To Cut or Not to cut

For years I have struggled to find a look that I can be happy with. I am a wash and wear type of girl so I don't like things to be too fussy and I especially don't like fussy hair....unless I have the time to style it, but let's be honest....who really has that kind of time? For the last 15+ years I have had long, straight hair. Sure there has been a couple of times in between where I have chopped it and then let it grow back out. My hair grows so fast that nobody even notices!

2002....the only time in our relationship where
my hair was above shoulder length.

I have been battling with Darin to let me chop it off. I keep telling him that its just hair and it will grow back! I think I have finally gotten to the point where I can do it. I convinced him that after all the wedding festivities this year that I want to cut my hair chin length. My argument was that I have been needing a change for some time now. All I ask is that I try it out. If he hates it completely then I just grow it out again. Besides then I can make another donation to Locks of Love.

Below are a couple of ideas that I had. Any feedback would be appreciated!



Had to throw in a longer one.

All I ask is that my decision is supported! I know many of my friends love my hair long, but I need a change and I think this is the easiest way to do it. Or I could get a tattoo? Thoughts?

The time I was a flower girl....

source

As you recall in my post a couple of days ago I mentioned that I was a flower girl in a wedding and that it was a dreaded event. I will let you know that not all weddings go particularly smoothly and sometime have a tendency to end up in disaster. This is one of those stories. The whole day wasn't a disaster, but frankly I can't remember most of it. Here is what I can remember:


I was four or five years old, and it was my cousin Melody's wedding. The day went beautifully. I flowered the aisle, the ring bearer and I were completely cute and stole the show as we danced the night away (well at least this is what I thought due to the photos of us) we had dinner and cut the cake. It was all perfect....or so it seemed. Then it came for the bouquet toss. Yes I know, you can see where this is headed. No I did not get tackled by two women diving for the bouquet. It is worse. Far, FAR worse. My cousin did her faux toss for the camera and then it was time for the real thing. She chucked the flowers so hard that they flew high above the heads of the ladies and smacked the chandelier in the center of the ballroom ceiling. Now, apparently this wasn't a very nice chandelier because one of the solid metal balls that decorated the light came loose and fell out. The four inch diameter metal ball came crashing down from the sky onto the top of my head, cracking it open. Apparently blood was everywhere and all I was saying was "My dress, my dress" I only remember two things after this, one sitting in either my mom or grandmothers lap crying and waiting for the car....and then in the hospital when they were stiching me up. But my poor cousin remember's every detail, and every time I see her, the poor thing tells me "remember me, you were in my wedding." Yea like I could forget. I am completely fine, and I think its a pretty funny story to share. Don't let your wedding day stress you out, and if a disaster happens just remember to shake it off, you'll laugh about it.....eventually!

<3

At work...work out?

I was perusing the internet one day and stumbled across an interesting blog. She is a fit living expert, author and healthy living spokesperson and she also works with ExerciseTV. My most favorite at home workout channel. I was trying to figure out a way to incorporate more calorie burning on days when I am just sitting at my office. So when I clicked on her blog and saw that she had "Daily 100" workouts that you can do at work, I thought that I would take her cue, and come up with my own mini at work supplemental workout. You can see how to do all of these exercises on her blog quickiechick.com. I mix it up on a daily basis, and on who's around (I don't want to look silly in front of my coworkers)

Single Leg Lifts - 10 pulses each leg 10 times
Upper Body Spinning - 100 seconds (forward and backward)
Stand Up/Sit Down -  100 Times
Butt Squeezes - 10 seconds for 10 minutes
Releves - 100 Times
Shadow Boxing - 100 Times
Seated Side Crunch - 100 Times
Bounce & Circle - 100 Times each arm
Speed Boxing - 60 seconds (forward and backward)
Cross Punch - 50 times

I feel a little breathy after some so I know that they work. Give em a try!

"Orange Sky"

Well I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
Yes I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
With my brother standing by
With my brother standing by
I said brother, you know you know
It's a long road we've been walking on
Brother you know it is, you know it is
Such a long road we've been walking on

And I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
With my sister standing by
With my sister standing by
I said sister, here is what I know now
Here is what I know now
Goes like this
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, in your love, in your love

But sister you know I'm so weary
And you know sister
My hearts been broken
Sometimes, sometimes
My mind is too strong to carry on
Too strong to carry on

When I am alone
When I've thrown off the weight of this crazy stone
When I've lost all care for the things I own
That's when I miss you, that's when I miss you, that's when I miss you
You who are my home
You who are my home
And here is what I know now
Here is what I know now
Goes like this
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, in your love, in your love

Well I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
Yes I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
With my brother and my sister standing by
With my brother and my sister standing by
With my brother and my sister standing by

First a bride, then a maid?

