A common theme amongst MN bloggers today.....

Snow sucks.  It totally fucking sucks.  And yes, we are all OVER IT. 

You know what else I'm over?  Living in my current place.  My car was broken into on Sunday night and the $30 worth of stuff they took was apparently worth the $226 cost to replace my window, and the additional damage to my door frame.  Add this to the two snow emergency tows and accompanying parking tickets and the not-budgeted-for-category "things happening outside" has cost us a good chunk of change.

Then there's a small.... very, very small.... issue of not having enough space.  We have plenty of stuff, and a big creepy basement to stash it in, but that will give the stalker/serial killers something to hide behind (TOO MUCH CRIMINAL MINDS).  Plus, it makes stuff smell basementy and cramming your stuff into a hole just makes your piles grow and makes you use LESS of it.  AKA hoarding (but I NEED those candy wrapperssss!!!).

Not-so-lastly (and this is kind of ridiculous), my bathroom leaves a little something to be desired.  Or a big something.  Made of whatever - grandiose granite or mediocre formica.  I'm talking a countertop here, folks.  A pedestal sink is no way to a woman's heart, let me tell you what.  Especially if said woman could fill an entire room with her beauty junkie habit.  And boyyyyy could she ever.  But we're back to me.  So there's this sink with no counter, and an inset medicine cabinet for a mirror that, if standing up straight, displays from my chin to my chest.  This doesn't exactly serve me well when it comes to getting ready "from the chin up," if you will.  "How then" you ask, "do you look so amazing every day, K?"  Very good question.  I wake up looking gorgeous, pull on some pants and head out the door.  Apparently topless.  No no, you see I've made some creative arrangements..... my hair stuff (it's a tower) sits atop my husband's dresser in our "guestroom" (videogame room), and my makeup is displayed prominently at our dining table.  But not the whole table.  Only half.  (That makes it better, right?)

And there, folks, you have an honest-to-goodness CRISIS.  Won't you please help those in need?  Kidding, that link goes to the Red Cross.  Please be generous, as the earthquake/tsunami (actual crisis) has caused millions of very vain people to be without bathroom counters to put their makeup and hair products on (and who are now extra crabby because they don't look as pretty).  And for the non-vain people too.  Give $10 extra if you laughed.

That's all, folks.  Thanks for keeping me on your Google Reader after like 234 months of not posting.

I'm going to complain about how I hate people that complain....

I'm probably not the only one in the world who has ever been annoyed by someone else's Facebook status. And not even in the sense that someone has been passive-aggressively referring to something I did, or insulting my opinions or beliefs. I'm talking about the no-holds-barred COMPLAINING.

You know the people - they do it on Facebook, they do it in person, they talk to you on the phone and spend 10 minutes bitching in your ear. Ever the pessimists, they'll instantly see negative in anything. The world is out to get me!!!

I was a bit inspired by this recently shared blog post about being Comfortable to share it, and also my thoughts about our comfort and often the complaining that comes right along with it. The truth of the matter comes down to this: we have very little to really complain about, but we are also more "heard" these days, what with our abilities to so instantly share our thoughts with the masses.

So here's a question for you..... if people are "hearing" you more now, what exactly are you saying?? Are you a facebook user? Probably. Go back through your status updates just to see what you've been saying lately. Regardless of what you've been saying, you could probably benefit from a little rose-colored-glasses therapy.

Here's my challenge list:

1. Say something you love about your job, coworkers, or even your commute.

2. Get excited about 2-3 things about winter -- a new coat, hot chocolate, Christmas decorations, fresh snow when it sparkles, going sledding with a kid....

3. If you hate -or are just bored with- your wardrobe or accessories, arrange an exchange with a friend or 10.

4. Pick 5 things about yourself that you like, and similarly, learn to accept a compliment!!

5. Read about how Mpls-St.Paul is America's Most Relaxed City and contemplate all the reasons you love your house, city, area, state.

6. Thank EVERYONE who does something for you as if they'd just given you a kidney and a second chance to live. Over-tip your waitstaff, barista or hairstylist.... jkkkkk.

OK so now I'm just falling asleep, so I'll call it quits here....

x0x0

I have a good memory. And also, I am smart.

I opened up my blog with the intent to write a post about how awesome we are about not yet turning on our heat. Turns out I not only already posted about that, but it was mere days ago. Guess what's on my mind right now? The fact that I can't feel my toes. Hence my "inspiration."

Huh.... now what should I talk about?

Important news update: I put slippers and a blanket on. I'm less cold.

I have an idea for a post now, but clearly I can't combine it with this one. So "refresh" and enjoy post #2 for the evening.

Energy savings according to me.

It has been colder than a morgue lately and our super leaky house just loves to invite the breeze inside. And there's plennnnnty of breeze to go around. But I just sort of can't turn on the heat yet..... for one, I don't like the *smell* of heat. Call me weird. I'm really sensitive to hot air, and especially hate when it's in my face (I HATE getting into other people's cars when they have the heat on full blast). Additionally, heating is expensive - need I remind you my house is old and leaky? - and also it costs a lot of money.

