"The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything that they have."

I got an email from my mom this morning.  It was a story about a 84 year old man who went to the nursing home to  have breakfast with his wife every morning even though she had not recognized him for five years because she has Alzheimer's disease.  The quote really touched my heart and I wanted to remember it so I entered it here this morning.

When I read it, my favorite saying and the motto of my life for the past year and a half came flooding back into my head and heart.  "Attitude is everything."  I need to take a good look at my attitude today and make some adjustments.  It's time for me to get back on track and get focused on the long term again.  I have allowed the events of the past few months to push me off track a bit and I have used these events to make excuses for behaviors that are not in my best interest.  The 'emotional fog' is lifting and it's time to take care of myself by making healthy choices.  When I'm upset emotionally somehow I think the best way to sooth myself is with carbs.  Crackers, nuts, and fruit are about all I have wanted to eat for the past 6 to 8 weeks.  I have not had enough of my usual protein/salad meals and I am starting to miss them.  My body is missing them.   To regain my sense of well being, I want to start eating right again and that begins right now.  I'm committed (or should be committed - LOL) to do this because I LOVE the way I feel when I'm feeding my body the right foods.   Not only does my body feel better (no aches, pains, or extra weight) but emotionally I am happier, more self confident and ready to meet the world and deal with life more effectively.  I'm not going to give that up - absolutely NOT.

I'm meeting my good frind, Dianne for lunch today.  I already know I'll have the Cabo San Lucas salad with no tortilla strips and the dressing on the side.  It's delicious!  I can't wait to see Dianne.  It's been weeks since we got together. So much has happened since our last sit-down-and-gab session that we both are bursting at the seams. 

The sewing room did get cleaned up yesterday.  Amazing!  It wasn't as bad as I thought.  A lot of clutter that took about a half hour to clear up.  A good dusting and a Swiffer once over of the floor and PRESTO, I'm ready to start a few projects tomorrow. I am going to finish Matthew's quilt first.  I want to do that before he grows up and thinks it's stupid.  Next is finding a pattern for a jacket.  I went online and found a few McCalls and Butterick patterns that might work.  If I have time, I may stop on my way back from lunch and check them out at the fabric store.

I have to get ready to go.  This morning was Kasey's grooming appointment and I got up just in time to get there so I'm going to go groom myself so I look presentable for my lunch date.

Until later.                Hugs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Memorial Day

Thank you to all the men and women who have served our country in the armed services and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.  God bless each one of you.

I took my Mom to the airport early this morning.  There was NO traffic because it's Memorial Day and most people do not have to work today.  It was so great ~ I hit one red light from the time I left home to the time I dropped her off.  How rare is that?  VERY!!!   We had a great visit and she was ready to go home and get back to her busy schedule and her life.  She has adjusted well to my father's death.  She misses him but she is determined to thrive and have a good life.  I admire that and support her completely.

On my way home, I stopped at Starbucks for an iced Latte ~ yummy!  Since I've been home, I have caught up on reading journals.

After I post this, I'm going to clean up my sewing room so I can finish a few projects I have started.  I want to make a tapestry jacket for myself and I agreed to help my SIL by making a men's formal jacket with tails (Lord wish me luck with this one!).  I don't think it's going to be that difficult as she only wants the tails of the jacket to be lined because it's only a costume.  If the entire thing was to be lined, I would never have agreed to do it.  Way to time consuming for me.  Jeez, if I screw this up, our newly revived relationship will hit the skids again.  LOL

I tried to go to Costco to pick up meat, chicken and fish but it was closed when I got there at 10:30.  There was no sign on the door indicating if it would be closed all day or open later so I just headed to the mall.  I ended up at Barnes and Noble and bought 3 books.  Beth Moore's Praying God's Word, also the Beck DIET solution, by Judith S. Beck, Ph.D and Maui Revealed by Andrew Doughty. 

