Eyebrows

Eyebrows – That’s right I am completely sick of them. Why we continuously tweeze and trim, and wax and shape, I don’t understand. Frankly, it hurts and it’s a little silly.

Sure, I have read all the articles about how eyebrows accent your eyes and how a perfectly shaped brow is the icing on your made-up face. And, like thousands of other women, I stand in front of the mirror squinting, trying to grab stray hairs. It is a never ending process.

I always subscribed to the Brooke Shields style of eyebrows. I would much rather have fuller brows than over-pluck. The whole brow powder and brush thing seemed a bit over the top for me and the less I have to do, the better.

Recently, one of the girls in my office – she’s a notorious over-plucker – decided to have her eyebrows tattooed on. Now, all of us were a little skeptical – okay a lot skeptical about this. I think that everyone can agree that tattooing your make-up on isn’t usually a good idea.

My coworker returned after the procedure with slightly darker eyebrows, but they were still natural looking and had a nice shape. She had always spent time powdering her brows to fill them in so having the color tattooed has removed one item from her list of things to do in the morning.

Obviously she was lucky that the person doing her brows did a good job. However, I to wonder why women driven to such things? I mean a mistake could have been disastrous. Could you image having a crooked brow permanently on your face? Why do we do this to ourselves? Is it because we think guys care or is it because we do?

There’s No Place Like Home

Four days in Ohio, one holiday feast, lots of family, tons of Scrabble, cheap drinks, a few hands of poker and a five-year high school reunion sums up the last few days. Van was even brave (or crazy) enough to tag along.

The trip began a little shaky as our plane was delayed multiple times and Van wasn’t exactly aware that we had another hour and half drive from the Columbus airport to my hometown. (I really did tell him before, but we all know how well men can listen at times.) We were exhausted by the time we arrived in Sidney.

Thanksgiving Day was filled with lots of food and plenty of family. My brother and I took Van on a tour of Sidney. I think he was a little amazed we spent more time in the video store than we did driving around town. The day was mostly uneventful until Dad decided to move the new couch from the garage into the basement. As you can tell by the photos, I'm great at supervising.


Friday, Dad took Adam and Van out shooting. It is always interesting when you let your father take your boyfriend out to the middle of a field with several loaded guns. I figured if Van made it back my dad was okay with us dating. Everyone made it back and they all had a great time.

Later that night we met up with my friend Jenny and her fiancé Gil. We ate dinner together at a local pizza place and went to our high school reunion. I wasn’t surprised at the people who attended; it was the same group who ever did anything in school.

Jenny did a good job at catching up with everyone who was there. I, on the other hand, hung out with Gil and Van. We did have a nice time catching up with Maria our other friend from school who is getting married New Year’s Eve. Van managed to not get into too much trouble, despite nearly getting Maria’s fiancé, Rick, to do a keg stand. (Maybe next time, honey)

Saturday, we hung out at home and visited with family. My mom’s cousin, Jimmy and his wife brought their three kids over. We had a blast playing games with the kids. Sophie, 7, put me to shame at double’s solitaire. After she beat my brother at chess, we broke out the Jenga. Finally we found a game that the big kids could win.

After everyone headed out, we finished our Scrabble tournament. It’s official that Van is the Scrabble King. I was definitely a close second and let’s just say Mom kept getting lots of vowels.

Sunday, we took Adam back to OSU. Then we headed up to Otterbein, my alma mater. Van got the quick driving tour and all he could say was “Is that really it?” Yes that is really it. When I say that my college campus takes up two whole blocks, I’m not kidding.

We stopped for quick BBQ sandwich at Hoggy’s and headed back to the airport. It was hard to say goodbye to my parents, but it was a great trip.

A Day to Remember

For me, birthdays are always a strange mix of emotions. I can’t believe the amount of people who took time out of their lives to think about me on my special day. Both friends and family filled yesterday afternoon with phone calls and the last week with gifts. The day is also a little bittersweet, reminding me of how far I am from my family.

I was reminded by my Uncle Brent of many of the milestones that have shaped the last 23 years and the countless memories that made me smile. At dinner last night, Van reminded me of the milestones and memories that will shape year 24. (For the record – Van has excellent taste in jewelry.)

I hope that the next year is as full of life, joy and love as the last 23.

Go Bucks!

Ohio State is still #1 and UVA beat Miami. It was a very good day.

Thursday Thirteen # 10 - I Wish

Here are thirteen things I Wish I Could Do. 1. Speak Spanish. 2. Travel to Europe. 3. Remember the economics class I took in college. 4. Have more time. 5. Be less stressed about work. 6. Have a spa day. 7. Eat more dessert and not have to workout. 8. Buy a house. 9. Take a yoga class every week. 10. Make more trips to New York. 11. Have free parking. 12. Keep my bedroom clean. 13. Rap.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

It’s a Scarf – Sort of

Finally, after about 20 hours of knitting, it’s a scarf – sort of. While it doesn’t look so bad in the photo, my scarf is way too short.

