Everyone has something special about them - something unique unto them.  I just so happen to have good hair.  Yes, I know that sounds narcissistic - but it's not.  I just happen to know that I have good hair.  I mean, it's hard not to know.  Ever since I was a child and to this day I am stopped by strangers who compliment me on my hair.  Only thing that has changed since those younger years is now I am asked how do I take care of my curls.

I refuse to spend more than 5 minutes on my hair.  Why?  Because if I do - I get cranky.  I hate messing with my hair.  So how is it that I have good hair so effortlessly?  I have a few tricks up my sleeve...  So girls - this blog is for you.  Sorry, no boys allowed  (unless you want long pretty curls).

You may not have curly hair, but you know someone who does.  You know someone who hates their curls and flat-irons their hair everyday (such a travesty).  You may think that even though your hair was curly as a child, it isn't now - it just frizzes.   Did you know there are different types of curls?  Look through the following to discover what your hair is like.

Take a minute to examine the
different sections of your hair and decide which category best fits your curls.

 Wavy

Soft, less defined waves approximately 2" wide. Hair becomes curlier with length.

 Curly

"Classic" curls approximately 1 to 1-1/2" wide with good definition, bounce and lots of volume.

 Tight

A mixture of 1/2" to 1" wide curls throughout the hair. Tends to be full and densely packed, yet often fine in texture.

 Kinky

Tiny ringlets of mostly "Z" shaped hair when stretched. The "Z" pattern can cause it to shrink up to 75% of the actual hair length.

According to these definitions, my hair is technically somewhere between wavy and curly but looks curly because of how I take care of it.  So I am going to concentrate this blog on Wavy and Curly hair.  If you want to know more about Tight or Kinky curls I suggest you check out this sight:  www.ouidad.com.  It's also a great site and also where I got the above information from.

Now first things first.  We have to disspell some myths about hair care.  Mothers of little girls with curly hair - please pay attention to this, because it goes against everything in your nature...


STOP BRUSHING YOUR HAIR. Yes, I said stop. Now I hear you asking - "What about the tangles?" Well that's what curls are - tangles!! What if your hair becomes like a rats nest? If you follow my steps, that will never happen. Yes, I see you are still skeptical and think that special brushes or pics will be fine. NO! They are not. Brushes are evil. EVIL I SAY!





So now we have discovered the enemy, lets discuss who our friends are. Now, hold your hands up in front of your face and repeat after me - "These two hands are my hair's best friend." Yes, your hands can do wonders once they are trained.




Brushes = EVIL. Hands = GOOD


Now we have cleared that up, lets get to business. Curly hair needs product. Curly hair will be wild, frizzy, limp, whatever adjectives you use to explain of why you hate it. Let's go through the product types and what I think is best and how to use it. I will discuss product brands later.


Shampoo and Conditioner

Use Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner. Now this is where your best hair tool comes in to play - your hands. Wash your hair thoroughly, rinse and then apply conditioner. Gently work out all the tangles with your fingers - use more conditioner if necessary. Do not rinse. Finish showering - wash your face, shave your legs, whatever you need to do, just leave it on till last. Flip your head over, run fingers through hair again while your head is upside down. Keep it that way to rinse conditioner out. Don't flip hair over when drying. While still in that position get your towel, wrap around your hair, then stand up. Be quick to dry yourself off - you do NOT want your hair to dry before putting product on! The damper the better - just not dripping.


I have used 3 different style products that I like. I will start with the easiest. I keep my head down while applying all products and blow-drying.


1. Wave activating spray - just spritz on damp hair.

2. Curl defining cream - apply through hair then blow dry with a diffuser. Must use a diffuser! The trick to blow drying curly hair is to stop before your hair is completely dry - or it will frizz. I dry mine to about 75% dry then let it air dry.

3. Volumizing foam mousse - apply through hair - can either let it air dry or use with blow dryer just like the curl cream.


