An Ode to Being Pampered

Last Friday I got my first pedicure…and it was amazing…

Normally I’m not a big “girly” girl.  Okay, so I am in certain situations – if I see a spider I’ll holler until Captain America comes and takes care of it, for example.  But as far as my “upkeep” goes, I’m pretty easy going.  I haven’t gotten my hair cut in about two years, for instance, except for my bangs, which I take care of myself.  I’ve never had a facial at a spa, just little at-home masks that I use when I remember (which is rarely, though I do wash my face every day).  Waxing sounds like the most ridiculously painful thing I’ve ever heard of, and the only time I’ve gotten a massage was after I was in a car accident and the insurance paid for it.

One thing I do indulge in from time to time, however, is getting my nails done.  This practice mostly came about because I’m a terrible nail biter, and acrylics are nearly impossible to bite.  Not only that, but they look a heck of a lot better than my chewed on fingers, so when special occasions come around and I want to look nice I’ll head to the salon for some french tips.  They’re really more expensive than I ever feel like spending on a vanity though, so this usually only happens about once or twice a year.

Yesterday turned out to be one of them, since Captain America and I are getting our engagement photos done this week and I wanted my hands to look like they deserved to wear such a beautiful ring!  We’re also getting ready to celebrate his birthday in style (I’ll tell you what our plans are when we’ve accomplished them!), so he encouraged me to go get pampered and “have people tell you you’re pretty, because that’s what girls do.”

So I did, and it was awesome.  And like I said, I even went a step further and got my toes to match!

And now instead of thinking all of that pampering stuff is just over-the-top spoiled ridiculousness…I am a convert. Maybe it is a lot of money to spend on yourself, when it could go towards so many more “useful” things, but then again, I think most people have a problem of rushing on with their lives and not spending any time on themselves at all.

I ask you, is it really useless and ridiculous to spend an hour every couple of weeks feeling good?

Just think about how much happier everyone would be, and by extension, how much better of a place the world would be, if people actually gave themselves permission to enjoy themselves once in a while – to sit, relax, and de-stress. Instead of viewing this concept as a luxury, we should be viewing it as a necessity!  And not just once or twice a year when we’re on vacation, either.

It doesn’t always have to cost you a ton of money – live in a sunny location?  How about reading a book outside during your lunch break.  Love soaking in the tub but never have time for more than a shower?  Have your significant other watch a movie with the kids, and you steal the bubble bath this time!  An early riser?  Make a pot of coffee or put on the tea kettle, pull out the daily crossword, and enjoy the quiet  before everyone else gets up. Just make sure it’s something you do for you – and don’t feel guilty about it!

Personally, I’m kind of a fan of this whole pedicure thing…and I think it’s definitely something I’m going to add to my semi-regular schedule.

What’s your favorite way to pamper yourself?  How often do you take time out of your life just to do something that makes you feel good?  When was the last time?  What did you do?

A Kind Reminder

Sitting on the balcony of our hotel on the coast last month, I looked down and saw this awesome reminder written in the sand:

I’ve often written my name in the sand, created games of tic-tac-toe, and made plenty of sandcastles, but I love the idea of writing a message for others to stumble upon.

What mark would you choose to leave in the sand?

Like Finding A Needle in A Haystack

A while ago, I was prompted to write on the subject of the meaning behind the lady bug totem, after finding a lady bug in a seriously unexpected place.  (For those of you who are too lazy to go back and read the entire post – it was in my fish tank).

Anyways, at the time, I thought a fish tank was a pretty ridiculous place to find a lady bug, since it was in the middle of my kitchen, and totally closed.

However, on last month’s mini-vacation with Captain America, I found a lady bug in an even crazier place – which once again goes to show that sometimes things are just a little too “coincidental” not to be a sign…wouldn’t you agree?

This time, she was on the beach!

In the exact spot we decided to build our sandcastle.  So chosen because it was the only spot on the sand that was sheltered from both wind and wave by a large piece of driftwood (as anyone who’s been to the Oregon Coast can tell you, it’s definitely a coast and not a beach!) – really, I can only assume that’s why our little friend decided to meet us there.

