I Ask, The Universe Delivers:Two More Days of Giving.

Image property of buzzle.com

Monday July 7, 2013 Day 3: Scary Hair

I don't do hair. That's why I decided to cut mine super short last year and I only attempt to grow it out for about 30 days until I have a mullet and realize that I look like I have given up on life, at which point I cut it again. My extremely small list of hairstyle abilities includes pony tails, side pony tails and regular braids. The end. My daughter has beautiful long hair and access to internet videos that instruct you on thousands of hairstyles that look more intricate than than a boondoggle bracelet. Unfortunately, she has grown up having mediocre hairstyles or bob cuts, which I always suggested for my convenience. If shaving girls' heads for summer was a thing, she would be in trouble.

She had been asking me to watch this video for a few days and I felt that I would rather eat pickled beets while doing back bends than play beauty shop. It was an updo with an upside down french braid and messy bun at the top.
"I don't know how to french braid, kid. You need to talk to Grandma if you want fancy hair like that." (I'm known to pass off that shit to my mom because she is good at everything. Everything.)
"Mom, it shows you how to do it step by step. Please. Just watch it and see if we can try it on my hair."
After a a challenging day with my son he was finally crying for dad in the other room, so I sat with her on the couch and watched the video. This would be my gift to her.

We watched and researched and I wasn't sure I was up to the hair challenge. Then we spent an hour in my bathroom trying two different hairstyles, talking about girl stuff and laughing. I tried french braiding for the first time in a decade and when I showed her my failed attempt, she melted my heart.
"It's beautiful, Mom. I love it."
I'm pretty sure she gave me a gift far beyond the hour I spent fixing her hair. Far beyond.

Tuesday July 8, 2013 Day 4: Ask And You Shall Receive. For Real.

I was planning to make zucchini bread for my next door neighbor who keeps her yard beautiful year round and who is a very private person. I'm not sure we have spoken more than a few words in the two years since we moved in. While I would still give that gift, it would become clear that I was meant to give two gifts today.

As I am driving my daughter to her acting class I have a strange thought "If there were a panhandler on my trip today, I would give them money." There aren't panhandlers where I live. We live in a small golf community connected to two small town and while I'm sure there is a homeless population, we don't see it. There are no cardboard signs or people on the street corner with guitars and change jars. In the twelve years since I moved back here, I have never seen a panhandler. I have seen people selling puppies and tamales at WalMart and people hitchhiking on the main road, but never a panhandler. My thought seemed silly and fruitless. I would be baking when I got home and gifting my neighbor.

As I drove back through town to pick my daughter up a couple hours later, I saw a young woman on the corner of the main road. With a cardboard sign. "Struggling and disabled. Anything will help."
Wait....what????? There is no possible way I created that. Is there? I keep driving and commit to stop on my way back so I won't be late picking up my daughter. I had planned on giving this woman the two dollars I keep in my change holder for car washes and drink stops, but as I get closer I know I need to pull a $20 bill out of my wallet. That is 1/4 of my spending money for this pay period. Any Starbucks coffee, racer back tank, movie ticket or meal out with friends comes out of this money and I spend it wisely. It has to last. It was weird, but I didn't worry about what I couldn't buy this week. I have all I need...a nice home, my health, food in my fridge and more clothes than I could wear in a month.

Here is my other hang up. Is she really disabled? What will she do with the money? This is always where I go when I give money, but part of the challenge is to give with your whole heart. I began to say an affirmation in my mind in order to move past my questions.  "Today I give without judgement". And I did.

I parked the car, got out and asked this young woman how she was doing.
"I've been better."
"Well, this is for you. I hope it helps." I said.
"Thank you and God bless."

He already has.

Check out my new post on mythirtyspot. Success and marriage. What it means when one person is making it  out in the world while the other one is at home.
http://www.mythirtyspot.com/2013/07/his-mine-and-ours-when-your-spouse-is.html

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things

I spend a lot of time sharing with you all the shit I really don't like. A lot of time. Perhaps you have wondered what I do like? Perhaps not. I'm in no way assuming my favorites list will get your panties wet the way Oprah's does, but maybe you will find something new to love or another reason to hate me. I will admit that I have never been a purse whore, make up whore or clothing whore. I have no taste when it comes to expensive shit and I will never understand $5,000 purses or $300 flats. Sorry. Brand names mean nothing to me and I usually pretend to know what people are talking about when it comes to designers, then Google their name and realize that I would never buy their ugly shit. I shop at the thrift store. I get most of my make up at Walmart or on Amazon. I buy purses at Target, usually on sale. I'm thrifty by nature and have little interest in expensive shit. You won't find designer handbags or pricey jewelry on this list. I am no food critic either, but I know what is good in my mouth. I have things that I love to use, love to buy and would not be happy living without.

