June 2001

Masthead 2001

Minutes

KATHY & MARTIN’S COOKOUT

Red Lips Forever

Inspiration

Just For Today

Thirteen Sayings

Seven More Sayings

Rainbow Trail- Spice 2001

Marriage Is

Spice Program 2001

A Message from Diane Kent

A Message from Karen

Upcoming Events

Minutes

Meeting was called to order by Karen Davenport at 8:05 p.m.

Karen welcomed new members Joann and Heather and welcomed returning members, Peggy and Deb.

The chapter extends their deepest sympathies to Jennifer on the loss of her 14 year-old stepson.

Raised $31 from the Spice Bear Raffle. Marisa was this month’s winner. Debbie volunteered to donate the June SPICE bear.

Karen postponed organization of committees due to the absence of two officers.

Next month’s meeting with provide CPR training and certification by John. Karen asked that members interested in CPR training sign up in advance of the meeting. The certification fee is $15.00.

Cheryl reported on the progress of the upcoming SPICE Convention planning. So far 15 couples have registered, and it is Cheryl’s hope to have at least 100 participants. SPICE will finance the sponsoring of one of the guest speakers. The Scholarship Program is on hold because there is no written policy for it. This does not comply with the rules for a non-profit organization. A plan will be drafted and voted on in the future. Barb Getz, Ph.D., will speak at the Convention Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. Ms. Getz brings 20 years of experience to the meeting. Cheryl is still working on evening programs. The July meeting will be moved to another date so as not to conflict with the SPICE Convention weekend.

The June Menu will consist of:

Cold Cut Tray -- Marisa

Salads, Desserts, and Snacks -- Pot luck

Bread, Rolls, and (hopefully) butter -- Karen

Gloria and Kathy invited everyone to their Annual Picnic on Sunday, August 19 at 1:00. This is a non-dress event at their home. They will provide food and sodas. If you have a special beverage you would like to bring, you are welcome to do so. The volleyball net will be up (Martin is already gearing up!) This is an opportunity to meet significant others and other members in a different setting. Directions and details available through their email address: ______________-.

Diane moved to adjourn the meeting; Cheryl seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

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For, I believe, the seventh time, Kathy and I (Martin/Gloria) are going to have a cookout at our home. The date is Sunday, August 19, 2001. You can arrive any time after 1:00 p.m. Dinner will be some time around 4:00 p.m.

Kathy and I provide the food, coffee, tea, water and some soft drinks. The only things we ask you to bring are yourselves, and any special refreshment your might want (beer, particular soft drink, etc.) that we haven’t mentioned above.

We will have a volleyball net set up (weather permitting), and we also have horseshoe pits and other lawn games available.

This is a RAIN OR SHINE event! This is also a NON-DRESSED event, a chance for everyone to meet the guy in your life.

I am a big proponent of getting to know the whole person; and this is a great time in a relaxed atmosphere to see ourselves as we are in our every day lives.

If someone needs directions, please, let me know. We are trying to get a count of how many are planning to attend, so we would appreciate a word one way or the other.

Hope to welcome you to our home in August.

Kathy and Gloria

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Red Lips Forever

 (or at least for as long as you want)

By Miss Sally Stone

Occasionally an innovation arrives on the scene, that is long overdue. Perhaps it's because until just recently, certain technologies required to make the innovation a reality, just didn't exist. Whatever the reason, when it finally does arrive, all you can say is; it's about time.

Now, we all know that for many years, cosmetics companies have been touting long wearing lipstick. While many of them are indeed long wearing, none really lasted the way we thought they should. That has changed; however, with Max Factor's new "Lipfinity" lipstick. Actually, to call Lipfinity lipstick misrepresents the product. In actuality, it is lip paint.

I first discovered Lipfinity in a drug store, and as I read the product's box, I became intrigued by its claims. According to Max Factor, Lipfinity, once applied to the lips, would remain for as long as the wearer wanted, without the need for touch ups. Of course I was skeptical of the cosmetic company's claim; after all, I had tried other long wearing lip products whose own claims didn't quite live up to the hype.

Regardless of my misgivings; however, I shelled out the $13.00 asking price, and took the product home for a tryout. Now $13.00 is a little pricey for lipstick, and once I opened the box, I was surprised at how small of an amount I got for my money. Ok, it wasn't going to last a long time, but the real question was how well would it wear.

I was planning a shopping trip with a lunch stop the day of my test, so I felt that I would really be able to exercise Max Factor's bold claim. After doing the rest of my makeup, I turned to my lips. Lipfinity is applied using a fine sponge tipped applicator. The applicator allows for careful control, which is important. I discovered later, that this stuff is nearly permanent, and any mistakes might prove difficult to repair. Once applied, Lipfinity dries to a flat finish, and it tends to make your lips feel a little dry. It also takes approximately one minute for the paint to fully cure.

When dry, the second step is to apply the gloss coat which is supplied in a separate stick (included in the $13.00 price). After I applied the gloss coat, the dry feeling on my lips all but abated. Now all I needed to do was see just how well this stuff stood up to the rigors of a day of crossdressing.

My first test was a simple one. I wiped the back of my hand across my lips, and while the gloss coat came away with ease, the color was unaffected. My lips still looked great, and there wasn't a trace of red on the back of my hand. At this point, I hoped that I would be able to remove the color at the end of the day.

Well, after a day at the mall, hair blowing across my lips, consumption of a salad at TGI Fridays, and a fair amount of talking, the only touch up needed was reapplication of the gloss coat. The gloss coat by the way is tasteless and non staining. Lipfinity wore like iron. It didn't run, bleed or fade one bit. How many times have windy days and a long wig ruined your lip job? With Lipfinity, you'll never have to worry about that problem again.