But besides it’s similar desire to hide away from the cold and wet, I can’t quite figure why it would have been there, on the coast, in the sand, away from plants and grass and all the normal lady bug things (at least my house has rosebushes in the yard!!) – if not to be a sign for those of us who are believers in that sort of thing!

Here are a few additional facts about the Lady Bug Totem that I left out of the last post:

The Ladybug’s black and red “armor” signifies that it knows how to defend itself, and is a symbol to others to own, honor, and protect their personal truths.  At the same time, the Ladybug is never the aggressor, but can defend itself when necessary – setting a good example for those with this totem.  Ladybugs represent the elements of fire and sun, which stands for rebirth and renewal – often the Ladybug totem appears to people who have recently undergone a transformative process in their lives in which they let go of previous negativity in order to embrace the positive and new.  In France, it is even believed that if a Ladybug lands on you before flying away, it will carry any sickness or ill-will along with it when it leaves.  In fact, the Ladybug is the European equivalent of the anciently revered Egyptian Scarab!

---

Learn More About The Lady Bug Totem:

The Hand-Written Life – Signs in Unexpected Locations

Discover Your Energy – Messages from Ladybug

Mystic Hearth – Animal Spirit Guide Ladybug

Note to Self: Write A Real Blog Post

Well hi there!  Didja forget about me?  I promise I haven’t forgotten about you ;)

Holy cannoli, folks!  Now that was an unintended and unexpectedly long hiatus if there ever was one!  I hope you’ll forgive me – you see, life just kinda got in the way (as it so often does).

Firstly, Captain America and I went to the beach for a couple of days while he was on spring break.  Then his parent’s went out of town so we went and visited their river house to make sure the flowers got watered during an unexpectedly early heat wave. This was followed up by a new gym membership, and shopping for clothes for said gym, and going to the gym for the very first time and exercising…

And as busy and fun filled as those few weeks were – they were just regular every day life type of busy!

But on top of all of that, a most wonderful and life changing thing happened…

I got engaged!

(Just call me Mrs. Captain America).

Yep – he popped the question!  And of course I said yes.  What’s more, we’ve shirked this new crazy year-long bridezilla-creating engagement idea, and have opted instead to plan our entire wedding in four months.

So instead of turning this into a wedding blog…I’ve spent all my time furiously scribbling in this thing:

as I e-mail DJ’s and cake makers, and create a wedding website for out of town guests.

Oh yeah, and try to organize two households and FIVE animals since we’ll be blending them in just a few months.  (In addition to my two cats, Baseball and Zooey, Captain America has two cats [Ben and Dan] and a dog [a chihuahua mix named Doug]).  It’ll be an adventure, that’s for sure!

So, yes, I guess you could say lately, real life > blogging, even though writing hasn’t been far from my mind.  I’ve started, and left un-finished, several posts in the last few weeks, and I really do plan on getting them posted one of these days!

Just bear with me if it happens to take a while longer…I have engagement photos to pose for and save the dates to create.  Did I mention I still have to find a dress?  AH!

Any advice for a wedding planner?

Sunday Songbird

“It’s been two long years now,
Since the top of the world came crashin’ down,
And I’m getting’ it back on the road now,
But I’m taking the long way,
Taking the long way around…”
Long Way Around – The Dixie Chicks

“I’ve got my ticket for the long way ’round,
The one with the prettiest view,
It’s got mountains, it’s got rivers,
It’s got woods that give you shivers,
But it sure would be prettier with you…”
Cups – Lulu and The Lampshades
(Cover of ”Miss Me When I’m Gone” by J. E. Mainer’s Mountaineers; 1937)

What I’m Watching: The Final Tally – Fall 2013

A while back, I made the decision to try out all of the new primetime shows that premiered this fall and report back to you all on what I thought of them!  Whew, this turned into a bigger challenge than I expected – mostly because once I start something, such as a book, movie, or television show, I have an extremely hard time quitting it before the end, even if I don’t like it.  And unfortunately, I found that I didn’t like a lot of the shows that made their debut this Fall 2012/2013 season.  Even a few of the shows that I liked at first didn’t manage to hold my attention for the long run – which is why it has taken me so long to tally them all up.

