Sunday, July 31, 2011

Go Shawty..

  Gonna party like its my birthday.
Because it is!

You see, it's my birthday today and I'm 27.
 I'm still quite a "baby" or  "teensy-of-a-thing", as I'm described by the Civil War patients I work with.

So, today is kinda random. Nothing on the agenda. And because I am drawing a blogging blank- I'll just share 27 random facts about me, and we'll call it even-steven, eh?
(Warning: a long post ahead)


1.  I've never had a peanut-butter-jelly sandwich. Ever. Thinking about it sends me into sensory overload. Blech.

2. I have 2 brothers named Drew. Kinda. One real one. And a brother-in-law. Both Drewsies are wonderful men, and I am blessed to know and love them both. Oh what's that you say? Yes, yes, I'm sorry they are both taken.

3. My first pair of "grown up" lady shoes were for my 8th grade graduation. They bared a striking resemblance to this lovely:
 I somehow convinced me Mom that I both NEEDED them and could wear them. They were a super high, clunky Mary Jane platform, 90's style that no 8th grader should wear. I stomped around in them like I was Queen of the World. Thus, beginning my love affair with shoes.

4. If I wasn't an "almost speech pathologist", I think I would be a chef.

5. I played the viola for 6 1/2 years. It's a little bit bigger than a violin.

6. I have a STRONG dislike for milk, mayo, and olives.

7. I've needed glasses with bi-focals since the 3rd grade. I know what you're thinking. 

8. My initials spell L.A.M.E

9. A short story: I was born with stick straight hair. In the 2nd grade, I got a perm. And it has NEVER washed out. My hair has remained horrendously curly since then. Praise Jesus for a flat iron!

10. Do you know some people who like LOVE "edges" on foods? "Edges" on brownies, cakes, rolls? I am not one of those people. I will purposefully dig my way in the middle of your perfect brownie pan, just so I won't have an "edge". Sorry in advance.

11. My Mother-in- Law's first name is a fruit. No, not cantaloupe, guess again.

12. I still make my bed everyday.

13. I wore leopard print high heels on my wedding day.

14. I have a tattoo. Where? Mine is more of a "Tramp- Stamp". Kidding. No, its of an ichthus on my lower back. It's a Christian symbol used when Christianity was forbidden in Rome.

I would love to get more tattoos. I've always loved them. I think the alter ego to my Ann Taylor- Banana Republic self is Kat Von D. She is just so lovely.


15. I don't have an iPhone. Gasp!

16.My family and I have a special tradition of going to get breakfast. On days when I am not working or around holidays, it's not unusual for one of us to call on a moments notice for some pancakes.

17. I would say I'm an expert at winning things on the radio. Something about the thrill of knowing random bathroom or music trivia appeals to me. I've won countless movie passes, concert tickets, CD, movies, and we won a trip to NY. Yeah, I'm pretty good.

18. I was 2 credits shy of a minor in French. Why did I pick French? I'm not sure, either.

19. If I fall down ANYTIME, i.e tripping, falling off a stool or chair, misstepping, I will ALWAYS cry. I can't help it. I think it just scares me.

20. MY Drew (not my brother in law, Drew) and I once made a music video to the Bee Gee's  "Staying Alive".


21. I believe I have forgotten how to write in cursive. When I have to fill out some lines that make you write a statement in cursive, swearing an oath, I just write in print with some little squiggles.

22. I love make-up so much. More specifically, I love wearing a ton of it. Seldom will I go anywhere without it ALL on. Thick and heavy.  In 6th grade mom took me to the Clinique counter, and said "if I was to wear it, I would wear it right".

23. Being a collector is in my blood. I've seen my days of trolls, Beanie Babies, Native American paraphernalia and semi-precious rock boxes.

24. I can chew 1 piece of gum all day- and frequently do.

25. I know how to ski. Actually, quite well.

26. As a stress reliever, I take Zumba classes at the Y. It's where I shake my money-maker.

LAST, but not least.

27. I am thankful for a wonderful life filled with family and dear friends! So blessed.


Thursday, July 21, 2011

Chapped Around the Collar




 Today at the hospital, I asked to try out some of the equipment. If I'm going to be familiar with techniques, I need to experience them firsthand, right?
Right- my thoughts exactly.
So, I asked to be hooked up to the  "Vital-Stim" machine.
What is it??
 Essentially, they're electrodes that can be maneuvered in such a way that it provides electrical "stimulation" to the underlying tissue/muscle, allowing you to regain some strength in weak muscles. Like this 'ole gal:

(don't you fret- I don't know her)
 However, it's controversial. I still don't know if it works. But I wanted to try.
We slapped it on my neck and turned it on.
Whoa nelly.