After I got home, it was time to remove Lipfinity. In spite of Max Factor's claim that the lip paint was easy to remove, I was thinking that it might be a chore. The directions state that Lipfinity is easily removed with a professional make-up remover, or baby oil. Having baby oil on hand, I chose this option. Obviously, Lipfinity doesn't wipe off like regular lipstick, but it is not difficult to remove. It just takes a little extra effort, and after several applications I have learned to coat my lips with baby oil and let it set for a few moments before wiping away. Lipfinity leaves not a hint of color when removed, and by using baby oil to remove it, your lips stay soft and moist.

I highly recommend this new product. It is ultra long wearing and fuss free. It does cost a bit more, but since you only have to apply the color once, it will last longer. Lipfinity comes in an array of popular colors, although I can't imagine wearing anything other than bright red. It is available just about everywhere, and I have seen it priced as low as $10.00. If you haven't used Lipfinity, I recommend you give it a try. It's a product that is long overdue, and lives up to its durability claims.

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1. A handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains.

2. The most important things in life are not things.

3. There is yet time enough for you to take a different path.

4. Deception in romance will prove costly.

5. There is no way of judging the future but by the past.

6. It is easier to curse a candle than to light the darkness.

7. Too much confidence has deceived many a one.

8. Wise men learn much from fools.

9. There is yet time enough for you to take a different path.

10. Children could contribute to your cheerfulness.

11. You have creative power to achieve your aim.

12. Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

13. A bird in the hand can be messy

Seven More Sayings

1. Wise men learn from fools, wise guys don’t.

2. There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch unless you own the restaurant.

3. If you can shape it in your mind, you will find it in your life.

4. A rose by any other name would still attract aphids.

5. The ultimate test of a relationship is to disagree but to hold hands.

6. We’re all on a journey and don’t know the road.

7. Keep your schedule flexible to handle the unexpected.

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SPICE is almost here. Don’t forget to make your reservations. Those of you working SPICE, if you are not attending any seminars meals are $20 each ($25 for Saturday night banquet). Payment is due this meeting.

For those of you who do not know what SPICE is:

SPOUSE’S AND PARTNER’S INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR EDUCATION

The education is focused on the attributes, effects, consequences and coping skills needed when women are confronted with and attempting to adjust to that unconventional phenomenon – crossdressing. So many wives and girlfriends of men (or vice versa) to whom it is revealed their need to crossdress are so nonplused, frightened, even threatened by the knowledge of the crossdressing, their personal values tend to spin precariously out of control.

SPICE is the result of numerous Tri-Ess members recognizing that being a crossdresser may be a very difficult thing to deal with personally, but being married to one is equally difficult, if not MORE so. From that acceptance if fact, came the vision to create a way to assist those women who seek to learn more and to find a way to cope. As numerous other groups have discovered, support groups work. To keep the focus on women’s (men’s) concerns, absolutely NO crossdressing is allowed by those attending.

The feelings being dealt with are really painful and painfully real for most of us. Each woman is listened to carefully and when she asks for guidance and/or advice, workable and realistic solutions are suggested. At the beginning, most are unwilling to reveal much and less willing to form friendships. However, after four days of weeping, agonizing, raging, and sharing, all are saddened at the ending of wondrous conversations and the comfortable sense of belonging and acceptance.

SPICE is a special time for us!

Marriage Is-

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*Session One and Session Two consist of "SPEAKING FROM THE HEART" with John and Linda and "WHO IS IN YOUR BEDROOM?" with Don and Lucy Stone. Half will attend one in the first session and the other in the second session so the group is split for each.

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A Message from Diane Kent, VP Alpha Omega

My fellow members,

Last month I missed the deadline for a newsletter article. So this month I must make it up to you! Those who wish it to remain short, raise their hands…………I thought so! In keeping it short……….

I’d like to thank all of you for the patience and kindness I received from everyone at my first meeting, holding the office of VP. It helped my jitters immensely.

At this time I would like to explain to all of you that this will be a difficult summer for me. You may have noticed that I missed last months meeting. I will be absent from most of the summer meetings as well.

This is due to a number of reasons. One is that my shift at work has changed and weekend work is conducted during our meeting hours. The biggest reason is due to illness.

I’m not sure how many of you know that I’m a cancer survivor of several years. I’ve recently had some chemical elevations in my blood that might indicate a reoccurrence. I pray not.

Due to the type of cancer that I had, I must be off my thyroid medication for a long period of time before I can be checked. This "dry" period leaves me incapacitated. I get to the point to where I cannot even add two plus two. It becomes quite scary. As you might guess, this period also prohibits me from driving and going to work.

Please understand that although I may not be present at the meetings in body, I will be in spirit. You are all very special and gifted people, and I will miss you!

I will continue writing newsletters as long as I am able and maintain constant group updates from Karen. I will also look forward to seeing all of you in the fall. It will be here before we know it!

With that said, I’d like to write a bit about those in our group, present and future, who face new challenges in their lives.

I’m speaking of those whom get the calling to transition. To anyone who has this calling, God bless you and give you the strength to overcome the hurdles that society has placed in your path.

My views on this subject are always those of admiration. I believe they are the bravest of people with the purest of hearts. They understand and see discrimination in its simplest forms. Despite all the things they must overcome within themselves, and in society, they still trudge forward to find the happiness they have sought after for so long, to be complete in mind and body. My congratulations goes out to you in every goal that you achieve towards finding that peace and happiness.

I would also like to extend to you our help as a group, in support of your decision. You are always welcome! I’d like to think that any member deciding to transition would still find comfort and support from our membership. There can be so many benefits for all of us.

Yours,

Diane Kent

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A Message from Karen

Sponsored by Alpha Omega

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