February Summary - Part 1

This post will be a random round up of what we have been up to this month.  Good thing for you, there will be lots of pictures.

I got my red hair worked on a bit.  My blond was growing back in and I had sort of a skunk stripe down the middle of my head.  I have figured out that I am not made for the upkeep of coloring my hair, nor is my wallet.  So, we added some blond highlights to help me transition back to my normal color.  My kids think I look just like my sister, Karen.

My selfie skills are questionable, aren't they?  I look scared of myself here, don't I?

D-man got rid of his college hair that had to be stuffed under a hat and now looks like a young man.  Well, actually a young scientist with those glasses.  Love him.

All seven of us went to the salon for the afternoon.  Four of us were getting stuff done to our hair and the other three just came along because we LOVE the little restaurant next door and we were going to eat.  The stylist was running behind and all our services took forever.  My younger girls had never really witnessed everything that happens in a salon before and were intrigued by how relaxed we all looked when we were getting our hair washed.  They asked Kelly, the stylist, how much it would be just to get their hair shampooed by her.  She took me aside and asked if she could do it for free, because they were being so good, even though the day was sort of spiraling out of control.  I said she could.  But, then everything with us took longer than any of us planned, Kelly was exhausted, and we were all getting hungry, so we didn't do it.

But, sweet A-girl, remembered how I used to wash her and L-girl's hair on the counter when they were younger.  (My mom used to go my hair like that for years - until I barely could fit on the counter)

It was so cute.  Lots of giggling.

I got a few sweet Valentines, took the kids for our annual trip to the local coffee shop during the day (I LOVE homeschooling!) and S-girl made and decorated a cake for us.

A-man turned 13 and is now officially on Facebook.  He is also almost as tall as me.  Crazy.

I am back to watching my little extras now that their mom is done with maternity leave.  I am happy and any mouth injuries I may sustain are totally worth it. 

Looking through my pictures, I have a few more things from February, but I will tell you about them later because otherwise this post will get way too long.

Koru Naturals - Review

Stick around people that usually try to skip my reviews!  I mean it.  You will want to read this.

I got the chance to try some spectacular beauty and hair products from a company called Koru Naturals.  They are a New Zealand company that has been selling their products in the United States since 2002.




I got to try 3 separate products:

Skin Clear Creme
Manuka Honey and Propolis Soap
Argan Oil and Sandalwood Hair Tonic


I will just tell you about each one separately and then give my overall feelings at the end.

Skin Clear Creme




This product is part of the NZ Fusion Botanicals line.  This part of Koru Naturals stresses the use of natural ingredients and avoiding the use of animal products, artificial colors/scents, and doesn't use "toxic" preservatives and they are packaged in a resuable container.

They are also basically unisex (meaning - to me anyway -  the packaging and smell isn't overly feminine or masculine).

I was going to list the ingredients of this one, but I just noticed that it is all right there on the picture of the container above.

Just to be safe, here is the partial list of warnings to consider before you try this product:

Don't use during pregnancy (not exactly sure why)  and don't use if you know you are allergic to honey, manuka oil or tea tree oil (I understand those).

I LOVED this stuff.  I had originally thought I would share this with my teenagers to see if it would help keep their skin clear....since it is in the name and all....but I am selfish and I don't want to share.

It is thick and creamy.  It smells heavenly. (Honestly, I found myself sniffing my hands after I put this on.  Or sort of resting my fingers near my face, so I could smell them.  Not in a Mary Katherine Gallagher from SNL kind of way though....don't worry...)  It is sort of light and....fruity.....but not citrus-y...if that makes sense.  It feels good on.  It absorbs pretty quickly and isn't greasy.  My skin is softer, for sure.  I actually had this along when we went to Florida and I used it on my skin after my sun burn and, it took out the sting and, I think, reduced the redness more quickly than if I would have just ignored it.

This was definitely a hit with me.


Honey & Propolis Soap




This, first of all, is cute soap.  See the little bee on the front there?  And the bar of soap, itself is shaped like a honey comb.  Adorable.

That said, it is a nice smelling and moisturizing soap.

The ingredients for this one are....wait for it.....honey and propolis.  Am I the only one that has no idea what propolis is?  We will have a little homeschool session today for you!

