Texas Divas - April Outing

There's an affectionate saying among the Divas: It's all about Donna. Actually, she is one of the most unselfish people I know and I'm sure everyone will agree. However, this particular Diva post is "all about Donna."

Donna was the Diva in charge this month and selected a wonderful Mexican restaurant for our monthly dinner. She also had a drawing and I won. Her sister. No, it wasn't rigged, but I left with some handy kitchen tools for being the winner. I thought her idea was a good one, and would think so even if I hadn't been the winner.

Donna also had a horrifying story to share with us. Last night she went outside in her bare feet to call for her dog. She stayed on the sidewalk, in the light from the porch, knowing to be careful since they have seen more than their share of rattlesnakes. So, she called the dog, then turned to go back inside. A rattlesnake blocked her path. And her feet are bare. She'd just polished her toenails and, ladies, we know you don't put shoes on after doing toenails. Not even if you live in a rattlesnake pit.

So, she hopped over it, ran inside, and alerted her husband. He was able to find the snake and put an end to its scare tactics. And, I might add, we all saw Donna's toenails this evening and they were no worse for the wear. My suggestion to my sweet sister: The next time you do your toenails, do not go outside until they dry.
We forgot about pictures until we were leaving the restaurant. By that time, Paula and Trish had already left. But here are the remaining wind-blown Divas.

What a fun group! We missed Jan, Darlene, and Jeanne, and hope they will join us for our May outing. We'll be celebrating my beautiful daughter Allison's birthday with Diva Deb in charge. Great job, Donna! You and your toenails done good.

Patio Improvements

Robin and I gave our patio a little facelift over the weekend. And we actually had fun doing it. We gathered empty flower pots and filled them with new blooms.
This is a good place for morning coffee under the carport. Now the little table sports a flower. The brick flowerbed looks barren, but there are flowers poking through the sod from seeds we'd planted.

Besides the flowers, the patio furniture is redressed with new cushions. I'm hoping the cats who like to nap on them will keep the squirrels away. They like to build nests out of our cushions.

The center pot is a cute teacup I bought at Wally World last year, but hadn't gotten around to filling it. I'm hoping the rust on the furniture deems it retro, and therefore not neglected.

This year Wally World had a smaller teacup, but same price. Inflation. But I love the tulip shape and the pink. Other colors are available in yellow, red, and plum. I sound like the penny-pincher version of Angela's blog.

Even the mailbox received some color. I know we won't be featured in Homes & Gardens, but the little bit of work we did helped restore some interest in my home. Sometimes we just need a little boost.

Packaging

Most manufacturer's put a lot of thought into packaging. Sometimes these products catch your eye and you want them, whether you need them or not. They just look so darn tantalizing. Perfumes, especially, are often boxed so beautifully that I wonder if half of the price is for packaging. Since perfume is my passion, they can reel me in regardless of how it's presented.

But what about the packaging that is downright irritating? Oh, there are many. How often have you purchased a baking dish or cookie sheet and fought to remove the glue residue from their label? I've soaked them, scrubbed them, cursed at them, and they still retain their stubborn ways. There are better ways to apply the product name and I applaud those companies who have found it.

Canned goods are another source of irritation. I detest can openers. They are nasty. Even more, I don't like to use them and have the contents splash up on the lid. That's unsanitary, even if I've wiped the lid before opening. I prefer the pull-tops that make opening the can as clean as possible. Thank you Campbells and others who have gone this route.

And what about makeup? Oh, the vain women that we are, how the industry takes advantage of us. Have you noticed how the expensive serum that is supposed to erase all signs of age comes in a glass bottle with a pump that leaves a good half inch at the bottom? I have bruised my palm by pounding the remaining miracle-working serum free from its lowly place. We are charged for the full product, even if we are unable to reach the full product.

Tubes won't give up all its lotions and creams either. I've never been a tight-wad but I do like to get my money's worth. I don't go so far as snipping off the top in order to get to the bottom, but I've thought about it. I usually give in to the manufacturer's intent, and go out to buy another one.

But I have found a way to ease my frustration. I only buy moisturizer in wide-mouth jars so I can use every last bit. I run my frugal finger all around that jar until it's completely empty. I got my money's worth. Many foundations can be found in jars with openings wide enough to cake the very last smidgen on your face. I support these products since they were designed to be easily consumed.

Have you ever had your shaving cream stop working even though you shake it and hear something in there? Do you stand your ketchup on its head so gravity will do its work? Do you add a little water to your shower gel, shampoo, or dishwashing liquid, shake it to mix with the remaining product, so you can use it once more? Maybe I am a tight-wad. Or maybe manufacturer's just know how to package their products so we will purchase more often.

Still, I believe it's the cosmetics industry that gains the most by their packaging. They pretty much have full rein because we, as women, are more concerned about how we are packaged.

A Dozen Years!

Today, instead of celebrating our 12th anniversary, Robin and I have decided to call it quits.Happy April Fool's Day! Gotcha!