"Spring Training" has provided me with a lot of personal introspection regarding my fitness goals and eating habits. I hope you have "joined me" in at least taking a look at how you're living and decisions we make on a daily basis on being active and making good food choices.
It's a struggle. If you work, I know finding the time to be active must be difficult, but not impossible. For me, it's about state of mind. If I'm not active my state of mind goes down the toilet. I need the endorphins. Signing up for races is a great way to stay motivated. I have my first Triathlon Saturday. I'm excited for the challenge. I signed up for a half marathon in Philadelphia in the fall. What fun that will be in my home town with my family. One of my boys is becoming a runner and he just may join me. That's the start of something. Being active with a teenager may just help keep them out of trouble (we'll see).
Eating wise, I've definitely had my ups and downs. I'm trying to change things up. I've introduced Soy and Almond milk in my home. Everyone likes it. I'm shocked. I do too. They're delicious. I've been making most meals with fish, chicken or just vegetarian. Everyone likes it. I'm shocked. I do too. I'm researching 5 small meals a day plans for myself. I've always been proud to be a 3 meal a day (no snacking) girl. I've really been trying since Monday to change that plan. Yesterday, I felt like it really worked for me. I never let myself get really hungry. I made some healthy snack choices. I didn't feel bloaty and tired. I managed to stay out of the cookie jar. I'm not going to pretend I didn't have a cocktail, I did and it was delicious.
Lots of fun things planned in the next few months that I want to be physically ready for...we're definitely in the home stretch for bathing suit season. It's never too late to make changes in life. I'm having fun making healthy changes; join me.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Sandestin (Gulf Shores, FL) - Great Spot
Early February, when planning my family's Spring Break trip, we all agreed we wanted something tropical. Checked out a lot of amazing places, but just couldn't pull the trigger on 5 $700 airfares and then 2 rooms (because of teenagers ages and sexes). I am rounding off and estimating, but the Atlantis in the Bahamas was going to cost at least $12,000 for a week. Good for you if this sounds reasonable; that's more than I want to spend to be on a beach for a week with my kids. After a lot of research, the best I could come up with that would be warm, not a bad car ride, and offer some different scenery was the west coast of Florida. It didn't fail to deliver.
Pretty water, great fishing (we caught enough for fish tacos and some to bring home), great beaches, and great (reasonable) restaurants. Our teenagers cooperated and in general acted happy to be with us. That made it all worth it.
We discovered a particularly good place called, "The Donut Hole". I have never had a better donut. Not part of "Spring Training" in anyway I know...bad, I was very bad. I'm not going to name names but I wouldn't suggest a "Red Velvet" donut before a fishing excursion and sea sickness ensues; just sayin; it wasn't pretty; not at all....
So, we're back....I have my first Triathlon on Saturday. I've had some great runs over vacation. I'm going to muster up a lot of false bravado on Saturday and push my way through the swim and bike ride. I can do it. I'm not getting on the scale today - no way. Was four donuts bad? Seriously, they melted in your mouth. I'm considering ordering the "Insanity" video and meal plan. Anyone else in? Back on track today, join me!
Pretty water, great fishing (we caught enough for fish tacos and some to bring home), great beaches, and great (reasonable) restaurants. Our teenagers cooperated and in general acted happy to be with us. That made it all worth it.
We discovered a particularly good place called, "The Donut Hole". I have never had a better donut. Not part of "Spring Training" in anyway I know...bad, I was very bad. I'm not going to name names but I wouldn't suggest a "Red Velvet" donut before a fishing excursion and sea sickness ensues; just sayin; it wasn't pretty; not at all....
So, we're back....I have my first Triathlon on Saturday. I've had some great runs over vacation. I'm going to muster up a lot of false bravado on Saturday and push my way through the swim and bike ride. I can do it. I'm not getting on the scale today - no way. Was four donuts bad? Seriously, they melted in your mouth. I'm considering ordering the "Insanity" video and meal plan. Anyone else in? Back on track today, join me!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Vacation or Re Location
Ahhhh, Spring Break. For me, it's 80% vacation. Some would argue everyday is a vacation for me (to some extent true, but I'll only agree this may apply when my kids are in school). We're headed to Florida. We're driving: 6 hours one day; 6 hours the next. We're staying in a condo with a washer, dryer and kitchen. For a mom, that sounds like a blessing and a curse. My kids are old enough to pack their bags (will require some review). My kids are old enough to go into a restroom by themselves, wipe their own butt (total bonus) and hopefully remember to wash their hands. This may be my 80%!! My kids can feed themselves (still messy) and possibly clean up after themselves. Things are looking up everyday.
