Do It Yourself Haircut


Do it yourself projects have become increasingly popular. Everyone everywhere is doing it themselves these days. However, this was one DIY project I could have lived without 

The Do It Yourself Hair Cut.

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Amelia had been begging me to play Connect Four with her and she vanished to the playroom to get the game. I have been a parent long enough to have known better. She vanished for a pretty long time… never a good sign. But rather than read the signs I enjoyed the quiet time and foolishly thought she was quietly playing and had forgotten about our Connect Four match.

Finally, she came down the attic stairs Connect Four in hand a big smile on her face and her hair all messed up. Right away I noticed the blunt crooked cut of her bangs. “Amelia did you cut your hair?”

Immediately her hand flew to her forehead and her smile disappeared. Suddenly embarrassed she shouted, “Don’t tell anyone!” I laughed at her innocence because it didn’t matter whether I told anyone it was a haircut that couldn’t be missed.

I suppose cutting your hair is a rite of passage. I was thankful she didn’t hurt herself with the scissor. However, after I was thankful she didn’t poke her eye out, I was a little aggravated because Easter was in a few days as were her school spring pictures. Of course she couldn’t cut her hair in January when there are no major picture opportunities and hair is mostly hidden under hats and ski helmets.

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When she realized I was upset she became so sad that I couldn’t even get that mad at her. She knew it was wrong and promised to never do it again. Encouraging her to keep her promise I threw in some motivation by promising to take away ALL her toys if she does it again.

I have tried to understand what possesses a child to pick up a scissor, a tool that they know is not to be played with, and think, “Let me chop of this huge chunk of bang!” Amelia has not been forthcoming in her reasoning and the truth is there is probably no logic to it.

Luckily big flowers and headbands are in fashion and I have been able to hide most of the chop job under a big flower. At home she walks around with her crooked blunt bangs and we have really gotten used to it. Actually it kind of matches her personality.

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Were off to see the Wizard!

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The Wizard of Oz is a classic film loved by all. Who doesn’t love watching Dorothy wander down the yellow brick road in search of the wonderful Wizard of Oz. Sadly Dorothy discovers that the great and all-knowing powerful Oz is just a mere mortal hiding behind a curtain and not a wizard at all. He explains to Dorothy that he really is a good man but just a bad wizard.

Did you ever wonder exactly how Oz became the all knowing and powerful Wizard of Oz? How exactly did he wind up in the Land of Oz in the first place? And why is he pretending to be a Wizard anyway? Disney’s fantasy adventure  Oz the Great and Powerful attempts to answer these questions in this prequel to the classic Wizard of Oz.

The film directed by Sam Raimi in many aspects stays true to the Wizard of Oz. Like the classic film it opens in Kansas in black and white. Immediately you are drawn into the life of  ladies man and carnival con artist Oscar Diggs ,Oz played by James Franco. We quickly learn that Oscar strives for greatness but is often disappointed himself and often  feels he isn’t a good man.

Desperate to avoid the wrath of the circus strong man who is chasing him in angry rage he escapes in a hot air ballon. Within minutes of his narrow escape he is whisked away by a tornado and lands beyond the rainbow in the vibrant Land of Oz. We are treated to a amazing 3-D landscape in full color as Oz meets the first of three witches Theodora, portrayed by Mila Kunis. Theodora is enthralled with Oz and believes he is the wizard they have been waiting for to fulfill the prophecy and restore peace to Oz.  Greedy and short on ethics Oz is happy to pretend he is the actual Wizard in order to gain the throne and riches of the Emerald City.

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Unfortunately for Oz, The Land of Oz’s two remaining witches Glinda, Michelle Williams, and Evanora, Rachel Weisz see right through his sham and see him for who he really is. In the end he must band with the people of Oz to fight the evil witches and free the people and restore peace.

James Franco is vulnerable and loveable as Oz. You find yourself cheering for him and hoping he will transform into the good person he wants to be. He might not be a wizard but he uses slight of hand and smoke and mirrors to help save the day.

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The movie was wonderful. Although the story is Oz’s there are several references to the original movie and several “ah ha” moments where you learn things like why the wicked witch is so wicked or why the cowardly lion is so cowardly. I love back stories.

And just as Dorothy met characters in Oz who echoed real people she knew in Kansas Oz does as well. Notably Zach Braff, his assistant in Kansas becomes the voice of Finley the flying monkey who becomes Oz’s companion in The Land of Oz.

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One major difference between the prequel and the classic film is the absence of music. There are no memorable show tunes in this production but I believe it has more than it needs to be an instant new classic.

