Car Keys and Julie Andrews

Curtis passed his driving test back in October. He had to wait until he had car insurance (a Christmas present) to drive again. Boy, did he whine! So, we whined about the fact that he didn't have a job. He got car insurance, but has done absolutely diddly squat about the job!

He doesn't go many places (which I'm thankful for). Probably because he can only drive solo or with a family member right now ... until March.

He's doing good. I'm figuring out how to manage my own emotions a little better - I am learning to stop worrying about him when he's out. We have rules set down for his driving. He has to text me when he's leaving someplace and coming home, no phone calls when he's driving, music turned down, hoodie hood OFF. He still needs his Mum - when the gas tank is empty, for example, or, when he's hungry - which is a constant thing!

He's a good kid, excellent student, hard working ... he genuinely wants to listen to the advice his Mum and Dad give to him, he's extremely mature in many ways ... but he still teases the heck out of his sister and torments the dog (which I like to see).

Cadence has just turned 13. Things are changing between us (again). She's drawing closer - I think she's becoming aware of the beginnings of changes in her body and possibly needs some reassurance. Cadey is the most fun-loving, happy-go-lucky girl I know! She's always been like this. She's a bright star in my life and she brings me so much joy.

She's auditioning on Monday for a part in the school play - The Sound of Music.

This is my most watched movie of all time. I have an Aunt - Hi! GrAuntie Jean!!! who took me to see it every year (for many years) when it was playing at the movies when I was a kid - good memories because it meant a weekend at her house, which was a treat.

BTW - she's now GrAuntie because she's my kids' Great Aunt:) and I'm her Flee - always have been ... I feel lucky because she gave my brother Jon the nickname of KIPPER!!

So, Cadey and I will be learning lines this weekend and practising "The Hills are Alive" song. She's wanting to work on an accent too - I only know one, and Fraulein Maria with a Yorkshire accent might be a little odd, don't you think? We have the movie on video - I'll dig it out (and the old vcr and we'll run through it) ... we're doing absolutely NOTHING on Sunday afternoon - I hear there's a little football game going on, but Craig can record that!

I'm hoping that she gets more than a walk-on part - this could be so good for her - wish her luck!

We did it!

On January 22nd, 2009 @ 2pm we became American Citizens!

Yoga ... with Meg?

I was given a yoga dvd in my Christmas stocking this year.

Since its raining outside, I figured I'd give it a try this morning.

I like the idea of yoga and releasing stress, stretching, controlling breathing ... it all looks so serene and calming.

And it would have been ... if MEG wasn't in the room!

What a joke! I made a couple of mistakes in my preparation time this morning.

To begin with, I'm not the most tech-savvy gal in the house. It took me at least 15 minutes to figure out how to get the X-box to play the dvd. I've probably screwed-up all the settings on the tv in the process too.

Also, Meg was prowling around, and in my face, and on my back, under, over, alongside - I'm sure you get the picture. She thought I was playing with her! The yoga mat smells good to her, so she wanted to curl up slap-bang in the middle of it. Me sitting, cross-legged on the floor = wrestle time! Me with my eyes closed laying flat out = kisses. Hair dangling in a stretch pose = bite my hair and ears!

She's a very affectionate (not small and severely hairy) dog! I didn't get mad at her, just frustrated at myself, which is not the right mind-set to have when one is trying to perform yoga.

We did eventually manage to reach a compromise - she could have half the yoga mat and lick my toes if I could get on with the dvd. It worked well - just in time for the final 5 minute cool-down stretch!

I feel kind of good:) Good enough to venture out in the rain and give Meg her exercise now. Next time, I'll know better and put her out of the room so that I can concentrate, relax and listen to half an hour of her protests.

Bad Hair Rant

Over the years, I've had many hairstyles. I used to have it permed, used to colour it and tried highlights too. I've gone from shoulder-length curls to less than one inch long and spiky (and everywhere in between)!

During the past 5 years or so, I've enjoyed chin-length straight hair and the ability to tie it up has been a bonus for me. I've been happy with it, happy with my hairdresser and I've not given it much more thought than that ... until recently ...

Right now, I'm not loving my hair. There are several factors contributing to this.

One: the weather - I have fine, fly-away hair at the best of times, so I'm experiencing static hair because of the indoor heat and cold outside. I can't seem to style it without putting on a ton of gunk and goop and when I do, I go outside and it 'drops'.

Two: grey hairs seem to be sprouting in abundance - they're a different texture to my hair, so they're sticking up and waving their big silver strands which seem to be saying "hey! look at me!!" I want to grow old(er) gracefully, but I'm losing the battle of plucking out the greys with the tweezers!

I haven't coloured my hair for years and I'm kind of scared of doing so. Plus, I'm a tight-wad and I don't want to pay my hairdresser extortionate amounts of cash to camouflage the greys (I feel like I pay her enough to cut it). I have to do something - I feel a trip to the drugstore is possibly in order, if I can get over my fear of turning my hair mahogany or plum (I once turned it black by mistake).

But the main reason for not loving my hair is ...

Three: I had an appointment with my hairdresser just before Christmas. I must admit that I am the world's biggest procrastinator when it comes to getting my hair cut!

I've been thinking about finding a new hairdresser since the summer, but, since I procrastinate, I haven't done a single thing about it ... except for thinking ...

This is the third haircut I've had that I've not been too thrilled about.

She did have a very good reason this time though. Her doggy was dying. She was telling me this as I was sitting in the chair with shampoo up to my ears. I'm cringing, and thinking, I wish she'd have called and cancelled me.

She re-tells the story that she's probably told all her clients that day ... her friend arrives - she'd just returned from visiting the dog at the vets ... my hairdresser gets a phone call from the vet ... she gets upset ... she's still cutting my hair!

She's left long bits, given me short bits and even shorter bits - and I don't know what she's done with the back of my head - it doesn't look right. I daren't go back and complain because she'll only cut it shorter. And in the back of my mind, I remember that her hobby is playing on an all girl ice-hockey team (I'm not intimidated by her, but I'd hate to cross her). It takes me forever to style it now, which I HATE. I'm used to blow-drying, spraying hairspray - and I'm set for the day.

I've been with this lady for 6 years or so. Usually, she's very good, but lately, not so good. She's a sweetheart, and yes, she had to have her dog put to sleep in the end (I can relate totally to what kind of emotional state she was in when she cut my hair, having gone through this experience myself - and I should be thankful that I still have both my ear-lobes).

If anybody can recommend a good LOCAL hairstylist - who is reasonably priced, PLEASE let me know ... I'm not going back ... well, at least for another 8 weeks.