When my sister and mother were here, we were talking a lot about Beth Moore's book and because of everything I am going through right now, dealing with loss and change, I feel it is a good book for me to read right now.  There is a lot of helpful information and Biblical references that will guide me through this period of adjustment.  Judith S. Beck's book is a 42 Day plan to help people, like me, who struggle with emotional eating patterns, break those patterns by using proven cognitive therapy techniques to change behavior and thinking patterns.  My sister and I are both doing the book's 42 day course together and calling each other at least every other day to check in and encourage each other.  We have gained between 7 and 11 pounds in the past 8 weeks and do not want it to get out of hand and we hope by going through this 'program/book' we can find some new tools to help us continue on to our goals and to a lifetime of success in keeping the weight off.

The book about Maui is my attempt, mind you I say attempt, to adjust to the thought of the kids moving there.  I want to educate myself about the island, the people, the history, customs, and all of the beauty.  I think if I get excited about the place it may be easier for me to visualize them there and a teeny less painful letting them go. I'm not sure.  I'm just trying this.  Trying to get a little more open minded and more flexible in my thinking. 

I'm off to my sewing room to get it cleaned up.  Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday.

Hugs!

Sunday Surprises

Thanks to everyone for their sweet comments about my grandchildren's pictures in the last entry.  Like I told Mary, I think they are pretty darn cute but then again, I'm their grandmother ~ I would think they were beautiful if they each had two heads and a horn.  LOL

I took my mother to see my brother and SIL today.  Some of you may recall that my SIL is rather ODD.  The last time I saw her (3 1/2 years ago) she was really rude to my husband and family so we had not had anything to do with her since.   The only reason I went today was because I didn't want my Mom to drive all the way alone.  She could have done it but I felt more comfortable driving the busy freeways and making sure she got there OK.

Anyway, we had a very nice visit with my brother and his wife.  It went extremely well.  I was glad I went and feel a teeny tiny ray of hope that perhaps things between L and I may get better.  I offered an olive branch today,  she accepted it and she even offered one back so we shall see.  Now the next time I see her she could be a total bitch and we could be right back where we started but I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt and just see.  I won't be hurt or upset if things don't get better because I don't expect them to but if I don't open the door nothing will ever change.

My mom is going home tomorrow.  Wow, one week sure flies by fast.  It feels like we've been back about 3 days and it's time for her to leave!  We had a wonderful time both in Laramie and here.  We both needed it very much.  I will see her again in October when we go to Italy together.  The way time flies around here, it will be here before we know it.

 

Saturday Evening

Playing croquet on a sunny afternoon at our house. Nathan and Andrew prepare for a match.

Nathan checking with his 'coach' (grandpa) for his next move.

Megan showing her confidence as she prepares for her next move.

Baby Matthew watching the game with his mommy.

 

At 9 1/2 weeks old, Matthew weighs 10 lb. 1 oz. and is 24" long.

Here he is with his pretty Mommy, Shannon.

The next three pictures are of Andrew showing off for me.  He's such a character!

 

 

 

We had a fun afternoon.  The kids played outside with the croquet set, they watched Toy Story, and played with blocks, legos and went for a walk with their grandpa. 

I found out that Bryan's business opportunity is in Maui not Oahu.  I guess Maui is nicer than Oahu so I suppose that's good news.  I've never been to Hawaii so I don't have any idea.  We should know by June 14 if they will be moving.  I'm just going to take a day at a time until we find out one way or the other.

Friday

 

I like the new color choices we have for our journal fonts.  I also like how we can add photos to the body of our journal now.  Much easier.  I wish we could still add a caption but wouldn't want to go back to the old way of doing things. 

I had a nice day today.  My sister, mom and I went to Sips and had coffee with Cari and then went fabric shopping.  My sister makes handbags, over night bags, and purses so when she comes down we usually go to a fabric shop near my home where she stocks up on tapestry, velvet, and other rich fabrics for her projects.  Today, she bought fabric for a duvet cover she is making for a friend in the most gorgeous black and burgundy combination.  I can't wait to see how it turns out.  She also bought at least 25 one to two yard remnants to use to make her bags and purses.  She's going to be very busy. 

