Hello, I am Melissa Hassien Fayad and I was a maid in the movie Marshal Law: Reconciliation.

I was born in Missouri on September 1964. I am a life-long Missouri resident. I am of Lebanese and European ancestry.

New Hobby

I just have to share something I am doing. I am exploring stop motion film making.

Now Harley-Bree and Nancy (from my other blog) will have a bit of animation in their adventures.  This is only the second one I have done and I wanted to see if I could pan. Let me know if you see my "cheat".

"Antediluvian" - pilot episode (steampunk webseries)

This is a new series from the Steamworks and Shadow's group and I am really enjoying the new storyline.  Anyone else love steampunk as much as I am?

I need everyone that reads to comment. Let us start a discussion about F*##!

My sons, AKA Brother & Baby, came to me awhile back with a comment.  Baby had a job at a local big-box retailer and had been observing people.  He said that his father and I were good to him and his older brother when they were small.  I listened while he said that a number of parents come into the store and when the kids would ask for anything, the parents reply 'Shut the F*## up' and other horrible things.  Baby said, with Brother nodding, that their father and I would just tell them either yes or no and explain why.  I said that we treated them as we wished that they treated others and used language we wanted them to use.

BUT, this has bothered me for a long time, WHY do people use such horrible language in public and especially towards their children?  I don't remember people using such vulgarities and obscenities in public and certainly not around children when I was growing up.  When did this become the norm?

I remember leaving a movie theater with my husband and going to the grocery right afterwards.  Dating myself, it was 'Basic Instinct'.  As we walked around, I heard people quoting lines from the movie that I don't think that they would have said unless it had been a quote. I was shocked then, and I am still shocked.  It has gone downhill from there. Now I hear people in public using language that wouldn't have been allowed in movies without an R or X rating.  In the dark ages of the 60's and 70's, they used to give X ratings for LANGUAGE!

When did it reach the tipping point that the F word is used in normal conversation with total strangers in public?  It doesn't even have a shock value (well, maybe to and for me, I used it once and Baby almost dropped a plate).  I have noticed people using it when I am shopping in daylight hours and there are still small children out.  ( a little note, I have noticed parents taking small children out all hours of the night since stores have started 24 hour shopping).  My boys now use it in conversations, thankfully not usually with me, though sometimes they do forget and have to 'rephrase'.

Is it that our language pool has shrunk in recent decades that people have to fill their sentences with obscenities to convey their thoughts and emotions?  Do people no longer own thesauruses?  Do people no longer watch Shakespeare, which conveys vulgarities in language powerful and beautiful without reaching for the coarsest of words? (for an example, see the video below)

Not only am I upset about the words people are using now, they are using them incorrectly! F*## is a verb, a rude one but still a verb.  I hear it used as an adjective constantly.  I almost laugh sometimes if I mentally insert another action verb into the sentences I hear.  Think about it, someone describing their 'floating teacher' or their 'swimming boss'?  It really disarms the sentence and changes the emphasis.  But at the same time, most people aren't even using the F word in anger.  They are using it as an adjective when they aren't even NEEDING to emphasize anything!  I overheard one young man in a diner ask his date/wife/sister/who knows to 'please pass the F*##ing catsup'.  Granted, I should be happy he said 'please'.  He was not angry or upset with her because the catsup was not within his reach, he asked her in a normal, pleasant voice.  Why could he have not just asked her to please pass the catsup?  And catsup is incapable of independent movement or reproductive actions so could not F*## no matter how many GM tomatoes were used. 

I could go on.  Believe me.  I won't.  At least today.


Give me your thoughts!  Am I just old fashion?  Is the F word no longer a conversation stopping vulgarity and now is the new filler word with 'um' and 'uh'?  Or is language going to Hell in a hand basket?

