For the third time in three months, a woman I know has sliced her hand and/or fingers while working in the kitchen. I think this is a sign. You’re welcome, ladies.

First it was my sister with an avocado and a dull knife, then it was a friend with another avocado and another dull knife. She got her tendons involved and ended up with surgery and nice little hospital stay. She’s actually an over-achiever, so this wasn’t a big surprise. Hi, Karen!

Today, my friend Melisa was cutting an apple with a very sharp, very big knife, when she cut off the tip of her finger. After talking to her I decided to revisit this post about when my son did the very same thing. Ironically, Melisa left the first comment on that post, so the finger chopping has come full-circle. Mustafa is pleased.

Even though it was five years ago, my son still remembers his finger-splint, named Tapper, quite well. But I think Melisa may have him beat in the memorable-finger-splint department. Just a hunch.

Bird courtesy of Melisa at Suburban Scrawl

Follow

Email

When I was young, my mom would take me and my cousin on long road trips to South Carolina. The two of us would fill the back seat of the car with pillows, blankets, books and games. This was back in the late 70s when cars were as big as boats, so we had a lot of room.

We spent much of the 14 hour drive (the speed limit was only 55mph) giggling about whatever it is that young girls giggle about; which is to say that we giggled about everything. We wrote notes back and forth to each other, snacked on junk food and we’d try to see who could make my mom mad enough to give us a “don’t make me come back there” look.

To be honest, the pool and beach in Hilton Head were really nice, but the journey there was half the fun.

We have such great memories of the time we spent in the car even though it was long before DVD players, or even walkmans. We did have an 8-track player so we listened to Roger Miller sing “King of the Road” over and over, but that would just make us giggle more.

There is something about a road trip that brings people together like nothing else really can. When you’re thrown into a confined space with the people who know the best and worst about you, you have to make the best of it and that’s just what we did. And, it was great.

My advice for your next road trip is to turn off the DVD player, pull out the earbuds and actually talk to each other. You never know how much giggling you might do.

Now it’s your turn; what is your best road trip advice?

Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Kia Motors

Follow

Email

When I used to go to the salon to get my hair dyed it drove me crazy that I had no where to go but home afterward. It seemed a waste of a good coiffing.

Since we’re being slowly suffocated by medical bills over here, I’ve been dying my own hair. In case you haven’t tried this yourself, you should know that ALL THE BOXES AT THE GROCERY STORE LIE. Despite the untruths, I colored my hair today.

I wasn’t about to let my supposed-to-be-blond-but-really-turned-out-orange hair go unnoticed, so I went to the thrift store. Because nothing lifts you up after dying your hair in your half bathroom quite like looking through other people’s cast-off clothing.

To be honest, I’ve always been what I refer to as “a good shopper” even when I didn’t need to be. I love a good deal. This is evidenced by the huge increase to our bug spray and sunscreen collection…in October. I cruise the end-caps at stores and scope out the off-season bargains because it pains me to pay full-price when I know I could have bought it six months ago for half the cost.

I look at the thrift store like I’m getting hand-me-downs; hand-me-downs that I keep closed tightly in a plastic trash bag until I have the time to wash them in scalding hot water.

Today I scored:

Banana Republic sweater dress for $1.99

Gap winter coat for $3.99

Evan Picone sweater for $2.99

Old Navy long-sleeved t-shirt for $.99

I also bought another sweater, a sweatshirt and a very pretty belt. I spent $20.00 total.

Then I went to Target for toilet paper, razor blades and hearing aid batteries and spent $64.00.

And, THAT right there? Is why my hair will stay orange.

Follow

Email

Posting has been light around here lately. Sure you might think I’m polite and don’t want to share my nonsense when half the eastern seaboard is dealing with devastation, but you would be giving me too much credit.

Okay, I took today off because of Sandy, but what’s my excuse for all of the other days I’ve skipped?

It’s because I have been gearing up for this. And, by “gearing up” I mean doing nothing whatsoever.

Apparently, I didn’t learn my lesson last year.

Follow

Email