Brain dump

I wasn't born with curly hair, it was very fine and thin. Here's a picture of my hair before kids:

I have curly hair now. It's still very fine, but there's so dang much of it that it gives the illusion of thickness. Here's a picture of my hair now. Apparently, Elaine and I had a fake smile contest; who do you think should win?

I have no idea why it's changed - the only thing I can think of is two pregnancies and the hormones that go along with that. It's also gotten less and less blonde as I've gotten older. My mom's hair did that too. She was a total towhead and now her hair is dark brown.

I don't know anything about hair, and that includes my own hair. The extent of my hair care and style routine has gone somewhat like like this:

1. Shampoo
2. Condition
3. Air-dry
4. Pony tail

I've recently eliminated the shampoo/condition part and replaced it with baking soda and vinegar because it's cheap and I get exactly the same results (minus the fruity 'clean' smell and minus the exposure to various chemicals I may or may not be excited about rubbing into my scalp on a regular basis.)

Wearing my hair down has become fairly impossible. My hair is frizzy and the slightest breeze blows it into my eyes or mouth or both which I CANNOT stand. I dutifully got a straightener and though it was certainly easier to wear down when straight, it took me at least half an hour to straighten it and I quickly wearied of holding my arms above my head (see also: french braids.)

I don't even remember how I ran across this website, but it's awesome for a newbie curly person like me. It's a tad overwhelming, but I'm learning and hopefully I'll soon discover how to get my hair to do something other than a pony tail. This is another site that I've been reading, especially in knowing how to cut curly hair. It would seem that not many stylists are really knowledgeable about that. My hair has layers now, with lots chopped off in the back to keep it from poofing (but it still does) but I think I'd like to have longer hair overall with less layers.

What do you think? (Tara and Karen, especially!) I had no idea I wasn't supposed to brush it when it's dry (though it makes sense!) or that some people wash their hair only with conditioner. Whole new world.

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In other news, Elaine has been off the anti-MRSA antibiotics for two days now and has appeared to be completely fine. I am relieved, but await the blood work that will be done on Monday to confirm the absence of infection (though I would think we'd see symptoms before then if the MRSA wasn't gone.)

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In still other news, I'm feeling depressed. I think it's mostly because for the past several weeks I've more or less been on high alert about the MRSA and Elaine's general well being. And now my body's just reverting to the other extreme in an attempt at overall homeostasis.

Sucks to be feeling down, though, especially with two little people looking to you for, oh, everything, especially emotional well-being, which is kind of tough to provide when you aren't feeling particularly emotionally healthy.

I've been doing much better at dissociating the depression from ME. I know this sounds so cheesy, but the depression does not define me, it's just something that I have to deal with. When I think of it that way it makes it a lot easier to prevent my head from taking off down the mental pathways that are so familiar but SO unhelpful for emerging from the depression sooner.

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In still OTHER news, Superman and I have really been liking the whole idea of minimalist living. There's tons of articles all over the web, but here's just one site that I've spent just a little time on. I haven't had a lot of time to look around, but I think this lines up quite well with my frugal nature and the recession and such. So many people's lives are so cluttered with stuff I think they don't really understand what truly makes them happy and fulfilled. Stuff doesn't make anyone happy and fulfilled in the long run.

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Thus concludes my brain dump.

Cool, clear water

Yay! Another Story of Stuff video on bottled water.

 

Hail

It hailed today. (See the solitary piece of hail in Superman's hand?) Being the true Californians we are we dashed outside in our bare feet and t-shirts (only true of Superman, but still) to stand under a stormy sky (with patches of blue in the distance) and be pelted with little bits of ice. Of course it melted pretty much as soon as it hit the ground. As far as I know it was K's first experience with hail and after it died down and turned into rain she continued to watch at the window and ask for, "more ice?" The next few days are supposed to be sunny. At last. We've had to endure, what, five whole days of clouds and rain?! I mean, I know it's January and all, but still. Five days is a lot to go (mostly) without sun and with lows in the mid-thirties. (OK sorry. I'm stopping.)

I continue to be a rabid fan of Freecycle. Yesterday we became the proud owners of a lovely Hoover carpet steam cleaner. Today we became the proud owners of CLEAN carpet. Or, a lot LOT cleaner than it used to be. Oh my word. I did take pictures but am too embarrassed to post them here because you might stop visiting me if you knew how awfully dirty the carpets were. Especially in the mudroom which is the only carpeted room our dogs are allowed in and also where the cats spend a good portion of time. Let me just say - EW. EEEEEEEEEW! I'm re-thinking my plan to re-carpet the whole house. Carpet is disgusting. Even though I vacuumed the mudroom mostly once a week it was still terrible! Terrible! Can I convince you of the terribleness without showing you a picture?!? No? Well be convinced because I am not sharing pictures.

In other news... I'm growing tired of feeling my belly rest on the tops of my thighs every time I sit down. Some have suggested the baby has dropped but I am fairly certain it's merely gravity taking its toll on my ridiculous torpedo tummy. I really hope they do an internal exam tomorrow and see if I'm at all dilated. I'm not putting the least bit of energy into believing I am, but it would be nice to know one way or the other. My super husband let me take a nap for a couple of hours this afternoon and I dreamed that H was born with a Jay Leno chin. Let's hope not. She'll have enough to work on with the nose and ears she's bound to inherit.

Also, I SO could have potty trained K by now. It's getting irritating. I'm standing by my decision to wait until after we adjust to H but sheesh! It's tempting. Maybe I should start the potty training and that will ensure H will arrive promptly. Someone at church had the good idea to use the baby sister as encouragement for K to use the toilet, because babies wear diapers and she's a big girl. I could bring H in to "watch" and have her be all impressed (as a newborn gets) at how cool her big sister is. I think that sounds like a good plan. They say to expect some regression too, as a little sibling comes home and the big one feels displaced or suddenly in second place. We'll have to play it by ear and see what feels right for our situation. It would be nice to have to deal with only one diapered child though... =)

"Hurry up, H. See what I have to deal with? It's your turn now."