public peeing, volume 2.

Today I made a nice little trip to the mall and ventured into Belk while I was there. First off, who shops in the Women's Department anyway? The clothing in there is so depressing! Its the ugliest stuff I have ever seen, its like, they MAKE them high water pants on purpose. And don't get me started on the amount of coral shirts and ugly navy and red plaid pants. Yuck. Yuck. Yuckity. Yuck!

I drank way too much sprite before my shopping trip and needed to find a restroom quickly. I noticed another woman looking in the same direction, so I follow her into the ladies room. I was the youngest one in there by at LEAST 40 years. It was so cute, all these women out shopping at Belk for the day. I aspire to be one of those ladies. haha

Anywho, as we're waiting in line, there was an opened stall door just waiting to be taken. Lady number 1 - standing in front of me- explains that its "handicapped", and since she's not handicapped, she won't be using it. Lady number 2 (standing behind me), says..well, go on in, it won't hurt anything! Lady number 1 walks in the stall and quickly returns, someone previously had not flushed. Lady number 2, struts in the stall, flushes. *waits* Flushes again. *gives us an update that it did not correctly flush and then gives it another go* OOH YEAH!! It flushed! So she offers the stall to Lady number 1, just incase, and when she still declines, finally decides to go.

I FINALLY make it into a stall of mine own. I, like most of my fellow women, sanitize the toilet seat as best I can with a wad of toilet paper, inspecting any area that may be "damp" from the previous toileter. I then, very gingerly, pull out two strips of grainy, rough, one ply toilet paper to place over the toilet seat, just incase the first cleansing wasn't good enough. I then, proceed to sit, pee, and... WAIT JUST A MINUTE! *FLUSH* The toilet flushed on its own! Excuse me! I was not ready for *FLUSH!* it did it again!! I was still sitting! Water splashing everywhere... oh God help me! I finally get up, walk out and I've STILL made it out quicker than Lady 1 and Lady 2. I think I know when to flush by myself, thank you very much! I do not need a machine to "anticipate" the flush for me!

I try to get out of the stall. I turn the lever for the lock. I can't get it open!!!! OMG, I'm going to get stuck in this stall for-ev-er! OK, whew, just a blonde day, I twisted when I should have slid the lock.

I then go to wash my hands. Which, can I just say, I hate to do in public restrooms! I would rather take my chances and just use antibactierial soap. But because there were two older ladies in there that reminded me of my Mema, I HAD to wash them. My hands still smell like icky Belk public restroom soap. yuck.

And men wonder why it takes us so long in the restroom!

Something to think about....

Just some random thoughts and things....

- if it is part of a cow, then why do we call them "Hamburgers"? this bothers me.

- My neighbor with the Christmas lights FINALLY took them down this weekend!! Way to go!! Its only January 26th!

- The salon where I work has this awesome new website, which also has a blog! You should go check it out and then call and make an appointment b/c you're missing out on a great salon & spa experience if you don't! :) Bellezza Salon & Spa

- I'm starting to panic JUST a teensy bit about the wedding. I'm solid on the marriage part, I know Adam is the one I want to spend the rest of my life with, I'm panicked that I won't get everything organized and done on time. I keep trying to brush it off saying everything will be lovely, but I went to Barnes and Noble yesterday and perused the wedding aisle. Every book has some other detail that I had forgotten about and it has me slightly stressed. I'm trying to stay calm b/c honestly? If nothing goes right, it will be fine b/c we will still get married and our friends and family will be there to help us celebrate, even if I DO forget to order chairs or don't buy shoes that match my dress.


- Speaking of wedding stuff, we are meeting with the cake lady, Wilma Tyler, today!! I am soo excited!! First off, she's making us a cake for our "tasting" to take home! I mean, I just love cake! haha I know exactly what I want for the cake and I found several photos of ideas to take to her. Here's the thing with wedding cakes, you should keep it pretty, but simple. No one wants to eat raspberry filling, lemon filling, or chocolate mousse torte with a ganache icing on each different layer. No one cares! No one will care at your wedding about the small details, but you! I don't want people to eat the cake and then make a face and set the plate down (been to a wedding where everyone did that!). I want them to say, "more please!". haha I'm a southern girl, we're having "pink" velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing! Sure, it might not be "traditional", but we're not having a formal or traditional wedding!


- My two favorite holidays are upon us; my birthday (Feb. 9th) and Valentine's Day (Feb. 14th). I can't wait!! I'm starting to not really care for the whole, "getting older" part of my birthday, but I still love it! And Valentine's Day, omg! I love all the pink and hearts and lovey stuff.


OK, I need to go, I'm rambling. I will write more later.

