I Want A New Drug

Sorry for the lack of Friday blog. Still haven't found a theme I desire. Should have one by this Friday, fingers crossed.

Okay, today's must haves is all about skin. Now that it's summer and the Sun City insists on living up to it's name, I have been sweating like a whore in church. Sweat leads to break outs. Break outs lead to me wanting to bury my face in the sand.

I tried ProActiv and was not impressed. I followed the instructions to the letter and even ditched makeup for a few weeks to really give it a chance. Guess what happened? I broke out even more. And painfully, you know, those deep zits that hide under the skin and hurt like hell. Even worse, when I called to cash-in on that money-back guarantee they offer, I was told that after I pay to return the product (which must me certified and insured) it would take 4-6 weeks for them to credit me back $19.95. I paid $29.95. What. The. Hell. It isn't worth it, to buy it or return it. If any of you use it and love it, great. I am super happy you found a product that works for you. But the product and the customer service didn't work for me.

I should have stuck with what was working for me. St. Ives Green Tea products from their Naturally Clear line. The scrub reduces my redness and has Salicylic Acid to fight breakouts. The cleanser is does the same but is more gentle for every day use. I also bought the body scrub/wash at the recommendation of my pal S and it's just as awesome. 

Amazon has great deals on all of these. I have a prime account, so I prefer to get the 2-packs to stock up because the shipping is free. 

Okay, so everybody knows that after cleansing and scrubbing and treating, you have to moisturize. My problem has always been dryness. But it's hard to find a good oil-free moisturizer. Plus, I'm lazy. I hate having to moisturize my face with one kind of lotion and my body with another. Luckily, Cetaphil makes a dermatologist recommended lotion for face and body. With no fragrance, it's a non-comedogenic lotion (which I have been told is what you want with a face like mine), moisturizes for hours, and even helps with the redness on my arms. 

I snagged a two-pack for only $14.98 with free shipping on Amazon.

After all of that, if I am feeling up to it (or if I have to be seen in public) I throw on some make-up. In the summer, I like to keep it to a minimum. Almay Smart Shade Balance is that minimum. I've tried BB Cream and can't find a shade that works for me. Almay makes it easy by having a shade that adjusts to me. They also make a great concealer, though I hope to not be using it soon (pray for clear skin!).

Once again, Amazon is my go to spot for both. It's cheaper than the store (if it's even in stock at most of them) and it comes to me in 2 days for free. $6.73 for the makeup and $6.96 for the concealer. I personally think it matches right up to more pricey brands.

And to take it all off, Neutrogena Make Up Removing Wipes are my preferred method. One wipe gets everything, even eyeshadow and mascara. You can get a HUGE box at Costco or a 100 wipe pack on Amazon. If you haven't picked up on it by now, Amazon is my go-to for most things. Stores here don't seem to realize if something sells out, you should re-stock it because it was in demand, and I hate running out of the stuff I use all the time. 

It's only $20.95 with free shipping. Cheaper than driving the 32-mile round trip to Costco!

Summer also requires sunscreen, well, if you don't want to look like leather. I prefer to have a healthy glow that isn't lobster, so I stick with another Neutrogena product. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunblock comes in 30, 45, and 70 SPF. I prefer the 45. It goes on quickly and is not at all greasy. Perfect for everyday use.

$8.98 for a can, but it lasts a while. You can usually find multi-packs at Costco as well.

Last, but my most important beauty essential, lip balm. I prefer Burt's Bees. Whether it's the original or the awesomely nourishing and beautiful tinted choices, nothing leaves my lips feeling as smooth.

This Tinted Balm Shimmer Combo comes in a variety of colors (this is Rhubarb, my fave). You can use them together or separately, either way is awesome! It's only $9.25. 

Hope my summer skin tips/recommendations help you! Here's a convenient widget from Amazon if you want to order any of them!

No Sleep Til Brooklyn

It is Katniss' birthday today, so happy birthday you skinny bitch...I know you'll be reading this.

