Starving Artist

The girls and I watched America's Got Talent last night. I've explained the concept to them but all that seems to stick is they get to go to Vegas. Not sure what "Vegas" means in their head but it's rather magical from what I gather.

Kaitlyn was sitting next to me and she leans over and says:

"I want to go there."

Where Vegas?

"Yes."

What will you do?

"I'll sing. But I'll need an instrument."

What instrument will you need?

"A guitar."

Well maybe we will get you one for your birthday.

"Not a toy. A REAL guitar."

And so it begins.

Halloween by Jib Jab

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

I don't have five family members so I threw in the cat. Happy Halloween everyone. I promise to write a new post soon.

Lice Happens

I’ve debated with myself whether I should write this particular post or not. I decided to post because when I was going through it I wanted advice, support, humor and it came in various forms to help me through the process. So I hope maybe my post will help someone else or at least let them know that it happens to the best of us and all you can do is buckle down and drive through it.

A couple of weeks ago I noticed Teagan was scratching her head a little more than normal. She unfortunately has her Daddy’s dry scalp but this scratching caught me as odd. I sat her down in my lap and found lice. Several lice and TONS of nits. It literally took my breath away. How could my three year old who does not go to daycare have lice? I keep a clean home. I bathe my kids. WE ARE NEAT PEOPLE! Where did this come from? Those questions could wait to plaque me as I tried to sleep at night for now the task at hand was to get rid of them.

I went to the drugstore and purchased two boxes of treatment assuming if one had it then the other had it as well. They share every sickness so this wouldn’t be any different. Go ahead and jump my butt about using chemicals on my two and three year old. I already knew the horror stories on getting rid of lice so I bought the best I could buy and also purchased an organic “keep lice away” shampoo for the after effects.

Before treating the girls I stripped their beds. Took every stuffed animal or toy with too much fabric and tied them up in plastic bags and threw them in the garage. I washed all the sheets, their bibis and one each of their favorite stuffed animals. Then I vacuumed everything else.

I took the two girls in tandem. First I shampooed Teagan and let it sit while I shampooed Kaitlyn. When I was done with Kaitlyn I rinsed Teagan then rinsed Kaitlyn. Next was the gel and combing to get each and every last nit out. I started with Teagan. It took me five hours to comb and search and comb her hair. We watched two movies and ate lots of snacks to get through. That old stash of lollipops was God sent. Teagan was, as always, a trouper. She had her moments but sat there and let me comb the night away.

At this point it is almost 2 am and I start going through Kaitlyn’s hair. It was even easier than Teagan’s for two reasons. First, she was passed out in the chair. Second, she didn’t have any lice or nits. Not a one.

Teagan was so geeked to not be sitting still with her hair being picked through that she demanded to watch another movie. I was not going to argue. I put her in our bed and within ten minutes she was out cold.

The next day I surveyed Kaitlyn’s hair first to make sure I was not hallucinating and happily she was still lice and nit free. I looked at Teagan only to find more nits. This time I simply went through her conditioner damp hair with the metal nit comb while feeding her dum-dum lollipops. Three hours later I let her be.

I did not look the following day. I needed a break and my poor baby needed one too. At this point if her head itched she would look over at me terrified as her little hands would scratch her scalp.

After a day recess I looked again. @#$%&*! There were nits and newly hatched lice. What was I going to do? I didn’t want to use more chemicals so I started looking at every home remedy in the book. My Dad called and told me that smearing Vaseline on her hair for eight hours would essentially smother the lice. I figured a little hair cut would help so I cut both the girls hair into a bob with thankfully rave reviews by my little beauties. I then bought Vaseline and a shower cap and greased Teagan up. Little did I know how cool a shower cap was until I had to tie a plastic bag around Kaitlyn’s head because she wanted a plastic hat too.

