Let's talk Naked!

I went to Ulta to get some new foundation a few weeks ago and ended up getting the Naked eye kit from Urban Decay. Then a few weeks later I lucked in to the last Naked 3 kit. I am just waiting to come across the Naked 2 so my eye life will be complete!

Here are my color palettes:








Today I am wearing they Naked 3 collection.








I swear I am not cross eyed but an eye selfie is tough!










And here is the full frontal. Pretty, if you ask me. These shadows have great staying power. I like that the dark colors serve as liner! Oh, I finally got my new do!! I love it!

I have two foundations I love. Naked and Lancolm and I tend to stick to those brands with everything except lipstick and mascara. I am forever in search of perfect mascara. It's an obsession!

One last fashion photo because well, I am not a fashion blogger but I am working on my Opening Day nails:





Here is look one: blue polish & red glitter.

Happy Thursday!

Simply,
Laura
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Enjoy the Ride!

Simply,
Laura

Guns and American's right to arms: the blog I wouldn't write a year ago

If you knew me in real life, you would know that while I am opinionated and stubborn, I am not violent. A year ago I was very anti-gun even though my father owned them and my brother owns them today. That changed when I met and became friends with and later started dating a hunter. No, he didn't brainwash me, he educated me.



What I learned from this hunter was that there are three types of people in this country, those who procure legal guns and are responsible, honest, hard working Americans who like to hunt, fish, and be a part of nature and have a love of nature that is second to none and who are incredibly respectful of fire arms, those that are irresponsible and don't respect the gun (these are the ones who let their teens have access to the weapons that kill other kids in school, for example) and the final group, those who are truly criminal and procure their guns illegally.



Recently, I became a gun owner. This is something I never in my life thought would happen and yet, I have a gun. It's a nice gun. It's a home protection gun. It's not readily available to anyone who enters my home because it is out of harms way. It will not accidentally discharge and it won't be stolen. The kids who come and go in my home have zero chance of accessing this or any weapon. It was a major purchase and the questions they ask before they are legally able to sell you a weapon are both odd and comprehensive.



What I have learned about guns is this, it is not the hunters you need to fear. Every hunter I know is incredibly responsible to the point where, should you see them checking each other's weapons to confirm they are not loaded after a hunt, you would probably think they are anal. They have to be. There are lives at stake. Nobody wants a accident to happen.



No the people you should fear are the people who do not actually respect the gun. I respect it. I respect it to the point I would avoid shooting most of my life, because the 1st time I shot a weapon, at about 8, I got such an kick that I was afraid of the rush. I prefer shooting handguns to rifles and shotguns and I shoot at targets. I do not hunt. I probably won't ever discharge the weapon at a living creature because I am a baby. I don't want to take life. If cornered in the country by a wild hog, however, you bet I will shoot it to protect myself or my loved ones. Because of that, I am going to take a class. Because of that, I will practice shooting. Responsibility comes with gun ownership.



Where the 'system' fails is in controlling the illegal guns and teaching safety and responsibility to legal gun owners. You have to have a license to drive a car but you only need a license for a gun if you plan to carry a concealed weapon. I am not suggesting the federal government require ownership licenses. All legal guns are registered with the ATF. What I am suggesting is gun owners to take an education class. I have to have continuing education every two years to practice insurance but I am not required to learn about my gun. If I didn't have people who shoot, I wouldn't know how to load the gun much less unload it without shooting. I wouldn't have known I wanted a gun with a safety or how to use the safety.





This isn't a political issue, no matter how much Republicans and Democrats try to make it one. There are plenty of gun owning Democrats. I think technically, I am one although I consider myself Independent. There was a statistic I saw recently that the gun owners of the recent school shootings were registered Democrats. This just proves it is a bi-partisan issue.



When you ask yourself where you stand on this issue you should do two things, find a responsible gun owner and go shoot with them. Talk to them about hunting and learn the reasons why the American hunter are needed. As much as I hate this fact, it is a fact. This country is already overrun with wild hogs. If you live in the city you aren't immune you just haven't seen the evidence. I went to the park behind my house with my hunter and he showed me wild pig rubs. In a suburb of Dallas. My neighbor has seen coyotes walking down the street on a weekday morning. About a year ago there was a Bobcat that was found about a mile from my house. My point is, everywhere has wild life and that wildlife is starving slowly and they see your pets as prey. I don't know about you but if something comes at me or my dogs, I want to be able to protect them.



