smallvoice

Yeah, but I also feel kind of awful. I mean, here's the thing: My husband says we can put off getting rid of one of the cats until he gets his disability, which will probably not be until January or so. We're going to take his cat to get checked out at a vet's office to figure out what's wrong with her- even on sensitive stomach cat food, she vomits pretty much every day, poor thing. I also think there's something wrong with her eyesight. If there's something seriously wrong with her and it's outside of our budget, we'll have to look at options there. So I'm still going to have to get rid of one of our cats, just now one might be getting put down... not exactly sunshine and roses. But it is a respite. And maybe they'll sort it out over this winter. The biggest problem is that there's no alpha cat. My cat is more willing to fight, but she's a scaredy cat, and she knows when she's outmatched. His cat can kick my cat's ass, but won't fight for anything. So the dynamic between them is... well, not dynamic. Any suggestions would be welcomed. At this point, I'm a hair's breadth from invesigating bunnies. (Not as pets. It's a Buffy quote.) We tried getting them both hopped up on catnip this weekend to see if they'd be more willing to duke it out, but no such luck. I'm contemplating bringing a third cat into the mix to shake things up. (My parents' cat, on loan. However, they have a male cat, so I'm not sure what impact, if any, he would have. He'd probably just avoid all the conflict and laze around in the sun.)

Thanks for the input and advice, guys. I really do appreciate it. With regards to my husband's cat's health: He has had her on food specifically to reduce the risk of hairballs, and he's had her on worm medication for about a year. Neither one changed her pattern at all. When she vomits (this may be tmi, folks) it sounds like she's getting ready to get rid of a hairball, but it is usually pretty well digested. She does also throw up when she eats too quickly. We have her food, water and litter box in our bedroom. She wants to go out and run around; it's obvious she has cabin fever, but she allows herself to be intimidated by my cat. She's been here for 10 months, and there's not even the slightest hint that she is willing to fight for even the smallest amount of ground. It doesn't seem fair to her, and I'm not sure I could deal with having the litter box in our room for years. I'm definitely going to be asking the vet when we take her in, and I may also go find a cat forum to discuss the issue upon. Thank you again for your support!

I was lucky enough to acquire a bottle of the '06 version in a swap- thanks dearie!- and I have an imp of last year's version as well (I will update when I've tested that one more fully, but it seems quite similar to this year's blend.) This is amazing. I can't stop sniffing and dabbing more on. It is another one of those blends that are amazing in that they don't seem like they should be perfume, and yet they are! This is sexy, but not exclusively nighttime wear. It's something I could wear out in the daytime, to my classes, and I wouldn't feel out of place. I love the sweet, smoky background... it's almost like incense, but better. The booze is a mere hint, which is a relief, and... I think I need to rework my top ten lists. This is definitely there. This was some much needed happiness on a gloomy day.

I really am going to have to get rid of my cat. I'm trying to keep my mind off the impending seperation by testing BPAL oils. Tavern of Hell: Not me at all. It is unusual, but there's this odd musky scent that actually turns my stomach. Even on drydown, it's still there in the background. It's possible this might even out to something lovely, but there are other scents I love more from start to finish. I think it might be the ambergris that I dislike. Tweedledee: This, in the imp, smells just like the imp of Kunstkammer I had that loved me. It's like a slightly melted orange popsicle with a splash of iced tea and the spice of the pepper gives this added depth. I really like this one. Severin: I have tried this a couple of times. It smells light and fresh in the imp, but once it hits my skin, it is GONE. I can't smell it past 15 minutes. Strange. Yeah. I don't know what to do with myself, because this isn't working.

My husband's cat is still not venturing out of the room- not often. When she does, my cat immediately chases her back under our bed... and she runs. There's no fighting back. Today he told me that we're probably going to need to get rid of one. Being who he is, he presented it as us needing to get rid of his cat. The cat he flew in from Tennessee. The cat he loves. And I just can't let him do it. It's cruel to keep this going on, so one of them does need to go- or they just need to go at it, but we haven't been able to instigate that. I love my cat. LOVE. And I don't know of anybody who can take her. I don't know what I'm going to do without her. Why does everything shift to bleak in an instant like that?