We vacation every summer with my family, my husband's mom, sister and kids. When my kids were little, this vacation was definitely a relocation. Not that it wasn't fun, but it was a lot of work. I watch my sister now with a 2, 4 and 7 year old and know that I've come a long way. First, there's the sleeping dilemma. A baby sleeping in the same room as a mom is a guaranteed no sleep vacation (which tends to make mama a little grumpy eventually). Then there's the 3 meals served and cleaned up plus snacks. At times, the service needs seem unending. Let's talk behavior. Kids are good and bad, vacation or no vacation, so the parenting demands don't go away; in fact they sometimes seem harder because you don't want your kids bad behavior to ruin someone else's vacation. But then you look at the kids having a blast on the beach, you review the different years in your head and you know it was all worth it. These are the memories you will relish when they are gone.
So today is packing day. Tons of wash to finish and put away. Then there's loading the car; for some reason this tends to be stressful. I think it may be because we're never sure we're going to fit it all in. Saturday afternoon, I'll have my feet in the sand and a cocktail in my hand and I won't even remember the work it took to get there. Of course, there's that little matter of the kitchen and who's cooking dinner - I guess that would be me - that's my 20% on duty. Sometimes it doesn't pay to be accomplished at something. But since I planned this vacation I guess I wouldn't have it any other way. Saturday may be the night to go out or get take out. Yes, Saturday is going to be a 100% vacation day for me; join me!!
We vacation every summer with my family, my husband's mom, sister and kids. When my kids were little, this vacation was definitely a relocation. Not that it wasn't fun, but it was a lot of work. I watch my sister now with a 2, 4 and 7 year old and know that I've come a long way. First, there's the sleeping dilemma. A baby sleeping in the same room as a mom is a guaranteed no sleep vacation (which tends to make mama a little grumpy eventually). Then there's the 3 meals served and cleaned up plus snacks. At times, the service needs seem unending. Let's talk behavior. Kids are good and bad, vacation or no vacation, so the parenting demands don't go away; in fact they sometimes seem harder because you don't want your kids bad behavior to ruin someone else's vacation. But then you look at the kids having a blast on the beach, you review the different years in your head and you know it was all worth it. These are the memories you will relish when they are gone.
So today is packing day. Tons of wash to finish and put away. Then there's loading the car; for some reason this tends to be stressful. I think it may be because we're never sure we're going to fit it all in. Saturday afternoon, I'll have my feet in the sand and a cocktail in my hand and I won't even remember the work it took to get there. Of course, there's that little matter of the kitchen and who's cooking dinner - I guess that would be me - that's my 20% on duty. Sometimes it doesn't pay to be accomplished at something. But since I planned this vacation I guess I wouldn't have it any other way. Saturday may be the night to go out or get take out. Yes, Saturday is going to be a 100% vacation day for me; join me!!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Road Trip
Growing up in a large family, you're very familiar with road trips. Most vacations were taken by car. Car trips were what you could afford. Classic trips in the 70's were in a station wagon with no one strapped down. It was a free for all. At times, you were happy to get the "well" on the floor (there was a very hot piece of metal down there in the "well" you had to avoid; otherwise it was a good spot; the well was so deep in those old fashioned station wagons; you could really get comfy with a blanket and a pillow)!
My boys are on a year round school schedule. When they are off, I get an itch to get out of town. I can't help myself. Most times I am not able to just get up and go because of their activities. I've been missing in action recently because all of a sudden late last week, I realized they were off and we could go - so we did. It was one of those spontaneous trips that just couldn't have gone any better. Headed north on 95 later in the day Friday than usual for me and a road trip (cause I got a run in first). Made it to PA in record time. Delicious dinner and great family time. My kids really enjoy their mostly younger cousins. They brought a buddy with them who was a joy to have around and manages to keep the boys entertained and not fighting. Total bonus! Had some fabulous runs with running mate sister. Love the landscape of PA. Rolling hills, horses, stone houses, lots of greenery - just beautiful. No real agenda for the weekend; just enjoying each others company. Headed back south on Monday through DC. What a gorgeous day! We walked from Union Station to the White House. Spent some time people watching while sitting on a bench on The Mall. It was awesome. I have to say, normally I'm on a mission to get back and not dilly dally (it's a little scary being the only capable driver in my car on 95); but yesterday was different and special and definitely worth stopping. I regretted the 6p Wawa coffee as sleeping was a no go with that much caffeine late in the day, but at least we made it home safe.
