“Engrish” – take two

They just get better and better…

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It will change you

I wonder if the creator of any social media site knew the magnitude of what they were doing. Back before all the major sites, I can remember uploading all my photos to kodakgallery{dot}com and sharing them with family, thinking it was the neatest thing to be able to do.

In a way, that was the start of it all {for me}. To connect and show and get closer to those far away, through a photo website. It all morphed into crazy when I obsessed over Facebook for years and then deemed it time to get off for good. I steered clear of weird myspace and deemed twitter 100% lame and then, I started blogging, and blogging made twitter cool. And darn, if I don’t do twitter and now instagram as well.

Because an iPhone is essential, and apps are vital to the iPhone’s survival, and I can’t very well be responsible for an iPhone’s demise and not have apps all because social media is the devil…

Ok, ok, social media isn’t the devil.

I’ve seen a huge change in me alone, thanks to the world of 24/7 “I will be all up in your business” websites. I question how some completely cut themselves off. Yeah, I ended Facebook but if I were being honest with you, (which I guess I’m about to be), my Facebook profile has been reactivated but only because I was forced to, to stay up on the latest information of a group I’m in. {apparently FB is the only way to get the information…and I suppose I’m a little bitter over it}. I only jump on a couple times a week to see what’s new in the group but that’s it.

I know a few people, a blogger specifically, who shut down her blog, hardly instagrams and hasn’t tweeted in well over a year…and she even has a BABY!! I mean, how does she refrain from sharing adorable photos of her BABY!??

That’s like an IG policy…
Once baby is identified in the womb, you will cease to photograph anything other than your belly (and food), and then hence to therefore, will IG your baby and nothing more.

Let me just say, babies are adorable and 78% of your photos I see of them are cute.

Being baby-less, I have to think outside my little box when I’m strolling down the street, because I want to share something other’s will like. Darn, I admit, I just want to be liked. Isn’t that was social media is all about? Being liked? …if not {willingly} stirring the pot from time to time…not me though, I’m not a pot stirrer (for the record).

Far too often, I think of cutting into my trip, my evening, my quiet moment of solitude with my man, to snap a photo to show you because somehow someway you’ll understand the story, and think it AWESOME.

Take this the right way… I need to stop thinking about you in these daily moments. I can’t!! but I need to, because its not about you, its about me needing to focus on the people there, the moment we’re having and the memory I created, not the memory I feel needs to be shared.

That’s what I feel social media has done to me. Tweaked my brain a bit more into a self-centered “I’m just the coolest being ever, here’s why” type, but really, didn’t I believe that well before these sites existed??

Besides all that, I’ve met some darn cool women through it all and I’m pretty stoked to have my twitter and instagram and blog because without them, they’d be doing their thing, I’d be doing my thing and our paths never would have crossed.

I just can’t imagine that happening, ya know?

Jenni's creation - Story of my Life

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Do I have to say?

I’m getting tested a bit with Jenni’s challenge today. Top 3 worst traits? Why would I dare reveal the absolute worst about me to you, who’s only seen (for the most part) my good side? What will this do to our friendships when you learn these things that I bury deep down inside so you can’t even get a glimpse of them, are revealed?

The first thing that popped into my head was, just 3…only? Yes, goodness, I have far more than 3 horrible traits. Now it’s a matter of narrowing them down using the do I tell that one? or this one…? no, I better tuck those away for another day, method.

                                                                                               oldie but goodie

So maybe I’ll be gentle on you (and myself) and give the lesser of the worst?

Spitting – oh, I hate that I just said that. I feel like it’s a trucker thing to do, but I spit. I spit a lot and it’s not just because I brushed my teeth and I want to get the toothpaste out. Its because I can’t breathe if I don’t. My sinuses are whack and morning, noon, and night (and almost every hour in between) I spit those kinds that clear your sinuses, in sinks, in trash cans, by my car door… but mainly sinks. .. Only my family and very very close friends even know that I do this and the code word for when I do is ‘don’t look’. {{my only good thing about it is I’ve perfected the silent spit. No hocking here}}

Anger – oh nelly, I tend to have a wee little issue with my anger. I even had a conversation with my friend just the other day of her witnessing my anger awhile back. She’d never seen that side of me and was quite shocked… and perhaps a little frightened. It wasn’t directed toward her but someone on the phone and I’d like to blame it on it was during the time I was still in corrections, which had a huge role in my temper spiking, but I still deal with it a bit to this day.