Propolis - a red or brown resinous substance collected by honeybees from tree buds, used by them to fill crevices and to seal and varnish honeycombs.

It is basically.....bee glue. 

But, you know what....if it can fill some of my crevices and seal and varnish my appearance.....well....I am okay with that!

This was just a nice, lightly scented soap.  And, bonus, the way the soap is shaped helped it stay put in my shower.  I just stood it up on its side and balanced it on one of its flat honeycomb sides and it didn't slip and fall like most of my soaps do.



Argan Oil & Sandalwood Hair Tonic





Saving the best for last here.

This is also part of the NZ Fusion Botanical line that I talked about with the Skin Clear Creme.  So, if you want to know more about that, just scroll back up there and take a look.

The ingredients in this hair tonic include (there is other stuff too that you can see on the website if you are interested):  Grapeseed oil in addition to Argan oil and Australian Sandalwood (not sure what the difference is between regular old sandalwood and Australian sandalwood - but, you know what?  I don't care.  This is magical hair elixer, I tell you.

I will admit when I first read about this one, I was interested because of the Argan Oil, because I have seen some of those fancy YouTube fashion blogger ladies talking about it, but, I was nervous because of the Sandalwood.  To me, Sandalwood is a man's scent.  For some reason, I kept picturing some dude with dreads smelling like patchouli and sandalwood.

But, have no fear....that is not what I smelled like when I starting using this hair tonic.  Honestly, I sort of hate calling it hair tonic - because that brings to mind the 50s for me and John Travolta slicking his hair back in Grease or something.

Anyways, the very first time I used this oil, was a Saturday night.  I washed my hair, like normal, then read the bottle that said use 2 to 3 pumps - rub in around in your hands and then smooth it through your hair.  Well, in case you haven't noticed, I have a LOT of hair, so I figured I would do the full 3 pumps (I may have even snuck in another half a pump just to make sure I had enough)  I smoothed it through - tips to ends and went to bed with my hair still slightly damp.  Normal for me.

I got up the next morning for church, and wore my hair down.  Something that doesn't happen too often because I get really hot.  But, my hair looked good, so it was worth a shot.

I cannot even tell you how many compliments I got on my hair that morning.  People kept telling me that it looked smooth and shiny.

Those are 2 words that are not usually associated with my hair.  I had been afraid that I had actually put in too much oil - because a little really does go a long way - but I was reassured by people I could actually ask that it did not, in fact, look oily...just shiny...and pretty.

With this magical hair elixir - that is what I going to call it from now on - I feel like I have Hollywood hair.  You know what I mean?  You see people on t.v. or in movies and you say to yourself.....their hair looks pretty similar to mine...same thickness....same haircut....same pretty much everything.....except your hair NEVER looks as good as theirs.  I had decided that the only way to actually get hair to look like Hollywood hair was to have a professional stylist on hand at all times of the day or night.  So, yeah....not happening.

But, with this magical hair elixir I have a chance.  My hair doesn't get big and sort of dry/crunchy looking like it used to.  It just seems more smooth and manageable....all the time.  Without making me need to wash my hair more often than I do (which isn't very often)

So, yes....I loved it.  I loved all three of these Koru Naturals products....but the magical hair elixir was my favorite, with the Skin Clear Creme a close second!

(See?  Hollywood hair...now I just need to work towards a bit more of a Hollywood figure...)


The TOS review crew got to try lots of different stuff from Koru Naturals.  So, go snoop around a little and see what were their favorites!

Before and After Hair

I got a REAL haircut last week.

I was nervous, but excited.  I showed up with my Pinterest hair pictures and crossed my fingers.

I went to a place with the chair that goes up and down and everything!

She even washed my hair. (Honestly, it took her 3 shampoos to get through all my hair!)

It was a big deal.  I haven't had anybody wash my hair for me in a LONG time.  I was sort of magical and relaxing.

When I lived in Minnesota, I went to a friend who cut hair in her kitchen.  And, then, I didn't really trust anyone/know anyone down here.....so I just haven't gotten my hair cut.  I took to trimming own split ends.  Then, we found another friend who trimmed me in her kitchen.  But, she quit before I got the courage to get a "real" haircut.  So, as a result, my hair just got long and longer and longer.

