No Poo Method - Week 1

I'm trying out this no shampoo thing. Our scalps naturally produce oil and when we use shampoo, we strip the oil and confuse our oil glands. My hair gets greasy 8-12 hours after washing my hair with shampoo. 

I'm using 1-2 Tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in a cup of water. And 2 tablespoons of white vinegar dissolved in a cup of water for condition.

The big thing about trying this is the transition period. Supposedly your hair will get really oily while your scalp tries to equalize itself. Because my hair got so greasy so quickly before, I am not noticing a difference. I'm used to being a grease-ball everyone else complains about becoming with this method.

Everyone says to give it about a month and then you won't even need to wash your hair every day and it will look more beautiful than ever. I'm skeptical because I've never been able to go a day without washing my hair. I'm concerned I'm just gonna be a grease-ball forever.

UPDATE: After a week, and cutting back on baking soda, my hair was both fried and greasy at the same time. I didn't know such a thing was possible. It took over a week to get my hair back to normal with shampoo.

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Buster

Update: (1/10/14) Buster's x-rays were sent to a radiologist who felt they looked normal. We've decided to go in a different direction and treat his allergies with a combined antihistamine and steroid.

My poor dog, Buster, has been suffering from undiagnosed health issues. I got him Sept. 21, 2013. I noticed that he fatigued easily, panted excessively long after exercising, and coughed upon heavy exertion. 
He's had an EKG, X-Ray, Echocardiogram, but still no answers. His X-ray showed inflammation in the lungs (the cloudiness) and twisted pulmonary vessels (circled).

Twisted pulmonary vessels

Luckily, we have an amazing vet who I know cares a lot about Buster and has worked very hard for him. 

I'm very thankful so far that there have been no signs of heartworms: Multiple negative tests, no signs in the x-rays or echo. I just hope we find out what's going on soon.

Last night Buster threw up everything he had in him plus more. I don't think it was related to these other issues. I caught him eating something when I took him out to use the bathroom. I have no idea what it was, but an hour and a half later he was vomiting. I was really surprised that 4 hours after eating, his food looked exactly as it did when he ate it. (Was that TMI? Vomit doesn't bother me. After having cats for so long, you get used to it.)

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Painting

in 2003, when I was 16 I took a painting class. Produced a few paintings but then the studio moved and I stopped painting.
In 2010, I was dealing with some heartache and decided to take up painting as a way to deal with it. (It helped immensely.) I pulled out my art kit and was please to see all my nice brushes were there (had to buy new paint though). I searched the internet for follow-along tutorials like Bob Ross did, but with acrylics and found Tim Gagnon.
So far, I've done 10 of his paintings. And I've purchased more lessons that I haven't completed yet.
Some of my favorite finished paintings from his series:

I painted this for Mother's Day 2010.

This was another gift for my mother to go with the tulip. 2011

My great-grandmother painted the cardinal on the right in 1978.
I painted the one on the left in 2012.

I also paint at a place called Wine & Design. They have a calendar, you pick the date with the painting you like. They supply all the materials and a teacher stands at the front painting along with you offering instruction. It's a lot of fun, although I take much longer when I do paintings at home so I feel like the ones I do at Wine & Design are not of the same quality. But that's my shortcoming, not theirs.

This was an anniversary gift to my boyfriend.
2012

I painted this for a friend that loves fall.
Oct 2013

I haven't painted at home in a long time, though. I started a series of birds but haven't finished the first one.

Hopefully it'll look something like this.

Painting makes me feel accomplished. I've started and finished something and have something beautiful to show for it. It's also hard to say something is your hobby if you never do it. I don't cake decorate anymore, although I still enjoy baking. There's something especially satisfying about being creative though.

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Dog DNA

Buster is having his DNA tested. I put the kit in the mail today. The lab should receive it by the 2nd and I should finally have an answer to the constant question "What kind of dog is that?"

What breeds do you see in Buster?

In fact, right after I dropped the kit off at the post office, Buster and I went for a walk and the first woman we pass asks me "What kind of dog is that?". I've been walking along a busy street and had a car pull off and wait for me to pass so he could ask me what kind of dog I have.

We're using the Wisdom Panel 2.0 . You get a kit in the mail with two swabs. You swab your dogs cheek & gums for 15 seconds, dry the swabs, enclose them in the package and mail it back. Results are emailed to you within 2-3 weeks of receipt. 

