Let's talk about hair

Once upon a time,.....

Mom and I went to the mall, Southland Mall in CA, and I went to "Command Performance" there to get my hair cut. My hair just so you know is VERY thick,.... at the time it was fairly long. I had to have been around 16 or 17 maybe??? Anyhow, I've gotten used to sitting down in the chair and the hairdresser running her fingers through it saying "Goodness you have a lot of hair" (or something along those lines)

As she was cutting, she commented on the color of my hair,... "Did you know you had some platinum in your hair??" Umm... no, I honestly didn't. At that time, I thought "Cool!! I have some blonde in my hair!!!" Mmm hmm....

By the time I was 21 I was coloring the GREY out of my hair. Granted it wasn't much,... but any grey at that age is unheard of right??? Seems my mom's side of the family grey's early. Nice. Thanks a lot. *SIGH*

Ever since, I have been coloring my hair. Usually a color that matches what my haircolor is normally. Well, I'm 40 now, and "THEY" say that you should start going lighter, makes you look younger and all that crap.

When mom came to visit, we did a haircare day. Went to a salon and got pampered,... I had some highlights put in and it was wonderful. I really liked it. BUT maintaining it.... that's another story. I just can't see going in every 6 weeks or whatever to get it redone for $100+. So, instead, I found a haircolor that closely matched and have been doing the all over color. It's lighter than my natural color for sure. Decent enough, but I do miss the look of the highlights.

Soo,... while getting groceries the other day, I NEEDED haircolor,.... (hate when these nasty grey roots start showing up) I came acrossed this

For Lt Brown to Dk Brown hair,.... and for LONG hair as well. I pondered over the box,.... even called my cousin to get her 2cents on the ordeal. Told her what was in the box,... cap, things to pull the hair through the cap, this rinse that other stuff,... blah blah blah. Well,.... she seemed a tad bit skeptical, but that yes, it would blend in the grey,..... SOLD.

I got 2 boxes. Just because something says it's for long hair, doesn't mean MY long hair,... my THICK LONG hair.

Today,... I'm going to attempt to try doing this. I'd do before and afters, but I think I'd rather not LOL I'll just let ya know how it goes instead ;o)

Wish me luck!!!

Oh yeah, I still plan on posting the kids Halloween pics,... and giving the run down from our trip around trick or treating. It's quite funny :o)

Teenage Frustration

And I'm not talking about the teenager being frustrated. The mom is frustrated with the teen.

*pulls hair out*

I dunno what I've done wrong, or how to correct the situation, but it seems he's just lazy and doesn't give a crap about much of anything.

I feel like he's for sure not giving 100% at school. Going to Comm. College so he can continue on to a 4yr college and get a degree in gaming design. Sounds wonderful doesn't it?? I mean, great in that he has a goal.

If there was a meter here to show where he was at in reaching that goal,.... well, the meter wouldn't read much of anything.

He doesn't study,.... he's confessed that he's skipped some classes..... hey, I did too when I went for a full semester,.... but he has a goal!!! I didn't.

His room is most always a mess,.... yesterday he came out and asked me "If I clean up my room, can I go hang out w/ my friends" What I thought was sad is that he's 18 and asking if he can do something IF is room is cleaned. Well, at 18 shouldn't he BE keeping his room clean???? I guess not.

Then today,... he's gotta work,.... he's got a seasonal position at Game Stop,... like his dream job,.... he's worked 1 day a week since he started a few weeks ago. He came in to ask me a question,... all dressed and ready to go.

He was a wrinkled mess. Looked like he'd slept in his shirt or worse!!! Just looked horrible. Grrr.... I went off. Nagging mom ensued. I hate being the nagging mom,.... but every time I turn around,... well, he just gives me plenty to nag about.

Told him he needed to either go change or iron his shirt. "Nothing else fits" Well, that's a lie,.... I know for a fact he's got other shirts that fit just fine. ARGH.... knowing him they're either in a pile and dirty, or in a pile and clean.

I'm just frustrated that he doesn't care more about himself. His job. His schooling. Nothing.

I know he has it easy here,.... free room/board. He's got internet, cellphone, gaming,.... it's all right here. Who'd wanna leave that??? I just don't think we ask too much of him. Go to school, do well, work hard,.... various household duties,... we want him to get a decent job so he can start saving towards a car,... but I don't even think he cares about that.

I dunno. Just needed to rant I suppose.

I do have a plan! He has no school on Fridays. So, this Friday, will be job hunting day. He'll go with me in the morning and anything along the way, we'll stop off and get an application, he can fill it out right then and there,... turn it in. Something has to pan out. I'm tired of him being so lazy and not caring about things.