In the past, being a bridesmaid was a single gals task. Or at least that is what I thought. Probably because most women get married in their early to mid 20s and their best gal pals have yet to follow suit, or are engaged. However that was not the case with me. I had not been in a single wedding in my adult life prior to my own wedding. I won't forget the dreaded flower girl incident when I was four, but that's a story for another day. We kept our wedding very simple, mostly because our circle of friends had dwindled since high school and I hadn't formed the friendships that I have now. Darin had his brother (BM), a friend and a cousin (ring bearer) and I had my cousin (MOH), Darin's sister, and another cousin (flower girl). It was a beautiful ceremony and day and I wouldn't change anything! Fast forward nearly 4 years and here we are, in the midst of baby making time I find myself to be included in two weddings! Darin's sister is getting married in July and our friend in October. (Think about my summer! Party after party! WOOOOHOOO!) I was blessed to be involved with fairly low maintenance dress scenarios too! Neither shopping trip was a headache and I am coming out with 2 beautiful dresses, both with a similar color scheme. Purple and Orange. Each bride is taking their own twist on the colors, but in the end I don't have an ugly dress in the bunch! Whew! I am so glad for that scenario too! As each event progresses, I will update on things related. Until then....dress preview?

Dress #1 (Don't mind my awkward arm)



Dress #2 (Don't mind my LACK of makeup!)

Both unique to each bride's taste, and style of wedding and both very beautiful! Can't wait to see all the girls done up with hair, makeup and of course FLOWERS! Now to get on with the gym and tanning! More on that later!

Big Hugs

I have the best husband and friends ever! Unless you have my husband (wait let me think about that for a second!?!?) or my friends too! They are always around when I need a shoulder to cry on, a big belly laugh, or a shopping buddy. This weekend was no different. On Friday we had a G.N.O. (Girls Night Out) We went to a local restaurant in our valley had wine, pasta, and wonderful conversations. Then we went and saw Bridesmaids. We showed up at the respective time just to find out that the movie had been pushed back a half an hour which left us to be silly and goofy with our candy and popcorn. We enjoyed the movie (but not the commentator behind us) and had some good laughs. It was an OK movie, not as good as it was hyped-up to be, but more of a guys take on how women deal with being bridesmaids. Lots of poop humor (which is not my thing) and less about the wedding. Which was slightly a bummer. All in all we had a good time.

Saturday was our local Relay for Life. If you have never attended one, I highly recommend it. 24 hour walk for cancer research, survivors, and a remembrance ceremony for those who have lost their battle. It's a hard and emotional day for all those involved, but this year it was very hard for me. I wanted to make a t-shirt to honor my father, as well as include his photo in the slide show. Sadly I missed the deadline for the slide show and my laser printer wouldn't print on the iron-transfer sheets I bought, so all I could do was make the luminaria. I printed photo's and wrote quotes and song lyrics of his on the bag and placed it in it rightful place along the path. At sunset workers come through and place candles in each bag so once the sun goes down they are illuminated. At 9PM they did the ceremony, which of course was very difficult to hear. Then as a group we took a walk around the route with our candles burning bright and remembering those who have past. As I passed my daddy's bag I said a silent prayer, "I love you to bits." I had my best friend by my side the whole time and he was holding my hand tight and drying my tears. But I also had my best gals there comforting me and supporting me with every step. You have no idea how much it means to have you in my life! I am so blessed to have strong, wonderful people in my life that will be there when I need you. The road is just beginning with this healing and it will be long and rough. Just know that I completely appreciate all that you do for me. You are my rocks, my heart, my soul, and most importantly my family.

I Love You ALL To BITS!

This is my tribute, I know I say it makes me sad but it truly is how you all have made me feel!

"Tim McGraw"

"If Today Was Your Last Day"

Semi-Prologue

Flowers? On a Thursday?

Today is a typical Thursday.....or is it? Here I was going about my daily business at work. Email checking, renderings, sample requests and meetings with reps. However today was not a typical Thursday. This morning I got an email that Darin and I will be attending a Red Carpet Event! There will be no paparazzi, but we are attending the Calibre Awards next Friday. It's like the Oscar's for Southern California Design firms. But hey, we get dinner, drinks and it's an excuse to get dolled up and walk on a red carpet! What more could a girl ask for?

At 2PM we got a visit from one of our wall covering reps. We got caught up on our gossip about the Royal Wedding and other things while she showed us the new and best of her products. When she was done I returned to my desk to find a large green box from Pro Flowers. I thought in my head the usual things....Not my birthday, not an anniversary, my husband and I have not gotten into a fight.....what were these for??? I cut off the tape and open the box to see a Mother's Day card in it. My boss said to me "Is there something we don't know?" and I thought to myself, well it would be a surprise to me too! When I opened the card and read the note, I realized that it was from my baby God Daughter Charlotte! I felt so honored that Amy and Anthony sent me my first Mother's Day gift! I immediately went to work assembling the vase and flowers and realized that there were chocolates too! Yes! This brigtened up my afternoon immensley! I feel so special.

