Monthly Archives: January 2012

Try a little tenderness

31 Tuesday Jan 2012

Posted by in Kindness

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Source: dribbble.com via Beth on Pinterest

 

Over the last week I have been reminded how important a simple kindness can impact another’s life. Sometimes a hello will elicit a smile in a stranger who was having a bad day. Other times it runs much deeper and our impact is never truly known. It’s hard to know, even with those who are closest to us, what those around us are dealing with internally. Some struggles run so deep it is almost impossible to imagine that another human being must deal with such awfulness. Some hide it well, others wear it on their sleeves. Either way, being kind is free.

A few nights ago the truth of this was brought to my attention by a friend who lives 2,500 miles away, who I have never met. I became acquainted with Tiamaria through Twitter while I was still on my previous account. We would tweet occasionally but nothing too in depth. When I moved to a new account in December, we began to tweet more.

I try to respond to everyone who takes the time to tweet me. I did this when I had 1200 followers. I do this now that I have 190 followers. If someone takes the time to talk to me, it’s only right that I acknowledge their words. Unless they are gross or creepy but that is a topic for another day. So often people would comment that I was the nice librarian. I don’t know about all that but I can say I am just being me.

On her blog, Tiamaria posted a lovely tribute to those who have impacted her lately. I am honored to be mentioned. I had no idea she felt this way or that I had impacted her life in such a manner. It’s the little things I guess. Her post comes at the perfect time for me. Over the last month, my life has felt like a roller coaster. It’s good to know that I still have worth when so much coming at me seems to indicate the opposite.

All of this is just a reminder to myself, and maybe you too dear reader, that we are all wading through some shit or another. We all need a sign of compassion, whether it be a smile or holding open a door. I will never forget an exchange I had with a lady working the drive-thru at McDonald’s a few months ago. While I was paying for my breakfast (seriously the only reason to ever go to McDonald’s unless it is to get a coke), I asked her how she was doing. Her face lit up brighter than a Christmas tree when she responded. She then thanked me for asking because no one ever does and that it meant so much to her. I made her day, she made mine.

It truly is the little things.

Tagged! I’m it!

29 Sunday Jan 2012

Posted by in Me

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The beautiful Jac over at Messy Hair and Cowboy Boots tagged me in my first meme. While I have done my own, this is the first one I’ve been asked to participate in and I’m thrilled!

The Rules:

  • Post these rules
  • You must post 11 random things about yourself
  • Answer the questions set for you in their post
  • Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer
  • Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them
  • No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people!

11 random things about me:

  1. I have chapstick with me at all times. Sometimes 3 or 4 tubes of it. My mother used to yell at me because I would opt for chapstick of lipstick. I have since grown out of that.
  2. I feel strongly that every meal can be improved with cheese.
  3. I am a night owl thus making me NOT a morning person who unfortunately lives with two morning people.
  4. I once erroneously thought I could become a blonde.
  5. While I love the beach, I am a city exploring, museum girl.
  6. Up until about 2 years ago, I only wore jeans and turtlenecks.
  7. I have lived with my cat longer than I have lived with my husband.
  8. I am trying unsuccessfully to learn how to play the guitar.
  9. My favorite number is, ironically, 11.
  10. I met Al Franken at a 1996 Presidential Debate watch party.
  11. Growing up I wanted to be a lawyer.

11 questions from Jac:

  1. If you could be anyplace in the world right now, where would you be?
    London or Paris
  2. What’s your guilty pleasure?
    Some of the music I enjoy falls into this category. SPICE GIRLS FOREVER!
  3. Describe your go-to outfit:
    A month ago this answer would have been different but now I would say dark skinny jeans, some sort of tank/tee/blouse/sweater combo and ballet flats.
  4. What’s your favorite color?
    Red – it’s fiery like my personality!
  5. If there was a movie about your life, who would play you?
    Natalie Portman or Reese Witherspoon with a dye job
  6. What’s the one food you could each any day, all day?
    Chicken wings.
  7. What are you listening to right now?
    My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend by Her Space Holiday is playing on the iPod right now.
  8. If you could have lunch with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be? Why?
    My best friend because I do not get to see him nearly enough and his laughter feeds my soul and makes most things better.
  9. What’s the best book you have read recently?
    The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides
  10. What was your dream about last night?
    Oh, sharing that could get me in trouble!
  11. Which Kardashian is your favorite?
    I have managed to keep my New Year Resolution and not click on any link with Kardashian in it. Not a fan but Khloe seems the least nauseating. 

