Merry Christmas Everybody!!!

Hey ya'll, just wanted to pop in and say my internet access is going to be spotty, so if I'm not around for awhile, don't worry.

Hey, have a very merry Christmas and remember...

Christmas is not about the presents.

It's about the GIFT!

"Behold a virgin shall conceive....and you shall call his name Jesus and he shall save his people from their sins."

I recieved an award from Mrs. Bush!

Not THAT Mrs. Bush! This one!

The award states "This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships!

Thanks so much!

But wait. There's more! Part Deux

It's been a helluva week.

I am not prone to cussing, but there really is no other way to put it, guys.
I'm spent.

You remember my computer is in the shop? Well, the computer at the salon kept telling us there was scary stuff on it and it needed to run this program to get it off... I was scared that the program it was telling me to download was the actual virus, so I didn't do anything; choosing instead to use the scan already on the computer. When we turned the computer on again, a screen said there was an error and a couple of other disquieting bits of information about the chassis fan being too low. (I won't even pretend to know what that means.)

The tech guy is picking it up today to take it to the doctor.

The icing on the cake is, I heard yesterday that our bank said that someone had put malicious software on their online banking site. Guess what? If you do online banking, you got infected too.

Oh joy. (Not quite the type of Christmas joy I was looking for.)

Yesterday I did something drastic. I called the lady who used to clean my house and asked her if she would come over and help me double team the cleaning so maybe I can make a dent in the chaos that has become my house.

We're going in and we're going deep. Somebody send out a search party if you don't hear from me.

How to Live a Day and a Half in the Span of a Morning....

Tuesday was a testament to how crazy I become without getting my internet fix.

That's the only explanation I can come up with to explain the events that took place that fateful morning.

After my pitiful post, I began the morning routine of getting myself ready for work and trying to encourage our girl to "move it, move it". Because it is unseasonably warm right now, I chose a short sleeved dress for her wearing pleasure.

She didn't want to wear that dress.

Because of the fabulous fit she threw she lost the privilege of making the choice herself. We moved on to socks.

Couldn't find any.

The dryer keeps cutting off and I suspect it has a backlog of lint that needs to be dealt with. Hubby hasn't gotten to that yet. Laundry is piling up. Finally found a pair of socks for her and BONUS! --they matched her outfit.

But alas, the socks were the straw that broke the camel's back and I was on the verge of tears. I was running late and everything seemed to be working against me. My hysterics were escalating as I looked at the clock and hubby's technique to calm me down wasn't working.

I just felt completely overwhelmed.

Worse, in an effort to hurry up my girl a little more, I urged her to run through the house and out the door to the car. In her effort to navigate the hall, dodging dirty clothes piles, she hit her hand on the door frame.

I can honestly tell you that it hurt me more than it hurt her.

I grabbed her up and held her close as I carried her to the car, apologizing profusely and realizing that my effort to control my world and frustration with my failure in doing so was hurting my family.

But wait. There's more. Unbelievable, I know.

I'm still frantic because I'm running late to get my girl to school and meet my first appointment of the day. As I'm driving down the street that parallels my girl's school, I glance across the parking lot and see that the carport area where parents drop off children is blessedly empty. Thank goodness for small favors. However, by the time I round the corner to pull in, there are no less than 4 cars in line.

I was too surprised to cuss, but it would have been so appropriate at this point.

I pull into the parking lot beside the school and think it will be faster to walk her to class myself rather than sit in line (which moves quickly, but...), I look at the line and the teachers efficiently pulling children from cars and decide that the line would be faster after all. But now, I have to wait for someone to let me cut in front of them to get in line myself. So, because my brain has stopped functioning at this point, I changed my mind (again) and decided to park after all. I put the car in reverse looking at my side mirror and seeing nothing, I begin rolling backwards.

BAM!

Yes I did. I backed into someone.

I got out and beheld one of God's greatest gift to my morning. Hope.

Actually, that's her name.

And--she's one of my clients. Which could have been a terrible thing, considering that I was so embarrassed and at my wit's end that I wanted to crawl under my car and have someone just drive over me at that point and put me out of my misery, but I digress...

Hope and I looked at our bumpers (which were blemish free) and she hugged me laughing about how she was on the phone and her horn wouldn't work. All the time joking with another parent who had witnessed the whole thing. Then she said she needed an appointment for a hair cut.

Finally, (!) I got my girl to school (leaving her escort to her class to the professionals).

I pulled into a parking lot and shed a few tears and prayed thanking God for keeping me safe when I go nuts and asking for the grace it takes to be me.

Later, I found out that the car I thought I would get, fell through when the seller changed his mind about selling it.

Can I just tell you that this was a day I'd just as soon not repeat?

The end. Thank God.

Torn

I'm dithering around in my thoughts today.

On the one hand, I'm super stoked that we have a solid lead on a new(er) vehicle. Because a friend of mine is purchasing it through his dealership at auction, there's the whole "I know what I'm getting, but not the complete specifics". I do love a surprise, so while I know important things like the color and body style and a few other specifics, there is a little mystery left. Makes it feel very Christmasy!

On the other hand, I find myself aggravated at the inconvenience of having one computer. My hubby predominantly uses this computer and while I strive to get up early and do my computer "work", I find him messing up my carefully crafted schedule by arising earlier than expected. This morning the cordless mouse decided it was out of battery juice and many minutes were spent trying to run batteries to earth. Then in the middle of my typing, he wants to open a new window to share with me some music. Bless him.

I have a problem with flexibility. Besides the fact that I can't do a split, my heart chafes at accommodating plans other than the one chiseled on my mind of stone.

I wish I could pull an applicable biblical lesson out of this and tie it up into a pretty package, but I'm to busy wrestling with my thoughts and feelings. I'm fighting to remain gracious and thankful for the fact that (a) we have a spare computer, thus continuing to feed my internet addiction, (b) it was my dear hubby who ultimately unearthed those pesky batteries and as a gesture of love pulled up my email page so I was ready to go. (c) while I've been in here furiously (in the literal sense of the word) typing, he's been in the kitchen loading the dishwasher.

I know, I know.

What do I have to whine about?

Another One Bites the Dust

My laptop has developed a case of amnesia.

While my hubby was online yesterday, the computer decided to take itself out of this world. Hubby cranked it up again and it's like it remembers nothing we've told it in the past. It has created it's own profile, conveniently forgetting anything we had set up for ourselves.

It's particularly devastating to my photographer hubby and his sentimental wife, because he has most of my girl's life in pictures stored in the memory and now cannot find anything. I do believe he transferred a lot of things off to an external drive (I don't even know what I'm saying--I'm repeating.) but he has to find them and remember if he actually did that. (The computer is not the only one with amnesia...)

Off to the computer hospital it will go on Monday with hopes of a new brain being installed or the old one being accessed. There is talk around here about getting a new computer. Since he does lots of photo editing and it takes up so much memory, we should have one devoted completely to editing and one for internet and personal purposes. I really wish we could have his and her computers. I want one of my own that is free from his idiosyncrasies. (He likes to go in and fiddle with the settings. I've learned a lot through him, but am likely to find things moved around on the computer which causes me to scream: AAAARGH!!! Inside my head of course.)

