JustLisa

I have never been a very vain person. I have worn makeup less than a hundred times in my whole life and when I do wear it, people say to me "Honey, you still are not wearing it." The only thing about my looks that is really important to me is my hair. I went for years without putting any chemicals to it and get very nervous about every haircut.

I did get my hair highlighted a few weeks ago and agreed to try shampoo and conditioner for color treated hair. I was very hesistant when the samples from naked naturals arrived but decided to give it a shot this week. I like the fact that is all natural and environmentally friendly. Normally I use a tropical smelling shampoo or something very fruity scented so I was surprised that I liked the faint hint of lavender scent. I generally can tell by the lather if a shampoo is going to work well on my hair. I have really thick hair and it takes a good lather to get it clean. The natural shampoo lathered up quite well but I washed again to be on the safe side.

I wasn't sure the conditioner did a great job as my wet hair did not feel slick. I am going to assume now that the extra chemicals in other conditioners contribute to that slick feel. The conditioner seems to have done its job as evidenced by the shine in the picture.

Yes, I am still in a funk. I need sleep so desperately but it continues to elude me. The kid and I took a road trip to Kansas City and surrounding areas for his spring break. I had hoped to get sleep then but that didn't happen. The following story is 100% true.

We checked several motels and found one that was affordable and seemed quiet. I asked the boy at the desk if it was quiet and he said "Oh yeah! It's really quiet here. So quiet that I have trouble staying awake." Yay! That's what I needed! I told him that I hated hotels where you could hear doors shutting and people noises from the hallway. He said that would not be a problem at all. I paid and signed in and he hands me this sheet of paper that said "Be advised that trains run on the rear of the hotel property. We do not control the schedule." HAHAHA I seriously laughed so hard. I love trains so we took the room but I would hardly call a hotel with a railroad track in the backyard a "quiet" hotel. How close was the train? Glad you asked. This close:

That was taken early in the morning from our window with no zoom. That close. I couldn't have slept anyway because the boy snores so bad. It literally sounds like gravel in a blender. Going to make him another dr appointment to get that checked out. Last year they said his nasal passages were really small and they would check again later. Later is now as far as I'm concerned. He has a bad, bad case of apnea from it and I can't imagine he is getting a restful sleep.

Anyway, we traveled around Kansas a bit together, went to Cabela's and Bass Pro, and had a good time overall. Soon I will go back to Texas to see Eva again and hopefully I can find some sleep there.

Yesterday I pulled up to the gas pumps and about had heart failure. I rarely put gas in the vehicles as it's just something Todd does so I don't get used to the outrageous prices. $3.32 a gallon. Good Lord. That's where our money is going! Todd has to drive about 800 miles a week to work and back so I guess I better start finding other ways to save if the economy is going to get worse.

One option I am entertaining is getting a car with much better gas mileage. Another is to use coupons at the store. My mother had no choice but to do that as a single mom and I always hated it. Swore I never would and I absolutely do not. Now may be the time where I have to start counting pennies. The Penny Pincher Gazette looks like a good place to get free grocery coupons. I like the fact that you can enter your zipcode and search stores for your area. You can browse the circulars then find Grocery Coupons. Neat!

Man, I love my kids.

On the way home from grocery shopping last night, C. was in the back of the Surburban, complaining that a girl he works with has such huge boobs that he can't get past her to the ice cream machine. I asked "Can you just duck under them?" and C. said "Maybe she should throw them over her shoulder." After some giggles, a lull in conversation returned. I hate quiet. Anyone who knows me well and is around me alot knows I bust out into random songs and at that quiet moment, the Tigger song popped into my head so I started singing

The wonderful thing about Tiggers,
is Tiggers are wonderful things,
their tops are made of rubber,
their tails are made of springs.

C. burst out laughing and Ben gave him a funny look and asked "Why are you laughing?" and C. said "My mom and that song she's singing." Ben goes "So? That was in the Winnie the Pooh book I read to her this morning." and C. just stopped cold with the most puzzled look. Several seconds pass....

"Ohhhhhhhhhhhh... tiggers... I thought she said titters."

That would be a song his dad would sing.

It's our birthdays! Well, Todd's is the 10th and mine today. I'd love to tell you we have a big three day party but that would be the furthest from the truth. We do nothing. I got mad today and bought my own cake at Walmart. Tasted like sh*t. Can't even say it was the thought that counted since it was my thought. HA!

Yesterday we headed up to Des Moines to look at cars. My dream car that I bought almost 8 years ago was falling down all over itself and becoming a money pit. I loved that car and have spent the last year in total denial over it's issues. Some days it would run flawlessly. Others, it would sputter and eat gas like it was running out on the ground somewhere. I decided once I found another car that grabbed my eye like that one did so long ago, I'd buy it. We drove lots of stuff yesterday and when I found my new love, I had to really make the salesman work to get his numbers in line with mine. Here it is... the Dream Car v2.

So the whole weekend was shot in the butt while working this deal out but it was worth it. The speedometer says 160 and if you google "infiniti g35", you will see videos of people (mostly kids!!!!) stupid enough to try it out. It will do it. I have a lead foot so will surely be using that cruise control.

I had a special message on my voicemail from Moosie. She calls and sings to me on my birthday and it's one of the best gifts ever. I asked Todd "Did I get a message from The Purple Moose?" and he goes "Oh yeah, forgot to tell you." and replayed it for me. Yay!! Thanks Moosie! I love ya!

... seriously, I say this a lot but if I've accomplished anything in this lifetime it's that I've weeded my friends down to the best people in the world.

Clarification on the new car. It's new to me but not new to the world. It's 5 years old with many miles on it but it's been very well taken care of and came with a warranty that lasts the length of my bank note. Works for me! We bought the Buick the same way years ago. The warranty lasted as long as the note and came in very handy at least twice a year. When the warranty ran out and each trip into the shop came out of our pockets, it was time to bid it farewell.

When we first signed the papers for this car, I looked at Todd and said "Five years?? What if I don't want the same car for five years???" I then remembered I'd had the Buick for almost eight and did fine. It will be fine. Do kinda wish I'd have gone for something that takes E85. The thing that sealed the deal for me is that the warranty includes roadside assistance and car rental, motel, food, etc if we have to leave it in a shop somewhere away from home. That will be great since we have started traveling more. It's easier to go once the kids are no longer little.

Speaking of which, we saw the cutest little girl the other day. She was probably around two years old and so adorable. Todd was looking at her with *that* look. I said "Oh god... you aren't thinking of having another are you?" and he said "Only if they'd stay like that." Stay like two??? Holy crap. Two's have like ten good minutes in a day. hahaha No more babies here! I got a car to pay for.