Guns are a part of our history and our future. Everyone has heard "guns don't kill people." That is the truth. What kills people is ignorance. It is time for all gun owners to become educated and all Americans to understand the need for legally controlled fire arms. Unless you want to walk out to your local park, golf course or school and see wild boars taking aim at kids and pets. I have seen these beasts up close and I will pass.



Oh, and the deer. I love them too. They are cute and sweet and beautiful. Hunters don't hate them. They love them. They feed them. I bet you don't feed them if you don't hunt. I didn't until recently. Here is the sad truth, without hunters feeding them they will starve. Deer hunting is strictly controlled (unlike wild hogs because you just can't kill enough to make a dent in the reproduction) and there is a limit everywhere of how many, when, and even how you can kill them. The states regulate tags so that the deer population is maintained however, there must be some hunting allowed. Why? Because deer are wild animals that tend to run out onto highways and cause serious accidents. I have seen at least 2 deer laying on HWY 121 between Lewisville and The Colony in the last 3 months. Sad as it is to think of 'Bambi' life isn't a Disney movie. Reality is, your hunter friend is serving a useful and needed purpose and as much as I hate it too, it is necessary.



Yes, my opinions have changed. My life and my eyes have been opened. I have researched over population and become educated and I have been taught that respecting nature and respecting guns are an important American responsibility. God bless America and our traditions. Now we all should become educated and stop listening to politicians and Hollywood and start listening to our neighbors, friends, and even our brothers and boyfriends. (That hurt to type!)



Simply,

Laura

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Enjoy the Ride!

Simply,
Laura

Five Things Friday!

It's Friday finally! My allergies are kicking my behind and work has been stressful this whole new year so I am looking for things that make me smile in my life! That's why I am linking up for the Five things Friday! So away we go!




1. I am totally loving my rings...sometimes it a just makes me smile, seeing them.


2.


Rangers baseball! It's close now. I can't wait!







3. My custom iPhone case. It's my bike, my photo, so me!




4. My cute bag from Initials.




5. My hair today. Kinda messy, kinda cute!

What I am really loving is that it is Friday! I need a weekend of nothing...instead it will be exciting house work!



Simply,
Laura
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Summer is coming so I have New-Do fever,

All of the pictures in this blog come from LatestStyles.com

Help me! I need a new do! I don't really want bangs but I am willing to work on something. I need a change!!

So here are a few ideas:































So what is your favorite?? Just an aside. The bottom one may get me in trouble. Lol

I have fine naturally wavy hair that I often straighten. I don't want to color it because summer is coming and I have too much time in the sun so will be blonde before summer is out if I am not careful and I do not want to be blonde!

Ok, that's it....so help me pick a style!! Please!!!



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Love is...

Love comes in many forms and most of them require work.


I'm not sure what I thought love was in the past but I know I was wrong.


I had some childish concept that love would fix me. It didn't. I thought love would make me happy but that is too much responsibility for another person.


I somehow believed in happily ever after but Cinderella didn't have to worry about bills, credit scores, kids, friends approval, the Prince's or her own ex's and nobody ever got sick or hurt in fairy tales and everyone always had a good day!

Love isn't the biggest diamond or the most expensive gift and it can't be bought.


But love is wonderful! It is knowing someone is always there to say "it's going to be ok because we will get through this". Love is filing up an empty gas tank or warming up the car on a cold day. Love is having grilled cheese for dinner and that being awesome because he is having grilled cheese too!


Love is working together to make each other better and putting someone else's needs first sometimes. Love is arguing and making up. Love is knowing you are better with him than without.


Love is knowing what you have and appreciating it.


Love is being grateful for what you have and working toward a common goal.

Love is being happy just holding hands and love is leaving the other person the last cup of coffee every morning because you love them back.

Love takes time and grows and love will get you through the bad days with a smile on your face, just because!

Also, love is baseball t-shirts!


Okay maybe not but it was with a shot!


Simply,
Laura
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Taking back control plus Weekend Wrap Up!

Sometimes you just have to laugh at the people who try so hard to meddle in your business. I use to get angry when someone who should know better, an adult, would try so hard to make my life miserable. I wish I could say this was years ago but it was weeks. Suddenly I realized, after a few pep talks from my friends (thank you Sonja and Dawn!) that I was giving up my power by letting someone effect me. I took my power back. Now when someone asks questions that aren't any of their business, I laugh. See, here is the thing. Some people have decided my life is much more entertaining than it is and filled with scandal that doesn't exist.





So I gave up all of that and laugh and by God's grace I know that I can do anything! I can love someone who hates me. I can defend someone who hurt me. I can forgive someone who wants to destroy what I have.





I am not perfect and God doesn't expect me to be. He rarely called the perfect, as you can see, he just equips the rest of us. What I realized is, I can't control anyone's misconception of me. I can control how I react to their behavior. God has given me enough wisdom to pray through it and pray for the people who would bring me down.

Now on to my weekend! Just a few pictures from our Valentine's weekend camping!






































I could very easily give up everything and live here. We work hard but we sleep well, tired and somehow work doesn't seem much like work when you are outside under a beautiful sun and in nature enjoying what God created and you get to spend it with people you love.

I am so grateful to have a very special group of people I love so very much and I realized this weekend, God has given me everything I ever wanted. I am not going to waste the gifts. I am simply going to make sure they know how important they are to me, every day of the year, every chance I get. Oh, and honey if you are reading this, I am going to work on that PMS thing! XO

One final thing:







Spring Training has started and Rangers pitchers and catchers have reported!!! It's my favorite time of the year: Baseball Season!



Simply,
Laura
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Enjoy the Ride!

Simply,
Laura

Not another sappy Valentine's Day Blog?

Happy Valentines day!
I hope everyone knows how very loved they are today!

I have been thinking a lot about this blog and no, I am not going to share how wonderful my guy is or how we met or our love story and I am not even going to share romantic Valentine's plans. You can all relax!

Instead I am going to share a few things I learned about love and relationships between last Valentine's day and today.

Until last year I truly hated Valentine's day. It was so hard being single and seeing everyone get flowers and make big plans.
Then last year a friend of mine very sweetly changed that and sent me flowers. I was in a very bad place and it was just the pick me up that I needed. I felt special for the first time in my life.

Relationships are complicated sometimes, even friendships and unfortunately that friend is not in my life this year. Things happen, stuff is said, people leave.

But they don't always. This year is totally different. This year I know I am loved and that's awesome. Still, relationships are complicated! I don't know who said that if the relationship is right it isn't work. That's crap! All relationships are work!

Love is work. Friendships are work. Parenting is work. Owning a dog is work. If you don't work on them, they die.

What I have learned is that no matter near or far, in your life or out...love remains. I still love some people who aren't in my life but sometimes distance creates vision and you realize you can love someone and not be a part of their life and you may even realize it is better that way, for you.

I have learned that instead of concentrating on what I lost, it is much healthier to concentrate on what I have. I have so much!

I have learned that every hurt makes you stronger. Every betrayal makes you appreciate the people who have always been there for you and always will. Every knock down is an opportunity to pick yourself up. Every friendship isn't equal. Every lover doesn't leave. Every bad thing that happened in the past doesn't have to hurt today. Everyone who loves you isn't going to shatter your heart. I have learned to trust someone in a way I never trusted before. I have learned that sometimes you can give too much to people who don't deserve it, friends or lovers.

Most of all, I have learned that every real relationship only works if you learn to compromise and have faith that you can overcome any problem if you work together and you both want to make things work.

Living in a box, cut off from everyone else with your heart wrapped in bubble wrap isn't a possibility so you have to become smart about who you invite into your life and who you allow to effect it.

Finally, I have learned that sometimes love really does show up when you aren't looking and don't really want it and that can be the best gift of your life, if you take a chance.

Happy Valentine's Day! May your heart be filled with the love that surrounds you!




Simply,
Laura
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Baseball: the great Game not player

Derek Jeter is retiring after the 2014 season and baseball will go on. Don't get me wrong, Jeter was a great player but in my lifetime I have had the honor of seeing many great players.

So I started thinking about exactly who I had seen. Cal Ripken Jr, Ken Griffey Jr, Ozzie Smith, Nolan Ryan, Mike Schmidt, Tony Gwynn, Greg Maddux, Dennis Eckersley, Rickey Henderson, Kirby Puckett, Wade Boggs and this is just from my memory. I am sure I have forgotten some.

If you go back before I was born you have Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Ty Cobb, Willie Mays, Lou Gehrig, Ernie Banks, Hank Aaron, Ted Williams, Stan Musial, and the great Jackie Robinson, who not only played the sport but changed the world, just to name a few.

To say that Derek Jeter is the greatest player of all time is not only doing a disservice to all those players who came before him but it is short sighted and silly. Jeter is a great player but there were a hundred great players before him and there are young players who have the potential to be as good or better than Jeter. Did Jeter change baseball? No. Has he made it fun for a generation of people who are casual fans or die hard Yankee fans, sure. Has he been a pain in the arse for teams for the last decade and a half? Of course.

Baseball is a game of great players and every generation thinks they saw the greatest ever. The greatest thing about baseball, the beauty of the game, really, is how true the game is to it's players. There will always be an amazing play, a great walk-off, or a strikeout king ready to wow the fans and make or break hearts.

The truth is, if you asked me to pick the greatest player of all time, Jackie Robinson would win hands down because of all the 'extra' he had to endure and the class he managed to do it with.

The game will go on without Jeter. It was there before and it will survive after any player retires because of the beauty, grace, passion, excitement, and consistency that the game brings. It is true, honest, and faithful. It is America at it's best.








Simply,
Laura
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Enjoy the Ride!

Simply,
Laura

Behind these hazel eyes: Just the facts Jack!

Linking up with Sweet Tea Social this week! Yay!

This is a getting to know me blog. Today is just the facts Jack.

Age: 43

Hair color: strawberry blond and yes, it's natural

Height: 5 foot 6 1/2

Eye color: hazel that usually look light brown but sometimes green.

Status: in a relationship. <3 data-blogger-escaped-br="">
How long in current relationship?
Seems like forever but technically I think it is 3 months. We were friends for 3 months before we became an 'us'.

Vices: shopping (that's for you honey), sweets, stubbornness, and vapor e-cigarettes

Family: mother, brother, step dad, sister in law (she is awesome and for that I am grateful) 3 nephews, triplet nieces and a special little girl who came in to my life in November and who I adore.

Pets: 2 dogs Riesling and Sadie and sadly only one fish. Beltre finally has enough and ate Andrus.

Job: manager of a auto claim team

Years at current company: 13

House: yes a 2 bedroom garden home that I purchased in 1999.

Hobbies: mountain biking (I am going to ride this spring, promise)
Baseball, crafting

Vehicles: 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee & 1996 Chevy Camaro

Favorite foods: anything Tex-Mex, Chinese and Greek

Favorite drink: since my surgery in December (I am going to share that but not yet) I don't enjoy alcohol much but Beeritas







Closest Friends: Alaina, Dawn, and Trish. There are a lot of people in my life who are friends but these are the people I can actually count on to be there for me. Having a lot of close friends isn't a reality. Having a few people who have your back is.

Favorite neighbor: Sharon

Favorite baseball teams: The Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs

Favorite place on earth: The Ballpark in Arlington. (You call it whatever you want, Rangers, it will always be The Ballpark to me)

Favorite music: country much to my guy's dismay.

Favorite song: right now it's Luke Bryan's Drink a beer. It reminds me how fragile friendship is.

Favorite Blogs: Unabashedly Me by my friend Micah (who I met on Twitter and is an awesome author on the side!) and Be a Warrior Queen by my friend Raewyn (who I met through blogging and is simply amazing!)

Dream Vacation: I really want to visit Hungary with my mom. Both her parents were Hungarian.

Social Media: yes, I am a junkie! Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest are my biggies!

Twitter: Lauran0805

Facebook: Simply Me the way I see it

Favorite color: green

Pet Peeves: I can't stand liars, fakes, and people who judge and I have no room for bullies especially the kind that hide behind computers and act tough or pretend to be people they aren't.

What you see is what you get:
I don't hide who I am and I don't apologize for it. If you don't like me, move on. I'm sure there is someone out there for you. I am not easy but I am totally worth it of you can put up with my BS.

Honest to a fault: If you follow me on Twitter be prepared for some totally off the wall opinions. If you can't handle the truth, good or bad, positive or negative, don't ask me anything. I don't hold back.

Live: do it for yourself first. Find out who you are and embrace it!

Love: there isn't enough in the world to put labels on it. Right or wrong you have to risk to have a chance and if people in your life can't respect your decisions they don't belong in your life. Love isn't easy but it is worth it if you fight for it and as long as the good times outweigh the bad. They do, BTW.

