The Life of A Ladybug

Six Quirky Facts About Me

I have been tagged by GG of Golden Gluteus (best blog name ever!!!), so here's six quirky facts about yours truly!

1. I have a huge birth mark on my back.  My brother used to call it my skunk stripe.  Right down the middle of my back, my skin is lighter than around the outside.  It's hard to describe, but if you think of a skunk stripe, you'll get the idea.

2. Before going to bed, I must apply lip balm (usually Rosebud Salve or one of its sisters - right now, it's Minted Rose) and drink something.

3. My favorite cereal is Frosted Flakes, which isn't quirky.  What's quirky is that I cannot eat the whole flakes.  That doesn't give the maximum sugar factor, which is what I'm going for.  So, when I open a new box of Frosted Flakes, I take the plastic bag out, sit it on the table and bang the hell out of it with my hands or a big spoon or something until the flakes have been crushed up into little bits.  When they mix with milk ... oh my goodness!

4. I have given everyone I love a nickname - all of my family and friends.  Some of them do not know what their nicknames are and never will.  If you don't have a nickname ... I don't like you very much.

5. I sing about everything.  I just make up stupid little songs about the most mundane things.  I think it adds some joy and fun to life.  It can get annoying, I guess (particularly to Vic), but I love doing it.  Sarai has taken after me in this regard.  When she was an infant, I used to sing to her all day long - to soothe her and to keep myself sane.  I dubbed her "Tinky Mam" and sang her "theme song" to the tune of the Spider Man theme song.  I also sang a song about Vic when he would come home from work - it was called "Daddy Man": "Daddy Man.  Daddy Man.  Does whatever a daddy can!  He has come in from out and he's gonna kiss us with his mout'!  Daddy!  He is the Daddy Man!"  Come to think of it, a lot of my songs are to the tune of "Spider Man."  That tune is extra fun.

6. I have a very vivid imagination and a whole imaginary life, sometimes.  I think it's because I'm such a voracious reader.  I like books a lot, but there are only a few I truly love.  The books I love are the ones that allow me to become immersed in the world written about on their pages.  There are very few writers who can draw me in so completely - Stephen King being among the top.  His stories can be morbid and bone-chillingly frightening, but they are written so fully that I can't help falling into them.  If you ever want to truly become part of another world, read Stephen King's "Dark Tower" series.  Believe me, you'll be glad you did.

Let's see ... I'll tag Allie, Brooke, Amy, Nora, Tonyette, and Lucy.

Tag! I'm it!

The lovely Lilan from The Daily Cookie has tagged me and I'm so happy!  First of all, I love filling out these things, but secondly, I was feeling left out - it seemed like everybody in the beauty blogosphere had been tagged but me, so it's nice to feel included!  Smooches, Lilan!

Okay, here we go!  First list -

My 5 MUST NOT Have Beauty Items:

1. benefit bo-ing.  I really wanted this concealer to work, as I'm always looking for the perfect concealer.  But this thing was, as my friend Shawn puts it, "a hunka junka mess."  It was cakey, grey and ashy.  Not a good look.  AT ALL.
2. Maybelline Great Lash mascara.  Seriously, y'all.  Why?  Why do you buy this?  There are so many better mascaras out there and they don't cost any more.  Maybelline even makes some great mascaras - just not this one.  I know the pink tube is pretty, but that's it!
3. bareEscentuals color products.  I'm a big fan of BE's foundation, as y'all know.  I wear Warm Tan and think it does wonders for my skin.  But the blushes, shadows, etc.?  Not so much.  The blushes tend to be overly glittery and shiny.  The shadows are flaky.  And I don't think the Buxom Lips do all that much.
4. Sorry, MAC, but MAC Strobe Liquid/Cream.  If you're brown-skinned, the only reason to wear this is if you want to look an ashy, shiny mess. 
5. Carol's Daughter Candy Paint lipgloss.  That kills me because I love Carol's Daughter, but the glosses are so sheer that they're clear; the shade selection isn't all that fab; they're hella oily and they taste nasty.

