Any Ideas???

I want a new hair style. I am thinking I'll go shorter, but not too short. I am thinking short as in below my shoulders still? I really don't know what I want but I haven't had a haircut since July 29th (four months so you don't have to do the quick math) and I am feeling a rough around the edges. I have an appointment with my stylist on November 19th.

What I don't want:
Bangs (long are okay)
Too many layers to make my hair look flock of seagulls-ish when straight
Short layers around my face that have a pixie look

What I want:
To wear it curly, easily
Shorter Length
Easier to work with

I really like this lady's hair, probably mainly because of the volume and waviness. Maybe when I wash my hair tonight, I should try doing something with it to see what it's capable of in it's long state. It's become tangly, rough in texture (dry) and no matter how much conditioner I use it's not soft. Driving me crazy!

Here are some pictures of previous hairstyles I have had. I look back and think I don't want to do short again...I don't like the way my hair is in this first photo. It looks better short when it has gel or a little wavy.

This was a disaster haircut from some place like supercuts...I could have given myself this haircut.I like this hair okay. It's just fairly normal.
It's obvious to me that I still did not know what I was doing with curly hair at this point. Note the kind of frizzy loose wavies. I discovered that I had curly hair at the ripe old age of 18. It's not crazy crazy but it can be curly. It can also be straight fairly easily - easier if I wash it, wear it and flat iron later than immediately after blow drying (otherwise really poofy, frizzy) I found a picture in my cleaning the other day that proves that my hair can be curly, really curly. I just need a cut and the know how to make it look right! I'll probably never fully understand what I'm doing with it but all I know is that I'm ready for something a little different. Below is a more recent photo (this year). I just don't know...Any ideas for me? Seen any cute hairstyles lately that you would like to share with me??? Pllleeease!

Dear Flight of the Conchords...

Jere in the bathroom this morning, in a loud voice: "Hello"..."Hi"

Reagan, getting dressed in the bedroom wonders who he's talking to...

Jere in the bathroom again: "Hello"..."Hi"

Jere comes into the bedroom.

Reagan: "Who are you talking to?"

Jere: "I have that Flight of the Conchords song 'Jenny' stuck in my head. Heello. Hi. Hello man sitting in the park."

Reagan: "Ooohhh" ::smiles::


::Driving to work this morning::

Reagan while putting on mascara in the Jeep: "I was kinda hoping you could call the Pella guy to see if he'll give us a discount. I've had to work with him a lot and he always sounds kind of annoyed when I talked to him."

Jere sits and stares and drives...

Reagan looks over to see if he's thinking or brooding or what...

Reagan: "Did you hear me?"

Jere: "No."

Reagan: "You didn't hear me just ask you a question that was several sentences long?"

Jere: "No."

Reagan, flabbergasted: "I can't believe you didn't hear me! What is going on in that head of yours?!"

Jere, a little flustered: "Nothing! My head is empty!"

Reagan starts stuttering about to say something about how she wishes she could have an empty head and gets cut off.

Jere: "Actually, that's not true... I have that Jenny song playing in my head."

Reagan, incredulously: "oh. my. goodness."

Dear Flight of the Conchords,

Please stop messing with my marriage.


Sincerely,
Reagan

2009 Moleskine Planner

Recently, I bought my planner for next year. I had a coupon and even though it's still two months away I am excited about it. For the past two years, I have used moleskine planners and I love them. I love the simple black cover, and the range of sizes and the layout and overall design. I love that all notebooks, journals, planners etc. have a pocket in the back to store random notes. The first year that I had one, I bought a small size planner to fit in my purse.

It was basically pocket size. My current planner is about 5" x 8" and it still fits in my purse. My current planner has the week listed out across the center fold and I like it. Both of the planners I've had were the same layout, just different sizes.

THEN I found this planner where the week is on one side and on the other side is a page for notes and lists. I am SO excited for the possibilities this opens up in my day to day life! Scheduling on one side, notes and lists on the other side!!! Another difference is that my new planner is a soft cover. My other two were hard covers and while I it just fine, I am soo captivated by the flexibleness. (That is a real word...even if spellcheck doesn't agree) When I researched it a little after I snatched it up, it says that this one is an 18 month planner??? I am not sure if mine is but that would be an extra bonus!