I could barely get it on without having some serious issues.
Think: eyes bugging out of my head & every muscle in my face from my nose down tensed.
INTENSE burning/pressure.
But from what I read, it shouldn't hurt.

I thought I was going to play it cool, when a co-worker pointed out I was losing some function in my face.
Sweet Lord, Shepard of Judea.

We ripped those bad boys off just in time for me not to drool in front of my new friends.
My take-away present?
Some sweet dime-sized burns, that might look like hickeys, on my neck.

Why am I telling you all of this?
As a public safety announcement:
"Friends don't let friends get electrocuted at work"

Monday, July 18, 2011

Spritz Spritz..


I love a good chuckle.
Especially one that involves reminiscing about my childhood.
So when I saw a funny perfume post from my friend Lara, I instantly got the giggles. I knew I had to share some of my list with her and you!

 I've had an arsenal of fragrance around me, it seems. Some of my first fragrant memories were of my mom. My mom is a strong, independent lady and there is NO finer fragrance in this world that translates "strong" than Avon's Odyssey.

Just look at that 80's packaging! If I remember correctly, it had a distinct, kinda Oriental smell to it. Haha-  it's the farthest thing that could describe my mom.

She wore it for ump-teen years, until we both switched to Clinique Happy, years ago. I am pleased to report she is still faithfully "Happy" to this day.

I, on the other hand, have changed my mind like you change socks and shoes. My first fragrance was Elizabeth Arden "Sunflowers".

Yeah, you remember it?? What possesses a 4th grader to want to smell like dying, drugstore flowers? I loved it and was happily drenched in the soap, lotion, and perfume, too stinky to notice my poor choice.

After a short time with my beloved "Sunflowers", I went through an intermittent "Sample Phase". There was no rhyme or reason to it. It was simply what I yanked out of Seventeen, Y&M (oooh oldie right there), or Teen Magazines. It was a hodge podge of CK one, Tommy Girl, Clinique Happy, Victoria Secret Rapture, Gap Dream and others. Blech.

A side note about body splash. It I was not wearing magazine perfume, it was faithful body splash that kept me going. A pump here, a pump there. There is nothing like smelling like a Sun- Ripened Raspberry, Juniper Berry, or a Country Apple at the end of the day. I am confident in saying that I independently kept the Memphis Bath and Body Works open, with my allowance, from 5th until 9th grade.

So what do I wear now?
I am both proud and ashamed to admit that I'm stuck on knockoff smells.
I see you judging. and laughing in disbelief.
No really, I popped into a Cato with a friend almost a year ago and was waiting while she tried on clothes. I wandered over to the VERY limited perfume section and huffed away on a "If-you-like Victoria- Beckham-than-you'll-love-Dream". I bought it for $4. And I continue to buy it for $4. Call me crazy, but I love it. This is the real version that I've smelled, in eagerness, but do NOT like.

Mine even looks exactly the same. And you can't beat it for $4. I would say this is my everyday smell.
I also wear a few others, just when I'm feeling festive.

Victoria's Secret Sexy Little Things
Banana Republic Malachite
and to indulge my 10 year old self, I picked this up from a dear friend of mine.
Victoria's Secret Pink Collection: Fresh and Clean


What do you wear? Is your list completely outlandish as well? Do me a favor. Since I'm nabbing Lara's idea, go visit her and tell her your faves!




Tuesday, July 12, 2011

In the Market For..

Some polish.

Sidenote: Am I IN the market for polish? Or ON the market? Maybe AROUND the market?
Not sure.
You know what I mean.

 So, I'm in the market for some polish. Some gray nail polish, to be specific. Not one to usually paint my nails, I'm looking for just a little swipe of grayish brown beige. Nothing fancy.
Here are a few of my faves:

Chanel's Particuliere

This is Revlon's Gray Suede. I see this on everyone, and I am dying to snatch it up. It looks ever-so-lovely!


OPI for Sephora Metro

OPI You Don't Know Jacques- Perhaps this one is a bit dark? Maybe my night time "vampy" look?