The less you play with your hair while it's wet - the better. It may not look right, but you messing with it will make it worse


Now what happens if you have a few wisps of frizz? Easy, since it already has product on it, simply use your fingers, get them wet, then take that frizzy curl and wet it down. If you like, curl it between your fingers then let go.


Really, the best thing you can do for your hair is to experiment and learn what your hair wants to do. If you think your curls have a mind of their own - it's because they do! Stop fighting them. Let them have a voice and they will sing!

Going Home and Back Again

How that phrase can invoke such thoughts, memories and feeling.  For some time I had this craving, this desire to go home.  To me, home meant Colorado… the mountains… the piercing blue sky... the aspen trees and of course my family and friends.  When Paul mentioned that he had a business convention taking place in Denver the third week of September and asked if I’d like to tag along and then take the time to go visit everyone, I was thrilled with excitement. 

Home.  

Colorado.  

September. 

Those three things may not mean much to you, but they mean everything to any Coloradan.  While here in Texas everything is still green in September (if it hasn’t died off from the usual summer drought) in Colorado foliage is in full color, celebrating the passing of summer into winter.  What’s more is even if we do have pretty fall color here in Texas, in my opinion, nothing compares to the gold of the Aspens. 

The third week of September is known as the color week - when the changing of colors is in its prime and it’s nearly celebrated as much as the Denver Broncos.  It supplies the perfect weather for picnics, taking family pictures, hiking and driving through the mountains.  Standing below the aspens, with their gold leaves brightly shining against the vividly blue backdrop sky… the mountain lake mirroring their reflection… a faint wind rustling through the leaves causing them to gently fall to the now already carpeted earth; is there anything better?  Even the air has an indescribable aroma that when it fills your lungs you have to stop to take it all in.  Or is that just the high altitude?  Either way, Heaven has got to have the autumn season… because this is perfection.

I was definitely excited when Paul invited me to tag along…  

Home.  Colorado.  September.

After spending the first night in Denver, I left early the next morning in anticipation of everything I was about to see, the fall colors while driving over the mountain passes and my sister’s family.  I amazed myself at how excited I became over the silliest things.  It had been so long since I’d been back, I’d forgotten some of the little towns and I found myself clapping when I saw the sign for Dotsero – one of the most non-descript towns in the state.  Nevertheless, I was thrilled.  Seeing it meant I was here, I was Home.  I stopped at all my favorite scenic rest-stops from Vail Pass and Glenwood Springs to name a few and then raced on to my sister’s home.  (I won’t mention how fast...)

I had not seen my sister for 5 years, so after arriving I reacquainted myself with my nieces and nephews and met the latest two, which wasn’t hard to do.  I have never met such sweet, loving kids in my life.  They take loving each other to a whole new level.  The following day we went up to the beautiful Grand Mesa, which had the best color I’d seen, took pictures and had a ball.  Their little personalities shined through and I treasure every minute of getting to know them and their individual quirks.  Spending time with my sister is a rare and valuable gift.

My sister Roslyn:  The Walter Family

The next day I woke up to a voicemail from my mother.  Our precious, ferociously loyal, and protective dog Lucy had been hit by a car and killed.  As saddened as I was by losing her, I grieved more for my daughter who I knew would take this harder than anyone else.  Lucy had been given to her when she was 4.  I’m sure we all know someone we consider an animal lover, but there are not many who love them more than Ella.  Even before she could talk she would pretend to be a dog, even if it meant howling in the grocery store…  Regardless, my daughter, my baby, had lost one of her most valuable possessions and I was not there for her.  I was not home.

Lucy

Wait.  I am not home?  I’m in Colorado… isn’t that home?  I no longer cared.  All I wanted was my daughter in my arms, to comfort her and wipe away the spilling tears.  The Aspens no longer seemed so bright, the sky hazed and the mountains lost a little of their majesty.  I knew Ella would be alright.  She had two grandmothers who did everything they could do to help with the situation, but my priority had already shifted.  I wanted to go home. 