Splishin' and a Splashin' (otherwise known as, "Embarassing Moments", volume 1)

My mother decided to visit me at work yesterday out of the blue to inform me of her latest drama, but that's a whole different story that...TRUST ME, you don't want me to get into right now. I will, however, go into what she did while at my office.

I work at a very nice salon & spa, with a spa area in the back. Its very peaceful and we try to treat all of our clients as if they were to "feel at home". Well, apparently my mother took this literally because upon her arrival into the separate spa area, she went to "tinkle" in the bathroom....sans door closed! That's right, my mother peed. AT. MY. WORK. with the door wide open! I didn't shut it right away b/c I wasn't sure if anyone would walk back there, until Allison (our lovely massage therapist) popped back in the spa before her next appointment arrived. In a panic, I quickly laughed it off that my mom likes to pee with the door open and luckily Allison answered back,with a nervous chuckle I might add, "oh that's ok, we have an 'open door' policy in my home too!".

*FLUSH*

My mom washes her hands and walks out like she didn't just go pee in a public restroom with the door open. And in a splish, splash, it was over.

Then she follows up her public peeing episode, which I'm pretty sure you can get arrested for in some countries, with the fact that she's possibly moving down the street from me.

Someone pinch me, I need to wake up!!!!

Until next time, "if you sprinkle when you tinkle, be a sweetie and wipe the seatie", my mom had this on a plaque when we were growing up! hahaha

Wedding Cake

So Adam and I have a meeting with our wedding cake maker next Monday. Since our colors are black & hot pink, with polka dots (obviously), I kind of want to go with some fun cupcakes to keep with the theme. We are definitely having red velvet (but less dye, so they are pink). I found a photo online of some that I like, what do y'all think? These are soo cute b/c they look like they fit our theme so well! All suggestions welcome! I need help! haha I'm not completely opposed to cake, just think the cupcakes will be more fun. I was also thinking, maybe do a few with some white chocolate with our initials on them. Oh who knows?! And now I want a cupcake. haha

OK, back to watching "You've Got Mail" ...

Dear Neighbor...

Dear Neighbor,

It has come to my attention that it is January 15th, 2009, well over the "12 days of Christmas", yet it seems, you still have your Christmas decorations up and around your house. What gives? I have forgiven you for parking right in front of our mailbox every single day so that I have to basically squeeze myself between your ugly burgundy colored car and the box just to see if I have any bills, but the Christmas decorations in mid-January is unforgivable. And even when my next door neighbor pulled out of their driveway and hit your "in-the-way" parked car, you STILL didn't get the hint to move it! The red velvet ribbons that hang off of your porches with the green garland is a bit dated, as is the twinkle lights on your teeny, tiny little tree in your front lawn. I have also noticed (only b/c your blinds were open, not b/c I was peering through my closed blinds, with a sneering eye towards your decorative motif of crap, I mean, decorations), that you still have your tree up. I know that the twinkling lights on a Christmas tree can be mesmerizing, but it is only special during the months of November and December. I think its safe to take it down now. With this said, I appreciate all that you're doing for the community by "beautifying" with decorations, but perhaps you can take it down sometime before Christmas this year? And if not, I would like for you to know that you will be solely responsible for my drinking heavily to tolerate the tackiness that is your house. Thanks.


Best Regards,
your annoyed neighbor

P.S. I would take them down for you, but I think that might violate some sort of pesky "trespassing" law.

pps. Pictures to be posted later as proof!

*UPDATE* - It was too dark to take a photo when I got home, but I will try again tomorrow! Decorations are STILL up and the lights are twinkling!

The Great Hair Debate

Not too long ago, I attended Cosmetology school. I graduated first in my class with a cosmetology license. I started school because I had a passion for wanting to do hair. I would watch tv shows and critique everyone on what they needed to do to their hair, eyebrows, make-up, & wardrobe to look better overall. I was giving everyone I met "mind" makeovers. All of my sorority sisters would come to me before a formal to get their hair and makeup done. I took pride in all of my work, I loved making them feel special and beautiful! I wanted to make a difference in other people's lives; to possibly one day write beauty articles for magazines, local newsletters, and be asked to go on live television shows to answer beauty questions!

My passion was lost. It got lost in the long, grueling clocked hours at school. It got lost on the clients who didn't give a shit about me because they preferred an African American student to do their hair instead. It got lost on the anxiety I felt about attending the school I went to every evening for two years. It got lost on giving up on a dream just so I could focus on graduating and getting the hell out of there. I got lazy in the process, searching for short cuts and different avenues just to say I finally accomplished something. I never learned anything about hair at all. I lost my passion. And instead of feeling great about my accomplishments, I felt like I had lost two years of my life with nothing to show for it.