Thankfully, we do have a spare computer, otherwise I would be in serious withdrawal right about now...

In other news, (is there any?) we are immersing ourselves in Christmas music and decorating the tree today and one particular little girl is lobbying to make sugar cookies.

And that makes life just about perfect.

Welcome to the Coughing Chronicles

I can just feel my thighs spreading.

I haven't worked out (except once with the trainer) this week because of my coughing fits. It's probably a small loss since I think I cough with my whole body. I woke up this morning and when I coughed I bent double because it awakened every sore muscle in my body. I can't tell if the soreness is prompted from coughing for 3 days solid, or the strength training I did on Tuesday. The trainer had me do lunges with one leg up on the stairs behind me while holding weights. She called it a butt lifter. It's effectiveness is enhanced by the fact that I can't sit down now. Ow. It works.

For those of you closely following the "Coughing Chronicles", (I'm renaming my blog, temporarily) and for those of you who are with me in this coughing gig, I am happy to report that I did not cough at all last night. My secret? Vapor rub. You know, like Vicks. Did you know it is a cough suppressant? Says so right on the label! I shmeared that stuff all over my chest and went to bed. I did not, as a new legend suggests, rub it on my feet. I understand that things are absorbed through the feet, but if you're coughing your head off, why, for the love of Mike, would you put Vicks on your feet?! I figure, let's just go straight to the problem--chest and neck! I'll probably rub some on my chest and go to work. I did that yesterday, but put on a V-neck shirt. Depending on your profession, that might not be a great idea. After cutting a couple of heads of hair, I had a hairy chest...

Maybe I should rub some on my butt....

Enough Already

Must.Stop.Coughing.

This cough is wearing me out. Occasionally, it comes as an attack that leaves me breathless with tears running down my face. It woke me up last night and I really must have wrestled with coughing and trying to sleep because I looked like this when I woke up this morning:

No lie.

Plenty of Nothing

Why is it I have plenty to say and nothing to type?

I have thoughts rattling around in my head like that little ball on the brick breaker game on my phone. But I can't seem to lasso any of them into a cohesive sentence of any substance.

I'm enjoying the quiet of the morning but that won't last too much longer. I have to get my girl up and ready for school. I can't seem to type for stopping to warm my hands on my coffee cup. And taking a swig.

I'm trying to immerse myself into the spirit of the season. For me, that means a quiet spirit in the face of frantic activity. I've been enjoying the Christmas music. Especially the standard carols and the Messiah. Can't wait to pull out the album. Yes the round black one that goes on the record player. With all the scratches on it, it sounds like Christmas by the fireside. It's awesome.

We've pulled all the Christmas paraphernalia down from the attic. It seriously needs to be reorganized. I'm trying to refrain. It makes more sense to organize it after I pull it off the tree and put it away again. But I so want to organize it and then put it up. Crazy.

What I want to do is stay home and lay on the couch all day and watch movies or read. All of us are coughing. We sound like a bunch of seals barking. My girl started it, bless her. There's not a whole lot to do for it. Maybe a little cough medicine here and there. Fortunately, we don't seem to feel too badly. Just a little pitiful.

Oh look. It was the reverse.

I had plenty to type and nothing to say.

Voices of Angels...

I went to see the Vienna Boys Choir on Friday night, kicking off an unheard of two consecutive nights of babysitters and going out with my husband.

Of course, the boy's voices sound like angels. I would like to say that as they began singing, the world as I know it receded and I was transported to another place. In a way that was true. Except that I began wondering about these boys as they stood before me in their sailor style white shirts and impeccable, shiny black shoes.

I'm a mom. It was bound to happen.

I wondered as they sang lyrics in Latin and German, if they actually knew what the lyrics meant or if they had simply learned them as a song. (I certainly didn't know what they were saying but fortunately, their voices are so melodious, I didn't really notice.) I wondered if in their training they had to learn multiple languages. Did their minds wander as they sang these songs?

I wondered how often and long the practices are. I wonder if they fiddle about in their practices whining that they'd rather be playing with their gameboy or other such electronic device?

Most of the boys are from mainly from Austria, but come from many other countries around the world.

How does one get 24 boys to stand still in one spot and do one thing for that long?

Even as focused as they seemed to be on the music, I could still see the impishness of the boys revealed through the occasional rocking of a foot or discreet scratching of the head , a small fidget of the fingers betrayed the fact that although they border on ethereal, they are still, in fact, boys. Not to mention the hair that looked as if they had taken time from their busy schedule of wrestling or napping to sing.

I learned from the program that the Vienna Boys Choir is a modern-day descendant of the boys' choirs of the Viennese Court, dating back to the late Middle Ages. The choir was, for practical purposes, established by a letter written by Maximilian Hapsburg on July 7, 1498.

The role of the choir was to provide musical accompaniment to the church mass. Because of a solid musical education through the choir, many go on to become professional musicians.

The choir is a private, not-for-profit organization composed now of approximately 100 choristers between the ages of ten to fourteen. There are four touring groups which perform about 300 concerts each year in front of almost 500,000 persons.

It really was lovely. I especially loved hearing the older classical Christmas carols. The ones you hear on the radio but never know the name of, like, New Christmas (I find that title hilarious considering it's a 15th century French carol.) and Lo, How a Rose e'er Blooming, again, 15th century. I searched in vain for a youtube clip of the latter, because it was wonderous to hear and I wanted to share it with you.

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

I swore (again) that December would not be this way.

This year will be different. I'll plan ahead, not plan too much, and have a restful un-stressful Christmas season.

Yeah.

As the first weekend in December comes rushing towards me, I find myself scrambling to have my girl at a Dr.'s appointment I forgot I made (thank God I put it in my phone to alert me, otherwise...), frantically finding a babysitter for a choir concert I've been planning to attend for a couple of months that snuck up on me, and half-dreading Saturday which will be a whirlwind of activity as I work at the salon, thus missing my girl's gymnastic presentation, then getting ready (quickly) to drive an hour for the salon's Christmas party that evening. (Gotta double check about THAT babysitter, too.)

Furthermore...

The girl's at the salon want to "dress up".

I am not a grown up person and therefore do not own dress-up clothes.

I could wear my tu-tu, striped scarf and army boots, but somehow I don't think that's what they mean.

Darn. Cause that sounds really cute.

Unfortunately, I don't own any of those items either, so I have to go shopping either way.

Double darn.

I don't have time to go shopping and may actually have to shop from my own closet. It's my least favorite place to shop. The selection is terrible and the return policy is non- existent.

I've also been test driving cars. Well, I've driven two. I was going to drive a few more today, but I'm not sure I have time now.

Unless they'll let me run errands in it today. I could go get groceries in the Volvo XC90, and go shopping in the Nissan Murano.

I call it multi-tasking.

Warm and Fuzzy Breakfast

O.K., maybe it's not fuzzy, but it is warm. It'll make you feel fuzzy. How 'bout that?

Prepare your oatmeal according to the instructions on the package.

Add about a tablespoon (more or less to your taste) of Smart Balance "butter", a dropper of English Toffee flavored stevia and about half a cup of vanilla soymilk.

Yumbo!

I've been looking for a lower calorie version of oatmeal. I tend toward butter, brown sugar and cinnamon.

My new version is definitely a great substitute!