If you have lice and try Vaseline I warn you now, it does not come out the first time you wash it. Or the second, or fourth or even seventh. We washed her hair the next morning six times before I had to leave for work and felt the slick look was eye-catching on her. A little internet searching said cornstarch helped to get Vaseline out of the hair. Sadly it did not do enough for me to notice. The only thing that got it out was multiple washings. But wet hair with Vaseline is really easy to comb through to look for nits. With every wash I looked for lice or nits. Nothing. It has been five days and I look every day and she is still lice free. All be it a little wary of my attempts to snuggle in fear I’m setting her up for another hair combing marathon.

I plan on doing preventative treatment on them. I never want to have to go through this again. I’m sure Teagan is with me on that one. So many times over I am thankful it wasn’t my hard headed strong willed daughter Kaitlyn. If she ever gets lice I’ll just have to shave her head. I am so not kidding.

The best advice I got and I can offer back is do not panic. It is not your child’s or your fault and with perseverance you will both get through it.

Storytime Live!

I want to send out a special thank you to Jen over at TheSuburbanMom. She always has great deals, coupons, reviews, in-sights on being a Mom and giveaways. She recently hosted a giveaway for tickets to go see Storytime Live! The show has different Nickelodeon characters from Ni Hao, Kai-lan, The Backyardigans, The Wonder Pets, and of course Dora the Explorer. All hosted by Moose and Zee.

Well, I WON!!!Daddy and I decided to take the biggest fans, Teagan and Kaitlyn. I was leery to tell the girls too many days in advance that we were going. They do not do well with time management. I was also a tad worried about making it through the entire show. We have taken the girls to two movies so far; the first one they didn't last twenty minutes and they only lasted through the second because of carefully timed popcorn and candy.

Two days before the show I told the girls they were going. They got excited for about five minutes and then went about their day. They didn't regain their excitement, even though I kept reminding them, until we got to the theater. I think all the kids around was what got them.

I am happy to report we made it through the entire show. And they LOVED IT!! They clapped and laughed and yelled "no swiping!" to Swiper.

First was Kai-lan. The Monkey King wanted Kai-lan and friends to invite the Giant Pandas to his party. Cute. The girls liked it. Kaitlyn still talks about the pandas.

Next was The Backyardigans. The crowd went nuts when the music started for them. I was even happy because they are my favorite out of all the shows. Austin was Mayor Stinkypants of Filthingham and wouldn't let anyone bathe. So Pablo, Robin Hood the Clean had to save the day.

Following The Backyardigans was an intermission. We could have done without the intermission. Potty breaks and all is understood but in general it caused fidgeting and rumbling of children; one of whom took their parents phone holster and through it over the balcony and hit Daddy on his head. No worries, he was fine. As the show was just about to resume Teagan decided she needed to go potty. So we missed the first few minutes of the next act.

The Wonder Pets were on hand to help Ollie the Bunny with his tea party in Wonderland. That story was not a typical Wonder Pet adventure and I think because it had so many characters made the girls lose interest.

The final act was the most anticipated. The children in the audience went wild for the super star Dora the Explorer. I thought Kaitlyn was going to lose it when she saw Boots the Monkey. She grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me saying "It's Boots! Mommy, it's BOOTS!!" Poor Boots was put under a spell and Dora had to go through three steps to become a "true" princess to set him free.


I'm sure you are not surprised to find out that she "did it."


The finale was a dance number with several main characters. All the children sang and clapped. It was a wonderful show which even Daddy and I enjoyed.


Kaitlyn and Teagan talked about the show and characters for over a week. This is huge since things wane with them rather quickly.

Thank you again TheSuburbanMom. Without the giveaway we wouldn't have been able to go and although my girls loved it and had such a wonderful time you gave me a beautiful memory that I will have forever.

Around the House

Things heard around the house this weekend.

Teagan ~ Kaitlyn and I are Super Hero's.
Me~ Really?
Kaitlyn ~ Yeah, I'm Yucky Kaitlyn and she's Stinkin' Teagan.
Me~ Uh, okay.

Kaitlyn ~ Damn it!
Me~ WHAT did you just say?
Kaitlyn ~ D-a-m-n it.
(I blame her Daddy.)

