To do or do not

Last year at this time, I had no idea of the joys I had ahead.  Baby grandboy born last week, the second daughter expecting her first in the spring and my son and his lovely girlfriend have announced they will wed!  This, my friends, was quite the Thanksgiving! 

I am watching out my window this morning and boy, its taking a turn out there.  Things are getting that gray, cold, fuzzy look and the trees are bare.  While I know what’s ahead, I can’t help but take in this day and be distracted for a time.   

There are things I should be doing.   I hear myself say “I’ll do that later” throughout the day.  While that is fine, there is a slight problem in delaying housework and things can really get more unpleasant, can’t they?   Although I have tried for over 30 years, this house won’t care for itself. 

My second problem is, I am married to a do-er.  He knows things that need to be done and just does them.  He plans his day and makes a mental “to do” and tackles it.  I usually have no idea what that plan is, but, he gets up busy and crashes in his recliner, and up to the moment his eyes close,  busy.  We have this unspoken agreement and he clears off the dinner dishes.  He doesn’t do them, mind you, but he clears it all away.   

I go to the couch and select what we will spend the next hour watching on television.  Sometimes, it has already been selected and is underway as we do have our favorite shows and some of them are disturbing in the mediocrity, to be honest.   It’s only an hour because he will be asleep in his chair within that hour.  My hubs has always amazed me in that he can walk in to a room and within five seconds be totally engrossed in a show.  He does not like political shows or debates about the economy, so we stay away from CNN.  But, it also amazes me how quickly he can be asleep in that chair. 

Here’s another thing about the hubs and television.  He can remember actresses from commercials or bit parts fifteen years ago.  “What’s she been on?” is a recurring question.  Then, within moments he’ll pull out some obscure show or commercial.  Notice I said actresses.  He never asks about males.  Never.  I pointed this out to him last week; he denies.  Of course, now on his list is to notice an actor from eons ago so he can ask me where we have seen him before.

My review of WEN

I told you all that I was trying a new “infomercial” shampoo. A few weeks ago I ordered WEN cleanser by Chaz Dean from QVC. The promise is that it will make your hair different – better different. So, I thought, what the heck? I’ll try it.

First, it is not cheap. Far from cheap. You can sometimes stumble upon a QVC special and it will be slightly discounted or available on what they call “Easy Pay” which breaks it down into 3 or so payments. I am a HUGE fan of Easy Pay. Anyway, it is expensive for the difference.

Is there a difference? It is really kind of hard to tell. I can say that my hair behaves really well. It blows dry like a dream and is super easy to style. It is soft. It is shiny. It has quite a bit of body. It is not growing any new hair in, but that wasn’t one of the promises! Durn. Anyway, I could maybe get this same result if I was using other products but I have to say, it may be subtle, but, I do think my hair seems better. The other thing is that my scalp feels better. Sometimes it felt quite dry, and itchy, so I like that it feels better.

Another plus is that my hair now holds the style all day. I don’t touch my hair from the time I dry it until maybe bedtime…if then. That’s also new. My hair is pretty fine and even with “product” in my hair, would be pretty flat at the end of the day for sure but often after just a couple hours.

Now for the shocker. I am not one for a face washing routine, so this next benefit is a good one for me…I wash my face with it, including taking off any left-over mascara, when the cleanser is still in my hands from doing my hair. There is no sting, it rinses off cleanly and no mascara left.

The deal is, there isn’t any detergent in the WEN system…it’s really not “shampoo” as is a cream cleanser. It does feel quite a bit like conditioner and it doesn’t lather. It takes a LOT and then a LOT of rinsing, but I have been able to dial it way back , since I have been using it for several weeks. If you do not use enough, do not rinse enough, you are not going to enjoy the product!  I also, on most days, don’t cleanse twice. I can’t imagine how much faster I would go through a large bottle if I had long hair and cleansed twice.

Daughter #1 tried the cleanser while visiting, and didn’t think there was a change. She was easy on the amount she used. Now, she is one that has not spent a lot of time fussing with her hair over the years…a wash and wear gal. Aside from blow drying, and hitting her hair with the straightener to get it smooth, she’s not investing in hair. She’s got great hair, which is quickly changing color as she is in her child bearing years. I would love to encourage her to try the cleanser for an extended period but I know her…she’s too frugal. She is so funny. Wears the same clear mascara I introduced her to in her early teen years because she has black eyelashes so what’s the point? That’s my girl. I do wonder if it would restore her natural color though, which is one of the benefits discussed in the presentation of the product.