And ... My 5 Biggest Beauty Crimes:

1. Like Lilan, Kia and many others, I don't always wash my face every night.  And I know I tell y'all that you should - and you should!  Do as I say, not as I do!
2. I don't drink nearly enough water (another one I have in common with other bloggers).  I've been changing that lately, though - adding a slice of lemon or lime helps a lot.
3. I don't wear moisturizer most days.  I know some will be shocked and awed by that, but I don't think moisturizer is necessary on oily skin.  Why would I be adding even more oil and shine?  That doesn't make sense to me.
4. I only wear mascara on my top lashes.  Mascara on the bottom lashes has the predisposition to smear all over and leave you looking tired and exacerbating dark circles.
5. I only wash my hair once a week, if that.  I wet it every few days, but actually washing it only happens every week or sometimes two.

I don't know if there's anyone else in the beauty blogosphere who hasn't done these, but if you haven't and you want to ... TAG!  You're it!

I've been tagged: 7 things about me!

Teri from Beautiful Makeup Search and Pretty By Nature has tagged me! 

Here are the rules: Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to then report this on their own blog with their 7 things as well as these rules. They then need to tag 7 others and list their names on their blog. They are also asked to leave a comment for each of the tagged, letting them know they have been tagged and to read the blog.

1. My make-up collection has gotten so large that it fills three train cases (one of which has broken from the strain), my entire dresser, the top of the toilet tank in my bathroom and has overflowed into two soft make-up cases I got from Walgreen's and various and sundry plastic bags that are sitting everywhere in my bedroom. 
2. I cannot fall asleep in the dark or in absolute silence.  I need the television to be on and to have some ambient noise, like a fan or a white noise machine.
3. I miss having a baby, but I don't want to have another one.  I just want Sarai to go back in time.
4. I have a sincere desire to have Ami from Miami Ink tattoo something on my butt.
5. I bite my daughter several times a day.  I cannot see her all day and not bite her.  I must bite her ... and sniff her neck.  She still smells like baby and I know that's not going to last long.
6. I shimmy unconsciously - a lot.  My boss makes fun of me.
7. When I put my bra on, I do the whole "lean over and shake 'em" routine.  I think all large-busted women should.  In fact, I think I'll do a blog post about it.

Okay, I'm tagging:

Julia

Tonyette

Amy

Brooke

Kim

Allie

Avin

Old one (Sorry it took so long, Jamie!)

1. If you could live anywhere in the United States, where would it be?  Right here in B'more.  I love my town, with all its highs and lows.  I would own a home in Aruba, though.  Vic and I really loved it there.  I think Charlotte, SC would be nice, too.
2. You have only $20 to spend at your local Sephora.  What do you buy?  I would buy 3 more KLS sheer lipsticks.
3. Coke or Pepsi?  Coke and only Coke.
4. Are you a morning person, or a night owl?  Night owl.
5. What foods remind you of your childhood?   Cream of Wheat with plenty of butter and sugar.

Old Fart Meme

Swiped from Ms. Badger of Badger Loves World. 

Here are the Top 75 pop songs from the year I turned 18 (1996).  I will bold those I liked, strike those I didn't, italicize those I was "meh" about.  All others will stay the same.