Another Clutter Busting Idea

We don't travel often, but when we do, we stay at hotels and motels.  We often bring back the little bottles of shampoo and lotions and the cute little bars of soap (you know that they will just throw them out after they are opened.)  The lotions are great for tossing in your purse and using on the go when you are feeling dry and flakey. And we have relatives that stay in really nice hotels all over the world that will gift us with the fancy soaps and lotions that they bring back.

After awhile, I noticed we had quite a bit of them.  CLUTTER!  I went online and looked for clutter busting solutions for this. I saw so many elaborate storage solutions for all the little lotions and soaps that it made my head spin. One woman dismantled her folding closet door to place a shoe storage hanger on the back to store all the little packages. What the heck? I came up with a very simple solution. Let's just use the stuff up!

Why store it? It will just grow and you have MORE clutter. I love these little soaps and bottles and don't want to stop getting them, but the solution is to use them up. It will save you money as you will not have to buy the shampoos and lotions and bar soaps for awhile.

Here is the solution. Find a pretty little container that you ALREADY HAVE! (don't fall into the clutter trap of going to stores to buy containers. Containers ARE clutter). Place all the soaps and shampoos in them and put it on the back of your toilet.  You now have the shampoos right at hand. Open one up and use it up. Recycle the plastic and grab the next one. The shampoos are concentrated and you can get two or more uses of them. If you have more than what the container can hold, put the extra away, but make sure you rotate them out! Storage IS clutter. Anything stored is something that will be forgotten and duplicated.

"MELISSA...(I can hear the whiners in the background)...I don't like using the tiny bars of soap!" If that is the case, why did you bring it home? Pass it on to someone else. Homeless shelters and other such places always need soap and shampoos. Ask around and pass it on. Don't give the stuff you already opened. Ick, would you want some stranger's used Dove?

If you can't part with the soaps and find the tiny bars a bit hard to handle, buy a mesh soap holder. They are made with the sole purpose of coralling the little bits of leftover soap and using them completely gone. They lather rather nicely and I use them instead of washcloths in the shower.

Send me your clutter busting solutions. Heaven knows I am on a constant battle and am no expert.

Pictures of my cute little container that I have for my shampoos and soaps will be added later.

The Best Ever Real Chocolate Syrup Recipe!

A couple years ago, I was at the grocery and noticed something odd.  The chocolate syrup brand that I consider the epitome of what chocolate means was NOT chocolate!  It said 'chocolate flavored'.  What the heck?  I searched the shelves and ALL the syrups and add-ins were labeled 'chocolate flavored'.  I looked at all the ingredients listed and was a little frightened.  Granted, we shouldn't sweeten up all of our foods, but when we do splurge on the sugar foods, they should be good quality and not 'imitation' or 'flavored'.  I went to the web and searched for the best recipe I could find for the least amount of work.  Here it is!


½ cup cocoa powder
1 cup water
2 cups sugar
⅛ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon vanilla

Mix the cocoa powder and the water in a saucepan. Heat on medium and stir to dissolve the cocoa. Add sugar, and keep stirring as it dissolves. Let it boil for 3 minutes.  Watch it so that it doesn't boil over (what a mess).  Add the vanilla and salt, stir and let it cool. I pull out empty clean glass bottles and jars out and a funnel and pour.  Old catsup bottles and pretty preserve jars are great to use and make wonderful presentation gifts.  Store it in the fridge until ready to give or to use.  This keeps for several months and is wonderful for ice cream and chocolate milk. Yields two cups.

A quick tip.  Skim the scum off the top as it is boiling and spoon into a ramikin.  Let it cool and harden.  Chip it out and you have a bit of dandy candy to crush up and sprinkle on ice cream.  You can also add another flavor besides vanilla.  Orange or mint is great, but make sure you taste as you go to keep the flavor from becoming too strong.

Tell me what you made and send me pictures of the jars you used.  This is a great way to reuse the pretty jars and bottles you have kept because you couldn't bear to throw away.  And to cut your clutter, give the bottles away filled with your wonderful chocolate syrup to your friends and family.  They can do something with the glassware after they use up the syrup!
  