Attitude – you think this might go along with anger, but it doesn’t. I have quite the indifferent attitude..especially lately as I’m dealing with a lot of stuff in my life, and I’ve become this dead eyed, straight faced, no smile, sarcastic type of person mainly at work. I’ve even begun challenging things they tell me to do, or just flat out not do them. Or give just a hint of attitude with each thing they say.

Is this wrong? Of course. I know this deep down, but there comes a time in my life when someone tells me I have to kiss each and every a** that comes in that door to make them feel like they’re royalty when they make me feel like dirt, that I have to stand up for myself and say enough.

Well shoot! Look at that, my anger wanted to creep out just a little bit. Let me tuck that away before I continue.

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A lot of times I know think I fall short in the sugar and spice and everything nice category. I see those women who truly have this happiness about them that can look on the bright side and encourage others even while they’re down. Who can have this tender, sweet, gentle disposition and I can’t even tell you how much I long for that and give it a test run to see if that can be me. But then its National Pull Out in Front of Emily Day and everything goes right out the window.

I wonder how they do it. How can they have the type of personality that when others meet them they say ‘she really is the sweetest person, inside and out’.. ‘on her blog and in real life’.

Seriously, if you met me, first thing you’d probably say is, ‘yup, she’s just as sarcastic (if not more) in person as she is on her blog.’ I do have a tender side, promise. I almost feel like calling out some friends to come forward to vouch for it, but alas, I’ll refrain.

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I hope those of you in the states have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! I may or may not be going out of town with someone.. I can’t confirm or deny this until Tuesday.

Happy weekend to you!! If you’re feeling frisky, and want to help me feel better about myself, by all means, tell me as many horrible traits about yourself as you want. No judging over on this end.

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A walk down memory lane

Today is day 21 of Jenni’s challenge and its all about sharing my favorite posts from the past. How perfect that we all get to walk down memory lane together, hand in hand as I reminisce over my glory days.

The first one that came to mind, well, there were 2 but this one, where I shared how I kicked a nasty habit really popped in my head as a topper. I know it resonated with a lot of you and maybe by bringing it back, it’ll resonate with even more of you.

The one and only time I vlogged was really actually quite fun. You asked questions, and I kinda sorta answered them. I talked fast (faster than a lot of you thought) and I rolled my eyes a lot..oh and called myself stupid a time or two. It’s a riot. ..get it… riot?? oh wait, you have to have seen the vlog to understand that. Go watch so we can both laugh at the pun together.

I’ve been thinking of doing another one, but keep putting it off, so maybe one day I’ll muster the courage up for it.

Talking about the family decal stickers on cars is a post that I would love to post over and over again because I want everyone’s eyes to be open. Even those who have them and think I’m overreacting or feel its not a threat. If you’re one of those, I’d be more than happy to mail you a copy of the letter I intercepted, that I talked about. Maybe it’ll really help open your eyes.

I think it goes without saying that the start of my love story is among my favorites. Truth be told, I actually just read through all of them a few days ago and got the warm fuzzies all over again. I can’t help it. I go into more of it through my my story tab, if you’re so inclined.

Its hard to say these are among my favorites but I definitely don’t want to forget the feeling of that afternoon when I learned my Dad had a massive heart attack. Within minutes of learning the news, I sat down to write how I was feeling. I had to get the words out, had to say how I’ve always felt and seen my dad. Even to this day, reading over that post chokes me up. Hearing those foreign words of him having a heart attack was eye opening to me that they won’t always be around like I selfishly expect they will be.

I can’t believe it took a minute to think of these, but if you were around for my many trips to Hawaii, you’d know the one thing that I blogged about obsessively often, were the sunsets. I’m a lover of Hawaiian sunsets and you’ll see that no two are the same. From the North Shore to one over Ala Moana Park, they are beautiful and breathtaking and I’m missing them terribly. I’ve limited myself to only showing 2, so you’re welcome for the restraint.