I found a gorgeous tapestry fabric and bought enough to make myself a jacket.  I have seen tapestry jackets in the stores for as much as $250 and I will be able to make one for less than $50.  Not bad.  I'll post a photo when I'm finished with it.

Tomorrow, Bryan, Shannon and the kids are coming over for the afternoon and evening.  We're going to have a barbecue and spend the day with my mom and sister.  My mom is going to my brother's on Sunday and then back to Wyoming on Monday so it will be the last time my son, DIL, & grandchildren will be able to see her until Christmas.  She spent Tuesday and Wednesday nights at their house.  I guess they had a great time!  Thursday was Nathan's kindergarten graduation so my sister, Dennis and I went to that and then brought my mom home with us after the celebration.

On June 8, Bryan and his family are flying to Oahu, Hawaii to check into the possibility of buying a business and moving there.  He has been looking into this deal for about 3 months and it has now reached the point where the family is going to fly over to look at housing, schools, and he will meet with the attorney/CPA that is coordinating the deal to look at all the final financial figures before making up his mind and either signing the deal or walking away from it.  The housing market here is just getting worse and 2 of his biggest builders are near bankruptcy.  If they fail, in 6 months he may not be able to support his family in Southern California.  As it stands now, it takes them 3 months to pay him.  He just cannot keep his business going with such a snag in his cash flow. 

It breaks my heart into tiny pieces to think of my grandchildren moving so far away.  I can't think about it without crying.  Our bond is so strong and they mean everything to me.  To think I would go from seeing them at least two or three times a month to three times a year is more than I can take.  I understand why Bryan has to check out this opportunity and that he has to take it if it is the right thing for him and his family.  I will support him all the way.  Somehow I will get through this and will make the very best of the situation.  Just right now, I'm really upset and hurting about it.  Having just lost my Dad, it just doesn't seem right that I'm facing another huge loss so soon. 

Quilts and Baby Blanket

A few entries ago, Jan of Serendipity mentioned that she would enjoy seeing some of my Mom's quilts and one of her baby blankets with the embroidered edge.  Here are some pictures of her creations:

One of Mom's baby blankets with embroidered edge.

Quilt Mom' made for my Dad a few years ago.

Bird Wall Hanging made about 5 years ago.

This quilt was started in the 1930's by my Dad's mother and grandmother.  They put together about 12 of the Sunbonnet Sue's.  My Dad asked my Mom if she could finish the other's which had been cut out but never sewn together.  She did 11 of them and then Cari and I did 3 each so this quilt was made by five generations of women from our family.  Some of the fabrics are newer that the 30's.  A few were rotten and Mom had to throw them away and she needed to add a few extra to make the quilt queen size so she found reproductions of 30's prints to finish the project. The bright spot in the upper left is from the sun coming in an upper window.

This is a wall hanging that Mom made for me for Christmas a few years ago.  It hangs in the entry of my home.

I shot a few tulips and a couple daffodils

I ran some errands and stopped by Marilyn Morgan's around noon today so get some pictures of her garden.  Her tulips and daffodils are so pretty.  Hope you enjoy seeing these pictures.  P.S.  There's a surprise at the end.  Hugs!

Marilyn's side yard with tulips, daffodils and ever green ground cover

This is my favorite picture

This is on the corner of Marilyn's yard.

 

 

Oh, and I cannot resist  showing you the latest picture of Matthew.  I took this the day before I left ~ March 7th.  He was 6 weeks old and weighs a strapping 8 1/2 pounds. He's a sweet baby.  This is your surprise!

Friday Already

The time has flown by!  Mom and are are heading back to Denver on Sunday and flying back to California on Monday.  In one way, I feel like I've been away from home a week and when I think of all that we have done, it feels like I've been gone much longer than 10 days.  We have made each minute count, that's for sure.