Shoes! Difference in being young and being not so young.

Shoes, I love shoes and what woman doesn't?  Even when you hate them, you still go on the hunt for them.  I tend to wear low heeled pumps or athletic shoes for comfort, but I truly covet the high-heeled, bad girl, red shoes.  You know the ones I mean.  They are stiletto heeled, thick soled and usually studded with something gaudy.  Flame red!  Oh yeah!

Ah, to be young again and wear bad shoes that hurt your feet and make you walk like you are just learning how.  Dang, we all felt sexy, even when we probably looked like we were drunk and it was only 9 am on a Sunday morning at church.  But I regress.

Bad girl shoes!  That is what we all loved when we were young.  We wanted them high.  We wanted them dangerous.  We wanted them so teetering that we needed a man on each arm just to be able to stand in them.  We wore them and loved them.  Even if they killed our feet and we couldn't walk on anything but the most even and smooth of surfaces.  And forget slippery!  But that is the charm of being young.  If we fell off of our dangerous bad girl shoes, we just bounced.  We would glance around to make sure no one saw us and we would get back up and sashay ourselves back down the road as if that was a new dance step we meant to teach the world.

To be old(ish).  Not quite the same.  We still covet the bad girl shoes.  The thigh high pirate boots.  The little spindly strappy things that are sure to cause our ankles to twist and break.  However, pain seems to be the death of our love of the bad girl shoe.  If we have a man on each arm, they are either our sons or our husbands and fathers who need our help as much as we need theirs to maneuver the sidewalks and paths.  Even in our dreams, they aren't George Clooney and Brad Pitt.  And if we trip and fall, we still look around to see if anyone happened to see.  And we are torn between hoping no one did so we don't end up on Vine labeled 'Old Lady Falling' and hoping someone did because I am sure we broke something.

Are you sure that this sensible lace-up doesn't come in red with a stiletto heel?

Stinky Teenage Boys

I was at Cosplacon this last weekend and was talking with another mother.  We were discussing on how "fragrant" teen boys can be, no matter how well they wash.  This is caused by hormones, not by the boys not scrubbing well enough.  Thankfully, teen girls don't seem to notice the smell as much as adult women do (or maybe it is what draws them to our sons, like bees to flowers).  I thought I would do a little post on how our family got through this period.

1. Stinky bodies need special soaps:  We found that Red Zone by Old Spice was the best out there.  There are several options  in the soft soap and deodorant line.  The boys come out of the showers sweet smelling and almost as appealing as when they were babies.

2. Stinky feet: If you can, put insoles in their shoes that will wick away the moisture and odor.  These boys tend to want to wear really expensive shoes, so pitching the shoes is hard to do, even if they would allow you to do it.  A good trick (and something I like to do myself) is to make a nice, strong pot of black tea, with maybe a bag of mint tea in as well.  Pour it into a basin and have them soak their feet in it.  The black tea and tannins will kill the bacteria that causes odors and the mint will make their feet feel tingly.  It might tint their skin a bit, but you know they aren't going to take their socks off in public anyway.  We like to sit on the back deck and soak our feet while we watch the sun set.  Very relaxing.

3. Shampoo:  I never had a problem with my boys having stinky hair, but if you do, try to find shampoo and conditioner with mint.  It helps stimulate the scalp and will cut through some of the smells.  Another good thing is Head & Shoulders every so often.  Even if they don't have dandruff, the shampoo is nice on the scalp.

4. Rooms:  Boys' rooms will stink.  Just a given.  Check the floor and closets for wet towels and old socks.  We don't want mold and mildew growing!  Make sure that they REALLY changed their sheets and not just wadded up the clean sheets you gave them and kept the dirty sheets on the bed.  You might have to do it yourself a few times.  Check the blankets and other bedclothes.  They may need to be laundered, especially if they aren't sleeping with sheets like they told you they were.  Vacuum the bed with a new vacuum bag and maybe change out the mattress pad.  I bought a waterproof one for one son who seemed to sweat through the sheets and pad.  Do NOT use carpet cleaner on the carpets.  Rent or hire the Stanley Steemer people.  Do, however, use one of the powder carpet cleaners in small bowls set around the room.  That will help absorb odors.  I used old tea cups hidden behind wrestling trophies on Baby's dresser filled with Love My Carpet.  If you don't find a product you like, or you prefer to use more natural products, you can use plain baking soda.  Let the room air out when you can and keep the drapes open so that natural sunlight can deodorize the room.

