My New Hairdresser

Finding a new hair stylist is always a challenge. One time I had a lady get my hair caught in the hair dryer motor. Another time this guy made my hair so big that my nephew cried when he saw me (scary aunt). This time, the experience was anything but traumatic.

On the recommendation of my friend (work A, thank you!) I went to this little place in town. You will love her, A raved, she is so funny and easy to talk to. Boy was she right, and this lady knows her stuff.

First off she actually looked at my hair. Imagine that. She noticed things and asked me questions. She notice the streak at the back of my neck that is platnum blonde and doesn't curl. She noticed that my curls are tighter around my face. Definitely a good sign. Then she deep conditioned my hair and gave me a great cut. And for the grand finale...she straightened my hair. I have never had it so straight. I love it, it looks smooth and shiny. Now I lust after a good straight iron!

The best part was the conversation. This lady was a hoot. She told me how she makes art out of animal bones and fake fingernails, how her husband drove an axe into his leg and they band-aided it closed, how she uses duct tape to keep herself from biting her fingernails, and how she had to use Christmas lights as an extention cord for her weed wacker in the middle of summer. She loves to hunt and fish, and is self admitted redneck. I felt comfortable around her immediately.

I can't wait for my next haircut!

This just in...

The following message was just sent to all employees at my work:

Please take great care when leaving the office today. The roads are extremely icy and snow is making visibility difficult.

Have a safe weekend!


Thought to self: Why didn't I wear my practical cute new snow boots today? If I go in the ditch on the way home and and have to get help from a true Idahoan the will definitely die of laughter when they see my croc print leather stilleto boots. "Hey, they are super cute!, I would say. Who cares if they are cold and have zero tread, just let me hold onto you, sensible moon boot man. I promise if I start to fall I won't take you down with me, promise!"

Get out the shovel...again...

It is official, a winter storm warning is in effect. Obviously it is a winter storm warning, what other type of warning would it be this time of year? It couldn't exactly be a summer storm warning now could it?

I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend at home. I hope to go up skiing, drink cocoa with homemade Kahlua (thank you A), start my sewing projects, attend a martini party, and....shovel snow, snow and more snow.

Shoveling snow in my neighborhood makes me think about my station in life. When I am up at six in the morning shoveling my driveway, I breathe in the crisp morning air and look around at all the husbands that are also shoveling snow. I envision their wives snuggled warmly in their beds, their duvets pulled tightly under their chins. And then...here I am...push, scoop, throw, push, scoop heave ho! Where did I go wrong? I try to tell myself it is good exercise, and that it is beautiful; I am not easy to convince. There is some good that comes from shoveling your own snow...new snow boots.

I finally found a pair of snow boots that are cute and actually sturdy enough for North Idaho. This means they are waterproof, warm, and have good tread. Supposedly, my new boots can keep my feet warm in -25 degree weather. I don't plan on actually finding out if this is true or not. But, it is good to know that I am prepared should the need arise.

Something You Don't Get to Experience In Cali

On New Years Day I attempted to drive home from my parents place in Deer Park to Sandpoint. I made it about 5 miles before deciding to turn back. I saw 4 cars in the ditch and decided it was a sign to turn back.

One car, a Ford Bronco, was facing the wrong way in the ditch and was being assisted by a shiny red fire truck and ambulance. Fun times! Further up the road a teal mini van was in the ditch, the woman inside still wore the face of shock.

After calling my cousin in Sandpoint to make sure she could stop by and feed my cat, I turned around and headed back past all the carnage. Just as I was passing the bronco and its entourage for the second time a Ford Explorer headed towards me up the hill lost control and started fishtailing across my lane. Breathe....Breathe (I think)....Slow down gently...give him time to get it under control...."STOP OVER CORRECTING YOU IDOIT"....drop my car down into 2nd....give him more time....hope the people behind me don't smash into me....he got it! OMG, my heart started racing and I couldn't breathe....I almost died. Just before I turn onto my parents road an ambulance passes me going towards the direction I just came. Definitely not a good way to start the new year.

Back safely at my parents house, I rejoined everyone at the bonfire. That night I watch Boise State beat Oklahoma. One of the best football games I have ever seen. I guess it was just meant to be.

Official Ski Count: 2

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2007. As you can see I am just as fashionably challenged as always. With every year that passes it only makes it worse that I still sometimes write 1996 on my checks. For some reason 1996 is forever burned into my head. Maybe it was the top music:
1. Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix), Los Del Rio

2. One Sweet Day, Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men

3. Because You Loved Me, Celine Dion

4. Nobody Knows, Tony Rich Project

5. Always Be My Baby, Mariah Carey

6. Give Me One Reason, Tracy Chapman

7. Tha Crossroads, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

8. I Love You Always Forever, Donna Lewis

9. You're Makin' Me High / Let It Flow, Toni Braxton

10. Twisted, Keith Sweat

Ummmm....that can't be it...yuck!

Or, maybe it was the movies:

1. Independence Day

2. Twister

3. Mission Impossible

4. Jerry Maguire

5. Randsom

6. 101 Dalmations

7. The Rock

8. The Nutty Professor

9. The Birdcage

10. A Time to Kill

Better...how strange, Tom Cruise (see #3 and #4) and Mel Gibson (#5) were both in the news in 2006.

Probably 1996 is etched in my mind because I graduated high school that year. Glory days.

I brought in 2007 with some of my good friends M and S. We had a great time. Thanks for the party M!

On New Years Day my brother and his family came over to my parents house and we had a bon-fire. We roasted hot dogs and smothered them with Mom's homemade chili. What a great way to celebrate the new year. My niece ate snow off her gloves and made snow angels while my nephew helped keep the fire stoked. Quality family time!

Happy New Year!

Eeek!- Update

FYI---getting a mouse onto a shovel is not as easy as it sounds. The poor little guy rolled like a sausage. Back, belly, back, belly...finally I got him on the shovel.