He got here at the end of December last year. His cat just won't fight for anything. She'll fight back, but as soon as she can, she'll run and hide. So... I don't know. It seems like it's been a fair amount of time to get this straightened out. The reason my cat is the one to go is because she's well-adjusted. His cat is temperamental. She wouldn't know how to function without him. And I just can't do that to him anyway. It just sucks.

Et Lux Fuit is like a less spicy version of The Lion- at the beginning, it is almost exactly like it, to my nose! The Lion has more staying power, and ELF ends up a soft, dreamy scent, but it's a close one. (This may've been mentioned already- if so, I am sorry!)

Les Bijoux is a bit brighter less "grounded" Harvest Moon '06 to my nose.

I'm glad you had such a fantastic time! I love the pictures as well, especially the one of the ruins. And your parents. And... yeah. All of them. I am feeling more interested in knitting lately, too, which is sorta good- since it needs to get done! And I am painfully slow. We need pictures of your finished stuff! Okay, talk to you soon. (I haven't been the greatest about commenting, either!) Oh! Glad the job is going so well!

I am a swapping fiend. I'm getting back on track with the GC swap- except for reviews! I took a chance on Baobahn Sith and swapped for 4 decants, and... I really don't like it. It's so floral! I also swapped for a couple of imps of Baghdad recently, and I'm disappointed in that one too! The one I got was full of glorious almond, and one of these has a breath of that memory, and the other one smells like sandalwood. I know they must all be different ages, but I really wish I had the almond one. I think I need to find an almond scent to soothe my soul. Actually, I think I'm set on scents. I don't think I need to find any new ones. I want to try my hand at beading this weekend. But I really need to clean out my car. I was neurotic about anything being left in it until recently. Having two men who regularly ride in it in addition to school stuff has made me careless. I do not want my car to be dirty inside. I need to get to knitting, as well. Things are starting to come together with my switch witchery package. I think it'll be pretty neat, but I don't know what she'll think of it. I am eagerly anticipating the round where I get to spoil my switchee the way I've been spoiled these three rounds. Until then, I'll make do with what I've got. I'm considering selling some of my bottles off so I can get in on the inquisition. My sweet husband has promised that I can do the next one, but the treat scents look so incredible. I know. I'm all Ms. Grabby-hands. Gotta have it! I just love how spoiled BPAL makes me feel. I had no idea that the recipe Lost For Words was lost! It smells fantastic. Anyone know what the notes are? I'm coming up blank. I think I'm going to postpone writing my psych paper until tomorrow morning. I started it already, I just need to finish it up. Give it a quick polish and whatnot. I'm thinking he might be gone again. Class was cancelled today. Which I believe means there won't be a quiz tomorrow. This is good news! I've been awful about studying. And I need to go back to the gym. Wow, this is a long entry. I just have a lot to say, I suppose. I need to find all my imps and put them away before they get scattered and I lose important ones. I'm swapping Manhattan away for Devil's Night, which rocks because I swapped for an imp of last year's version, and it smells amazing on me. Now I just have to wrangle a swap for Pumpkin Queen. Eh. I don't need the inquisition this time. I'll live, and be durn happy with the wonderful things I do have. I'm in a pretty good mood. That's kinda cool!

