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Spamalot!
I hate spam! No, not the canned kind, but the e-mail kind.
We have spam filters for our e-mail system, but because legitimate e-mails are sometimes diverted there, I go through it all just in case.
It’s just such a nuisance.
It seems most of my junk e-mail is for products to enlarge a certain part of the anatomy that I don’t have, or for Breitling watches. Is there a connection there?
A lot of them also seem to involve Paris Hilton. She’s been partnered with everyone — from MC Hammer to Angelina Jolie.
Just a few moments ago, I was deleting spam and found these intriguing subject titles:
How to become men from Mars (Why, why would anyone click on this?)
¿³ÂdªÑ²¼¥N¿ì¹L¤á (Umm… Okay….)
Paris Hilton Angered At Media Blackout (One can only wish for a Paris media blackout!)
Crazy stuff.
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The waiting is the hardest part
Is anyone else wondering how their child’s first day of school is going?
My middle daughter started high school today, and I’m going crazy wondering if she’s okay, whether she found all her classes, whether her new shoes are killing her…
My son started 8th grade and I’m on pins and needles wondering whether he is already overwhelmed by the new magnet science class, if he’s excited about ruling the school as a big 8th grader, and whether he is suffering comparisons to his older sister, the most conscientious child in all creation, because he has most of her old teachers.
I can’t wait to hear the scoop when I pick them up!
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Gray matter
In the first issue of Charm, I wrote about that time in our lives when we have to decide whether to dye our hair or let it go gray.
Well… this weekend I was drying my hair upside down, and instead of flipping it back in place like I normally do when I stand up, I just stood up. That’s when I noticed a LOT of gray hair growing right where I have two cowlicks on the back of my head.
I pulled out about 15 of those suckers before I came to my senses. Luckily, I have a lot of hair.
Before then, I had noticed a few gray hairs occasionally, but never so many at one time and in one place. Who looks at the back of their head?
I just turned 43 last week, but maybe the timing is just a coincidence. Anyway, on Tuesday, a coworker who was standing behind me also noticed (and commented on) the gray. A male coworker, no less. Grrrr.
I always imagined that when I went gray, it would be interesting and artful, along these lines:
So, what I’m trying to say is: I have a hair color appointment tomorrow.
I’ve colored my hair in the past, just for fun. It’s been blue (intentional), burgundy (intentional), orange (not intentional) and highlighted. But it’s been a couple of years since the last time I took the plunge, and I have really been enjoying my natural hair color.
I’m a little nervous!
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Women in the Outdoors event
In this issue of Charm, we did a Q&A about Women in the Outdoors, a branch of the Wild Turkey Federation. They’re having a scholarship shoot in October to benefit Angelina County students.
It sounds like a fun way to raise money for a great cause!
Here’s the information:
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Olympic fever
As I sit here typing this, it suddenly hits me how tired I am. Staying up late every night to watch the Olympics is beginning to take its toll.
I wonder if this is a secret Chinese plot to take over America… Wait until we’re all stupid from sleep deprivation, then attack!
It has been exciting, though. Just a few moments ago, Michael Phelps won his 8th gold medal! I can remember when everyone had the poster of Mark Spitz in his Speedo with his seven medals around his neck. Not that anyone noticed the medals… ha-ha.
I’ve noticed that quite a few Olympic athletes are over 30 — and some even over 40 — which gives me some hope that it’s not too late for me to get into fighting shape again.
After the 38-year-old Romanian woman won the marathon, I was so inspired that I decided I would begin training for a marathon. Then I found out that a marathon is about 25 miles longer than I thought, so there went that idea.
I wonder if blogging will ever become an Olympic sport?
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Not just your usual bling
If you’re out and about today or tomorrow (or looking for a reason to get out and about), head on over to Expressive Images in the Old Texas Plaza to check out Brenna Lee’s fabulous jewelry, t-shirts and accessories.
I went to her trunk show a few weeks ago at Morrison Supply and bought quite a few things. She has some unique, fun and interesting pieces, along with the popular and trendy stuff you see now.
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Speaking of Converse Chuck Taylors…
Did you know you can custom design your own pair on the Converse Web site?
You’re never too young (or old) for Chuck Taylor All-Stars!
Give it a try. It’s fun and it may even get your kids excited about going back to school!
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Back to school shopping
Is anyone planning to brave the back-to-school shopping crowds during tax-free weekend?
I usually try to do my shopping beforehand, but this time I’m so behind that I will likely be out there with the masses.
