Life continues to be a wild, faster-than-the-speed-of-light type of ride...Cait (oldest daughter) got a role in her school's musical, but has been ditching practice and wants to quit. It was HER idea to try out. It was HER interest in acting/singing. All I did was provide emotional support, so we are making her honor her commitment to be in the school musical. Too many people in the musical are counting on her--it's not fair to leave them hanging. Grace (youngest daughter) continues to be manic then depressed then manic...she also broke out in virtually inexplicable hive/rash things last weekend. We took her to the doctor and he couldn't figure it out either. Throw in a couple of phone calls at work--"I missed the school bus", bad grades, no homework being done or when it's done--not being turned in...and you have stressed out parents!
But enough about the fam...I need to talk about stuff that will lower NOT raise my blood pressure...Did you hear about San Francisco being the first city in the US to ban plastic bags made from petroleum products? The mayor still has to sign the bill, but once that is through--all large supermarkets and drugstores will have to use an alternative to plastic bags. I read all about it on CNN.com this morning and was quite pleased. It will save approximately 450,000 gallons of oil a year and 1400 tons of trash in the landfill! Isn't that friggin' amazing? For the past 2 weeks I've become more and more concerned with how much trash my family creates. I didn't even realize that plastic bags were that big of a deal until I stumbled upon www.reusablebags.com. The facts/statistics are mind blowing. So--I have been refusing bags for small purchases at stores this past week as my little contribution to the planet, and I've been taking a canvas bag to use in place of plastic bags when I buy more items than I can carry. Don't get me wrong...I'm no tree hugger...far from it actually. But I finally hit a point where I realize that what we do today really does impact future generations--specifically my kids. If I stay concerned with myself and my own personal happiness/comfort, I'll leave nothing but more shit for the next generation...and that's not cool.
On that note...April 22nd is Earth Day...I've never given a crap about it before, but this year during that whole week, another lady at work and I are "going green". We certainly won't be "purists"---we've both decided that using Kleenex is non-negotiable...we must be allowed to use our Kleenex, dammit! However, we are not accepting ANY plastic bags at stores that week. We are not using any ziploc bags, disposable water bottles or plastic utensils. We haven't ironed out all of the details yet, but I'm proud to be at the point where I'm willing to try...at least for one week. Maybe there is hope for me yet...Join us if you'd like--it would make me feel just ducky to have more company...
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Monday, March 12, 2007
Garnier Nutrisse #50 Truffle - Medium Natural Brown
Ok, so my youngest daughter (who has bipolar disorder) has been manic for about 2-3 weeks now...I've been doing everything I can to bring her out of it, but it hasn't worked thus far. It is MAJORLY stressful for both my husband and myself. Most days we joke about our own deaths being our "sweet relief". Needless to say, there hasn't been any time for "me" lately. I'm feeling fat and ugly right now...
What will the temporary band-aid to my self-esteem be?...A healthy dose of Garnier Nutrisse #50 Truffle - Medium Natural Brown on my head and a slap dash attempt at taming the unruly eyebrows taking over my face...I started dying my hair about 5 1/2 years ago when 3 separate people at work--in one week--told me "Your hair is starting to get gray". Bastards! Is that truly any concern of theirs? Why exactly did they feel the need to enlighten me to their bastardly observations? Did they really think I didn't notice or that I didn't own a mirror? Anyways, it was enough of an assault on my self-esteem that I started dying my hair. Personal appearance-wise I'm very much a minimalist. In every other area I tend not to be, but with my appearance I am. I don't wear any jewelry except my wedding ring and some very small earrings. My haircut is low maintenance--no curling/straightening irons, just a hair dryer and a round brush. I have a simple wardrobe--each piece easily mixes and matches with the others...I don't believe in owning an outfit that can't be broken up and worn separately. I always choose neutral colored shoes, bags and coats. I've never gotten into the whole manicure/paint your nails thing. I LOVE make-up and what it can do when properly applied, but I NEVER wear it. Go figure! I have zero idea why I don't wear it regularly. I tend to wear it for a day or two and then I fall back into my minimalist no-make-up ways...
But, I've looked in the mirror the past few weeks and thought "Damn baby you need help." So, last night I pulled out the long overdue box of Truffle hair color and my tweezers with the idea that those were the two things I could do to make an immediate difference to my self-esteem. I can't chop off a fat roll for instant gratification...I can't purchase $60 in perfectly selected make-up to give myself an instant face-lift...I can't snap my fingers and have a totally new wardrobe, but I can put on the rubber gloves and mix up the brown liquid of the gods that makes me look passable.
I was supposed to go clothes shopping this evening, but my daughter is through-the-roof manic and I instantly knew when she got home from school that shopping wasn't going to happen tonight. Typically when the old self-esteem is this low, I go commando and do the hair dye, shopping and other "me" things all in one day. It is enough of a jolt to keep me going for awhile. Having to spread the experience out is painful and unsatisfying and actually detracts from the self-esteem boost, but that is my reality right now. While taking care of myself is crucial, keeping her safe is even more important. Some day...some day...some day...things will be just ducky again.
