Again With the Hair

This is a photo of my current root situation.

I'd like to say that I've done this on purpose - you know, the whole, "Ya, these are my very obvious roots; what of it" style.   But, no.  This would just be another reflection of my current financial status.  Of course, now that I've grown them out this far, I'm trying to decide my next course of action (or inaction, as it were).  Klee and I have been trying to identify my natural color.  The best we've come up with is Dust.  Like the film on my unpolished furniture.  I'm contemplating growing the dust out and embracing it.  Maybe not the best timing with my 20 year high school reunion fast approaching. 

OH! 

But, I did cut my hair...

 all by myself!

Just don't look too close.

High-Carb, Preservative-Loaded, Straight-To-Your-Ass, Best Cultic Casserole You've Ever Tasted

It's Saturday night. The kids are with their dad. You know what they say, "when the cat's away, the mouse will... bake a casserole?" Among other enviable activities.

But this isn't just any casserole. This is a dish drawn directly from my religious potluck heritage (a religion best known for it's "Health Message").   A 9X13 masterpiece craved, beloved, and understood by the children of that world; and... not-so-much by the potluck-deprived.

I've decided to post this recipe. Maybe as a gift. Maybe as a challenge. Maybe because it's Saturday night and I'm home with my three dogs and have used up all of my exciting evening plans and it's only 7:00.

Go ahead, try it. Let me know if your life is forever changed.

Tater Tot Casserole

or

(High-Carb, Preservative-Loaded, Straight-To-Your-Ass, Best Cultic Casserole You've Ever Tasted)

Ingredients:
1 32 oz Package Tater Tots
1 Package Frozen Peas (Optional)
1 Can Fry Chick (This will be a foreign substance to most of you. Just insert your meat of choice or nothing at all.)
1 16 oz Container Sour Cream
1 Can Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (A basic in about 90% of all cultic recipes.)
1 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese (Also a basic.)
1 6 oz Can of French Fried Onions

Directions (Complete with pictures!):
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350* F. Grease a 9X13 baking dish.

Step 2: Arrange Tater Tots (along with Fry Chick or meat of choice) in the baking dish.





Step 3: Add package of frozen peas as shown.

Step 4: Mix sour cream, mushroom soup and cheese in separate mixing bowl and then spread evenly over the Tater Tot layered concoction. 

Step 5: Sprinkle top with French Fried Onions and place in the oven to bake for one hour.

One hour can feel like a long time to wait for your dish. That is why I like to participate in other fun Saturday night activities to pass the time.

This particular evening I took the opportunity to fill the beater with oil (mindfully replacing the cap) to prevent another pesky engine fire. 

With that task completed, I still had plenty of time to perform a root touch-up and conditioning treatment to the few hairs still clinging to my scalp. (Note to self: if a product intended to alter your personal chemistry is $4.99, question it.)

And, after a nice, cleansing shower, and some mirror affirmations, I was able to leisurely make my way back to the kitchen in time for the ding of the oven timer.

The masterpiece.
Complete and ready to comfort.

Big Hairy Deal

I've added a new form of fiber to my kids' diets lately...  Hair.  Initially, it grossed them out, but as time has worn on they seem to have accepted it as the norm.  It isn't due to our skeleton of a budget - though, every little bit helps!  It has more to do with my recent inability to keep my hair in my head.  


This seems to be an unfortunate by-product of my pregnancy.  My kids actually take great pleasure in pointing out the various ways in which Biscuit (baby) is sucking the life out of mom.  I'm glad I'm able to provide them with adequate material.  I've taken most of it in stride.  I've even come to embrace my new, rounder self.  The mild pigmentation above my upper lip (kinda like a mustache tattoo), has been a disappointment; but I have to say, the hair loss has been more than a little concerning.  


The kids aren't completely heartless on the matter, though.  Kinsey made the helpful suggestion that we collect all of mom's hairs and have a wig made for when she goes bald.  I like to keep her around just for those extra boosts to my self esteem.


I love hair.  It offers so much opportunity for us to be creative, self-expressive, individualists.  And, though it takes time, it is always forgiving.  Say, for example, one completely fries her hair by using a cheap bleaching kit, resulting in various shades of highlighter pink, orange and yellow.  Even if the hundreds of dollars she spent in attempts to repair said damage were to be unsuccessful; eventually, her hair would grow out, leaving the horrific incident as nothing more than an addition to her "notes to self".

Red was one of my favorites.  I loved how it seemed to infuse me with that fireball attitude which seems to be intrinsic in all natural-born red-heads.  Of course, it's a very difficult shade to maintain if your not graced with that magic genetic code.  So, I remain in envy of such gorgeous natural beauties.

Check out these rock'n red curly heads!  *sigh* Can't find that on a shelf in Walmart...

I've been blonde more than any other color, but that is a costly route to take.  It HAS to be done in a salon.  Trust me.  


Currently I am a brunette.  It's proving to allow the longest stretch of time between touch-ups, which is great since I have NO money.


I love it when people are daring with their manes and manage to pull it off.  I mean like the ones who go purple or fuchsia and you find yourself staring at them in awe that they actually look good.  


Or the ones who look fabulous with super short hair.

Or dreadlocks... 




Or the most daring of all (and stunning when it works)... 


Silver...

I would LOVE to pull that off!


I have always looked at hair as a canvas.  And though I haven't been as bold as some, I have pushed my own limits on a fairly regular basis.  Perms, Bobs, Boy cuts, Fringes, Highlights, Low lights, Box Colors of various shades... FUN! 


And, it seems quite possible that in the near future I might try bald on for size.  Sinead, Demi, Britney, watch out!  Mama's shining up her crown and hitting the town!