Do you have any tips or questions on how to remove puberty stench?  Now is the time to ask and to share!

A shout out to Granny Grunt

I will write about my time at Cosplacon 2014 next weekend when I have decompressed.  Until then, enjoy another blog:
http://grannygruntfun.blogspot.com/

And if you want to know where I went this weekend:
http://cosplacon-mo.squarespace.com/


And just some fashion from someone else's blog that I felt was important to pass on since I need to jean shop myself soon.
http://www.graspingforobjectivity.com/2009/03/mom-jeans-and-dreaded-long-butt.html
This lady speaks the truth!

World Thalassemia Day

I need to write something better than just this, but I did want to pass on the word that May 8th is World Thalassemia Day.  Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder where the red blood cells are too small and cannot carry the oxygen needed by the body. 

http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/2014/5/8/60-World-thalassemia-Day-May-8-Situation-alarming-due-to-low-awareness-.html

http://thefrontierpost.com/article/170450/World-Thalassemia-Day-to-be-observed-today/

I have linked two news articles about World Thalassemia Day above.  Below is a YouTube video entitled
"Love and Needles"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40_pq3dK1uw

It may seem that this is a blood disease that is far away in countries you will never visit, but it is prevalent in the Western World as well and is probably more dangerous here than in countries such as India and Pakistan.  Why would I say that?  It is because we do not seem to take the condition seriously here as we do not think it happens here.  In countries where it is more common, there are programs to educate and provide assistance to those with the condition and their families.  Here, children might be tested at birth by the hospital for various birth conditions, but Thalassemia in all its variations may not be required and the parents still might not be notified of the results.

There are many variations of this blood condition and different levels, all needing to be monitored.  This isn't a death sentence for everyone that is diagnosed, but with diet and monitoring, life quality can be greatly increased.

Love to you all and please contact me if you have any questions or comments.  This is just off the top of my head and quickly written to make it by May 8th.  I would like to write more about this and can answer some of your questions and would love to hear anyone's personal experiences or knowledge.

Lebanese Green Beans

All the wonderful fresh produce is starting to come in from all over.  I am submitting, for your pleasure, the dish that we beg my sister-in-law to fix when she comes to visit.

Green Beans in Olive Oil

Loubieh Bi Zayt

Serves 4

1 lb fresh green string beans (or frozen)  Clean the fresh ones and remove the stem and string

1/2 cup chopped onions

2 whole cloves of garlic - chopped

1/4 – 1/3 cup olive oil (or use mixture of olive oil & vegetable oil)

1 can chopped tomatoes with their juice (8 oz)

1/4 – 1/2 cup water

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp lemon zest

Garnish - chopped parsley or chopped chinese parsley

Recipe may be doubled.  These beans are served at room temperature or cold and could be prepare a day or two in advance.

Heal olive oil in large pan.  Sauté chopped onions and garlic. When yellow, add beans, salt and pepper, and toss to coat the beans, sauté gently for 10 minutes stirring often.  Add the chopped tomatoes and water, stirring thoroughly.  Add 1/4 tsp cinnamon, bring to boil, turn down heat to simmer (uncovered) for 45 minutes or longer until the beans are done.   To serve, garnish with fresh lemon zest and chopped parsley or coriander (Chinese parsley).

I am going to add a picture when I make it next.  This is such a pretty dish, all red and green.  Serving it cold makes it a wonderful dish to take to a picnic or get-together.  I prefer it the next day as the flavors meld together and the spices calm down.