My dream is to have a Winnebago and drive around our beautiful country and see it all. That will be an awesome road trip and one that I look forward to one of these days. But siezing the moment when it presents itself is good for now; join me!
My boys are on a year round school schedule. When they are off, I get an itch to get out of town. I can't help myself. Most times I am not able to just get up and go because of their activities. I've been missing in action recently because all of a sudden late last week, I realized they were off and we could go - so we did. It was one of those spontaneous trips that just couldn't have gone any better. Headed north on 95 later in the day Friday than usual for me and a road trip (cause I got a run in first). Made it to PA in record time. Delicious dinner and great family time. My kids really enjoy their mostly younger cousins. They brought a buddy with them who was a joy to have around and manages to keep the boys entertained and not fighting. Total bonus! Had some fabulous runs with running mate sister. Love the landscape of PA. Rolling hills, horses, stone houses, lots of greenery - just beautiful. No real agenda for the weekend; just enjoying each others company. Headed back south on Monday through DC. What a gorgeous day! We walked from Union Station to the White House. Spent some time people watching while sitting on a bench on The Mall. It was awesome. I have to say, normally I'm on a mission to get back and not dilly dally (it's a little scary being the only capable driver in my car on 95); but yesterday was different and special and definitely worth stopping. I regretted the 6p Wawa coffee as sleeping was a no go with that much caffeine late in the day, but at least we made it home safe.
My dream is to have a Winnebago and drive around our beautiful country and see it all. That will be an awesome road trip and one that I look forward to one of these days. But siezing the moment when it presents itself is good for now; join me!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Honestly, I Want to Be Famous
I am not a poser. What you see is what you get. Yes, I have always had dreams of being famous. If you can be famous for a good ass (hello Kim Kardashian), surely, I have a chance. I'm optimistic, I'll come up with something. I started blogging because I love to entertain, I have a lot of opinions and I like to write. If I can make it 90 days, I can apply for sponsors. I could possibly become famous.
In 1990, I got married. We moved to Wichita Falls, Texas. My husband was a podiatrist in the Air Force. I sent a resume to every viable business in the directory that I got from the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce. I only heard from television and radio stations. I felt unbelievably lucky. I had dreams of being the next Barbara Walters. When I interviewed with the NBC affiliate (and my favorite boss ever), I got the job. When the Station Manager said, "where do you see yourself", I said, "on television". He said, "I see you in sales." I said, "ok". Best decision ever. I loved television sales. I was good at it. "The best boss ever", loved sales people that needed to make money. I needed to make money. It was a marriage made in heaven. What a fun and rewarding time of my life that was...
So here I am at a crossroads in my life. There's a lot about being a mom that is very rewarding. I know I'm very lucky to have lived the life I have lived so far. I've got an itch to do something else. I'm going to find it. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy. But there's something more for me out there....it's never too late to have a dream and try to fulfill it right? Surely, everyone has a dream and we're never too old to go for it. Join me!!
In 1990, I got married. We moved to Wichita Falls, Texas. My husband was a podiatrist in the Air Force. I sent a resume to every viable business in the directory that I got from the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce. I only heard from television and radio stations. I felt unbelievably lucky. I had dreams of being the next Barbara Walters. When I interviewed with the NBC affiliate (and my favorite boss ever), I got the job. When the Station Manager said, "where do you see yourself", I said, "on television". He said, "I see you in sales." I said, "ok". Best decision ever. I loved television sales. I was good at it. "The best boss ever", loved sales people that needed to make money. I needed to make money. It was a marriage made in heaven. What a fun and rewarding time of my life that was...