Daughter #2 is using the cleanser – I shared mine with her. She likes her hair products and I thought this might be just the thing for her. I haven’t gotten a good sense of how she feels about it yet and she just cut her long hair back to her more favored short style. I am not sure short styles show the impact of the benefits as much as long, but her hair looks great.

My final verdict is if you enjoy a good, quality cleanse of your hair, leaving it soft, easy to style and shiny, then you should think about trying WEN. You have to commit to it and be ready to invest some shocking funds. Okay, that’s not quite true but it is expensive. If you are a hair girl, though, and can let go of lather, it’s great. If your hair isn’t a big deal to you, like you think “Eh, baby shampoo works.” or something along those lines, you might be disappointed in the cost versus the benefit.

We have a newly elected young mayor in my small town.  She brings an incredible resume, a generous heart, a big smile and a determination that is infectious.  During her campaign, she has energized believers and challenged prejudices.  She won her race with dignity and brought people into the arena that have not previously participated. She facilitated the weaving of those people into the fiber of a political cloth made up of the “same old, same old” to give new life to some pretty worn out duds.  

I went to the party last night for this newly elected bright star and arrived just in time to hear her declared the winner, the finish line crossed.  She was surrounded by those who believe in her, who trust her, who converted to her.  As a young woman who has some friends in some very high places, she was present in a group of high school friends, both old and new, who campaigned with vigor, and she was equally present in the center of the party patriarchs.    

But, to me, the one who observes, I watched her dad tear up as he hugged his girl.  Her mom beamed with pride...they didn’t know for the longest time that I was even there...which made it perfect for me.  (I tried to find her mom just after arriving but have you ever been a short person, looking for a short person, in a crowded room?) Those moments will be forever in my memory.  I watched her older brother, who holds a forever place in my heart, give her a victory high five and then, and this is it folks, step back, pull her to him and kiss her on the cheek.  It warmed me to my very center.   

One last thing... I have dipped my toe into the murkiness of political waters, holding the beach towel as others frolicked.  It was definitely fringe involvement, but it was fun last night to catch eyes as people passed me, no doubt wondering why I was there, who I was or what I had in mind.  To see the “Who is that?” question cross their face, as they were sure they knew me from somewhere, cracked me up.   To those of you who know me well, you have to know I took pleasure in those awkward, uncomfortable moments.  Being at a political event is much like being in a lunchroom at high school, you have to eat, but where do you sit? 

What a whirlwind!

I’ve had a really great couple of weeks...I’ve talked about it to many of you and have mentioned it here in my blog a time or two as well.  Life is good, indeed.  

I have really enjoyed reliving some past events, seeing some old friends and family members, sharing lots of laughs, meeting new friends and had some new experiences.  I wish every month could be as fun-filled as my October has been.  I had a birthday, an anniversary and for a brief minute even thought I might have my new grandchild in October.  But, that was just practice. 

How can my November top my October? Well, I should get that grandbaby....that’s going to be a big plus.    There’s Thanksgiving of course...that’s probably my favorite holiday, as long as everyone has Friday off.  Oh, I have a job outside the home now.  I may actually have to work on Friday! Yikes! That’s alright; I love being at work. 

I also have our annual “chili party” planned for family.  As our family grows, its getting more and more fun to look forward to.  I will see if my weather prediction for the first weekend in November always being fabulous works out.  Otherwise, its a good thing we’re family and get along because we will be squeezed in! We have been before, however, and it works out! 

So I guess I DO have a lot to look forward to in November.  It will be a month filled with excitement, fun and family.  My goodness, how did I get to be so lucky? What about YOU? 

Was that a year? Really?

Today is my birthday and although I worked today I did spend a little time reflecting over the last year, to see what's different, what's the same and what needs to change.  I prefer to do this kind of thing around my birthday rather than New Year's Eve; to me, it just makes more sense.

I really, really like my new job.  It is not enough money...there is not enough time in the day to get everything done but, for the time being, that's okay.  We can visit those issues later.   I am so enjoying being with the art everyday, I can't even tell you.  There's some minor adjustments that will need to be made along the way to some of the processes that I work with every day, but I really like it.  The people are great as well.