I am so fucking tired. I could literally take a coma on my desk and not give a shit. I can't even blink because my eyes are trying to stay shut. Thank goodness for blogging or I would have no motivation to stay awake. I made the mistake of getting a Black Tea Lemonade at Starbucks on the way here and I should have gotten an Americano with 4 extra shots. Little Bug wouldn't take a nap (one I planned on joining her for) and add that to the sleep I barely got last night, I am pretty much a zombie.

You know what helps though, listening to a Real Housewives of New York City Sonja Morgan Hispanic doppelganger talk about how she hasn't started her paper yet. The one due tonight, BTW. She's telling her team member, who wasn't here last week, that she got caught up with her shows and didn't feel like doing it. He apparently hasn't done his either, from this week or the last, but he doesn't think he'll get docked points because Ms. Frizzle doesn't look like a bitch. I hope she sticks to her guns and doesn't give him shit. He needs a name, so does RHONY Doppelganger. I can't call her Hispanic Sonja, too easy to confuse that with Blond Sonja. He shall be Demòn because of the way he pronounced his first name. So Demòn and Doppelganger are in the team with The Deputy and Peircy Paula (she has been in here before but never warranted a name).

I thought that I might like Doppelganger last week, but after listening to their convo, not so much. She's bitching about how we have to take a quiz when class starts and how she didn't study and she shouldn't have to take it because she was just too busy. She just said she was getting caught up on her shows and that's why she couldn't write her paper, don't try to act like you had real shit to do. Demòn says he knows because he was too busy as well, watching some show on Univision. Katniss had a class with him before and will fill me in during lunch break. I can't wait!

We took our quiz and it wasn't hard, but I didn't study (no excuse, just didn't care). If you get 7 correct, you get full credit. I'm sure I'll be fine, but if not, I can handle losing 2 points. Yes, that's all it was worth. Ms. Frizzle is now talking about budgets and how some town on the East coast is paying it's employees minimum wage. She talked about towns going bankrupt and after 5 minutes of rambling, brought it around to juvenile systems getting their budgets cut. Then she jumped to cars and how you need to take care of them so they last longer. Fat Alberto chimed in that his dad was a mechanic. Yep, all of this is relevant to juvenile justice.

We just discussed The Douchebag family and how the juvenile justice system failed them epically. Ms. Frizzle was intrigued, I know she's going to ask me what their name and address is. But I told her it was too late. Those kids are beyond help. Doppelganger said "Don't worry about it, eventually they will kill each other and you can buy the house and burn it down." Yeah, and then salt the earth and get a priest to exercise the demons. I might start liking her again. She also said she beat the shit out of her kids and that's why they grew up to be responsible adults. She's breaking me down bit by bit.

Break consisted of talking about our kids. Little Bug and Katniss' son are pretty much the same child. They were born a day apart and everything he does, she does the same. Piercy Paula tried to add her two cents, but sorry honey, you aren't a mom, you don't get to join this club.

We're back from break and discussing the dangers of the juvenile justice system. Kids do get neglected and fall through the cracks, but that isn't an excuse. I am so sick of people blaming "the system." Yes, there are flaws in the juvenile system, but blaming the system for everything, you're teaching these kids that they are not ever going to be held accountable for their crimes. Doppelganger told us a tail from when her son was seven. He stole a pack of cigarettes with a cops son and he got caught. She let him get arrested (though it didn't stick) to scare him straight. I'm not sure what the bullshit to truth ratio of that story is, but I think she should be the mom that bad kids get sent to. She seems like she really would beat the shit out of someone else's kid if they mouthed off to her.