So here I am at a crossroads in my life. There's a lot about being a mom that is very rewarding. I know I'm very lucky to have lived the life I have lived so far. I've got an itch to do something else. I'm going to find it. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy. But there's something more for me out there....it's never too late to have a dream and try to fulfill it right? Surely, everyone has a dream and we're never too old to go for it. Join me!!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Inmates Running the Asylum
I have a friend who has a lot of great one liners. This is one of my favorite. "The job of a teenager is to try to get away with stuff. My job as a parent is to stop them." It really is at least 4 years of yin and yang. Parents with older children continuously threaten my naivete with "just you wait, never say never or not my kid". I get that. But whatever happened to just saying "no". No is hard. Why is "no" not good enough? We live in a world of "yes". What happened to "I'm the adult, you're the child"? What happened to "because I said so"? Do these not work? Are there not privileges and material goods that we bestow on our teenagers that can be taken away? Are there no punishments for teenagers? Please say that ain't so!!
My daughter recently got second piercings in both her ears. That didn't bother me. She wanted her nose pierced. I said no. I try to check myself and not be judgemental or just old fashioned. There's something about a nose piercing on a young girl that screams, "I'm a bad ass". Same goes for boys with pierced ears. It screams to me, "I'm naughty, I want to be like Eminem, I can carry a keg". So why shouldn't boys have the same artistic expression that girls are entitled to? Pierced ears is supposed to be pretty. Can someone tell me if pierced ears on a boys means anything other than "I'm cool or worse, I wanna be cool?" I think there is a very fine line between artistic expression and marking your body at an early age just to be cool. Give me a better reason than everyone does it.
So, yes I have a tattoo. I got it when I was 40. It truly was/is an artistic expression of who I am. It makes me feel special. I did it for me. I'm old enough to handle any repercussions.
Tattoos and piercings are permanent. I just don't know of many teenagers that are mature enough to make that permanent commitment. They can't possibly know where their life is going to take them. The world is judgemental. We make judgements on appearance every day. They're so many things to fight over, I guess you have to pick your battles. Maybe tattoos and piercings are not something worth fighting over. I say as long as I'm paying the bills, I get to be the boss. I say that if parents are afraid to say no, we'll just have inmates running the asylum. Please join me in saying no, meaning it, and what the heck enjoying it!!
My daughter recently got second piercings in both her ears. That didn't bother me. She wanted her nose pierced. I said no. I try to check myself and not be judgemental or just old fashioned. There's something about a nose piercing on a young girl that screams, "I'm a bad ass". Same goes for boys with pierced ears. It screams to me, "I'm naughty, I want to be like Eminem, I can carry a keg". So why shouldn't boys have the same artistic expression that girls are entitled to? Pierced ears is supposed to be pretty. Can someone tell me if pierced ears on a boys means anything other than "I'm cool or worse, I wanna be cool?" I think there is a very fine line between artistic expression and marking your body at an early age just to be cool. Give me a better reason than everyone does it.
So, yes I have a tattoo. I got it when I was 40. It truly was/is an artistic expression of who I am. It makes me feel special. I did it for me. I'm old enough to handle any repercussions.
Tattoos and piercings are permanent. I just don't know of many teenagers that are mature enough to make that permanent commitment. They can't possibly know where their life is going to take them. The world is judgemental. We make judgements on appearance every day. They're so many things to fight over, I guess you have to pick your battles. Maybe tattoos and piercings are not something worth fighting over. I say as long as I'm paying the bills, I get to be the boss. I say that if parents are afraid to say no, we'll just have inmates running the asylum. Please join me in saying no, meaning it, and what the heck enjoying it!!
Monday, April 4, 2011
The Final Two and Why I Love Basketball
What a history my family and I have with the game of basketball. We love basketball. We all grew up playing basketball. I love to watch college basketball. I actually think I was a little grumpy last Monday because my bracket pick (Kansas) lost and I was oh so close. I actually ended up coming in last place. I had to find a new team to root for Saturday night, went with VCU, but then they lost. I like Butler now. UConn looks pretty good; can you say professional? It still gives me a reason to party tonight. I mean jeez, it's the final college game of the year.
My mom (Liz) coached CYO basketball for 10 years. All of us girls played for her. What a great memory that must be for her. I was always 6th man. My sisters were probably all better natural players. If I had my competitive spirit then that I have now, I have no doubt, I would be a better player. Somehow, I actually played in college for 2 years. That is funny.
I tried to get out of playing girls basketball my senior year of high school and try out for cheer leading. Cheer leading was so much cooler ( they definitely got the cuter boys). My mom was horrified. She hated the fact that they only cheered for boys sports and not girls (thankfully they don't do that anymore). She actually held my high school accountable for Title IX (equal numbers of girls and boys sports), so they added girls Lacrosse. She was a women's libber (she played college field hockey; how cool is that?). I swore she secretly brokered a deal so they wouldn't take me on the cheer leading squad. Reality says, I had no gymnastic/dance experience and probably wasn't that good. In the end, I'm glad I didn't get to do something for that shallow of a reason.