(You can find stevia at your health food store or here's a link to some of the flavored ones I like to use.)

It was the Best of Times, it was the Worst of Times...

I am so glad I'm home.

I had a great time visiting my in-laws (brother, sister, mother, nieces and nephew). They are the type people who are very easy to visit. They just absorb you into the family. We ate good food and played some games. Traded recipes. Visited a couple of thrift stores. I gave my sister-in-law a lesson in cutting her guy's hair. She didn't need much help, her hair cuts looked better than some licensed professional's I've seen!

The process of getting up there and back home however...there's just no quick way to do it. On the way up, we made it an hour and a half up the road before we stopped for lunch. Since it was Thanksgiving, Waffle House was the only choice. It's kind of difficult to eat that in the car. (I'm thinking specifically about a 5 year old with a wobbly styrofoam plate balanced on her legs in the back seat) So we opted to sit and eat. After leaving home at about 11 am, we finally arrived at 7 pm. I was pretty proud of my patience about the whole thing.

Coming home was a test of patience,and navigational cunning.

It was a gray, rainy day when we left Sunday. One of those days you wish you didn't have to go anywhere except to bed. With a book. But no. We had to drive umpteen hours home. About thirty minutes from their house traffic slowed to a crawl and stayed that way for a couple of hours. Everyone, it seems, thought it would be a good idea to return home from Thanksgiving holidays on Sunday. Go figure. An hour and a half from home we ran into some construction that made finding our exit a test of observation and reflexes. We missed our turn the first go round, found it the second and by some miracle (certainly not because of well-labeled exits) we landed on the road home.

I "felt" my way home from there as the fog was playing "peek-a-boo" with the car. While there was little traffic, the drive is dark and uninteresting. A great opportunity for road hypnosis and an over active imagination. (Did I just see something on the edge of the darkness?) Finally, we pulled into our driveway, where I attempted to surgically sever the bond between my bottom and the car seat.

But we are safe and I am thankful.

And now I've taken you on a virtual drive of my trip home.

Wore you out didn't it?

I Gotta go be Thankful Somewhere Else.

I am joining the swell of folks riding the roads to visit family for Thanksgiving.

This morning signals the start of the great race that finds me juggling not just hair goings on for a solid 8 or 9 hours, but also the bank business and payroll that I usually do on my "day off". Not to mention the packing and general chaos that ensues when a family takes a trip.

Whee.

But I just wanted to poke my head out of my boiling pot of activity and wish you all a wonderful, Thanksgiving.

I'm grateful for each of you who reads my blog and thank you to those who have taken time to comment. I enjoy getting to know you.

Be blessed...

I Can't Talk About it...

I can't blog today because it's my birthday and I probably wouldn't talk about anything except the fact that it's my birthday.

I've heard that it's bad manners. Telling people that it's your birthday, I mean.

Because then they feel obligated to wish you a happy birthday. (Not that I mind if they do.)

Then, there's the fact that I'm now blogging this post with only two hours left to spare on my birthday day so it's seems rather pointless to even mention it at this point.

So I won't.

If you somehow find out that it's my birthday, just remember...

You didn't hear it from me.

Happiness...Don't Buy into it.

So I'm sitting here, minding my own business, listening to internet radio while weaving tails into my (finally) finished scarves, (more about those later...maybe.) when I hear a commercial for Wal-Mart.
A woman's well modulated voice filters over the air waves... "Making them happy..." a young girl's voice pipes up saying, "oh, I love it!", and the woman finishes with "...that's what I want for Christmas."

I am disturbed by the innuendo that you can buy a child's happiness with a Christmas present.

Hold on a minute while I drag my soapbox over here. You might want to get comfortable...

Now before I go off on a tear here, may I interject that I am NOT anti-gift giving. By no means. I love Christmas. I love the anticipation of what special gifts Christmas may bring.

It just makes me so crazy that there are people out there who still think that giving kids (and not just kids) lots of presents for Christmas will make for a meaningful Christmas! They think that they need lots of stuff to open on Christmas and/or spend a boatload of money on one "big" gift.

And the incredible thing is, they set themselves up for it every year by beginning the season with the age old question..." What do you want for Christmas?" Which, in my mind, teaches our children to think: "how much can we milk our parents and grandparents for this year?"

It has occurred to me as I look at our present economic situation that in our attempt to create our own happiness, we have created our misery. Because that "gimme" attitude is not limited to Christmas. And it's not limited to children.

We are selfish, self-centered creatures. Funny how that's not a behavior that has to be taught.

I wonder what would happen if we spent one Christmas not thinking about what we would get, but what we would give?

There are several ways to practice the discipline of thinking of others by giving to others. There's Operation Christmas Child, Angel Tree, and Toys for Tots to name a very few.

How about starting in your own home? Get children involved in picking out other family member's gifts. Have them make something of their own creation for grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles and cousins. (Not to mention mom and dad.)

Why not nurture your own creativity and resourcefulness? What could you make or do for someone that would be more meaningful than a mass produced gift that you're hoping they like?

Who knows?

You might actually find some happiness along the way...

Running on the Treadmill Could be Dangerous for Your Health.

I do not recommend watching the Food Network while running on the treadmill.

Not unless you want to feel very, very frustrated and deprived.

Especially when Paula was making this "heart-attack-waiting-to-happen". Followed by this scrumptiousness for dessert.

I think I would have gladly run the rest of the night for that.

Window Shopping

So we are considering a "new" car.



I think half the fun of that is the shopping. At this point, the sky is the limit, and the qualifications are that it must be comfortable. Good gas mileage goes without saying. We currently have a Toyota Camry that is about 11 years old. I love that car. But the last time I went to visit my family, it ungraciously dispensed me on the side of the road for about half a day until my heroine of a sister drove an hour to rescue me.



Good times.



We are about to embark on a travelling marathon, of sorts, this holiday season after going NOWHERE for several months.



Suddenly, Thanksgiving is next week and we are faced with a 6-8 hour trip. (6 hours if I drive--8 hours if hubby drives) I really don't know if we can get a new car, lock stock and barrel in the course of less than a week. But I can do some intense looking, now, can't I?



One of my clients is selling this. I can't believe I'm even considering this....what am I? 85? Of course, we could always go back to the Camry. Hmmm. Volvo? Perhaps that's a little more soccer mom than I want to be... Nissan's Altima looks fab!

Man, the choices make my head spin. Maybe I'll just patch up the Camry some more and let it roll.

Or not.

Ooh. Shiny cars...

An Example of Aiming at Nothing and.... Bullseye!

After my envying dedication at the gym yesterday in spite of a headache, (Truth: if I hadn't had an appointment with the trainer, I wouldn't have been there.) I crashed and burned this morning.

It is disturbing to me how easily I can demotivate myself.

Speaking of Demotivators....this one spoke to me on a deep level today:

It says: "Success is a journey. Not a destination. So stop running."

I took it as a sign this morning.

There's always tomorrow.

Said Scarlett.

Fluff and Stuff

How I looooove my new blog background! It suits me to a T. After seeing Hepsmom's cuteness, I decided to investigate my own spruce up. I found a great selection at cutest blog on the block. It was super easy to do too. (Always helpful to my technologically lacking self).