Working through the storms

I love Missouri, I don't think that I would live anywhere else (unless it involved a castle or a HobbitHole).  The only thing I truly dislike about Missouri (Blah is not the description, more like intense fear) is storms.  I don't like lightning storms and I certainly don't like tornadoes.

Sunday night (April 27 for all those who are reading later), our cell phones went off, letting us know that severe weather had arrived and to take shelter.  We were already inside and asleep, so that part was taken care of.  I flipped on the television to track the storms.  What irritated me was that the weathercaster said, and I quote, "It is JUST a tornado warning."  HELLO!  That is the bad one!  What grade did you get in meteorology studies?  We 'watch' for a tornado so that we may 'warn' people that it is here.

Major mistake.  I have heard so many people not know which is the more dangerous of the two.  That could be a matter of life or death if you make the wrong choice.  In a watch, it means that severe conditions are possible, and you should be prepared to take action and shelter.  It is not a time to picnic or boat. 

One of the best sites to use in preparing for a tornado (in advance, PLEASE do not look it up while the sirens are blaring) is http://www.ready.gov/tornadoes  .  Keep a few bottles of water in your safe room.  A few energy bars.  Blankets and flash lights with either fresh batteries, better yet, the flashlights that have the crank for energy.  If you have a crank radio or a battery powered radio to help you keep track of the storm, make sure it is down there.  The television and the internet are great for the pictures, but when the storms really gets going, they are more likely not to be able to be accessed.  Battery and crank powered resources are more reliable.

I am a complete basket case in regards to tornadoes.  I have an actual safe room that is under our porch.  It is completely encased in concrete with a steel door that swings inward.  It has emergency lighting, a land line and a few stores of water and food.  There is also a few chairs and a small bed with blankets and pillows.  The room is not very big and I would hate to be down there for several hours, but it is secure.  I also have a radio and flashlights and candles with matches as well.  One thought on the phone.  Cells are good if there is no electricity and the land lines are down, but if the towers aren't working, the cells won't either.  I have an old fashion telephone down in the safe room.  It doesn't need electricity like my newer phones do.  If we lose power, we will still have a phone (if the lines are still up).

If you do not have a safe room (like lucky me), get into the lowest level of the house and put as many walls between you and the outside.  Get under a table and curl into a ball.  Protect your head and the back of your neck.  Throw a blanket or towel to help protect you from any flying debris.  People are more often hurt by something flying into them than something landing on them.  Stay away from windows and electrical items like televisions and computer monitors.  If you have time, make sure you have sturdy shoes on.  If you have to walk through debris, you want to protect your feet from broken glass, nails etc.

Well, the sky is turning green again, so I am heading to the basement.
Later!

HOW TO CONQUER CLUTTER-THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION!!!!

Stop bringing stuff home!!!!   

Don't buy it!  

Don't accept it as a gift!  

Don't pick it up along side the road!!!

Now that we have said that, just do it!  Really!  And don't buy magazines or books to help you on this.  It just adds to the clutter.  Throw things away you already have that you don't need or better yet, donate them to someone else who truly needs it.  Or, sell it on eBay.  See, isn't this cheaper than the therapist or life coach you have been paying to help you with your clutter? 
 (someone asked me offline why it was so short.  It is short to reduce clutter. Nuff said)

Upcoming blogs....
1. Searching for scholarships...tips and traps.
2. Pikl-it....my latest obsession......recipes and explosions to follow~

Why I haven't been blogging lately is our youngest son is applying to colleges and applying for scholarships.  This means a lot of work for Mom as I have to look everything over to make sure it looks good and he hasn't forgotten anything.  We are also doing scholarship searches.  If you have any tips, let me know and I will share them when I come up for air.

I am also playing with my new Pikl-it   http://www.pickl-it.com/  
This is my newest obsession and I am producing lovely foods that my family are enjoying....or at least trying.  Heehee.
Love to you all
Yay or Blah!