Knowing that I still had 4 days till then, I spent the rest of the week visiting friends and am extremely thankful for the opportunity to do so.  I wish the time had been longer, even though my heart was somewhere else.  Saying good-bye to my nieces, my sister Roslyn and best friend Twyla was the hardest; my eyes get misty about it even as I write this.  Words cannot express the emotions and trying to do so would nearly devalue them.   

We made it home in record time.  Ella’s maturity over the situation pleasantly surprised me and made me realize how grown up she has become.  I still took her in my arms, it comforted me.  We talked of how our other dog Bullet was handling the situation; he loved Lucy more than us!   We knew that he would need a playmate soon.  By the next day I had found her.  When I showed the online picture to Ella she noticed the striking resemblance to Lucy, purely unintentional on my part.  I saw her wrestle with her emotions over having another so similar to Lucy and it pierced my heart.  I witnessed her win the battle and let go of the grief and sadness, I don’t think I’ve ever been prouder.

Ella and Abby

We picked up Abby that night and immediately realized Abby is in love with Ella, more than any of us.  She cries for her when she leaves for school and even if she’s happy playing with me, I am forgotten as soon as Ella is in sight.  Abby has definitely found her way in our hearts and home.

Lucy is greatly missed but has now found her way to the Hutton Dog Hall of Fame and is now at home playing with the dogs that precede her there. 

Going home is a journey we all take.  Man, it’s good to be home.

Being George Washington - Week 7

A continuation of my social experiment of incorporating a set of rules George Washington himself used and obviously helped define him into being the great man who helped shape our nation.

He did not create these rules after all - he merely read them and saw the potential of the man he would become if he incorporated this lifestyle in everyday living.

This is my attempt to "update" these rules into our generation and apply them to my life as well.

Rules 18-21

18. Read no letter, books, or papers in company, but when there is a necessity for the doing of it, you must ask leave; come not near the books or writings of another so as to read them unless desired, or give your opinion of them unasked. Also look not nigh when another is writing a letter.

The first thing I thought of when I read this was the old Tom & Jerry cartoons.  Tom knew that if he feigned interest in a book, then Jerry would be interested in what it was - especially if Tom kept it just out of Jerry's eyesight and made it seem very interesting to look at!  As soon as he let Jerry see the book, he was within reach for Tom to catch.

How many times has someone opened a letter, magazine or newspaper and their response to whatever they are reading peaks our interest?  However, there are not as many of those printed publications being opened these days.  With everyone and their dog owning some type of mobile device, we are all walking around checking out facebook, twitter, emails and even www.peopleofwalmart.com.   Usually we are quick to show the company around us anything that has made us smile, laugh or even upset and angry.

Be that as it may, this rule does need a bit of updating to bring it into the 21st century.  This is really a case of mobile device etiquitte.  These rules are not clearly defined as the use of our phones changes as technology advances.  The need (or at least desire) to have that constant connection with the outside world within arms length is increasing..  I am guilty of it myself.  It is nearly impossible to leave a room to go check the text/email/groupon you received on your phone..  and in some situations it would be down-right silly to do so.

Also look not nigh when another is writing a letter.  It is sooo very hard not to watch another person when they get on their phone to respond to a text, email or facebook post.  Perhaps I am more curious than most, but I have such a desire to see what it is.  Would I want someone peaking over my shoulder to try and catch a glimpse into what I'm doing?  No...  Why?  Because it's just down-right annoying!!  So I go against my nature and resist to my best ability to keep my eyes to my own business!

19. Let your countenance be pleasant but in serious matters somewhat grave.

I am a big fan of Saturday Night Live..  this rule reminded me of their skit Debbie Downer. http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/debbie-downer-dress-rehearsal/1226119   If you have not had the unfortunate experience of knowing someone like Debbie - you are among the few.  Either they are always discussing terrible world issues or they speak nothing else but of themselves and their troubles.  I don't mean to say it's wrong to go to someone when experiencing difficulties, but these types seem to enjoy talking this way and if you see two people together like this - it's almost a competition of whose life is the worse off!