Daddy jumps from around the corner in front of the girls and roars.
Teagan ~ You just scared the crap out of me.
(Again, I blame her Daddy.)

Teagan ~ Bring the peanut butter over here.
Daddy is walking by ~ Peanut butter?! You don't have peanut butter in your bedroom, do you?
Teagan ~ Laughs ~ No Daddy. We are using our imagination.
(I blame Mommy.)

Kitty Ophthalmologist

Well if I thought Floyd couldn't get worse I was wrong.

In the evening two days after my last post Floyd's eye started to look worse. I work a full time job and simply cannot monitor him with the bears, they kept taking off his cone, and I was afraid that because of this eyes were getting more damaged. The next morning I dropped him off at the regular vet for hospitalization. This way I knew he would get his medication on time and the cone would stay on. Mid-morning the vet called and told me that Floyd needed to see the ophthalmologist as his eye was melting. Melting! So I made an emergency appointment and took him that afternoon.

The ophthalmologist was just like one you would visit for humans. They dyed his eye, used a scope to zoom in and out on both eyes. Turns out that Floyd has ulcers in both eyes and has lost vision in the left eye but the kicker is that this is all being caused by the herpes he has in both eyes. No the herpes is not inter-species so we do not have anything to worry about. Trust me. I asked the Doctor, the Nurse and then called back after I left and asked the Nurse again.

So poor Floyd has herpes in his eyes causing them to melt and he had lost vision in his left eye. The ophthalmologist told me that we were going to try a very intense treatment and if it didn't work Floyd would need surgery. $1,300 for one eye, $1,700 for two. Uh.

I immediately told her that surgery was not an option. If I had the money I would have no hesitation but living on one income has it's limitations. The appointment and medications alone were unspeakably vulgar. They gave us three different medications to be dropping into his eyes every hour and a different antibiotic once a day. He needed to be seen again on Monday to check and see if it was working.

I basically threatened the girls with beatings if they even touched Floyd's collar much less took it off. They are beating free.

We did the intense treatment over the weekend and on Monday Hubby took Floyd back to the ophthalmologist. Same practice different doctor, asked Hubby how he thought Floyd was doing. I so would have went off on him. I'M PAYING YOU $125 AN HOUR FOR YOUR OPINION NOT MINE! Nonetheless.

Apparently Floyd, being an awesome kitten that he is, is fairing well. Even better than well. He went back to the ophthalmologist again for a week check up and the first thing out of the ophthalmologist's mouth was "Wow." They backed his medication down. The ophthalmologist thinks that a month from now he will have full vision with only slight scaring.

And the best part...the "cone of shame" has been removed. Hubby said he groomed himself for a half hour when they got home.

He seems to be doing very well. In fact he's been getting naughtier so I think he is feeling good.

Floyd Isn't Well

Floyd came home with a cold. I gave him his antibiotics morning and night. I’ve never been sneezed on by a cat and it was rather gross as a booger flew out his nose and on to my hand. But he seemed to get better as the week went on. I had a follow-up veterinarian appointment with the SPCA in two weeks to get his last shot and general check up.

I noticed the day before his check up his left eye looked watery and droopy. When I took him in I mentioned it and the veterinarian did a dye check in his eye and said that he had a scratch on his eye and gave me an ointment to apply to his eye twice a day.

After two days of the ointment Floyd’s eye looked worse so I decided to take him to a local veterinarian. They luckily squeezed his in that day. Turns out that Floyd had a scratch but more importantly had conjunctivitis in both his eyes. The new veterinarian said that the ointment only twice a day was useless. He gave me a different antibiotic and different ointment and said if it didn’t look better in three days to come back.

Friday night Floyd’s eye didn’t look improved enough so I called the veterinarian and got an appointment for the next day.

Floyd has three ulcers on his eye. There are three things we could have done. One – Put a cone on his head and see if he is the one causing the damage while continuing treatment. Two – Sew his eye shut and let it constantly be moisturized and out of harm’s way, also with the cone and continued treatment. Three – Take him to an ophthalmologist and see what they would like to do.