The dream of becoming a stylist dwindled. Even thought I lost my passion for hair, I DID find a passion for doing skincare, so it is not all a loss. But I often wonder how things would have turned out for me had I become a stylist. Would I be known locally for my exquisite bridal updos? (something I wanted to specialize in while in school). Would I have already built a clientele? Would I be able to do everyone's hair b/c I was skilled in doing everything from corn rows, sew ins, quick weaves to foils and pivot point haircuts? I don't know.

Since I told people for two years that I was going to cosmetology school, everyone that doesn't work with me assumes I do hair. Its so aggravating! Its like shoving a dream that I once had into my face saying I couldn't cut it because I lost sight or got anxious, or scared about the dream. Its a constant reminder that I failed to follow through with it.

And while I did lose the passion, it doesn't mean that on occasion I don't like doing hair, because I do! I still do my family & friends haircuts and color. I have also been told I give one of the best scalp massages too!

And I can't regret going to cosmetology school in the first place because I never would have found skincare. I am now focused to be the best skincare therapist I can be! I love to do facials. Waxing is so much fun! I get to teach people how to take care of themselves everyday. People put their trust in me to make them look younger, more beautiful, tan, etc. and I'm proud to say that I truly enjoy helping them!


I guess the lesson learned here is, follow your dreams because even if they don't end up the way you expected (or the way others expected), you may find another dream on the way.

Are you there God? It's me, Rebecca.

Two posts in one day? I MUST be going crazy!!!! Actually, no, I just wanted to share some fun-ness with you all! Most of you know my obsession with "The Today Show", so of course I was watching it a few mornings ago when I saw Jennifer Skiff go on to promote her new book, God Stories. I was completely touched and ordered it online right away. I got the book today!! YAY!!! I love packages!! And the book is soo inspirational, you should definitely read it!


With all this God speak, I got in the car to go somewhere today and on the way decided to pray (I usually pray in the car b/c its my only moment of quiet time... don't worry, I don't close my eyes!). I tell the Lord, to please send me a sign, etc, you know, the usual.

And then I hear this VOICE!
A VOICE that comes from no where!! I start freaking out!
My palms break out into a sweat.

God? Is that you?


And who knew you were a woman?! And with an English accent at that, so proper and soothing!




Then I hear, "Exit right in one mile". Oh wait, did I accidentally turn on my new GPS? *Phew*



Just to be safe, I better pray extra hard tonight, you never know when it might be the real thing!

My hair.

Without sounding completely pompous, can I just say, that my hair is it's own entity. Everywhere I go, no matter what I'm doing or whom I am surrounded, someone comments on my hair. Its not like I have crazy colored hair, I don't have a weird, funky cut, I don't even have anything out of the ordinary, but for some reason, people always comment on it. And this should be a good thing, I mean, I work in a salon so it helps us to get business, but still, it has its own celebrity status.


For instance, two weeks ago, I was in the mall, minding my own business when a girl stopped me and said, "nice hair!". Ok, thank you. My pharmacist comments on my hair EVERY TIME I go in there (which is frequent b/c lets face it, I am a walking pharmacy in my purse). She said, "you're hair always looks so good!". Need I say, that was the time I decided to roll out of bed, head over there with a hooded sweatshirt on and dirty jeans, with no makeup and I didn't even BRUSH my hair! Was she just being nice, or was she genuine? who knows.


But its not just that. It doesn't just stop there. My family was out to dinner once and a lady basically lingered near our table, looking at me, whispering to her friends and then finally came over (I thought I had something in my teeth!). She stopped me to say, "I love your hair!!". Oh, thanks! You TOO can have a bob if you visit the salon where I work!

This morning is what really made me think of the insanity. My neighbor, whom I talk to on occasion, but not enough to know her last name, asked me, "oh are you letting your hair grow out? I noticed you had a clip in it the other day!". Actually, yes I am three weeks overdue for a cut, (thanks for noticing), but some of the stylists at work think I should let it grow a little longer to shape it back up before the wedding. This is getting way out of control.

I recently had a man at K-mart stop and touch my hair. He had his wife with him! I guess this is how pregnant women feel when they have people touching their bellies!

So, in honor of my hair, I thought I'd post a few photos of me with my many different styles throughout the years: The first one is recent, but not quite as blonde now, the second is from the year 2000, before I chopped it and I was quite smashed at a wedding during those photos, the third is from when I was in high school sporting the "Rachel" haircut and the last is my ultimate favorite b/c it suits me best!

Happy New Year!!!

So I've been slack on updating, I know, I know!!! And I will be even more slack this evening b/c my fav's are back on tv tonight, "Desperate Housewives" & "Brother's & Sisters", and lets not forget, "Rock of Love - Bus Tour". And its a good thing b/c I've been watching "The Wedding Date" 3 nights in a row on TNT. (I can't believe I just admitted that). But trust me, I have plenty to write about soon, very soon.

Possibly tomorrow, so be sure to check back. And oh yeah, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!