Last night, my Mom's friends, Marilyn and Terry Morgan invited us to dinner.  Terry worked in Italy for 18 months on a project for the railway system there.  He lived in Florence  and got to know the beautiful city very well.  Marilyn visited 3 times for 2 weeks each time.  We had a wonderful time talking about Italy and especially Florence.  Terry is making up a list of his favorite restaurants, shops, and his list of 'Must See' spots that are not on most of the tourist maps.  Mom will meet with them again when she gets home from California and get his list.  I thought that was so nice of them to spend several hours sharing their experiences - all positive - with us.

Mom is at her exercise class right now.  It gives me a little over an hour to check mail and make a quick entry.  This afternoon, she is going to make some baby blankets.  She sews them together and then passes them to her sister, Ruth, who embroiders a fancy trim on each one.  They then put them away to sell at their church bazaar in December.  All the money they make is donated to special projects that their Women's group does throughout the year.  After I finish this, I have promised to iron 5 yard lengths of flannel so when she gets back, she can cut them and put the blankets together.

She will sew today and I will run errands.  One of the things I want to do is to take pictures of the tulips and other bulb flowers that are in bloom around town.  We can't grow tulips very successfully in Riverside.  It's just too warm.  I have been amazed and have fallen in love with the beautiful flowers.  The other thing that is in bloom, not in Laramie yet, but in Cheyenne and Denver are the lilacs.  Oh, my goodness.  They are gorgeous and the aroma is heavenly.  We walkedto dinner one night and walked past a few lilac bushes.  Mom had to drag me away.  I would have put my whole head in that bush to soak up the aroma of those flowers.  It's my very favorite floral smell.  I was plotting how I could find some in Denver, cut a few big bunches and take them home.  They are very fragile and would not travel well so I've given up on the idea.  I was actually going to go to a flower shop and buy a flower box and some of those glass tubes that they put water in to keep corsages fresh.  When I shared my plan with my Mom, she just looked and shook her head.  "If that's what you want to do, go for it."  I will be posting my pictures as soon as I can.

On our way to Cheyenne the other day, we saw about 12 antelope grazing near a ranch just 100 feet off the road.  They are so tiny and graceful. I saw a beautiful emerald-headed mallard duck in Denver and a pretty brown female duck in the side yard at Mom's yesterday.  That's about all the wild life for this trip so far.  We still have the drive to Denver on Sunday so I have hope for more.  I haven't seen the robins or the finches again but I have my camera on the counter ready to get a picture if they come back.

I'm looking forward to catching up with everyone early next week.  I miss all of you and want to know what is going on in your lives.  Hope all of you are well and most of all, happy!

Hugs for now.

Hi from Laramie, Wyoming

Good morning!  I hope all the mothers had a wonderful Mother's Day yesterday.  Mom and I went to church.  Afterwards, we visited with Lillian Hubbard who is the mother of my mom's best friend from her childhood.  Lillian is 102 years old and still plays bridge twice a week.  She is sharp, alert and still lives alone in the home she has occupied for the past 70 years.  What a sweet woman!

Mom and I had a good time in Denver.  Her tests went well and everything looks good.   We visited with her sister, Helen a few times which was very nice.  I got to see three of my cousins and their husbands.  Mom and I even got to go to a Colorado Rocky's baseball game at Coor's stadium with my cousin, Vicki's husband, Jim.  He's an avid baseball fan so it was a delightful evening in summer like weather.

The weather has been GREAT.  Warm ~ in the upper 70's - low 80's.  In Laramie, we have had late afternoon thunderstorms but the temperatures have been in the 70's.  Much better than the last 3 times I've visited when it hasn't been over 25 degrees and there has been snow and lots of cold wind.  I much prefer this! 

There are a pair of Robins nesting in a tree behind Mom's house and a pair of red headed finches nesting in front.  I hope to get pictures before I leave.  They are beautiful birds.  We don't see them in California.

