Beauty School Drop-Out

Just for the record, I did not drop out of cosmetology school.  I actually finished (much to my family's amusement as "Valedictorian"), but things became complicated after graduation.  Wait... let me go back to the beginning.  

Some of my pals from the good old days might be wondering why I decided to drop out of university and go to beauty school.  The easiest way to explain it is that a good-looking Canadian came into my life and turned my plans upside-down.  After completing my second year of school on my way to becoming a teacher, he whisked me away to Saskatchewan, where I had no visa and could not legally work or go to school (unless I payed the outrageous international student rate).  I twiddled my thumbs for a while, counting down the seconds until my beloved first-year Med. student would come home from school each day.  I really did try to keep busy, but it's amazing how bored I became.  I did some baby-sitting and worked at a daycare (under-the-table, of course), until I got the brilliant idea to go to cosmetology school.  Since it is a short program, I could legally enter it as long as my permanent residency status became effective before I graduated.  I was really excited.  I probably should have been patient and waited another month, which is when my status became permanent, and then I could have worked to bring in a little cash.  But, I had no idea when my paperwork would go through, and hind-sight is always 20/20.  

I LOVED going through the program.  It was just the right balance of work and fun, and I made some good friends.  I was actually really surprised how many things I learned.  Sure, the math was pretty easy for a former Math Education major, but I really had to tap into the creative side of my brain, not to mention memorizing anatomy, disorders of the skin and nails, and mastering cutting angles, etc.  Anyway, I'll get on with the story.  I became pregnant about halfway through the program.  Luckily the bathroom was really close to my station (I threw-up a lot with Luke), and I managed to only pass-out once.  I graduated in May, and Clay and I moved to Regina for the summer where Clay had an internship.  I worked at a salon for a few months, and then took it easy until our handsome Luke was born.  Needless to say, I wasn't racing to get back to the hair business.  I liked it all right, but I really liked being at home.  The trouble was, in Canada, you have to work full-time for two years after school to become a Journeyman, or fully-licensed, hairdresser.  I didn't make it.

This brings us to Michigan, where my student license was ready to expire, and I saw a last flicker of hope that all was not lost.  I applied for a Michigan license, but that required me to pass the state practical and written exams.  With a lot of help from friends in the know, I was able to take the tests and pass.  I will never forget driving through the biggest snowstorm I've ever... well... driven through, to make it to my practical test.  I was nervous enough as it was, and then I was sure I would either be too late, crash the car, or die.  Anyway, I made it just in time.  That practical test with the examiner breathing down my neck made me want to cozy right up to a multiple-choice test, which is just what I did a couple of months later.  I might have over-studied just a bit for the written test, but I really didn't want to have to pay to take it again.  The funniest moment of that one was when the women administering the tests informed everyone that they would need to have their pictures taken before entering the testing room.  All the cosmetologists whipped combs out of their bags and started doing each others' hair.  Classic.  Anyway, they told me after my test that I would have to wait for "further instructions" from the state.  This spelled disaster for me.  I had already paid a bunch of money, I had spent 2 hours a night studying and practicing for months, I was supposed to be holding a license in my hand, and now I had nothing.  Great.  A month later (last week) I got an inconspicuous letter in the mail that I almost tossed out as junk.  My license!  I can't believe I did it, but I did it!  Thanks to everyone who has helped me complete this seemingly small goal, but it always feels good to finish something you started.  And now, I can sing that old Grease song without any feelings of guilt.  

Moments

On a friend of mine's blog title, it says:  "We don't remember days.  We just remember moments."  ...or something like that.  I like that, and have been trying to focus on little moments that I want to remember.  However, I was feeling like I only had bad moments to remember from this week.  

• like when both kids starting screaming and flailing themselves on the ground at a museum and a stranger had to help me carry them to the closest bench, 
• or when one of the kids spilled a full glass of milk on the computer, and now it makes a weird whirring noise that can't be good  
• when I made a ton of phone calls to try and arrange a service event for the G.P. Mom's Club, and I completely failed and Luke told me to stop talking on the phone,
• when (after we basically had not seen him since Friday) Clayton came home at 5 (hallelujah!) on Monday evening, only to declare that he was deathly ill and had to go to bed right then.  Which was then followed by a similar moment on Tuesday.
• or when I completely embarrassed myself in front of the whole neighborhood Wednesday morning by running out to the front yard in my bathrobe to catch the recycling truck with an armload of recycling.  I had to.  We had a lot of recycling this week (possibly more on this later).
  