Also, I just need to thank my friend Rex for leading me into the world of Moleskine. His excitement and obvious love of the craft showed me that I too could have a relationship with a book. :0)

Images were taken from google....

Now THIS is Funny...

Check out this video from the Afred E. Smith dinner last night (if you didn't catch it on TV) I personally thought it was hilarious. This is as political as I'm going to get about the presidential race but no matter what your persuasion is, this is good. It's about 25 minutes long so turn up the volume and listen while you're dusting (or cooking, sitting on the pot, etc).

I'm so conflicted

Does anyone else get that feeling like when someone you know gets married, you want to get married too? Maybe it's just me. I always want to get re-married to Jer of course (for real, not making it up to sound good)

I want to go on a honeymoon again and watch tennis in our hotel room instead of hang out on the beach...oh wait never mind that part, I always want to hang out on the beach instead of watching tennis!

I want to say our vows again and instead of looking away in nervousness, look straight into his eyes like he did to me. Maybe I just reminisce every time because it wasn't so long ago...

I loved my wedding day and that's probably why I want to do it all over again. Besides the fact that I have a great husband, of course :0)

Snapshots of my Life.

The perfect weather and gray skies that makes the real me rear it's ugly head. It's like I'm a werewolf and this is my full moon.

My love, coming to eat with me.

My LOVE trying to run me over after spending 30 minutes with me and realizing for the umpteenth billion time that I'm crazy. But he's just so in love, he can't help himself. So instead he tries to run me over every time he has this realization.

Trying to get away as I snap pictures of him. "Agh - you're crazy!"

Until the next time I can show you how crazy I am... Goodbye my love...

Sweet Husband = Clean House

Over the weekend I was trying my hardest not to have expectations. Plans kept changing, little by little and I tried to just go with the flow. On Saturday night we got home late and the goals I had had up until that point had not been accomplished. Jere decided to read for an hour and a half while I ran to Walgreens. I would then come home and pick up around the house and clean up like I had been wanting to do. As we were getting out of the car to come inside before I left for Walgreens Jere said "oh well cleaning up shouldn't take very long".

Here's the thing, I am not a quick picker upper. For some reason it takes me about four times as long as the average person because I HAVE to go through every single little thing. Think about where it should go and then make piles of what goes together. THEN I rush around, putting those piles away and get side tracked on a million other things that I see while doing it. In the end I don't get very much done. As I am walking out the door Jere is standing there looking at me after telling me it wouldn't take me very long to pick everything up. (Our whole table was covered and laundry baskets were sitting out with clothes in them etc.)

So I go and do my thing at Walgreens and get home, open the door and the living room looks like this...I kind of had to do a double take because I was so surprised. It feels so good to come home with all the candles lit, lights down low and no clutter anywhere!

I did the dishes so the kitchen was clean before bed and laundry got done on Sunday. One thing at a time, taking it slowly. It's a little maddening but stuff got done right?

Jere is so good at this type of thing and he knows it. He timed himself and it took less than five minutes. He puts things away and I never wonder where stuff has gone. Somehow he just sweeps through and it's all good. I wish I had that talent!

Also, we moved the hutch into it's rightful position and got all the dishes put away in it! I love it.

Previously trashed table - totally clean!

What It Brings Back

I have mentioned in the past that songs recently have brought a flood of memories and emotions back. I was listening to this song when it hit me. I sang this song in choir for middle school. I started middle school after spring break in March of 1998. I had been homeschooled up until that point. I attended for the last two months of 8th grade before getting the full overwhelming hugeness of Topeka High...Somehow I graduated from Jardine middle school with A's and B's.

Anyways "Killing me Softly" by the Fugees was the only song we sang that I remember. I had never heard it before but all the other kids seemed to know it. After they mentioned listening to "105.9" back before it changed, I went home and listened wondering if it would make me cool. I didn't talk much (that I can remember) but I wanted to be cool.

At the choir concert at the end of the semester a girl who intimidated me because she was so out spoken and loud, complimented me on my blue dress with little white flowers saying "I like your dress...it brings out your eyes".