In contrast, I immediately think of my sweet cousin Ashley.  We work together at the office and one day she road with us into work..  She seemed a little quieter than usual, but just as sweet and asking us how we were doing and such things.  I had no idea she was sick until she threw up in the parking lot after she got out of the car.  I helped her in the office so she could clean herself up, then went to get a bucket of water to wash the vomit away so no one would step in it.  As soon as she saw what I was about to do, she tried to take it from me to do it herself..  I talked her out of it, but my point is that Ashley is not like this once in a while - it is an everyday occurrence.

I have to admit that I find myself somewhere in between Debbie and Ashley, but I aspire to be more like Ashley and be conscientious of those around me.  The reason for the difference between the two would take up an entirely new blog.  ...so, mental note for future blog idea...

20. The gestures of the body must be suited to the discourse you are upon.

Hmmm....  I suppose it would be a bit strange if the President started doing a ho-down while giving the State of the Union address..

I don't really know why this is a rule.  Isn't it just common sense??

What do you think?

Next blog:  Rules21-23


21. Reproach none for the infirmities of nature, nor delight to put them that have in mind of thereof.

22. Show not yourself glad at the misfortune of another though he were your enemy.

23. When you see a crime punished, you may be inwardly pleased; but always show pity to the suffering offender.

Being George Washington - Week 6

A continuation of my social experiment of incorporating a set of rules George Washington himself used and obviously helped define him into being the great man who helped shape our nation.

15. Keep your nails clean and short, also your hands and teeth clean, yet without showing any great concern for them.

Well, in my defense, I believe this rule is meant for men.  I am not going to cut my nails.  The purpose of this rules goes beyond nail length however.  We live in a time and age where personal hygiene is a given.  We all know to comb our hair, brush our teeth and clean under our fingernails.  Yet the key point is the last part of this sentence, "yet without showing any great concern for them."  This rule is warning against vanity, conceit, and in some respects - selfishness.

I have been blessed with naturally curly hair.  It has been a topic of conversation since I was a little girl and strangers would ask my mother if they could buy me candy because I was so cute.  (yeah - I was that cute.)  Throughout my life, strangers have stopped me to compliment my hair.  It just happens and I am used to it.  Recently, while at my mother's house during an event she was hosting, I had my back turned to someone as I heard them say, "I love your hair!"  Without even thinking twice, I responded with a sweet thank you  (I know I'm awesome subliminally included) ...  only to hear back, "Oh, I wasn't talking to you."  I was momentarily stunned.  Talk about open mouth - insert foot!  I laughed at my own folly and made a mental note to take a large slice of humble pie. 

16. Do not puff up the cheeks, loll not out the tongue with the hands or beard, thrust out the lips or bite them, or keep the lips too open or too close.

Huh??  I really need some help with this one.  I'm stumped.  Any thoughts?  I have quite an assortment of mental images as I read all that and yes they are all disturbing, but have no personal experience or dealing with this one. 

17. Be no flatterer, neither play with any that delight not to be played withal.

Be no flatterer -  Ahhh....  Insincerity.  I immediately think of sales people.  (sorry - prejudicial choice, I know)  Insincerity may get you into society or professional positions that you want, but it will never keep you there.  Eventually you will be found out and then lose all those "friends" you made along the way.

Personally, I am a sucker for a compliment.  (read rule 15 again..lol)  It takes wisdom and intuition to decipher between sincere appreciation and insincere flattery.  Some years ago while shopping at the mall, I was stopped by a sales person at a kiosk.  I now know to avoid them like the plague, but I suffered a moment of stupidity and was drawn in like a moth to the flame.  Drawn in even further when he started complimenting me.  I walked away purchasing a nail care set not only for me, but all my sisters, sister-in-laws and mothers as well!  I was one big sucker for sure.  That experience made me realize how valuable words are to me and how to avoid in the future that being used against me!

