More Randomosity

Yes, that is a word, 'cause I just said it. I think that that should be the rule...if you make up a word, well, then it's a word. Now, if you say something grammatically incorrect...that doesn't count...that's just dumb.

Today is not the most fun day. Mark, Cassie, and I all slept horribly last night. My sinuses and ears are still obnoxious. As a side note, I apparently cannot type today, so if you see mistakes...I'm sorry. Anyway, I'm also having issues with my arms and hands. Probably why I can't type. Whenever I have sinus troubles, my hands and arms hurt. The only thing I can figure is that it has something to do with the lymphatic system or something. Sometimes my legs hurt, too, but usually just my hands and arms. When I was sick for 7+ years in jr high/high school, that was my main symptom...my arms and hands hurt so badly that I could hardly hold things. They aren't that extreme these days, luckily. So, I'm not really sure what that is all about, but that's my complaint for today.

We listed a bunch of stuff on craigslist last night. We listed a fishtank and stand, the drumset, the Kia Sorento, the TV and DVD player, and Mark's business. We've had replies...both hokey and real, so we'll see what comes of all that. If we get desperate, I might sell my electronic piano, too. I haven't played it once in the last year and a half, but I have dreams of playing it....some day. I just hope that we sell stuff for decent amounts. That would sure help out. The only problem is that the 3 big things (Kia, drums, and fishtank/stand) are all very specific and therefore have a small market. Not too many people are willing to give the Kias a try...I sure wasn't until we drove one...now I love it. The drums are a big, detailed set that only a skilled drummer would want to spend the money on, and the fishtank obviously would only be useful for someone interested in saltwater aquariums. So, the market is narrow, but we'll see what happens. If God wants them sold...the right person will call.

Oh, I hear Cassie fussing that she's awake. I'd better end this and go give her some Mommy/Cassie time since we have Miss Emberley today. Later.....

The Blahs...

I feel like I have the blahs. It is probably only because I am sleep deprived. I didn't get to sleep until well after 1...probably closer to 2 this morning and then Cassie woke up at 5:20 and then 6:45ish for the day. Then, she only took an hour and a half nap. So, that's probably the cause of my blahs, but I've got them. I was okay when I went to sleep, so that is why I feel that the lack of sleep is the culprit.

Anyway, we're thinking about selling our Kia Sorento and buying a used vehicle...possibly a mini van. I'm not sure how I feel about this, except for the fact that it will cut our car payments by over half. We're trying to climb out of debt. Speaking of which, congrats to Laura and Dustin (my sis-in-law and brother) for paying off their debt!!! I'm now envious. Most of our debt is due to Mark's business, which to me makes it valid debt. I know there are people out there who say "NO DEBT!" However, I really feel like starting up a business means going into debt at the beginning, unless you wait until your 50 to go into business or you have an uncle that dies and leaves you thousands of dollars. Anyway, so we have debt...we've got a plan to be rid of large portion of it by the end of this year, but there will still be more debt to pay that we'll hopefully have paid off by the end of 2008. SO, if we could take our car payment from $255/mo to $100/mo or less, that would be $150/mo more that could go towards our debt.

HOWEVER, here's the bonus. Mark is selling his drumset. This is a HUGE deal for him to be selling it and it is a huge step of maturity that he's made the decision. There are a few other smaller things that we're interested in selling as well...a 29" TV, a dvd player, possibly an aquarium. The drumset should sell for around $1000. We figure with all of it, we might get $1200-1500, which would be a nice down payment for these older cars that we're looking at, which would make our payments down to like $75/mo-ish.

I have no idea what's in store for us with this, but we're just trying to make wise decisions that will help us get out of our debt quicker. I'm not sure that this is the right way to go, as an older vehicle could mean more issues...we'll just have to see what happens.

Oh a completely separate note...I think that we're officially done trying for now. I got to thinking about something and it's a good thing I did. My sister graduates in May. Can you imagine how awful that would be to be due right at the time she graduates?!? That would certainly not be fair to her and I don't want to cause chaos in the family. I've made this decision completely selflessly, so I think that it is a wise one and will only bless us in the long-run. Who knows what God has in store for us (well, He does, obviously, but you know what I mean), but I know that "all things work for the good of those who love Him," so I'm just trusting in that. Oh, and I'm okay with this in my heart. I actually feel good about this decision. I guess that's what happens when you "let go and let God," neh? Besides, am I REALLY ready to look like this again?!?