We are going on our first family trip in I don't know how long. I'm so excited. We've been wanting to take our girl here for Christmas for a couple of years now.

It is COLD here in the south today! I am sooo grateful for my warm, snuggly house!

Thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK! Whoa! We are planning a visit to some family up in North Carolina. We've not been to see them in about a year! All I can say is "thank goodness for Facebook", otherwise, I'd never know what was going on!

Argh, I have a sinus headache today and worked out anyway. It did not help my head. I begged some drugs off the gym, hope that helps. Soon. Ouch.

Off to work. Bless everyone who just has to have their hair done before Thanksgiving.

I Can't Get Enough...

...Of the beautiful fall leaves. I'm pretty far south
and don't usually get to see
much in the way
of brilliantly colored fall leaves.

My favorite has been
the vine (Virginia Creeper? Poison Oak?)
climbing the pine tree.
It positively glows when
the sun hits it.



Even in it's waning,
I love these
Cotton Rose blossoms.



They would make
gorgeous ruffly
ball gowns for
a fairy...

My First Attempt...

My first crude attempt at making a "hip purse".

Because I'm impatient, I did this very quickly. I grabbed a ball point pen and drew directly on my fabric thinking it would come out in the wash...maybe. Here is my cut pattern. I ended up cutting off the short "tabs". (At the top and bottom of the pic.) I sewed them on separately.

I had some help removing pins before they were fed through the sewing machine.

The light fabric is canvas, the inner fabric lining is polyester (perhaps?), slightly stretchy but of good weight.

Wrong side out. I was so happy that it turned out as well as it did. Considering that I just cut things out and sewed them together!

I envision that flap folding over the length of the front of the purse. It's far too short, but adequate. I haven't decided what to use for a strap yet. And of course there's the whole embellishing aspect left, but...not bad for a rough draft,eh?

I've Been Hit

I went online to check on my credit card accounts, checking due dates, balances, statements, etc. All looked in order and then I saw an alert saying my account had some high-risk activity--Please call. I checked the transactions I had recently made and saw nothing out of order.

Au contraire.

Speaking to a representative put things in a new, but not better, light.

Turns out someone's been on a shopping spree and it wasn't me. Two sports stores (that was proof right there that something was fishy!), Sears.com and Zappos. ( I had to think about Zappos--I do love some shoes. But I hesitate to buy them online. Half the fun is trying them on. I haven't figured out how to do that online.) Seems like someone got my number somehow and used it all over the country. I recently made a purchase online (my beloved new camisole--oh! need to show you!). I can't remember if the site was secure (stupid! I know!), but it's conceivable that someone was dishonest at the company and took my number or someone got it through the internet somehow.

Thanks to the crooks, I get a brand spankin' new card.

This (thankfully) is the first time anything like this has ever happened to me. There was that close call right after I returned from a trip to New York and couldn't find my credit card. I freaked out and immediately called the credit card company. Almost as soon as I hung up, I found it in my back pocket!

I went online and found some ways to protect yourself from fraud.

PAY ATTENTION!

Some of these I read through yawning (know that, know that) but then I found the one about keeping your card shielded so no one can take a cell phone pic of your card (!)

Read these. Remind yourself. Pass it on.


Internet ScamBusters' 21 Credit Card Fraud Prevention Tips:

1. Keep an eye on your credit card every time you use it, and make sure you get it back as quickly as possible. Try not to let your credit card out of your sight whenever possible.

2. Be very careful to whom you give your credit card. Don't give out your account number over the phone unless you initiate the call and you know the company is reputable. Never give your credit card info out when you receive a phone call. (For example, if you're told there has been a 'computer problem' and the caller needs you to verify information.) Legitimate companies don't call you to ask for a credit card number over the phone.

3. Never respond to emails that request you provide your credit card info via email -- and don't ever respond to emails that ask you to go to a website to verify personal (and credit card) information. These are called 'phishing' scams.

4. Never provide your credit card information on a website that is not a secure site.

5. Sign your credit cards as soon as you receive them.

6. Shred all credit card applications you receive.

7. Don't write your PIN number on your credit card -- or have it anywhere near your credit card (in the event that your wallet gets stolen).

8. Never leave your credit cards or receipts lying around.

9. Shield your credit card number so that others around you can't copy it or capture it on a cell phone or other camera.

10. Keep a list in a secure place with all of your account numbers and expiration dates, as well as the phone number and address of each bank that has issued you a credit card. Keep this list updated each time you get a new credit card.

11. Only carry around credit cards that you absolutely need. Don't carry around extra credit cards that you rarely use.

12. Open credit card bills promptly and make sure there are no bogus charges. Treat your credit card bill like your checking account -- reconcile it monthly. Save your receipts so you can compare them with your monthly bills.

13. If you find any charges that you don't have a receipt for -- or that you don't recognize -- report these charges promptly (and in writing) to the credit card issuer.

14. Always void and destroy incorrect receipts.

15. Shred anything with your credit card number written on it.

16. Never sign a blank credit card receipt. Carefully draw a line through blank portions of the receipt where additional charges could be fraudulently added.

17. Carbon paper is rarely used these days, but if there is a carbon that is used in a credit card transaction, destroy it immediately.

18. Never write your credit card account number in a public place (such as on a postcard or so that it shows through the envelope payment window).

19. Ideally, it's a good idea to carry your credit cards separately from your wallet -- perhaps in a zippered compartment or a small pouch.

20. Never lend a credit card to anyone else.

21. If you move, notify your credit card issuers in advance of your change of address.

If you suspect credit card fraud:

If your credit cards are lost or stolen, contact the issuer(s) immediately.
Most credit card companies have toll-free numbers and 24-hour service to deal with these emergencies -- they are eager to avoid credit card fraud.
According to US law, once you have reported the loss or theft of your credit card, you have no more responsibility for unauthorized charges. Further, your maximum liability under federal US law is $50 per credit card -- and many credit card issuers will even waive that fee for good customers.

If you follow all these tips, it will go a long way in protecting you from credit card fraud.

The Secret to Healing My Ills

People.

Honestly.

Yesterday challenged me. The fact that I felt irritable didn't make matters any better so I really had to work on my coping/professional skills.

I had a solidly booked day (which I needed) but a morning color cancelled. Bless them for calling. I waited for the next color appointment, trying to figure out when to order lunch since I had also fit a color around my lunch hour. I waited and waited and at 20 minutes after the hour determined that she was a "no show" and considered calling the next client to see if she would like to come in early. (Maybe I would get a lunch hour!) As I stood there contemplating this, guess who walked in? She walked in expecting I would still do her color (which I did, because it was a single, simple process--thankfully) and said nothing more than, " I was going to call, but just decided to come on." I was so angry, I think, because of her assumptive attitude that despite how late she was, things could go on as planned.

When I ordered my lunch, I ordered beef stew, green beans and butter beans from a local homestyle restaurant. I received what looked like the equivalent of 443 green beans, 45 butter beans and 10 carrots with strings of onions and a tablespoon of stewed beef. Oh and one small square potato. I ate it while reminding myself to be thankful in everything. Through clenched teeth.

My attitude got better and my aggravation with people in general lessened as the day went on. I really do have great clients whom I enjoy visiting with and many make me laugh. (As in, I have to stop cutting hair because I'm doubled over laughing.)