I know I'm not always the most tactful person in the world, but why do people have to be rude? And why do they have to perpetuate drama? It frustrates me to see the forum degenerate into name-calling and snide remarks masked in smilies. Delivering an insult with a smile is still an insult, and is often more offensive that way. I understand wanting to have the last word, but you don't always need it. Go vent about it elsewhere. Start a blog. Do whatever you need to do, but work it out. Stop campaigning for your cause, because nobody cares. I don't agree with everyone, and I get my hackles up if I feel insulted (which has happened once, and I did react really harshly.) or protective of a friend, or both. But sometimes just let it go. The forum isn't life or death, and if it is, you really need to see about chilling out. Who am I talking to? That's a good question. (I was just remarking that I hate when people talk like that- rhetorical questions that they immediately answer. I think I saw it on Shark when I mentioned it. Anyway.) If you think I'm talking about you, you probably have good reason to think that, and it's probably true. I'm not talking about one single person, or one single side. Right or wrong, it gets absurd on both sides. Then again, I'm not talking about anyone who is reading my blog, probably. Conflict is a part of life, and how we deal with it says a lot about who we are as people. I'm obviously a little(!!) unbalanced, but I'm trying to work out my flaws there. I don't think people are bad. I just think sometimes you've got to take a step back.

I realized that I wasn't taking my own advice, and almost sheepishly erased this post. But, eh, it gives me perspective! It was prompted by something, obviously, but really it's about drama I see everywhere. I like your philosophy, too!

ETA: This was in response to Olympia's question- my list in response to this thread originally is earlier and rather different in purpose, in my opinion. I love making BPAL lists! It's why I've always got to have a say in the recommendations threads! 1. Snake Oil-- I was going to forgo adding Snake Oil, but it's on everyone's list for a reason. I prefer Mme. Moriarty, but Snake Oil wins this one, if we're talking about an introduction to the BPAL experience. As the top seller, it's pretty essential. 2. Midway-- This is a mixture of foody scents that the major perfumers who are exploring foody scents haven't even thought about touching. As I've said so often, I don't know how the scent of a carnival can come out smelling like perfume on my skin, but it certainly does. (Though, as with Snake Oil, this is not one of my favourites.) 3. Dorian-- Everyone should have to try Dorian. It is so well blended and beautiful and unisex, it really showcases Beth's talent. 4. Alice-- Feminine, sweet and a bit spicy. This is so classy. Alice is another one I say everyone should have to try. 5. Harvest Moon '06-- This is such a lovely blend. The notes are unusual and come together to form something that is unlike anything I've ever tried by BPAL. It is distinctive, and still represents the Harvest, without being stereotypical in any way. 6. Euphrosyne-- A creamy floral. Very pretty, and I don't like florals. (The more I say that, the more florals I find that I like.) 7. Arkham-- It's just so well done! The woods and the flowers and the sweetness are really well balanced. 8. O-- I feel like I'm just repeating myself here- it's an amazing blend, it showcases the beauty of Beth's honey blends, and it is so beloved. 9. Port-au-Prince-- This one is spicy and brilliant. Just gorgeous. 10. Katharina-- I had originally put The Lion here, because it's one that I love, but how could I leave out my favourite GC blend? (Nevermind that I've left out some of my very favourite LE's!) I wanted to include a fruity blend, and Katharina is it for me. The white musk makes this utterly clean and cuts the sweetness, but the apricot rounds it out. 11. Sudha Segara- This was initially going to be Jailbait, for reasons similar to Midway's reasons. Then it was going to be Shub Niggurath. But really, I love Sudha Segara's creamy ginger. I'd definitely want to showcase this scent. 12. The Organ Grinder-- Again, incredibly unique. I never would've thought to try these notes together, but they are so distinctive and lovely. I wish I had more professional explanations, but I mostly just looked for signature blends and scents that are enchanting to me. I'll change my mind because there are so many to choose from, and I haven't tried everything yet. But these are my picks for now!

Mme. Moriarty has been the most positive encounter I've had with patchouli to date! Though it does have a rather strong throw, it's so well blended that it's just a part of this greater gorgeousness.