Well, Cassie is saying in her own little way, "MOMMA!!! I'm done eating!!! Come get me!!! If you don't come get me I'm gonna get really, really mad!!! COME HERE!!!" So, I guess I better go rescue her. I hope that you all have a fabulous day and I hope that the "blahs" are not internet contagious! :)

I still feel crummy. Holly--My ears hurt too. They itch like crazy way deep inside where I wanna stick a skewer or something down there to itch the dickens out of them. No fun!

I'm sure we will be at church on Sunday. Bummer. Everyone just tell me how funny it looks and we'll be okay. I have plans for a few more dish soap washes between now and then, so we'll see what happens...

OK...I gotta go to the store. I'm cooking for Ben and Tracy tonight. Everyone say a little prayer for them while you read this. If you know them, you probably know why...if you don't, just trust me that they could use the prayers...especially Tracy.

More later...

A Day with Emberley

So, day 1 is here and gone and it went better than I expected. There were times when Cassie was asleep and Emberley was up, times when Emberley was asleep and Cassie was up, times when they were both asleep, and times when they were both up, so I got lots of variety. Cassie did very well, though she was incredibly clingy to me after Emberley left (and fussy). She kept trying to share toys with her to make her stop crying. She would kiss her and pat her when she was upset. She shared mommy very well.

Emberley did awesome with eating, sleeping, etc. I will say that she does have her momma's temper, but it is short-lived and she is easily consoled when she gets mad. She ate great and I was able to easily put her to sleep throughout the day.

The bummer thing was that I woke up this morning with a sinus infection brewing. Had I felt 100%, the day would have been perfect. Because of the icky head, I'm really worn out tonight. I figured I'd be worn out, but I'm really wiped. So, here's hoping I'm better by Monday!

Hair, hair, and more hair...

So, my sister-in-law, Michelle's, mom is a retired beautician. SO, she said to get the vivid red/orange toned down to add in ash blonde to the mix. Oh, brother. I did. Now, I have burgandy hair. Laura--would totally be your thing and you would rock it out. Do you all know how I look with dark hair? Well, you will as soon as you see me or as soon as I get my camera to cooperate, because I have dark, burgandy/maroon hair in the front and it is all DIFFERENT colors throughout the rest. Oh, me!

I just need to point out 1 tiny thing to my dear, s-i-l, Laura. I seem to remember a certain haircut that caused quite a stir and some tears! :) Laura got her hair cut once and they practically scalped her. It was SHORT. However, she pulled it off and always looks great in short hair.

I actually am not sad or crying or anything over this. I think that it's incredibly funny.....I just can't go out in public! HA! So, if you want to laugh at me, you'll have to come over.

Well, my timer just went off, so I am going to go eat. I will post about my day with Emberley later.

Hair update

So, I tried the dish soap, much to the horror of my mother. It did tone it down a tad (my camera is being screwy, though, so I can't get a pic), but it is still pretty vibrant. I think that I'm going to keep it up with that, then normal shampoo, then extra conditioner each time I wash it for the next couple of days and see what happens.

HAIR CRISIS!!!

So, being on the tight budget that we're on, I decided to dye my hair. Now, I've done this time and again since college, though I mooch of mom and get it done professionally at Eric Fisher whenever I'm in Wichita. So, I bought Auburn Blonde. I thought that that would give me a nice, strawberry blonde type color, just maybe a little darker...I was up for that. So, I mixed it up and applied it. A few weeks ago, I got Cassie a little floating mirror for the bathtub. So, once I was rinsed, I was excited to remember that little mirror so that I could take a sneak peek. OH, I shouldn't have done that! To my horror, my hair was not a nice, auburn blonde....oh no....it was CRAYON RED!!! OH MYLANTA!!!

So now, I am on to dye #2 (do I EVER learn?!?) and we'll see what happens here. I'm a bit scared. You're not really supposed to do dye this close together, but I cannot live my life with crayon hair! So, we'll see what happens. I'm going to post before and after pictures when I have the chance. All I can say is OH MYLANTA! I'll let you know how it turns out.

*EDIT* Oh, girls...it's not good. I'm pretty sure that there was ZERO benefit from the second coloring. OH MYLANTA!!! WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?!?!?

BEFORE:

AFTER:

SO, the AFTER looks more vibrant, but it was just the light...it really looks the same...oh mylanta........