I'm sitting at the computer desk and Jack comes flying in and dives under the desk. I hear the beeps of his Power Ranger phone and then in hushed tones:
Gavin? It's me, Jack. Yeah, well Ainsley has gone crazy! I mean, she's gone nuts! She wants to get my phone and not her Cinderella phone! I know! Well, bye.
And then he runs off, just as quickly as he came in.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
forensic hair stylist
*All names have been changed on the off chance that more people than I think read this blog. Except for Julie, because she rocks...
Without a doubt, one of the top three things I hate most about moving is trying to find a new hair stylist. (In case you were wondering, the others are getting a new driver's license and finding a new doctor, neither of which I've done since we moved here 18 months ago...) I don't really have easy hair...it's very thick and very unruly and in the wrong hands...well, just look at some pictures of me over the past 20 years and you'll see what I mean. I was totally spoiled with the last hair stylist I had before we moved here...Julie. She was the epitome of everything you want your hair stylist to be. She was friendly and made conversation, head and neck massage with every shampoo, used great smelling products, and I never felt like I had to rush home and re-do my hair. In fact, I so didn't want to give her up that I even made an appointment to see her during one of our trips to Indy for Ainsley's surgery. (6 months after we moved here!) But, I knew I couldn't keep waiting 6 months or longer for a haircut, so I started searching for someone here. I've always loved Aveda products, so I located an Aveda salon not to far from here. It was a nice experience. The salon was nice...I was offered a beverage while I was waiting and even got a hand massage while my hair was being shampooed. My stylist was Christie*, and she didn't talk to me as much as she did to the other stylists and customers, but she took her time and when I left, I felt like a million bucks. And the cut looked nice for a couple of weeks, and then I noticed it would take me longer and longer to style my hair. And then it was taking 30 to 45 minutes to do my hair and it would still look ridiculous, so I'd end up pulling it back anyway. For the past couple of weeks, I haven't even bothered drying it. I just pull it back all the time, because as you can imagine, I just don't have that kind of time to spend on my hair!
I thought about going back to Christie*, but then I found out that a new Aveda salon opened up in the shopping center right next to our house, so I decided to give it a try. The salon is much smaller and there were only 2 stylists working on a Saturday afternoon (instead of the 15 at the other salon!), but everyone was nice and when I explained to Andi* the problems I was having, she suggested that it was because my hair had so much texture from the last cut that it wasn't holding it's shape well, and perhaps layering was a better way to go, given my length. (Yes, I realize I have most likely lost all the guys reading this...) So, Andi started to work on my hair and we started talking and she asked me where I went before this salon and when I told her, she said she used to work there. And then as she started cutting some more, our conversation went like this:
Andi: This looks like a Christie or a Steven cut.
Me: Excuse me?
Andi: You don't have to tell me. It's just that I've worked closely with both of them and this either looks like a Christie or a Steven cut.
Me: You're right...but how can you tell?
Andi: Well, Christie and Steven are the cutters...they like to cut. Lots of texture and that sort of thing. Keri is good with color and so is Sam. But Christie and Steven are the cutters.
Me: Hmm.
And then she cuts a little more.
Andi: I'm going to say Christie.
Me: Seriously...
Andi: Okay, well, most stylists who are right handed will leave the right side a little longer than the left. And the opposite is true too. And your left side is a little longer and Christie is the only left handed stylist there. So...
Me: Wow.
Freaky, huh? Anyway, I liked the cut...even though Andi says it will take another 6-8 weeks and one more really good haircut to get all the texture out. I was able to dry my hair and style it in just a few minutes and I was able to leave it down the whole day. So I'll be going back to see Andi in March. Maybe I'll even have a new doctor and a new driver's license by then.
