Curlgirl64 and Trisha: You guys are funny. I'm not really the squeamish type, and I cannot sleep in earplugs. They hurt like mad. Once upon a time, I also had a husband who snored heavily, but I found it much easier to eliminate the source of the problem.

My sister's bf apparently had food poisoning from something he ate while at work. He's better now and back on the beat this morning.

Drear: Ah yes, good ol' Joy Division.

Hair: First CWC yesterday with the new shampoo blend, which is a bit watery. I suppose that's ok.
    Last night, I had to mix up a new conditioner blend as well. It's mostly Pantene Moisture Renewal - I tried to keep the evil, flesh-eating pink crap to a minimum. Actually, I'm trying to pawn the rest of it off on my sister.
    Yesterday's style was my signature twisted updo. Today, it will probably be a single braid since I try not to wear a ponytail every single day.
    Today's routine will either be a short WC or a CWC. I haven't decided yet.

For the recession, I may end up temporarily switching from my beloved Pantene products. I don't want to, but now is the time to be extremely frugal in whatever areas I can. It's just hair anyway. We've all learned many times over that if we wreck it, time will replace it.

Etc.: Finally got all of my laundry done last night, barring my mother's control issues. And one of my supposed "friends" is acting a right emo douchebag (again). These things pushed me to the coast at dusk to clear my head and take in a bit of the nightlife. It always helps me find perspective.

Today, I may be recruited to help the 'rents with their Christmas shopping. 6 days, man. If we go to the mall, I may finally be able to get my craptastic phone replaced.
    Monday should make an appropriate cookie day since the weather is supposed to cool down. It's been in the high 70's of late.

The soccer team that I follow oh-so-casually suffered yet another loss this morning. To think that they used to be one of the best. Poor Scousers.

So yeah...it's morning.

Fisher2: Thanx, kiddo. I did.

Hair: It was almost noon before I got a shower yesterday so I had to do a W-CWC with a vinegar rinse between. An extravagant though necessary process. There was no way I was repeating that this morning, so I got in earlier and just did a CW. Used Suave Kids spray conditioner both days, but yesterday I finished the ends with FX Silk Drops serum, which they responded well to. Today it was back to ELOO. I prefer the serum.

My hair was down and just barely dry when my aunt & cousins came over at noon, and they noticed how long my hair had gotten. I guess it's been awhile since they saw it down, and they love to fawn over it.
    Although, every time one of them offered a compliment, my mother would instantly try to negate it somehow. When my aunt said, "Your hair is really long now," it was a matter of seconds before my mother mentioned something about my intentions to cut it and donate to Locks Of Love. I have no idea where she developed this notion, so of course I calmly refuted her statement and explained a little bit of my opposition to Locks Of Love.
    One of my cousins remarked, "It's beautiful!" and my aunt followed it with, "You're one of the few people in this family who can actually grow their hair." Mother tried to quash it, spouting nonsense about the obscene amount of product I use to "make it grow." Again, I refuted...and my aunt only smiled, "Well, whatever you're doing, it's working!" Love her.

Anyway, after a little soul searching, I've decided that there's no way in Hades that I could ever part ways with my beloved Pantene. Blending it with cheaper products is bad enough, as is substituting. In the future, I think I'll go back to using 100% Pantene stuff.
Hehe. I feel a little bit like Jack Skellington when he finally came to his senses and decided to stop trying to be Sandy Claws. "That's right, I AM THE PUMPKIN KING!"
    Well, I AM THE PANTENE QUEEN!

Etc.: So it's after 10:30 on the first day of winter (my favourite season) and we're still winding down from our first marathon cookie bake in a long time. Hence the reason for my relatives' visit. I think we must've made 7 or 8 different types of cookies, and in no short supply.
    Reminds me of the cookie bear from the Andy Williams Show. He'd be having a total field day right now. Anyone remember him?

Anyway, I should start getting ready for bed. It's been quite a day. Tomorrow I'll do yet another festive, green manicure for Crimbo. 4 more days!

Trisha: Love ya too, and merry Christmas.

First Things First: Merry Christmas!

Last night, I walked down to the area known as Starlight Circle in my neighbourhood to test the camera on my new phone. Thought I'd share some of the pix with yous. Enjoy.











My house this year (not in Starlight Circle):


Hair: CWC + ACV rinse + spray conditioner + serum =  It's pretty stringy today and the ends are pretty gunked. I had hoped to wear my hair down tonight, but that ain't gonna happen, so into a twisted updo it goes. I might shape it around a snazzy hair decoration or pin some garland into it or something. We'll see.

Been using my brush and even a bit of the blowfryer every now and then. Mostly just to see if either will help. I'll admit that I miss my brushes a bit, but the heck with the blowfryer. Does nothing. And yes, I used the low, cool settings. Nothing too terrible.

Etc.: I have to say that my favourite gift so far has been a pair of 1/3 carat black diamond earrings set in white gold. Thank you, mum & dad.

Was also pretty stoked to see that the Disney Christmas parade on TV this morning was sponsored by Pantene. Nice one, guys.

I agree with Sakina.  Your house looks the best of them.