I can't access journals other than my own from here so I will catch up with all of you when I get home.  I hope you are all well.  I miss you!

Hugs.

 

  Tomorrow is the day I leave for Mom's.  I'll be home on May 21st.  I don't know if I'll be able to access journals while I'm away so I don't know if I'll be posting or reading until I get back.  Y'all take care, now, ya hear?  I'll miss you if I can't check in.

Hugs.

  

Lots of fun AND I'm not hung over!

First, I'm happy my little snit/conflict was put to rest.  I have a hard time with unresolved conflict especially in times when my emotions are running high. Thanks to everyone for their support.   (HUGS).

Dennis and I went to dinner and a concert with friends/neighbors last night.  Months back, Dennis did the construction plans for a simple room addition for their home.  When it came to working out terms of payment he didn't want to charge them because it was a simple job but they insisted so he told them to just take us to dinner sometime.  Well, the room addition is done (and it is so nice!) so they had us over for dinner last night and then took us to a concert to see Paul Rodgers.  The name didn't ring a bell but when we heard he was lead sisnger with the group Free ('all right now, baby, it's all right now......) and Bad Company the lights went on and we got excited.  Free's first hit was in The mid to late 60's for all you babies out there. LOL  This old bag remembers those good old days when rock and roll was MUSIC and not the cr*p that comes out of a computer with so much bass that it destroys organ tissue over time from the constant vibration.  There should be a health warning.........(I am joking here).  Anyway, getting back to Paul Rodgers, His presence is full of fun and energy. He pulls the crowd in and makes us a part of the show.  It helped that the venue holds only 3500 people ~ Small and intimate and not a bad seat in the place.  His picture is below:

Pssst:  I won't mention names (but it wasn't me and it wasn't Kelly, because he drove) but 2 out of the four of us got very hammered last night.  Way too much wine...  (shaking my head with wonder).  One of us could hardly walk back to the car and we had to help her.  <notice I didn't mention names>.  Hmmm, wonder how much their heads and tummies hurt this morning? I feel pretty darn great.   I had a great time!

Now I'm on red alert.  I have to get my a@@ in gear and get stuff done around here.  I'm on serious count down.  I leave on Tuesday and my weekend is full of things that impeed my progress.  Wish me luck.  I'm going in......

Thanks So Much For The Feedback

I'm feeling a LOT better after reading all the comments in the Opinion Poll.  Thanks to everyone who responded so quickly.  I will sleep better tonight.

I think we both over reacted.  She was under a lot of stress because of the accident and knowing she would have to go thru so much to get her car fixed and then probably pay higher premiums because of it.  I over reacted because I'm just sensitive these days.  My feelings are on the surface and I am queen of the over reactors as of late.  As time goes on and my heart heals from losing my dad, I feel my sensitive side starting to calm and become more 'normal' (if there ever is such a thing).  I know that I've been 'prickly' and this is why I put up the poll.  It was a reality check and I appreciate your honesty and candor.

I gave the benefit of the doubt and apologized for my part.  She admitted that she was in a snit and we are OK.  All is good.

Opinion Poll - Am I Being too Sensitive?

This is a real situation and I am asking your opinions and feed back:

Yesterday, I had a conversation with a friend of mine.  This person was rear ended on the freeway on the way to work.  The person who hit the car was an illegal alien with no driver's license and no car insurance.  The rear bumper of my friend's car was extensively damaged but no one was hurt.  The other driver, of course, did not want the highway patrol to be called but my friend insisted and phoned for help.

When the highway patrol arrived, the officer took all the information and at the end of the interviews, etc., he told my friend that the other driver had no license and no insurance and unfortunately, my friend's insurance would have to pick up payment for the damages.  My friend asked what was going to happen the the other driver.  The officer said he had written him a ticket and since he had no license and no insurance he was having his car towed.

I asked my friend, "Did you stay until the tow truck arrived to take the car away?"

