Hair War

I am in a war with my hair right now. It is long beyond measure (not really- you could easily measure it), it is thick beyond comprehension (really- you cannot digest the thoughts of this thickness), and it is heavy beyond decency (totally indecent to my neck). I love the way it looks about 50% of the time. That would be a failing grade, right? 50%. That's a big fat F in my book. But I don't know what to do. Maybe I should have it thinned. Maybe I should cut a little length off to see if that lightens things up a bit. I am happy about one thing: now that it's cooler outside, I can wear it down again. During the summertime, the back of my neck would get unbearably hot. This always ended in a gigantic puff of a ponytail. Not my best look.

As you have probably already surmised, I haven't much to say. So, I'll post this fall survey with answers. I totally ripped this off of other blogs. So, hopefully no one will get angry. I like the survey, and my aim is true (just like my answers). Enjoy, and have a wonderful falltime day:

1. Do you plan to take a scenic drive to see fall foliage?
I have no plans to do this, but I think it sounds like a great idea. The beautiful colors are a large part of the reason why I love this time of year.

2. Have you added any new additions to your home lately? Rug? Pillows? Furniture? Anything?
I put my fall decorations out a couple weeks ago. This included a brand new welcome mat. We desperately need a new dining room table and chairs, and I hope we get them soon.

3. Do you shop on Etsy?
I have only “window shopped” on Etsy. Just looking, no buying. It’s all so neat, but you pay the price for handmade quality.

4. Do you roll your towels?
Nope, I fold my towels in a rather methodical fashion. Rolling simply would not work for the storage shelf where I keep the towels and wash cloths.

5. Do you change out your decorative pillows with the seasons?
No. Decorative pillows ain’t cheap. I am always sticker shocked when I see the prices of throw pillows, even at places like Tuesday Morning or Target. You cannot find a pillow for less than $9 or $10, and that is just too rich for my blood. I can’t justify spending ten bucks (or probably more) a pop on small pillows that are going to get squished on the couch or bed anyway.

6. Do you have personalized plates? If not, would you like to?
No, I do not have any. Yes, I would like some.

7. Does your house have window boxes?
Mercifully, no. That would just be one more place around my home that otherwise good plants would go to die.

8. Do you go on picnics?
I do not currently have any picnics pencilled in on my schedule, but please know that I am willing and ready to go on a picnic on any given fair-weather day.

9. Do you have a chalkboard in your house?
No. In fact, I am fairly certain we no longer have a dry eraser board in our house either.

10. Do you use pops of color in your decor? Are you a fan?
I stick to earth tones against white walls and champagne-colored carpet. So, no. No pops of color except for in the bedroom where red dominates big time.

11. What are your favorite reality shows?
COPS and all of the The Real Housewives (I never miss an episode of any of the locations)

12. Do you use energy saving light bulbs?
After moving into our new house two springs ago, I still have some light bulbs in sockets that were put there by the previous owners, if you can believe it. Each time one goes out, I replace it with an energy-efficient bulb. This is true in all cases except for the bulbs in our living room light fixtures. I’ve been using “pretty” bulbs in there, but I suppose it’s time to start doing the environmentally conscious thing and sacrifice aesthetic pleasure with earth-saving technology.

13. Would you buy a raffle ticket to win your dream home?
I guess it depends on whether or not I had the dough on me at the time the raffle tickets were being sold. It would also depend on my mood at that time. Could go either way. Right here right now, I have to say no because I have no cash in my pocket (this is almost always the case)... unless they would take a check or bank card.

14. Do you drink coffee throughout the day? Or are you good with one cup?
I am good with about three cups on workdays. I never drink it past midday with the rare exception of an evening time cup with dessert.

15. Do you dig ceiling fans?
I have one in every room of my home. The bad news is that I had no part of selecting the fans and lighting fixtures that came along with them. The good news is that the home’s previous owners chose very tasteful fan fixtures with which I can live. The fans do keep the air flowing well through our home, and I love sleeping beneath one.

The Crisp and the Loss

So much has happened since I last blogged or journal-penned or wrote to no one in particular about things that occur in my life.

I will just go ahead and say this right off the bat: We lost our dear Granny. She battled so long, not with cancer or anything (although she did battle and defeat colon cancer in a previous decade). Granny had a weak heart and other ailments that come naturally from living a long time. She died last Sunday September 27th, very early in the morning. Our little family was there to see her that evening. Her children, her children’s children. We did not want to see her go, and she is severely missed. She was a good Granny, and everyone of us knew it. She is a very strong thread in the fabric of my life. My childhood was influenced heavily by Granny (and Grandpa), and I treasure each memory I have of and with her. I like to think she is relaxing right now, just thrilled to be healthy and at peace.

Granny was my last living grandparent. This fact just occurred to me yesterday, and I felt very somber thereafter. I do feel lucky to have known all four of my grandparents well, but it was a sobering moment when I realized they are all gone now.

I cannot think of a good transition out of this sad news, and perhaps there is no need for one. But I would like to note that my heavy heart is lifted by this beautiful fall weather. Autumn is my absolute favorite season. My high school best friend and I called it “frolicking weather.” Simply stated, it makes me want to prance.

Other things of note: My family and I went to the state fair last weekend. The people-gazing was a little disappointing this year. The food was not.

AJ and I took a fun vacation in Cozumel in September. We didn’t dance with any dolphins (that’s what you do, right? Dance with them?) But we did find much-needed relaxation and fun shopping. We also enjoyed the true-blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. I was not a huge fan of the Mexican cervezas, but I did happen on to some delicious tequilas there. We went with good friends who helped pull us out of the ocean after one too many drinks. Thanks to Dawn’s proactive fervor we did many of the activities our resort offered such as poolside bingo, kayaking, snorkeling and - funnest of all - karaoke. I used my very limited Spanish language skills (I had “tourist” written on my forehead), and kept mixing it in my head with my limited German language skills. My internal dialogue: “Hallo, buenos dias. Dos cervezas, por favor. Danke. Adios, senor. Wiedersehen.” Very confusing.

Just because it is a big deal to me, I will state here that I have not smoked a cigarette in over six months. Did I say “big” deal? I meant “enormously big” deal. Yes, this is the second time I have quit, and yes, it is harder to quit the second time. So, here is my unrequested advice. Do not start smoking in the first place. And if you already smoke and you quit, do not start smoking again. You will regret it.

I want to start making blogs with photos again so that everyone can see how much my step-children and the Wild Thing have grown (I refuse to have a “grandchild” at the fair age of 30. So, Rayn shall forever be referred to by me as the Wild Thing). Also, my mini-dog Julius is two years old now, and it would break your heart to know just how infinitesimally tiny he is. My pocket-size pooch. (If you can’t tell, I am running out of synonyms for “small” to describe my dog. Those who have met Julius know that he is, in fact, a Labrador Retriever who may be a little short in the legs, but otherwise normal-sized).

Also, I am on Facebook now. So, look me up! Jennifer Logan in Chouteau, OK.

Until next time, I bid you adieu.