When I woke and took the rollers out, I was ecstatic to see that the curls looked great! They were bouncy, not stiff even though I used the setting lotion again (reformulated, 1 to 4  ratio), and were well formed! Plus, because I had done forward curls on the top row only (didn’t roll any curlers higher than my ears) the crown of my head was smooth and sleek and the rest was full and curly It made my whole day, and prompted me to dress up a bit and wear some fun eye shadow – great start to my Saturday which included rain and banking, hehe!

My only problems were the fact that my hair is so short in the back that there wasn’t enough to wrap around the curlers. Also my sleek hair would often times feel tight as I twisted the roller closed (remember, I wrap the hair around the roller, then pinch the roller and twist the end) but then the roller would just slide out of my hair. Not quite sure the best solution to that problem. I bought two new types of rollers to try out – beauty supply stores are great for small quantities as well as bulk. I bought a pack of magnetic rollers for the short back (why are these called magnetic? They’re not.) and also your run of the mill foam clip rollers for the longer bits that would fall out. Not very confident that the clip rollers will work much better than the pillow rollers, but we’ll see.

UPDATE: I wrote this post yesterday – but wasn’t able to get the pictures I had proudly taken of my hair as the memory card was lost However! I did take one with my phone (red coat & odd coloring, my phone’s camera was acting funny) which I recovered, and this was after an entire day of cool, wet weather! The other two images are from today – having used the clip rollers last night in combination with the magnetic rollers. I was thoroughly impressed by the magnetic rollers, though because of the length of my hair (or should I say, lack of length) I really only accomplished ONE curl which has resulted in some lift more than anything. The clip rollers did in fact work better than the pillow rollers but weren’t as comfortable – but not really uncomfortable. I do have to take more time when applying the rollers to the long front on the heavy side of my part, because I twisted the hair unknowingly while winding it around the roller so the curl came out more spiral in my two heaviest curls – both of which promptly “fell out” and I had to re-wet and re-roll them and drive to work with the heater on high. I’ve realized that while spiral curls look a bit more natural, they don’t last in my hair in comparison to non-spiraled curls.

Going into our now-past bank didn’t take long, but I certainly was asked to “defend” my choice of leaving – and to a credit union no less. Luckily, I had done my research and had answers to her questions regarding convenience of ATMs and whatnot. I would have felt slightly silly saying, “Because!” – and would have felt like they were winning or something. I’m silly like that. She also lectured me against closing my credit card with this same bank, she said I should just leave it as a zero balance or my credit score will drop ten points instantly. While I don’t doubt what she says since I’ve heard the same thing from many sources on the subject during my research on how to improve my credit, I also don’t really care. Her reasoning didn’t make much sense though, she said to leave it at a zero balance until the company closes the card – and I commented, “From what I understand it doesn’t matter who closes it, a closed card and the loss of available credit is what causes the FICO score to drop.” She didn’t respond to that, so I’m not sure if what I said was correct or not in her mind.

We shifted the money around and have now rebuilt our savings account as well. Once we get our taxes back we may add a bit more, but I think 90% of it will be able go to our debt.

Anyone familiar enough with taxes to know the answer to this? At the beginning of last year I adjusted my dependents in order to receive more back from each paycheck. I was aware that my return would be less, but now I’m wondering because our income has changed. Since Paul lost his job, do you think our much lower combined income will balance out the the adjusted dependents to where we still might get a sizable return again this year? That would be nice

Perhaps I'm ready for some Victory Rolls?

Tried the pillow rollers last night. As anticipated, they were much easier to sleep in. However, the curls are not nearly as defined and uniform – though that might have a lot more to do with my application technique than the rollers themselves. As you can see from the picture, I did not shape the longer parts of my asymmetrical cut (longer in the front) well, so I made do with some pull back and two combs – so the back was left free and clear. Pretty happy with it in fact!

