Teenage angst...

Teen angst - is that what we are calling it these days?  The life of a teenage girl (my lovely daughter is 15) is soooooo difficult.  I think it is much more difficult than when I was 15.  Let me put this in perspective:

• we didn't have instant contact with anyone via text or cell phone
• privacy was easier without Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram
• we didn't post every aspect of our lives and relationships online for all to see
• communication was done in person or over the phone or by the "old fashioned" passing a note in class
• if we totally embarrassed ourselves (falling down walking across the courtyard between classes) no one caught it for all posterity with their cell phone camera/video to then post online therefore compounding the embarrassment
• if someone wanted to know if we were in a relationship they asked, they didn't check Facebook

You could NOT PAY ME to be a teenager today.  Everyone in your business all the time, instant gratification - immediately available via text (can I spend the night with my best friend, can I go to the movies after school).  This instant gratification is going to lead us into the future that consists of a spoiled society where everyone feels entitled, I am convinced!

High School these days is much more free than I remember.  If I didn't turn in your homework on time I got a big fat ZERO, but today you can turn it in until the end of the quarter and still get a grade (and a good one too).  If I failed a test, too bad, today you can retake your test to get a better score. 

Life changes so very fast, just remember to slow down and enjoy it before it's gone........

My favorite season is here....

My favorite season is Autumn.  The colors, the smell of fresh rain in the air, snuggling in sweaters, jeans and boots, you just can't beat it.

This also means Halloween is just around the corner.  This year we are having another Halloween Party for the kids and their friends.  About 30 people will be invited (man I don't know what I'll do if they all show up......here is the way cool invitation I came up with. 

Cool huh?  Now on to the decorating phase - that's easy - cover every piece of furniture with a white sheet/plastic/cloth and light candles.  Can also put white twinkle lights (Christmas ones) under the sheets and behind stuff for additional ambiance!

Food - that's going to be FUN!  Thanks to Pintrest I have a ton of ideas on candy, healthy snacks, punch etc......Can't wait to see what everyone comes as......I'll post photos too!

new body = new hair

With 35 pounds lost (man am I proud of myself) it was time for a hairstyle change as well~!  Here is the before & after photo.  What a change!  My hairstylist told me that she only has 1 or 2 clients (me included) that she would be able to cut AND color so dramatically in one sitting - most would be to freaked out...well not me!  I LOVE change (well some change anyway - not like husbands or kids or jobs) but little things, it keeps life interesting!

What do you think?

I've had more compliments than I can count.  "Sassy" is my favorite.  My dear husband called me his little pixie (like Tinkerbell)......

Going grey gracefully? Is that even possible?

I've made a decision.  I'm going to go grey~!

Yes I've colored my hair for longer than I can remember and I think I'm finally ready to go natural.

There are posts all over the internet about how to go grey gracefully, but I'm not convinced that is possible.  So I'll share my journey here for you to see if it is possible.

Right now I'm uber-dark red - wanted a change....so next appointment (September 14) we will go uber blonde to help blend the grey.  I promise to take photos of the entire process to share.

What do you think?

Happy Monday

Monday always tends to come around WAY faster than Friday, not sure how that's possible. 

What a great weekend it was, helping a friend move and clean, getting my hair done, and realizing how important memories and special moments are. A very full and satisfying weekend if I do say so myself.

Sometimes it's not the big moments in life that make you stop and think, but the smallest things.

Tomorrow my daughter is taking her driving permit test, it's very difficult for me to wrap my arms around the fact that I have a 15 year old!  I most definitely do NOT feel that old.....and I hope I never do!  I still want to have fun, laugh and play! 

Well have a great Monday and remember to slow down and enjoy the small moments!

new update to the cube update....

Since I ended up not liking all of my cubicle makeover, I made some changes - I ordered some white picture frames to replace the plain black ones.  And I LOVE them!  I also added a picture of a smiling gnome (as they are my favorite thing) - see the bottom right photo.  As promised here is a picture.

What DID we do before we had kids?

Well both kids are off at 4H Camp for the week - A is a counselor and M is a camper (his last year unless he decides to become a counselor). 

Now that we are "single" parents again we are realizing what it is we did before kids - went out A LOT!  Spent a lot more money on going out. 

We're having fun just being together and doing what WE want to do!  Which is a big change from the norm in our house.

My diet is going well - I've lost 30 pounds since I began this journey the end of April - 3 months ago.  That's pretty good, but it could be more if I would just stop "cheating".  It's difficult but I keep asking myself - do I want that food more than I want to lose the weight?  It seems to be working.....

I've decided I want to replace the black picture frames in my cubicle remodel with white ones like my inspiration photo - they arrive on Friday, I'll post a new picture of my cube when it's done.

Now off to lunch....have a great day!