But just to cover all my bases, I also had half a chocolate/chocolate chip muffin with a cup of "Sinful Pleasures" coffee.

Worked like a charm.

In Search Of...

I carry a suitcase of a purse.

A 9 West similar to this, but this one is cuter:

While I do carry my life around in this, sometimes I only need half my life when I browse stores. Also, that big suitcase eats up a lot of square footage in the grocery cart or I have to carry it when my girl wishes to ride in the cart. I also really enjoy having both hands free when perusing, so I have a vision of a "wallet" I can keep in my "suitcase" and pull out and wear shopping.

I've looked in stores and on the web and can't find exactly what I want, but this is the basic idea:

(Is this Dooney and Burke?)

I envision something I can wear across my body that lands in my hip area. I'd like it made of cloth (something funky-ish), with a front flap that is the size of the purse so I really wouldn't need a closure.

I did find a Vera Bradley that is the right shape and size:

But looking at her prints makes my eyes cross. Odd. Because I do love a crazy print. Oh, and the fact that it is quilted and the whole world (here, anyway) carries Vera Bradley may have something to do with my dislike of it. Last and not least is the price tag of 45 dollars.

Uh. No.

So neccesity being the mother of invention, I shall make my own little "hippy purse". I began working on it last night and will post pics tomorrow maybe. Let's call my first attempt a mock up since it looks rather crude. I will definitely be making another and fine tuning some details, but I was rather pleased at how well I did for not knowing what in the world I was doing. I drew my own pattern and everything!

Stay tuned!

My Technicolor World

The rosy rising of the sun starts the whole show...

Fall has fallen.



It's obvious when you look at the ground covered
with golden leaves glowing in the sun.
























Primary colored leaves
litter the grass.



















Crimson vines trail up the trees.
The sun lights their fiery colors.

It's FALL ya'll!

To Nap or Not to Nap

Thankfully, my husband and I have overall the same views on parenting.

Unless we're talking about whether or not our girl should take a nap.

He feels she should definitely take a nap and if that happens at 4 pm, that's fine. One day this week, she was getting up from a nap at 5:30 pm. Since hubby stays home with her, he craves a bit of quiet time during the day and a nap is his only hope.

I feel she should go to her room and be on her bed for a couple of hours. If she sleeps, great. If not, we'll put her to bed a little earlier. I think at 5 years old, she doesn't always have to have a nap. I think if she does nap, that she should sleep no later than 4 pm so it doesn't interfere with putting her to bed in the evening.

The challenge in having two firstborns in a marriage is that when differences of opinions arise, each is full convinced of the rightness of their opinion. And nobody budges. I've worked hard to get him in my camp. I've laid out the facts matter of factly. I've argued hotly. I've gotten mad. All to no avail. We still butt heads on this issue.

Last night, as we were again fervently discussing the situation, I wondered why I care so much about this. Is it so important for me to be right that I want to sacrifice my relationship with my husband? Marriage is challenging enough without making issues more important than they need to be.

So I'm going to (attempt to) chill out. If our girl is up till 11 or 12 at night occasionally, so be it. She'll fall asleep eventually. I'm grateful for a husband who is willing to stay home with her full time.

And I firmly believe I'm right about that.

An Adventure and a Half

It started with a phone call at 8:30 pm: "We're going tonight, in case you want to go." Are you kidding? Of course I want to go. It's my husband who is hesitant to let me participate in such an offbeat activity. My friend's message relieves him..."we've talked to a cop and it's not illegal and there will be three of us total." His assent makes me as giddy as a teenager allowed to drive alone for the first time.

We explore through the darkness looking for things others have thoughtlessly thrown away, amazed at people's wastefulness. I soon enter the spirit of the covert operation first, as the lookout, then peeking into waste bins, finally, self-electing myself to be the dispenser of the sanitizer. We found Halloween paraphernalia, barely expired baby cereal (sealed and plastic wrapped), a pottery planter-broken, but easily mended with glue, and a cordless phone (!) that had been used as a display. Most of the fun was in the spelunking.

I was up early this morning to go work out and as I left the house, realized I needed gas, so I stopped at the station about a block down the street. After getting gas, the truck wouldn't crank. So I gathered up my phone, change purse, water bottle, keys and cup of coffee. I had an awkward armful as I hustled back up the side of the road back home sipping my coffee as I went. Thankful for a second car, I motored to the gym only 30 minutes late.

I knew that if I didn't vote on my way home from the gym, I might not have another convenient opportunity. The line was down the side of the building and looked formidable. Not sure how long it would take, I decided to persevere and found the line to move if not quickly, at least steadily so that 45 minutes later, I was finished with that responsibility and on to the next task of getting one 5 year old out of bed and to school on time. We were only 5 minutes late and had only one small meltdown.

As soon as I had dropped of my girl, I breathed a huge sigh of relief and thought a large latte was in order. On my way, I received a text telling me about a baby boy shower and listing a date and address. I racked my brain for forgotten information and finally texted back: "Baby shower for whom?" (Pausing for a moment to pride myself on my grammar...and praying it WAS correct.) The response shed no light since I didn't recognize the names of the parents-to-be. Now I'm scared I'm supposed to know someone I don't know. As I sit and ponder this, a man knocks on my car door startling me. I open the door a crack and he informs me that my right rear tire looks might low and I might want to get it checked out. Are you kidding?! I decide I'm not doing anything until I fortify myself with a generous helping of caffeine. Thus armed, I remember we recently purchased a small air compressor that plugs into the cigarette lighter. I employ this wondrous device and ten minutes later am on my way.

I arrive at work sorely tempted to collapse in a heap, but looked in the mirror and realized I might want to swirl some makeup across my face for the benefit of those around me. As I finish, my first client of the day arrives and I'm off to the races.

It's now lunch time and I feel I've worked an entire day already.

I'm glad life's not this exciting all the time! I don't know if I have the stamina to keep up!

I'm Not One to Offer Fashion Advice, but....

I wish I could wear camisoles by themselves and look like this.


But I don't like sharing that much of my self with everyone and their brother. For me, the purpose of a camisole is to help add a layer of concealment to a dress or top that plunges a bit too deeply or to simply add a pop of color under my clothing. Problem is, by the time I put clothing on top of a camisole, it has disappeared. Look how low that cami is! And it doesn't even meet her pants! What's the point?!





So, I've been on a hunt to find a cami better suited to my needs and I'm here to tell you it can't be found in the mainstream retail outlets.





One of my friends put a bug in my ear and told me to check out Modbe. I found a wonderful selection of camisoles that were modest in not only appearance, but also price.





Then I searched for "modest camisoles" and came up with these sweet camisoles. These are the ones I actually ordered so I will let you know if they are the end all be all of the camisole world.





Now...isn't this better?

Some of these particular camis are on sale at shade!

I smell a shopping spree!!

Doing a Good Job...What Does That Mean, Anyway?

O.K. What constitutes the definition of "doing a good job"?



Does it mean doing something to the highest level of perfection you can get or simply doing it well enough so it's better than it was?



Being a perfectionist, I always seem to see what was overlooked.



