The art of getting a haircut

Typically when I receive any services, I go to just get the job done and it's performed as a quick in and out efficient motion. Such was the case of my haircuts. I avoided much small talk because I was always anxious about my stylist becoming distracted and making a mistake with a simple slice through my hair. Indeed, I've had many bad experiences in my childhood, so much that I took it to Highlights to write them a help me letter about my distress and suffering with a disgraceful cut. Granted that hair will always grow back, it was still a painful few months that I was stuck with a look that at times gripped my self esteem to a standstill. I'm sure the writers at Highlights were chuckling at my letters of first world problems. 

Until I met David. He was so passionate about his job and had this infectious personality. He was quite infatuated with my hair admiring its thickness, shine, and length. "You have such gorgeous hair, I can play with it all day." He would start off with aromatherapy and then a scalp massage with a wash. Then he would precisely cut and shape my hair with such meticulous attention. All at the same time conversing with me about his two dogs, new recipes he was experimenting with in his crock pot, or date night with his partner. 

The haircut costs only $35. But to me it was so much more to me than the service of getting a haircut. 

Laser hair removal

After dealing with an ongoing problem of having multiple hairs growing out of one pore, ingrown hairs, infected and inflamed bumps, scars from clogged pores, I have decided to undergo laser hair reduction.

Of course I was initially a little anxious about it not knowing how it would feel or what to expect. After hearing from my friends about their experiences, I decided to give it a try. And now I have just competed my 7th session and I'm quite pleased to see that 92% of my hair is gone and the rest that do grow back are a lot thinner than they were before. I have been ingrown hair free for over one year! 

The art of dealing with an Ice Day

The state issued an ice day warning and several schools were closed for the day. I was warned to allow myself plenty of time to get ready for work in the morning. So I woke up at 6:00am to prepare for a 9AM work arrival. I had an automatic starter for my car, thank goodness and I gave myself 5 additional minutes, but of course that was a total underestimation. I scurried outside with my work equipment and to my chagrin, my car was covered with a thick sheet of ice. Not being used to dealing with such things, I thought my defroster could just melt the ice right off my windshield along with the fluid and wipers. I was definitely wrong.

Spray spray spray! To no avail! The ice thickened on my windshield and I panicked as I saw a crack starting to form right in front of the driver's side. A crack in my windshield in the dead of winter at 10 degrees?! Panicked, I found my scraper/brush in my backseat and hurried back out and started scraping the ice off my windows. Thank goodness, I realized the crack, was just a crack through the thick ice sheet and my windshield was unscathed. After 20 minutes, my car was warmed and cleared. I was relieved, but now late.

My drive was 75 miles and here and there I would space out while driving. I remember having a thought about whether I would miss living here. I somehow learned to appreciate the "simple life" without the myriad of distractions and obligations that used to overwhelm me in the city. One big difference was driving vs. public transportation.  I made several wrong exits on my way to work and as I was trying to get back on the highway driving at 10 mph at an intersection, the light turned from green to yellow and red, and my car suddenly would not stop. It's the worse when your foot is on the brake and it's as though your own foot is sliding across the ice. Sure enough, I had hit black ice and I was slipping through a red light with no control. Uhghh...ok I accepted that I was going to hit a car..an embankment..something?!

I somehow made it back safely on the road after swerving and missing a car. My heart was pounding so hard in my chest and my hands trembled. Angrily I thought that this winter driving was unnecessary stress and fear. I was definitely not going to miss this. 

The rest of the day was uneventful for the better. I did not have any more car incidents and did not fall and hurt myself.

Until... I was safely back at home and was so happy that I did not have any accidents on my ice day. I made myself a butternut squash soup, using my 2 week old Nutribullet to blend up the squash. I had the bullet on tight and let it run for about 2 minutes and then looked over and saw it spewing, and up it went! On the ceiling, the microwave, fridge, cabinets, pictures, and the floor. Oh no!!! I tried to stop the bullet, which refused to stop whirling and then slipped and fell. While on the ground I frustratingly thought it was butternut squash soup that got me for the day instead of the "ice day". I was covered from head to toe with soup and reached for the plug. Possessed. I had a fleeting thought about taking a picture of the mess because it was quite ridiculous and outrageous. But I wanted to quickly clean everything up before it left yellow stains all over the kitchen. No more butternut squash soup to eat either, just a fat bruise on my right ankle and thighs. I felt a little sad, but thankfully no bone fractures. Maybe it's a good thing that I take my calcium chews and strength training.

I was now late for my Barre class. I showered off, but didn't wash my hair thinking I didn't get any soup on my head. I cleaned the bullet knowing that it was completely ruined and was going to bring it back to BB&B. I was in the car again and ran my hand through my hair. It was gritty. I would say hot mess, but it was a cold day.

