A brand new me

Well, that didn't go very well now, did it? Let's not talk of it again.

Okay since everybody else jumped off the bridge I had to, too (everybody being Lulu and Sophie) . I went and Simpsonized myself. Here I am in all my Springfieldian glory...


This was one of the few times I wish I wore glasses all the time so that I wouldn't have to choose from their very skimpy selection of eyebrows. I know thick eyebrows are in, but DUDE! I also went ahead and made my hair a little shorter because guess what? I'm getting a hair cut on Tuesday! At a real salon! I'm so psyched because I haven't gotten a "real" hair cut in quite some time. I used to get my hair done at this really trendy place here in town and the girl did an awesome job. When I first started going there I only had one child and they only charged me $40 for a haircut. That was what I paid for my haircuts in Savannah, so it seemed reasonable. Slowly but surely, appointment by appointment, the cost kept going up. The last time I got my hair cut there was not long after Punkin' was born. It was $60 for just a shampoo, cut and blowdry. With tip it was $70. I'm sorry, but that is just TOO much for a haircut. I KNOW it's harder than it looks, but $60??!! Seriously? So, I had to cut ties (pun intended) with that salon.

And finding a new hairdresser is a big deal, right? I know in a recent post I was all "what's the big deal, it'll grow back" but I still want to maintain some semblance of style, you know? Even if they cut it off to a nub I still want it to be a stylish nub. So, I did what anybody would do. I stopped a stranger on the street and asked her where she got her hair cut. Don't tell me you've never done it. Or at least wanted to! Actually, she wasn't a complete stranger -- her son(?) goes to the same daycare that Punkin' goes to. She had this amazingly cute hairstyle and so I asked. And you'll never believe where she gets it cut! Cost Cutters for $11.99!! So, I went and got a great cut, too. I wore it in that style for a while, but I get tired of the same hairstyle month after month and I couldn't decide what I wanted to do next. I've been back a time or two and she's always done what I asked but I haven't been blown away.

And so now, my mother has found a new stylist and she (my mother, not the stylist) has graciously and generously given me the money to get my hair cut with this girl too. My mother is self-admittedly obsessive about her hair so for my mother to recommend someone is a big deal. So I'm excited. I'm contemplating two haircuts. I need some feeback because Mr. Husband is like, "Whatever you want." I'm thinking either the new Katie Holmes (but NOT the "Posh"):


Or Selma Blair from a couple of years ago:


I really like the Selma Blair cut, but I've recently met a new mom at church and her hair is cut in a similar fashion. We have a playdate tentatively set for Saturday and I don't want her to think I've gone all "Single White Female" on her.

I've had my hair cut short before (Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby short, in fact) and I really liked it. But I was thinner then. And going short again makes me a little nervous. But I kind of think I need something to wake me up. Shake me up, if that makes any sense. I've gotten into such a rut. Maybe a new haircut will make me get off my ass and go to the gym. Maybe it will revitalize me. What do you guys think? Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. Which one looks like the new me?

A little slice of heaven

So last night I found a little slice of heaven. Driving with the windows down, just a hint of fall in the air, one of my favorite songs on the radio, no one complaining about the wind in their face or demanding kids songs. Ahhhh.....heaven.

I think I'm on the mend....

Okay, so I've kind of had the mullygrubs this week. I think it was because my Labor Day weekend was so full of activities that I didn't get any rest at all. Don't get me wrong -- they were fun activities. But I think I spent a total of about 2 hours in my own home over the course of last weekend and I think I cleaned my kitchen about 7 times in 2 days. The long weekend, coupled with a couple of nights not really sleeping all that well (no, not Punkin' this time -- just too much caffeine I think) and well, what I had was a good ol' fashioned case of the mullygrubs.

