The meaning of life: now, that IS a beautiful thing

READ THIS FIRST

I even amazed myself ... reading this almost a year later.  Really crowning the website I did launch over a year ago [ www.graFX.online ] and left stagnant less the original gusto that comes when an idea bursts forward and fights to find solid ground.  A central repository of all my blogs, depending open my knowledge (typically business, sales or social media as @optioneerJM and its affiliate blogspot blog of the same name all under the social media persona I created in and around 2008 when a champion friend, mentor and cheerleader, Donna deMan pushed me off the cliff into the stratosphere online, starting on Linked In, then branching out to TWITTER where I was so thankfully introduced to a group of early adopters of social media with a lot of class, talent, skill and some sort of charm or charisma that people became drawn to:  those are still the forefathers.  Maybe I'll do a blog and ask people who I think impacted and guided me about remembering me (if) or what they remember most about me .... that would be fun {INSERT} imaginary virtual assistant who hussles off an email to me to serve as a reminder and then adds it to her notes to cover during our weekly phone call [not to mention quarterly luncheon to touch base personally and address anything more sensitive, needing more personal attention than day to day "STUFF".  

Well, I dreamed of writing and wishing about eventually being able to be paid for what I do, and I'm happy to say I like the direction this is going.  An assembly of blogs from an average, yet bright, confident yet sensitive business lady with a twist of this whirlpool of stuff may have some value.  Putting it under one umbrella:  www.graFX.online allows me to give it all under one setting.  

It is a hobby though.  Not an occupation, more like a preoccupation or passion that would be more inline with who I am, not who others want me to be or think they know me to be.  An honest reflection under one transparent crystal chandelier of my life.  

I think I really like the sweet spot that I may have found in THE PUBLISHER:  creative writings that would otherwise a) be lost after it was a fleeting idea or b) be stifled because they wouldn't land softly in the more tumultuous life I lead only a year later from when this blog was written.

I like to think I sounded optimistic and embracing the age on the farther side of 50 and coasting towards 60, amid big waves and whitecaps hitting us at this moment when everything is suppose to be rosy. 

 
After witnessing my own parents marriage of more than 50 years of togetherness [and other times of hellishness] and ending up with a partner in life, legally professed as husband, a father to one and a stepfather to a few, ending up after one failed marriage attempt renewed with optimism when we vowed to create a family among all four, equally treated with fairness.  Fast forward 11 years later:  it lived more like a mythical horror epic in the last 9 weeks.  We all discovered that Rob was a big piece of the glue that made us all stick.  And that is a beautiful thing. 

2017 HEADLINE of my year: mental health MATTERS

My family would say that it usually comes from people behind me.

I posted the following on Facebook as is my latest habit.  If you want a peak glimpse of my journey when I log online:

1. Check email
2. Click on a link from SUBSCRIPTIONS 
3. Share that article on FACEBOOK
4. Make a comment, or more these days blog about the article on my social media channels, mostly Twitter and Facebook because all the other sites make it annoying and a hassle to do much.  Other than Google in a major way:  the best stuff I curate on G+
5. Copy and paste that post, especially if I've yawned on and on to any one of my blogs, where I think it fits the theme [ from ATTITUDE to GRATITUDE to PLATITUDES ] is the common thread.

My headline of the year was Mental Health and my purpose for 2018 will be to supply Mental Health education and awareness as best as I know possible: by leveraging my social media handle OptioneerJM​ to bring understanding to those that need enlightenment mostly, with help resources shares for those who think they may need help.

Call it a New Year's Resolution if you must.  For me it is a direction on a path I began about a year ago.  Some of the big disappointments from 2017 will be exorcised on my blogs (on meanderingsABOUT.blogspot.com or YUPPYdom.wordpress and POSTINGSfromtheEDGE.blogspot ) with the intention of bringing greater awareness to Mental Health and, in particular, the work place.

The story will be told in the not too distant future.  What lead me to this place.  What lead me to this start on this cause? To be shared, honestly and personally, my own rude awakening this past year, 2017, by golly:  at 56 years of young, I am just coming to terms with being bullied.