Here is what I looked like when I showed up in Georgia.

.
(Seriously....look at how little and cute S-girl was!  I forget how young she was when we moved here.)


So, here is my before hair....

Those are my natural waves that come out more and more the older I get....and the longer my hair gets.)  (Thanks, Dad!)

Still sort of wet in this one...so here is one from A-girl's birthday date with me.

And, now....the after.....

I love it, but I haven't quite been able to replicate what she did.  She straightened it and then curled my ends.  Waaaay too much work for me on a daily basis....but I might be able to manage it for special occasions!  I made my hair really soft too.  I sort of felt like a movie star.

My Girls

My girls are growing up.  Yes....too fast.

I have decided that it doesn't help my littles to keep their "little girl" when there are teenagers around.

They see the things their big sisters are doing and wearing and want to be like them.

I get it.

I used to do the same to Karen when we were growing up.  Drove her crazy!

I am not sure if Kandi felt the same way about me, since there were almost 12 years between us.  I was probably basically a nerdy grown whose fashion choices were to be avoided at all costs!

They play dress up and put together outfits for each other.  I love that idea, in theory.

But, then my 5 year old walks out of her room, puts her hand on her hip and asked for her picture to be taken.

Yikes!  Where is my baby?????

Or, they surprise me by straightening S-girls beautiful wavy hair....

Then, I find that L-girl is taking duck faced selfies on my camera - since none of us have smart phones that can do it!

And then....A-girl.  A-girl went from this......

To this.....

It looks really pretty, but it seems like such a grown up thing to do.  Her coloring definitely supports being a red head (I have 2 red headed siblings, a few red headed neices and nephews....and according to the anesthesiologist at my C-section with S-girl, I AM also a red head!)

My babies!  Where have my babies gone????

Okay....Maybe I Am Crystal Gayle....

......and, I am okay with that!


A while back, I compared myself to Crystal Gayle and Caroline Ingalls.


I told you about the love/hate relationship I have with my hair.

I showed you pictures of my hair with rag curls (still love that).

But, A-girl, recently started straightening my hair for me.  It takes a while, so we put in a movie and she sits behind me and works on my hair until it is done.

I love it.

I feel young.

I feel sexy.

To the world, I am sure I look like the typical homeschooling mother who doesn't believe in cutting her hair....but that isn't it.....I really, really like it....for now.

So, I am going to keep my long hair for a while.  Maybe until all my hair straighteners/rag rollers, also known as, my daughters, are grown and gone.  There is no way I can keep this up on my own!

Just Call Me Crystal Gayle

My hair has gotten really long. 

Like almost down to my butt......not down to my ankles like Crystal's was....

 (photo courtesy of  the Official Crystal Gayle Facebook Page   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Official-Crystal-Gayle/236343614779?id=236343614779&sk=photos_stream)






but it is still pretty long!

Partly from laziness.

Partly from the fact that I don't have a lot of extra money to go to a stylist.

Partly because I don't really trust anyone besides my faithful stylist, Sherilyn, from Minnesota.  (Who, by the way, was both cheap and masterful with my hair over the years!)

I sort of have a love/hate relationship with my hair.

I will admit that I sort of feel sexy with my long hair when it brushes against my arms and my back.

I will also admit that my hair makes me hot. 

No, not that kind of hot....


just plain, old, regular, hot.....sweaty hot.

So, I usually wear my hair up or pulled back.....which results in a headache or neckache....because I have so much hair.  It gets really heavy.

So, it is a delicate balancing act.

Rainman also has a love/hate relationship with my hair.  He likes to run his fingers through it when it is down.  He thinks I look pretty when I wear it down. 

But, I am always hitting him with my hair...like when he is standing near me and I flip my hair back over my shoulder.  Most of the time though, it is when I roll over in bed and flip my hair over my shoulder before settling in on pillow again.  You know?  I smack the poor unsuspecting, sleeping peacefully guy in the face with my hair....or, he ends up laying on it and I am trapped because I can't move my head.  So, I lay there and just keep whispering, "You are on my hair.  You are on my hair.  You are on my hair."  Until he hears me and rolls over.

Because of this, I have taken to usually being Caroline Ingalls at bedtime.