Last night I became completely impatient with this project and decided to cast of instead of getting another skein of yarn. Maybe that wasn’t such a good idea because my scarf ended up a little short and a little stumpy.

I wasn’t planning on giving this to anyone. It was just my attempt at learning to knit. There are rows that are noticeably not perfect and I didn’t realize exactly how much yarn it took to cast off so the top is a little knotted.

After I finished it, I wished I had kept going. I am not sure why I felt so compelled to finish at that particular moment. Perhaps, it was the list of projects I was excited about starting and, perhaps, it was that I couldn’t go back and fix the mistakes I made.

I'm weird. A meme...

Here are the rules: List 5 weird things about yourself or your pets. Tag 5 friends and list them. Then, those people need to write on their blogs about 5 weird things, and state the rules, and tag 5 more people. Don't forget to let the people you tag know by posting a comment on their blog!

Weird fact #1: I have a gag reflex when I eat watermelon, dim sum and cream cheese.

Weird fact #2: I am only scared of flying on the way to somewhere. I figure that if I can make it to my destination I can make it back home.

Weird fact #3: I think that the word grocery is a verb.

Weird fact #4: I have problems boiling eggs.

Weird fact #5: I wish I could rap.

Beat Michigan Week

Finally it’s Beat Michigan Week, the week-long build up to the biggest football game in Ohio. Featuring excessive partying (Is there such a thing?) and nail-biting anticipation, Beat Michigan Week is arguably the best unofficial holiday around. Hey, people decorate their yards so it might as well be a holiday.

The excitement this year is heightened by the number one ranking of OSU and Michigan’s number two ranking. It’s like the National Championship came early this year.

To help you get ready for the game, it’s TBDBITL!

Thursday Thirteen #9 - Going Home

Here are the thirteen things I can't wait to do when I Go Home. 1. See my Mom and Dad. 2. Celebrate my brother’s 21st birthday. 3. Show Van where I grew up. 4. Hang out with all of my aunts and uncles. 5. Catch up with my two best friends from high school and their fiancés. 6. Have bread sticks at Cassano’s. Jenny and I used to make them a meal and we still might. 7. Con my Dad into buying me cake donuts with icing and sprinkles. 8. Stop by Otterbein to check out the new football stadium. 9. Have lunch at Hoggy’s. They have excellent BBQ. 10. Relax. 11. Eat. It will be Thanksgiving, afterall. 12. Finally getting to have some Great Pumpkin Cookies. 13. Cook dinner with my Mom.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

One Crazy Mother Shucker

Last weekend, we went to the Urbanna Oysterfest, home of the Virginia State Oyster Shucking Championship. I have to admit that I am not crazy about oysters, but an adventure with my friends is always a good idea.

Byron’s company buses people to and from the festival for $35 with all you can drink beverage service. (Trust me, those mimosas made getting up at 5:30 a.m. totally worth it.) Anyway, we arrived at the festival ready to rage.

First on the agenda was the food. Byron and I decided on cinnamon rolls, Van headed for the cream of crab soup and despite it being 40 degrees outside, Jessica had a root beer float. Breakfast quickly devoured, Van and Byron decided it was time to move on to smoked turkey legs. Seriously, these things were huge and dripping with fat – the boys were thrilled. We headed back to the bus for more booze and so the boys could finish their battle with the turkey legs.

By this time, we had walked around the entire festival about five times and were ready for some entertainment. Thankfully, it was time for the oyster shucking competition.

After watching the amateurs struggle through 12 oysters, it was time for the professionals to take the stage. First up were the women, two sisters who had shucking in their blood. These two ladies tore through 24 oysters in a matter of minutes. The final times were announced. It was a tie. There was only one thing left to do – have a shuck off. The women came back to the stage and this time, Clementine was the winner.

Having decided the women’s champion, the men took their turn in an uneventful contest. It was then announced that the women’s champion would compete against the men’s champion, but this year there was a twist. The women’s champion just so happened to be the mother of the men’s champion. GASP!

The stage was set for this mother/son battle, like Van said “it was epic.” The whistle blew and they were off. It was a close race and all depended on the presentation. After what seemed like an eternity, the results were announced. Clementine won, proving that she was, indeed, one crazy mother shucker.

Voterific!

I have to say how great the volunteers were at the polling station in the Capital Memorial Adventist Church on Chesapeake Street, NW. Everyone was super-friendly, the station was well marked and incredibly organized. Voting was a breeze this morning. It was definitely a great way to start my day.

Thursday Thirteen #8 - 80's Songs

Get your iPods ready! Here are my Thirteen Favorite 80’s Songs. 1. Come On Eileen – Dexys Midnight Runners 2. Jack and Diane – John Cougar Mellencamp 3. Cruel to Be Kind – Nick Lowe 4. If This is It – Huey Lewis and The News 5. Jessie’s Girl – Rick Springfield 6. Your Love – Outfield 7. Vacation – Go Go’s 8. Manic Monday – Bangles 9. Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey 10. Material Girl – Madonna 11. Centerfold – J. Geils Band 12. Walkin’ On Sunshine – Katrina and The Waves 13. Girls Just Want to Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants