I have an obsession with cutting my hair. You could say it runs in our DNA as my sister is a hair stylist (and owns her own salon back in WI--which is the main reason why I don't have her cut my hair). I have always had jobs where I needed to have my hair pulled out of my face. . . like working with teens and spending the day playing sports with them, serving drinks at a bowling alley, teaching aerobics, nannying, being at home with my son--well you get the idea--so fortunately--it really hasn't been necessary that I have a great hair style. I wasn't blessed with great hair anyway--I could probably blame it on all the teasing and Aquanet hairspray used back in highschool (yes, I am a true 80's girl--and I did have cool bangs!)--but it is most likely just my shortcoming (or the fact that I am too cheap to buy expensive products to use on my hair and actually take the time to style it)--so it is a good thing that it mostly needs to be pulled back. Anyway. . .my hair is getting really short--for some reason I have been snipping away at it these past few days. I need to work on my obsession before I don't have any hair left!! I suppose I could have used that tax rebate money that is coming to get my hair done--but now I can just put it in the bank and save it for something really special! Hmmmmmm. . . I wonder what that would be?

Ummmmmm. . . . .

. . . did I just talk about being broke and owning a wii on the same day? I guess that shows where our priorities are at! I still don't have a cell phone. . . .

We did buy it off of craigslist--getting a really good deal--but unfortunately, it came from a smoking house--bringing with it the lovely stench. The price was worth it. It is getting better with my secret cleaning potion. . .

I can't wait until the fitness game comes out!! Better start saving my money!! :0) Ah yes, you are all welcome to come and play. . . it is much more fun with lots of people. Especially if that Samantha . . . I mean Sabrina brings some of her good eats!!

Like a bowling pool--$1 to get in--winner takes all! hehe!!

My husband thinks. . . .

. . . . bowling with wii is a legitimate workout. I have to wear my shoes while playing or my knee hurts. Well, I guess it is good because he cleaned up the room so we could have space to play. He hasn't beat me yet! haha!!

SWEAT EQUITY!

So, my city has a garbage pick-up every year--the kind where once a year you can put out just about anything and they will take it away--except for the things like tires, toilets, tv's, computers, etc. BUT--being a Bloomington resident. . . we do have a hazardous waste center where we can drop our things off for free! Yes, free folks!! AND--you can shop there too--for things like paint, cleaners, or anything that can't be thrown away in the garbage. It's cool.

I have issues with "dumpster diving", so to speak. I love to see what people are throwing away and can usually find some kind of use for what people think is garbage. I told myself that I wasn't going to drive around this year mainly because gas is too expensive--so, on Thursday after my church group. . . I just went around a few blocks by the church--since it was pretty much on the way. Jakob was screaming with delight when I found a little plastic tricycle for him and then went crazy when I found an outdoor rocking toy--in perfectly good condition. I just can't believe the things people throw away. I did pass up on a lot of things as I forgot to take all of the junk out of the back of the minivan. I prayed that somebody else would come find it. I could have made a small fortune reselling that stuff on craigslist. . . .but lunch was calling!

The coolest thing happened while doing this. . . Our church's nursery is in desperate need of a changing table that isn't about to flop over at any given moment. I kind of made it my project to find one on craigslist or at a garage sale. Well, guess what I found? Yup! In the garbage. . . . I am totally in awe with what people throw away. It is sad, really--especially here in the cities where you can just call ARC and they will come pick up your stuff. So, back to the changing table. My husband thought it was definitely a sight for sore eyes. I just knew it had potential. I could see it! Because today was the NICEST day so far of this year. . . I decided to revamp my little garbage find. It was a perfect excuse to be outside during Jakob's nap. I dug out some of our left over paint and went to work.

I think many people feel they don't have enough left over to give--to charities, to their communities, to their church--and then they don't go--because they are embarrassed that they don't have any money to give. (Believe me, I know. . . essentially being a one income family--AND--saving money to adopt again.) My advice? A little creativity and a lot of sweat equity will be much more valuable to your family, friends, community, church, congregation, even your environment, and of course, GOD! Here's my little gift. Yes, it would have been easier to just run out and buy one. . . but I sure saved a lot of money this way!!

SISTERS: PART II

This weekend we celebrated my mom and dad's 44th wedding anniversary and my mother's 65th birthday. I think this visit was the most fun I have ever had. . . probably because we actually all got to spend some time together rather than everyone running every which way to meet with other family for the holidays. And the wii bowling tournament was definitely a hit!! (I must confess, my legs are a bit sore from that. . . sad, I know.) Anyway, my sister, Jeni. . . the one most likely referred to the "flock of seagulls" (haha) in the previous post--was not too excited to see that picture of her posted to the public--even after I reassured her that there is hardly anyone who actually reads this blog. So, she insisted that we take another one. . . so here it is! I have to wait for the rest of the photos to be emailed to me. . . sigh. . . I can't wait to get my copy of the family home movies burned on DVD!! Like the ones from us growing up--boy have times changed!!

SISTERS

I have two sisters and I love them so

dearly. . . . I found this picture while cleaning out an old drawer--and it is obviously from a very long time ago. I just want to know exactly what we were all thinking when we picked out our outfits to wear at my brother's wedding. Yes, we wore these clothes to our brother's wedding. It made me chuckle when I saw it. Looking back--it shows just how very different we all were, and still are, but are sisters--who love each other very much. I miss them and can't wait to see them next weekend! :0)