Yup....long braid....although I do still occasionally take Rainman out with my braid flinging too.  (That one actually hurts more.....apparently.)

I have been thinking of taking the plunge and cutting my hair.....I have enough to donate to Locks of Love....when I am ready.  But, I am not quite ready to let it go yet.

It sort of makes me feel young too.  I don't want old lady hair.  I don't want hair that will make me look...or feel....frumpy.  Although, I am pretty sure I look a little frumpy when I have my hair pulled up in a huge bun.

I am not sure what hair cut will look good on me with my larger sized.....everything.  You know?

My hair is very thick.  Very course.  Wavy.

But, see....it is only wavy in some places......

You would think that it would look good down....but, it doesn't really.  I mean, it isn't awful, but, it isn't shiny, like all the people in commercials with long hair.

This last summer, I tried going the Curly Girl, no shampoo route.  My hair is definitely better.  Softer, my waves are nicer....but it still needed a little something.

Sometimes, I can get L-girl or A-girl to curl my hair with the curling wand....but, since I have so much hair, it takes a really long time to finish.  And, I can't do it because my shoulders/arms get sore when I get to the back part of my hair.  I am sort of old, you know. 

I love the way it looks though when it is done....so I started looking for less labor intense ways to get the same look.

I sort of went right back to the Caroline Ingalls timeline.....I tried rag curls.

Yep.

Those kind of rag curls.

Aren't I cute?  Rainman didn't quite know what to do with me when I came to bed in these!  Although I didn't smack him in the face once....or whisper nastily that he was on my hair.


Look how it came out!!!

(Like the box that has been sitting on my counter since we moved in?  It is filled with those little things that I don't know where to put....so, they just sit there on my countertop....like a piece of furniture now!)

I loved it!!!  Although with my hair...this is a little labor intensive too....but much easier to talk someone into doing it while we watch a Hallmark Christmas movie.....and they don't get burned if they happen to look away for a millisecond.  Bonus!

Here it is after the curls relaxed a bit...

I totally need to get my split ends trimmed......I think I will get A-girl trained on that....for now.....one of these days I will get a new actual hair style....but, for now.....long and curly/wavy it is!!!

Any opinions on a future hair cut for me?

Hair and Dress Up

I have been working on seemingly endless projects around here.  (I will update you soon....although I have forgotten to take some of my before pictures....which doesn't make it nearly as exciting as it actually is when you see the difference between the two!) When I am not forcing the kids to be my assistants....they have been filling their time by playing dress up and fixing each other's hair....and giving themselves tattoos.

A lady can never have enough bags.....can she?

A little closer....

Some hair dos for you....

Photo bomb courtesy of L-girl

(Half French braid....half fish tail braid)

Our friend, E-girl fixed V-girl's hair for her.

All she needs is a little bone to be Pebbles.

A-man decided he wanted to be a football player....so he took some scotch tape and added crayon lines....

Then S-girl decided she needed to be in on the fun too....and NOT as a cheerleader.

You can't really see hers....but she copied A-man.

And, finally.....a sign of things to come???

Although he said he didn't want people to see that it said, "I heart VBS".  We pretended that it actually said, "I heart Mom".

I Want My Mullet Back

Do you know that Billy Ray Cyrus song?  I want my mullet back....

Unfortunately, one of my children has been sporting a mullet....okay, half a mullet....she is cute, but even she cannot rock the mullet.

Can you see how she has hair in the back on one side....but not the other?

Here is the view from the back:

Long and lovely on one side....and basically bald on the other side.

She has rubbed the back of her head on her bed since she was little.  The side where the hair is broken off was the side that she faced, when I nursed her at night. Apparently, she was rubbing off/breaking off her hair on that side.

I kept hoping that once we stopped nursing, she would stop rubbing her head and her hair would grow in.

It didn't.

Someone has suggested that I get her satin sheets.....which would probably help with the breakage, but somehow just seems wrong for a 2 year old to have satin sheets.

So, I had to take matters into my hands....before various relatives grabbed scissors and did it.  It was threatened numerous times at a recent family wedding. 

Here is a little better view right before I (hairdresser extraordinaire) cut her mullet off:

See?  Empty on the right side!

And after!

Cute, huh?  Although, I do sort of miss her little lopsided mullet!