Without a doubt, one of the top three things I hate most about moving is trying to find a new hair stylist. (In case you were wondering, the others are getting a new driver's license and finding a new doctor, neither of which I've done since we moved here 18 months ago...) I don't really have easy hair...it's very thick and very unruly and in the wrong hands...well, just look at some pictures of me over the past 20 years and you'll see what I mean. I was totally spoiled with the last hair stylist I had before we moved here...Julie. She was the epitome of everything you want your hair stylist to be. She was friendly and made conversation, head and neck massage with every shampoo, used great smelling products, and I never felt like I had to rush home and re-do my hair. In fact, I so didn't want to give her up that I even made an appointment to see her during one of our trips to Indy for Ainsley's surgery. (6 months after we moved here!) But, I knew I couldn't keep waiting 6 months or longer for a haircut, so I started searching for someone here. I've always loved Aveda products, so I located an Aveda salon not to far from here. It was a nice experience. The salon was nice...I was offered a beverage while I was waiting and even got a hand massage while my hair was being shampooed. My stylist was Christie*, and she didn't talk to me as much as she did to the other stylists and customers, but she took her time and when I left, I felt like a million bucks. And the cut looked nice for a couple of weeks, and then I noticed it would take me longer and longer to style my hair. And then it was taking 30 to 45 minutes to do my hair and it would still look ridiculous, so I'd end up pulling it back anyway. For the past couple of weeks, I haven't even bothered drying it. I just pull it back all the time, because as you can imagine, I just don't have that kind of time to spend on my hair!
I thought about going back to Christie*, but then I found out that a new Aveda salon opened up in the shopping center right next to our house, so I decided to give it a try. The salon is much smaller and there were only 2 stylists working on a Saturday afternoon (instead of the 15 at the other salon!), but everyone was nice and when I explained to Andi* the problems I was having, she suggested that it was because my hair had so much texture from the last cut that it wasn't holding it's shape well, and perhaps layering was a better way to go, given my length. (Yes, I realize I have most likely lost all the guys reading this...) So, Andi started to work on my hair and we started talking and she asked me where I went before this salon and when I told her, she said she used to work there. And then as she started cutting some more, our conversation went like this:
Andi: This looks like a Christie or a Steven cut.
Me: Excuse me?
Andi: You don't have to tell me. It's just that I've worked closely with both of them and this either looks like a Christie or a Steven cut.
Me: You're right...but how can you tell?
Andi: Well, Christie and Steven are the cutters...they like to cut. Lots of texture and that sort of thing. Keri is good with color and so is Sam. But Christie and Steven are the cutters.
Me: Hmm.
And then she cuts a little more.
Andi: I'm going to say Christie.
Me: Seriously...
Andi: Okay, well, most stylists who are right handed will leave the right side a little longer than the left. And the opposite is true too. And your left side is a little longer and Christie is the only left handed stylist there. So...
Me: Wow.
Freaky, huh? Anyway, I liked the cut...even though Andi says it will take another 6-8 weeks and one more really good haircut to get all the texture out. I was able to dry my hair and style it in just a few minutes and I was able to leave it down the whole day. So I'll be going back to see Andi in March. Maybe I'll even have a new doctor and a new driver's license by then.
most creative excuse for not eating leftovers
Once upon a time, I used to make pancakes, and any that were left over went into the freezer. Then on school mornings, the kids would take them out and pop them into the microwave for a minute or two and have a nice pancake breakfast. Not so much anymore. I'm not sure what happened, but now, no one will eat the leftovers. When I asked why that was, Ryan offered up this explanation:
"Well, it's like all the love that goes into them and makes them good just freezes out."
Hmm, good to know.
"Well, it's like all the love that goes into them and makes them good just freezes out."
Hmm, good to know.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
cabo
Kate sent (well, texted) this to me this afternoon...the view from her room.
Wish I could be there too!
what a snow day in charlotte looks like
Some of you might remember seeing pictures of our snow day last year and I have to say, I'm even more shocked this year! I even turned to 3 different news channels before I truly believed that school had been cancelled, just to make sure I wasn't seeing things. I'm not going to complain one bit though, because now instead of the crazy, running-around day I had planned, I get to sit in my jammies and cuddle with my kids as we watch one of the most incredible events of our lifetime unfold.
