Beachy Curls Trend

I bought this non clamp curling iron to do those fabulous effortless (takes effort and burn cream...BTdubs) curls.  Love it but started thinking of getting a bigger diameter iron for that "I rolled out of bed looking this  fabulous" style.  Now, that is just silly.  I already own 2 regular curling irons, this new one on the left of the picture and my trusty Glam Palm straightener.  Just modify any good iron that you already have with a screw driver and remove the clamp.  Put, the screws and rest back on so you don't burn your counters.  Wrap your hair around the barrel, away from your face, hold for a bit and BINGO!  Saving pennies!  Put the clamp in a safe place because what ever you used it for on your hair will be back in style soon!

Jane Eyre

I have never been much of a reader (or been referred to as feminist)...so the fact that I haven't read Jane Eyre doesn't really come as much of a surprise.  I have seen Pride and Prejudice more than once and always get who wrote what a little mixed up in my head.  Well, not anymore.  Seems pretty tame these days, but what would I have thought in the 1800's...steamy stuff...that's what!!  And, she still blows Belle out of the water (Don't get me started on how I feel about Twilight)...Jane Eyre is a strong, smart, moral and interesting character.  Maybe I really should start reading more, thank God for well made movies!  And, the hot guy from Inglorious Bastards was the cherry on top.

ps. I am super grateful to not be living in a drafty stone estate where 1/2 of my siblings die from Typhus or Tuberculosis...that and thanks to feminists I can pretty much do whatever I want with my best friend on a Friday night!

Hip Surgery Update

I am one week out and I am happy! I doctored this photo just in case people are super squeamish...but you can see that the Frankenstein factor is truly minimal and I don't bruise easily (dodged the bullet of a trailer park wife but that could have come in handy). It is funny to me that such a big deal was made about my "bikini" C Section incision and now have 3 "bullet" holes in my leg! *Yes, I am in a swim suit here...not my undies!! This is about as close to body modification surgery I am ever going to get. It will allow me to keep running, which means I might want a boob job in 10 years but the rest of me will be looking pretty damn good!

I injured my hip on a hike at the Allegany State Park over 15 years ago. I was diagnosed with dislocating my hip and tearing my gluteus minimus, which was 2/3 correct. They were just missing the part where I tore the cartilage in my hip socket as well. The initial cortisone shot in my butt made me feel better and I went about my young, carefree life! I started running in earnest again when I turned 30 and the wear and tear brought the lingering injury to the forefront of my mind after walking 14 miles in Paris in 2004 and not being able to walk the next day. I blamed all sorts of things and my ITB band took most of the blame for my misery. Poor ITB band...shooting the messenger seems an appropriate analogy.

I ran my last 1/2 Marathon in November of 2010. I was in misery, every step hurt but I kept going. I knew I would not be able to challenge the 2 hour mark and said I would be happy if I finished with the 2:15 group, ahead of 2:30. I did that but truly thought my running days were over after that race. I had to take Medal Monday (Renee Gibson term) off from work because I was too sore to get out of bed.

Then....my Fairy Run Mother came to visit me in December, a friend who is an orthopedic surgeon in Florida. I told him about the race and my darn ITB issues affecting my hip. He seriously took not more than one look at me and said, "sister, that is not your ITB band...it's your hip...you need a surgeon...you probably have a labral tear and impingement". $300 MRI and the best referral in Dallas (Thank You Fairy Run Mother Eric Bonenberger!) and he was EXACTLY correct. I was honestly so relieved that there was something wrong with me that could actually be fixed that I was EXCITED about the prospect of having surgery.

I chose not to read a lot of the things on the Internet about this injury for a few reasons. Medical Science is just catching on to correcting this type of injury in younger, athletic people. The technique used in my surgery is less than 10 years old. 10 years ago I would have hit my 50's and needed a hip replacement as a runner.  There are only 2 doctors in Dallas that specialize in doing this *WELL*. I have heard a few horror stories of people being cut open, not arthroscopic surgery etc. The whole point to doing this is being able to get back to better than what your 100% was with the injury so arthroscopic is the only way to do it. My Doctor, Mark Muller and the Carroll Clinic are the best of the best! Who doesn't want fresh baked cookies when they come out of anesthesia? Well, turns out...I don't but they were yummy the first time I tasted them.