Bullying is a horrendous affliction.  I wrote about it and did a presentation/speech in Toastmasters International in Calgary at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce [ where our Pioneer Nooners tribe gathered, formed deep-rooted friendships in a distinguished circle of high achievers, dreamers, innovators and quality crew of misfits (nod to Steve Jobs) who wanted only to be better.  Not to settle for the status quo but to leap into the abyss of the black hole of fear.  We were all horrified at the thought of speaking in front of a group.  Many of us knew that in our careers (one architect of the firm that designed the now-beleaguered Calgary Saddledome went on to be our The Calgary Chamber of Commerce​ president the year after he joined.

An interesting behavior I was able to observe fairly closely, provide constructive criticism on his speeches within the same luncheon boardroom.  How lucky was I to be able to be surrounding by sucy magnificent people!!  All I had to do was join Toastmasters.  

Soooooooo, this list of the words of the year would be an awesome Table Topic at your next Toastmasters Meeting in Calgary, or anywhere else in the world for that matter!  

Here is the Table Topic:  for 2 minutes, tell us your WORD of the YEAR + why you chose it.  Avoid any ums, ahs, sooooooo's, you know.  Don't go over 2 minutes OR ELSE you will have a penalty (eliminated from winning by vote-using the various numbers and tools available on the web).  If you want to do a video ~ just reply and attach it; share it if you participate, or like, or on your first 2018 to do.  

Regardless of who you are, how you know me, what you do, your age, occupation or education:  say or video what your word of the day and why!

LINK to optioneerJM on Facebook (feel free to share with me on Twitter, InstaGram, Pinterest, G+ etc.)



There my journey comes to a halt or a pause.  I'll ask hubby if he's done gaming with the kids and can we please watch a movie ...... if he ignores me per usual, it is a complete halt, as I go on the offensive of getting my way.

Hubby and I with our latest toy: 1964 Ford Falcon Ranchero (nostalgia or what?)

Happy New Year's Eve 2017

Thank you for reading my blog.

Let's make 2018 an even better year!

xo Jeannette

an epic ZITcom

A makeover of the RED kind

I haven't appealed to my fashionista persona for a while.  Since this is my third day off in a row, I decided to do a radical makeover and share with you the steps I am taking in case it is something you want to do as well.

Today, I am going to transform from my natural "dirty blond" or light brunette hair color to an eye-popping RED.  I sure hope it turns out well.  

I asked a young gal cashier who had flaming red hair whether she thought it would suit me and she said YES!  (well, she said, with my eyes ... blush, aw shucks).  I've had two forms of temporary red color in my cabinet for quite some time.  Somewhere around Halloween, I think.

This is definitely going for the gusto.  Not something anyone timid would attempt, to be sure.  

What I look like on a "normal" day

A spa day
of a new kind.  I haven't treated myself to a self-pampered day for quite a while.  Thank you for joining me, especially if you decide to try it along with me.

The BEFORE before the after
I apologize if I've scared you.  It is necessary to do the "before" like any other makeover.  I've already forewarned my stepdaughter should the Hunkster Hubster show up on her doorstep with suitcase in tow from the shock.  Guys don't like their women reinventing themselves too often or too drastically.  

Cleansing
is a must in any ritual to keep healthy, happy skin.  Unfortunately, I've had this big zit on my cheek since just before my stepdaughter's wedding last August!  I had to pull out a lot of different concealers for the wedding photos.  I've tried to tackle it for 6 months now, in an epic ZITcom. 

A face masque
After I use the OXY pads (sounds like a home cleaning product I should be using to do chores doesn't it?)

A face mask while coloring

Ruby red
I bought Schwarzkopf's ruby red on the darker side, with my blonde, light hair color, I want to avoid it turning pink.  Also, I am keeping in mind that I have the temporary color as a back up to add later if it does go haywire during the color.  I've kept it on for 30 minutes before I shop into the shower.  (I'm nervous now).