I chose option one. So far his eye seems to be improving. We have two more days of intense treatment to see if this is going to work before we have to take more extreme measures. All prayers are welcome.

The really sad part is he hates the cone. He sleeps most of the day and at other times looks sadly at you saying with his eyes “please take this off me.” I’ve tried to take it off and let him relax a bit. But as soon as I do he wants to lick and rub his eye. The last time I tried to allow him some freedom he went for his eye and when I pushed his paw back he took both paws and rubbed as hard as he could trying to get in any rubbing before I pulled both his paws back and returned the cone. It was such a toddler kind of move I laughed even though it was pitiful at the same time.

Every time I see him all I can think of is the movie Up with the “cone of shame.” My poor kitty.

Newest Family Member

Meet Floyd.

Floyd is the newest addition to our family. Hubby is not big on cats. He’s a dog man. I on the other hand LOVE cats. I’ve owned one or two cats most of my life. When I asked Hubby if we could get a cat he told me that he didn’t want one but my desire to have one was more than his desire not too so I could get one.

I went to the SPCA and was specifically looking for an adult cat. No kittens. Kittens are too much work and bite and scratch without even thinking about it.

I walked around and looked and pet the different fuzzy cuties that needed a home for over an hour and a half. I kept being drawn back to this little black guy because even though it said he was only four months old he was laid back and relaxed. But no. I needed an adult cat.

I was honestly about to give up because there wasn’t a cat there that fit the bill for the entire family. That’s when I saw a young couple with a baby get out the little guy I had been eyeing. They pet him and he sat there. No abundant friskiness or trying to climb them like a tree. Then the baby reaches over and yanks the cat’s tail. Hard. The cat doesn’t scratch, doesn’t bite, and doesn’t even meow. He simply turns and looks at the baby, and moves his tail out of reach. The couple hems and haws and eventually tells the volunteer that they would have to think about it and puts him back in his cage.

They thought too long because as soon as they walked out the door I pulled his card and said I wanted him. He had to stay and get neutered but I got to pick him two days later.

Floyd is perfect. I thought he was laid back at the shelter but he is completely laid back even in the land of bears. The girls loud squeals make him look or wake up from a nap but not run and hide. Bonus since I wanted to get a cat for the entire family to enjoy. He is a complete love bug and would rather be in your lap or at your feet than anywhere else. Even while we eat dinner he sits under the table and just hangs out. Doesn’t even beg. He does like to sleep on my head when we sleep at night but even that is tolerable. He is so loving and awesome that Hubby has accepted and loved him like everyone else. I guess the guys have to stick together in a house of estrogen.

The only thing wrong with him isn’t even his fault. Floyd had a cold when I got him from the shelter. A cold that turned into something so much worse. Too long for this post so come back tomorrow for one of the most pitiful sights you have ever seen.

First Board Game

Hubby and I are gamers at heart. We love to get together with friends and play traditional and non-traditional games. Hubby likes the non-traditional such as Settlers of Catan, The Great Dalmuti, and Munchkin. I completely understand if you have never heard of these games but some of them are quite fun and I’d play all of them over Monopoly any day. ESPECIALLY Monopoly with my best friend. Love her but you have never seen cut throat insanity until those dice are in her hands.

Since we love games so much we have often talked about how much fun it is going to be when our girls are old enough to have family game night. It was going to be a huge perk of being a parent. The girls being so close in age I wanted to wait on an actual board game until Kaitlyn was 3. We have played the Go Fish mechanical game and the flipping Ants in The Pants game. All fun but lacking in the set in stone rules.

I knew Candy Land would be one of the, if not the, first game I bought for the girls. Out shopping last week I saw an “original” version and decided to get it. “Original” meaning it wasn’t computerized, jumbo sized or modernized with some Nickelodeon character.

After dinner Hubby brought out the game and you would have thought it was Christmas. Teagan was beside herself happy. As Daddy set up the game he explained how to play to the girls. It took us some time to fully pick our colored guys. Kaitlyn has only really played with dolls so she didn’t want to let her guy go. Certainly a precursor to what was about to happen.