1.	Grease Megamix - Olivia Newton John & John Travolta
2.	Macarena - Los Del Rio
3.	Maria - Ricky Martin
4.	Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion
5.	California Love - 2Pac
6.	Champagne Supernova - Oasis
7.	I Will Remember You - Sarah McLachlan
8.	Sweet Dreams - La Bouche
9.	I Believe I Can Fly - R. Kelly
10.	I Finally Found Someone - Barbra Streisand & Bryan Adams
11.	Be My Lover - La Bouche
12.	No Diggity - BLACKstreet
13.	What I Got - Sublime
14.	Who Will Save Your Soul - Jewel
15.	Missing - Everything But The Girl
16.	Ready To Go - Republica
17.	Last Night - Az Yet
18.	Stayin' Alive - N-Trance
19.	Only You - 112
20.	Wonderwall - Oasis
21.	Killing Me Softly - Fugees
22.	Satellite - Dave Matthews Band
23.	Get Together - Big Mountain
24.	Name - Goo Goo Dolls
25.	Set U Free - Planet Soul
26.	Just A Girl - No Doubt
27.	Daughter - Pearl Jam
28.	My Maria - Brooks & Dunn
29.	Breakfast At Tiffany's - Deep Blue Something
30.	Ain't Nobody - Faith Evans
31.	Betcha By Golly Wow - Prince
32.	Jealousy - Natalie Merchant
33.	I Remember - Boyz II Men
34.	Head Over Feet - Alanis Morissette
35.	Wonder - Natalie Merchant
36.	Aeroplane - Red Hot Chili Peppers
37.	Un-Break My Heart - Toni Braxton
38.	Don't Speak - No Doubt
39.	(Party Time) You'll Be Mine - Gloria Estefan
40.	C'Mon Ride The Train - Quad City DJ's
41.	The World I Know - Collective Soul
42.	That Girl - Maxi Priest
43.	Tha Crossroads - Bone thugs-n-harmony
44.	One Of Us - Joan Osborne
45.	Change The World - Eric Clapton
46.	Closer To Free - BoDeans
47.	Spiderwebs - No Doubt
48.	Too Much - Dave Matthews Band
49.	Ironic - Alanis Morissette
50.	Oh Virginia - Blessid Union Of Souls
51.	Where It's At - Beck
52.	Blue - LeAnn Rimes
53.	Forever - Mariah Carey
54.	Don't Look Back In Anger - Oasis
55.	Stupid Girl - Garbage
56.	Only Happy When It Rains - Garbage
57.	Reach - Gloria Estefan
58.	Caught A Lite Sneeze - Tori Amos
59.	1,2,3,4 (Sumpin New) - Coolio
60	Heartspeak Dollarsign - Everclear
61.	1979 - Smashing Pumpkins
62.	Pepper - Butthole Surfers
63.	DJ Girl - Katalina
64.	I Love You Always Forever - Donna Lewis
65.	Always Be My Baby - Mariah Carey
66.	No Woman No Cry - Fugees
67.	You Learn - Alanis Morissette
68.	Counting Blue Cars -Dishwalla
69.	So Much To Say - Dave Matthews Band
70.	The Distance - Cake
71.	Old Man and Me - Hootie and the Blowfish
72.	Flood - Jars Of Clay
73.	Time - Hootie and the Blowfish
74.	Whoever You Are - Geggy Tah
75.	Tonight, Tonight - Smashing Pumpkins

Meme Poem

This is so awesome.

Where I’m From

I am from silky satiny scarves, curl cremes and luxurious moisturizers from MAC lipglass and Bobbi Brown Shimmerbricks.

I am from the chaotic and messy, crumb-filled and toy-strewn, comfy couched, book-bedecked, jingly-scarved homey-ness.

I am from the rainbow bouquet'ed Gerbera daisies, the wilted roses lovingly bestowed by a chubby, grubby hand.

I am from Kwanzaa karamus and stubborn Smith women cooking Sunday dinners with angst, guilt and love mixed into the pies, from Mary Lee and Brenda Gayle and Ida Gertrude.  I am from the loud and crazy and argumentative stubbornness. From "You can read the names on the states as we fly overhead - just like they do on Bugs Bunny" and "if you swallow gum your coochie lips will stick together!"

I am the perfect Methodist/Baptist mongrel mixture - from the sonorous singing of the Apostle's Creed, from "Wade in the water ... wade in the water, children" as I am immersed in the cleansing font, from white-sheeted women passed out at the altar to "May God watch between me and thee, while we are absent, one from another.  Amen."

I’m from the ghetto of Baltimore, when we didn't know that ghetto was something bad to be, from old Southerners, full of suspicion, superstition, and tradition.  From those who don't trust White folk, but only want White doctors.  From fried chicken cooked in Crisco and homemade cakes made with four sticks of butter.