Here are my faves...from food to drinks to lotion and a few other gems. (This is not sponsored by any company and no one gave me free shit to pick there product.)

1. Aveeno Positively Radiant Moisturizer with SPF 15. This stuff is the tits for oily/combo skin that tends to look like an Exxon Valdez spill by afternoon. It clears up red areas I have from acne scars and uneven skin tone and looks smooth under make up. I know, it's not a $500 lotion, but you can always donate the $490 you'll save to someone who is in need. Find it at your local drug store.

2. Coffee Lip Balm by Ellen Bee Farms. I have been a lip balm girl my whole life and I know good lip shit when I find it. Red lipstick makes me look like Ronald McDonald and everything else looks orange on my skin, so I skip color and go for moisture. This favorite smells like coffee brewing in the morning and makes my lips feel soft all day. They offer many other flavors including my daughter's fave Wild Cherry. While I am related to the peeps who make this yummer stuff, I endorse it on my own accord not because I know them but because they make great lip balm. Find it at ellenbeesoaps.com

3. Aveda Control Paste. I am a freak about my hair. It's curly, short, graying, course, thick and on most days, completely unmanageable. I was introduced to this little gem when I started seeing my fave stylist, Scott. It's great for men or women and gives my hair that piecey look without being porcupine stiff. A little goes a long way, so even though it's costs a bit up front it lasts through many crazy hair days. Great in humidity and for little dudes with faux hawks. I wish my son still had one...so adorable. Find it at your local Aveda salon or online. Duh.

4. Guinness and Baba. If this is news, you haven't been here very long. Dark beer is my boyfriend. I love dark, smooth, heavy, delicious stout. The darker, the more head, the better. (You are disgusting...I am talking about beer). There is nothing better than a pint of Guinness at the pub, but now that they have it available in cans and bottles, I can stay in my yoga pants and drink at home. Baba is a fantastic brew from Uinta that is available in an industrial size at Costco. Dark and delicious, this is my beer for BBQ's, house parties and afternoon reading sessions on my porch. Get some in your mouth. Now.

5. Camper's Soap from Ellen Bee Farms. I promise, I am not being paid by anyone. I gave up body wash when I started running because it left a nasty film. While it doesn't make sense to my brain, I feel cleaner after using bar soap. Any who, I bought a few different brands from the devil big box store, but my  one true love came as a sample around Christmas last year. It smells like every yummy summer event, musky and sweet with all natural goodies so it never dries my skin. Our other family favorite is Monkey Farts, which smells better in the shower than an actual fart. Check them out this summer at the Farmer's Market Downtown or at ellenbeesoaps.com

6. Trader Joe's Angel Food Cake. New favorite as of this week, but don't let that throw you off, this stuff is the shit. Ate it with strawberries, cream, and finally straight out of the container with my fingers. I have never eaten cake that tasted like heaven, but now the name makes perfect sense. You know where to get this one, right?

7. Athleta Hannah Running Shorts. Here is where my thriftiness flies out the window. I am a sucker for exercise clothing, there is more of that in my closet than anything else. It's comfortable, lightweight and gives people the impression that I have put in hours at the gym even when I haven't. These shorts are the perfect length, light enough to sweat in and versatile enough to wear to the grocery store. Here is the kicker: built in underwear. If you are a runner, you know how fabulous this is. I have given up wearing underwear when I work out but these built in numbers are a blessing from baby Jesus because they don't ride up my crack while I'm hitting the pavement. Find these at athleta.com

8. Clean and Clear Deep Action Scrub. I still have acne. I don't know how common this is in women in their 30's but I really thought I would be done with it by this point. The breakouts I was having were not clearing up with my regular face wash so I grabbed this little gem in desperation. I have tried hundreds of scrubs, face washes, and mail order acne treatments and this is the best. I use it 3-4 times a week in combination with Clean and Clear Daily Cleanser and my skin looks better than it has in years. Find it on amazon.com or your local drug store.

It's no Oprah list and no one is getting a free car. Yeah, that pretty much covers it, no free car, no surprise under you seat, but you also didn't have to stand in line or know someone famous to get in. Bonus.

I'm interested in your favorite things. Use the comment section and tell me what you shove in your mouth, put on your face or rub yourself down with in the shower. Skip the naughty bits.