Generally Hopeful (s02e13)

What this episode covers

After Ashley's wobbly visit with her parents over Independence Day weekend (http://www.missgender.com/2015/08/are-things-getting-better-s02e12/) in which her parents carelessly outed Ashley to her brother's parents-in-law, Ashley came to realize that her parents weren't using her pronouns when she wasn't around. So she decided to write a third letter to her parents. Ashley sent her letter in early November with the hope that maaaybe her parents might give some thought to practicing her name and pronouns before she came to visit for Thanksgiving -- especially since a bunch of Ashley's sister-in-law's family were coming to visit for Thanksgiving, and Ashley dreaded the thought of her parents nonchalantly outing her to them one by one as her parents chatted to them throughout the day. Oddly enough, Ashley's parents didn't seem all that interested in talking through her letter before she arrived, so she didn't quite know what to expect going into her visit. But to her pleasant surprise, Ashley's parents seemed to make an earnest effort with her name and pronouns -- maybe they actually did a little practicing after all? However her parents made their progress, Ashley just hopes that their efforts aren't another flash in the pan. Ashley also chats with Jay about a few makeup finds. MAC's Select Moisturecover Concealer (http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/13844/964/Products/Makeup/Face/Concealer/Select-Moisturecover) has been holding its own as Ashley's long-time concealer, but she also recently came across Kat Von D's Lock-It Concealer (http://www.sephora.com/tattoo-concealer-P231113). She discovered that each concealer has its own uses, so Ashley ends up hanging on to both of them. After reading The Sweet Home's mascara comparison (http://thesweethome.com/reviews/best-mascara/), Ashley decided to give Buxom's Lash Waterproof Mascara (http://www.sephora.com/buxom-lash-waterproof-mascara-P374159) a shot. Ashley was a little worried about the "waterproof" part -- because sometimes waterproof mascaras can be a bit of a bear to remove. But Ashley's impressed with the extent that Buxom's mascara manages to avoid flaking without being impervious to makeup remover at the end of the day. (Ashley's polish in this episode is Tartan Punk from CND's gel line (http://www.blingfinger.net/2015/09/cnd-vinylux-contradictions.html). We aren't being paid to say this -- just thought maybe you'd like to know.)