I was 14. I felt old but my birthday fell just days after the cut off date (September 1st I think).

It reminds me of having one pair of pants - Jean overalls. I wore those overalls as overalls AND pants. I wore them as pants by wearing them under my shirt day. As far as I was concerned, no one could tell (even though the buckles showed through the shirt, I am sure).

It reminds me of candy scented sprays and doing my hair in the morning before school. I was cutting my own hair at that time and was obsessed with my bubble bangs.

It reminds me of walking to Kwik Shop up the street for whatever we could buy with the change from Dad's jar. Playing outside in the rain and mud, then running through house with my siblings and frantically cleaning the mud off the walls and carpet before he got home.

It reminds me when we made dinner before Dad got home from work (one time). We walked up to Kwik Shop to get ingredients for brownies. I think we made mashed potatoes, green beans, chicken and brownies? I was so afraid of the gas stove since Dad had told me it would blow up my lighter (the long kind) if I held it over the gas for too long.

It reminds me of hanging out with a neighbor girl named Nicole. She was a grade below me but we were good friends.

It reminds me of meeting kind people who seemed like they could be my friends. I appreciated their kindness but wonder what they thought of me because I just didn't talk much at school.

It reminds me of walking in the rain to the bus stop the first day of school. Rachel was carrying a purse and her backpack. I don't think she actually had anything in that purse, she just wanted to carry it.

It reminds me of a girl named Daniel sitting behind Rachel and I on the bus and pulling thin pieces of hair so it would hurt a tiny bit. Then rotating through acting like she didn't do it and laughing in our faces. We just sat there.

I guess you could say that "Killing Me Softly" is my theme song for those two months. Not that I was dying slowly or anything dramatic like that - it was just a song that I enjoy singing and brings back memories of my whole middle school experience.

Melaleuca Lotion

Let me just say that I have tried A LOT of lotions out there. I have eczema and sensitive skin and most days I have several tiny dry spots on my arms, stomach or legs. I had never been able to find a lotion that doesn't make my skin itch worse than it did before. I had never found a lotion able to moisturize my skin to the point where it actually started to HEAL. Most lotions I have tried would feel good at first and then give me more eczema bubbles, making my skin itch again. I have done hand mask peels in salons, soft hands with Mary Kay, and used dermatologist recommended lotions such as Cetaphil and others.

While some feel good in the beginning, I end up hating them later when the results are more eczema and an allergic reaction making my hands itch again. In fact everything I have tried ends up making it worse. Cortizone is the exception to the rule. I consider Cortizone to my be the "medecine" I use when eczema pops up, not something to use on a daily basis - although it's what I resorted to when I didn't have a good lotion to use.

"Renew" lotion by Melaleuca does everything I want it to. This is what it says right on the back of the bottle.

"Going beyond temporary moisturization, Renew delivers long-lasting relief from dry, rough, or irritated skin and uncomfortable chronic skin conditions. By helping your skin attract and retain more moisture, Renew heals, protects and prevents even the driest skin."

I consider it to be expensive: $15-$20 for a 20 OZ bottle depending on where you purchase it. The prices on Melaleuca's website seem reasonable compared to the places I have purchased it before. I was able to try this in my work place several years ago and bought some because I had seen results in a few short days with no side effects.

The only downside may be that it's a little greasy, but the results out perform my need for a less greasy option. I am really interested in trying their bath products such as body wash and bubble bath to see if it helps my skin before I even apply lotion. Water really dries me out...I am just not to sure about jumping in to spend TONS of money. Knowing that this lotion is worth it helps though.

Maybe it could work for you too?

Today's That Day

I was in physics class on 9/11 seven years ago. I had just turned 18. It was just like any other day; until that tragic event. Apparently there was an announcement over the intercom system that I didn't hear. The teacher turned on the TV in the room and we watched a plane flying into a tower. To this day I don't know if what we were watching re-runs of the first plane...or if I was watching the second plane as it hit the tower. I thought I was watching something involved in the physics class...you know flying planes into stuff? I guess I just really wasn't paying attention.