Being their first board game we had to say the rules over and over. How to pick up only one card. How to move to the colored squares on the path. Staying on the path. Within the first two minutes this proved to be too much for Kaitlyn. She didn’t complain, or whine, or throw a fit of any sort. She calmly got up from the table, walked into the living room and called for me to turn on Cinderella for her. I guess she’s not ready.

Teagan, Daddy and I continued with our game. Teagan got noticeable better through the game. Counting her squares and moving along. The destination cards threw her for a loop but she took the explanation okay. Or so I thought.

We were close to the end and Teagan got a destination card that threw her back behind me. She was okay with moving until she saw I was going to finish before her. Her patience was frayed and I saw it in her eyes. We moved a few more squares and ran out of cards. That broke her. I’m not sure if she thought that was it and the game would just be left in limbo. Her face went red as she started grumbling incoherently with sparse words of “no” and “but…but” came out. Trying to explain that I just need to shuffle was no use so I just did it and quickly set the cards back up.

Two more moves and I won. Teagan at this point started inner whining and tears started to glisten in her little eyes. I quickly told her that she still needed to keep playing so her or Daddy could win. She ended up winning but was worse for the wear.

Normally she would want to do it again but no fuss was made and she actually looked relieved to be packing up the pieces. My poor little girl. It was just this side of too much. Although I wish I had videotaped it since it was the culmination of every raw emotion I’ve ever seen in her all in 15 minutes. We will play again and soon, it is part of growing up. Even if it stole a little bit of her innocence.

Prissy Girl

I am raising a little a girl. A little prissy girl.

We went camping this past weekend, which is an entirely different post. A post I promise to write. I only mention the camping to help illustrate my point.

Throughout the weekend my Kai-Bear would repeatedly ask me to wipe her hands. Because they were dirty. She has no problem getting them dirty. She is as outgoing and tomboyish as she can be. But when the fun is over, it’s time to get clean. Immediately.

When it’s time to get dressed in the morning her first request is always a dress. One she can spin around in and tell us over and over again that she is a Princess. Kaitlyn now specifies that “I’m your Princess Mommy.” Yes, yes she is.

We also have “costumes” that she loves to dress-up in. This is only done on rare days since it tends to be more of a hassle for me than anything. For she gets in her Bat Girl costume or Dora dress or Snow White dress only to twirl and run and jump for a bit and then want to change again. I have to be in a particular mood to accomplish the wardrobe requirements for my Princess.

With these wardrobe adventures shoes are not supplied. There is no need. We are in the house and not going outside. Occasionally she will take it upon herself to fetch out some dressy shoes and that is okay. But the shoes she has are normal shoes. Shoes that Kaitlyn and Teagan wear all the time. That is until yesterday.

Some how my little imp found the shoes to her Snow White dress. Actually she found the Snow White and Cinderella shoes and of course since the Cinderella shoes are pink those are the ones she claimed. These are not normal shoes. These shoes have a heel. In fact I purposely took the shoes away before she could become attached when they got the dresses to avoid falls and sprained ankles.

Kaitlyn not only took her shoes out of hiding but gave the other pair to Teagan. Kaitlyn has worn them for two days solid. Teagan puts them on and takes them off. She’s not as fanatical about them as Kaitlyn.

To the point were Kaitlyn tried to wear them to bed last night. Hiding them under her sheets as quick as she could so maybe I wouldn’t see. Ha! I’m Momma and am omniscient.

So for all my ladies out there who hate heels or think they don’t make an outfit. I give you heels with pink shorts.

Kind in Death

Today a bug made it's way into our home. Now outside bugs are free to roam and be happy. But in my home they have to die. I guess I have ingrained this on my kids after what Teagan said.

Teagan ~ MOMMY QUICK! There is a bug in the house.

Me ~ Okay, let me go get something. (Shoe, napkin, anything to kill and transport.)

Teagan (to bug) ~ It's okay buggy. Wait right there. Mommy come kill you.

