I'm baaack. With a hair story.

Yes, this is what I'm reviving the blog with.

(Let's ignore the ridiculous look on my face, shall we?)

See those curls (well, waves)?  In my super-fine, pin-straight hair?  The picture doesn't really do it justice but you get the gist, right?  Good.

I'll let you in on my secret.

Overnight, no heat, handband curls.

A-Mazing.  I got compliments all day long.  And it was seriously easy.

That is all.

Regular posting to resume shortly.

Who am I kidding?  You'll probably hear from me again in 2013 ;)

Most boring update ever.

So.  It's been um, almost 4 months since I've posted.  Sad.

It was brought to my attention last night, though, that I removed my blog.

What?

After checking things out this morning, I discovered that Google had shut my account down due to "suspicious activity".  Truly sad that I haven't logged in SO long that I didn't even notice.

That being said, we're back up and running.  And seeing that we're approaching the slow time of year for my business, I'm gonna go out on a limb and tell you that the regular posting will resume shortly.

Are you laughing?  I am ;)

This is embarrassing.

I conquered a fear today.

A fear that is rather embarrassing to admit.

I'm afraid of the car wash.

Probably not in the way you're thinking though. 

I don't mind going through a car wash while someone else is driving.  

The crazy-looking contraptions that attack your car don't scare me in the least.

My fear is the driving into the thing that you line your tire up with that takes you through. 

Literally driving into it.

I'm so afraid that I'm not going to line up my tires correctly and get yelled at by the minimum wage earning 16 year old who's trying to guide me through.

(This might stem from a Jiffy Lube incident as a young driver that we won't speak of.)

But alas, I have a shiny new car that I would like to keep shiny and new.

And husband bought me a car wash package for Christmas (even though he is VERY aware of my fear).

Something came over me yesterday though.  Maybe the dirt build-up on my pretty Jeep was speaking to me?

I sucked it up and drove to the car wash. 

This is the point where my heart started pounding.  The damn car in front of me was blocking the wheel-line-up thingie!  How am I supposed to line my car up if I can't even see it???

I tried to get a picture of it as the car in front was sucked into the wash and it finally popped into view but I WAS TERRIFIED.

Turns out I'm a big baby.  Somehow my car lined itself up properly and off I went!

Clean, clean, clean!

Tell me I'm not the only one who has (had?) a completely irrational, embarrassingly ridiculous fear?  Please?  Anyone?

The day I pulled a muscle blowing my nose.

Isn't that a lovely title for my 100th post?

100.  100!  Let's see... accomplishment or failure?  Accomplishment as in I've actually written 100 posts.  Failure as in it's taken over a year and I still have next to no readers.  Oh well. 

Back to the topic at hand. 

I really wish I was making this up.  I seriously pulled (strained?) a stomach muscle yesterday during a violent coughing, nose blowing extravaganza.  I walked around most of the evening holding my side.  And you know how when it hurts to laugh, all you want to do is laugh?  Yeah.  That happened.  Thankfully it doesn't hurt nearly as bad today. 

And ooh!  Today!  Boot camp started again today.  Much to husband's chagrin.  I compromised though... I'm only going to be going once a week this session.  Hopefully it will be enough to make my soft parts hard again (take that however you'd like) and motivate me to get to spin class and/or the gym two or three times a week.  I need to sign up for a few races.  That should get me moving.  I like having a goal... working out for the sole purpose of working out doesn't do it for me.  Knowing I could embarrass myself at a race I haven't prepared for?  All the motivation I need.

How's that for a completely random and utterly pointless 100th post?

ha.

What's that winter-blah-disorder thing?

Seasonal Affective Disorder. S.A.D. Seems appropriate.

I'm in serious need of an entertaining post here.  Too bad I'm la-zy.  Again, I blame winter. 

But I am LOVING all the pretty white fluffy snow that's been falling!  (And am so thankful to the neighbor who plows our driveway everytime it snows more than a dusting.)

So, in place of a meaningless post about my phenomenal life, how 'bout we just look at a few pictures instead?

My pretty snow covered lane.

And my not so pretty snow covered trash receptacle.

 Silly Bella.  She seriously loves the snow.  Must get it from her momma.

Hard to tell, but Miles was running through the snow like a wild-man.

And that's Bella in the background, um, pooping.  

Regular posting shall resume shortly.  Or next month.  Is February too late to put up my Christmas and NYE posts?  ha.

The downside of losing weight.

There is one, I promise.

I bought new bras today.

Not just any new bras. Bras that are a full size smaller than the ones I previously owned. Sorry husband.

It was only 15 damn pounds, people! I seriously think most of it came from my boobs. Ugh.

What I've learned:

Getting smaller around my middle? Awesome.

The fact that my thighs almost don't meet in the middle anymore? Outstanding.

Watching my once-prided larger than average fun bags recede into my chest cavity? Le suck.

At least I have fancy new bras to stick 'em in ;)

Holiday Hell

Well, not really. 

But does anyone realize that Christmas is in like 2 freaking weeks?!!

Do you all feel like the holiday season completely snuck up on us this year, out of nowhere?  Like, hey, hello!  It's almost Christmas, remember?  Better get your shopping done!

Haven't even started. 

Nor do I want to.  Not sure what it is about Christmas this year (oh, wait!  maybe it's the lack of money in my bank account) but the thought of Christmas shopping is seriously daunting. 

It's making me sad that something I thorougly enjoy has no appeal this year.  I pride myself in coming up with the PERFECT gift and I love spending an evening by myself at the mall hunting for said gift.  And even better, I love the actual giving and opening of my gifts.  What's better than making someone you love happy?

I need to snap out of this. 

I think a trip to the mall is in order. After a large glass of wine.

Holy Shellac, Batman!

For those of you scoffing at my $40 manicure, eat it.

This was taken at a full week in.  NO CHIPS, people!

Can I tell you how nice it was to be on vacation and not have to worry about my nails?!!  I suppose most people probably wouldn't, but we all know how I feel about my appearance, right?  Poor husband.  Er, lucky husband?

The manicure actually lasted a few days beyond this without chipping.  The first chip appeared around day 10 but wasn't that noticeable.  Day 13 came and went and I was shocked thinking I'd get a full two weeks (maybe longer!) out of it.  No dice.  Day 14 was like Armageddon for my nails.  Literally every nail began to crack and peel.  And because I'm impatient and didn't want to wait for a salon visit (or spend the money) for proper removal, I peeled the rest off myself.  

Good for my cuticles, no?

So.  Shellac?  Love.