I fully intended to wave the surrender flag tonight and give up.  The week was turning out so rotten, I just didn't see any point in carrying on.  Somehow every single bit of clothing and bedding in our entire house was dirty, every spoon was dirty (and the kids only wanted to eat with spoons), and the floor may as well be a buffet.   But ... miracle of all miracles ... Clayton sauntered in the door at 3:30(!!!!) with a cheerful, I'm-not-sick-anymore grin and hugs for us all.  We ordered take-out, laughed over the fortunes in our fortune-cookies, and played games with the kids in the living room until bedtime.  Glorious.  That got me thinking.  

• I did have fun learning all about dinosaurs this week with Luke (have I mentioned that I love the book Kitchen Table Play and Learn?), 
• and Audrey has been doing some exceptionally cute things like singing along to Miss Mary Mack in the car.  
• I was really sad when Clay and I finished listening to Robin Hood on  audio book last night, as we had been having a grand old time using silly phrases, like "ye are the stoutest lad I ever beheld" and "let's go quaff some ale and eat some venison" for a couple of weeks.  
• And, it was quite funny when, after Clay came in the door and said to Luke, "I've been missing you, buddy," Luke replied, "I've been here all week," in a very matter-of-fact voice.

I guess I do have some good moments to remember.  I hope I can hold onto them.

How Slow Can You Go?

As of Thursday, Luke has completed three weeks of skating lessons.  As you can plainly see from the video clips below, he hasn't quite "taken off" yet.  Okay, that's kind of an understatement.  He doesn't really try very hard, has no respect for his teachers and thus won't listen to them, and is perfectly content to shuffle his way around the rink.  It's a little bit sad, as he's gone to 6 lessons and about 4 other times with us.  The other parents (whose children of the same age are skating circles around Luke) laugh and smile and tell me that he's the cutest little guy they've ever seen.  We smile back and cheer him on from the sidelines as he waves to us every couple of minutes.  At least he smiles really big when they put a hockey stick in his hand!  

Audrey is always trying to get out on the ice.

 

His and Hers

Since Clayton is working hard, as usual, on this Valentine's Day, I thought it would be nice to take a few moments and reflect on a few things about Us.

This is just like 25 things about me,except there are pre-decided questions and it's about me AND my spouse.   And of course, I tag people.