"No, I had to get on my way and get to work, why?  What would you have done?"

"Oh, I would have stayed.  It would have given me satisfaction to see him pay consequences.  I probably would have even taken a picture with my cell phone camera."   Note:  the thing about the picture was said, laughing and kidding.

My friend snapped, "I have got to get back to work, I don't have time for your Jerry Springer stuff."

I ended the conversation by saying, "Ok, good bye." and hanging up.

I wanted to know what any of you would think about the Jerry Springer comment and what connotation that reference brings to mind.  I am withholding my feelings until I get feedback as I do not want to poison the well, so to speak.

Thank you very much.  Love,  Kathy

Re: Internship

Jan of Serendipity asked if Cari wore the outfit we picked out together when she interviewed for her internship.  This is the outfit we got and this picture shows how she looked as she left the morning of the interview.

Professional yet trendy, don't you think?

Yippee Skippy

Cari was awarded the internship with Union Entertainment Group.  Her feet aren't even touching the ground she is so happy!  She will meet with them on Monday to work out her schedule and responsibilities.  I hope this is a stepping stone to her dream coming true!

The Week Ahead

Just one question ~ where did April go?  May is here and I have no idea what happened to April.  It felt like the entire month got condensed into a short blur.  It's kind of like living in the Twilight Zone.  I'm almost dizzy.  It's so  bad that I actually thought I had 12 days before leaving for Denver and Laramie BUT I have 5 days to get ready ~ I leave on May 8.

 

This calls for extreme organization and focus.  Tomorrow is hair cut and color touch up day.  Friday is my nail appointment.  Over the weekend, I will stock up the cupboards and fridge with provisions to get Dennis and Cari through the first week or so and then they are on their own.  I will also get the laundry caught up because I have to pack most of it.  I need to get the guest room cleaned because my Mom is coming back to California with me for a week.  She wants to meet her new great grandson and to see the rest of the great grandchildren, her grandchildren, and the rest of us if she can fit us in.  LOL  I will leave instructions with Cari to dust and vacuum the guest room again right before  we get back so it's fresh as a daisy.

 

Saturday, my dear friend, Joan is graduating from college with a B.A. in Education.  Yeah, Joan!  I'm so proud of her.  She's an amazing woman and I know she will be a terrific teacher.  She has been a sign language interpreter for years working in a school district.  Each year, she is assigned a deaf student.  She goes to class with the student and signs everything going on in class so the student understands what is going on and what the teacher is saying.  This background will be great experience as she transition to being the teacher.  I'm going to her graduation party on Saturday afternoon.

 

Saturday evening, Cari and I are going to a play called Sequins  which is written by her friend, Jordan Beck.  He's the young man who is writing the play/musical about MySpace that will be opening on Broadway later this year.  We are really looking forward to the experience.  It's the first time I've ever gone to a play and known the writer. 

 

Sunday the grandchildren are coming for a visit so I can see them before I leave.  I haven't seen them since the Saturday before Easter.  Little Matthew is growing like a weed and I do not want to wait until the middle of the month to see him again.  He's changing so fast.  I want to experience all the stages. 

 

So with all of this stuff going on, my organizational skills will be put to the test.  I may need some help from my daughter around Monday night but I'm sure everything will get done and I will be ready to fly away on Tuesday morning.

 

While in Denver/Laramie I will be with my Mom when she has her annual colonoscopy.  I won't be in the room, of course, (LOL) but I want to be there to lend support.  A year ago, December, she had major surgery which resulted in her having a ileostomy until March, 2006 when she had surgery to reverse it.  Now she has to have a colonoscopy every year to be sure scar tissue isn't forming in the colon causing blockage.  I'm sure everything is fine but she needs to check to be sure. 

 

After  Mom's test, we will be seeing her sister Helen who is recovering and doing very well after surgery for breast cancer.  We'll be seeing some cousins and their husbands which will be a lot of fun.  We plan to go back to Laramie on the 11th.  While there, we will take care of some business now that Mom has all the copies of Dad's death certificates.  We can finalize some things that were waiting for that document. 