From the grandmother who will never know that her being swept away by that handsome man was all set up by him and her sister, the family that names its children after well-loved and well-worn wedge heels, and the aunt who inhabits the body of the dog.

I am from cedar chests chock full of hair clippings, report cards, birth certificates and memories; old purses with insurance cards; umbrella boxes holding rifles; cookie tins full of barettes.

Now it's your turn - use this format and post your own "Meme Poem".  And let me know when you do - I'd love to read it!

Where I’m From

I am from _______ (specific ordinary item), from _______ (product name) and _______.I am from the _______ (home description… adjective, adjective, sensory detail).I am from the _______ (plant, flower, natural item), the _______ (plant, flower, natural detail)I am from _______ (family tradition) and _______ (family trait), from _______ (name of family member) and _______ (another family name) and _______ (family name).I am from the _______ (description of family tendency) and _______ (another one).From _______ (something you were told as a child) and _______ (another).I am from (representation of religion, or lack of it). Further description.I’m from _______ (place of birth and family ancestry), _______ (two food items representing your family).From the _______ (specific family story about a specific person and detail), the _______ (another detail, and the _______ (another detail about another family member).I am from _______ (location of family pictures, mementos, archives and several more lines indicating their worth).

5 Things You Don't Know About Me

I've been tagged by Avin over at 99 Products.  I'm not sure what I have to tell you all, since I think I've been pretty forthcoming here on the blog, but I'll try my best.

1. Until late last year, I'd not worn contacts since high school.  I told everybody it was because contacts were too bothersome, but the truth is, I refused to wear contacts out of rebellion.  Over the years, I've been told so many times that I "would be so much prettier without [my] glasses."  I got sick of it, frankly.  It did damage to my self-esteem, which wasn't all that great to begin with (though I put up a good facade).  So, out of stubborness, rebellion, and self-love, I decided not to give in to that foolishness.  I started telling myself every day that I was pretty just as I was - glasses and all.  And I stuck to that, regardless of how much pressure I got to do otherwise.  Now, I wear my contacts at least twice a week to keep myself used to them, since I wear them onstage for performances.  But still - every time I put them in, a small part of me winces in remembered pain.

2. It took me years to get over low self-esteem and sometimes I still have to talk myself through bad days.  For most of my life, I felt ugly.  Short, dumpy, four-eyed and ugly.  It was easy to hide (I've always been a good actress), but not easy to get over.  I had to talk myself through it and I still do sometimes.

3. As much as I love make-up, I never feel more beautiful than after I've just washed my face clean.  Isn't that weird?  Once again, I think it's wrapped up in the same issues I've addressed above.  Because it took me so long to really like what I see in the mirror, now, what I love best is when I'm stripped down to my bare bones - the "real me" with no beautifying aides.

4. I never sleep in a completely dark room.  Never.  I can't remember the last time I've done that.  In fact, I don't think I ever have.  When I was small and spent a lot of my time sleeping in a room at my grandparents' house, the room was illuminated by streetlights from outside.  As I got older and spent more time with my mother, she always made me leave my bedroom door open when I slept and she always kept the hall light on.  When I got old enough to sleep with my door closed, I wound up falling asleep to the light from my television and never stopped.  Either Vic has always been that way, too, or he's just a man who doesn't mind because we still sleep every night with the TV on - most times, it's tuned to the all-music channels on DirecTV.

5. I want to open my own store.  I have the plans all written out.  I believe it will happen one day.

Okay, I'm tagging Brooke, Tonyette, Ms. New Beauty and Dilly-Dilly.

If your life were a movie ...

IF YOUR LIFE WERE A MOVIE, WHAT WOULD THE SOUNDTRACK BE?
So, here's how it works:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
6. Don't lie.

Opening Credits: "Scream" - Michael Jackson. Um, hmm ... what does that say about me?  I am lover of Michael, but "Scream" is kind of an angry song, don't you think?  Whatever.  It's a brother and sister song and I do have a brother named Michael, so there's that.