We'll see how this goes I guess.

Enough ranting. I have dinner to start for the littles. They want to go to this Halloween Carnival that a family is having. Should be fun :o) Best get us ready!

**edit**

I just hung up with said lazy teenager. He was about to leave work and head home. He was excited to tell me that he got an achievement at work today... ??? Umm... okay?? what??? "I'm on the board for doing good deeds" "Ohh, that's neat, what was your good deed?" "I alphabetized the whole half of the store" "ewww, bet that was fun" "ohhh yeah..." "well, that's really cool honey" *sigh* All that ranting and look what he goes and does. Damn kid. LOL

You know it's time for home schooling when....

Your daughter gets into the car after school and the first thing she tells you about is how her teacher sorta melted down.

The class wasn't cooperating is what I gather,... finally a student answers a question, and the teacher thanks her and proceeds to sit down at her desk and tell the students that she gives up, that they can do what they want and she'll sit at her desk and just relax. She sat down and removed her glasses, and had to wipe her eyes. Sydney said she was crying real tears!?!

To add insult to injury, one of the office workers comes in and tells them all that they're going to get zero's but nooooo.. they don't CARE about zero's do they????

I'm sorry.... is this teaching???? I'm confused.

I'm very frustrated. I send youngest to school w/ notes in his folder for the teacher, and never get replies. Just a simple "I got your note" or SOMETHING, ANYTHING would be great!!

Then there are the papers he's to return,.... they sit in his folder and I wonder "did she see these??" "did you turn these in??" to which he says yes, "did she see them??" "I think so?" *headdesk*

Communication is lacking lately. If I didn't think I'd have no hair at the end of a week, I really would give home schooling a shot,.... and like hubby says,.. the kids need the interaction with the other kids. He is right about that, especially w/ Geoffery. He's VERY social.

Oh well, what can we do?? I know teaching isn't EASY, but there just seems to be something amiss here.

The Draft

I know that we've not reinstated the draft,.... I know that it will probably never happen in my lifetime right??? I feel pretty confident in that. I mean, really,.... would they ever force our men to go to war again??? Could they??? Should I pack Brian's bags and move him to Canada now???

I picked up the mail today. Brian had a weird letter. Used his FULL (he has 2 middle names, so yeah... when you see all that you become alert) name on it too,.... hmm... school something or other maybe??? I waited until we got home so he could open it.

It was a letter reminding him that he was an 18 year old male, and that per the law he had to register for the draft.

Hit me like a ton of bricks. I mean, I know that boys are supposed to. I remember thinking how weird it was that boys did and girls didn't when I was close to being 18.

Now that I'm a MOM,... having my baby boy (okay,.... so he's not a baby anymore,...) have to register for the draft, well, just puts a lump in your gut.

Standing there in the kitchen, the kids are all snarfing down mini Oreo cookies for snack. I look at Geoffery who will have his turn to register in 9 years. This happy go lucky and yes Inky, always in smiles boy.... all I can do now is pray that the draft never goes live,... ever.

Fun times at Pumpkin Hollow

Last week, we went to Pumpkin Hollow with Geoffery's class. This is the annual 3rd grade field trip. Second time we've been. The first time was less than stellar so I wasn't expecting much, but was glad Chris had the day off so he could go along. That always helps :o) Geoffery was VERY excited about his field trip. What kid isn't???

Here are some photos of our fun time there.... it did end up much better than anticipated.


When we first got there, the kids watched a short video that would explain where we were going, what we would see,.... they all look so thrilled don't they? lol

Daddy got picked to hand out the feed for the goats,.....

Here's Geoffery feeding one of the many goats they had

After feeding the goats and running around, going to the restroom,... it was time for the hay ride!!! Here's Geoffery with his best friend Kristopher :o)

At the top of the hill,... there was a nice pond, the kids were each given a quarter to get feed to feed the ducks, the turtles and the catfish that were in this pond

Daddy and Geoffery at the pond

Kris and Geoffery bein silly before walking through the corn maze

Here, we're waiting to go down to the pumpkin patch.... these large bails of hay were great for climbing on,... and proclaiming that you're the "KING OF THE WORLD!!!!!"

Down at the pumpkin patch, there were so many pumpkins to pick from,... rather sad that they only let the kids pick such small ones,... they're hardly suitable for carving.... but hey... they're having fun right??? Daddy is helping find the best one ;o)

I think this is the one......

YUP! This is THE pumpkin for me!!!!

Ahhh finally lunch time!!!! Can we go home now??? (someone was looking forward to getting home so he can play his videogame on the Wii)

Before we headed out, we did sample some fresh pumpkin pie and pumpkin roll,... omg delicious!!! I could've eaten the whole things :o) We also went over to the fish pond and got our picture taken before going home.