Liz had a knack for finding scholarship money (something every mom with 5 kids should have). My brother got $ (thanks to Liz) to play basketball at a college in DC. My parents went to most every game. They loved it. My senior year of college (1985) was the year of Georgetown vs Villanova. How smart did I think I was heading down to DC for Spring Break to hang at my brothers college and be in the city of the champions? Foiled yes, but we still had a blast!
My boys have played basketball since they were 5. I made Francine play until 6th grade and then I lost the passion to make her suffer. I actually coached a YMCA 5 year old basketball team before I had kids and before I knew how competitive everyone was going to be about their 5 year old boy learning basketball from a girl (god forbid). Basketball is one of the toughest sports to learn at a young age, it takes so much skill. My boys are still obsessed. My neighbors can vouch for the fact that they shoot hoops at least an hour a day. For what? I hate to squash a child's dream, but I firmly believe they have no chance to play high school basketball, let alone college. The competition is fierce. We've done the AAU thing (talent wise they are at the bottom of their age; but sure they'll take your $ if you want to pay to play). I've seen the high school play. They're awesome! There is still a tiny part of me that secretly prays they will get magic basketball powers while they're sleeping tonight.
So I guess what I've come around to knowing and believing in from basketball is that anything that gives you a common goal as a family is good. Any shared passion is a good passion. Parents being involved in their children's lives and taking stands on things is good, yes, even though they're teenagers. I'm going to continue taking an active role in my kids lives even though as teenagers they definitely don't want me to - join me!
To be continued on the topic of piecings and body art....
My mom (Liz) coached CYO basketball for 10 years. All of us girls played for her. What a great memory that must be for her. I was always 6th man. My sisters were probably all better natural players. If I had my competitive spirit then that I have now, I have no doubt, I would be a better player. Somehow, I actually played in college for 2 years. That is funny.
I tried to get out of playing girls basketball my senior year of high school and try out for cheer leading. Cheer leading was so much cooler ( they definitely got the cuter boys). My mom was horrified. She hated the fact that they only cheered for boys sports and not girls (thankfully they don't do that anymore). She actually held my high school accountable for Title IX (equal numbers of girls and boys sports), so they added girls Lacrosse. She was a women's libber (she played college field hockey; how cool is that?). I swore she secretly brokered a deal so they wouldn't take me on the cheer leading squad. Reality says, I had no gymnastic/dance experience and probably wasn't that good. In the end, I'm glad I didn't get to do something for that shallow of a reason.
Liz had a knack for finding scholarship money (something every mom with 5 kids should have). My brother got $ (thanks to Liz) to play basketball at a college in DC. My parents went to most every game. They loved it. My senior year of college (1985) was the year of Georgetown vs Villanova. How smart did I think I was heading down to DC for Spring Break to hang at my brothers college and be in the city of the champions? Foiled yes, but we still had a blast!
My boys have played basketball since they were 5. I made Francine play until 6th grade and then I lost the passion to make her suffer. I actually coached a YMCA 5 year old basketball team before I had kids and before I knew how competitive everyone was going to be about their 5 year old boy learning basketball from a girl (god forbid). Basketball is one of the toughest sports to learn at a young age, it takes so much skill. My boys are still obsessed. My neighbors can vouch for the fact that they shoot hoops at least an hour a day. For what? I hate to squash a child's dream, but I firmly believe they have no chance to play high school basketball, let alone college. The competition is fierce. We've done the AAU thing (talent wise they are at the bottom of their age; but sure they'll take your $ if you want to pay to play). I've seen the high school play. They're awesome! There is still a tiny part of me that secretly prays they will get magic basketball powers while they're sleeping tonight.
So I guess what I've come around to knowing and believing in from basketball is that anything that gives you a common goal as a family is good. Any shared passion is a good passion. Parents being involved in their children's lives and taking stands on things is good, yes, even though they're teenagers. I'm going to continue taking an active role in my kids lives even though as teenagers they definitely don't want me to - join me!
To be continued on the topic of piecings and body art....