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Awkward-Awesome Thursday- Medical Edition


Awkward:
     -cat calls from the Valet Parking 'gents. That I have to walk in front of everyday. I mean, really? Really? It's not even 8, I'm wearing scrubs, I have a 1992 clip claw in my hair, and I'm pretty sure I have on yesterday's makeup.
     - talking with a patient about oral hygiene and realizing halfway through my "schpil" she has no clothes on from the waist down. Umm, cause I know I was geeked out, not sure if she felt the same way.
     -trying to convince someone that honey-thick lemon flavored water is "delicious".
    - (insert yelling voice) "no sir, I'm not your daughter. My name is Lindsey. I'm here to see how well you are swallowing. No, not Rubie. No sir, not Leslie. Lindsey. No sir, you almost had it. Yes sir, I know it sounds like Laney. I'm Lindsey". Yeah, I just went with Mindy the rest of the time. 
     - crammed in an elevator with 2 wheelchair'd patients, a floor food cart, 4 other therapists, and an air tank. The silence and eye avoidance was giving me the creeps.
     - watching a robbery take place. The 90 year old thief in question had just guzzled 2 cans of Ensure and had stashed 4 in her wheelchair.

Awesome:
     -I have a boyfriend. He is 89. He tells me the date and shuffles to the calendar to mark it off. We talk about the old days, but I just nod politely. He guesses my age, and every time he gasps in real surprise that I'm 27. It immediately follows with, "You don't look a day over 19". I tell him "it takes one to know one". He roars with laughter.
     -how it is so nice when people go out of their way to make you comfortable, when you are a fish out of water. A cold, flopping fish on the cement.
      - a nice writing pen. Mmm...you know what I'm talking about. The ones that are advertised with a  "comfort grip" and don't glob up all over the place.
     - the shredder box. I just love using one, and the feeling I get when shredding.

How I Loathe Thee, Studying..


Ughh.

It's that time again.

I have a month left of school.
A month.
I'm so close to my Master's.
For two and a half years, I've been busy.
But only a month left.

Oh, how I loathe,thee.
I hate 2 am test-taking.
Printing out ENDLESS power points.
Treatment plans and pain management, you are beginning to blur.
I feel like I am doing assessments in my sleep.


But.

Recently, I heard a quote. From the movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, of all places.


 For what it's worth: it's never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There's no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you're proud of. If you find that you're not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.

Only a month.
I can do it.
And wherever you are -I know you can, too. 

 

Friday, July 1, 2011

Hairy Chair-y

Recently, a girlfriend of mine asked me to help her "re-do"  a chair she nabbed from her parents house. She, being more contemporary, wanted a completely different change from the 1981 look that the chair featured.
Loving a new project, I happily obliged.

Whoa, is all I gotta say.

She brought over a cute, squat, cane-back club chair. It still had good bones, but a butt-ugly seat.


She told me she was going to "shock me" , but she was looking for a "new, neutral finish, with a hairy seat". Had I seen that before, she asked?
Hmmm.
After much ham-hawing, yes, yes I think I had.

I pulled up The Nester page and showed said friend about a fur covered chair, recently completed. 

Was that the look she was going for?

YES!!, was her exuberant cry!

We went to work. We drove all over Memphis looking for the right kind of faux fur fabric. Something with a thick nap to it. We tried craft stores, fabric stores, and drapery shops.

Teensy side note and reader review: Do NOT go into Calico Corners of Memphis looking less than put together. I am not sure if it was my bare summer legs or day old pedicure that offended them. They gave us the snub. I wanted to come to the store later in the day, Julia Roberts style (in Pretty Woman), with bags in tow and shout "Big Mistake".

Anyhoo.
We FINALLY found the fabric of choice at the second Hobby Lobby. We officially dubbed the pitiful, on-sale, bathroom rug  "Project Seat Cover".

Now at home, how on earth were we to attach the darn thing?
Enter: my black belt in Hot Gluing.
So, yeah, we just hot glued it to the seat. She didn't want it finished on the underside, so that was fine with me.


Very fuzzy, but you get the idea.

After we "covered" it,  we plopped it back in the chair and admired our work.


Umm.
Well, she LOVES it, to the say the least. To me, it looks like a hairy chair. But I am glad if that is what she was going for.
 We're going to go back and paint it another day. She is thinking distressed white, or gray, perhaps? Still deciding..
Here's to hoping it all comes together.

Linking up @ Six Sisters





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