So, my basic plan of keeping warm is this:
1. Apply flannel evenly to lower half
2. Apply cotton t-shirt to upper half
3. Apply cotton/comfy fuzzy sherpa insidey hoodie to upper half
4. Apply sock 1 to foot A and sock 2 to foot B
5. Insert foot A into slipper C and foot B into slipper D
6. While seated in recliner (not included), spread thin layer of cotton blanket evenly from chest down

And finally.....
You know what's a kind-of-cheaper and much more fun than turning up the thermostat? Red wine. Seriously. Have a glass or two or three and you'll feel flush, warm and toasty, regardless of what degree your thermostat may have fallen to... ///56 DEGREES??? I need more wine.\\\

Oh, I bought a sweet new parka. It will get it's own post after I have the chance to test-drive it outside.

An update.... and an attempted return to bloggery.

Hi folks! It's about that time for another mediocre attempt at returning to my blog! Huzzah!!!

Things are excellent -- I started my new job at Cole's Salon at Eagan Station on Sept 7th and have been totally and completely happy with my decision to work there. I'm chock-full of reasons why it's a great company, and I'd love to share:

1. They're extremely successful.
Cole's Salons have been in business for 31 years now. That's a long time. And the company is littered with people who've been there for 20, 25, 30 years who love what they do, and love for whom they do it. In fact, Star Tribune listed Cole's as the #2 Mid-size company to work for in Minnesota. And because of the ESOP program, we all get to have shares in the company stock. Cole's is 44% employee owned. We work our butts off AND reap the rewards.

(If I could have my way, I'd beef up their website and marketing, expand further INTO the cities - say Bloomington, even - and really make COLE'S known as a high-end group of salons. We sell amazing products, and staff extremely talented people! Let's tell the world!!!! My biggest pet-peeve is when people hear "Cole's" and think "Kohls"......)

2. I fit there very very well.
There's just something so perfectly balanced about it.... laid-back, but high-quality... family-friendly, but theraputic.... efficient, but personal.... Cole's has mastered the art of treating clients like family. Growing up in the area and going to Cole's as a child, I experienced this first hand. We have many clients under the age of 18.... and many under the age of 8. They see the same hairdresser from their first day of Kindergarten until their high school prom, and beyond. Some now bring their own children with them. And that is EXACTLY the kind of place I want to be. I want to bring my own friends and family who are now my clients into a place where they feel welcomed, served, and treated like guests. I can't tell you how many trainers I've had tell me "your station is your home, and your client is your guest - bring them in, and always ask them back."

The thing about my coworkers is that I not only enjoy them personally, but I also get a great deal of guidance and mentorship from them professionally. These ladies (we have no guys at our location!) know how to WORK. IT. OUT. I'm not kidding you. It's intimidating and inspiring. And also intimidating.

3. They are committed to ME. As an employee and a PERSON!
There's a big piece of our new staff training where they talk about being a "lifelong learner" and developing yourself personally and professionally. The beauty industry is not one that likes to stay the same for very long, so that concept is extremely important professionally. But on a personal level, Cole's has something called "Golden Nuggets." When I started, they provided me with a small "nugget" notebook and the book Life's Greatest Lessons by Hal Urban (READ IT). Every day, we spend time reading this or other books of the self-help, inspirational, motivational sort. And as we read, we are encouraged to write down statements from the book that resonate. As we add more and more, we go back and read them, and continue to develop ourselves, whether it be bettering our habits, philosophies on life or achieving goals. It's a wonderful practice, and I like to add that tidbit of inspiration to my workday, if only to fend off a case of the Mondays.

A favorite Golden Nugget: "Pain is inevitable..... but misery is optional."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Now, I need to address another piece of this, and that's Spalon Montage. While I did interview there, and was "in process" as an applicant from March to August, I was turned down for a position. By email. ? I interviewed very well, I've never ever ever had a problem connecting with someone in an interview, and I had a *fantastic* resume for a new graduate from beauty school. And, after being told in one interview that they don't do technical interviews but hire based on personality (a philosophy I support), it stung a bit.... The only reason that I could think for not being selected is that I would not fit in with their aesthetic..... 50th & France can't employ anyone that can't fit into Anthropologie's overpriced-yet-girlishly-adorable offerings. Pfffft. So what if I want to wear MuMus to work and smell like fried chicken??!? lol lol

But honestly, I really don't care! I'm SOOO happy at my salon, and I'm happy to work for a company for which I'm truly passionate. I'm PROUD of the work we do, the people we staff, the clients we serve and the ways we do it.

So here's my suggestion for our new marketing campaign:


Cole's Salons: Turning Clients into Family since 1979

:-)

OOOH, and #4 - the products are the BEST: Aveda, Bumble & bumble and Oribe? Yes please!