Oz the Great and Powerful gets three big thumbs up from my husband, daughter and I. I love movies that are enjoyable for the whole family. I was originally concerned it would be too scary but my 9 year old loved it and wasn’t scared at all. A great night out at the movies.

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The Reluctant Disney Fanatic

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From the moment my oldest daughter was born my husband wanted to go to Disney. I had no desire to go and I gave him a million excuses for why we couldn’t go. It’s too expensive, the kids are too young to appreciate it, it’s an exhausting vacation, it’s too hot, it’s too crowded, and I don’t like to fly were just a few of the excuses I threw at him. The excuses worked for a while but eventually I gave in.

Finally, with great trepidation I agreed to bite the bullet and go to Disney. By this time my children were now 8,5, and 1.

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Concerned because the baby was so young I recruited my mother and stepfather to come with us. Of course upon hearing the news my two sisters decided to join us. They are gaga over their nieces and didn’t want to miss their first Disney trip.

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I removed myself completely from the planning stage and left it all up to BJ. Truthfully I really didn’t have any expertise to share. The last time I had been to Disney I was 8 and we drove from New York in a station wagon and stayed in a pop-up tent at the campground. It was so long ago EPCOT wasn’t even built yet!

Initially my husband drove me a little insane. He would spend hours on the Internet looking into everything Disney. He wanted my opinion on which Walt Disney World Resort we should stay in, what restaurants we should eat at and what dining plan we should get.

All of this I had no opinion on and frankly it was hard for me to wrap my head around it all. I basically agreed to everything knowing full well if the vacation turned out badly I would just blame him anyway! Seriously I did try to show interest while he created spreadsheets of which parks we would be at on which days and where we would be eating.

I believe this is what tends to overwhelm people about Disney. My oldest cousin who has four kids has often told me that Disney makes her feel disorganized. I was beginning to understand what she meant. I just didn’t understand it all… fast passes, quick serve dining options, park hoppers, extra magic hours it all just seemed too confusing.

Luckily for me, my husband persevered and planned a wonderful vacation. We ended up staying at the French Quarter at the Port Orleans Walt Disney World Resort and it was a perfect resort for a young family. The resort is on the smaller side, which was ideal for small children.

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And I am sorry to say it, and as corny as it sounds the trip was Magical. I took that first walk down Main Street with my family and I have never looked back. I am completely hooked. Since that first time in 08 we have been back three more times and I can’t get enough.

Recently I was enthusiastically describing to a friend our latest trip to Disney that we took in the fall for my 40th Birthday. He stopped me cold and turned to me and said, “Clearly you drink the Disney Kool Aid.” And what could I say he’s right! I went from reluctant traveler to Disney fanatic.

There is so much to do and see in Walt Disney World. From dining plans to park hoppers to Disney Vacation Club there is so much to learn about Walt Disney World. However, it really is not as confusing as I had originally thought all those years ago. It really is an easy vacation to plan when you know what you are doing.

Every week I will be sharing helpful tips on the ins and outs planning your Disney vacation.image105

And if you are a reluctant Disney Vacationer like me I urge you to take the plunge because it really is Magical- sorry I just couldn’t help myself!

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Shutterfly Deal of the Day… Free Mousepad!

One more great deal from Shutterfly to share…

Today only February 22nd get a free personalized mousepad with

promo code FREEPAD.

Of course I hear mouse and think Mickey. I quickly put together this cute Disney themed mousepad for my husband for Father’s Day. Screen shot 2013-02-22 at 2.43.52 PM

Click the picture below to get your free mousepad.

Free Mousepad – Offer expires 02/22/2013 (11:59 P.M. PST). Offer is good for one free photo mousepad at shutterfly.com. Offer valid for one-time redemption per billing address. Taxes, shipping and handling will apply. For more details, please click here.

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Shutterfly Deal of the Day! Five Free 5X7 Stationery Cards!

Shutterfly is offering my readers some great deals this week. Today only with offer code 5FREECARDS you can get five free 5X7 stationery cards.

I am thinking Mother and Father’s Day Cards. Pretty nice deal free personalized cards! I think Grandma and Nanny would love this for Mother’s Day. Of course it’s a spoiler alert for them since they will read this!

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Five free 5×7 flat or folded stationery with promo code 5FREECARDS from Shutterfly.com Offer valid 2/21 ONLY

5 free cards – Offer expires 02/21/2013 (11:59 P.M. PST). Offer is good for five free 5×7 folded greeting cards or five free 5×7 stationery cards at shutterfly.com. Offer valid for one-time redemption per billing address. Customer must choose only one of the two offers. Taxes, shipping and handling will apply. For more details, please click here

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