This is where I share my thoughts of polish, pets, life in general. Click on any of the tabs below to find out more about the Pointless Cafe Blog.

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Friday, November 25, 2016

I Am Not a Tree

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Dad always said, when he had a catch in his back or something, that he had a "hitch in his get-along." I feel like I have a hitch in my holidays.

When I was a kid, we didn't really have the holidays you saw on TV or in the movies. We didn't string popcorn or sing Christmas carols. There was rarely a turkey at Thanksgiving or a tree at Christmas. We loved each other, but it was just the 4 of us and it seemed silly to them, I guess, to celebrate. They were older and my brother was 12 when I was born. We didn't have much money, or a nice spot to put a tree or even a big table to gather around. It would have been like "faking it," I think.  Maybe that's why I'm a big fan of "faking it 'til you make it?" I longed for those holidays I saw on TV.  For a birthday party or the ability to believe in Santa or even just dying Easter eggs.  Longed for the thankfulness of the season and carving the turkey. I always dreamed of standing around a big kitchen with loved ones and cooking all day or playing touch football in the crisp autumn air before dinner.

Over the years, life has changed me, changed what I want. I tried hard to make the holidays like a movie once I got married, but without children, it just seemed like nothing ever turned out. By then, I had an over idealized version in my head no one could live up to. Including me. So many holidays were spent alone, it became the norm. Especially after my husband passed, there was a lot of alone time, not just at the holidays. I adapted. Adapted so well that I'm not sure I know how to be part of a family anymore. In my head I think I still want to and I try, but I always end up feeling like I don't belong. Like I don't know "how to family" anymore.

I psyche myself up for gatherings. I look forward to them and I dread them, in equal measure. Once I'm there, the people are always lovely and it's nice to have friends and extended family to be around, but after a few hours, I usually can't help but try to figure out how to extricate myself. That's not a reflection on any of them, but of me. I really don't know how to not be alone anymore. I've never thought of myself as anti-social, but I started to wonder.

I worried whether I'd every re-learn how to be with people without trying to sneak off or leave early. I just couldn't figure it out. I wanted nothing more in life to be a part of a family and I think I still do, but my actions are puzzling to me. Am I too old to adapt anymore?






Well, I answered that question this week. I'm NOT too old! I had two fantastic gatherings this week with wonderful people and I have another tomorrow that I'm excited about...cousins I haven't seen in decades.

Moving back home was probably the single best thing I could've ever done for myself. I still have a way to go, though...learning how not to always be alone. But I'm working on it!

I guess the moral of the story is twofold: you're never too old to learn and you are not a tree - if you need to make a change, DO IT!




Alternative moral of the story: when you find yourself self-analyzing in the wee hours, GO TO SLEEP and don't inflict it on others. LOL!





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Friday, September 23, 2016

It's AUTUMN! Fall Nail Art Ideas


Fall Nail Art Ideas



Hi guys! Yes, I'm still alive. Still sporting #nekkidnails but I grabbed a few of my past autumn nail art manis to celebrate the season.

You can check them out and link to the individual blog posts from my Pinterest Board.

I tried to leave out the Halloween Specific manis for now but you can check out my BuzzFeed Post on "24 Spooky Nail Art Ideas for Halloween" here!


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Show me your AUTUMNAL MANIS on my Facebook Page and I'll share them!



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Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Preparing for FALL! with ThredUp - Review of ThredUp

All Items
Purchased by Me






This is probably going to sound like a sponsored post but it SO isn't! I saw an ad for ThredUp on Facebook and while I don't normally click on FB ads (even if I want to, I open a new window and go there because I'm just contrary like that) and I don't even remember if I clicked or opened a new window but I went there.  Oh boy, did I go there. *sigh*

Consignment/Re-Sale Store shopping but online? Yeah I was a goner.