If you’ve been around for awhile and there’s one that comes to mind as a favorite of yours, do share. I’d love to know what has stood out for you, even if you don’t remember when it was or the title. I’m all for generalities so we can reminisce together.

 

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A celebratory day

Today, my parents..okay, mostly my dad, can now say, “three score” when asked how old they are, because today. is. their birthday! Not just any birthday, but their 60th!

This is crazy. I don’t see them as 60…and I’m pretty sure they don’t either, but I’m so thankful I’ve had the privilege of being in their lives for 31 years, 9.5 months of those 60. In case you’re scratching your head because I keep saying “their”, it is in fact both of their birthdays. My dad is just a few hours older than my mom. I’ve always loved saying that for as long as I can remember.

I’m honored I get to call them my parents. They’re pretty darn awesome, if you ask me.                                                                                   (photo courtesy of my dad)

Happy Birthday to you both! I love you so so much!!

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Jenni’s challenge today is to talk about what’s difficult within my lot in life, and frankly its way too deep for today’s happy feelings, so I will refrain from the inner/outer turmoil of craziness that’s been going on lately in these parts because really, I haven’t quite gotten to the point of being able to overcome it all, so its best left quiet.

One thing that I am overcoming, is this mega yard sale I’m having this weekend. I get in this habit of piling things together and the more I pile, the more I have to add to it, and next thing I know, I’m wanting to sell everything in my apt. down to the curtains that have been on my walls for years and years. I’d rather go without curtains than have to look at their masculine ways for one more day. Serves me right for getting ‘gender neutral’ colors (read: something only a guy would like) because I thought I had to back then.

Oh, if I could talk to my 27 year old self, I’d have so much to tell her.

- If there was one thing you could add to my yard sale, what would you get rid of?

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Not my typical day

Life is back to normal once again. I made it to my uncle’s funeral Friday all the way in Utah, and it was nice. Beautiful weather. The kind where it rains and rains and rains all week and then that morning, blue skies, sunshine and warmth. It was a short service at the gravesite and then we all went our separate ways.

Thank you to everyone who left such sweet comments on Friday. I appreciate each and every one of them. I had plans to go to Las Vegas this past weekend any way, so it worked out in my favor that I was able to move my flight to Thursday to make it in time. And it worked even more in my favor, because I picked up my dad on Friday and we made the 2 hour drive together to Southern Utah.

In true Emily fashion, I was late…to a funeral. Who does that!? I blame the fact I spilled coffee on my top on the way and having to stop at my brother’s to change. They drove on, while I was still getting ready at his house.

After it was all said and done, we grabbed a bite with my brother and his wife and waited at the house for their kids to get out of school. I don’t get to see them very much, so even though they know me, they don’t know me, so it takes a little bit to break past the awkwardness, but thankfully we broke through it and had a great time.

Younger kids are easier..

It’s the older ones that take some time to get through to..

and the even older ones that are down right difficult.
Oh wait, that’s my brother! He wanted me to take a ‘selfie’ of him, not understanding that by me taking it, it in fact is not a selfie, but he hates photos any way, so it didn’t really matter.

We watched my niece play her game, listened to parents scream back and forth at each other and watched the high school girl who umped, cry because of how they acted toward her.

It was craziness, and uncomfortable, but they won and all was right in the world (on our side any way) again. The highlight of that game was my younger niece and I talking in British accents through the last 3 innings. We’re rather good at it. Delicious pizza followed, then shaved ice, then candy, then a movie. And in that time, I broke through with their 10 year old boy. I felt like I accomplished a lot being able to carry a conversation with him.

Is it just me who has a hard time talking to older boys?

By no means was this my typical day, but it was a day that though it started out in grief, ended with joy by being surrounded by children and family and I really think I could get used to that kind of ending.

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Never get the chance again

As it can happen in some families, something happens that causes a divide and sides get chosen. Though I wasn’t in the middle of it by any means, I felt I needed to choose. Neither pressed me to do it, but I quietly chose mine and left it at that.