That can be a good thing if your job is quality control, but what if someone cleaned your car (for a reasonable price) but there are a couple of places he missed when cleaning the interior, or someone cleaned your ring for free but you can still see a little gunk in the crevices? How picky is a person "allowed" to be?



Why does it aggravate me so when something isn't done as well as I would do it?



My husband and I go around about this sometimes. He wants me to tell him what he did right before I tell him what's wrong about it. I get that backwards most of the time. But it's teaching me a great lesson. First to be grateful for a person's effort to do something for me so I don't have to do it myself. Second, not to speak impulsively. Third, let things go. Things don't have to be done perfectly to be acceptable.





That's something I need to internalize: things don't have to be done perfectly to be acceptable. Whether it's my employee, my husband, my child or even myself. I'm not talking about an excuse to do things half a**ed. I'm talking about my personal struggle in expecting others to match my perfectionistic expectations and failing because it's an unreasonable standard.



If I conquer that, will I be doing a good job?

Luxury List

Someone asked me this week: "If you could have two luxuries, what would they be?"

Now, I'm not one for excesses.

I don't particularly want a luxury car, a Mcmansion or so many clothes that I turn a room into a closet.

You know what would be the ultimate?

Having someone drive me where ever I go.
Having someone clean my house every week.

My clients tell me consistently tell me that the ultimate luxury for them would be having someone do their hair every day and as soon as they win the lottery, they'll call me.

Hmmm.

Only if the job comes with a chauffer and a cleaning lady.

So far this morning, I've been to work out at the gym, somehow ate breakfast, dressed myself and my girl, (I'm wearing a hat today if that's any clue as to how that went...) got her to school and went to the library for a fresh stack of books all before 9:30 am.

In the process of all that, I left my coffee in the microwave and gave my last dollars to hubby so I couldn't even go buy a cuppa before work.

Pity me.

Cause after my flurry of activity, all I want to do, on this chilly day, is curl up in a corner with a cup of creamy, hot coffee and peruse these:

Workin' 9-5 or so...

Woo--wee, it was chillery when I got off work this evening!

I tell you once I went to work, I didn't see the light of day until the last client left. It was one color after the other. And these weren't simple little retouches (well, one was, but she always takes me awhile.), noooo. These girls walked in to their appointed color appointment time and informed me they wanted to overhaul their color! "I don't have time for this!" I thought. "Let's get started!" I said.

Everyone's hair turned out beautiful...even the overhaul who has been uncertain about going blonder and finally went for it today. It just took awhile to get all that color and those highlights in there. Which made me run late for the next client who's hair I was doing for the first time. When I finished her, I had another waiting in the wings AND the guy waiting to get his hair cut.


Ah, just roll with it baby.

And I did.
And I knew I was done when the people stopped coming.

An Unusual Wedding

The college I attended (many moons ago) had a deaf school as well. The deaf had their own classes, but attended chapel with hearing students and we dined and lived together also. Since I'd never been around the deaf community before, I had a crash course in sign language. I found the deaf to be fun, funny and patient when trying to communicate with a hearing person.

I've not had much interaction with the deaf since leaving college. That's why I've been so glad to gain a sometime client who is deaf. Laurie lives up north and her mom lives (and is from) this smallish town in which I live. When Laurie comes to visit, she has me do her hair and I've been able to brush up on my very rusty sign language. Fortunately, Laurie is a whiz at reading lips.

Well, today was Laurie's wedding day.

The salon was full of fluttering hands as Laurie and her bridesmaids chattered. At one point the radio became louder and I asked someone to turn it down. I wanted to add--"so they can hear themselves talk", but I wasn't sure it was funny to anyone but me.

I (along with my family) had also been invited to the wedding. It was my girl's first wedding. She, of course, enjoyed seeing the girls in their pretty dresses. Especially the bride, who looked like a princess. My girl looked like a princess in her own right with her pretty pink dress. There was also a bit of a stir when the "ringbearer" walked in. It was Laurie's service dog, a shitzu named Tally. I had never been to a deaf wedding, so it was fascinating to watch the three interpreters take turns interpreting for the bride and groom. As the pastor spoke, the interpreter interpreted for the bride who then signed her vows and then the interpreter spoke what she signed for the audience's benefit. It was quite an orchestration.

I wanted to go to the reception, but my shoes were already hurting my feet. Add that to having a five year old in tow, and---well, just use your imagination.

A Week's Worth of Action in Two Days

What an adventure filled week!

Monday I went to a neighboring town (if a town that's an hour away can be considered neighboring) to take a cutting and coloring class from instructors from Paul Mitchell. I didn't learn anything radically new, but it was a good class overall. I found it interesting to watch them use one foil for several hilites. That was their contribution to saving the planet.

In other news, I went shopping afterwards and found a pair of pants for $9.99--in a size smaller than I've been wearing! The length has to be altered, but I think I still came out ahead in the price. Besides, if for no other reason, I had to buy them as a trophy!

Our girl went to the dentist for the first time yesterday. After reading a couple of books on the subject she was ready and rarin' to go! She enjoyed it and was such a big girl...until they started spraying and sucking. She didn't like that too much. In hindsight, I think if they had shown her how those items worked before hand, instead of trying to convince her of their coolness while they were being used, she would have been more accepting. Overall, she was proud of herself for going to the dentist and spent the rest of the day going up to people and opening her mouth wide and pointing to her teeth. (You then were supposed to know that she had been to the dentist and tell her how pretty her teeth looked.)

I've been busy cutting and coloring. Thank God, because I can't count and my bank account reflected that this week. There's nothing worse than thinking you have money and acting accordingly and waking up the morning after depositing money in your account and finding you have none! I told my hubby last night that I'm so glad God still takes care of me even when I make stupid mistakes.

Usually Thursday is the end of my week, but I'll be "doing" a wedding this weekend and then will attend it later in the afternoon. Then I have to figure out what to take to church for potluck Sunday, then a class on Sunday evening.... the weekend will be as busy as the week!

Pure Pleasure

This weekend has been one pleasure after another:


Sharing several meals and quality time with friends who came into town for a big game.


One of said friends is a massage therapist and asked to barter some highlights and a haircut for a 1 1/2 hour massage. (That meant 2 massages in two days after visiting my masseuse for my regular appointment. Poor me.)

Homemade beignets.

Coffee, conversation and haircolor.

Driving down the road stealing glances in the rear view mirror just to look at my daughter.

An unexpected day at home, just me and my girl.

Putting a sky blue bookshelf on an orange wall and filling it with books I love.

Discovering the big new bookstore has opened.

Drinking coffee and looking at books while my daughter plays with the train at the bookstore.

Having a friend come up (at the bookstore) and volunteer to watch my girl while I wander through the stacks.

Discovering a couple of my favourite magazines at the bookstore.

Receiving 3 bags of various magazines from a friend.

Having some sweet moments with my husband. (Especially a pleasure after a day that seemed filled with some not so pleasurable ones.)

A new fall tablecloth.

Two new (to me) dining chairs that are comfortable and (wow!) coordinate with the tablecloth.

Listening to my daughter read.

Drawing up a pattern for a purse since I can't find what I want anywhere else. I can't even find a pattern for what I want. So I'll do it myself. (Just call me Henny Penny.)

Playing "hiding and seeking" with my girl.

