans.  They aren't recyclable.  I know KVeg is concerned with animal ingredients and animal testing.  So I took these factors into account when I purchased this newest shaving cream.

I'd decided I'd try the shave cream route.  And when I say "shave cream" I mean an actual cream that comes out of a plastic bottle and doesn't really lather.  (as opposed to gel or foam) This way the container is recyclable.  And a bottle of the stuff actually lasts longer than a can of gel.

The first one I tried was a while ago and it was "Skintimate" shaving cream.  It was right there in the shaving aisle with all the other foams and gels.  Not sure on the animal testing part because I didn't look at the time.  But I highly DO NOT recommend it.  In their attempt to provide a butt-load of moisturizing components they created a formula that was greasy.  And it clogged up my razor!  The razor wouldn't cleanly rinse each time and I ended up ruining blades after each shave.  No good.  This was my first attempt at the cream and I thought if all of them were like this I wasn't going to get far!!

So I went back to regular gel.  But a few weeks ago I was in the Nature section of the grocery store and saw a plastic bottle with a pump of shave cream from "Kiss my Face".  It was almost $6 for a bottle but this thing will last FOREVER!!  It's definitely cheaper, in the end, than a can of foam or gel!!

It comes in scents but I opted for the fragrance free version.  You pump out just a little and lather it up in your hands.  It doesn't bubble or foam but the thickness of it seems to increase when you "lather" it.  I used it on my pits and legs and it's great!!  It also cleanly rinses off everything - skin, razor blade, shower curtain (I flopped it around the shower a bit...)  I HIGHLY recommend this stuff!!  And it's vegan and does not test on animals.

Now, if I can just perfect the 'stash wax I'll be set....

My weekend and the Product Review of SurgiCare

First of all I want to give a shout out to my wonderful coach/ honey.  His school took 3 boats to nationals this weekend.  One W8+, one M8+ and a M4+ .  (for non-rowers, that's a girls eight, boys eight and boys four - all are coxed).  The two boys boats are the hubby's.  Not only did his 4 make it through the semi finals to the grand finals but they finished 6th in the nation!!!!!!  He's checking but we're pretty sure no other boat from his school has ever gotten so far.  And the even better news???  Only one of them is a senior!  Hopefully we'll see a repeat next year!!

While he was at nationals I was home, having just driven home from NH.  Saturday I was content in setting my rear in a chair on the deck and reading for the day.  But many of my neighbors were doing yard work.  I felt bad...  the weather was great - not too hot, not too cold for yard work.  So I sucked it up and mowed the front and back and did some serious trimming of the bushes in the front yard.  But I left the trimmings for the hubby to clean up.  That's kinda our unspoken deal.  I trim, shape and weed while he gathers everything up and puts into the paper yard bags.  If I'm lucky I'll have trimmed enough to encourage him to purchase and layout the mulch while I'm gone over the next few weeks...  time will tell.....

After I was done mowing neighbor Joe (of the night-o-gin fame...) was out on his deck with a friend.  (he had already finished his yard work.)  He invited me over.  So of course I took him up on it.  I was disgusting!  But then again so was he.  I sat on his deck drinking beer and shootin' the shit for a while.  But  I couldn't sit there too long.  My hubby would be home later that night and I had to color my hair and wax!!!

Wax what, you ask??  My bikini line and my moustache.  (it sucks having dark hair....)  For years I've been waxing my own bikini line.  I know some gals really cringe when I mention I'm a DIY kinda girl, but really it's not that bad.  Years ago I found this product, Surgi Wax that was awesome.  You heat it in the microwave, take a wooden stick to spread it on.  In about 30-45 seconds it hardens up to a stiff, yet flexible wax.  You just grab a corner and yank.  Not fabric strips required. Worked like a charm.

I had recently used up the rest of my bikini wax so I went to buy new.  However the company has made some changes.  Now it's  "SurgiCare".  And they added a bunch-o-stuff to the box, to increase I price I'm sure.  Before it was a tub of wax and small wooden sticks.  Now there's a "cleansing gel", a pot of wax, a tube of "soothing lotion" and wooden sticks. 

I decide to follow my usual routine.  This "personal beautifying ritual" entails mixing and applying the hair coloring first.  Then I use the time waiting to wax.  No reason to change my routine.    I briefly take a look at the instructions included just to confirm any usage changes.  You're supposed to use the cleansing gel over the area first. (I'm pretty sure it's just a Purell knock-off).  Then you heat the wax as usual.  This is when I ran downstairs nekkid to the microwave....  hope the neighbors weren't looking.  (see what you can do when you don't have kids..  ; )   However I noticed it's a different color and much thinner once it's melted. 