Later that day everyone in town seemed to be freaking out about buying gas. While I thought it was a good idea, the lines were too long! So I passed on buying gas that day. I was glad because later on the news I heard that gas station owners had hiked up prices unfairly. When I went home I could not tear myself away from the television. I yearned to know more.

I wasn't sure what to do or what I should do, if anything. So my siblings and I made a HUGE flag out of paper and colored the whole thing and laminated it with packing tape and hung it outside the window of our garage so people on the street could see it. We wrote bible verses on the inside and signed it on the back. Hm I wonder where that thing is...

My dad once told me that he was in chemistry class when they found out that JFK was assassinated. Someday, I'll tell my kids that I was in physics class when the twin towers were hit. Where were you when the planes crashed into the twin towers?

It's Official - Fall IS Here

I declare that today is the first day of fall. I walked out of my house and it felt cold. Not slightly chilly or a little windy. It was inherently cold and it felt good.

The other night, Jer (pronounced "Jare" because I feel the need to shorten his nickname) were watching the movie "August Rush" which came out last fall and was recommended to us by his sister Resa...last fall. I was a little skeptical about how a movie about music guiding a little boy would turn out - but it's a great movie. I liked it. Any how, in the movie one of the main characters dresses so comfy looking in faded jeans and sweaters and leather jackets. Jer and I were both instantly "Ooh I like that" Now how do you go about dressing your man on a self induced limited budget that has style and class and is something he'll actually like? Maybe what we want is just that casual "play your guitar in a park in New York City" look...Hmm

All this to say, that it's fall

and I want cute fall clothes for me and my guy

so we can sit outside looking fun and fashionable

while being casual.

Look hunny - a forced rhyme. ; )

Note: I like this movie but I don't recommend movies. If you watch it and think "what was that girl thinking...I hate her" don't blame me, I didn't recommend it. If you watch it and like it, let me know. :)

Music

When I think about our honeymoon my first reaction is that I am sad. I am sad because we don't have any pictures. The one thing that brings a flood of memory back into my brain is Enya songs. While on our honeymoon there were Enya songs playing in the hotel rotunda and open eating area THE WHOLE TIME. I had never thought about that music before our honeymoon and now I love it. Her music is ethereal and while listening I step through different parts of our trip together and I'm not sad anymore. It reminds me of four foot tall wax candles set about and marble floors and wood decking with little bridges and plants hanging in the rotunda. It also reminds me of tequila sunrise drinks and huge grapes cut in half and covered in cream cheese then rolled in crushed nuts. MMM that sounds nice.

The same thing happens when I listen to Gavin Degraw music. I think about fall leaves, the wreck where a drunk driver totaled my car on KU's campus, driving to work with the windows down and reveling in the gloriousness of driving a stick shift car.

The same thing happens when I hear the song "I want to fall in love with you" by Jars of Clay. Many a night on teen trips in highschool I would 'borrow' someones CD player and listen to that song OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN. Reminds me of running through random churches where we would stay the night and and also being told that I screamed because my sister kicked my 3rd degree blistered back...but not remembering that I screamed because I actually blacked out.

I am sure there are songs that do that to you too!

That Feel Good Feeling

I have identified that the way I feel after physical activity is something I love. I love feeling a little bit sore. That being said, I don't know how to make myself get there. It takes everything I have to force myself to take the time and or get out of bed to do something I know I'll like in the end. Here are some things I try to do.

1. Make an appointment with a friend. Can't sleep through appointments! Someone else is counting on meeting.


2. Reminding myself that I have music and that I LOVE THAT FEELING I get afterwards.


3. Knowing that it takes so much to get BACK to where I was before.


4. Reminding myself that it takes personal discipline to get out of bed and exercise. That's something I want!


5. Writing in my planner on the monthly view, the days that I excercise and what I did. This helps me to realize what I've been doing and when I've done it.

Unfortunately there are no concrete reasons for people (me) to exercise. Just self discipline really...I mean sure there are health reasons but I've always considered myself "just right". I read this post the other day by a girl with two children. She is my age and she has self discipline!

The first title I came up with for this post was "Feeling My Body" but thought that might be a little risque... :-)

Vinyl Stickers

I like vinyl appliques. I don't have any yet but I WILL have some in the future. There are so many delicious ones. I love sitting and picturing in my head where they could go and how I could possibly work them in. I think they qualify for the "less is more" idea of design. They are simple yet may provide interesting detail to to your home!