2 years after making that decision, I’m sad. Both sides mean a whole lot to me and I struggled with wanting to reach out to the other side often, but I never did. I’m embarrassed that I thought constantly over those 2 years to write a letter, to reconnect, to see how they were doing but never actually grabbing the pen and paper and taking that much needed important time out of my non busy life to write. Making excuses and always saying I’ll do it later, I have time to do it later.

My phone rang at 6:30 in the morning and anytime my phone rings that early, its never a good sign. My uncle, the one when growing up would always answer to my ‘hello?’ on the phone, “what are you doing!?” to which I’d reply, ‘talking to you!’, died Monday night.

It was unexpected. to me.

Its been 2 years, I had no idea how his health had been and I never wrote that letter to reconnect with him and my Aunt, whether they would have responded or not (though I believe they would have), I never gave that 10 minutes of my day to write. I had an opportunity over a year ago to email, and yet I stayed silent. It was a very conflicting decision then, one that I battled with for a long time but in the end justified it because I was ‘going to write that letter’.

I still have a chance with my Aunt. but the guilt. the guilt over not talking to my Uncle is there. and it’ll be there for awhile.

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All alone in the office

What do I fear? It’s a common question, but not one that I really put much thought into. I don’t really fear anything. Do I hope I don’t get attacked or in an accident or kidnapped or something far worse? Sure, but its not something I dwell on. Yesterday for example would have been a potential for “fear”.

I was the only one in the office for the last hour of the day. Our office isn’t in the best part of town and the whole wall has windows. But it wasn’t the “typical” that I see daily that I had to deal with but a creeper that was coming in to see a co worker who had already left. Needless to say, this creeper turned his creeper meter up the moment he saw me and lets just say all pleasantries were dropped the moment he said his first sentence.

My mind was working fast in preparation, my adrenaline began pumping to the point of stumbling over my words while working on appearing calm, but I was getting ready to do what I had to do if he attempted anything. It was an effort to get him to leave and unfortunately he had to return to drop something off, and I wasn’t looking forward to that. When he did, he continued his creeper status which only proved to make me angrier, which actually worked in my favor to remain calm.

A part of me was annoyed I was the only one in the office since it put me at risk, but the other part of me was glad since no one had to witness how I handled him. My co workers only know me one way, the nice quiet person I am at work, and let’s just say my ‘sweet’ reputation would have been tarnished had any of them been around yesterday.

But in all honesty, I wasn’t afraid. Maybe its because I’ve been around far worse, that I knew I could handle it, but being alone in the office, on the edge of downtown, where druggies, gang members and the lot walk by daily, doesn’t really scare me. Annoy me, yes. Scare me, no.

Would it scare you?

What does scare you or bring you the greatest fear?

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Let me break it down

Welcome to another Monday! Highlights from my weekend consisted of selling my patio furniture for $5 more than what I asked for. {note to self: always ask for $75 because ATM’s only dispense 20’s}. I didn’t do it on purpose but it definitely worked in my favor. The other was I made it within 10 seconds of the ice cream place closing. Her hand was on the light switch when I charged in asking the obvious but necessary question, “ARE YOU CLOSING!?”

Thank goodness the girl had a heart and gave me my 2 scoops I was desperate for before locking up. She must have seen the desperation in my eyes. –oh, coffee and peanut butter ice creams, and it was perfection.

I would have made it in time if I hadn’t gone out to the farthest field known to man to catch a sunset. Had I known that all the gorgeous fields I’d been eyeing for the past 3 weeks had been plowed (the day before), I would have gotten my ice cream hours earlier, but as I drove past one sad plowed field, then another, then another, until I was practically in the other town, I finally pulled over and made due with what I had.

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In keeping with Jenni’s question for the day, ‘what do I do’, its one of those that I sit and think how to tell. All my adult life, I’ve been so reluctant to tell what I did. It would provoke nonstop curious questions, gaping mouth stares, scrutiny, and it was never something I liked dealing with. So I would find ways to get around the answer, divert their questions, and turn the tables on them with a battery of questions, because let’s be honest; people like to talk about themselves more than listen. And it usually worked.