Still had a lot of problem with putting the rollers in the back. I spaced them entirely too far apart and so there is a lot of flat from the top to bottom. I tried to find some videos that show the best technique for applying rollers to the back of the head yourself, but of course all of the videos showed someone demonstrating on a model or with a doll. I found one video that showed someone doing it themselves, but they only showed how to put in the very bottom one after applying the mohawk from front of the head to the back. I just need to figure out what “setting pattern” achieves the look I want and then learn that one, but it doesn’t seem to be a thing that is taught anymore.

Think I’ll look for some retro books, it seems that clear step-by-step instructions were more common back then when it wasn’t expected that you just “knew” everything. Might try some other rollers I have as well, that aren’t foam filled. Perhaps if they lay flat on my head (unlike the Curlformers, which stick out like spikes) I can sleep on them still.

NOT MY IMAGE

The curlformers are fun, but they’re hard to apply by myself and impossible to sleep in (I tried again, last night). Wish I had help, then I could apply them in the morning, sit under a dryer, and be on my merry way. Considering trying the pillow curlers I have, they weren’t uncomfortable to sleep in at all. A problem still remains: It’s hard for me to do it myself! I simply don’t have the dexterity for styling the back of my head – I applaud people who do. Perhaps now that my hair is shorter – then the last time I tried the pillow curlers – it will be easier?

Tried using a setting lotion last night. I’d never heard of the stuff before, but then found that it’s what women used to use for setting curls in the 40′s. I bought a brand called Lotta Body, and while I found it worked to set the curls, they were VERY stiff and “crunchy” – but full of shine! I might have not diluted it enough. I used a 1 to 3 ratio, but perhaps next time I’ll use a 1 to 4 ratio – and used a spray bottle for application rather than an over the sink pour. It did seem to cause them to dry quickly, that was a positive. I finished applying the curlformers around 9pm, and then woke at about 11pm in too much pain to keep them in – so I took them out. To my surprise, most of the curls were set & dry! That never happened with mousse.

Next thing on my list: soft bonnet dryer. These are surprisingly expensive and the reviews are either really good or really bad for every brand available – I guess it shows that everyone has different hair, scale sensitivity, and interpretation of instructions. If I’m buying one, I’m making sure I can return it – no Amazon purchase for me this time.

Its the final straw, this weekend we’re cleaning up our accounts! We’re visiting no less than three institutions and closing no less than six accounts. I’m sick of keeping residual accounts open for one no-longer-valid-reason or another. I’m also ditching my current checking account and opening one with a credit union instead. I feel I am faceless and expendable at my current bank, and I’m sick of it.

Its startling how, with the right kind of credit score, one simply begins to accumulate credit accounts. All those “same as cash for 12 months” offers are hard to pass up, and we’ve never fallen into the trap before  - so it’s even harder.

But hopefully we can tighten our belts from here on out. Hopefully.

Last Monday I had the day off due to New Years, and we made use of it by going to Ikea and purchasing some new furniture for Evy. We were never able to fully child-proof her room on account of some of her furniture design, so we replaced her dresser and added a second closed cabinet.

Though normally I’m raving about the ease of raising Evy, destructive wise she’s keen on living up to the full potential of a misbehaving toddler. Or perhaps I just care too much about everything and I haven’t quite learned to live with ruin & lost toys. Who’s to say? Anyhow, she’s now unable to get into her dresser drawers – and more importantly - not use the drawers as a ladder to further heights. She’s unable to get to her markers, games, and movie collection – so we’re no longer finding her covered in green, chewing on a puzzle piece, while using “Beauty and the Beast: Extended Edition” as a Frisbee. We’ve also adequately secured her creams and ointments out of reach, hoping to never wake up again to the smell of zinc oxide and a beautiful picture of a “cat” on her bedroom wall.

I began my vacation last Thursday and finally got around to waxing my legs. The hair is unbelievably fine and pale (after only two waxing cycles) so unless I’m in the sun its not noticeable. However it began to inch while wearing socks so I had to do something about it. Still missed a patch or two, so I might have to find a way to darken the hair in order to see for waxing! How silly, eh?