So, I took matters into my own hands and took today as a personal day from work. This is the first time in ages that I've been home alone when I wasn't home with one or both sick kids or I wasn't sick myself. I had to get up to take Punkin to school. It's nigh on impossible for Mr. Daddy to take both kids and get to work on time himself. Bubba's school has a VERY narrow window of time when you can drop the kids off in the "Kiss and Ride" lane and because Bubba has been pretty mullygrubby this week, too, we're trying not to walk him inside unless we just have to.

I actually think there has been some mullygrubbishness going around, like a virus. Punkin' had it last week (along with an ACTUAL virus) where NOTHING suited her. If her cereal bar broke as she was eating it you would have thought the world was about to end. When she woke up from her nap, nothing offered as a snack was pleasing even though EVERYTHING in the house was offered.

And on Tuesday, when Mr. Daddy dropped Bubba off at school, he had a major tantrum, screaming and crying, not wanting Daddy to leave. Huh? That is sooo not like him. (Thus the "kiss and ride" thing). I called and talked to his teacher that morning and we decided that perhaps he wasn't just feeling 100%. That afternoon when I picked him up I asked him was he okay, was he feeling sad about something? "No," he said. "I was just feeling grumpy." I guess we all are allowed to be grumpy now and then. Then Punkin' piped up and said "I grumpy, too." Bubba and I laughed and I said, "You're not grumpy." "I grumpy," she asserted. "Noooo. You're not grumpy. You're silly!" I laughed. "I GRUMPY" she yelled! Okay then!

So anyway, I came back today from taking Punkin to school and went back to bed. And slept, for the most part, if you don't count the $@%@(#%P(@# dogs next door barking their fool heads off at who knows what for about half an hour, for about 2 hours. I got up, showered and then met my mom for a lovely lunch at a local Thai restaurant. And then I went and bought new Bulldog shirts for both kids -- we have to be properly attired, you know! And now I'm getting some kid-free time at the computer. I may even watch Oprah. Or maybe Ellen.

Tomorrow we're tailgating. We'll watch the Dawgs whoop up on old Steve Spurrier (boo! hiss!) Life is good.

Thursday Thirteen - My favorite blogs!

