A Love Hate Relationship With My Hair

I’ve had a love/hate relationship With my hair my entire life. Having naturally curly hair means you never know what it’s going do from one minute to the next. I’ve had days where my curls were absolute perfection, so much so that I called Monica my photographer friend to take pictures of me because my hair looked so good. Sadly, I’ve had more days that I grabbed a ball cap and didn’t even try. 

Here we are today and after switching from my very expensive salon shampoo and conditioner to a far less expensive, but in my opinion higher quality product, I have more “call Monica” days and fewer ball cap days. And the product I’m using now is less than 25% of the cost of the expensive product.

This note about my hair and shampoo on the heels of getting in bed last night after 3 am. I slept in the bed on the back deck taking in the starry night sky. It’s been a week, really a tough week. I persevered and with help, I got the cabinets and countertops finished. I need to adjust a few doors, and I need some additional hardware, but they are refaced, sealed, and in place. That early morning, I took a shower and slathered on some Sesame body oil, and fell asleep outside. It was already a new day so I saluted a sunrise that was just a few hours away. Thank you Jen Thilmony and Mason for helping me over one finish line.

Tubing and Toasters!

I told Dave if he wanted a Day-Vorce, he didn’t need to kill me on the tube and make it look like an accident. No Dateline episode necessary, just tell me he wants out, give me half of his stuff, and pay me for the rest of my life and I’d let him go. LOL!! He dumped me off the tube and scared Mason so much he started swimming to where I was in the water to make sure I was okay. Of course I’m kidding about the Day-Vorce, but it was sweet to see Mason genuinely concerned about me. Theresa got some air, too! She about took Mason’s head off! And the old guy’s still got it! And, he can still get up on the wakeboard, too! Way to go Flower Dave.

Today I showed property, met with new sellers (a personal referral), and continued the kitchen remodel. We wrapped up the day writing/submitting an offer for friends who want to buy here in Auburn, having chicken wings and drinks at Lucky J’s and Pistol Pete's Brew & Cue. 

Thank you to my close friends who refer me business and those who trust me to handle their real estate needs. It’s a big deal and I am so grateful.

Finally, there is my goofy kid who stacks a toaster on cork trivets, on a TV tray in front of a LARGE dog door!! What on earth was he thinking? LOL!

Best Thrift Store Find Ever!

I think I landed my best thrift store find of all time, and those of you who know me, know I’ve found some good ones. This one is a brand spanking new Brighton Barbados Hobo ziptop bag for $38. It had never been used!! This bag is not seasons old, it’s new. Clearly whoever had it didn’t like it and the thrift store didn’t know what it was either. I was so excited but I did tell the shop owner that it was a $315 brand new bag and she smiled and said, “Good for you honey, you just scored and I appreciate your honesty. Enjoy your new bag.” Loving me some good karma coming back my way. 

 

Crazy, busy productive days this week. The rest of the concrete countertops were put in place and now we need to seal them and reassemble the kitchen, which means finishing the cabinets, redoing the floor, new light fixtures, and... Concrete is not as fast as store-bought or custom granite countertops, but they are so unique and so cool that I think they’re worth the wait. And then these boys did a thing... Yes! Those are Father & Son Mullets. Yeah. Please, LET the sun go down on me!!!

We managed to get in some boating this week, too. It’s the respite that makes the long days of hard work seem not quite so hard. This trip was with Tanya and Jakary, always so much fun!

Waterfalls and Barbeque!

This speaks to me on so many levels. As a woman, as a parent, and as a citizen to name just a few. Read it a few times and see how or if it resonates with you, too. Thoughts?

“Life is simple. Everything happens for you, not to you. Everything happens at exactly the right moment, neither too soon nor too late. You don't have to like it... it's just easier if you do. As long as you think that the cause of your problem is “out there”—as long as you think that anyone or anything is responsible for your suffering—the situation is hopeless. It means that you are forever in the role of victim, that you’re suffering in paradise. You are your only hope, because we're not changing until you do. Our job is to keep coming at you, as hard as we can, with everything that angers, upsets, or repulses you, until you understand. We love you that much, whether we're aware of it or not. The whole world is about you.” 

Byron Katie

We headed north to Black Mountain, Blowing Rock, Boone, and Lenoir. We spent some time on the Blue Ridge Parkway (Crazy Gorgeous!) and stopped for a spell at Linville Falls. We hiked the moderate trail and in true North Carolina fashion, we got soaked with a summer downpour. We were wet but not cold, it was spectacular to be hiking, hearing and feeling the power of the falls, and then to be back at the car drying off at the open trunk of the rental car. I’m glad I had my new favorite hat! 

It’s been beautiful and informative but the plan still keeps changing. We’ll be home on Friday, what are the plans for July 4th? 

Our final meal in Charlotte, some of the best barbecue food we’ve ever eaten AND we finally filled Mason up! Dave and I ate here two years ago and it’s as good as we remember. We also got to have drinks by the pool today, it was bliss. We're so glad to be home, we missed our boys and our people. Until next time N.C.