My New Dreams

This is going to be a special post for me.

I am going to share with you two goals of mine that are very dear to my heart, goals I would love to have accomplished in the next 10-15 years. 

As you have probably gathered if you have read any of my previous posts, I am a hairstylist. Something I have been wanting to do for a very long time now is go back to cosmetology school to get my instructors license! I have looked into it probably every year since I became licensed as a cosmetologist, but it has never been the right time. It isn't very expensive at all, but it is a time commitment that just hasn't been possible for me yet. The program isn't very long either, only about 4 or 5 months, but those few months will be brutal and I know that! But I so absolutely love what I do and would be so fulfilled to be able to teach what I know to others! 

I suppose the reason timing hasn't been right yet is because I still have a lot to learn. Almost a year ago I started working for a very high end salon and I love it so much and am learning a ton! So much that is has actually been quite humbling. Obviously we are always learning until the day we die, but working with other stylists who are so much more experienced than I am shows me how much learning I still have before being an instructor would be legitimate for me. There isn't any level of experience that you have to reach, actually I went to cos school with a couple girls who turned right around and went to get their instructors license without working in the field at all! I guess this is just the way that feels right to me. 

I recently went through my yearly "So, when am I going back to get my instructors license" season, and thought I would share with whoever might be reading this. It is something I am not just thinking about, but know I for sure want to do, just waiting for the right time. I am so excited for this, whenever it finally happens!

Secondly, another goal of mine is to take a cooking class or program! Again, previous posts have probably alluded to the fact that i absolutely love cooking! I recently watched the movie Julie and Julia with my hubby and was reminded once again of my love of cooking. It's hard to describe for me, the thing I love most about it. It's a deep, satisfying experience to use my creativity to put a dish together. 

Searing chicken well is almost an art form, and I am convinced here is no smell that rivals fresh garlic hitting a hot pan. I love cooking with fresh ingredients, playing with different colors and textures, drinking and cooking with wine, chopping herbs and vegetables, perusing the farmer's market for the freshest veggies, and the BEST part, infusing my home with the smell of cooking! Home is no home to me if there is not the smell of something cooking. I suppose I blame my Italian heritage for this, as my whole family loves to cook, eat, and feed people. I love working hard to cook something tasty then watch my family love what they eat.

So these are the two semi-long-term goals I have for myself. It's so fun and exciting to know that these things are in my future, it makes the sometimes monotonous days more purposeful (not that taking care of the babes isn't of course!). It's just nice to remember that though I am a mother, wife, employee, friend, daughter, and sister... I am still an individual with my own dreams. 

Lindsay

Distinction

I will admit, there have been quite a few times when I have fallen victim to comparing myself to other women. Not in the typical sense of physical appearance or possessions, but in matters of the heart. More specifically, a broken heart.

I have many friends who married their first love, and I think that is so wonderful. I notice in them the spark of innocence, liveliness, and joy that comes with never having had your heart broken...the spark I used to have. Because if you have experienced a broken heart, you know that something changes inside you. You are not the same person as before, because a part of you is missing and now you're left to piece your heart back together, yet it never quite looks the same.

This is what I envy most in other women- a whole, unbroken heart. Yet today, in a quote from a movie I have seen countless times, a ray of sunshine shone in this dark place in my heart:

"A girl likes to be crossed in love now and then. It gives her something to think of, a... distinction amongst her companions." -Mr. Bennett, Pride and Prejudice

Ahhhh. Those words are like fresh water to a thirsty heart. I cannot change the past, so I am choosing to be grateful for the experiences that shaped who I am now and for the depth those experiences rendered my soul.

Lindsay

I'm Not Really A Writer

OPI had it right years ago when they released their classic nail color "I'm Not Really A Waitress". I remember thinking, what? What does that even mean? 

Man, to woman: "Mam, those are some lovely red nails you've got there."

Woman, to man: "Oh, thank you! Listen, I know what you're thinking, judging by my nail color but I have a little secret..." She leans in and whispers, "I'm not really a waitress!"

