Dyed in order to live

I have been complaining about my gray hair for a while now. It started off with just a few here and there and I would quickly pluck them out and go on with my blissfully youthful life. That is until they basically took over my whole head (ok, not really, but it was getting a little ridiculous). Well, I did it. I dyed my hair and I dyed it much darker, just for effect. I really like it, except that no one has noticed. I suppose that is a good thing, it's supposed to look natural, but I did spend a lot of money on it and it would be nice if SOMEBODY noticed.

I am exaggerating, some people have noticed, but it's never the people you think would notice. I work with teenagers and a couple of them picked up on it. We got into a conversation about me dying my hair and I told them that I had never dyed my hair before. They asked why I decided to and I told them of the gray hair taking over my head. When I was asked how old I was and I replied "30" one of the girls said, "Wow, you look REALLY good for thirty." Huh. Well there you go.

There she is Miss . . . What the Hell?

Hotel, Motel, Holiday Inn . . .

The Glass Castle

My book club just read The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. I loved it. It was a little depressing and heart wrenching, but I thought it was a beautifully written story about the child of an alcoholic and the way she was able to overcome all obstacles and be successful despite her difficult childhood. It was brought up during the discussion in book club whether or not the things she wrote about were true- it was written as a memoir. It was decided that because it was a memoir, it was how Jeannette remembered the events of her life, someone else may have remembered them differently. Also, none of her memories were much of a surprise to me. I have worked with families very similar to this. Alcoholism is one of the most horrible diseases to have and infects everyone in contact with the diseased person. There is no stopping it, unless the drinking stops and even then- the damage is done.

My mother is a child of two alcoholics and although her childhood was not as severely traumatic as Jeannette's, she experienced very similar things with her parents and their addiction. Kids learn to parent themselves and their siblings- most of the time it's because they have to in order to survive.

This book is an easy read, but also enjoyable to read. Jeannette does a wonderful job of writing from her perspective of every age and stage in life and how that perspective changes as she grows up. I think the main thing I took away from this book, was that love is the most powerful of feelings and choices. You can't change a person, but you can always love them.

Not all sweethearts are created equal.

If you read my last post, you would remember that I was grateful for the cute little Bajio man calling me sweetheart. He must have said it five times in the short time I was telling him what I wanted on my chicken green chili salad (they are SO good). The last time he said it he said, "see you tomorrow sweetheart". I really kinda wanted to 'see him tomorrow'- so it was a good experience, right?

Cut to the next morning. I was on my way to work and stopped at 7-11 for a slim fast and a banana. The guy working the register was NOT little and NOT cute yet also chose to call me sweetheart. He too said it about five times, but every time he said it was a little bit creepier. I was practically running out of the 7-11 as he was yelling "SWEETHEART!" after me.

Some people are just less creepy than others. . . or maybe I am just prejudice against white people.

Not all things suck . . .

I was reading through my blog and I feel like I am such a whiny baby. Somebody punch me why don't you? I work with teenagers and when they get into a funk we have them write a gratefulness list. I think it's a really good idea and so here I go.

I'm grateful for:
1. super amazing friends, even though lately I have been neglectful (I still love you guys).
2. education. I love school. Why didn't I realize that I always loved it?
3. good coworkers. I have always been blessed with awesome coworkers and it has made work life so fun.
4. kissing.
5. my awesome safe haven which is my room.
6. Jesus.
7. MOM AND DAD. They are simply the best (queue song here).
8. my big bro and sis in law. I wish I spent more time with them.
9. music.
10. Citrine.
11. spontaneous trips.
12. dancing (mostly in my room or car).
13. babies (mostly Quinn).
14. the guy at Bajio that calls me sweetheart.
15. my bicycle.
16. movies.
17. books, all kinds, anything good I can get my hands on and can't put down.
18. pretty dresses.
19. youtube.
20. My parent's dog Max.

The last one deserves a little story. I went to my parent's on Sunday to watch conference and eat dinner. I stayed all day and my shoes stayed in the same place on the floor that entire day. After hours of being there and cuddling with my parents cute malti-poo (Maltese poodle), Max, I had to go. When Max heard my parents say I was leaving, he jumped up and grabbed my shoe. He wouldn't give it back. I chased him around the house. He would get close enough to me so that he could tease me with it and then run off again. It was hilarious and adorable. I felt loved.

Oh yeah, and I am also grateful for cheap shoes from Old Navy.