Totally Truthful Tuesdays - Telephone Trauma

I got in trouble yesterday with my sister-in-law.  I think after 19 years she finally figured out this awful truth about me:

I don't call.  Ever.  Anybody.

This is one of most irksome and irritating faults.  Ask anyone in my family and they will tell you, if you want to talk to Tina, you're gonna have to be the one picking up the phone.  Most people closest to me have all resigned themselves to this annoying trait but I fear I may have lost a friend or two along the way and this makes me sad.

I don't mind talking and catching up once I've picked up the phone.  And it's not that I don't think of those I love and hold dear - I do.  I just never think to initiate, pick up the phone, and kill an hour or two chatting. 'Cuz believe me.  I can chat.

Talking on the phone was tough when the kids were little.  There was never a good time to call if any of the three were semi-awake.  On the off chance all three were sleeping...  Well the last thing I wanted to do was disturb the quiet!  Of course the kids are much older now yet somehow whenever I raise a phone to my ear I am needed.  It is like an inaudible whistle that calls children from the far reaches of space when the phone connects with a mother's ear.  Now at least with a look or a flick of my hand I can send them away - so this is no longer a viable excuse.

Believe me, I have tried to change.  I've tried writing myself notes on the calendar to call people on a semi-regular basis.  Like my mom, dad, brother, or in-laws.  FYI - this doesn't work if you don't use a calendar much.  I have kept old messages on the voicemail, blinking for days upon days as a reminder to call someone.  All for naught. 

I still hold out hope that you can teach an old dog (that being me) new tricks and I can change my mute and neglectful ways.  Maybe when my kids move out of the house my desperation to talk to them will change me.  There's always hope, right?

'Til then, give me a call sometime.  I'd love to chat...  Really!

Totally Truthful Tuesday - Singin' Fool

I love to sing. 

Consequently, I sing ALL THE TIME.  I wish I could say I had skills but really I don't.  I mean, I think (hope) I can carry a tune but beyond that I would need a lot of vocal-coaching and Auto-Tuning to produce something remotely recordable.  But that's okay, really, I just sing for me; because I love it.  It brings me joy, changes my mood, helps me connect to God, fires me up with energy, and releases emotion when nothing else helps.

Something I've always wanted to do (and probably anyone who has riden in a car with me would agree) is take singing lessons with a professional.  Not only for my enjoyment but because I have a voice that carries and the people sitting in front of me at church would probably REALLY appreciate it :)

Totally Truthful Tuesdays - Lipstick Truth. What Else?

Okay, people, hold on to your butts (love this line from Jurassic Park).  Here's the truth about how many lipsticks I REALLY have.  If you count the three I bought today to replace beloved, almost-empty colors, I have a total of...

Fifty-four lipsticks.

Yes, you read correctly - 54.  Do I like all of the colors?  No.  Some are not great shades on me but I keep them because I know the power of layering.  The possibilities are endless when I layer a not-so-great color with a fabulous over-layer.  So really I have many, many more than just fifty four tints.

Here is the breakdown:

• 45 colors and glosses in my make-up case ranging from pink to plum to red in brands more numerous to count (this does not count 2 chapsticks)
• 4 in my purse because the shade should match my outfit
• 2 in my church purse
• 2 in the car
• 1 on the desk by the computer awaiting reordering from Drugstore.com because Sephora discontinued the line - boo hoo

As you can see, being caught without lipstick available is unacceptable. Not to mention people think I am sick and on my deathbed when I am sans lipstick. 

An obsession? 

Perhaps.  But I would rather call it a hobby - a beautiful one :)