Being a lefty

Lefty: a person, who uses their left hand more than their right.
Okay first off I might better let you know, I am not a complete lefty. This may or may not have something to do with it, but when I was younger and started doing anything with my left hand, my dad would tell me not to until my mom told him to leave me alone. He is very right handed and knows how right handed the world is. He was just trying to help, but I wonder if I would be more left handed it that hadn't happened. I am a little more Ambidextrous than left handed though. And yet, I probably am not considered that either as the definition of it is the state of being equally adept in the use of both right and left appendages (such as the hands). But yet I am not considered a righty either being that the definition of that is being right handed. Hmmm. What exactly am I then. I use my left for a great many thing such as writing but I cannot write with my right hand. Yet I use my right for a great many things also including sports which I most definitely can't use my left for. There are somethings I can do both with such as when I was in hair school and rolling a perm on a mannequin, I was able to roll it both ways. When you look at the definition of ambidextrous, it doesn't really define me either. Maybe there needs to be a new definition that will work for me. Hmm good thought. Anyway sorry to get off on that. The real reason for this blog is the pros and cons of being left handed.

As I am sure some of you are aware, there can be benefits, but there are also some not so fun aspects of being left handed. Heres my list. There are probably more cons than pros, but still being left handed can be kind of cool. These are the ones I could think of and maybe I will update them later if more thoughts or things happen to make me remember more. Enjoy!

Pro
1. You have an excuse to sit on the outside left side of an table (who wants to bump elbows while writing or eating) unless your with a room of lefties then it you can sit where ever you want.
2. Baseball. Everyone loves a lefty hitter.
3. Left handed people use their right minds more so I guess that means we are the sane ones of the bunch if we are in our right minds.
4. You get to be different from others because you are left handed.
5. Scientists have found we lefties often have the upper hand in combat.

6. When you see another lefty you instantly feel a kinship with them.

Con
1. This world is a right handed world.
2. You can't sit in the middle unless you are with a bunch of left handed people.
3. The old desks they use to have and sometimes still do that had a little bit on the right side and none on the left. What were they thinking?
4. Writing in pencil or wet ink. Why did we ever starting writing left to right instead of right to left? Just look at my hand when I am done.
5. Dry erase boards are pretty much impossible. At least I find them difficult.
6. Though this isn't a problem for me, a lot of lefties find a computer mouse hard and need it on the other side which it never is.
7. Scissors. Though again I have always used my right hand for this because they never had left.

Realizing

Do you ever have those moments in life that make you realize how short and fast life can be? Do you realize how much we take for granted in the aspect of just living every day? My 12 year old cousin has not been feeling good off and on for the last couple months. Well I received a text from my mom the other day telling me to remember him in my prayers because he was sick and they were taking him right up to primary childrens hospital in Salt Lake City. I called her immediately and she told me they had done blood work a couple of times the last few months and this time his white blood count was really high and he had an enlarged spleen. My immediate thought was cancer which I voiced but my mom said they didn't know and to not even mention that. Well yesterday I repeatedly called my mom asking her for info which she didn't have most of the time. Finally last night around 9:30 pm she called with the news. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. It just kind of hits you in the stomach like a sack full of rocks. I know it happens, but kids aren't suppose to get sick. Things happen for a reason, but sometimes I just wonder.....why? I haven't done much research on this type of Leukemia, but I plan to. I would appreciate everyone if you could pray for him too. I know miracles happen and God loves us. His name is Steven. Thank you.

Make my hair grow........

Having my Cosmetology license I am occasionally asked questions about hair. It was requested I answer questions on my blog regarding hair so I will try. Here is the first. I was recently asked by Cardine the following question:

"I was wondering if you would address hair growth? I am trying to grow out my hair to give it to Locks of Love. I want it to be long enough for them to make wigs, but I also don't want my hair to be very short after I cut it. Do you have any suggestions on what I can do to help my hair grow fast and healthy?"

I am sorry to burst your bubble, but no. There is nothing you can do to make your hair grow faster. Hair growth is basically determined by your genes. As much as you try and no matter what you hear, if you hair only grows 1/8th of an inch a month, then your hair only grows an 1/8th of an inch a month. 1/2 and inch, then a 1/2 an inch and so forth. Many people think taking prenatal vitamins will help hair growth, but the change in hair growth during pregnancy is not due to the prenatal vitamins but rather it is due to hormonal changes taking place in the body so taking prenatal vitamins really aren’t going to help your cause. Health and stress are also 2 major components in the health of your hair. Being ill for long periods of time can cause hair to be lifeless and dull. There may even be times of hair loss or delay in growth due to sickness. Also different people are able to grow their hair to different lengths. Some will never be able to grow their hair past a certain length no matter what they do. Just as hair grows at different speeds, hair also can grow to different lengths. Though some may try to grow it longer, all the hair won't necessarily grow so the ends can be thin and lifeless.
There are probably many things you can do to affect how healthy your hair is. Here are a few I could think of.