All in all it was a very nice day :o) The weather was perfect,.... considering the day before we had had rain and I fully expected us to be muddy messes,... it wasn't that bad.


Since then,.... things have been fairly quiet around the house. Chris worked nights,... getting a few things done around the house,... getting ready for cooler weather so going through the kids clothes. I have BAGS upon BAGS of clothes and toys that will go to a gal where Chris works. She'll take it to her church where the items will go to those that need it most. I usually do Goodwill, but ya know, if you're HAVING to shop there,... you don't have a whole lot of money in the first place,... so yeah... am glad that the church will see to it that people who need it will get the stuff,... FREE.

Geoffery brought home a sheet to sign up for basketball. One year that Sydney was cheering, I was quite sure they had "pee wee" teams for 3rd graders. I swear they were playing each other. Maybe I'm wrong??? anyhow.... I thought what a great deal for him, then when 4th grade rolls around, he'll be that much better!!! (to play against other schools etc)

Geoff announced Friday after school that he had basketball practice Monday!! ?? Umm.... what time??? "I don't remember" "which gym??" (there are 3 at the schools) "Dunno..." *SIGH* Yup, so far this was organization at it's best huh??

Monday I called up there to find out,.... and even the office wasn't sure. She didn't sound thrilled about it in the first place as football was still going on, and the practices would be over lapping. Well,... this bodes well already doesn't it?? She gave me a cell number of the guy doing the coaching,... I called, left a message and he quickly returned the call.

Which is when he explained that this is a sort of try out for the 3rd graders. Normally basketball doesn't start until 4th grade,... but if any 3rd graders show potential, they'll put them on the 4th grade teams. A try out??? How can 3rd graders try out for something they've not ever done anything with??? I mean, Geoff has NEVER played any form of basketball outside of PE. Yeah, I felt this could've been handled so much better. You know,... a notice sent home to all 3rd grade parents,... Geoffery thought he would be ON a team,... so we had to tell him otherwise. Just go out and play your best, and have fun,...

Chris took him last night, and he said he did pretty good,... he can dribble the ball pretty well,... Geoffery had already been bragging on how well he can do this,... but shooting the ball,... hmm.. not so much LOL He had a GREAT time though, so that was good :o) He'll have like 2 more of these practices where the boys are watched and evaluated. We aren't expecting much, but maybe this will give him an idea of what to do for 4th grade :o)

In the mean time, we're waiting for the sign ups for soccer. At least soccer is something he CAN be on a team for.

Jessica's 15th Birthday is Saturday. Hard to believe she'll be 15. I hate that she's not HERE with US. I'd like to do something fun with her. Have her friends over,.. that sort of thing. I don't know what she has planned,.... but I just finished boxing up all her goodies to send off this afternoon :o)

I guess that's it for now. It's sprinkling outside. I had delusions of going out and weed eating around the house LOL Riiiiggghhhttt... I've got plenty to do inside, so going to get off my rump and get that done :o)

Have a great day!!

Feeling down...

I am trying to stay motivated and clean up the house. While hubby was home, I did very little, so now it's like playing catch up. While I'm cleaning, I'm trying to declutter areas. We're bad about tossing stuff on table tops and leaving it there, and it piles up more and more..... then there are drawers. You get the idea.

I got Chris's side all straightened up, took a break, ate some food, and watched the season premiere of Medium. I'm so glad that the shows are back :o) I'm so glad we have a technology that gave us the wonderful thing called a DVR.

Once that was over, I set off to clean more. It was my side of the couch,... my end table, top and bottom.

Under the table I have a huge photo album,... and a box. I bought the box a long time ago,.... it had smoked salmon inside. The box is wooden with a metal plate, an image of a fish on top. It looks very Alaskan for art. The salmon has long been gone of course,... but fishing makes me think of Dad. I use the box to store the letters that I'd received from him over the past years.

From time to time, I like to pull them out and glance through them. Today was one of those days. I always cry when I do this,.... it makes me miss him so much. The letter that was on top held a picture of him. He was in the VA program to help get him on his feet, and while there, it was his Birthday along with several other VAers that month. It was a picture of him standing there w/ a mic in his hand.

I can only imagine the things he might be saying,... he loved to talk. He could be quite funny, so I imagine there were several laughs to be had.

Always in his letters, he would tell me how much he loved me, and how proud he was of me. There's still not a day that goes by that I don't miss him. He's been gone now for 8 years. While it doesn't feel like just yesterday that we said good bye to him,... it sure doesn't feel like it's been 8 years.

I guess I will go back to cleaning now.