2012 DRC 1/2 Marathon in November...that is my goal. I can't wait to start running again! It will be a happy summer.  Here's to staving off broken hips or joint replacements in the future!!!

ps. I am already back to work, less than a week later.  Still on crutches for one more week but stopped taking prescription pain meds within 3 days of my surgery.

Hard 8 BBQ & Sprinkles Cupcakes

If you want to take people to the best BBQ in Dallas, THIS is the place to go.  It is delicious.  Unlike some of the other places in Dallas that use a lot of smoke, they use open pit-indirect heat.  Ordering a steak at a bbq place seems silly, but it is one of the best steaks I have had in a while.  Just another reason to venture to Coppell, TX...that and there is a Dairy Queen there.  You can't do both in one visit though...you would explode!
The other fun thing to do when out and about with guests is to be close to Sprinkles for the whisper of the day.  Today was "sweet cause" for a S' Mores cupcake.  D-Lish!  If I don't do these things with you when you come to visit....take it as a sign that I don't love you very much.

Expensive Spa Day!

IV hydration, warm blankets, 3 hour nap...that is totally like a spa day to a Mom of a toddler.  So long labral tear in my hip... hello Vicodin.   2012 DRC 1/2 Marathon better get ready for WonderMom!

So strange how becoming a Mom changes how you see things.  I am very content to be waiting for surgery by myself because I want Darren to be with Trevor.  Strong as steel, baby! 

Flea Market Decor

Bunk bed ladder, $10....way cheaper than shelves.  I found all the letters and Family on clearance at Tuesday Mornings and Target. *Pictures- Trevor, My Dad and my nephew Ronin.

You could also use slim hurricane candles in different heights since the selves are not on top of one another.  This would not work in our home since I have a toddler who plays basketball, golf, football and baseball in the house!

Pinterest

It is my new obsession.  I love all the exchanges, finds and clever ideas.  It's like a good 'ol fashioned Girls Club...pre Sex and the City!  We talk about crafts, homemaking tips, design, sensible fashion, cooking, baking...It's awesome!  My PINTEREST PAGE IS HERE

My goal is to Pin as many original pins as I re-pin...that will take a lot of inspiration and creation but I can do it!

Muse of the Day

Sentiment is deeply steeped in what you loved as a child and what you love as a child is usually heavily influenced by your parents.  This painting hung in my mother's house for as long as I can remember.  The legend of King Arthur was a fairy tale for me.  The Mists of Avalon seemed like an enormous book, sitting on my mother's shelf.  When I came across an email detailing the work of a man in Australia, I was stopped in my tracks at this depiction of Waterhouse's painting about The Lady of Shallot in Tennyson poems.  I do love tales of tragedy...don't even get me started on Romeo and Juliet movie day in English class!  The real tragedy is that most of this beautiful art, on the artists property in Australia was destroyed by fires.  Check it out HERE

Saving Pennies

Poopy diapers are messy, regardless of the child's age.  Save yourself diaper wipes, mess and money by making your own rinse free cleanser.  We got this one as a gift and felt like we couldn't live without it...then I went to buy more and saw the price tag and thought twice about that!  Eco Baby sites talk a lot about cloth diapers and making your own wipes so I just adapted one of those recipes.
You will need:
1 Pump type container
1 Tbsp of baby wash
2 Tbsp of baby oil gel(see photo) 
Warm water
Add solvents then fill with warm water, this helps to dissolve them better.  Gently roll the closed container for two minutes.  Don't shake it, you're not making butter. Use and repeat, and repeat, and repeat...because poopy diapers seem never ending. 
We have used this solution for almost 3 years and it works great and doesn't irritate the skin.  It also stings less than just a wipe when they have diaper rash.

You can make your own wipes with Paper Towels...I have not done this but it looks like a great idea:
Baby Wipe Tutorial

Academy Awards 2012

I hope that the other actresses in movies this year are not set on an Oscar!  After seeing just the extended trailer, it looks like Glenn Close has her name all over that award.  Albert Nobbs

Golden Globe Nominations:
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

Glenn Close- Albert Nobbs

Viola Davis- The Help

Rooney Mara- The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo

Meryl Streep- The Iron Lady

Tilda Swinton- We Need To Talk About Kevin