Good Morning To You Too

After getting ready for work I come out of the bedroom to head out the door but not before I get my hugs and kisses from the bears. Only to be greeted by Kaitlyn.

Kaitlyn ~ Mommy...your hair...it's a disaster!

What a way to start your day.

Rachael Ray Show Part III

Pictures!!!
Here is the Before Shot.


Kyan Douglas and my before hair.


Kenny and Ira.


Laurie and I.


Dean, myself and Dan.


Rachael Ray Show.


Kyan Douglas (Rachael Ray) and I after studio.


Ms. M and I.


After hair.

Rachael Ray Show Part II

For our first day of shooting the producers wanted to do a reenactment of my hair dying experience and then off to the salon to meet Kyan Douglas and fix my hair. Since I was in New York and not home we went to Ms. M's apartment to do the reenactment. Here is where I met Dan a director of sorts and the camera guy Ira and sound guy Kenny. Dan was great but I love Ira and Kenny. They were the friendliest guys and what I hope are typical New Yorkers.

Ira and Kenny set up lights and the boom mic. Looking at what the camera would see and making sure it was flattering. They both wanted what was best for the segment but also had me in mind. I truly felt that way. Especially since Ira would let me know if my nose was a little shiny or to straighten my shirt. All the while they were spot on professionals. I could tell they knew their trade like no others.

Dan wanted what was good for TV. Not that it was a negative thing but at the same time boring wasn't going to cut it. Off camera Dan would ask me a question and after I would give my answer he would critique it a little. "More animation", "give me a big hand gesture." He at times would reword what I said but if I felt that I wouldn't personally say that or it was not fully true I would just repeat what I had previously said. It didn't frustrate him at all and for that I was thankful. I wasn't pushed to say or do anything that wasn't me. Mainly he would help to rearrange my words which wasn't a big deal. In fact if I could get an editor for what I write I would jump at the chance.

At the apartment we filmed the interview section and of course the re-dye. No it wasn't real dye. My hair was already a problem they didn't want to make it worse. They used conditioner for this scene. Here was the only point that I wish I hadn't done something. During the reenactment I was asked to hold a hand mirror as if I was trying to look at the back of my head while dying it. Okay I would have never done this in real life but I did for the filming. Seriously. What woman does that? None. Not a huge deal but of course I felt foolish.

During the filming Ira was trying to get artistic shots so he is standing on the counter zooming in and out on my head. It was hard not to laugh. I'd be mimicking putting on make-up or applying hair dye and he'd be an inch from my face zooming in and circling my head. At one point I shot him a crazy eyeball and he laughed saying "just act natural" and he laughed some more. At least we were both feeling the funny vibe. Like I said I love Ira.

We broke for lunch and then we were to regroup at the salon where I'd get to meet Kyan. I guess it's a New York thing but not a soul blinked when a camera crew walked in or when Kyan did. Smooth I tell ya.

When I was formally introduced to Kyan all the first time jitters were gone. He immediately put me at ease and I swear it was if we had known each other for years. I've met a few celebrities (plenty of wanna-be's) and Kyan is by far the most genuine and down to earth star. I'd like to think it's the native Floridian coming out. It was a pleasure to get to meet him and I will forever hold it as the highlight of this entire adventure.

We shot a couple of intro scenes. In fact I got to "intro" hug Kyan five times before it was a good one. Not complaining. We both found it funny and kept giving each other smirky smiles.

I got miked me up for the next segment and this is why I love Kenny. As I said the previous post my lovely friend Kristi came on this journey with me. She was over on a couch, avoiding the cameras like they were the plaque. I went over before taping the dye and cut because I just knew I had a booger and needed to blow my nose. Of course I said this to her while requesting a Kleenex. As she is looking through her purse, Kenny on the other side of the room is waving a box of Kleenex saying "Jenn, here you go." Never talk privately with a mic on. I love Kenny.

At this point we start the next scene. Here Kyan discusses what he wants done with the dye and has Laurie, the supremely awesome terrific hair stylist extraordinaire, take over. She is the best. Not only because she is a Mother of two young kids so of course we have endless things in common but what she does to lift and redye my hair is beyond phenomenal. It came out beautifully.

