HELP!!! Wanted: Good Hairstylist

Today is Monday, therefore it is my day off. It seems my day had been full of activities that are supposedly to improve my appearance. I had a chemical peel at the dermatologist office first thing this morning to help with my acne, and then I went straight to get my hair cut. My regular stylist (if you could call her that, I've only seen her three times) is on vacation for several weeks so I went to another lady. (Might I add this is about my tenth different stylist I've tried since moving up here). Unfortunately, I have sort of a high maintanence cut that needs trimmed and shaped ever four or five weeks. You know, I used to think that it wouldn't be too much to ask to find someone who could do a very basic hair cut while managing to keep up an appropriate conversation. I am finding that this is more and more impossible to find the longer I have been in Oregon. These are the days where I really miss my amazing and talented friend Jessica. She always did a good job on my hair and I never went home near tears after she was done with me. It used to be one of my favorite things to do. I liked going in, she would wash, cut and color my hair and we would talk and it was so fun. She is really good at her job and has a real talent for making whoever is getting their hair done feel comfortable. I'm discovering this is a rare ability among hairstylists. Yes, I frequently miss Jessica, but lets face it, the days that I get my hair done are the days that I wish more than anything I could have her cutting and coloring my hair, and then we could go out an do something fun. Oh well. Needless to say, I think it was kind of comical because my next stop was the grocery store where my hair was well... interesting.. and because of my peel I had no make up on because I have to go the rest of the day without it. Needless to say I'm sure I was a fright to look upon, but thank heavens for modern day hair helps like good pomade, hairspray and my Chi flat iron!!!!

My Plug

Right now it is Spring, and in Salem this means lots of rain with occasional sunny days. It is beautiful this time of year here in Salem, even more so when the sun is shining. Right now the blossoms are out in full force. All over town there are white blossom trees, pink blossom trees, yellow blossom trees and purple blossom trees. It is very beautiful, although I have to say that I wish we had more sunny days. This picture of Aaron and I is at the Oregon State Capitol building, not too far from where we live, and there are a few blossom trees in the background. Unfortunately for Aaron, Springtime means stressful time. Right now he is in the midst of finals. He had finals this last week, and has some this upcoming week and then he will be done. He has been diligently studying and working hard. I personally don't know how he has the attention span to do it, but somehow he does.

Today in the midst of running all over from doing laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping, cooking, church responsibilities and taking Cooper to the vet I have had my foster kids on my brain all day today. I am going to talk a little about them and put in a plug for them. Yesterday I was on a home visit and I was playing airplanes with one of my little kiddos on my caseload and I was chasing after him all over the yard running in circles making my best jet airplane noise I could muster and it hit me all over again how cool these kids are. They definitely have a special place in my heart. They are such special little people who have so many needs, yet at the same time these children are incredibly resilient. I love working with the kids, they are so cool. So, one of my new resolves in life is to be an advocate for them, even after I am done working for Child Welfare. Let me tell all of you, that you don't even need to be a foster parent or a treatment provider to help these children. If you want to really do something cool, contact your local child welfare office and see what you can do to help out. Foster kids are always in need of clothes and shoes and toys, especially at Christmas time. Lots of these kids don't get anything for Christmas, and it is really sad. Anyways, if you ever want to do something nice for somebody sometime, keep in mind foster children, I promise you won't be sorry you did something to help out.

I've been tagged again

A. Animal lover? It depends on what kind of animal, but generally I do like animals.

B. Best Friend? My amazing husband Aaron.

C. Cake or Pie? Why not both? I love cake and pie!

D. Day of choice? Friday because it is the first day to the weekend and Monday because it's my day off

E. Essential item? Lip gloss and chapstick. I am beside myself if I don't have either.

F. Favorite color? Red

G. Greatest accomplishment? Mmmhh... hard one, I don't feel very accomplished. But I would have to say graduating from Utah State with my bachelor's degree, and marrying Aaron in the temple.

H. Hometown? Blanding, Utah

I. Indulgences? Ice-Cream, Chocolate and Coconut Cream Pie.

J. January or July? Definitely July. I love summer. There are only two months out of the year that I really don't like, and January is one of them.

K. Kids? Not yet, but we will, so everyone watch out for new little Stringers!

L. Life is incomplete without? There are a few things that are so basic for me. One, my life would be so incomplete without Aaron, he is so amazing and wonderful, that I cannot believe I managed to be so happy for so long without him, it is hard to imagine life without him now. Two would be my family and friends, these are the things that make life's problems bearable. Three would the gospel. This is what binds and ties me to the first two things, my husband and my family, and this is what gives meaning, purpose and hope in life.

M. Marriage date? December 17, 2005.

N. Novel your reading? Just finished Where Are You Now by Mary Higgins Clark and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin.

O. Oranges or Apples? Umm. Although I eat them, I'm not a huge fan of either although I would have to pick oranges if I had to choose. I'm more of a berry girl or peach girl or plum girl.

P. Phobia's or Fears? I really hate spiders, they scare me. Sometimes I am afraid to fly. I fear public speaking, and unfortunately I have to do a lot of that with my job and with being Relief Society President.

Q. Quotes? My dad always told us "It is better to be kind than right." These are good words of advice that I feel will always be applicable. I also love this quote from President Hinckley, "In all of living have much fun and laughter, life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."

R. Reason to smile? Aaron, he always makes me smile. Also the fact that after two more weeks Aaron will be through with his second year of law school! Yay! Also I had a little kid on my caseload give me a big hug and told me that he loved me, that really melted my heart and was a nice change from what I usually get called at work when someone isn't happy.

S. Season? It depends on where I live. In Blanding, I always loved fall best, because I don't like Winter and the wind blows way too much in the Spring. In Logan I always loved Spring and Summer best. In Oregon, I love Summer best.

T. Tag three friends! Well I don't have many friends who blog, one one of my only friends that does blog tagged me already, so I have to tag Jaclyn, Julie and Mikelle.

U. Unknown fact about me. When I was a kid I had to be in speech therapy for four years.

V. Very favorite store. American Eagle.

W. Worse habit? I have so many it is hard to choose.

X. X-ray or Ultrasound? Ultra sound once for when I was having problems with my gallbladder.

Y. Your favorite food? I guess I love food too much to choose. I love pizza and lasagne, never can go wrong with that, I also love this one casserole I make, it is good comfort food although Aaron is probably sick of it. I also love Crispy Spicy Beef from the Cheesecake Factory. I also love spicy food.

Z. Zodiac? Scorpio.