It's F*@#%ing Friday!

Minion #1, in an effort to lesson her debt, sold her hair so to speak. Her friends bet her $50 that she would not bleach her hair blonde. I told her I would do it when she had the cash in hand.

Last night we learned a few things:

A strand test is a good idea but even they lie.

Do not wait til 9 to start the strand test-especially when it turns out you will indeed have to process her hair for the full 90 minutes.

There are reasons people go to beauty school(bleaching out someones hair is hard work!)

Going from black to blonde in one easy step is the biggest lie ever printed on a package.

When it comes down to it the Minion and I can have a good time together.

Raucus laughter from the bathroom is sure to wake up a mildly disgruntled Big Daddy D("It's after midnight! What are you guys doing?!?!")

So here's the new do. She liked it last night.

If she doesn't like it this afternoon-or more likely hates me by this afternoon-I will be moving to Oregon. It's a lovely state.

Ruby Rushed & Crispy Chicken

First I would like to thank the academy, whoops, wrong thank you speech.

Thanks to WanderingGirl and Spellbound for their offers of help with finding my preferred hair color. I am glad to report that after my second stop today(a total 6 of stops in all over the past week)I found a freshly stocked drugstore shelf with 3 boxes of Ruby Rush. I exercised a smidge of restraint and bought only 2 of them so as to not leave another woman desperately searching for her color. Hmmm, honestly I have not seen another woman in the area-or man for that matter-with the same shade of red hair. I might have to go back and get that other box after all. My first task upon returning home was to lock my self in the bathroom and TaDa! Hair once again gloriously red root to tip and I feel magnificent darlings!

Also I have a confession.

Last night I cooked for the first time since Big Daddy D left for San Fransisco Friday. I know, hard to believe, but true nonetheless. We survived "gasp"on frozen pizza, chips and some left overs. Sometimes ya just gotta take a break ya know? Of course I am thinking now about how assaulting my body with all the stuff in convenience food and chips was not a good idea and probably did not help my mood/stress levels at all. I'll have to keep that in mind for the future(Big Daddy D takes at least 4-and often more-business trips every year). What is so amusing about the junk food and not cooking thing is that he is not home to eat most nights anyway. I mean, he gets home a little before 9 every night and eats whatever we girls had for supper, but it's not like we eat meals together. What was the difference really? Ah well, of course I know the difference-it was fun and we got to "sneak" and eat in ways that he would never approve of(he does not dictate our diet, don't think that-he just doesn't think Cheetos make for a good supper or a bowl of chocolate ice cream, for that matter). Truthfully I don't sanction it either, but I love the thrill of being naughty. Even if it was only with a frozen pizza. Ah well. Next time I'll just check my bedside drawer for a bit of naughty fun while he is away. My mood would have been improved I am sure. No I did not just say what you think I said. OK, OK, I did. ; }

Crispy Chicken

In large bowl or gallon size freezer bag combine:

2 T dry sherry
4 t soy sauce
2 t kosher salt
2 t sugar
4 green onions chopped fine-white and green parts
4 cloves garlic chopped fine-or use your garlic press people(surely you have one)
3+ T grated ginger(I keep mine in the freezer and grate it skin and all as I need it)

Into your bag or bowl add

2-3 lbs chicken thighs(again skin on please)this is also excellent for legs and wings-just joint the wings first

Make sure the meat is coated with the marinade and refrigerate for at least an hour and up to about 6 hours max, turning the meat occasionally to ensure even saturation

Heat your oven to 425 degrees

Place chicken skin side up on a rimmed sheet pan and bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes. For extra yumminess pour all the marinade in the pan and when the chicken is done, pour off some of the fat and deglaze the baking sheet for a wonderful pan sauce.

This is very good with rice and packs extremely well for lunches, tailgate parties and of course picnics.

I also made banana muffins last night. Would you like that recipe too?

I'm Famous!

Okay okay, I am not famous, but I am in a commercial. Okay that is not true either. But my name is in a commercial. It is. A Goldfish commercial. A cute white cheddar snack. Yep that's me!
On to slightly more serious matters.
I have apparently chosen the most hard to find color for my hair.
Um, yes I color my hair at home. It's fun and way less expensive than a salon and since I don't do highlights it is very doable. I like it and it does look good so I'll keep on doing it til I get bored or change my mind.
Anyway, this color(Ruby Rush by Feria/L'Oreal)is not well stocked in this area. I feel like I have been all over town trying to find my shade because it is time and so far no luck. Aack. My fear is that I have already purchased every box of Ruby Rush in town and will have no recourse but to make an online purchase. I will. I won't like it but I will do it. I love my hair color more than I don't like buying things online. I must be a seeing is believing kind of person and not a believing is seeing kind. Actually, I am more a gotta see it touch it taste it smell hear it kind of person.
That must be why I love to shop and cook so much.

Ah well, wish me luck.

It's free parking at the Arboretum and we are going for another walk.

After that the hair color search continues.

I love myself

Today I committed to writing one thing I love about myself.


Sorry Head Possum, I forgot to post the guidelines.


They go something like this.


I write something I love/like about myself.


And you, my readers do the same in the comments.


I in return will tell you what I like about you.





So here goes.





I love that I finally had to courage to take my body back from grief.


Being strong enough to be the person I want to be physically and emotionally is a constant challenge and I am glad to take on the task every day.


I love that I have the courage to sport my super red hair. It is so red, so vibrant and to me reflects my newfound bravery in first recognizing what I want and then being bold enough to go for it. Looking back and smiling at the people who are taken aback by the sheer redness of my hair does something for me.


I am not ashamed.


I am brave.


I love my body.


I love myself.

Your turn.