Thirteen Things about Madame Queen Let me just say right off the bat that I'm kind of snap judgement (and judgemental) kind of person. If something is really, really popular I automatically think that it must be trash. If the general population is going ga-ga over it, it must be an opiate for the masses and not worth my time. And many, many times I've been wrong. Grey's Anatomy -- oh, it just another trashy soap opera type show. Wrong! Now I'm addicted and can't wait for the new season. American Idol -- give me a break! Who cares?!! I DO! I got hooked on the season of Chris Daughtry, et al and now I actually vote! Like a teenager! The other thing I was extremely scornful of was blogs. Who cares what random Joe or Joanne Schmo thinks about...whatever. Who wants to spend their time reading some random stranger's thoughts about stuff. I DO! I hereby officially apologize to all bloggers out there and officially declare myself one of you! I Love you guys! So, for my very first Thursday Thirteen, I'm listing my 13 favorite blogs. They're not in any particular order except for the first one. The first one is the one that started it all! 1. Faster Than Kudzu by author Joshilyn Jackson. Someone loaned me her first novel, gods in Alabama and I noticed in the back that she had a website. So I went, read some of her old posts and I was hooked. And hers was the only one I read for a very long time. I don't know why I never explored any others. But one day I was bored and I started clicking through some of the other links. And the rest, as they say, is history. 2. Woulda Coulda Shoulda I think the very day that I started reading this blog I noticed that Mir was moving to my town. Wha? I know how hard it is to move to a new town and not know anyone, so I emailed her and offered to help out with the "getting to know the town" kind of stuff. We emailed back and forth for a while and we've gotten together a couple of times and you know what? She's just as nice and as funny as heck as she is in her blog. Some of her posts have made me howl with laughter. 3. A Hole in the Fence by Sophie. I honestly can't remember how I came across this blog, but I'm so glad I did. Her life seems so similar to mine. Plus, she's got a Pumpkin and I've got a Punkin'! She's also got a very dry sense of humor which I appreciate. And last but not least, she gave me my Blog Star award yesterday -- my first blogging award and I'll always treasure it! 4. Lulu's Laundry by Lulu. Again, I can't remember exactly how I came across her blog, but this post hooked me. I think this is one of the funniest things I've ever read in my entire life. If you can read this without crying with laughter, there is something seriously wrong with you! 5. Suburban Turmoil by Lindsey. Lindsey used to be a television reporter and still works off an on in Nashville. Her post has just enough celebrity flash to satisfy my need for all things trashy, but intelligent enough to keep me coming back. 6. Precarious Tomato Mir turned me on to this blog because the author is also a local. I'm so glad she did because Tammy is hilarious. I've met her a couple of times, too, and she too is so nice and funny in person. And she's just recently announced that she's expecting her first child so she's opened herself up for ALL KINDS of mothering advice. 7. Maresydoats I found this blog through Faster Than Kudzu. Mar won a Blogging for Books award for this post. It so perfectly captured how I feel sometimes -- plus, the phrase "snuggly little snoozer" was just too perfect not to add to my vocabulary. Mar doesn't post often, which is disappointing for those of us who like her blog, but she's a busy lady, so I understand. 8. Miss Doxie I've seen a lot of people list Miss Doxie on their faves list - and there's a reason. She's funny as hell. She doesn't post very much either, but when she does, look out! 9. Daily Tragedies Again, not sure how I found her, but I started checking in and like the way she said things. And she's not afraid to be very introspective, which I admire. Plus, she likes the Beastie Boys and how can you not like that? 10. My Own Circle of Confusion A lot of the blogs that I'm drawn to have similar themes -- working (or sometimes non-working) mom, small kids, harried life. Anyway, I enjoy it. I keep going back. She only has two sets of clean sheets for the kids' beds too. I feel so much better! 11. The Tea Party Place Laurel was one of the very first people that I didn't actually know who commented on my blog! I was thrilled, so of course I checked her blog out and found that we have so many things in common. Once when her post mentioned that her son was sick and then she didn't post for about 5 or 6 days I actually got quite concerned. Fortunately, everything was okay -- well, as okay as 2 kids with strep can be. You should check out the pictures of her recent trip to her hometown. Amazing! 12. Stay At Home Mom Going Quickly Insane I swear, when I read her post I wondered if I was secretly blogging in my sleep under an assumed name. It was truly freaky. Go read this post titled "Am I Normal" and you will know what I look like in the mornings just trying to get out of the house. Freakily, freakily similar. In a good way! :) And finally, 13. Full Hands Mom This mom is an even newer blogger than I am, but I think she's doing a great job so far. I know for a fact that she has stepped way outside of her comfort zone to start blogging and for that I want to give her this... Keep up the good work! You're a star!

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Why the world needs Superman

But first, look what I got today!

Sophie, over at A Hole in the Fence gave me this today! Today was Monday all day long (even though it's Tuesday) so that was a much needed pick me up. Plus, I can't wait to check out some of the other blogs she's recommended. I don't know about you, but I think I'm certifiably addicted to these here blog thingies! (I'm going to pass on this Blogging Star later in the week. I've got grand plans!!)

But back to Superman. Superman Returns was on HBO (I think) this weekend. Bubba is very into Superman so we let him watch it, not really realizing that there were cuss words in it until we heard Bubba repeat this little gem -- "What the hell is that!?" So, we had to have the little talk about "just because you hear it on the tv doesn't make it alright to say" and so on and so forth. But while he was watching it I kind of got hooked in too. I was sitting in the middle of the living room floor folding clothes and I was watching the scene where Lois, her son and her new fiance are about to drown in the sinking ship. All of sudden, cue the music. And there's Superman to save the day. And all of a sudden I'm just bawling. Tears are pouring down my face and I have to leave the room for fear of freaking my children out.

