Vive la Différence

Okay, so I've been something of a hermit all summer because of those procedures I had done. As a reward, I finally had my hair done (and by that I mean, goodbye gray!) and now I feel better about myself. I've been trying so hard to start caring how I look. I know it's superficial, but a couple of years ago I woke up and realized just how far I'd let myself go. I even purposely used a very blurry pic on Facebook when I opened my account.

So, this summer, I went from this hair:



To THIS hair:



And I have to say it feels just great. The hair stylist tried to tell me that this is my natural color, but I don't know about that. :) I think she was being nice.

After going a DECADE cutting my hair myself and paying nothing for my hair except a $1 bottle of shampoo occasionally and some hairspray, I have a bit of sticker shock, but I figure it'll take a verrry long time to catch up dollar-wise and I should just enjoy it. ;) Besides, it's fun to be part of the "Hair Color Club." Let me assure you, IT EXISTS. More about that another time. :)

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Okay, maybe not the most wonderful, but being able to go out to breakfast with 2 friends because the kids are all back in school? PRETTY DAGGONE WONDERFUL!

We had a breakfast that lasted THREE HOURS. I think we needed the chat time. :) It was kind of funny, because all of our kids had experienced a meltdown in the last few days. School-related stresses, I'm sure. Somehow sharing stories with other moms just makes you feel better.

For example, I thought I won the "Worst Mom of the Year" Award yesterday, but as it turns out, I had some competition... if you asked a few kids, that is. :) All I did was ask my youngest to change his shorts. Yep. Change his shorts. A calamity, let me assure you. But, one of my friends simply wouldn't let her son have two eggs (to start with) instead of one for breakfast. He could have the second egg IF he finished the first. Uh-oh. Meltdown. We both completely felt better after we shared stories. I love how that works.

And, of course, we had to discuss the school system. We've all now had the joys of dealing with one particular teacher, whom we've nicknamed "Barbie." Ahem. Well, she does give off that aura. My one friend, whose motto is, "if you can't say something nice, sit next to me," thinks "Barbie" is dumb as a stump. Now, I don't know about that, but I DO object to feeling like I need to edit almost everything she writes, especially on the online school site. Silly me, I think spelling is important. (I know, I know, you can most certainly find errors in my blog, but I'm not writing to my students here, either.)

The other problem is her tendency to lack professionalism. For example, when we gave her a fan for her desk as a Christmas gift, she very kindly sent my son a thank you note. My son was 9 years old at the time. She's around 30 years old. She actually told him that the fan would be very helpful with her hot flashes. I kid you not. Tommy was most confused. It was obviously a joke, but for a 9-year-old?

So, my friend, who likes to chat, was talking to her electrician and telling him these stories.

My friend: "This teacher can hardly spell and she's so unprofessional!"
Electrician: "Well, that ain't hardly right!"

Yeah, you have to love West Virginia.

Can you tell what time of year it is?

A challenge! Can you tell what time of year it is just from looking at these two pictures? :)

First, we have my eldest son, bribed mightily, posing for a picture (greatly against his will.)

"But MOM, you'll just post this on your blog!"
"Of course I will, honey, smile now! And here's a buck."

Isn't he just too cute?



But, he was feeling like he rather resembled a Q-Tip with all that hair (personally, I didn't see the resemblance, but he wanted his hair cut - WILLINGLY - so who was I to argue.)

I chopped and snipped and assured him repeatedly that I was almost done. And, voila! We have one shorn sheep. I mean, BOY. ;) Who is richer by a whole buck.



So, can you guess what time of year it is? ;)

Guitar Hero: Les Paul, 1915-2009

What an amazing man and an extraordinary life. He'll be missed.







Matt, my youngest son, wanted to know why that last video wasn't in color. I told him it was because there was no color back then. Everything was black and white. I've always wanted to say that. hehe ;) (And yes, he knew I was teasing him, after an initial shocked silence where he was obviously wondering what the world looked like in tones of gray.) ;) But, the neat part was how much he enjoyed the music. I caught him dancing almost as soon as I started playing the videos. :)

I was able to see some of Les Paul's guitars in person when we went up to the Rock Hall of Fame in Akron, Ohio a few months ago. It was really awe-inspiring to see them and read the history. I highly recommend a visit! It was fun even for the musically-challenged, like me! ;)

He's Annoying Too!

Lest you think my dear spouse is a little too wondrous based on some of my latest posts, let me just share our most recent dialogue. (Yeah, I'm sick. It's SUCH fun.)

Rob: "Wow, Chris, you are burning up! You should go lay down."
Chris: "I was. I'd rather sit at the computer."

5 minutes later...

Rob: "Chris, have you felt the urge to wallow in the mud?"
Chris: (eyes rolling) "Why no, dear, why do you ask?"
Rob: "Because that is the test for swine flu."

Gee, thanks. That is SOOOO supportive. I feel better already.

But, he is making dinner after working all day while I lounged around the house trying to not feel dizzy. I think I'll forgive him. :)

Unless, of course, he persists in suggesting that the shivering alternating with sweating spells is really some kind of early onset menopause.