Someone said to hubs last week that the job comes with its own social life and that is so true.  I've had two events and one dinner to attend! Me, who never left the house to the concern of my friends and family!  I am very grateful as one of the things that needed to change, if I were being honest, was that I need to be out and amongst it.  Check.

I looked at my face for a while in the mirror this morning and felt okay about what I saw.  I see my mom's neck there but that's to be expected, I guess.   I again thought to myself "Not bad, not bad" as I took a brief survey of the lumps and bumps of me.  I don't sweat the weight gain and the gravity drain as some others might.  I just don't want to be burdened with thinking about that ALL the time.

You know about my hair cut and my change of shampoo.  My hair is growing super fast but is not looking much thicker than it was.  I've got thin spots to be sure, but my hair is healthy and shiny and I like it alright.  So. My nails are super tough.  My feet swell and my legs sometimes hurt.  Still can't get to sleep every night but I get to sleep most nights so that's good.  I think all in all, I like me pretty well.  I looked in the mirror and thought, again, not bad for a bird your age, Cindi Lou.  Just like last year,  I thought "Yep, not bad for 56." Do the math...57, not 56.  Why can't I get that right?

Back in the saddle.

Hubs and I went to our big capitol city over the weekend and while there enjoyed a visit to a pumpkin patch to help the granddaughter pick out pumpkins.  The pumpkin patch we visited was like pumpkin patch infinity as was far more than just a pumpkin patch.

There was so much to do at this patch that it can not be called a patch.  It was a production.  It was incredible!  After being directed to park for a $5 fee, we tumbled out of the mini-van with two pregnant daughters and their husbands, and the princess who allows us to dally in her domain. 

As we walked through the gates of the bustling farm,  her eye landed on small horses being guided around a circular loop, young riders on their backs.  A new adventure and I agreed as soon as she pointed her little finger and said she wanted to do that.  We stood in line, paid our fee and soon she was having her first pony ride.  Mommy walked along, with Daddy managing the camera and close by,  and a staff member was on the other side of the pony.  The little girl in pigtails, who holds my heart in the palm of her hand, bounced along on that little pony and grinned her biggest grin.  Mommy smiled big, too, and Daddy snapped away, taking great pictures. 

Something went slightly awry about halfway through the well worn route,  the pony danced, shook and the granddaughter sort of fell off/was pulled off and caught. Staff members came scurrying over and the pony was calmed, Mommy reassured and the little girl was plopped back into the saddle.  Not being sure what spooked the little guy, named LeRoy, the staff suggested it might be the sound of Mommy’s keys, attached to her purse handle.  

The pony finished its circuit and came to a halt, carrying the brave little princess, her smile not quite as confident but still in place.   She was lifted out of her saddle by a teary eyed Papa.  She informed us that LeRoy was scared, and so was she, but she liked it. 

I can’t get over how brave of her to get back in that saddle to “try again”, which is one of her favorite phrases, usually with a giggle.  I can’t get over how brave of Mommy and Daddy, either!   I can’t get over how quickly my heart melts, again and again. 

Can I stand any more?

Along with my new job, I decided to go for a new haircut.  A new style.  My hair had gotten pretty long, almost too long and while somewhat easy to take care of, it could be a bit of a pain as I'm definitely not a pony tail girl.  I decided to go for something a bit more trendy, to fit my new job and my personality...a bit of spunk.

About three weeks ago I decided to try this cleansing system for my hair that you see advertised on infomericals and I gotta tell ya, I like it.  Is it better than all the other products out there? Time will tell, but so far, I like it.  I especially liked it the week I tried it on my longer hair.   I'll keep posting how that product works for me in case any of you have wondered about it.

All in all, then, my life is pretty good, right? Well, grab on to yourself or your loved one because the NEXT thing is my youngest and her husband announced her pregnancy! I am so over the moon with it I can hardly bear it.  Two pregnant daughters and more grandchildren on the way.  Life is good, very good.

Here is what happened to me today, however.  I was standing in front of the mirror, fixing my new do for my trip in to my new job, feeling pretty good about myself and my life, maybe even whistling,  when it occurred to me that I have seen this longer, somewhat shaggy, side swept hair cut...it's Justin Bieber hair.  Oy. I have opted to have my hair cut like a boy pop star.