What was THAT about? I've always been a little bit of a crier, but Superman? I started thinking about it and I think it's because I wish Superman was real. I wish there was a superhero who could show up just in time to solve all the world's problems. Without getting into politics or political discussions, I wish there were a superhero who could save every soldier and every innocent civilian in Iraq, who could stop all the murders in Darfur, who could have used his super lung strength to hold up the levees in New Orleans or frozen that tidal wave in its place in Thailand and Indonesia. Or held the twin towers together with his bare hands.

And truthfully, I could use a little Superman in my own life. There are some days when the day to day minutiae of life just seems unbearable, when the task ahead seems insurmountable. I know these feelings are fed by exhaustion most of the time, but it would be so nice sometimes to have someone say "Don't worry, I've got you" as I fall from the top of the Daily Planet. I sometimes think that's the hardest thing about becoming an adult. You can no longer really look to someone else to protect you and fix all your problems, even if you're lucky enough to have your parents alive and living close by. YOU are the protector now. YOU are the fixer. YOU have to be the one to say "Don't worry, I've got you." And good Lord it's hard work. No wonder Superman had his Fortress of Solitude. Anybody know where I can get one of those?

Give me a break!

I'm a little bit of a tv junkie. I'm a reader, too, but I do love my televsion, particularly certain shows. For the last couple of years, in an effort to save money, Mr. Daddy and I have limited ourselves to basic -- VERY basic -- cable. For some obscene amount of money (considering the service), the cable company graciously provided us with something like 22 channels. Of those 22, 3 were Hispanic (I don't speak Spanish), 2 were shopping channels (I rarely buy anything off of television), and 2 were religious channels (I prefer to get my religion in person, thank you). So that left us with what? 15 channels? We watched a LOT of public television. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of great shows on GPTV, but there are only so many episodes of Antiques Roadshow you can watch, you know?

So anyway, we recently celebrated our very slight decrease in childcare payments by getting a satellite and one of the most exciting things for me was the return of TLC. I love TLC. When Bubba was a newborn I spent many, many hours on the sofa, in a daze, watching episode after episode of A Wedding Story, followed by a couple of episodes of A Baby Story and then for good measure, a couple of episodes of A Makeover Story. But what I was most excited about was the return of What Not to Wear. I love, love, love Clinton and Stacy. I've always been a sucker for a good makeover, but what I love about them is how they really get the person invested in their makeover and genuinely try to help the person dress for their body and make them see for themselves how great they can look. I love the "rules." Everybody needs rules. And if you guessed that I watched with envy in my heart for a new $5000 wardrobe, you'd be right. I'm not ashamed to admit it.

So Friday night I sat down with glee and turned on WNTW. I came in on the middle of an episode about a girl who had super long hair. She was talking to the confessional camera about how she was going to try to talk Nick out of cutting her hair, that she "was pretty good at that sort of thing." Ultimately, though, she let him cut it and she was so happy with the results. And they all lived happily ever after.

I settled in to watch the next episode. It was going to be about a nurse who recently lost 20 lbs and was not dressing for her new body. The clips showed her having a MAJOR anxiety attack, crying and sniveling about how she "wanted her old clothes back." GIVE ME A BREAK, PEOPLE!

There was an episode on the other night about a rocker chick who practically went into hysterics because they wanted to color her hair. What is up with these people? Who is so tied to their ratty old clothes or their hair that they're not willing to be adventurous? It's just hair. If you cut it off, it will grow back. I apologize if I'm stepping on any toes, here, but I just can't imagine ever turning down such an opportunity. Good grief, if someone said to me "Hey, your style is terrible and we want to teach you how to dress. Here's $5000. Come to New York and let's go shopping" I'd say "Sweet! When do we leave?" I want to carpe as much diem as I possibly can.

So now I don't even know if I can watch this show anymore. Am I too much of a curmudgeon? Am I taking this all way too seriously? Carpe diem, people. Carpe diem.

Ick!

Is anybody else as freaked out by this as I am?



I just gave myself another major case of heebie jeebies! If you really, really want to know more about this, click here. But don't say I didn't warn you!