 

I want to go through all the cards and letters she got from friends and family after Dad died.  I also want to visit the cemetery and take flowers.  I want to see Dad's best friend, Jim, and a few other people who were very important to him.  I want to thank them for bringing so much joy to his life.  I want to do the things I would have done if I had been there when he died and for his funeral.  I need to go through all of the motions and say all of the things that I wanted to say to get closure.  It's very important to me to feel finished with the details and to start letting the finality of his death sink in.

 

I have flashes of how final it is - how cold and harsh the reality is but I haven't taken in all in.  I miss our phone calls.  We used to talk at least once a week, usually twice.  Sometimes I wake up and my first thought is, "I need to call Dad today," and then a wave a panic and sadness hits me and I know I'm a long way from acceptance and serenity.

What NOT To Wear

One of my favorite shows is TLC's What Not To Wear.  Tracy London and Clinton (can't remember his last name) find an unsuspecting woman who dresses terribly, give her $5000 and a trip to New York where they toss out all of her clothes, teach her how to dress and then at the end, she goes to Nick for a hair cut and to Carmindy for make-up advise.  The end result is usually a sophisticated, much better looking version of the woman at the beginning of the show.  Don't ask me why I like the show because I do not know.  Their humor isn't funny and sometimes they are down right mean to those poor women when they are talking to them about how they dress.  I like the last 1/2 of the show when everything starts coming together and she turns from frump to princess.  I am very impressed with the make-up artist, Carmindy.  She can teach these ladies how to do a 5-minute make up job that makes them look like a million bucks. 

Well, today, I ran into an item by item list of the products she recommends and a simple to do list of how to apply each one.  I'm not endorsing any of the products because I haven't tried any of them myself YET.  I'm just passing on her advise and the names of the things she recommends.  So if you try these things and you don't like the results, send her an email, not me.  LOL

Carmindy's Beauty list:

Start with a tinted moisturizer or foundation, spot conceal any redness and apply under eye concealer. Classified Cosmetics Era Spray Foundation ($55) is a good one.  (She sprays this on a wedge sponge and dabs it on the skin to even out the skin tone.)

 

2. Next, dust on a light translucent powder. Cover Girl Clean Fragrance-Free Pressed Powder ($5) works great on all complexions.

3. Highlight is key to this look so apply a shimmering light shadow under the brows, on the inside corner of the eyes and on top of the cheekbones will showcase your face. Try Benefit Cosmetics Eye Bright ($18).

4. Next swirl on blush for a fresh lively look. Paula Dorf Cheek Color Cream in "Candy Apple" ($19) is a good choice for Asian skin while Revlon Cream Blush in "Lilicent" ($9) looks great on fair skin. MAC's Pigment Color Powder wows on dark skin.

5. Line the upper lash line with an eyeliner pencil and smudge with a Q-tip. This will give you the subtle definition you need. Almay Intense I-Color in "Brown Topaz" ($7) is a great option for fair beauties.

6. Sweep on mascara to the top lashes only. Skipping the lower lashes will save time and potential clean up.

7. Now slick on lip color and you're ready to go. I like Milani Glitzy Glamour Gloss in "Glitz & Glam" ($5.49) on olive skin.

She recommends lip gloss with a hint of color rather than lipstick.  I also saw her talking with a woman about lip liner.  She said never use a lipliner unless you have fine lines around your mouth and want to prevent your lip color from running or if your lips are uneven and you want to use the lip pencil to even things out.

Fast, easy and effective!

This said, you can't be quick with your makeup regimen if you're not sure which colors and product choices are right for your skin tone or age-appropriate. In 'The 5 Minute Face' I list no-fail hues and products so you can skip the guessing game for a fabulous look every time.

So presto-blinko, there is What Not To Wear's 5 minute Face.  Good luck.