What Goes in, Must Come Out! Right?!

Back in November, I decided to try out a new hair colour line. I always try them on myself first, just to make sure that nothing bad happens. Boy, was I ever glad that I did. I used, what the company termed, a chocolate brown. It was a level 4 (1 is black, 10 is blond), so we are looking at a medium dark brown with some reddish, golden undertones. That is what should have happened. It didn't. Instead I got a really, really dark (almost black) colour with PURPLE undertones. It wasn't so bad, because it was underneath. It has been several months now, and I am really grossed out by the colour that this has faded to. It is a nasty purpley/brown mess. So I went to my friend Tracy and we decided that we would try to lift some of it out with highlights (I also have a piece in my bangs). Well, my hair is probably the easiest in the world to highlight. With very little work, it goes to a great light blond. After 1 1/2 hours sitting with the lightener on my hair, I had a lovely shade of dark pink. The bang piece was even worse. It went to a pinky/red. I couldn't believe it! So today I tried again to lift out just the bang piece. I used the strongest stuff that I have and left it on for almost 2 hours. I now have a lovely pastel pink bang. Not Impressed. I have never come across a colour like this! I need to give my hair a little break just so that I don't end up with no hair from over processing. No laughing! It's not funny. OK, it is, but not today. Maybe tomorrow.

Before I forget...

Happy Birthday Mark! It was Mark's birthday on Sunday. He turned 28. We went to church, had a restful afternoon, and then went to his parent's house for birthday supper. Mark's parent's made a wonderful prime rib supper for the family and then I made him a lemon cake for dessert. It was all great. On Monday we celebrated as a family. I made Mark's favourite meal and then I made lemon meringue and pumpkin pie for dessert. I guess that I can't really call it a family meal; Sam was already in bed. We watched a movie together and then the old man went to bed. I love you baby, here's to an eternity more!

Holy Lunge Batman!

My friend Leanne and I have been working on our bods for the last while, working out a couple of times a week together and a few times a week on our own. Well, last night we did a lower body series, and it was eye opening. You start by doing a basic warm up, and then you proceed to do 36 front lunges, 36 back lunges, and then 36 bowler lunges. This hideous mix is followed by squats and many other horrendous exercises. I managed to get through the lower body, without too much trouble. Then we did the core exercises. This is the part that made me realize that all of my hard work was paying off. I could do it all. No problems at all. When I first started working with my trainer in November, there was so much that I couldn't do. I had no strength in my core (as the babe had destroyed it). So we started slow and built it up. What a great feeling it was to work hard, and feel my body respond to the demands. Now if I could get my sugar cravings under control, then I would really be impressed. ps- lots of lunges+ not enough post workout stretching=walking like an eighty year old

Teething (Or, why I'm going to sell my child on ebay)

Sam has a couple of teeth. He has had them for a few months now, and he does quite well with them. About a month after the first two bottom teeth came in, he started to work on those top two. He is still working on them! They refuse to come through, but they have no problem causing him trouble.

He is cranky, partly because he is in pain and partly because he isn't napping well during the day. The pain of the teething wakes him up. Consequently, I am having to deal with an overtired, clingy, pain ridden toddler, all while working, taking care of the house, finishing numerous blankets, and trying to see Mark for more than an hour a day. I feel so bad for Sam, but it gets worse because Mark is sick, over worked, and tired from dealing with Sam.

So, anyone want a slightly used husband and/or a cute, kinda whiny toddler? There are days lately that I would be willing to sell them cheap. But I think that I will hold on to them a little longer. Their value is sure to go up with time.

Been a While

So, October, huh. Sorry. Time got away from me.

Rather than a long post, catching everyone up, perhaps I will simply summarize with the following: Sam growing, Mark in school, Jess working. 'Nuff said.

Not much is new or different. We moved in January. This was a source of both stress as well as stress relief. No more stress about the old place (they were trying to sell) and new stress about trying to move in a week. We love our new place and all of the space. Sam watches a flock of birds by perching at the window. He gets excited and bangs on the glass when he sees them.

Sam is the focus of most of the activity in our home. We have been trying to get him to fold his arms when we pray together. We had been mostly unsuccessful until yesterday. We were hanging out, eating lunch when Mark and Lisa called me back into the room (I was putting groceries away). Sam had figured out how to bring his hands together and link the fingers. He claps his hands together and then whirls them around (similar in nature to the wicked witch of the west, picture" I'll get you my pretty, and your little dog too!") It is absolutely adorable. Now we are getting him to do it every time that there is a prayer. Success rate: approximately 50%.

I'll post some pictures later.