Next Blog:  Rules 18 - 20


18. Read no letter, books, or papers in company, but when there is a necessity for the doing of it, you must ask leave; come not near the books or writings of another so as to read them unless desired, or give your opinion of them unasked. Also look not nigh when another is writing a letter.

19. Let your countenance be pleasant but in serious matters somewhat grave.

20. The gestures of the body must be suited to the discourse you are upon.

Being George Washington - Week 5

My intention of doing this weekly has turned into, well....  not weekly blog posts. Things have a way of creeping into every aspect of life and keeping us occupied with busy nothings.  However, I am determined to get through this list, be it weekly, monthly... just trying to avoid yearly.

Rule 12:  Shake not the head, feet, or legs; roll not the eyes; lift not one eyebrow higher than the other, wry not the mouth, and bedew no man's face with your spittle by approaching too near him when you speak.

Bedew...  Spell check does not like this word.  I looked it up at dictionary.com and this is what it had to say about it, "to wet or cover with or as if with drops of dew."  So clearly, don't get in someone's face and spit while you talk.  I'd like to say I never do this, but I have noticed a time or two while when I'm talking with someone, sunlight glistens off a tiny droplet of spit that has just been ejected from my mouth between words.  It grosses me out and I pretend not to notice, hoping the person I am with doesn't see it either.  I do like my personal space, so I avoid getting too close to people when I speak to them, also to spare them any garlic or onion breath (I like my food flavorful!).  

Roll not the eyes...  I immediately think of children.  How often did I roll my eyes at my parents as a child?  I'd like to think I don't tolerate it in my children as much as my parents did with me - but I believe that is wishful thinking.  After all, children imitate their parents and...  yes... regrettably, I still roll my eyes at my mother.  Some habits die hard.  (Love you mom!)


I wish I could lift one eyebrow higher than the other, but I can't.  Paul's aunt has this awesome facial expression that involves raising one eyebrow.  This look can stop any child's naughtiness faster than you can say, "Go to the Principal's office!"    She was a school teacher, so it is evident this tactic was used quite often and is sheer magic to witness such an event.  I am in awe and claim myself unworthy when in her presence.  Ok, slight exaggeration...but only slightly!  Still - I know this is actually referring to the act of expressing incredulity towards someone else, which I think I disagree with having a rule against it.  Using this expression could be used in a rude manner, but at the same time could be used as a sign of your intuitiveness of others - such as when dealing with a used car salesman...


13. Kill no vermin, or fleas, lice, ticks, etc. in the sight of others; if you see any filth or thick spittle put your foot dexterously upon it; if it be upon the clothes of your companions, put it off privately, and if it be upon your own clothes, return thanks to him who puts it off.

 Nothing is more embarrassing as having attention brought upon yourself for strange things.  I think in modern vocabulary this would be equal to, "Pop no zit, give no spit bath to others..."  you get my point.  Speaking of spit baths...  I cringe when I see mothers do that to their children.  Horrific memories of my mothers thumb coming towards my face and the "aromatic" smell that accompanies it brings quivers to my body.  (Sorry Mom...  Wow.  Lots of Mom issues today.  Where's Freud when you need him?)  Paul knows my aversion to spit baths...  when he's feeling especially ornery he attempts to try it.  Lucky me.

14. Turn not your back to others, especially in speaking; jog not the table or desk on which another reads or writes; lean not upon anyone. 

Talk about the ultimate exclusion!  This one's all about the cliques!  We've all seen it, experienced it, or seen it in movies.  You know - the new girl at school trying to talk to popular girls and gets shut out.  Don't do it people!  It's just plain rude!   Then there's the jock who comes along and shakes the desk...  So, this is saying, don't be stuck up and don't be a jerk!  The lean not upon anyone makes me think of someone who is needy, probably emotionally needy.  I might have to chew on that for a while and delve deeper, I think it has a lot more implications than at first glance and may require a post all to itself someday.