Saturday, April 2, 2011
"Clean Living"
We really are a product of our environment. If I surround myself with "Cooking Light" or "Clean Eating" magazine instead of Rachel Ray, Martha Stewart, or Paula Deen, healthy eating is in my face easy.
This just dawned on me. My family ate butternut squash, spinach, edamames, cannelloni beans, turnip greens and kale this week. No one complained. Am I lucky; sure. But they are lucky too. They will be a product of the environment I created; most days healthy. My kids eat lots of fruit. I'm not always a fan. Primarily because I'm a little leery about getting excited about biting into a piece of fruit and having it not be as good as I expected. Lately, fruit has been great. I don't know if it's where I'm buying it (Super Walmart) but it has been better than usual. My girlfriend and I are wondering if Super Walmart's fruit and veggies may be better than the grocery store because they're turning over faster. Eating fruit for me really does help with my sweet tooth (to some extent; let's not get crazy), curbs my appetite and gives me energy. I'm so excited to have rediscovered fruit as part of my "Spring Training" healthy eating diet.
This weekend is a spring beauty, a gift. I'm going to get out there and enjoy it; join me!
PS: I ran 10 miles yesterday, so yes I indulged in a brownie with Goodberry's Ice Cream on top. I deserved it and it was delicious!
This just dawned on me. My family ate butternut squash, spinach, edamames, cannelloni beans, turnip greens and kale this week. No one complained. Am I lucky; sure. But they are lucky too. They will be a product of the environment I created; most days healthy. My kids eat lots of fruit. I'm not always a fan. Primarily because I'm a little leery about getting excited about biting into a piece of fruit and having it not be as good as I expected. Lately, fruit has been great. I don't know if it's where I'm buying it (Super Walmart) but it has been better than usual. My girlfriend and I are wondering if Super Walmart's fruit and veggies may be better than the grocery store because they're turning over faster. Eating fruit for me really does help with my sweet tooth (to some extent; let's not get crazy), curbs my appetite and gives me energy. I'm so excited to have rediscovered fruit as part of my "Spring Training" healthy eating diet.
This weekend is a spring beauty, a gift. I'm going to get out there and enjoy it; join me!
PS: I ran 10 miles yesterday, so yes I indulged in a brownie with Goodberry's Ice Cream on top. I deserved it and it was delicious!
Friday, April 1, 2011
Let's Talk Hair
Ah, the Burns girls and their lifelong struggle with their hair. I'm not struggling anymore; I'm embracing my curls. I've found the magic bullet. Here's hoping it can still look good (I'd take reasonable) when that nasty southern humidity kicks in mid May. This is our story...
Remember the episode of "Friends in the Bahamas". Here are the highlights.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjdEWJY6KyI
My 3 sisters and I have hair that turns into "Monica's hair in the Bahamas" when humidity is present. It's not pretty. We are all brunettes (varying shades depending on the stylists). We all have natural curl of varying degrees. You know the saying, "grass is always greener on the other side of the fence". We have 3 girl cousins our same age that we've grown up with who have perfectly straight blond hair. Humidity makes their hair straighter. It seemed like a cruel joke for so long. I'm sure they still long for a little body; you just can't win.
My mom, a dark Irish gal, (Foley decent) had beautiful black hair that turned a beautiful white (early 40's) and has never been colored. Liz (my mom) has always had strong opinions regarding hair (among other things). She has never understood us coloring our hair "A" and "B" thinks long hair is a look only for the young. I'm wearing my hair long now. It's probably driving her crazy.
When we were little, we had a barber and his wife come to our farm to cut our hair. 7 people; same haircut. One size fits all. So many tears. Now, I don't blame my mom for arranging this. Seems reasonable and probably cost effective to have someone come to your house and cut every one's hair at the same time. Really, she was ahead of her time. People love this kind of service now. The barber and his wife were characters. My mom says he came on to her once. We (my sisters and I) think they were swingers and my parents just didn't know. They were definitely hippies and were probably stoned and my parents didn't know that either. I had the straightest hair. I wanted a "Dorothy Hamill". I thought "Frank" came close to that look. Someone actually gave me a perm in High School. I wish I could find a picture of that look; I'm sure it was a beauty.