So, here’s a quick round up of all of the new primetime shows that premiered this fall (except Chicago Fire, Last Resort, and Nashville [I have an irrational and very strong dislike of Hayden Panitierre] which I skipped all together…sorry folks :P).  As I said, in general, I was rather disappointed with this season’s turn out, and judging by the number of shows that were cancelled, I wasn’t the only one!  But, despite my near-inability to stop something before it’s over (I just want to know what’s going to happen!!), there were actually a good number I quit watching.  In the end, though, there are still a handful of shows left that I enjoyed and that I hope to see return for a second season.

The Good

The Neighbors: 3 1/2 stars - A refreshing and heart-warming comedy, it’s a great show for the whole family.  Even though it’s seen middling ratings, I have a feeling our favorite new neighbors will be back next year.  (See my original review here).

The New Normal: 3 1/2 stars -  This is quite possibly one of my favorite comedies on television at the moment! Unfortunately, it’s been hanging around the middle of the ratings, so it’s still unsure if we’ll be seeing it renewed for a second season. (See my original review here).

Vegas:  3 1/2 stars -  Originally I planned on continuing to watch this show, but then I got behind…and totally forgot about it!  I think if I had given it a bit more attention, I would still be enjoying it – however, it seems that I’m not the only one who failed to keep up with Vegas, and it’s cancellation is currently being predicted after this season wraps up.   (See my original review here).

Elementary: 3 stars -  I definitely plan on keeping up with this show, it’s an interesting take on a classic, and a refreshing take on the standard crime drama.  I’m happy to say many others agree, and CBS has already renewed it for a second season. (See my original review here).

Go On: 3 1/2 stars – I wavered a little bit at the beginning of this show, but it grew steadily on me.  By the last few episodes, I was hooked, and I’ve got my fingers crossed that we’ll actually see a second season of a Matthew Perry show! (See my original review here).

Malibu Country: 2 1/2 stars - Okay, so I didn’t actually get around to “originally” reviewing this show, but as a huge fan of the show Reba, I’m just excited to see her on television again – among others!  Also starring Lily Tomlin, the cast really shines in this show.  It hasn’t gotten the best ratings however, so it’s possible that we won’t be getting another season.

The Bad

Revolution: Quit watching – This show is doing much better than I though it would in the ratings, honestly. They raise a lot of questions – unfortunately, I just don’t care enough about the characters or the plot to find out the answers.  I’m just about the only one who feels this way, though, apparently, as its renewal is predicted for another season.  (See my original review here).

The Mindy Project: Quit watching - I honestly forget this show is even on anymore, which is sad, because I want to like it.  It gets the occasional laugh, but there’s just not a whole lot of content.  I wish there was a bit more substance to it. However, it’s doing quite well in the ratings and has already been renewed for a second season.  (See my original review here).

Guys With Kids: Quit watching - In the end, this show tried too hard for the laughs and it never grew on me. But the fact that it’s cancellation is currently predicted seems to indicate that I’m not the only one, and it just doesn’t strike much of a cord (good or bad) with viewers in general. (See my original review here).

The Ugly

Made In Jersey: Cancelled - (See my original review here).

Animal Practice: Cancelled - (See my original review here).

Ben and Kate: Cancelled - (See my original review here).

Partners: Cancelled – (See my original review here).

The Mob Doctor: Quit Watching - Cancelled - (See my original review here).

Emily Owens, M.D.: Cancelled – (See my original review here).

666 Park Avenue: Cancelled – (Cancelled before I even got a chance to review it!).

*   *   *

Alrighty, that just about wraps it up, I think!  And after that challenge, I think I’ve learned my lesson – this is definitely the last time I try to take on them ALL.  But I still have a lot of shows on my list – so keep posted for more of What I’m Watching, coming soon!

Did you catch any of the shows on the list?  What do you think?  Which is your favorite?  Are you disappointed in any of the cancellations/predicted cancellations?