The results show a family tree for your dog, going back to both sets of great-grandparents. Some parts of the DNA can be so muddled that it only shows up as Mixed Breed. Nobody  can agree on Buster's breeds because he LOOKS so muddled. Generally the results show percentages; They might tell you your dog is 12.5% one breed, 25% another, etc. I'm afraid the percentages will be mostly "Mixed Breed". I suppose if they can discern just one breed, I'll be satisfied.

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New Year

So 2013 is almost over and I always get excited about a near year. It feels like when you open an exciting new book and turn to that crisp, white first page.

 My new years resolution for this year (I think) was to floss...or was that 2012's resolution? Whatever my resolution was I didn't complete it. But I'm at least writing down 2014's resolutions so next December I'll know if I've failed (am I being pessimistic?): 

1. Do a split

I'm naturally very flexible and with yoga I can gain flexibility fairly quickly but I've never been able to do a split. My hamstrings are very tight, so those are first on the list to stretch. 

2. 30-Day Yoga Challenge

This complements #1 in that I would like to do some form of yoga for 30 days straight. I have several DVDs to vary the routine. (I highly recommend Shiva Rea, especially her revolutionary Yoga Shakti DVD)

3. Read 30 books

I love GoodReads. Before it I bought small journals made for keeping track of books read. So I actually have a record of all the books I've read since 2005. I got bored one day and uploaded all those dates to the site. The most I've read in a year was 39 books in 2007. This year I reached my goal of 25.

I was busy in 2011, ok?!

4. Agility Training

Not for me, though, for my amazing dog, Buster. So far he has completed his Beginners obedience class. His Intermediate class starts Jan. 22, then he'll take the Advanced class and *fingers crossed* will pass his Canine Good Citizen test. After that he'll be able to do pre-agility courses. Then after mastering all that he can start taking Agility classes. We have a long road ahead of us but eventually I'd like to do some competitions with Buster, if he enjoys it.

5. Get into PTA School

This really should be #1. I have been working towards Physical Therapy Assisting school since Fall 2011. (I've been in college since 2005. I already have a B.A.) This past fall I finally got an A in Anatomy & Physiology 1 at Randolph Community College. I take A&P2 this spring, as well as the TEAS test. Then I will apply having done everything I possibly can to get in. I'm still in shock over my A in A&P1....I can't even imagine what I'll feel when (not if!) I get my acceptance letter. 

Update: I got into PTA school (and graduated), read over 30 books, and did agility training with Buster. I did not do a split or 30 days of yoga.

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Brazilian Keratin Hair Treatment

I'm 46 hours into the Organix Brazilian Keratin 30 Day Smoothing Treatment.
I had to wash my hair with the special shampoo provided, let dry 80%, coat in cream treatment, blow dry and straighten. I can't wash my hair for 48 hours. The hair has to remain straight the whole time which means no ponytails, no tucking behind the ear, no barrettes/bobby pins, no headbands, no anything! It's been tough and I can't leave the house because of how greasy and gross my hair is! I hope the pain is worth the gain, though.
I struggle with my hair every day, especially in the hot and humid summers. Even if I straighten it, within minutes of being outside it becomes frizzy, curly and crazy! I hope this treatment works. It was only $14!
In August I am getting an Express Brazilian Blowout from a salon so I'll be able to compare the results.

12/23/13: I never updated with my results. My hair was ok for a few days. The Express Brazilian Blowout I got didn't keep my hair stick straight during the summer, but it prevented frizziness and curling enough that I could wear my hair down instead of in a ponytail. Overall I recommend the professional Brazilian Blowout.

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Halo-Halo

Went to the Filipino Cafe today hoping to try some Ube Cake (purple yam cake) but they didn't have any. Bought some Halo-Halo instead. It was weird.

















On the bottom there were some kind of beans, coconut, mango, and possibly other stuff. The middle layer had purple yam, shaved ice and milk. The top had purple yam ice cream.

I'm not sure the proper way to drink/eat it. They gave me a big straw for it and I mostly drank from the middle. Tasted like a purple yam milkshake. It was just weird, but I was proud of myself for trying it.

For some reason, the cafe brought us some free food while we were sitting around talking. It was two bread rolls, one filled with pork and one with chicken. I tried to take a bite of the chicken one, but I'm not ready for meat. I almost felt sick. The chicken was sweetish but I just couldn't handle it.
Went to Panera and tried a sample of potato soup. It had some kind of cheese in it and it was just awful. Tried a bagle for the first time: French Toast Bagel.
It was good! Very sweet :-)

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