Cool weather that makes me say "Brrr. It's chilly out here!"

Hot tea.

Hot chocolate.

Being grateful and thankful for spots of pleasure in an everyday life.

Thinking Before I Eat

I gotta say this food diary thing is good. It makes me so much more thoughtful about what I'm eating.

I'm thinking about eating some peanut butter with chocolate chips next...
so I won't eat the leftover birthday cake.


Seriously. I'm doing well.

I have learned that when I want something sweet, I give in to it but just a couple of bites. That keeps me from binging. Remember when you were growing up and your parents said something was off limits? What did you want more than anything? Whatever was off limits! Same principle with a food vice. Don't make it off limits. You'll binge on it. However, if you are DISCIPLINED and take 2 Oreos (or insert your vice of choice) instead of the whole sleeve, you won't feel deprived, but you will still be in control. You won't feel deprived because you know that you can have 2 Oreos again tomorrow.

It's all about balance, people. Balance and discipline.

My Food Diary :: Online Calorie Counter w/ Diet Journal & Exercise Log

My Food Diary :: Online Calorie Counter w/ Diet Journal & Exercise Log

I decided to join My Food Diary.

It's a handy little resource to help track exercise and food. It tells you every day if you are getting too much salt or enough exercise, among other things. You can track your water input also. You type in your food in the search engine and different brands that meet that description come up. I've had to manually enter some food. Apparently they don't have a manual setting for my homemade trail mix. But it's not hard.

I've set a weight goal for myself and it tells me everyday, based on the food and exercise choices I made that day, how long before I will reach my goal.

Cool.

Love lists and reports.

You can join forums and get encouragement from others. (Or give it!)

Give it a go!

Getting My Priorities Straight

I am in panic cleaning mode.

Friends are coming from out of town next weekend, which means all out war on clutter, dust and grime. Basically tackling things I should stay on top of anyway, but need an "emergency" to take care of.

I decided to tackle the pantry first.

Did I mention they aren't even staying with me?

I plan to have them over for a few meals and just to generally "hang out", so the house needs to generally look decent and in order.

So I started cleaning and organizing the pantry. Never mind that the bathroom, (which could actually be used) or the huge hutch, (that you can't see for all the papers covering it) need immediate attention. And the windows should have been cleaned when I had that short case of spring fever a few months ago.

Nope.

But the pantry (which resides behind a decorative curtain) will be organized, ready for possible nosiness.

Isn't it always the first place on your list of things to gawk at when visiting a friend's house?

Cleaning it brought to light some interesting discoveries. For instance, I discovered where about half of my washcloths had disappeared---they were on the top shelf, tossed as if someone didn't quite know what else to do with them. Methinks perhaps my DH helped with putting away the laundry. I have also accumulated no less than 4(!) boxes of cornstarch and 3 boxes of dry milk. I see lots of gravy in my future.

And when they ask for the bathroom, I'll tell them...

"Go look in the pantry."

Well, Do You Have a Better Idea?

With the Hobby Lobby opening being the most exciting thing to happen in the last 10 years in this town; well, you can see life in a small town moves at a very slow pace.

Also, the fact that I (and the whole town, really) are so excited over some major name stores moving into town makes me concerned over what we value. ("Consumerism--Buy into it!") I've been looking at my own finances recently and am working more intently on paying off debt and not incurring any new debt. I hate the fact that although I make enough money, I never have any because I/we don't manage it as wisely as we could.

Our pastor spoke last week about the economic bailout. Dangerous stuff for the pulpit, some may think, but he hit the nail on the head when he made it personal. The reason we are in the mess we are, is because of Pride and Greed. "I want that and, doggone it, I work hard and I deserve it!"

Have you ever thought about what you really NEED? When it boils down to it, we need food, water and clothing and shelter. And it doesn't have to be food from a restaurant, Evian water, designer duds, or a 3,000 sq. ft. house in the 'burbs. We've skewed our view.

We have lost our common sense.

As of 10-7-2008, the national debt is $10224252192942.42 The US Census Bureau states that there are approximately 305,369,385 Americans which means your share of the national debt is approximately 33,481.54!

How do we get out of this mess?

Well, personally, I'm going to begin paying cash for my purchases. I'm going to pay off my debt starting with credit cards first. I'll start with the one that has the highest interest rate and after it's paid off, I'll snowball my payments to the next one in line. I will not take my loan company's offer of an extra 2,000.00 and lower monthly payments. (That doesn't even make sense.)

I'll give us a spending allowance that is for "whatever" purchases. That way I can go to Hobby Lobby but not go nuts when I'm there.

I'm going to concentrate on making more art and I'll stop waffling when someone asks me if they can buy one of my pieces. (That should be a no-brainer, but sometimes it's hard to let go of something that is a part of you.)

It's a start.

Just Put One Foot in Front of the Other...

I ran with the sun this morning.

Although, "I plodded as the sun rose" was more like it. (That just doesn't have the same panache though, does it?)

As I ran,
I heard birds calling out their "good mornings",
inhaled the sweet fragrance of an unknown flower,
dodged cars as they rushed to their places of obligation,
reminisced as buses wove in and out of streets,
watched businesses open and employees clock in,
saw trucks delivering their goods to stores--

Watching my city awaken.
,

And as I plodded, I pondered...

how do people do this for 10 and 20 miles at the time?!

I've Found Heaven on Earth

I am sitting here enjoying the most delicious mug of cocoa I've ever made. Piping hot. Extra marshmallows.

And today? Today all of my dreams came true.

Well. Any dreams that had to do with a certain craft store opening in my neighborhood. I drug my girl through that place for two whole hours. She didn't start asking if we were done until we were 2/3 of the way through! Bless her.

Holy Moly. That place is a crafter's nirvana.

Rockets, trains, knitting, kid's crafts, home decor, fabric(!), paint, canvas, beads, scrapbooking, candle making, and about 4 aisles of Christmas stuff! You name it, they've got it. They even have experiment kits and models for science projects. (I did the ear model when I was in school. The pieces are smaller and more life size now. Boo.)

I still haven't been for a run since Monday and finally found time to put some laundry on to wash. Maybe I can run after work tomorrow... gotta run off that marshmallow laden cocoa!

Awww Man!!!

Well, that just hacks me off.

I have enough trouble with motivation to exercise anyway and this morning, after my success of running 2 miles on Monday, I was ready to do it (or attempt it) again this morning. In the dark. Around my neighborhood.

This is huge for me.

After awakening and deciding not to go to Body Pump because I'm having some issues with one of my shoulders, I vowed to run instead. "I HAVE to exercise this morning", I said.

Then I couldn't find a sports bra.
Anywhere.

I thought of digging one out of the dirty clothes (I really wanted to run) but...no. Can't do it.

ARRRRGGGGHHH!

I Can Stop Anytime I Want To...But I Don't Want To

Something dangerous has moved into my neighborhood.

And I am powerless against it.

It will take everything I have...
and I will gladly give it.

Oh what will I do?

I want to stop, but alas, the damage has been done.

I'm hopelessly addicted.

So, from now on, I think I'll just cut out the middle-man and have my clients make their checks payable to....

Hobby Lobby...addiction fund.

I'm Such a Follower!

I am flush with pride!