Just to keep you updated, I am at the Mexico Missouri Walk Back in Time
http://www.audrain.org

Story and pictures to follow.
Love to you all

Rushed Saturday, Kitchen Testing Campbell's Slow Cooker Sauce

This is a very rushed Saturday for me.  In addition to the normal cooking, cleaning and errands, I went with my youngest to a cross-country race (he came in 12th! for Varsity).  This meant that I got up early and stood for hours in the hot sun while I watched young people run until they got sick.  After that, we both wanted a nap.  But what about dinner?  Dear Husband is going to want something tasty and I don't want to deal with anything. 

The Test Subject

 Quickly pulling down the big crockpot, searching the pantry, came up with this that was an impulse purchase.

3 lbs chicken thighs

chicken, sauce and chopped carrots

Grabbed the package of boneless, skinless chicken thighs (love those thighs).  Tossed them into the crock.


Decided to boost the Middle Eastern flavor up a notch.  Took out my home-preserved lemons and 3 carrots.  Rinsed and chopped half a lemon and 3 carrots.




Tossed the lemons and carrots into the crock onto the chicken and then opened the sauce pouch.  Poured the Moroccan Spiced Stew with Green Olives and Lemon over the carrots and my own lemons.  Set the crock pot on high for 3-4 hours.  Now it is nap time for Mommy.

Make sure to comment on what we should have with it.  Rice, couscous or bread?

Baba Ganouj=Spoiled Daddy

Baba Ganouj is a wonderful vegetable dip that can be enjoyed with chips, bread or even as a sandwich spread.  My family has even used it to dip other veggies in.  

Ingredients:

3 average sized Italian (purple) eggplants.

6 cloves of garlic

salt

the juice of 2 lemons

3 tablespoons olive oil

6 tablespoons of Tahini (often found in the oil section of the grocery store)

Lemon Juice

My mother's food processor that I snagged 20+ years ago when I got married

Use the lemon rinds in the garbage disposal to freshen and clean it.

Slice the stems off the eggplants and cut lengthwise.  Place cut side down on grill and broil in oven.  Watch and pull them out when the skins are crispy and the flesh under is soft. (see video below) (audio in video is from a webseries I must have been watching while I cooked.  Sorry about that.)

This is the brand of tahini I use.  Ziyad Brothers is a Chicago based food importer and processor.  They have excellent quality.  Tahini is a sesame seed paste that is kind of the consistency of old fashioned peanut butter.  You have to stir it before you measure it out as the oil will separate from the paste.

Add the tahini into the processor with the lemon juice, chop the garlic cloves and toss them into the processor as well with the olive oil.

This is how I incorporate the eggplant into the rest of the ingredients.  When the eggplant is done, I pull them out of the oven and flip them flesh side up.  I scoop out the hot eggplant out of the crispy skins with a spoon and place it into the processor bowl.  Some people say to not use the seeds, but I think that they add to the flavor and texture.  I also add some of the burnt skin to give it a smoky flavor.

Pulse everything and check it every so often.  You want a smooth consistency, but you don't want it watery.  Add salt to taste.  Remember that you are making this to the taste of your family.  Some like more tahini, some like more lemon, I like lots of garlic.  When it is done, smooth onto a deep dish plate and chill.  Decorate it with chopped parsley or paprika.  Serve with bagel chips, toasted pita bread or veggies.  Also a wonderful warm vegetarian sandwich spread.  Tell me if you enjoy this and how you served it.

Life is too short for blah!

An URGENT message.

This is the not posting that I planned to send out today.  We have a crisis in the works in our nation.  We are in great need of doctors, nurses and especial general SURGEONS in rural America.  
http://www.ruralsurgeonsfilm.com/
Please help out this director who is finishing a film about the need for surgeons in rural America and what can be done to help.
Thank you for all the attention and help you can give.

My August Ipsy Bag

This is the first time I am putting a video in my blog.  I just got my Ipsy bag.