1. What are your middle names? Clayton's is Gary, and I don't have one.  I'm supposed to be using my maiden name, but I forgot to add it to my name-change application when we got married.  Boy, what a ditz!
2. How long have you been together? married for 6 years, "together" about 6 1/2
3. How long did you know each other before you started dating? we had barely met
4. Who asked who out? Clayton asked me out, but I still think it was partly because his cousin told him he could ask out anyone but me.
5. How old are each of you? I'm 25, and he's 28.
6. Whose siblings do you see the most? I guess mine, although we talk more to his on the phone.
7. Do you have any children together? Two of the cutest you ever saw.  Luke looks a whole lot like Clay, and Audrey, I'm told, is a mini-me with my bad traits replaced with good ones from Clay.
8. What about pets? None.  We went to the pet store to buy Luke a fish, once, and decided within 5 minutes that it was going to be too much work.  I guess that shows how lazy we are!
9. Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple? Finding time for just the two of us.
10. Did you go to the same school? Not even close.
11. Are you from the same town? Not even the same country.
12. Who is the smartest? I would definitely say him, and he insists me.  He's more of a math brain, and I am better with words.
13. Who is the most sensitive? Goodness gracious, ME!  A little bit too sensitive.
14. Where do you eat out most as a couple? Jet's Pizza.  They have a Tuesday night deal, and Clayton always craves it when he's post-call.  
15. Where is the farthest you have traveled as a couple? Farthest from where?  We lived far from everything in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and our farthest road-trip was moving from there to Michigan.  We have yet to take any spectacular trips to the far reaches of the world.  
16. Who has the craziest exes? Me, for sure.  At least, my family is more willing to constantly bring mine up in conversation!
17. Who has the worst temper? Definitely me.  I lose my cool pretty quickly, whereas Clay is very easy-going.  However, if you see his upper lip curl just a little bit, you had better look out.
18. Who does the cooking? Me, although I think Clay would love to take over if he had any spare time.  I go a little bit too exotic sometimes.
19. Who is more social? This one's tough, as we're both of the shy nature, but I'm coming out of my shell.
20. Who is the neat freak? We both freak if the house is dirty, but neither one of us is very good about keeping things neat.
21. Who is more stubborn? Me.  Boy, I seem to have all the bad traits in our relationship.
22. Who hogs the bed? I think we're both too tired to even notice something like that!
23. Who wakes up earlier? Clay all the way.  There's no way to beat 4:30.  I mean, I still consider that the middle of the night.
24. Where was your first date? It was a "taco survey" in Springfield, MO where we sampled from 4 different taco places.
25. Who has the bigger family? We're even:  4 siblings for each of us.
26. Do you get flowers often? No, but I always get them at unexpected times, like "Mom Appreciation Days."  
27. How do you spend the holidays? It depends if Clay has any time off.  If he does, we try to split time between the two families.  Unfortunately, Calgary is a little far for us right now.
28. Who is more jealous? Hmmm.  I don't think either one of us.
29. How long did it take to get serious? One glorious summer.
30. Who eats more? We probably eat similar amounts, but I spread it out through the day, and Clay does it all in one sitting.
31. Who does the laundry? Me, and after 6 years I still stink at it.  
32. Who is better with the computer? Definitely Clayton.  
33. Who drives when you are together? It's actually been me a lot lately.  Either Clay's way too tired to do it safely, or I'm too much of a control-freak that day.

Oh, and I tag: Tiffany R., Hallie O., Sachie S., and Liam C.

Silliness

10:23 Meltdown

It doesn't happen every night, but it does occur at least once a week.  It's almost always between 10 and 11 PM.  One or both kids wake up SCREAMING.  It's usually Luke, who has night-terrors, but Audrey's been joining in the ritual every now and then.  Clayton and I are usually in bed when it begins, but we both happened to be up last night.  "Uh-oh.  It's a 10:23 meltdown."   Downstairs, fully-clothed and fully-awake, Clayton had nowhere to hide.  It was kind of fun handling the double-squawking together.  I usually handle it alone since Clayton is usually extremely sleep-deprived.  I like that it doesn't happen in the middle of the night, and I like that I was awake and happy enough to enjoy cuddling with my kids a little bit longer than usual.  Someday I'm going to look back on this and miss it.                                                                   

Museum-Bound

Last year, we visited the Detroit Children's Museum and the Detroit Science Center, and I had a great time with my good friend, Deb, attending a concert and looking at all the great art at the Detroit Institute of Art.  Since we happen to live in a big city for the time-being, we thought it would be good to keep taking advantage of the culture while we can.  And so, we've been museum-bound the last week or two.  

Here are a few photos at the Detroit Historical Museum.  I highly recommend it to anyone who lives in the area, as you can get free passes from the library, and my kids really liked it.  And, yes, they were allowed to climb on this car.  

The highlight for the kids was the train room, which was really, really neat.  Buttons all along the glass controlled different trains and things, and t.v. screens mounted above showed views from the trains as they wound along all the tracks.  

The next pictures are from the Henry Ford Museum, which we wanted to do at least once while we live here.  Clayton joked (kind of) that Henry Ford's assembly line is also put into action at Henry Ford Hospital.  But, that's only from a resident's perspective.

Here is Luke with his K'Nex car creations that he raced against Clayton's "tank".

This was a really cool train snowplow.

Luke and Clay testing their paper airplane models

Luke the hotdog right next to the Weinermobile.

Audrey not knowing what's going on!

We wish we could have lingered a little bit more, reading displays and learning more about the automobile history and the history of this area, but the kids can only handle so much.  Overall, it was a good time.