Last night after I got off work, it was a mad dash to see my girl at gymnastics, then I made a deal with my hubby--"after gymnastics, I'll go to the grocery store while you go run, then when you get back, I'll go run." We did it! I barely made it home by dark, but in the process of trying to out run the sun, I ran 2 miles! Then I was up this morning to meet with the personal trainer! I feel great!

I have set a goal with myself to really boost my exercise regime for the next 2 and a half months or so. I have a client who has gone on his own personal adventure and I'm using the time he will be gone as a mile marker, if you will, to see what I can get done while he's gone.

This is not unlike knowing someone is coming over and going on a tear to get the house overhauled before they get there.

Except, I'm overhauling my body.

I think I'm awakening some latent competiveness inside me. Also, I have a friend who has really begun running "for reals". Again, I gotta step up to the plate. If she can do it...I have no excuse not to do it.

It seems everyone I know is running!

O.K. It's either competiveness or peer pressure.

In the Event of a Babysitter, Find Your Nearest Waffle House.

Once a month the gym my daughter uses for gymnastics hosts a "Fun Gym". Held on a Friday evening from 7-11pm, it allows kids who are members of the gym to come and run, flip and tumble (with, of course, a break for pizza!). All this for the low price of $15 ($10 if you have a coupon!)

That is such a godsend for a couple of parents who don't have any babysitters on speed dial.

So this past Friday evening, my hubby and I used this opportunity to go to a session of a Creation conference. It was wonderful to be able to sit and give my full attention to the matter at hand. (That all changed when we returned the next morning, child in tow. But she really did remarkably well.) When the evening session was over, we still had a bit of time before it was time to pick up our girl so we did something we haven't done in ages...

We went to Waffle House.

I used to go to Waffle House fairly often when I lived in another town. I remember giving your order and the waitress would go over behind the counter and call out your order to the cook. I loved the hash browns. Scattered, covered smothered...etc. I just loved hearing them say all of that without getting tongue twisted! Hubby likes their grilled chicken sandwich. It was as good as I remembered it!

Sometimes it's fun to shake up the ordinary routine of life and do something off beat.

I'm all about it!

That's Not in My Job Description...but Wait While I Write it In.

Oh poor me.

Sometimes my job is so demanding and strenuous I just don't know if I can take it.

For instance, this morning, as part of the interview process, I tested the skills of a prospective esthetician by getting a facial.

I lay there contemplating her possible employment but it was kind of hard to focus because I was rather relaxed.

I think I'll need another facial to make up my mind.

I'm telling you...my job is strenuous.

Who Knew A Car Seat Could be the COOLEST Thing Ever?!

What with all this growing up someone is doing around here, I thought perhaps the time had come to graduate from the car seat to the "Big Kid" booster seat. It was met with resounding approval from one particular newly christened five year old.

Off we went to Target (and Michael's and Barnes and Noble--but you ought to know by now, I can't have one without the other!) where we found the coolest big girl seat ever! It's super cushy and has a place to put a drink and the armrests move up and down! But that's not the best part...it has reading lights so she can read on those trips we take at night where there's nothing else to do or see!!!

I want some for my car seat!!! There is nothing more boring than riding in a car at night and reading lights would go a long way in saving my sanity (and/or my husband's).

So now, every time we get in the car I hear: "Mommy, I love my super-duper seat!"

That right there makes life worth living, I tell ya.

Yes, Well...

"...and then she crashed and burned."

After exercising 3 days in a row, I ended up with a sinus infection, cold or something and although I worked out through it, (I felt puny, not completely sick) I crashed on the weekend feeling like crap.
I did get up and walk on Saturday but I only made it a mile before skulking to the grocery store and then home to piddle.
This morning I psyched myself up...
...and then back down again.

TOMORROW IS ANOTHER DAY! (which means, I have an appointment with my trainer, so I won't be laying out tomorrow!)

***help me out here runners. Is it o.k. to run everyday? Could I run in the a.m. and do curcuit training in the evening? Is that too much? I end up exercising several days in a row (3-4) then I don't work out for about 3 or 4 days because life takes over. A little advice?****

OW

Tuesday: did a 5k on the treadmill, running 2 of the 3.(whatever) miles.
Wednesday: Boot (or in my case-Bootie) Camp
Thursday: workout with personal trainer

In a stunning display of athletic prowess, I have been to the gym (and actually worked out while there) for three days in a row.

Thank you ....I'll wait for the applause to subside before continuing....
no really, you are too kind.....
now honestly, this is too much....
No. Thank YOU!!!

Sigh.

Now. Where was I?

Oh, yes.

Ouch.

Posting Issues...

Please see my post on Sunday...that's where all the photos are from the birthday girl's celebration!

I can't quite figure out how to start a post ahead of time and post it at a later date!

Evidence of my Capabilities...

Here's where I should be giving a recount on our birthday celebration, complete with pictures.
You'll be happy to know that I remembered to take my camera--not only to the classroom party, but also to the horse farm to capture my girl making history by riding on a horse for the first time!

I also LEFT my camera at the horse farm!

It amazes me sometimes that God has entrusted a child into my care...

Pictures and recap later.

Birthday Dreams....

My girl's birthday went really well. It was so much fun to watch her do something she had really hoped to do.









The birthday celebration began when we arrived at her preschool with cupcakes that she helped me bake and decorate. (Strawberry with white icing and sprinkles!) Her teacher put a birthday crown on her head and she sat at the head of the table with a cupcake full of her 5 candles. She blew out her candles and beamed.












After school and a quick bite to eat, we changed clothes and took off to the horse farm for a ride on a horse!

Miss Sara took our girl to the back pasture to catch "Seymour".

After brushing the horse with 3(!) different brushes, they put on the reigns, the bit and bridle, then the blanket and the saddle.










After finding a helmet that was just her size, then she took a ride around the ring.







She sat so tall and proud in the saddle!







When she was finished, she had to lead her horse back into the barn.







I think I had as much fun as she did! I loved being able to make at least one of her dreams come true!

My World

What a week!

I, for one, will be glad to see this weekend arrive if only to catch my breath.

It has been busy at work with clients waiting in the wings for cancellations (that aren't happening) and one of the girls has gone on maternity leave and I'm doing the ordering that she was doing on top of the other responsiblities I usually take care of . Let's just say it is taking me all week to place one of the orders because I've been getting it together between clients and chasin down other orders that haven't arrived.

I did something new that I've never done before... I gave a lady a microdermabrasion service yesterday. I practiced on one of my employees last week. I think it went well, because she rebooked with me. Our esthetician left, so it's up to all of us to perform these services now.
Oh joy.

I have worked out every day this week, so I am taking off today! Last night at Bootcamp, America (yes, that's really her name) pushed me to use more weight on bicep curls. The phrase "come on girl, you can do more than that!" just get's me. What can I say, I'm powerless to peer pressure. I told her I would be so sore today I wouldn't be able to lift the scissors and she just looked at me and said, "Pshht". She did spot me which helped immensely and I did it. I'm not feeling as sore as I thought I would! In fact, my biceps are not sore at all!

Gotta come home tonight and bake "pink" cupcakes for the big day tomorrow! I'm so excited about my girl's birthday! She is going to have so much fun and I'm going to help! I'll show you the pics as soon as I can....