Even now, working in a normal office for the past year, only a handful of people know what I did. They have the appropriate shocked expression, declaring how I don’t ‘fit the type’ and they never could imagine, but I still keep it rather guarded. Never sharing stories or even let on when old co workers come in who don’t recognize me.

It’s a trust thing with me.

I also have my own business. I sell lia sophia jewelry and have for the past 2 1/2 years, and I love it. Its fun. I meet all sorts of people and I get to play with beautiful jewelry every single day. My old job gets linked into it as well. And there are times I’m very careful with what I say, but once they know what I was, its hard to hide, as was the case Friday night, as I had dinner with a “retired” gang banger and another who declared herself too tough to join a gang back then.

did you know there’s no ‘getting out’ of a gang? you retire (which is hard to do) or die.

I’m sitting there across the table from them, and it was a conflict. One knew what I used to do and told the other by referring to me as a ‘clown’. It took a while for the girl to realize she was serious. As we talked, they told stories of what it was like on the other side of the bars, the strip searches, the life of an inmate, where I’ve only known what it was like to be the one with the badge. And it was weird. Listening to it all without being in that life anymore…granted, I wouldn’t have been there if I were still in that life.

Its been 2 1/2 years since I’ve retired from Corrections, but it seems like it never happened. Like that part of my life was a complete dream..(or nightmare), but yet after all this time, it still gets linked into who I am today and “what I do” because it still takes up a huge part of myself, in how I look at people, talk with people, interact and I don’t think that will ever go away.

Even though I’ve moved on to a more carefree daily life, I will always be a Sergeant… because my retired badge says so, and frankly, I’m proud of that.

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You give me the creeps

I’m not sure if you’ve heard yet, but Jenni over at Story of My Life is doing a little link up. It’s a small one. Me and only a handful of others are participating, but she’s thrown out the challenge to blog every day in May…with topics given, mind you, but I, being all defiant, have chosen to pick and choose the days I blog.

…I wish lying was one of those things that made me uncomfortable.

Her link up is huge, people. 600+ people huge. And I haven’t even shared it with you all yet, so after today, its going to surely spike to 602, maaaybe 603, I have that much influence.

So there’s things that give me the creeps, that downright make me uncomfortable and give me the heebie jeebies.

We’ll keep with the categories..

Gives me the creeps:
- Well, creeps do, for one. Those who stop on their way to who knows where to pull their huge knife out of the back of their pants to make sure its still there and promptly tuck it back down making sure its directly in line with their crack. that’s important you know..
- those men who, while talking to me, stare at a place other than my eyes… ok ok, this happened once! but holy moly, I had no idea what you girls were going through until this guy. After he left, I looked down just to see what the heck could be down there that would draw so much attention, and nope, nothing, just the little girls were there like normal.
- the stalker who would write me 10 page letters and emails and hide behind the wall too scared to talk but instead stare.. now that gives me the down right creeps!

Makes me uncomfortable:- standing up straight. If I could slouch and have people think it was the most attractive thing they ever did see, I would slouch till the day I die… and also not suffer from any spine issues because of it. wouldn’t that be nice?
- confrontation. Even though I’m “great” at it, darn if it doesn’t leave me with heart palpitations, sweaty palms and a stutter-ee speech. Oh and bright red ears too. darn giveaway every time!
- finding out I did an hour long presentation in front of a bunch of women with my zipper down the entire time. Face to palm moment..
- when a woman around my age (30’s) stopped me and asked what grade in high school I was in. …ok ok, for me, this was awesome, but I know she was uncomfortable after I said my age.

The heebie jeebies:
- looking up every single time a person hawks the biggest nastiest loogie. Its like this sick gift of mine that I can look up at the “perfect” time it happens..every time.
- making eye contact with a dog who’s poo-ing. Have you ever made eye contact with them before? It’s the most uncomfortable experience. Like I’ve violated them on every level and have shamed me and my family for locking eyes with them at that very private moment. I still want to go back to that dog and apologize.
- seeing the biggest spider known to man on my wall and going for a shoe and turning around and having it completely disappear. worst.feeling.in the world!