Next Dean comes in to cut and style the new coiff. He gave me a very modern cut. I'm still not sure if it is "me" but I get compliments on the style all the time and it really is flattering. I guess I'm just not as hip as my hair now looks.

We take a few pictures and say good buy until the next day.

A staffer picks up at the hotel and walks us down to the studio. After he drops us in a conference room we wait. And wait. And wait. No one is coming to get me for hair and make-up and the time is getting closer to when we are to begin taping. Finally some one comes and is astonished I haven't been made up yet and rushes me into the hair room.

Here I find Dean and an assistant ready to go. Yesterday Dean had said not to wash my hair. I should have known better as my hair absorbs and freakishly uses any product. The stuff they used the day before left my hair wild and untameable. So they decide to wash me. Have I said the time was short? After the stage head came in and warned them I needed to go to make-up they decided to up the ante and put two hair dryers on me at once. Oh, that blew a fuse. So as we wait for the on-site electrician to come in they are trying to air dry my hair by running four hands through it. It was like a bad hair styling at a wine infused slumber party. The electrical guy comes in and pushes a button and we have power again. He pushes that little red button that is on all outlets. Jeesh.

They get the front done enough to start straightening it while blow drying the back and this time when the stage head comes in she is followed by the head of make-up. Who proceeds to apply base as they are straightening, blow drying and balming my tresses. Real movie star here.

Finally the head of make-up gets snippy and says my hair is good enough and whisks me away. Okay I broke out and laughed at this. It was frantic and their stress was making me surprisingly calm. In the make-up room the head of make-up starts in on the full face. She tells me "I'm so thankful you don't have some disfigurement or ugly skin I have to worry about covering up." I bust out laughing again and tell her I'll be sure to thank my Mom. She dead stares at me and says "You do that, you thank your Mom" and laughs as well. Barely finished with my lipstick and the stage head says "I need Jennifer now." It's nice to be wanted.

Next thing I know I'm in the green room before heading to the stage. I was still not nervous. I guess with rushing through the preparation I didn't have time to dwell on the studio filming. The stage head takes me by the hand and she leads me down the hall giving me pointers. Do this, don't do that. The only thing I really remember is her telling me to look at Rachael during the before/after shot and the rest was honestly a blur. Back stage I get reunited with Kyan. He gives me a cheek peck and reassures me I'll be great and to just be myself. He goes on stage for a minute or so and I watch the background piece of me backstage. My first thought was of course, damn I'm fat. With this lovely contemplation they take me on stage to sit me under a dryer. Here is where I meet Mrs. Rachael Ray.

We are introduced and she flashes her comforting smile and says hello. She then tries to break my cool by telling me how beautiful I am which of course is always a compliment but even more from her. I think I muttered a thank you or maybe just a mix of a laugh and a grunt. Some gent then breaks my hypnosis by running through what was going to happen...look straight ahead...look at Rachael during the before/after shot. I'm sure the same thing the stage head had told me, yet once again I barely remember much of it.

1...2...3...(action) These few moments went by so fast that I'm not sure if I did anything but grin like a drunk fool. They talked to me and from the tape I see I talked back but I was in the land of in-between a dream and the facts are not clear. Next thing I know the camera guy yells "clear" and Rachael is once again personally talking to me. She tells me I did great and that she she loves my hair but liked the calico look too. We say good bye and that was the last lovely moment of our meeting. Short and sweet and from what I experienced, all be it brief, she is as wonderful in person as she portrays on TV.

I waited back stage for a moment then was taken back to the green room. Here I get to snag a couple of pictures of me with Kyan and Ms. M for my scrapbook and I'm bid a fond farewell and it was over.

It was rushed from the get go and I didn't really absorb all of it for days after by replaying the events in my mind. I had a wonderful time and met some extraordinary people. It was everything I expected with a little more humor. I would like to thank every one associated with the Rachael Ray Show as they have given me a memory that I will look back on fondly. And a special thanks to my wonderful friend Kristi who made my trip a thousand times more fun and memorable than it would have been without her. It was amazing to be on TV and all that goes with it.