I'm thinking yeah ok I'll order a few things and probably be disappointed because who shops resale online? Well, okay for purses maybe, but clothes? I haven't ever been a "normal" size until recently, so it's sort of a foreign concept for me. But hey, everything is at a great price and I get 40% off of my first order! (No, I'm not going to put a link that I get anything from - there is no affiliate link or anything, although I will link the shop's site below in case you want to check it out.)

Anyway, I have quite a big mouth when I feel ripped off or even mildly disappointed, so why not also give kudos where kudos are due? So this is me, giving kudos.

This is what I ordered...



Lauren by Ralph Lauren Boots

Maurice's Boots

Ralph Lauren Sweater

Burberry Sweater

Brooks Brothers Sweater

Banana Republic Sweater

Ellen Tracy Sweater

Isaac Mizrahi Tank Sweater



Again, not a sponsored post and I purchased everything myself - no affiliate links or anything to disclose. If you would like to check it out, though, here's the link: ThredUp.

I was very happy with how easy the site was to navigate and sort by size, designer brands, price, etc., the follow-up emails to make sure it was a good shopping experience, the order confirmation email, the shipping and tracking email...and the items I received were all in excellent shape, no threads, no smells, no pulls or scuffs or anything I could find to make me not happy with each piece.

Also, if you're NOT happy with anything that wasn't marked "final sale" you can return it postage paid. They've put their contact information and QR codes on everything to make it super easy to contact them for any reason.

I have no idea how new or old they are or how I've missed them until now, but I'm so happy with the entire experience and the items.

The only thing they didn't have was a pumpkin spice latte and an apple cinnamon candle to get my other senses ready for fall.

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Sunday, August 7, 2016

Weekend Bits and Bobs - Loving Every Moment





Long time, no see! I am on hiatus from nail polish reviews, at least I'm not currently accepting PR Samples anyway, but I do intend to post on the blog now and then. When I first started Pointless Cafe, it had zero to do with nail polish. So, while I may post my Nail of the Day now and then, I'm remaining on hiatus from polish reviews at least until the end of this year. I'll re-evaluate at that time.

In the mean time, what HAVE I been up to?

Somehow, in spite of my past use of "never" in connection with "farm," I am becoming a farm girl! Okay, fine. A farm older lady. Since I've moved back to "heaven" from South Lower Hell (aka South Texas) I've been loving the chance to be outside without internally combusting. The trees are green and the land is fertile.

Here's a quick photo "walk" through my recent activities. I have to say, I'm loving every moment. Turning 50 does something to a person. You just want to enjoy life. That doesn't necessarily mean no more working, just doing work you love. For me anyway.

I left the beach, but I didn't leave the water. There are many wonderful lakes...







The Ohio River...






I practically live in Hoosier National Forest and Lincoln Park is so close! Federal and State. Walking in the woods is something I used to dream about when I was in Texas. Now I can do it any time I feel the urge.




Wonderful family...the sort of family time and distance can't separate.  Twenty-six years apart and I still adore them. So happy to be close again.




And the farm? ME? Seriously, I'd never even MET a chicken before. My guy's farm doesn't have animals, but his family's farms do. Check out the hens! (Thanks for the eggs, gals!)




Even with no animals, there's work to be done and I'm learning. I can't even describe my first time on the zero-turn and do it any justice. I just wish I'd had it on video. Okay, mostly I wish I'd had HIM on video when it got away from me and he jumped about 5 feet and had to run as he was teaching me. But it didn't take long. If you don't have a zero-turn, you NEED one. Just sayin'. And getting the hang of mowing so much (and AROUND so many flowers and things) I'm pretty sure at least half of his yard got mowed twice.





Land spreadin' out so far and wide (you're welcome for the ear worm if you're over 40)...



I mowed that! ^




And more work...




Tomato Juice! ^


Homemade salsa! ^


And he can grow anything.





But he's not above buying something pretty for my birthday either...




And the mornings are SO PEACEFUL!




So right now, I'm just taking a little time out for myself.  But I'll see you back here fairly often, I'm sure.






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