my newest venture

I have a started a 'hair blog'. I'll be doing weekly tips/tricks/product reviews/etc. So go check it out :)

www.hairmeoutblog.com

thanks!!

So, I am a couple weeks behind on this post - but I am engaged!! Because I don't feel like writing the whole story (and I don't have all the pictures on me) I will give a short synopsis:

Ethan & I shared a wonderful, Italian dinner.
He wrote me a beautiful song that he played for me before proposing.
He designed me a gorgeous ring - better than anything I could've picked out.
He is the man of my dreams.
I am incredibly excited to start planning our life together.

A couple weeks ago my step-mom, Cyndi's, niece took her own life. She had been involved with drugs, and more recently alcohol, her entire life. It stunted her cognitive development, her reasoning skills were skewed. Her logic was just a little off. She had a husband who adored her, a family who supported her, and still she let her past get the best of her. Selfishly taking her life - in their home, leaving her husband to find her and clean up the mess (literally). I see my brother heading down this same path. He finds fault with everyone else - he couldn't have possibly made his own situation, he's angry about everything. He has the personality of a 16 year old (interestingly enough, about the time he started being involved with all these things). I hope with every fiber of my being that he can turn himself around and leave all of this in the past, that he can rise above what he thinks he deserves. That he can see people aren't out to get him, they've just been exhausted by trying to help him for over a year when he doesn't want to help himself. I pray he doesn't meet the same end that Julie did, but it scares the hell out of me that he will. He's in a very dark place right now.

Vogue

I got really worked up today while reading the 574-page "Power Issue". Lady Gaga was on the cover of said issue - for her bizarre outfits and 'bold' actions. As I looked through the magazine today I saw a whole slew of 15-year-old-esque models. (The irony? I flipped past a story about a mother and daughter who both had an eating disorder...wonder why?) A small handful almost portrayed a realistic body of a woman. How many women do you know that wear a 00 and A-cup bra? Yeah, about none. If we want to talk about power in a magazine that millions of ladies around the world are going to buy and read, why not talk about TRUE power? The power to love, and take care of, the body you were born with. The power to love the skin and hair color God gave you. The power to love YOUR OWN opinions, thoughts, feelings. The power to live out what you believe. The power to develop a beautiful personality, not just a beautiful exterior. Complaining about the media's portrayal of women seems like the epitome of beating a dead horse, but until that talk turns to action, I will continue to speak.

My Love

I suppose I could do a little post-Valentine's Day blog. Although we're not really into the whole Valentine's thing, Ethan & I wanted to make our first one together special. It managed to stretch over 2 weekends. The first going to dinner at Biaggi's and a little shopping at Jefferson Point. Then the actual weekend of, a nice dinner in, exchanging our gifts. I made Ethan a cake and little 'coupon book' ...guess I'll be doing a lot of cooking and back rubs in the near future. He gave me a single rose Friday night with the first line of a song he wrote for me. Then, on Monday I received another beautiful bouquet of flowers with the second line of the song. I've been instructed to keep the lyrics with me as I'll be getting the rest periodically. Not sure what he has in mind - but the gifts can continue! :) Really, I was just glad to have a special day set aside to celebrate us. Away from the chaos of our lives, just sit and realize how blessed we are to have found each other. This year, I was a victim to the greeting card industry.