Nursery Adventures

Today was Audrey's first try in Nursery at church.  It's still a couple of weeks until she's officially 18 months, but the Primary President suggested it so that I can substitute next week as pianist and Sunbeam teacher.  It was the craziest hour of Nursery I've ever seen, and the Nursery leaders agreed.  

We entered the room in the middle of the "lesson."  I thought it was awesome that the teachers were trying so hard, but the class is very young, and the room was very hot.  All the kids seemed agitated.  Within 10 minutes, Audrey had a bloody nose.  During singing-time, I spotted something brown oozing over the waistband of one of the little girls.  Yes, it was poo, and I hurried over to volunteer to take her to her parents.  Right then, she reached back and grabbed a handful.  With a disgusted scream, she started rubbing her hands together and shaking them violently in the air.  There was poo flying everywhere and smearing into the carpet.  The two other adults in the room tried to grab her hands and get the other kids away from the area, but the little kiddies all sensed the panic and started crying.  All seven of them.  It was one of those moments when it's just too crazy to be upsetting, and all I could do was laugh!  

We cleaned everything up, and the poor little girl was stripped down and wrapped in an over-sized sweater. A few parents came in to help with the criers, and everyone played a really cute baby version of Duck-Duck-Goose.  Audrey is pretty easy-going, so she collected herself pretty quickly.  Even with poop and blood all over her little dress, she was adorable, kissing a few of the little boys and doing the actions to some of the songs.  I'm crossing my fingers for next week!  

Me Trivia

I was tagged a couple of times on Facebook this week, and I thought I would post it on here too.

1. I have a scar on my upper lip from a bad case of chicken pox.

2. I won 1st place in a beauty contest at age 18 months--apparently my prime. :)

3. I admire A LOT of people, but mostly my parents and parents-in-law. Among other things, I want to cook like my mom, clean like my mother-in-law, take jokes and criticism like my father-in-law, and work like my dad. 

4. A large part of my identity is as the oldest sibling and only girl of five. I used to be sure my dad wished I was a boy so that he could have a full basketball team, and I read books like, "Want To Trade 2 Brothers For A Cat?" Now I'm perfectly content to be the princess of the family.

5. I consider my face to be somewhat plain, easily forgotten, and dramatically altered by makeup and hairstyles. I've actually had someone I know well introduce themselves to me as if they didn't know me just because I styled my hair differently that day. I guess I could be the female version of Jason Bourne.

6. I've battled my weight since I was 6, and the battle rages on.

7. My religion is a huge part of who I am, and I wish I was brave enough to tell everyone I know about it so they could have the happiness and peace I have.

8. I am a list-maker, although I think I need a list of where I've put all my lists.

9. I would like to be a published author someday.

10. I am very afraid of heights and speed.

11. I hope to overcome my fears and get a whole lot better at snow-skiing.

12. I sometimes feel that I am running from my past, but I try to just embrace the lessons I've learned. I'm grateful to my few old friends who are willing to forget.

13. As much popcorn as you can make, I can eat in one sitting.

14. I LOVE to read.

15. One of my biggest faults is not ever knowing anything about current events. I guess I'm too content in my own little world.

16. I've struggled with female friendships for as long as I can remember, and I hope to improve.  

17. My favorite kind of sandwich is peanut butter and honey.

18. I've irretrievably lost or broken every piece of jewelry I've ever been given, except for a necklace and earrings recently given to me by my mother, the necklace Clayton gave me for my 19th birthday, and my newest wedding ring (the 1st is at the bottom of a lake).

19. My feet are size 7 triple-E -Wide, which means that I hate shoe shopping. I'm more of a purse girl.

20. Music moves me, and I'm really glad my parents encouraged piano and flute lessons when I was young.

21. My husband and kids can drive me the craziest and make me the happiest.

22. I rearrange our furniture every couple of months to change things up a bit.

23. I don't really like to make the same recipe twice, even if it is awesome.  

24. In most other respects, I'm not very good with change.

25. I was never one to want to "get out" of my hometown, but I think all my years away have been good for me to figure out my identity.

There you go. Do you now feel like you know way too much about me?