Class was totally fine and I shared my story with my friends who were amused. I was feeling much better having my endorphins kick up my mood. I scurried over to BB&B with the Nutribullet box and all its accessories. I told them about my incident and that the bullet would not stop spinning and how my soup had sprayed all over the kitchen. I mumbled that it was possessed, yes as stupid as it sounds. "Do you have your receipt?" "Nope I don't, but it was charged to my card 2 weeks ago." And she took a new one off the shelf and took my box. "Do you want me to sign anything or fill out a form?" "Nope, you're all set." I was so happy and pleased with their customer service that I gleefully frolicked back to my car and as I opened up my car door, I slipped on some black ice and fell.

The art of milking

I felt bad as I reached for the heifwr's large and good "teet". I felt awkward like I was molesting her as I grabbed hold of the large one. The farmer instructed me to reach up, close off as though I'm making an air bubble, and to squeeze that pod. For each pod, there is a small of amount of milk collected.

Now I understood why milk maids needed to have small hands. I got excited as I started to understand the rhythm of milking as stream after stream started spraying on the pan. 

The art of happy marriages

I get many elderly (70+ year olds) clients who come in with their spouse. They will devulge how many years they have been together. I am often impressed because 1/3 of my friends are going through divorce or stuck in an unhappy marriage. During these small talk sessions, I'll humor them and ask them "What's the secret to a long and happy marriage?"

1. Cooperation

2. Never argue with the wife

3. Well this is my second marriage 

4. She does things to help me, and I help her.

And my favorite is..

5. We are best friends! 

Although the answers may be simple, it may just be that. Simplicity is a breath of fresh air. 

The art of surviving dry winters

When the winter months come, the atmosphere gets cold obviously and very dry. Central heating turns on and the humidity drops and the dryness intensifies. I sometimes feel like I'm trapped in a menopausal body hitting me 2 decades too soon. My right knee locks up with arthritis, my throat constantly parched, my lips pruned and cracked, and my skin thins, reddens and flakes.

Then, I became an expert. 

To beat the cold weather the following products have saved me from the disheartening wrath that comes with winter.

1) Dry eyelids-Urban decay eyelid primer

It has an ingredient that keeps the eyes moisturizer during the daytime.

2) Chapped lips-Blistex deep renewal SPF 15

It's the only one I use that keeps my lips moisturizer yet nongreasy

3) Dry hands and feet-Bath and Body Body Butter

Again not super greasy but it is thick and keeps my skin moisturizes for at least a few hours

4) Arthritis-Layers of clothing and trying to stay warm as possible along with glucosamine supplements. I am currently using Move Free

5) Parched Throat-the obvious-water. I always keep a cup next to my bed 

Keep your enemies closer. 

 

"No one truly interesting is universally liked."

Shirred eggs

I went to Plow in SF for brunch and had the most delicious shirred eggs with acme bread. When I got home, I was thinking about it before going to sleep and had to just try it! I followed this recipe that I found:

http://minimalistbaker.com/simple-baked-eggs/

The one trouble was that I didn't own a oven-safe baking dish so I used my bread pan which came out to a similar volume. After 10 mins, I inspected on my creation, but the eggs didn't look ready yet, I cooked it for another 15 minutes and I had overcooked it! But it was still yummy regardless! I will update when I recreate it the next time!

Okay so I went to BBB with my 20% off coupon and bought a proper stoneware pot and remade my shirred eggs! Much better and not overcooked this time! 

Banana Nut Bread

I'm more of a cooker than a baker, but my cousin and her mom had baked me a delicious banana oat bread last month and gave me their recipe! I used lavender flavored salt (compliments of my sister) and also added a 1/2 cup of chopped toasted walnuts. I also love toasted a slice of the bread and eating it with Talenti Cookie Crunch Ice cream! Magnificent!

              

Banana-Oatmeal Bread

Ingredients:
1 cup packed brown sugar
7 Tablespoons vegetables oil
2 Large egg whites
1 Large egg
1 1/3 cups of mashed ripe bananas ( about 2 large ones)
1 cup oats
1/2 cup low-fat milk
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
cooking spray

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl; beat well
3.Combine bananas, oats,and milk; add to sugar mixture; beating well.

4. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife.

5. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon; stir with a whisk,

6. Add to sugar mixture; beat just until moist.

7. Spoon batter into a 9x5 loaf pan or 2 small loaf pans coated with cooking spray.

8. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserts in the center comes out clean

9. Cool 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack; remove from pan.

10.Cool completely on wire rack