I wish I could buy bottles for my switchee. I wish I could buy bottles for myself. Why are money issues so freakin relentless? The housemate saga continues: He's still here, and we've been waiting for a sizeable check from his mother. Note: She's a working nurse. She owns her own home. He hasn't had a job since late march. He reneged on his lease, and my mother is responsible for it, as co-signer. My mother is unable to work. She's on government disability. She doesn't get a lot. His mother sent him a check for $25 when he told her he was being evicted from his apartment. And some sweaters. She sent him a check for $225 when he told her his car wasn't working and also needed tags and insurance. He had his own apartment for 4 months. The rest he's lived here- not all of those months were leeching, but the way things even out... he's cost more than he's balanced. I know, I have the power to tell him to leave, and it's my job, and it's bad for my marriage, and everything else. I'm not trying to bitch about him. I'm bitching about his mother. The sizeable check arrived today. When he told me that she said she would send a fair amount, I had visions of $500+. Then he said she was going to send $250. Okay. That'll take care of a few things. No. Not $250. $150. The crack in my windshield has gotten much bigger and we went to the insurance company today. We have a $100 deductible. So there's another unplanned expense. $100 that we have to borrow. I just wish we had a cushion. I'm terrible with money. But if he sat me down and told me straight out that there would be no more BPAL purchases until we have some money set aside in savings, it'd be so. The problem is that the money always goes for something frivolous anyway, so I figure why not BPAL? Or whatever. And it's not like there's a lot of frivolity. More this month than in a long time, because of school money, but my frivolity is not to be had, thanks to stupid-ass rock trucks with no covering on top of their scary-ass rocks. I really want to scream and be angry and throw a tantrum. I just don't know who to be angry at.

Steven Colbert just said "cock-blocked." Is there a clean reference that I'm missing; one that has to do with roosters or something? Because otherwise? Woah. Not bleeped or anything.

Yeah, I knew that definition, I was just wondering why they didn't bleep him for it. I thought there might be a less graphic definition. That's funny.

I've lost momentum with my secret project now that school started and I had to pull out five rows. Five doesn't sound like a lot, but it feels like a lot. I almost bought a set of size 3 double pointed needles today, and then realized I wouldn't have the first idea how to use them. I'll get there eventually, I guess. I don't know. I'm doing okay in math so far. I like that it's a much slower pace. I just could not cover that amount of material in such a short time and grasp it... obviously. So I'm going to work really hard this quarter, again. I need to work out next week. I'll try and go in extra early one day, if I can get to bed early enough. I just need to get in there, it doesn't matter how long. If I do it once, I can do it regularly from there on out without it being too much of a strain on my anxiety. So... here's hopin'. I wish my switchee would post more!

What're your thoughts on cables? Easier than double points or just different or harder? I just wish I could make something prettier. I think I really like knitting and would like to get better. I wasn't sure I'd take to it, and I still haven't finished anything, so it's hard saying, but I think I like it. My switchee does post and she has a rather unkept-up blog, but it'd be nice to get more of a feel for her. And everyone on the thread is posting about the "big" gift they're all antsy to send, and I'm all worried, because I don't have a big gift. You will have to post pictures of the wrap!

The first thing that strikes me about this blend is a very bitter orange zest scent. It's still there on my skin, in addition to the lemonhead candies. C'mon opium smoke! And then all the sudden, tuberose attacks. In fact, tuberose and heliotrope team up on me! Ugh, it's making me want to wash it off, and fast. Then the lemon candy comes back and melts all over the flowers... sticky flowers. Coconut, I'm waiting for you. I think the coconut and the opium smoke are hiding from the lemon candy. Either that or they got crushed by the florals. This blend reacts badly to my skin chemistry and it smells just... unbalanced. I wish my chemistry could give me a break for this one. I wanted the coconut and apricot to be more prominent, with a dash of the opium smoke and soft lemony florals in the background, but none of the three even so much as made an appearance.