 It's all about the base
Before I get started on any foundation or styling hair (I usually go air dry unless sprucing up for a special occasion).  I have mentioned before that I use Oil of Olay for sensitive skin, faithfully after I wash or shower.  I use coconut oil on my hair while wet to help prevent my hair from drying out from home coloring remedies.

I've discovered this RIMMEL BB Cream since my "ZITcom" erupted a month or so ago.  It gives me a smooth finish and does a fantastic job of covering up the imperfections (which are plenty once you hit 50!)

I use a QUO TM to smooth it on.  It does a decent job of it.  Even though the ZIT is still there, it is less noticeable to my eye.

The red hair doesn't look too bad.  In fact, it did turn out to be the color I expected.  My hair is thinning at the front forehead so a side part comb over helps.  You may have noticed the eyebrows are hanging on to my natural color, but I have a fix it for that.  After I use some concealer under the eyes and dotted on the zits to give a better coverage.  I seal it with a powder to avoid shine or smear marks.  It helps to set the foundation for extended coverage.

Eyebrows framed
I have experimented a lot in this area because I have faint eyebrows.  It is more important than anything.  If I were to stop here and just apply lipstick, I'd be free to accept surprise guests or a shopping trip.  (Do you ever notice how much more attentive boutique sales are when you are all made up?  If you want help, don't go shopping in sweats and looking like you're about to tackle housework).

I clip my eyebrows very short with nose hair scissors (that I don't use on nose hairs, gimme a break!).  I find that if they are shorter, they will grab the eyebrow product much better.  I outline my eyebrows in a color that closely matches my own.  If I am just shopping or going to work, that is suffice.  Today, I'm using the darker product to bring out my eyes.

Green eyes and purple eye color
go hand in hand, according to all beauty reports.  I tend to wear eye color scheme according to the tone of my outfit.  For example, if I'm wearing read, I would use nude tones.  For this make up makeover, I am relying on my trusted QUO palette and dual contouring + eye liner.  There is lots of information out there on what color to use to compliment your eyes.  For example, blue works wonders with brown eyes.   Try it out, and if it works, keep it part of your regular routine.  As you get used to it, you'll become faster at doing a quick brush of makeup before you're off and on your way.  Typically, my makeup regime is 10 minutes max.  If I fuss with my hair, add another 20 or 30 minutes, depending on what I do.  I ventured into a short cut lately, which is easily maintained.  I cropped it short because I was constantly tying it back which wasn't necessarily a good look for me if I wasn't curling, moussing and blow-drying to tendrils.

The cheek bone is connected
to where you put a light dusting of blush.  I don't put much on.  Those eyebrows look too dark to me ... hmmmm.

Bat outta eyelash hell
Thick, full eyelashes is something I grapple with.  I wrote about my misadventures in eyelash extensions before.  I use an eyelash foundation/mascara combination, with the best so far being from L'Oreal.  I tried MAC's but haven't found it as great as MAC mascara-like eyebrow definer.  This is probably what takes me the longest.  My own eyelashes are long, but I have to work at it to make them thicker, fuller.  I learned this trick from my stepdaughter (the other two rarely wear makeup, yeah that's lucky for them, that and youth) to use multiple types of mascara.  I have to use waterproof kinds otherwise they weep and I turn into a raccoon.

I've been framed 
To complete the look, you need lipstick.  You'll notice that I have not been blessed with full, luscious lips like my youngest daughter (I'm still trying to figure out where that gene came from because she was blessed with it).  I really like the kind that are lipstick and liner in one with a sealer over top.  

Similar to mascara, lip liner can bleed on my lips and look like I'm a 5-year-old attempting to use her mom's makeup.  

VOILA!
A beauty queen, I'll never be.  Trying to make the most of what gifts I've been given, I max out on my eyes which are my best feature, or so I've been told.  My youngest daughter and sister have asked me aloud why they weren't bestowed with green eyes.  Well, looking at the pictures with no makeup and a horrible zit, demonstrates a trade off because they both have wonderful skin.