Thank you Charlotte! I love you!

"When I Look at You"

Everybody needs inspiration
Everybody needs a song
A beautiful melody
When the nights are so long

'cause there is no guarantee
That this life is easy

Yea when my world is falling apart
When there's no light
To break up the dark
That's when I
I look at you

When the waves are flooding the shore
And I can't find my way home any more
That's when I
I look at you

When I look at you
I see forgiveness
I see the truth
You love me for who I am
Like the stars hold the moon
Right there where they belong
And I know I'm not alone

Yeah when my world is falling apart
When there's no light
To break up the dark
That's when I
I look at you

When the waves are flooding the shore
And I can't find my way home any more
That's when I
I look at you

You appear just like a dream to me
Just like kaleidoscope colors that cover me
All I need
Every breath that I breathe
Don't you know you're beautiful
Yeah yeah

When the waves are flooding the shore
And I can't find my way home any more
That's when I
I look at you

I look at you
Yeah
Whoa-oh
You appear just like a dream to me

Dauro's come to visit

It was a wonderful surprise to hear from my cousin Anthony early Tuesday of last week saying that he, his bride Amy, and their baby (our Goddaughter) Charlotte wanted to have dinner with us! They were down from Coarsgold for a not so fun event and were going to be in Palmdale. I invited them over for Taco Tuesday and had them stay the night, of course so we could get more baby time in! They arrived with baby and puppy Wendy (a dauchund) in tote and we headed upstairs. Of course after a little direction mishap on my part. We had a wonderful visit, Darin and I played with Charlee and Anthony played with Shelby, and Amy got a break. I think Shelby has found a new best friend!

I Love You!

Around 10PM we put on Revenge of the Bridesmaids (not recommended!) and around 11:30 decided that it was time to crash. I must give my cousin's credit! Between a crying baby and a barking Wendy it was hard for me to crash out. But in the end it was worth it for them to visit and they can come ANYTIME! Darin admitted to me earlier that evening as Charlee slept on his chest "There's nothing better than this!" Well maybe soon my love, maybe soon. Enjoy the photos!

Ignoring the humans!

Epi what? Epiphone!

For years I have been wanting to learn how to play the acoustic guitar. I have played the piano for over 10 years, but it's not as portable of an instrument. Unless you get a keyboard, which I am vitally opposed too. They just sound horrible! The reaction sucks, and you never get a full playing keyboard! (unless you buy an expensive one) I have been doing my research on cost and which type of brand I would want. I logged onto the Guitar Center's website on Friday and while perusing around the Fender's I saw an ad on the side. They opened a location in the SCV! Right in my own backyard!

Well I knew I had to discuss things with Darin, and my visit would probably have to wait until after the weekend. After a discussion, and convincing Darin that even though it would be an early birthday gift, I needed to go in and pick the style and sound of the guitar I wanted. I couldn't just order online. Granted I found a really pretty Fender, but I knew I needed to go and look. Darin and I decided that we were going to go after work on Monday. I was so excited that I didn't even want to work out. I got ready and as soon as I heard the jingle of his keys in the door I was up like a kid on Christmas morning. I jumped in the car and waited for him to join me. Once we got to the store I was surprised how small it was, and how BUSY! It was packed. I guess I wasn't the only one who was excited to have a location so close. I bee-lined my way back to the acoustic section and just looked around. I found the Fender that I saw online and it was on special....but as I looked at the black finish, that was riddled with fingerprints I decided that maybe the O.C.D. in me couldn't have an all black guitar. I would be constanlty polishing it! As I glanced around the room I saw an Epiphone with a sunburst pattern. Sure it did have some black to be weary of, but the finish and sound was so wonderful. Darin saw my face and knew. He grabbed the guitar and went in search of the stands. I found a stand I liked, as well as a tuner and a beginners book complete with a 4-hour dvd lesson! I refrained from the Glee for beginners book. I went around to look at the picks and found a pack of marbleized ivory ones that were perfect! As we went to ring it all up, the gentleman asked me about a strap. DUH! How could I forget?! I told him yes, but I didn't want anything over the top or girly. I am a purist. I didn't want anything pink, or feathery! I found a nice black strap and threw that on the pile too. Whew! It was a rush to know that I just bought my first guitar! Now to learn how to play.

We got home, and I opened the book and started reading. How to tune, skip that got a tuner; how to string, learn about that later; reading music, already got that! Chords.....ok here we go. And then I got stuck! Haha. It took me a bit to figure out finger placement and to read the different structure of the music but I was able to figure out how to play three chords! Even with my long nails getting in the way.....guess I get to go home and chop those off! I played piano forever with long nails, but its near impossible to play a string instrument with them! So without further adieu....

I can't wait to start playing, and getting good so I can start learning how to play my dad's songs! Send them up to heaven for him to hear!