First of all, let me say that I love maddi's review for this one. I love it when people get descriptive to capture a scent. I read something recently by Macha that was lovely, too. Anyway! This smells floral to me. There's a hint of lemon blossoms; it's not the tangy juice or the bitter zest, but it is a sort of floral lemon. I don't know if that's what real lemon blossoms smell like, but it's the closest I can come to describing this. It is very soft, and not at all the smoky incense I was expecting. It is slowly getting sweeter on my skin. Unlike Midway, it doesn't turn to dust, but it doesn't smell much at all like Midway on my chemistry. I think I like it, but it's so... elusive, almost. I think I may need to swap this one. I'll hold onto it for a bit, though.

I think I don't really know what sarsparilla is supposed to smell like, and I wish I did. It'd be nice to identify it. I love the balance of this blend. The creamy almond is unlike the usual almond note in BPAL (which I also love, but this one is gorgeous, too!), as so many others have stated. I also agree that this is truly unique. The patchouli is behaving itself; not overbearingly earthy in the slightest. The more this sits on my skin, the richer it gets. It doesn't morph, exactly, it just... sort of gets deeper. I think I might love this. I almost didn't get a decant! So far, this is the hit of the Carnaval for me- and it's one of my favourite descriptions in the story. Now I just have to see that it doesn't get funky here in a bit. ETA: This is, I think, only the second or third scent I've tried with tobacco anything in it... and it seems to be a hit with my chemistry. Okay! I just forgot to comment on that. Too busy being amazed.

Huh. Is there lavender in this? I love this one, but... it's like Dorian with some lavender thrown in, on my skin. As it dries, the lavender scent becomes stronger and the sweetness fades some. I'm still trying to sort out how well I like Theodosius as compares to Dorian. The tea is a bit blacker, stronger. I think my husband would be more likely to wear this than he would ever be likely to even consider Dorian. As for me? I think I prefer the sticky sweetness of Dorian. I do wish I got Nineveh's cotton candy from this! I will let it warm on my skin for a bit and see how things develop.

Blood onmy Hands NAILED what I was smelling from this scent- Pollen. Thank you! I couldn't place it until I read your review! I do not get honey from this one. It smells sharp and herbal, and I don't even get the lemon out of it. Or mint. It's just... so strange. I think Gennivre was the scent I was anticipating loving the most, so I'm sort of baffled about what is making this go so wonky on me. And I'm more than a little crushed. The sweet pollen is nice, but I really wanted it to be this lovely, clean tea scent. Ah, well.

I tried a few imps really quickly before I put them up for swap. De Sade: Unsurprisingly, it's leather. I'd test it on my husband if I thought he'd like it, because it might smell fantastic on him, but he's not into wearing scents. At least not where he can smell them. I tried a smidge of Manhattan on his collarbone, and he hated being able to smell it. Should I try his hands, maybe? Anyway, right. De Sade. Leather. That's about it. I don't like it on me, but I think I'd love it in other blends. I just don't like it by itself and can't see myself ever wanting to wear this blend. For me, it's a 3 of 10. It's that high because I'd love to smell it on my husband, and I think it's a novelty that I really enjoy. Queen Gertrude: First struck me as really... I dunno. Overwhelmingly floral and perfumey. Once on my skin, however, it takes a turn for the lovely. I'm thinking Illyria might be my category even more than Wanderlust. It softens into this sweet, warm floral that is comforting and light. Very beautiful. I like it more than Shadow Witch Orchid. Odd note: Gennivre smells almost just like this on my skin, except really oddly bitter. Huh. It ranks an 8, but Gennivre ranks a swap, I think. A dab of French Love: Bright and friendly smelling. It's just got an undertone that I don't like- there's something turning bitter on my skin, like a bad combination of herbs/greens on me. Not my thing. May be worth trying again at a later date, though. 5. Saint-Germain: The amber REALLY blooms in this one. I'm pondering keeping it, but I'm not sure I like the beginning enough to want to wear it often. Still, the amber is just stunning. I may test this one again. Pain: I love the mintiness of this. It's actually very pretty, but doesn't strike my fancy at the moment. I don't hate it. 6.