Wow, I don't even have a good excuse beyond my head just has not been in this blog lately.  Sometimes you feel like a preppy blogger and sometimes you don't.  I've totally fallen out of love with Facebook and slowly in love (or maybe strong like) with Twitter.

But to bring you up to date...

* I colored my own hair. 

Oh boy, where do I start?  My hairdresser is fabulous but about 80 minutes away in VT.  I blame Laura for mentioning her to me.  But that's a loooong way to drive in the winter.  And hello, it's winter like 11 months out of the year up here.  So I tried coloring it myself just to stretch out the time between my visits.

There were two problems. 

First the color turned out what I feel is a little too strawberry blonde.  However I think I am the only person who sees the strawberry.  People keep complimenting me on my hair.  Even without knowing I colored it myself or any of the drama surrounding it.  I will say I did a good job as far as coverage.  I don't have any roots (that I can see anyway) or splotches.  And because I had highlights, it still looks like I still have those highlights. 

The second issue was that my hair was soooo dry.  I normally have silky soft hair.  So silky soft that it has zero ability to hold any sort of body or curl.  And then, suddenly, my hair was like straw.  It scared me if I am being honest.  I was conditioning twice and still...hay bales on my head.  Bad!  I was worried that my hair would fall out or something tragic and dramatic like that.  I found a sample in my bag of freebies of a leave in conditioner.  That really helped.  Then I bought a small bottle of John Freida conditioner and that has made a world of difference.  So I am thankful that I found a solution to that problem. 


* I don't yet have a plan for my life but as this is potentially my last year in this city, I am making a conscious effort to really enjoy myself more.  I am trying to complain less and praise more.  So far it's working.  I feel happier for the most part.


* My volunteer seasons are in full swing.  Full of drama of course.  As always.  But I'm managing.  I am thankful that a dear friend took one of those dramas off my plate.  I was seriously having trouble sleeping and having anxiety.  I take things too personally in life.  I let things get to me.  It makes me this super attentive friend but at the same time, I can't just let things go. 

I am on the JL board this year and it has taken me a few months to get my feet on solid ground.  I really struggled the first few months with feeling like I had any clue what I was doing.  Ironically, now that I have more on my plate (compliments of one of those above mentioned dramas), I am feeling more like I know what I am doing.  Story of my life.  I am loving that I get to know my fellow leaguers better as we have such a fun group.


* I was in a sad sad frame of mind last week.  I lost a very dear family friend to cancer.  She fought for nearly six years when doctors told her she had only two months.  She saved her own life when countless doctors told her that she was not worth their time and energy.  She is such a hero in my life for the fight she battled up stream with such passion and dignity.  I prayed for weeks that God would take her home and give her peace.  She deserved it.  But I am still so sad to know I can't just send her an email or chat on the phone.  We all miss you so much, Beverly!  And dammit...I just totally hate cancer!


* I need to make a new duvet for my bed.  But I am feeling uninspired.  Or I guess I could buy one but I've not found one that I like.  I'm picky because I need the fabric to be very soft.  Like I love Anthropology but I think their bed fabrics are too stiff for my taste.  Not that we have an Anthro around here.  But as an example.  Plus I really think it would be fun to have something more plain on one side and fru fru on the other side.  But I need a heavy dose of inspiration mixed with motivation.  Actually, I probably need more motivation than anything else.  I need to figure something out because my one duvet has a big bleach stain on it and the second (favorite) now has a big hole in it that I waited way too long to repair.


* I am happy to have the humidity leave the area but am so sad that it's time to wear fall/winter clothing.  I like the seasons but loathe the clothes.  Or let me clarify, I loathe me in the clothes.  A chubby girl only looks chubbier in a sweater.  I feel cuter in summer clothes.  Even if no one else thinks I look better, I feel better.  And that's really the biggest battle for any girl.  I do not feel cute in fall/winter clothes.  Ever.  So I go 8 months feeling blah.  See why I need to move to a state that does not require my clothing to make me feel like blah for this many months?


* I glutened myself.  I knew I was eating it but I ate it anyway.  And it's official.  I cannot tolerate gluten.  And as strange as it sounds, I feel such a release to realize this.  I like clarity.  I'm missing a lot of that in my life.  But it's clear as day that I need to avoid gluten.  Thankfully, I've found flours and recipes and blogs and various other resources.  For a year I swore that I could be GF save for pie crust.  Y'all know that pie is sacred in the Crocodile family.  Pie is to my family what cupcakes are to the rest of the world.  But I've even perfected GF pie crust finally.  Now to deal with the next two days of getting this icky gluten through my system... 


* I am nearly finished my my Christmas shopping.  That doesn't mean things are all put together but the plans are laid.  A few cousins and my dad are left to figure out and then I will be done.  I will be out of town a lot in November but my goal is still set to be completed by December 01.  That's my goal every year mind you, but I swear this year I am on track!


* We must chat about TV and Hollywood but that will have to wait another day or three....  What are our feelings about gLee so far?  Is anyone else watching Project Runway?  Oooh The Good Wife is steamy sexy this year.  So much to gossip about, girls!