I knew it all along . . .

Take the Quiz here!

Really, this made the most sense although part of me was hoping I'd be Fanny Price. Especially the one from the new adaptation - she was so sweet! Hope you're enjoying the Jane Austen on PBS. I loved the new adaptations and seeing the old Pride & Prejudice brought back sweet memories. My mother-in-law loaned me that BBC video series right after N. was born and I spent many a 2:00 am feeding with Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. There were even times when the baby had long gone back to bed and I was still awake watching P & P - the height of Austen Insanity! Cheerio - I'm off to take a turn about the room while my children play the harpsicord and embroider pillowcases.

You know you got a good haircut when . . .

. . . it actually looks like the picture you showed your hairdresser (thanks Michelle!)
. . . your 10 year old son calls your hair "funky"
. . . your 13 year old daughter gasps and says "I LOVE it!" with all the expression and drama of a 13-year-old girl
. . . the young man at Costco with the mohawk calls you "Miss" instead of "Ma'am"
. . . your husband who loved your long hair and didn't want you to cut it in the first place, looks at you and says, "I like it!"
. . . your co-workers say it makes you look younger
. . . you wake up the next morning and can style it almost as good as your hairdresser did the day before

Here's the before picture from this past weekend. I'm standing with my good friend Susan and her daughters, Lacey and Molly at Lacey's bridal shower. Lacey (standing between me and Susan) was my flowergirl when she 3 and a half. They are both incredible young women and it was a joy to be at this special event (even though I crumbled into an emotional ball a few minutes into the event and spent much of the time between snapping pictures, dabbing my eyes and blowing my schnaz!)















And here's a shot from today. It only took about 20 tries to get one with only one chin, a smile and decent light! Hope you appreciate all the work I've gone to for you!

Seriously, it was a bit of a step of faith for me to take this jump. My hair has been my security blanket through much of my adult life. My mom always made me cut it when I was little (the curls and frizz annoyed her) so I guess it was passive-aggressive rebellion as an adult to keep it long. Shhh, don't tell her, but I love my sassy new cut!

Time Warp

It's been hard to think of what to say lately, but today - there's something to talk about. Call him a guy that is blogworthy.

See Oprah today? OMG (as the young ones are known to say) did you see Rick Springfield? It was like a time warp. I just about wore out the groves in my copy of "Working Class Dog" and "Success Hasn't Spoiled Me Yet". I stared at his pictures as a young 14 year old brace-face, glasses wearing, frizzy haired girl and watched him as Dr. Noah Drake on GH with my friends. How can it be that the man has NOT AGED A DAY in almost 25 years?! How can that be? The guy took five years off to stay home with his kids when they were babies and oh my gosh, when he got misty-eyed up talking about how much he loves his family, you could have mopped me up off the floor like a puddle!

OK - I did laugh a bit at the totally middle-aged crowd of women hooting and hollering over the guy but let's face it, if I'd have been there, I would have been right there with them. I'm totally going to load his songs on my MP3 player today!

Thanks Rick - thanks Oprah. You have given this middle aged woman a spring in her step today!

The Birthday Boy

Sorry ladies, this gem is off the market. Yes, that's my guy preparing home-made Christmas cinnamon rolls for my family using his new Professional series Kitchenaid mixer that he's so proud of. Today is Brad's birthday and on this day I'd like to share with you all just a little bit of what's so great about my guy. Here's the very abbreviated list just to give you a taste of the good life I've got:

1. The man cooks like a pro. Seriously. I think he secretly dreams of leaving the teaching profession and starting his own catering business someday. He'd probably make a fortune doing it.

2. He doesn't get upset with people (most of the time). He's super patient with difficult people and always knows how to bring out the best in others.

3. He's very generous with compliments. Any self-esteem problems I may struggle with certainly don't come from him. He is constantly telling me how beautiful I am, how good I look, etc. I am wickedly spoiled when it comes to this guy.

4. He sacrifices for our family. He is the one who will wear old torn jeans, socks and underwear that should have been retired in the 80's and shoes that are way past their prime so that we have more money in the family budget for the kids and other family items.

5. He works hard. Long hours, summer jobs and almost always takes opportunities to bring in a bit extra for our family when given the chance.

6. A great sense of humor. He is always ready to make us and others laugh. Sometimes gross and inappropriate but always within the walls of our home or with close friends who won't hold it against us.

7. A great partner in parenting who believes in building our kids up in love but setting realistic boundaries and consequences for the punks when they get out of line. Always supportive of me and a great model of respect for my kids to follow.

8. Brad always encourages me to take time for myself and build up the parts of me outside of being a wife and mother. He's extremely supportive of the creative endeavors of my live and has never been critical of the money and time invested in these areas. For over 18 years he has challenged me and supported me in my personal spiritual, mental and emotional health. He was an incredible help-mate when I went back to school with two young kids to get my degree. And even as we recently discussed him going back to school to get an administrative degree to advance his career, one of his main concerns was, did I want a chance to go back to school instead. (Really, he just isn't crazy about writing papers again - don't worry honey, I know someone who might be able to help you with that!)

9. Did I mention the guy cooks? And he's a great host! He throws a great party and always makes everyone feel like they are the reason he went to all the trouble.

10. He's incredibly handsome! His silver hair and blue eyes still melt my heart!

Happy Birthday sweetie! I love you!

And now for your viewing pleasure . . .

Thankfully, our family in the Nashville area were spared from yesterday's tornadoes but as I watch the news tonight, my heart goes out to those who are suffering. With family in Oklahoma and having lived in Nebraska for part of my life, the power of tornadoes is something that is unfortunately familiar. Some of my early memories are sitting under the stairwell in our basement listening to the radio and for the "all clear" sign. Pray for those rebuilding their lives and pray for those facing the loss of a loved one.

I wish I had some interesting story or engaging political comments that would make you roar with laughter or cheer with abandon, but instead, today, I'll just offer you some pretties to look at. What is this world without a bit of pretty anyway?