We're still on the first slide and it's 9:02. We've basically spent the class talking about various ways to discipline your child. Called it. Everyone pretty much agrees on it but Fat Alberto has to add his own spice. Having no kids, he feels that when you spank the kids, they know, you know? When we were discussing my next door suicidal neighbor (of course I brought it up!), he said "Oh yeah they brought a lady in at 2 am to the hospital, the one where I work because she tried to kill herself, you know." I asked "Do you work at Del Sol?" and he said no. "Then it wasn't my neighbor, must be two exact same situations last night in Sun City." My sarcasm and mocking of him was lost because he said "Yeah, it happens all the time." Idiot. I know you're lying and I knew you would try and act like you were somehow involved. Dr. Fat Alberto is now a cop.

This class just refuses to bring the awesome it requires to blog about it. We all basically agree and the ones who don't, well they don't speak anyway, so who cares what they have to think? I'm hoping next week is poppin' but who knows. It'll probably be another class dedicated to how we all got beat as kids and we (in our own minds) turned out fine.

That's all I got for tonight. I am still tired as hell and my pillow is calling my name (yes, I am at home now). See you tomorrow.

I Won't See You Tonight

Holy hell do I have a blog for you! I was working on my homework for the most of the day and was pretty sure I wouldn't have time for a blog. I even got kind of sad about it. I mean, I barely popped one out yesterday and now I wasn't going to have time or material for today. But low and behold, the powers that be wouldn't stand for that and gave me some great shit. Well, great is relative. I'll understand if you all think I'm a cruel bitch after this one.

It has been one of those days. Every time I sat down to write my research paper (that's due tomorrow and I started today) I have been dragged away by Little Bug. Her Poppa and Grandma took her for a bit and even that wasn't enough of a break with all the household stuff that needed doing. By the time Hubby got home, I was ready to plop down and get to writing. That didn't happen as Hubby and I were discussing what to do about Little Bug's rejection of a scheduled life and all things meal time.

My mother was downstairs with her convincing her to eat (it helps that she made her chicken nuggets) when we heard her start yelling. She sounded frantic as she yelled for us to come grab Little Bug and to hurry. We rushed down the stairs, Hubby practically leaping down them. He scooped her up and Mom explained to me that the cops were outside. Oh, the Douchebag Family must have had another knockdown drag out I thought. But wait, that was not the case.

Next door, where the Vile Filthy Rotten Cunt used to live, I could see over the fence into the backyard. There stood four Sun City police officers attempting to calm the current resident. She shall be called Florence Nightingale because that bitch was always thinking she was sick too. Florence is in her early to mid-forties and at any given time has a litany of diseases. She has asthma and heart issues but still smoke. She has some type of shoulder problem that has caused nodules to grow on the bone. She allegedly had a stroke two weeks ago and was paralyzed. She speaks like she is intentionally skipping words to mimic stroke after effects, but when you catch her off guard, her speech is just like yours or mine. I personally believe she has Munchhausen Syndrome as these illnesses all seem to flare up when her husband is going back to work or her family is about to leave after coming to help her. How she hasn't been committed before this is beyond me.

She came over yesterday during the All-Star game asking about paint. I had no idea what the hell she wanted, but Hubby had done some help for her around her house because she's just so sick and I beckoned him. He grabbed the paint she was asking about and insisted she just keep it and then mumbled something about studying and bolted upstairs. She bitched to my mother about putting all this work into their house (that they rent) and how she was going to demand that the landlord (my mom's friend) pay her back. Mom also then made up some excuse and bolted. They just left me and Little Bug downstairs with her. She tried talking to me about something and I explained very nicely we were watching the game and looking for my Baby Sis because she was there. This prompted 35 awkward minutes of her talking about baseball, Little Bug's clothing, her daughter, her surgery and her cat. I finally said "Well, thanks for coming over, I've got to get Little Bug to bed." She still stayed another 5 minutes.

Mind you, this is her NORMAL behavior. She always keeps you longer than she should when all you did was say "Hello" at the mailbox. She always talks about her wounds and issues. The faking a speech impediment things was new, but other than that, same old Florence.