I grabbed the wax, head back upstairs and proceeded as usual.  But there seemed to be a hitch.  The wax is thin.  I put on another layer.  I wait the requisite time and grab a corner to give it a yank.  Instead of hardening and coming right off it's still very pliable and sticky.  So sticky, in fact, that I no have it between my fingers and it's sticking to my skin like taffy!  I look like a kid playing with their blue taffy between my fingers!!!

And because it's tacky it's also stringy.  So I'm stringing this junk all through my bathroom while trying to wrestle it off my fingers!  After that first try I stop and decide to stir the wax to cool it down.  I'm convinced it's just too hot.  Once it cools down it will behave as usual.  So I try it again.

I pick a spot that still has little, thin wax residue spread around.  I'm thinking that when I put this new wax over it the old will pull off my skin.  I spread it on and waited at more than 60 seconds.  I didn't want it to string again.  No luck.  I ripped it off and it was still stringy.  But it's also leaving wax residue that won't come off!!!!!  I already have it stuck all over my finger pads and nails.  But the use of new wax isn't pulling off the old.  What am I going to do?!?!?

The instructions say to use the lotion to remove any excess residue.  I'm squeezing it one my hands and rubbing them as though I'm washing them.  To no avail.  It's NOT coming off!!!!  I use the lotion on my bikini line to remove the residue there.  It's not working there either.  I have sticky splotches of wax all over my bikini line - not to mention spotty hair removal on said waxed area.  I'm starting to panic because it's not budging!!! 

Then my panic increases when.... the timer goes off that it's time for me to rinse my hair!!!

Oh god!  What am I going to do?!?  I'm covered in wax but I don't want to accidentally chemically burn off my hair!!!   Shit!!!  I grab a wash cloth and literally start scrubbing at my bikini line and my fingers.   I'm frantically looking around to see if I can salvage the plastic gloves to use while in the shower.  I don't want to get my waxy fingers in my hair.  It might end up like a wad of sticky bubblegum in the hair if I'm not careful!

I finally get in the shower having gotten most of the wax off (but not all).  I take my chances using my bare hands to help rinse my hair.  I see a blue spot on the tub floor and when I try and move it with my toe I realize it's a piece of wax ground into the texture of the tub floor.  Ugh!!!

Once I was out of the shower I continue to try and remove the remaining wax off the bikini line.  Screw it.  I'm tired of fighting with this junk.  I'm a VERY unhappy customer with the new formulation.  I recommended the old version all the time.  Now - they lost a customer!  What's worse - I don't like any of the alternative brands so I think I'm going to have to invest in getting it professionally done now.   : (   Y'all know how I don't like to pay for something I can do myself....

So I recommend you stay away from the new Surgi formulation.  If you've had any luck with any other brand please do let me know!  I need a replacement!!!

Note:  why is it I have such terrible experiences with hair removal products???  Has anyone else noticed my issues I've had in the past???

Product Review: Revlon's version of the Ped-Egg

I recently purchased Revlon's version of the Ped-Egg. 

This is the original Ped-egg in case you're not familiar:

It's that handy-dandy pedicure implement which allows you to literally "grate" dead skin off of your feet.  I got it about 2 weeks ago.  It's GREAT!  Indeed, it does slough off the dead skin.  Although my feet are not bad by most standards (if I do say so myself... especially for a runner!)  However I was starting to get the "scratchy" heel syndrome.  Y'all know what I mean, right??  At night I could feel my dry heels on the sheets.  I can't stand that, thus prompting me to get this neat little device.  (that and I had a coupon...)

Last night I decided to give myself a quicky pedicure.  I grabbed the "scrubber" and went to work again on my heels. 

WARNING:  It is possible to slough off too much skin!!!!

I didn't even realize it at the time.  I went a little to wild, thankfuly only on one foot.  I put on cream and then I was reading in bed.  I moved and my heel felt really tender.  That's when I took a look and saw the redness.

(see the slight red patches?  I know it doesn't look like much...)

Yowzers!!!  It's sore to walk today. 

I highly recommend this or the "real" Ped-egg.  Just be careful you don't overdo it like I did!!