We've done Keratin the past few years. It does work. If you haven't tried it and want your hair relaxed you need to do it. It's a little pricey, but it lasts a few months. Just google "Keratin" and you'll find someone who does it in your area. Side note: it may be cancer causing but that's just the price of beauty right?!! I stumbled onto a late night QVC show for "Wen". I love that product and have used it for the past few months which led me to my new curly hair find. I was in the beauty supply store (on the down low) and asked them if they were selling a product similar to "Wen" a no sulfate, no suds shampoo. The beauty supply personal introduced me to a new line "Deva Concepts", ttp://www.devaconcepts.com/products/curl/DevaCurl_NoPoo
Awesome! Now, I'm waiting for the humidity; but I think I'm going to be good. I swear my hair looks like Minnie Driver on a good day; I'll take it!! I want to be able to swim for exercise and for so long that was impossible because you can't let chlorine water touch the "Keratin". I still have to do some extra hoops to get the chlorine out of my hair, but it resumes it's healthy hair status pretty quickly. I've also had a stylist tell me to add Baking Soda to my shampoo to naturally get out the chlorine. That's good news because the clarifying shampoo I had bought made my hair feel like straw.
Well, there's always some new product out there to save the day. Some work better than others. There's probably not a magic bullet that's going to make you ready for bathing suit season though. It's going to take some good ole fashioned sweat! I'm hearing good reports from people that have added exercise to their daily routines and are starting to see results. Memorial Day weekend is only 56 days away; I want to look good in my bathing suit; join me!
Remember the episode of "Friends in the Bahamas". Here are the highlights.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjdEWJY6KyI
My 3 sisters and I have hair that turns into "Monica's hair in the Bahamas" when humidity is present. It's not pretty. We are all brunettes (varying shades depending on the stylists). We all have natural curl of varying degrees. You know the saying, "grass is always greener on the other side of the fence". We have 3 girl cousins our same age that we've grown up with who have perfectly straight blond hair. Humidity makes their hair straighter. It seemed like a cruel joke for so long. I'm sure they still long for a little body; you just can't win.
My mom, a dark Irish gal, (Foley decent) had beautiful black hair that turned a beautiful white (early 40's) and has never been colored. Liz (my mom) has always had strong opinions regarding hair (among other things). She has never understood us coloring our hair "A" and "B" thinks long hair is a look only for the young. I'm wearing my hair long now. It's probably driving her crazy.
When we were little, we had a barber and his wife come to our farm to cut our hair. 7 people; same haircut. One size fits all. So many tears. Now, I don't blame my mom for arranging this. Seems reasonable and probably cost effective to have someone come to your house and cut every one's hair at the same time. Really, she was ahead of her time. People love this kind of service now. The barber and his wife were characters. My mom says he came on to her once. We (my sisters and I) think they were swingers and my parents just didn't know. They were definitely hippies and were probably stoned and my parents didn't know that either. I had the straightest hair. I wanted a "Dorothy Hamill". I thought "Frank" came close to that look. Someone actually gave me a perm in High School. I wish I could find a picture of that look; I'm sure it was a beauty.
We've done Keratin the past few years. It does work. If you haven't tried it and want your hair relaxed you need to do it. It's a little pricey, but it lasts a few months. Just google "Keratin" and you'll find someone who does it in your area. Side note: it may be cancer causing but that's just the price of beauty right?!! I stumbled onto a late night QVC show for "Wen". I love that product and have used it for the past few months which led me to my new curly hair find. I was in the beauty supply store (on the down low) and asked them if they were selling a product similar to "Wen" a no sulfate, no suds shampoo. The beauty supply personal introduced me to a new line "Deva Concepts", ttp://www.devaconcepts.com/products/curl/DevaCurl_NoPoo
Awesome! Now, I'm waiting for the humidity; but I think I'm going to be good. I swear my hair looks like Minnie Driver on a good day; I'll take it!! I want to be able to swim for exercise and for so long that was impossible because you can't let chlorine water touch the "Keratin". I still have to do some extra hoops to get the chlorine out of my hair, but it resumes it's healthy hair status pretty quickly. I've also had a stylist tell me to add Baking Soda to my shampoo to naturally get out the chlorine. That's good news because the clarifying shampoo I had bought made my hair feel like straw.
Well, there's always some new product out there to save the day. Some work better than others. There's probably not a magic bullet that's going to make you ready for bathing suit season though. It's going to take some good ole fashioned sweat! I'm hearing good reports from people that have added exercise to their daily routines and are starting to see results. Memorial Day weekend is only 56 days away; I want to look good in my bathing suit; join me!
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