I really like this website.
http://www.dezignwithaz.com/

I got the folowing pictures from this website.
http://www.miraentuinterior.com/

The hand wierds me out a bit, but I like the sprinkling.

This is cute.

I've always loved circles in design.

This would add so much to a little boys room!

Bamboo.

I just love this.
See that girl? That's me laying on the floor next my wall applique. I really am that tan.
Ooomph. See what a punch it gives to the space?
This is just really cool.
I would never use this one but it's fun and looks like an Itunes advertisement to me. Only cool retro people could rock this.

I am REALLY not sure where I first saw these. Someone probably had a post about them on their site and I have been mulling over this idea for a while. Not sure who to credit!

Meaningful to Me

This morning I was annoyed. It's a bad habit I have, to wake up annoyed. I got out of bed, used the toilet and jumped in the shower. Got dressed (slowly) and groaned in frustration at my inability to come up with new ways to repurpose my wardrobe. (I have plenty of clothes) Put foundation on my nose, powder over my whole face and mascara on my eyelashes. When I finally came out of the bedroom I prepared two bowls of cereal for Jere and I and sat down to eat it.

I don't remember exactly what I said but something to the effect of "I feel crazy". Jere got up and retrieved my bible. I thought "good idea". I opened it to Psalms and just started from the beginning. I was reading, something caught my eye and I just stopped.

"My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up."

Psalms 5:3

This is so meaningful to me for a couple of reasons. One, because it helped me think about how to change my attitude immediately. My words in the morning are not directed, just thrown about carelessly.

Two, because I love this song. I have only ever heard it at the chapel I go to and it's taken directly from this psalm.

"Lord in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee and will look up"

This is just the last verse of the song, but it is my absolute favorite verse and I could go around singing this all day. In fact, I did! The Lord guided my sweet husband to help me change my attitude and it's something I've been pondering all day long.

Just so you know...I spared you the horrible recording I did of myself singing that verse.  Fortunately for everyone involved, I couldn't upload it from my phone to the computer.

Malicious Talk

Malicious talk and behavior is something I have trouble with. I know how I developed this problem, but I don't want to place blame anywhere. I cultured this problem on my own, so I will own it. This verse has been put on my heart in the past and lately I've been thinking about it a lot. Are my words and actions glorifying to God? When I think about, I think no. Sometimes I wonder if I really sound mean and other times I think people understand that I am just joking around. The problem is, Ephesians 5:4 says specifically not to talk foolishly or in jest. I jest a lot. All I can do is to pray and think consciously about what I am saying, choosing my words carefully in an uplifting manner. Only with God's grace will I be able to change my mindset and attitude.

Ephesians 5:2-7
5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.
5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5:5 For this ye know, that no whore monger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
5:7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

My question is...how can I show love for my family and friends without seeming weird in complimenting all the time??? In my mind, I joke around with the people that I love. The problem is that my joking takes a wrong turn sometimes and does not uplift people. I'll be pondering this constantly, so any suggestions are very welcome.

How do you keep a positive and uplifting mindset?

Thoughts for the morning

my belly hurts.

lady needs a haircut

these vitamins seem to be helping my nails grow

wrestling with jere was fun

i can do the dishes later

i can't wait to taste the yogurt jere decided to make (instead of me)

oh yeah, i'm eating lunch with the girls tommorow

oh yeah, i'm hanging out with my sister tommorow night

i have a lot to do today at work

jere: why do i have to do any work planning the trip when you decided we weren't going to make any reservations or know where we're going...doesn't that mean YOU DON'T PLAN ANYTHING?? (just so you know, i am not being rude or disrepectful to my dear loving husband...these are just thoughts running through my head)

why am i having to drag myself, beat myself into submission and then do a final waterboarding technique to make myself get anything done?

i am feeling really lazy

my stomach still hurts...maybe i should eat lunch now


i'm sure this is all so interesting - which is why i am posting it. HAHAHA. okay so i can feel my brain move as it switches to crazy mode and it's a weird sensation.