GO link up now!! And happy happy Friday!!!
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Friday letters

This week has been all sorts of interesting. We’re back to secrets at work and I’m smack dab in the middle of them with keeping things quiet so the ‘soon to be fired’ co worker won’t catch on. Screening resumes and creating questions to ask in the interviews. The interviews that I won’t even take part in.

My favorite part was when an applicant didn’t follow my instructions and instead of emailing me the information like I said, came into the office to hand deliver it while the co worker was sitting just steps away. I became a blubbering idiot doing everything possible to get her to stop talking (because she wouldn’t stop talking). It was one big mess…and then I proceeded to lie to the co worker when she asked who she was.

Oh, the tangled webs we weave.

Interviews start tomorrow while she’s out of the office. Feel free to chime in with some great interview questions that should be asked. The ones that will make or break someone.

I look forward to the end of this. Thankfully this 3 day weekend coming up is going to help me decompress from all the latest.

Dear 3 day weekend, you’re awesome. I look forward to the fun we will have. {and by fun I mean sleeping in past 6 and not leaving the couch unless I absolutely have to}
Dear Sandi, you’re the best for sending me homemade cookies. I wouldn’t mind getting a package of your cookies every month. I’m not picky, you can make a different kind every time. Surprise me even. I now look forward to this tradition we have just established.
Dear G-man, 10 more days before I get to see your cute little face.
Dear Mexico vacation, 6 more weeks. 6 more glorious weeks before you get to spoil me rotten..oh yeah, and G-man too. 24 hour free room service? You truly know the way to my heart.
Dear mind, this whole going blank thing every time I open my computer to blog is a little annoying. So is the fact that you come up with a whole bunch of things to write about while I’m driving and unable to write it down. And of course you don’t let me remember it the second I step out of the car. Its like you’re playing tricks on me.
Dear Downton Abbey, I read the spoiler for this season and know everything that’s going to happen…whoa is all I’m going to say.
Dear fellow friends, let me save you some grief and tell you to never ever ever buy a cheap store bought brand of panty liners because you thought that surely they couldn’t be much different than Kotex. Wrong. You will hate them. You’re welcome (..and sorry for the tmi, I feel its my duty to not let you make the same mistake)

random picture from Hawaii for your viewing pleasure

Have a fabulous 3 day weekend, if you get it. I might actually take my camera out to play like I’ve been saying {to myself} that I’ll do. I actually have a vision of what I want to capture, so we’ll see if I can pull it off.

Linking up with the adorable Ashley

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Friday letters

Believe me when I say I have so much more to show you from the trip. I’ve only touched the surface. Okay, maybe I’m wrist deep, but more is to come because I have so much more to say!

Its been so long since I’ve done Friday letters so I think I’ll take a ‘trip’ break and jump back in next week!

Dear fireplace,
I’m so glad I have you. You’re the most coziest thing and I never ever want to give you up. But I do…for the right price, I’d totally drop you like its hot…
Dear fog, go away. No one likes driving in you…no! no one knows how to drive in you and it drives me crazy. I just want to drive to work without being stuck behind someone who’s scared to go over 45.
Dear all my buddies,
thanks for missing me while I was gone and loving me since I’ve been back. I missed hearing from you guys and I especially loved being told to keep blogging. Warmed my heart big time!
Dear really huge piece of metal, how how HOW did you get all the way inside my tire? I mean, HOW??? Were you placed perfectly in the road to have you go straight into my tire? Were you planted by someone in hopes I’d pull over right then and there to see what happened, in hopes they’d rob me? Or were you a complete fluke? You will forever boggle my mind. Oh and don’t think I can’t tell you’re in the shape of California… #conspiracy
Dear mechanic,
thank you for going into the trashcan to retrieve the piece of metal for me after I declared I wanted it 30 minutes after you showed me. …and thank you for not making me explain WHY I wanted to keep it after you threw it away. {because I hadn’t taken a picture of it yet…} You’re the best!
Dear Hawaii,
I miss you…and by you I mean G-man..quite a bit.
Dear Instagram lovers,
I watched the funniest parody video that I think you’d find hee-larious! I’m linking it instead of posting it because it has…well, 2 “words”…one rhymes with “duck”, so I’ll leave it up to you whether you want to watch it, but I was near tears I was laughing so hard.
Click Here
Dear wittle bitty twee,

I’m glad I decided to put you up…I almost didn’t but I like that you’re my go to for when I need to ponder something, I can just stare at you and get lost in my thoughts.

