Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow...

Or not, LOL! Uhhhhh...it's been a rough 6 months of "growing" out my hair. It's not quite to my goal length...but it's getting there. The question is will I be able to NOT cut it...cause I'm really getting the urge to go back to SUPER short. For some reason, I have always had short hair and that's just me. I think mainly because my hair is very fine (textured) and the longer it gets, the more whispy, fly-away, stringy it seems to be. IDK, some days I really do like it, then the next day...I want to chop, chop, chop!! While there's not a HUGE difference, I thought I'd post the progression from September when I first started growing. One of the hardest parts is getting the hair (which was cut up-over my ears) grown down...it's a PITA! It's a process of con't to cut the back while letting the sides catch up to the length of the back. Now it's to the bottom of my earlobe and very much in a "bob" style. I feel like I've put this much time and effort into it, I hate to give up now...but there's days I just want to go back to my old faithful style. Anyway...here's a picture progression of the hair growth:

To cut or not to cut...that is the question! LOL

You know you have a good relationship with your husband's ex wife when...

You can all attend a wedding and not only sit together for the reception...but wear the chair bows on your heads while toasting "Good Times" LOL!

Can I just say that I really love my husband's ex wife, Tammy! She has been really good to me over the years...really reaching out to me during my mom's illness and passing. Not only that, but she treats our kids like her other grandkids...in fact, they call her Grandma Tammy! I feel so blessed and fortunate to have such an amazing blended family...we not only get along, but we all genuinely like each other. Just recently, Tammy's husband, Doug, was in the hospital with a near heart attach and had to have emergency heart surgery. We did go up to see/visit him! I absolutely adore my stepkids Krystal and Jay...they are both very special to me! And...if I have to have an ex wife in my life...I sure am glad it's Tammy...she's a gem!

One Year Anniversary: 3-8-11

Since I started my job!! I feel so very blessed to have gotten this job and I truly love it and all the people I work with. I often feel like I've won the job lottery! Just doesn't seem possible that it's been a year already. It's also been a year since my surgery...wow...that was intense from having the interview the day before surgery...then the surgery ((yikes)) and then exactly one week post-op, I was offered the position...seems surreal at times! Anyway...Happy Anniversary to me!! :)

Ash Wednesday 2011...

Can't believe it's been a year already since my first Ash Wednesday experience...but here we are again. This has been an interesting year to say the least. I thought last year's service was amazing...but after all I've been thru this year...tonight's service was very special to me. Nolan was not able to attend as he's out of town...but Chase and Paige came with me (Taylor was at Cheer Clinic). Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the Lent Season leading up to Easter. It symbolizes the dying of the parts of our inner self that take us further from God, and the burning (of the ashes) symbolizes a cleansing of our spirit and a coming back to God. As for giving up something for Lent...well last year I gave up beer...yeah, don't laugh, but it really was hard...cause I do enjoy a beer here and there. This year, I'm giving up "sweets" and oh boy do I love my sweets...but the idea of giving up something for Lent is when we give up part of us...then there's more room for God. And while this isn't really giving up...I am really trying hard for all of us to have dinner together at the table. For some time, we've just been making a plate then everyone going their separate directions...and I want/need to connect with the kids and them with us. So, we've been doing pretty good so far...turning off the tv and really enjoying each other's company while having our evening meal.

Lent has officially begun...

Can't believe it's been a month already...

Since my last post, that is. I had to go private for a bit...just for my own sanity I guess. It's been a difficult couple months. I guess it's just the typical ebb and flow of a marriage, but it sure seems to "ebbing" a lot lately. I think we're in a better place now than we have been for years. Our communication is finally becoming productive. Nolan's not drinking and I think that has helped a multitude of things. I honestly believe that the drinking was really beginning to affect his thinking and day to day handling of things. The night that things "changed":

This is my left arm a few days after that night. In all fairness, I did shove him first...not to excuse him shoving me back...but I think we both learned a few things that night. Just like sometimes when the computer just isn't working right, you simply have to "reboot" it...and sometimes, we just have to "reboot" our relationships as well. This bruise is only a symbol of something much more painful...it was nothing compared to the pain in my heart that I felt that night. I love Nolan with all my heart, and while he does have his faults, so do I...and it was time for me to examine some of mine and figure out how I could fix them, and not just the "what" I've done, but the "why's" as well. It's not like 1,2,3 everything's fine, but I know we're in a better place and moving toward a closer, more loving relationship. In order to do this...we've both had to give up something we love. Nolan has given up drinking and I have giving up a certain relationship that has been very hazardous to our relationship. While it has not been easy...it has been worth it as I do not want anything to come between Nolan and I.
..
There is still a slight reminent of that horrible bruise...but I wanted the picture to remind me of a time and place I never want to return to or see again...because sometimes it's the most painful and hardest things in life that actually bind us closer together...