What will the temporary band-aid to my self-esteem be?...A healthy dose of Garnier Nutrisse #50 Truffle - Medium Natural Brown on my head and a slap dash attempt at taming the unruly eyebrows taking over my face...I started dying my hair about 5 1/2 years ago when 3 separate people at work--in one week--told me "Your hair is starting to get gray". Bastards! Is that truly any concern of theirs? Why exactly did they feel the need to enlighten me to their bastardly observations? Did they really think I didn't notice or that I didn't own a mirror? Anyways, it was enough of an assault on my self-esteem that I started dying my hair. Personal appearance-wise I'm very much a minimalist. In every other area I tend not to be, but with my appearance I am. I don't wear any jewelry except my wedding ring and some very small earrings. My haircut is low maintenance--no curling/straightening irons, just a hair dryer and a round brush. I have a simple wardrobe--each piece easily mixes and matches with the others...I don't believe in owning an outfit that can't be broken up and worn separately. I always choose neutral colored shoes, bags and coats. I've never gotten into the whole manicure/paint your nails thing. I LOVE make-up and what it can do when properly applied, but I NEVER wear it. Go figure! I have zero idea why I don't wear it regularly. I tend to wear it for a day or two and then I fall back into my minimalist no-make-up ways...
But, I've looked in the mirror the past few weeks and thought "Damn baby you need help." So, last night I pulled out the long overdue box of Truffle hair color and my tweezers with the idea that those were the two things I could do to make an immediate difference to my self-esteem. I can't chop off a fat roll for instant gratification...I can't purchase $60 in perfectly selected make-up to give myself an instant face-lift...I can't snap my fingers and have a totally new wardrobe, but I can put on the rubber gloves and mix up the brown liquid of the gods that makes me look passable.
I was supposed to go clothes shopping this evening, but my daughter is through-the-roof manic and I instantly knew when she got home from school that shopping wasn't going to happen tonight. Typically when the old self-esteem is this low, I go commando and do the hair dye, shopping and other "me" things all in one day. It is enough of a jolt to keep me going for awhile. Having to spread the experience out is painful and unsatisfying and actually detracts from the self-esteem boost, but that is my reality right now. While taking care of myself is crucial, keeping her safe is even more important. Some day...some day...some day...things will be just ducky again.
Friday, March 2, 2007
Smorgasbord? Can you believe that's how you really spell it?...
My 13 year-old wrote a poem for/about a friend who she used to hang out with but is now a pothead....she entitled it "What Happened To You?"...needless to say my husband and I now secretly joke about writing a poem called "You suck!" or "I'm sorry you're so stupid" or whatever other funny thing we can think of at the moment. There is just something funny about angst-ridden teenagers writing poems...
School has been cancelled the past 2 days because of more snow and ice. Even the shopping mall, day care centers, local dairy and local factories have shut down and/or closed early due to the weather. While watching the public closings/notices that inevitably scroll across the bottom of the TV screen in winter in Minnesota I read that the "American Guild of Organists Saturday Spring Tune up is cancelled." I thought that was pretty funny especially when I dramatically told my husband the news... But I don't think anything could top the fact that the local churches cancelled their "National Day of Prayer" festivities. I said "Hey Jeff, don't bother praying tomorrow. They cancelled the national day of prayer---even God is snowed in."
Jeff and I watched a movie a couple of nights ago called "Kinky Boots". Now don't go getting all judgmental on me here...it was rated PG-13 and is about a man who inherits a failing shoe company and has to find a new niche in the market or go bankrupt. So---he starts making sexy boots for drag queens that are made to withstand a man's size/weight...hence the title "Kinky Boots". It was really, really good. It was super funny, but had great depth as well. It dealt with acceptance---not just of others but about accepting yourself too. We both highly recommend it and will be buying it for our DVD collection. Not many DVD's make it that far...typically we Netflix them and send them back...the ones that get purchased are special.... :)
Well, I better scoot...I'm writing this from work...yes, technically it is a no-no, but it is snowing and dreary and half of the office isn't here due to the weather...Fine! I feel guilty now. Are you satisfied?...anyways...hope your day is just ducky!
School has been cancelled the past 2 days because of more snow and ice. Even the shopping mall, day care centers, local dairy and local factories have shut down and/or closed early due to the weather. While watching the public closings/notices that inevitably scroll across the bottom of the TV screen in winter in Minnesota I read that the "American Guild of Organists Saturday Spring Tune up is cancelled." I thought that was pretty funny especially when I dramatically told my husband the news... But I don't think anything could top the fact that the local churches cancelled their "National Day of Prayer" festivities. I said "Hey Jeff, don't bother praying tomorrow. They cancelled the national day of prayer---even God is snowed in."
Jeff and I watched a movie a couple of nights ago called "Kinky Boots". Now don't go getting all judgmental on me here...it was rated PG-13 and is about a man who inherits a failing shoe company and has to find a new niche in the market or go bankrupt. So---he starts making sexy boots for drag queens that are made to withstand a man's size/weight...hence the title "Kinky Boots". It was really, really good. It was super funny, but had great depth as well. It dealt with acceptance---not just of others but about accepting yourself too. We both highly recommend it and will be buying it for our DVD collection. Not many DVD's make it that far...typically we Netflix them and send them back...the ones that get purchased are special.... :)
Well, I better scoot...I'm writing this from work...yes, technically it is a no-no, but it is snowing and dreary and half of the office isn't here due to the weather...Fine! I feel guilty now. Are you satisfied?...anyways...hope your day is just ducky!
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