11 questions for the friends I tag:

  1. What are your top three favorite books?
  2. What is your drink of choice?
  3. Who is the one person that gets you?
  4. If you could choose your last meal, what would it be?
  5. PC or Mac?
  6. Describe your favorite day.
  7. What one song brings back the most powerful memory?
  8. If there was one wrong you could right, what would it be?
  9. What is the accomplishment you are most proud?
  10. What characteristic do you find most attractive in others?
  11. What is the one career you would like to try?

Now for the tagging:
Hubbit, Nikki, Meg, Aunt Becky, My Weekly Joy, Carolyn, Andrew, Scrufflibrarian, John, Jason (maybe this will motivate him to blog again), and Krystal.

Y’all are it!

My own personal fairyland

29 Sunday Jan 2012

Posted by in Fairyland, Literature, Mary Poppins, Me

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“Don’t you know that everybody’s got a Fairyland of their own?”
~ Mary Poppins, Chapter 2 The Day Out, by P.L. Travers

 

Recently, I started reading Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers to Lil’ A. We have always thought it important to expose her to literature that challenged her, so we have sprinkled in chapter books and poetry among the picture books most commonly read to a child of her age. She enjoys cuddling up close to hear the stories and I adore the cuddling and revisiting of beloved books from my childhood. Mary Poppins is a good choice since we can make references to the movie which help A stay focused on the story. Also key, we recap as we read by asking open ended questions to help he comprehend the story.

But I digress…

The above quote from the end of chapter 2 struck me. I have always been a dreamer, a storyteller. More often than not I have a story or fantasy with me as a the heroine floating around in my head. I have always had a running story that I continue while trying to fall asleep. I just love this idea that Fairyland can mean something different to each of us.

Lately, I’ve had more time to daydream which can be good and dangerous at the same time. For years, my mother has been urging me to write a book and maybe this is my opportunity to make my Fairyland dance across a page for others to experience. On the other hand, I’ve been fiercely protective of the world I have built inside my head. Primarily because I don’t believe anyone would understand - judgmental rather than curious. That’s my hang up that I project onto others.

Until I find the courage to write more than a 400 word blog post I will continue to live in my own personal Fairyland.

Not so nice or easy

28 Saturday Jan 2012

Posted by in Beauty, Hair Care

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Ok boys… this is a review on hair coloring product. You are excused.

About a year ago I started coloring my own hair. Prior to that I left it to the professionals. My hair is my biggest indulgence but in an effort to cut costs I thought I’d give home hair coloring a try. At first it was disastrous. Uneven color or it was too orange (I need purple based reds for my skin tone). After a while I got into a groove and have been happy with the results.

I typically only have to color my hair about even 6 weeks or so. It grows very slow and is incredibly healthy from the type of shampoo I use. In October, I gave the Nice ‘n Easy Foam a try. There was nothing nice or easy about this process. It was messy, far messier than traditional hair dye. The dye stained my skin which was difficult to avoid because the foam was not foamy and ran all over the place. And I hated the color.

The overall experience was a true disappointment and I wondered if this was typical of all foam hair coloring.

While discussing this bad dye job with a friend, she mentioned that she had read that L’Oreal coloring products are supposed to be the best for your hair. So for my next treatment I decided to use the L’Oreal Sublime Mousse in Spicy Auburn.

 Everything I wanted my Nice ‘n Easy experience to be, this was it! The foam is dispenses with ease from the provided pump and it is of a nice consistency in order to avoid excessive mess. Because of this I have been able to keep the dye off of my skin to avoid staining. On the rare occasion that I do get it on my skin it washes off easily and without leaving an unsightly stain behind. Most important… I love the color! It does not dull with excessive washing (I wash my hair daily) or dry out my hair. This week I used it for the second time with the same positive results.

Best yet… The question I get asked the most, “Is that your natural hair color?” is in part to this fantastic product.

 

 

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