Update: 3 hours and 787 reported delays/cancellations later, every last bit of snow and ice was gone. Way to go, South. You have completely earned your reputation for being a bit melodramatic...I don't know how you will ever look Minnesota in the face again.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
how they sleep
Because I have tons of laundry to do and absolutely none of the motivation I need (I mean, I still have clean underwear!!), I thought it might be fun to take pictures of the kids' beds...what they look like in the morning after the kids tumble out of them and before I make them. Ha! Make their beds...oh, that's a good one! Ahem...anyway, this will be fun! We'll go oldest to youngest.
First up is Ryan's bed. I love these cozy, flannel sheets. ($13.99 @ Target!) Mmmm, and the really soft down comforter. I would totally sleep here. Well, except for the climbing up and down the ladder thing.
See anything weird? Or rather, is there something you don't see? Like books?
Ah, here they are. Tucked neatly on the side. And no, that is absolutely NOT a La Madeleine travel mug. Okay, well maybe it is. But it's definitely not the one that the Royals have been missing for years and years. Okay, well, it could be. Moving on...
Emily's bed is probably about what you would expect...no books, lots of pillows and of course, Lambie. Oh, and her robe, no doubt thrown up here so that I won't yell at her for leaving it on the floor. Again with the fabulous Target sheets.
And then on to Jack. More cozy sheets ($15 for a Queen set @ Target! How do they do it??)
See all those pillows? Those are just for show. Jack doesn't sleep on a pillow. He rests his little angel head on that sweet blanket that Kate bought him when he was born. It's a patchwork blanket and before he goes to sleep each night he has to find the yellow corner and he rubs it with his fingers as he's falling asleep. I know, right? Almost too precious to bear! And what else is there, next to the blanket?
Ah, yes. Every night, before Jack goes to bed he "picks cars." Meaning he chooses a car or two to sleep with. Usually, he just adds to the collection until I wash his sheets, at which point all the cars get put away and we start with a clean slate.
First up is Ryan's bed. I love these cozy, flannel sheets. ($13.99 @ Target!) Mmmm, and the really soft down comforter. I would totally sleep here. Well, except for the climbing up and down the ladder thing.
See anything weird? Or rather, is there something you don't see? Like books?
Ah, here they are. Tucked neatly on the side. And no, that is absolutely NOT a La Madeleine travel mug. Okay, well maybe it is. But it's definitely not the one that the Royals have been missing for years and years. Okay, well, it could be. Moving on...
Emily's bed is probably about what you would expect...no books, lots of pillows and of course, Lambie. Oh, and her robe, no doubt thrown up here so that I won't yell at her for leaving it on the floor. Again with the fabulous Target sheets.
And then on to Jack. More cozy sheets ($15 for a Queen set @ Target! How do they do it??)
See all those pillows? Those are just for show. Jack doesn't sleep on a pillow. He rests his little angel head on that sweet blanket that Kate bought him when he was born. It's a patchwork blanket and before he goes to sleep each night he has to find the yellow corner and he rubs it with his fingers as he's falling asleep. I know, right? Almost too precious to bear! And what else is there, next to the blanket?
Ah, yes. Every night, before Jack goes to bed he "picks cars." Meaning he chooses a car or two to sleep with. Usually, he just adds to the collection until I wash his sheets, at which point all the cars get put away and we start with a clean slate.
Hmm...eleven cars and a Lightning McQueen car flashlight keychain. Looks like it's about time to wash Jack's sheets...
And then we have Ainsley's bed. This started innocently enough. About 3 stuffed animals. But now it seems like every night we have to add something else. It's almost as if she's thinking that she still has about 3 inches to move around, so what else can we put there to fill that space??
How do you like the books? She will actually open them up and then lay on top of the book! Seriously.
Huh. I notice that not everyone is here. She has 2 babies that are usually in here, and I just remembered she was playing with them while I was taking these pictures. I've tried putting all of the animals away when I change her sheets like I do with Jack's cars, but usually she is right there throwing them all back into the crib before I can even finish putting the sheets on the mattress.
And there you have it. More than you ever possibly could have wanted to know about the kids' beds. I really should go do laundry now because I just remembered that Ryan is actually out of clean underwear. Do you know how a 12-year-old boy would solve that problem? I'm pretty sure it wouldn't involve doing his own laundry. Yeah, I think I just found my motivation.
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