Birth: "Criminal" - Fiona Apple.  Oh, come on!  "I've been a bad, bad girl.  I've been careless with a delicate man ..."  That's not fair!  I'm not a criminal.  Yes, I've been a bit rough with a few dudes, but what girl hasn't????

First Day At School: "Hips Don't Lie" - Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean.  Okay, again ... What??  I'm not sure how this corresponds to my first day of school.  First day of bellydance school maybe.

Falling in Love: "This Is How We Do It" - Montell Jordan.  This was actually probably in heavy rotation on the radio when I fell in love for the first time.  So this works.

Fight Song: "Thriller" - Michael Jackson.  Pretty appropriate.  I can be a monster when I'm angry.

Breaking Up: "Kallisti - April 27." - Mix by Brooke.  These are the three songs we danced to at Amer's awhile back - last winter, I think.  I don't see how it's appropriate to breaking up, except that they make me feel free and like dancing, so maybe that fits.  Freedom.  And the need to be in the company of my friends.

Prom: "Candy Rain" - Soul For Real.  This was one of the favorite songs of my high school boyfriend, who took me to the senior prom.  So, yeah ... appropriate.

Life: "Beauty" - Dru Hill.  Good one!  Life is beautiful.  And I feel beautiful.

Mental Breakdown: "Vogue" - Madonna.  I don't get it.  Unless I will go crazy and think I'm Madonna.  Or a voguing gay dude.  I don't know.

Driving: "Word Up!" - Cameo.  This song always reminds me of my daddy.  In fact, it's his ringer on my cellphone.  My dad did try to teach me how to drive, but got impatient and gave up.

Flashback: "Hey Ya!" - Andre 3000 Benjamin.  I'm not sure this song is old enough to count as a flashback.

Wedding: "The Lady In My Life" - Michael Jackson.  OMG!  I can't believe it came up!  This was our first dance song!

Birth Of Child: "All The Man That I Need" - Whitney Houston.  Very appropriate.  Vic was a fabulous labor and delivery coach and partner.  I was so impressed with how well he did - he was a comforting, supportive presence.  I was never more in love with him.

Final Battle: "Gimme That" - Chris Brown.  A fight to the death - GIMME THAT!

Death Scene: "As We Lay" - Shirley Murdock.  Hmm ...

Funeral: "So Fresh, So Clean" - OutKast.  Ha!  That would be the best funeral procession ever!  I think I might have to request it in my will.  BTW - Vic and I entered our wedding reception to this song.

Ending Credits: "Run It!" - Chris Brown.  Party music - YEEEEAHHH!!!!  THE END.

Favorites meme

Lip gloss: Wow, I have so many favorites.  I guess, right now, if I had to pick one, it would be the KLS Fabulosity Glossamer in Mimosa, which is a bright sheer coral.

Jewelry: Aside from my wedding set, I really love the gold circle earrings I'm wearing today.

Shoes: Tragically, I wore my very favorite shoes, my Albert Nipon black slingbacks to death and I'm still looking for a worthy replacement.  For now, my favorites are the Isaac Mizrahi for Target pointy toed stiletto heel mary janes - I have them in black and brown.

Handbag: I love all my purses.  My very favorite is probably my baby pink Coach, just because it's pink and Coach.

Car: I couldn't care less about cars, so I guess my favorite car is mine - a red 2004 Mazda 6.

City: I loved San Francisco.  I also love Alexandria.  But my very favorite has to be good ole B'More.  As much as I snark about my city, I can't imagine living anywhere else, at least not for good.

Restaurant: I love so many - I love trying new ones.  I really like Della Notte, PF Chang and Paper Moon.

Body Lotion: Palmer's Cocoa Butter Cream

Book: The Dark Tower series by Stephen King

Color: pink

Department Store: Nordstrom

Department in the Department Store: Cosmetics!  Followed closely by shoes.