Next Blog:  Rules 15-17


15. Keep your nails clean and short, also your hands and teeth clean, yet without showing any great concern for them.

16. Do not puff up the cheeks, loll not out the tongue with the hands or beard, thrust out the lips or bite them, or keep the lips too open or too close.

17. Be no flatterer, neither play with any that delight not to be played withal.

Being George Washington - Week 4

I've been waiting for this week.  I knew it'd be coming and that it would prove to be the most difficult for me yet.  So, let's just get to it, shall we?

9. Spit not into the fire, nor stoop low before it; neither put your hands into the flames to warm them, nor set your feet upon the fire, especially if there be meat before it. 
This is not the rule I am referring to from above.  We don't have a fire place, so when would I ever practice this rule?  However, we did burn dead brush after cleaning up after yard work this week.  The fire was still smoldering that night as Paul and I sat around it with a nice glass of wine.  With my flashlight in hand, I walked around the yard to pick up stray sticks that fell as we dragged tree limbs to the pile earlier that day.  After sitting back down with wine in hand, I noticed that there was a nice roar to the fire, thanks to my throwing of the flashlight in along with the twigs.  Not my proudest moment...

This rule was created when fire pits were the main source of cooking.  Obviously who would want someone spitting into the fire near your food?  Some people have no aim!

10. When you sit down, keep your feet firm and even, without putting one on the other or crossing them. 
This is it.  This is the one I have been waiting for and dreading all at the same time.  This one really hits home for me and try as I might, I have failed.  Something so simple, yet so difficult!  I know you think I must be crazy, so I will explain why this is more important than it sounds.  Perhaps it'd be better to experience it.  Call me up and schedule a lunch date with me and you will understand clearly what my husband and friends go through on a regular basis.

I didn't even realize I was so bad at this until I started working a year ago and eating out so much.  I have mentioned before my slight Attention Deficit Disorder...  I think you might think I'm joking about it like so many people do, but ...SQUIRREL....  it really is an issue for me.  I didn't realize it until recently though because I think that throughout my life I've subconsciously compensated to make myself appear "normal".  One of those ways of achieving this is instead of looking like I can't sit still, I keep my top half calm, cool and collected all the while underneath the table there is turmoil in my constant switching of one leg over the other, shaking my leg, shifting my feet around or a combination of all, much to the chagrin of those who innocently are the silent victims of my ADD.  Ok, they aren't so silent when they grab their shin and yell "Owwww"

Even now as I write this, both feet are going back and forth.  My conclusion:  restaurant tables should be wider to allow more leg room. 

11. Shift not yourself in the sight of others, nor gnaw your nails. 
These rules were written hundreds of years ago.  Meanings of words change over time and I am curious as to whether he means shift not your feet, like moving back and forth while standing or shifting your clothes, like when your shirt needs straightening?  I guess either way it makes you look less polished and less put together.  Shifting your clothes to straighten them out is something everyone does.  Some are less conspicuous about it and some don't mind pulling their pants out from...  ok, I just can't even go there; grossing myself out.  


I have never chewed on my nails.  Score!  WooHoo!  So this past week even while major failing one rule, I soooo got the other two.  I am well on my way to "Being George Washington" after all!

Next week rules 12-14.


12. Shake not the head, feet, or legs; roll not the eyes; lift not one eyebrow higher than the other, wry not the mouth, and bedew no man's face with your spittle by approaching too near him when you speak.

13. Kill no vermin, or fleas, lice, ticks, etc. in the sight of others; if you see any filth or thick spittle put your foot dexterously upon it; if it be upon the clothes of your companions, put it off privately, and if it be upon your own clothes, return thanks to him who puts it off.

14. Turn not your back to others, especially in speaking; jog not the table or desk on which another reads or writes; lean not upon anyone.