Join me on ipsy and subscribe to the Glam Bag! You get 4-5 beauty products every month delivered to your door, for just $10. Michelle Phan curates the bags! Check it out here: http://www.ipsy.com/?refer=u-h051gb9iwx9612hi


I just want to say I really love Ipsy.  They have begun to personalize the shipments, so even though I enjoyed the very teenagery glittery stuff, I asked for more..ahem...age appropriate...items in my shipments.  I now get mostly pinks and reds and things that go with my skin tone and type.  I like to think that my glamor is more classic than trendy....though I really miss some of the fun stuff I was getting before that my niece Cheb would glom off of me.

This shipment was entitled "Glamour Academy".  The bag was a lovely royal purple with a Ipsy family crest.  Very roomy and nicely lined.  I have used my bags for clutches sometimes when I just needed my license and a credit card (and makeup, of course)

In the bag was Michael Todd True Organic Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub.  It seems to work really well.  I had to hold down a teenage boy while one of his friends rubbed it into his face.  I was amazed on how much smoother and clearer his face was....and how bruised I was afterwards.

I tried the Noya Kosher Natural Lip Balm in Cherry on him while I had him down.  It seemed to make his lips look really kissable.  After his friend told him that, I opened the door and let them duke it out on the back yard.  As long as the neighbors don't call the police, we are gold.

Next was the Pacifica Natural Skincare Alight MultiMineral BB Cream with Shade Correcting Technology.  It seemed to really blend into my skin and I think it is a keeper.  I want to get a big tube now.  Thank goodness for the discount that Ipsy will provide if I buy it online.  I want MORE!!!

A really pretty tube in mint of mascara was next.  The tube was mint, not the color.  The color is Blackest Black and the brand is Pixi.  It is a lash booster mascara and I am thrilled with it.  Everyone knows I can't live without my mascara.

The last item is Chella's Dazzling Dark Brown Eybrow Color.  It is a slim white pencil with a twist core.  I like that a lot as I hate hate hate having to sharpen eyebrow and eyeliner pencils.  My brows are naturally darker than my hair, so I might give this to my mother.  My brows are darker than the pencil. 

All in all, everything is a YAY!  Ipsy is a wonderful product service and I have been able to sample and love products that would have been difficult for me to find locally.  It also provides discounts and coupons for the other products that were offered this month that I didn't receive.  So if I truly have my heart on some sparkley blue eyeshadow that is guaranteed to make me feel perky.....I can get it!

Don't be Blah!  

(I know I promised to either blow up a sink this week or show a video of a teenager doing a dangerous stunt and getting hurt, but Ipsy trumped it all!)

You wanted to know about the cleaning strength vinegar!

This is the vinegar that I have been using.  It is Heinz Cleaning Strength.  The last jug I purchased had the actual strength on the label.  I couldn't find it on this one.  I believe it is 6% instead of what normally is 5% used for cooking and food.  It can be purchased in most stores, though they may not carry it all the time.  I would suggest purchasing a couple of jugs when you find them, more if you have storage room.  It is stronger than regular vinegar and it is fantastic for cleaning. 


 
I have a tip for the really hard lime deposits you have around your faucets and handles.  If it is a level surface (such as around sink handles), soak rags or dish clothes in this vinegar (use old ones, not the pretty embroidered ones that your favorite aunt gave you that she bought at the craft fair) and place them around the handles.  Really pack them against the surface and cracks.  The longer you can leave them, the better.  If they dry out, pour on a little more vinegar.  Overnight should work for a light layer of lime.  I left soaked paper towels around the sink handles at work over a weekend and the chunks gave away by Monday morning.  For those clogged shower faucets, fill a baggie with the vinegar and tie it up around the stem.  As I said before, the longer you can leave it, the longer the magic works.  This is a picture of what I got loose after a few hours.

Tell me what uses you have found for vinegar.  I have some more tips with vinegar and other basic cleaning supplies you will find in your cupboard as the time goes by.