Flash back to tonight and I saw Florence, surrounded by police, and a knife in her hand. She would switch back and forth from using it to point at the officers and her husband to holding it against her stomach and her thigh like she was going to cut herself. The officers didn't have their weapons drawn, but in the back yard behind hers, I could see two officers with shotguns that I would later find out were loaded with non-lethal. She was screaming and yelling, cussin' up a storm, but with the door shut, I couldn't make out what she was saying. I turned to see if anyone was watching from inside with me, couldn't have been more than 5 seconds, but as soon as I turned back, she was on the ground being cuffed.

In front of the house were a total of 7 cop cars, but there were three more around the corner, ready to leap in to action. I guess suicidal white women bring the cops out. Maybe next time I'll say the Douchebag family is white and suicidal instead of reporting the shit they really do. 

Speaking of the Douchebag family, I bet this was a night they wished everyone had been home for. The pervert old man stood outside watching, probably desperately relieved that it wasn't his house this time. His whore wife actually sent the youngest slut Athena over to ask the cops what was going on. She actually said "You guys aren't here because they called on us right?" I'm not sure if I would have asked a cop that, but guilty is as guilty does. Apparently, Florence has called on the Douchebag family a few times and they had threatened her. You can barely make out his old crusty ass next to the compound door.

This is how they left her for over an hour. They cuffed her and stuck her in the back of the squad car. She was screaming and yelling the whole time. A few times, she flailed around and banged her head against the window. When the sun started to set, they put the spotlight from the car behind hers on so they could see in the window. Great idea right? Leave the suicidal woman all by her lonesome.

One of the officers asked us if we knew her very well and we told him what we knew. He explained that she said no one cares about her, no one helps her, and she was so lonely. He said we need to talk to her more and help her out. I'm all about helping those who need it, but what if she turns the knife on us?! I have a four-year-old child I need to think about here. Besides, we do help her out. We've helped her carry in groceries without being asked, cleaned up her yard, helped paint and Hubby has fed and walked her dogs. We've stood outside for extended periods of time while she chain smokes and goes on and on about her ailments that have apparently baffled the medical community. I've sympathized, offered suggestions, let her dote on Little Bug because she misses her grand kids...what else are we supposed to do?! 

So as the cops are finally leaving, her husband comes over and tells us what happened. He says he was on the phone with her as he was coming home from work and she was talking to him like she was a 12 year old. He said she has "episodes" where she reverts back to her 12 year old self. Um, I'm not a shrink, but wither she was faking it for attention or she reverts to age 12 because that's when something traumatic happened to her. So he rushes home and as he walks in the door, she walks into the kitchen, gets a big ol' knife and holds it to her throat and says she's going to kill herself. He called the police and they somehow got her into the back yard and surrounded her.

Here's where it gets odd. He said she has these episodes and has been suicidal off and on for 3 1/2 years or so. Um, don't you think that's something you should tell your neighbors? If you thought something was fishy when she called you, call us. We're next door and could have gone over to help. My mom even told him that and he said "You could have talked her down" but in a tone that was less regretful and more accusatory. What the fuck were we supposed to do if we didn't know? I'm sorry, let me take time away from my family to baby sit your fucking wife. 

The conversation continued for a few more minutes and he didn't act like a man who's wife just threatened to kill herself. He started talking about how our front tree had died and how theirs was dying. Apparently, there is an epidemic killing 80% of the trees in Texas. Because that's more important. It wasn't even like he was trying to change the subject because he was uncomfortable, he really just didn't give a shit. 

Florence is on a 72-hour hold now, but the officers seemed pretty confident that the doctors would commit her. Here's hoping, because let that woman step over here with a knife near my baby. Lord help her.

The reality of the situation is suicide is no laughing matter. If I really felt like she was suicidal, I would not have written this blog. But I don't think she is. In my years as a LEO, I've met suicidal peeps and people who just wanted the attention. She wants the attention. The doctors were starting to tell her that all her illnesses aren't legit and she needed another attention grabber. Well honey, you got it.