Laugh: this is the key to any successful relationship. If you can laugh together, friends or lovers, you will survive.

Favorite Quote:






Favorite TV Shows: the Walking Dead, Duck Dynasty, and Downton Abbey (which I have to find time to watch!)

If you come to my house: don't open the closets because you may not come out alive!

What you need to know to survive me:
-I get mad but I usually get over it fast
-I am incredibly loyal
-I want things my way
-I am an incredible friend and will give you the cloths off my back but if you hurt me, our relationship is over and I erase you from my life like you never existed.

If you see me wearing white or cream: I promise that coffee stain wasn't there when I got up in the morning.

Heritage:
I am half Hungarian on my Mom's side with a mix of German, American Indian, and British (I think) on my Dad's side.

Things I hate:
Cancer, green peppers, peppermint, pumpkin. One of these things is not like the other!

Sign: Leo because being a ginger of Hungarian and German decent wasn't enough stubborn!

Current obsessions:
Finding the perfect Beef Jerky recipe, getting my house on the market and sold, finding a new house that is "ours" and getting things at work on track for the new year.

Stress: oh my gosh, yes! Work is my biggest stress right now. Planning and implementing the 2014 plan.

Things I look forward to in the future:
I am pretty happy with the present and my life but I really look forward to the time when we are able to get a little closer to our families. I also can't wait to spend Opening Day with my honey and a mini-vacation or two we are planning.

Alright, that's probably more than anyone wants to know about the Just the Facts side of me. Have a happy hump day.








Simply,
Laura
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Enjoy the Ride!

Simply,
Laura

Being Crafty

I made a deal with myself before the new year that I was going to start salvaging "junk" and reclaiming pieces raft others have given up on. My goal was to salvage at least one item a month. So far I have failed unless you count the ugly white plastic chairs that I painted green. They do look so much better but not exactly what I had in mind.

So this weekend I started following a few (dozen) craft blogs. I am looking for inspiration not ideas. I have a ton of ideas.

For example my neighbor had this old wagon wheel. I saw it and immediately knew I wanted to make it a pot rack. Just one problem...my house has no room for it. So I have the wheel and am awaiting the right kitchen!






Simply,
Laura
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Link Up: 5 Grins: Making the most of Monday

Happy Monday!

Today I am linking up with my friend Raewyn and her friends Paulina at Color Me Brave and Cassandra at the World From the View of Two Teenage Girls.  

I have been meaning to link up with them for a while because let's face it, Monday needs all the help it can get!  The rules are simple, just name 5 things that made you grin in the last week and follow the hosts, which I did, of course!  Okay, here goes:

-The Olympics have started.  Yes, I am excited because I actually love figure skating.   I admit it.  I know a lot of people (men) hate it but that's okay.  I am not that fond of all the numerous version of sweeping on ice as we bowl with weights so it is only fair that I love ice skating!


-Tilapia for dinner.  I made my boo tilapia the other night and some green beans in a bag.  He told me it was the best meal he had eaten in 2 months.   Considering I didn't do anything but take things out of the freezer, I think I am trying too hard.  LOL

-Baseball
No the Rangers don't report until next Sunday but there are MLB teams that have reported and I am just happy because this means the season is close!

-Diet Rootbeer.
Yes it is terrible for you but it tastes so good.  I can't help myself.   I am craving it now.

-Brussels Sprouts:
I made some Brussels Sprouts for dinner last week and not only did my boo love it but his little boo loved it too.  I can't tell you how happy I am when a child will eat veggies!   Especially things like Brussels Sprouts.  

Alright folks, I hope you have a happy Monday.   Go link up with my Friend Raewyn at Be a Warrior Queen.  She is awesome and it will make you feel better about it being Monday!



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Pinterest Interest: my most re pinned pins

In a very unscientific observation these two pins are re pinned more than any of the 10 billion things I have ever pinned!



This leads me to the conclusion that there are some very patriotic middle aged baseball loving women our there just like me!

I loved my Mrs. Beasley and wish I had a daughter to share her with who I could actually drag to the ballpark and share baseball with too! I'm also looking very forward to the Olympics so I can cheer USA!


Meanwhile in Texas this morning:





We are having a blizzard and driving to work is a long process with near accidents. Me included!


Simply,
Laura
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