Giving Thanks

Yes! My Christmas lights are up and the holiday cheer has spread itself all over my house and soul. You know I couldn't wait. You shouldn't ever have to break a sweat and need sunglasses as your decorating for Christmas, but I did. Before all of this though... we had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Almost every day I like to cook, every Thanksgiving I love to cook and every so often at this time of year I like to throw down a column of Thanks. I am appreciative of all that I have, all that I don't have and whatever awaits ahead. So here it goes, and in no particular order:

This card I recieved in the mail... it made me cry

-My Faith
-My Children
-Our Health
-Coconut Pancakes
-The look with lost teeth
-Long Eyelashes
-Sharing someones last moment on this earth
-The innocent energy of a puppy
-Soft smiles
-Hard laughs
-Leggings
-My job...s
-Promotions!
-My mind
-Good books
-Spirit filled Pastors
-Hardworking Doctors
-Scrupulous Surgeons
-The dirty smell of my boys (I love it)
-Roller Skates
-Men, of all kinds
-Red bows
-Red Lips
-Birthdays
-Mountains
-Tears: of joy and pain
-A voice to sing
-Popcorn
-Teachers!!
-Coaches!
-My Kitchen
-Tough times
-Snuggles
-Movies with snuggles
-Kisses with snuggles
-Did I mention snuggles?
-Baby giggles
-Nice feet
-Rain
-Good Ears
-Acts of Kindness
-Sports Games
-Talks at the Table
-Focused Parents
-The smell of orange blossoms
-Technology
-When my boys run up and squeeze me
-My Peace
-Beauty, the inside type
-Girlfriends
-The feelings when you fall in love
-The honor roll
-Grandparents
-Sneezing
-Neighbors
-The USA
-Hardcore Fitness Instructors
-What I'm thinking as I look at my kids
-Every breath I take
-Every heart beat I'm granted
-You

I could go on and on. I'm also thankful for having the day before and the day of Thanksgiving off of work this year. The art of cooking for Thanksgiving is all about the preparation, I have learned. I baked pies and prepped casseroles plus marinated the turkey and chopped veggies as I made my house ready for company the day before. I also had the time to plan a Turkey Bowl for the little boys in the neighborhood- plus some.

Here they are, in teams:

and the big boys...

and mimosas over girl talk... Thanks Yella.

So we played football, we watched some great football... and I actually relaxed (thanks to my prep day) and even got to watch some special dance videos that reminded me of what I did in my younger days. We shared our Holiday with family & friends and I ended it with falling asleep, naturally, with my boys on the couch.

I am and feel truly Blessed...

The Blonde Daze are Oh-vah-ah!

Five years ago I pondered with the idea and went with something totally different. Two years ago I wanted to do it. Two weeks ago, I did it. My girlfriends have always told me it would look wonderful. Their advise, though taken to heart, got knocked away many times by a simple comment from a stranger on how lovely my platinum locks look. I wore it well, for many years... in different cuts, shades, and lengths. And yes, it was pretty... but I was ready. I was much passed the sweet comments. When I was really young I remember just wanting very long, super blonde and straight hair with my light eyes. I had it!

It's about that time of year when more dark heads are seen. That nudged me a bit. I saw it on some friends and that nudged me a smidgen more. Someone wrote down the place, stylist and price for me on a post-it of where to do the deed and there I had it. No turning back.

I was a little nervous here... when the Colorist was putting the primer on. I had my girlfriends there as photogs, support, and to keep me from running out of the double doors at Toni & Guy.

 Just when my eyes and I thought the primer was a dark enough look to adjust to every time the chair spun around to the mirror... she lathered on more with her brush. This is the true color that I asked for setting in now. I'm uneasy at this point and it looks like I'm praying and wondering what I'm doing. I remember thinking how in just a few quick hours my years of blonde is gone, like that! As I am in this state, my bestie is wearing a smile and chanting darker in my ear... that ear that didn't want to hear...

Here it is, wet and done

I walked out excited but not sure what I had done really. It just looked black to me, as someone said it would. I hurried home to whip some curls in and play with it before my babies got home. I reminded them in their lunch love note that day that they were coming home to a new haired mommy. I heard the garage and pitter-patter of shoes run to my locked door. They pounded and wanted in, wanting to see. I had a few last curls and a few minutes to brace myself for the great reveal.

And here it is and their faces:










Benny wouldn't kiss me. He asked me if my friend could take him to his baseball game today instead of me. My Sergeant's opinion was nicer, but not much. He informed me that he believes light eyes go with light hair and dark eyes go with dark hair. They examined me for a very long time. Then my friend took Benny to his game.

And here is my take:
I love it so darn much it makes me question what was I ever doing as a blonde. It's a gorgeous rich chocolate with a mysterious shimmer. It has the slightest hint of my sexy red. My eyes glow brighter. My high cheeks seem fuller. My skin looks smoother. It looks hot even in my hats. It makes me feel freshened up again. It's me. Still me. Another perk about being a woman: You can always change it up for a fun, new spice. Especially when your craving some difference. It is true what they say about woman and changing their hair. We wear and share our stories... we do.

































What does yours tell? Me? I am ready for a new chapter...