My younger daughter, Lauren, is excited that she no longer has to wear standardized dress. We always had a hard time finding khaki and navy pants/skirts/shorts in town. Now that she’s in high school and can wear jeans, life will be so much easier!
On the other hand, it’s never been a problem finding khaki or navy shorts for my son, Austin. There seems to be so much more out there for boys.
I noticed while out last weekend that a lot of ’80s styles are back. Lauren bought some black-and-white Converse tennis shoes. Those were in style when I was in high school. We used to mix-and-match, wearing two different colors at once. But, my favorite pair was my three-color Punky Brewster-style high tops that I used to wear with my Dolfin shorts!
We were so cool back then! (Ha-ha)
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Those elusive Lufkin Panther tickets…
Anyone out there planning to get in line early to try to snag some LP football tickets?
I’ll be the there for sure. It will be easy to spot me. Just look for the person with the Starbucks I.V. drip and a stack of sleazy tabloids.
With my younger daughter, Lauren, starting high school this year, and my son, Austin, starting next year, I figure I need to get my hands on some tickets NOW.
Anyway, the last time I camped out for tickets was in 1984 when Bruce Springsteen came to Houston. If you had told me then that someday I would be doing the same thing for high school football tickets, I would have said you were crazy.
Who’s the crazy one now?
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Yum Yum!
This past weekend I tried the Chicken Enchilada recipe that was submitted to Charm by Sheila Adams.
It was good!
Even Lauren, my picky eater, liked it and she doesn’t really like Mexican food.
I made a couple of substitutions to the recipe, out of convenience. I was out of Cream of Chicken soup, so I used Cream of Mushroom soup instead. And, I cubed chicken I bought from the deli, rather than canned chicken.
I think this would also be good with corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas, or with the seasoned flour tortillas you can get from Brookshire Bros.
I can’t wait to try the recipes submitted by Monita Cooke and Carol Kimbrough!
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I’m a Pulpwood Queen!
In this issue of Charm, I mentioned Beauty and the Book, a bookstore/salon owned by Kathy Patrick.
Kathy is the founder of The Pulpwood Queens, the largest franchised book club in the world. There are chapters EVERYWHERE. She is also the author of, “The Pulpwood Queens’ Tiara-wearing, Book-sharing Guide to Life,” which is a great read.
Anyway, this book club is not like any other I’ve heard about. A true literacy activist, Kathy is involved in getting books out, and getting people reading, any way she can.
She told me about this one instance where she and her fellow Queens brought gently used purses (some with designer labels, no less!) and put a book in each one, along with a note telling the finder to enjoy the book, then left them around Jefferson.
She has recently begun volunteering with the homeless, by teaching a life-writing class. As she was telling me about the feedback from the people in the class, and how empowering being able to write about their experiences is for them, she was so visibly moved that she even made me cry! She truly lives what she preaches.
There’s so much more to know about this amazing lady, but her Web site does her way more justice than I could in a blog entry, so I encourage you to check it out!
You may even want to plan a visit during her annual Girlfriend Weekend.
At the very least, drop by her store when you’re anywhere near Jefferson. You won’t be sorry you did!
The inside of Beauty and the Book. Kathy made me an honorary member of her club, with an official T-shirt and certificate. I laughed at the shirt designed for their ever-growing number of male members, which reads, “Got Wood?”
Author Kitty Chappell (left) stopped by to meet Kathy. The ladies were so gracious, they insisted I be in their pictures with a copy of Charm. As if writing a magazine is anywhere near as tough as writing a book!
Latest comments
I love it! The best part is no one noticed that I had it colored, which is what I was aiming for.
My husband hasn’t even noticed yet… and probably won’t until he looks at the checkbook!
I don’t miss the gray, that’s
... read the full comment by Denise | Comment on Gray matter Read Gray matter
How do you like you new hair? I think it looked awesome! Love ya, sorry about sneaking a photo :)
... read the full comment by Angela Marcotte | Comment on Gray matter Read Gray matter
nowadays every person wants to go to US because it is a developed country and all the resources are available here.Another reason why people are attracted to go US is salary offered will be more.Here the technology is more advanced when compared to other... read the full comment by blowsy | Comment on America the Beautiful Read America the Beautiful
Instead of waiting for the tax holiday and being restricted by the exemption limits, I have been doing my back to school shopping online through bargains websites like unodeals.com. I have been able to save money on my purchases and did not have to pay
... read the full comment by NedCarter | Comment on Back to school shopping Read Back to school shopping