One, Use heating tools such as hair dryer, flat iron, curling iron as little as possible. If using these tools is a must, use them on the lowest heat setting possible that will work with your hair.


Two, Taking a multivitamin (not prenatal). Though this will not increase hair growth, it will make the new hair growing more healthy and strong to be able to withstand the torture we put our hair through.

Third, Use good product that works well with your hair. If you hair is thick, coarse, flyaway, please do not use a Volumizing shampoo and conditioner. Your hair will go crazy. Volumizing conditioner has a very light base so the hair is not weighed down. Use the kind that is made for your hair type.

Fourth, Get a trim every 10 to 12 weeks. ¼ to ½ inch should suffice. Just enough to snip off the split ends before they get worse leaving long smooth edges.

Fifth, Scalp massage!!! Not only is this good for your hair, but wow does it feel good. This can promote good circulation to the scalp providing nourishment to the papilla where the hair begins.

Sixth, Do not comb you hair while wet. Doing so can cause stretching and breaking of the hair shaft. Use a pick or wide tooth comb.

A very good cause to want to contribute to Cardine. Your hair is beautiful by the way and will make a very pretty wig for someone in need. I hope this helped a little. I will try to get better as I go along. Thanks for the patience.
If you have anymore questions, please email them to me or post them in the comment section. I will try and answer them.

New Year Greetings!!!

Another year has come and gone,
Shared with friends both old and new,
A year of celebration, love, and loss,
Of happiness and times of grief too.
While this year has been a good one,
I wonder where the next one will lead,
With different choices I make in my life,
Each one hopefully will help me succeed.

I look forward to the future,
The past in my heart I'll hold dear,
Starting out the New Year, a beginning,
And with faith I have nothing to fear.
I hope you all had a a nice Christmas,
I know that I had a ball,
I just want to wish everybody,
Happy New Year to one and all!!!

Caroling Caroling through the snow.....

I love caroling. Just as I said I love Christmas music, I love going around to peoples houses especially the elderly and bringing a little bit of joy to them. Growing up my Grandparents lived right next to me and every year at Christmas time we would go caroling and the first place, or last place would always be there. My Grandma loved it so much. I remember her sitting there listening and when we would finish a song she would ask for more. There were a couple widowed sisters we would also go to and they would come to the door and their eyes would just light up when they saw us.

Well this year I was privileged to be able to go twice. Once here and once at home. My sister planned a bunch of people to get together and go caroling on our street. There are quite a few older people here who I had never met. They were so cute. We would sing a song and then they would want us to come in and sing which we would. In the process we got to know our neighbors a little and we also got to share some Christmas joy with them.

I also got the opportunity to carol at home. Again Laura came with me as well as my mom and 2 of my friends. It was a small group, but oh so fun. We walked and the roads were quite icy so we linked arms to help each other from falling. We went to some of the elderly around town a couple of my aunts and uncles included. Though it was really cold outside and some had braved deery roads to get there, I think we all had a great time.

Brother Hess

On a sad note, Wednesday night I received word that an amazing teacher, and current Bishop of my home ward had passed away after a tremendous battle with cancer for the last 9 years. He was such a good teacher and always seemed to have the answers to the questions you had.

His knowledge of the gospel was so vast that sometimes I wondered if there was anything in the gospel he didn't know. As a teacher he was able to bring the scriptures to life. I looked forward to his class everyday. In everything he did he showed the light of Christ. He was a great example to all who knew him. Thank you Brother Hess for helping to teach me the way back home. We will all miss you but know that we will see you again.

"Its the most wonderful time of the year"

My next adventure in this Christmas season, is Christmas music. Everyone has their favorite that just has to be listened to and sang to. I love Christmas music and start listening to it as soon as reasonably possible without annoying everyone around me. There are 3 cds I don't think I will ever get tired of for misc. reasons. The first is Forgotten Carols by Michael McLean. When I was in high school a church leader of mine introduced the story to me. It is an amazing story that just gives me cold chills every time I hear it. The music is so powerful. I had the chance to see the show for the first time December 2000 and went to it every year there after until this year. They changed it in 2006 to a little different direction and in doing so, it kind of lost the heart of the show to me. Still when the music starts playing... wow.

Second, Hillary Weeks Christmastime. The very first song on the cd is the song the cd itself is named after. As I listen to it, I am reminded of Christmas past, and hope for Christmas present, and future. It also reminds me very much of my Grandma who passed away 4 years ago. Her favorite holiday was Christmas and so many things talked about in this song was my Grandma. It makes me miss her very much, but also appreciate Christmas from the past and help me look forward to the future. The rest of the cd is amazing also. Love it!

Third, Beach Boys Christmas. I know funny choice huh. Growing up my mom had a huge record player that also played 8 tracks and possibly even the radio. It was the coolest thing and I loved to have her play records on it. Well leading up to Christmas I don't know how many times that record was played. Very good memories are brought back when I turn on that cd and remember.
There are so many good Christmas songs out there, but if you get a chance I would completely recommend listening to at least a few of the songs on my list of cds.