Until Monday, my friends. If its your birthday this weekend, Happy Birthday!…if it was your birthday this week…or say yesterday… *cough* Mitchee…HAPPY Thirty-niiiinnnnfirst BIRTHDAY!!!

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My way or the highway

Can I just say, it pays to speak up. When the stylist does something you don’t like, or is “done” and you’re unhappy with it, do you say something? Do you tell them to fix a problem that you see or do you say it looks fine, pay and go home unhappy?

She was half way through with styling and I wasn’t happy. My rule is to make them straighten my hair so I can see every possible issue. It makes for a fairly boring hairstyle but I don’t care. I want to see how it’ll look as if I styled it. I questioned a spot and she fixed it and continued straightening. She “finished” and I still wasn’t happy and she fixed 2 more spots. Finally I was satisfied.

I know if I walked out of that room without saying a word I would have nothing but negative things to say and would have complained for months as it grew back out. But now, I’m content with it. It put the bounce back in my hair, that I was desperately needing.

Now! My fun friend, Katie is doing a September weekly photo challenge that I love! She gives you 3 subjects that you can choose from (for the week) or gives you the ability to do all three. Whichever tickles your fancy. Then every Thursday, we all get to link up to show what we did. Today is the first week’s challenge! Fun, right?!

The 3 this week are:
Me
Now
Details

Since I brought my camera to my hair appointment, I thought what a better “now” and “me”. One thing about this salon is its all individualized. Where each and every stylist has their own private room with doors and they’re allowed to decorate it any way they want. I’ve never never been in a salon like this before. Have you!? I kinda liked how she closed her door to give us the ultimate privacy! As you can see that woman loves pink, and apparently dresses every single day in hot pink.

Mine chose more of a vintage 60’s theme, as you can tell. With a vintage hair dryer, chair, pictures on the wall and furniture.

Because we know no post is complete without public restroom mirror pictures, I felt it was only right. Ok, truth is, I kinda felt she was ready for me to stop taking pictures in her room, so I jetted off to the restroom to continue. Weird? Akward? Maybe…but I succeeded.


I’m looking forward to the next few weeks of her challenge. If you want to play along, you definitely can! She’s keeping the link open throughout the weekend, so hop on in and show us you..or what’s going on now…or the details of it all.

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dear dear dear Friday

Alright folks, this is it! This marks the last Friday I’ll ever spend as a 30 year old. I’m going to live it up with a potluck at work. That’s right! Things are going to get cray-zay today! The next you hear from me I’ll be…31! *gasp*

 
Dear Lauren, thank you so much for the Liebster Award. You’re too sweet!!

Dear basil plant, you’re doing real good there buddy. Keep up the yumminess for me.

Dear guys, close your eyes, count to 10 and when you open them jump down 2 letters..k, thanks. ..or you know, just jump down 2 letters without the counting.

Dear ladies, I’m in love with Kohl’s. I got a $36 bra that didn’t fit right, returned it for a full refund, walked over, got the exact same bra, in the correct size and paid only $9 for it. I may have pumped my fists in the air repeatedly in excitement at the checkout.

Dear Kohl’s, you’re just plain awesome. No two ways about it. Darn stinking awesome.

Dear signature salad, you will rock the potluck. I know this before anyone’s even had you because I’m that confident in your abilities to shine. ((cucumber, tomato, feta salad with avocado. With a drizzling of Caesar dressing))

Dear wrinkles, I saw you! If it wasn’t for the dental hygienist forcing me to hold the mirror to my face with the light just so, I never would have seen that you’re slowly creeping up on me.

Dear neck cream, …here I come.

Dear ladies, DON’T FORGET TO MOISTURIZE YOUR NECKS! …preferably the ‘jowl’ area.. otherwise you’ll be holding a mirror in the dentist’s chair with the light pointed just so thinking, oh dear Lord, when did those get there!? as she’s explaining to you (a 30 year old woman) how to properly brush your teeth..with toothbrush in mouth and everything.