Come back tomorrow for pictures.

Did You Miss It?

Rachael Ray Show Part 1

It's been years since I've dyed my hair. Being pregnant essentially for two years and then adjusting to the hectic schedule as a Mom I did not set the time or expense aside for coloring. As the dust started to settle I noticed that the gray had came in with a bang. It wasn’t all over but unless I wore my hair curly it was extremely noticeable.

I guess it started to get to me because I asked my brutally honest friend Kristi if it made me look old. With a nice but firm yes and with the complete blessing of super hubby, I decided to dye my hair my preferred color of red.

I chose to do the dye job in the garage with bad lighting and a fuzzy mirror because I like a challenge. No really it’s because my rental has new Berber carpet that I didn't want to pay to get redone due to dye splatter. It happens even to the most talented of us.

I donned my gloves and slathered every strand, let it sit, then washed it out. Looked good. Then I realized my crown was not really done. Gray hair peaked out at me from the temples. So I grabbed the bottle and re-dyed the crown. Let it sit, rinsed. Noticed that the sides behind the ears had patchy places. Freaking out at this point I made, even more super, hubby look it over and find any other spots I may have missed. He looked and it was just the sides. So I re-re-dyed the sides. At this point there is no more dye so if it doesn't work, oh well. I sit and after I rinse I didn't even bother looking. I watched my DVR'd American Idol and went to bed.

The next morning I perused the hair and the one section on the right that I re-re-dyed still had a half inch that didn't take. So I cut it off with scissors. :-) Oh yes, I'm serious.

The over all color was okay. A little too bright in places, almost pink in others but it was red. It made my skin look creamy which makes me look youthful. I honestly was happy. You have to take into account that I have dyed my hair many colors. Some not found naturally in nature.

That weekend I was catching up on my favorite sites, mainly my cooking sites, and landed on the Rachael Ray Show. Love her. After looking around I saw a questionnaire about dying or hair cutting mistakes. Deciding I had nothing to lose I submitted my story.

That Monday I got a call from New York. Yeah, I know no one in New York so I let my trusty voice mail do its job. A wonderful lady, Ms. M, leaves me a message saying she is from the Rachael Ray Show and would like to talk to me about my story. No lie. I couldn’t believe it. After I compose myself I call her back. Ms. M asks me to retell the story and I do and then she asks if I would be interested in flying to New York, have my dye job fixed by a professional and be on the Rachael Ray Show. Of course is my answer. Oh and it’s not just any professional. It’s Kyan Douglas from Queer Eye and Ten Years Younger. So, double yes.

Ms. M asks me to send in some pictures of my current and my before hair and that if the show gets the go ahead she’ll call me. Well I call up my brutally honest pal and tell her she rocks because since she helped to convince me to loose the gray it may land me on T.V. Well Kristi is a huge fan and volunteers her tourist savvy self to join me if I get the call.

When Friday rolls around I figure it’s not a go and it was a nice daydream while it lasted. Then Ms. M calls. They want to do the segment and will fly me out Tuesday. Holy wow!

On Monday, Kyan Douglas gave me a call to discuss my hair. I watched him on Ten Years Younger so as soon as I heard his voice I knew who it was. I was driving and actually pulled over to be able to absorb all this positive energy. I seriously did not think talking with a celebrity would make me star struck. It didn't hurt that he was funny and sounded truly genuine. I told him the story and we talked about what I wanted. Red hair. Which he thought was a perfect fit for me. Melting. We laughed a few times (I got Kyan to laugh) and said good bye until we would meet that Wednesday at the salon to fix my hair. At this point I was so stoked I could barely stand it. The next day Kristi and I hop on a plane for New York.

Now obviously the story doesn’t end there but due to me signing a document or two I am not allowed to say anymore until after the show airs tomorrow, Thursday, April 15th on the Rachael Ray Show. Check your local listings for the new episode and make sure you watch my television début.