TV Show: Grey's Anatomy, followed closely by What Not to Wear

Reality Show: Project Runway, followed closely by America's Next Top Model

Song: So Amazing - Luther Vandross, Lady in My Life - Michael Jackson (this was the first dance song at my wedding)

Body part on you: My eyes, followed closely by my boobs - they're huge and they get in the way, but they're real and still holding up pretty nicely post-birth and nursing.

Drink: Granddaddy's lemonade, Coke

Perfume: Hanae Mori Butterfly, Aquolina Pink Sugar

Cheese: Cheddar

Ice Cream: Haagen Daaz Dulce de Leche

Mascara: Lancome Fatale, Maybelline Full 'n' Soft mascara

Hair Product: Curls products (www.curls.biz)

Nail Polish: OPI I'm Not Really A Waitress

The Procrastination Meme

This meme was jacked from Mrs. Badger of "Lipstick Is My Crack" and "Badger Meets World."

Explain what ended your last relationship?
He couldn't make up his mind whether he wanted to be with me or his previous girlfriend, so I made it up for him.

When was the last time you shaved?
Yesterday morning.

What were you doing this morning at 8 a.m.?
Reading one of the message boards I'm a member of.

What were you doing 15 minutes ago?
Reading this meme on "Badger Meets World."

Are you any good at math?
No.

Your prom night, what do you remember about it?
Depends on which prom you're talking about.  For my senior prom, what I remember is that my date was a jackass and got us there late because he refused to follow the directions I gave him.  We wound up standing in the picture line for most of the night and never even got to dance.  And then he was ready to fight another guy I used to date, who purposely came over to me and was stroking my arm.  It sucked all around, but I looked cute.

Do you have any famous ancestors?
Does James Brown count?  He's a distant cousin.

Have you had to take a loan out for school?
Nope.

Last thing received in the mail?
Bills and catalogs.

How many different beverages have you had today?
One so far - a caramel latte.

Do you ever leave messages on people’s answering machine?
Yeah. I leave very weird messages, usually.  The last message I left on Poopie's voicemail started with me screaming, "I'm gonna pop your butt!"  (I was talking to Sarai when the voicemail beeped.)

Who did you lose your CONCERT virginity to?
Boyz II Men, MC Hammer, Jodeci, Oaktown 3-5-7.  It was the "2 Legit 2 Quit" tour.

Do you draw your name in the sand when you go to the beach?
Yes.

What’s the most painful dental procedure you’ve had?
I've never had anything really painful - I have good teeth, thank God.

What is out your back door?
The deck and the grill.  I can also see trees.

Any plans for Friday night?
Today, I will be going to my private lesson, followed by technique class and rehearsal.  Fun, huh?

Do you like what the ocean does to your hair?
It makes it wet.  So, um ... yes?  No?  It really doesn't matter much.  I get a bit irked that I have to wash and condition it when I get home.

Have you ever received one of those big tins of 3 different popcorns?
Yes and I love them.

Have you ever been to a planetarium?
No.

Do you re-use towels after you shower?
Yes.

Some things you are excited about?
Thanksgiving, next week's episode of Grey's Anatomy, going shopping this weekend (I'll call you about that, Poopie!)

What is your favorite flavor of JELL-O?
I hate Jello.

Describe your keychain(s)?
I don't really have a keychain.  It's my car door opener thingy and I just attach the rest of my keys that the metal ring it's on.

Where do you keep your change?
In my wallet.

When was the last time you spoke in front of a large group of people?
My job's Holistic Health Fair which was in May, I think.

What kind of winter coat do you own?
It depends on what the weather's like, but I own a few: a salmon trench, a white and gold printed trench, a long black one with fake fur trim, a brown "suede" one with "fur" on the inside, and the same coat in camel.

What was the weather like on your graduation day?
It was hot for both my high school and college graduations.

Do you sleep with the door to your room open or closed?
Open - we have a three-year-old, so she needs to be able to get in if she needs something and we need to be able to hear her if she cries out.