Until then I had no idea that a slightly cool-toned shimmery red nail color mean imminent career pigeonhole-ing from strangers, but I admire OPI for thinking outside the box. Every time I do a pedicure or manicure at work and my client picks out their color, the first thing we both want to know is, what's the name? 

Barefoot In Barcelona? Perfect, I'll take that one. 

An Affair in Times Square? Hmmm, what else have you got?

A Butterfly Moment? Oh, yes please!

And if it isn't fun enough picking out a color that matches your present state of mind, they always have their "collections". Skyfall, Mariah Carey, South Beach. Today, I'm feeling a little 'Neon Revolution". Anyway, you get it.

OPI is all about shock value. It is what makes them memorable and sets them apart. And let's be honest, most women love painting their nails. So when a woman absolutely falls in love with a color called "Pack Your Booty Shorts" is she likely to forget it? Not a chance. Will she compare it to knock-off colors and possibly ask a random Meijer employee if they have a nail color similar to OPI's Pack Your Booty Shorts? Absolutely, no shame. After all, she didn't name it. It's all OPI's fault!

So here you are reading my blog post about nail color, and yes I am in the girlie industry of Cosmetology, but I also have a confession to make. I know you must be thinking that since I have a blog I must be a writer, but the truth is, I'm not. At least, not yet. 

GASP!!

Are you shocked? Ha, probably not. But here is where I'm at. 

I love making memories, and memorable things. I love thinking outside the box. I love adventure and shock value. I love originality and creativity. I love playfulness in the little things, like nail polish color names. Even though I'm not really a writer, I endeavor to find a way to articulate my love of simple adventures in everyday life. 

I already feel refreshed.

Lindsay

Hello Again!

Wow. It has been awhile.

I'm not exactly sure why I took such a long hiatus, but I think it has a lot to do with me constantly second guessing myself, followed by overthinking what it is I am actually supposed to be doing with this blog. I am a very creative person, but also a very scattered person sometimes. So while I have the desire to create a pretty blog and thoughtful posts, sometimes I just try too hard and eventually give up. I just went through and deleted about 7 or 8 drafts that I never got around to posting because they we just stale and overthought. *sigh*

Let me make up for it by at least updating what has been happening in the past year!

In October I went off birth control and started charting my cycles as a natural method of birth control. Dave and I were hoping to become pregnant before Christmas, so I wanted the hormone pills out of my system first. We started trying to conceive in November and were successful! We were so elated and a little shocked that it happened so quickly!

The next couple months were a little rough. Within one month we became pregnant, bought a house, moved into said house (at the time I was suffering from morning sickness plus had bronchitis, so that was super fun), and I changed jobs. It was hard for me to leave the salon I had been at because I loved my boss and the ladies I worked with, but I knew I needed a change. I got a job as a hair designer at a very nice high end spa, and now also do manicures and pedicures on top of hair services. I absolutely love it there and feel so blessed! Plus I only work two days a week, and it provides us with very sufficient extra income, plus I get to be home with my boys most of the time.

Yes, I said boys! Julian David was born on August 22nd, after a 1.5 hour labor. No joke. It was pretty intense. But recovery has been quick and he is currently 6 weeks old and such a little peanut. I just love him to pieces. 

On May 11th Dave and I celebrated 1 year of marriage! I was 26 weeks preggo and had to work a full 9 hour day at the salon, but afterward we ate at Mangiamos, a nice Italian restaurant in East Grand Rapids, and stayed the night at the same hotel we stayed at on our wedding night. It was very nice and romantic. Although next year I am looking forward to not being pregnant on our anniversary! (Barring any surprises, right? Hah.)

So here we are, heading straight back into fall again. Zach is in preschool, and Dave and I are sleep deprived beyond belief, but looking forward to the holidays in our new home, participating fully in our life group, and growing deeper with our good friends. Life is good.

I will now leave you with a picture of my new little man:

Until next time!

Lindsay