Dear facial flex facial exerciser, …I will be buying you in my future and I’ll no doubt make sure no one ever sees me using you either. But I have all the confidence in the world you’ll give me that little boost I’m looking for.

Dear ladies, thank you for such a great response to my decal post. I don’t think I’ve had a post of mine spread around like that before. It makes me so happy to know you took the time to tell your friends to help open their eyes too. I saw so many of them come from facebook and twitter to read it. So, thank you! thank you for sharing.

Have a fun and enjoyable weekend. My agenda consists of a pedicure. A much needed pedicure. My toes are squealing with delight.



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L stands for letter

Oh happy Friday, I’m so happy you finally graced us with your happy presence. I’m not going to say you took your time, but I think we know you kinda did.

its been awhile since I’ve seen this. *sad face*


Dear Friday, I forgive you..you’re here now.
Dear work, you actually had work for me to do this week. For the record, it kinda got in the way of my daily blog reading and commenting. What say you go back to normal next week.
Dear L, I loved our hours of texting yesterday morning while I was at work. I giggled a lot…which kinda gave away the fact that I wasn’t doing all that work I just mentioned.
Dear co workers going bowling while I’m left ‘watching the office’, no hurt feelings. Are you kidding? This let’s me have the entire office to myself! A complete luxury if you ask me.
Dear boss, I’m still enjoying giving you a hard time for making me stay back while you all have fun together.
Dear friend who’s name is Erin, the sunflowers won’t be up forever. Do I have to schedule an appointment with you just to hangout? Because I will.
Dear single women, did you know that sometimes you have to schedule time to hangout with married mommy friends like its an appointment? I had to with a friend…let’s hope she doesn’t cancel it!
Dear USPS, coming home to a very large box at my door was great! Seeing a pick up slip for another box stating it was ‘unsafe to leave at the front door’ was not great. Care to explain that to me? 1 box is ok, but 2..oh no!! Its unsafe! Lame.
Dear homemade blended coffee drink, you were so darn good…and easy. 1/2 C ice, 1/2 C cold coffee, 1/4 C sweet condensed milk..blend blend, dabble of cocoa/whip… mmm mmm good! We will now be best friends forever and ever.

Now go enjoy your days, evenings and weekends. Tonight will be filled with me meeting my quota for forced compliments. I don’t even kid. Last night’s amount was a little low so tonight I’m gonna have to step up my game to get more. Have you gotten your 5 yet??

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Tuesday..no, Friday Letters

Its Tuesday, no its Friday…I’m so confused! Darn you holiday on a Wednesday!!

Wednesday felt like Saturday, Thursday felt like Monday and today…well, I’m just thankful its actually Friday.


Can I get an amen!?

Dearest client and now new friend, the whole ‘me loving volleyball..everything about volleyball..and gushing over the fact that you play in a city league’, was clearly lost on you since you sat there in silence afterward. Or it really wasn’t lost on you and you just didn’t want to suggest I join your team. I may have shed a tear…
Dearest buddies, thanks for sticking around after yesterday’s post. I thought for a moment that surely one or two would run screaming, ‘the girl stinks, I can’t follow a stinky girl…’ but for the record, I don’t stink anymore! Promise.
Dearest ‘new buddies’, I promise, I don’t stink. Awkward, sure. But not stink.
Dearest G-man, skyping = glorious. Let’s keep doing that, you know, for sanity sake.
Dearest bacon, you cooked perfectly and not only cooked perfectly, you tasted perfectly…all 4 nights I’ve eaten you.
Dearest feet, I do think its weird you’ve shrunk 1 1/2 sizes. From a 9.5-10 to a now 8.5-9? How do you do that? I mean really, how?
Dearest shoe stores, I can now shop in your ‘cute section’ since you clearly believe only people with ‘smallish’ feet are allowed to own cute shoes, while the ‘mammoths’ are forced to buy ugly mules or sneakers.
for the upcoming wedding

via Macy's

and finally, Dearest birthday, 24 more daaaaays…

Happy weekend to you all!!!

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