Friday I saw “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” in theaters. I think this review sums up my thoughts well enough. It wasn’t the worst movie, by far, but I don’t feel it was a better interpretation than the foreign film. What’s worse is all the confusion I would have felt if I didn’t read the book. The dialogue was an odd mixture of British accent, Swedish accent, and fake British accent which led to me often times NOT understanding what they were saying. Plus there was poor setup of location so unless you were aware of the Swedish background it could have been any European location – sloppy. Oh and Robin Wright Pen looked like a skeleton, just saying.

Saturday was mine & my husband’s FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! They say the first 5 are the hardest, I’m not sure if that’s still true but it was certainly something to celebrate. We dropped Evy off at my sisters for the night and headed to Los Angeles and saw Kevin Smith live, while he recorded his weekly Hollywood Babble-On podcast with Ralph Garman. We were on the ground level, very close to the stage, and I was a bit star struck initially. It was a lot of fun, and I want to go back again soon. If you’d like to listen to the podcast we attended, click here. You can hear my husband a total of THREE times – I’m proud For those who aren’t familiar, they post the relevant in-show-views on the episode page – so while you listen you can still see what they are showing the live audience.

Sunday we woke early and saw “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol” – at a discount. It was good! A lot of great action and suspense, and really I can’t get enough of Simon Pegg. I think I would see nearly anything he was in.

Over the course of the last few weeks I’ve also finished reading “Before I Go To Sleep”, played “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” on my 3DS, finished the 3rd season of “Breaking Bad” courtesy of Netflix, played “The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword” on the Wii, read a few romance novels, and did a lot of relaxing.

I’m ready to start the new year!!!

Recently, I’ve gotten a bug up my backside about wanting to write again. I went to the extreme and ordered two books, one filled with writing prompts and the other a writer’s workshop (that was rated very well). I also got a “workbook” that I thought would be perfect and a classic soft cover moleskine. I wish I could say I’ve been making great use of these purchased items… I haven’t though.

There is something about a blank page that scares me. Though, I don’t know if “scare” would really be the best word to describe what I feel. Apprehension, perhaps? Why can’t I write on a blank page and not care about spelling, or grammar, or penmanship? Everything is a work in progress that can be corrected and edited later – so why can’t I just get down my thoughts and ideas without the apprehension?

I believe I’m making some progress, against my apprehension, with a weekly/year “diary” from Paperchase. I didn’t have any use for it when I got it, as I use my phone as my planner, but then I began to read “Before I Go To Sleep” and I realized how useful it would be (with or without a functioning memory) to have a diary with just a few words down about each day.

So far I’ve been able to write a bit about every day – even if I don’t write in it every day – and it’s been very liberating! The misspellings. The grammar. THE PENMANSHIP. I ignore it all for the sake of record keeping. Now if only I could ignore it all AND still have the creative juices flowing…

Next, I need to tackle the moleskine. I spent good money on it, I like it, and it’s a great platform for me to use. I just need to use it.

Any suggestions – to get me writing?

Book Count

Memories define us. So what if you lost yours every time you went to sleep? Your name, your identity, your past, even the people you love—all forgotten overnight. And the one person you trust may be telling you only half the story.

Welcome to Christine’s life.

Thoughts: I’ve been waiting AGES to read this book! After hearing about it through Goodreads, and reading a sample on Amazon, I decided to put it on hold at the library due to the fact that I had been burned recently with my book purchases. Besides, I really need to start borrowing first, buying when and if I ever want to read it again. That was in JULY. I number finally came up yesterday and I’ve been unable to put it down since. I’ve read half of it since picking it up at the library yesterday afternoon during lunch.

Needless to say, the book is gripping and fast paced! It feels to be a great mystery and I’m anxious to find out whether or not the people she has chosen to trust are in fact trustworthy. This book makes me crave keeping a journal! The idea of losing one’s memory every night is frightening. New Years Resolution, anyone?