A Little More Natural

And..... my hair saga continues!!

So... when I last updated you I'd gone in to get my hair toned down. My ombre was super two-toned and I wanted it to be more like the subtle sombre style I'd initially wanted. My hairstylist fixed it in two steps: 1) adding some brown lowlights (close to my natural color) to break up the line between blond and brunette, and 2) toning the blonde to a less dramatic blonde that blended better with my natural color.

I was very pleased with the look. But unfortunately, the toner didn't last. Within a couple weeks, it was back to a pretty vibrant blond. The lowlights stayed, which helped. But it still wasn't quite what I wanted.

So... back to the salon today. I stole these pictures from my hairstylist's instagram (@hairbykayleekret).

MUCH better! I am very happy with it. :)

Also, today I found out that my natural hair color is the darkest shade of blonde! All these years my family teased me about being a blonde, turns out they were right. I always figured it was light brown.

Cinderella

The new Cinderella movie is lovely! They did a great job of honoring the original Disney film, while updating the story a bit and filling in some plot holes. For example.... watch the original Disney movie. You know that whole "This Is Love" sequence? Watch closely. The Prince and Cinderella don't actually speak until the clock strikes midnight. And then when they do speak, it comes up right away that they haven't exchanged names. Cinderella doesn't even realize she's with the Prince--he assumed she knew who he was so he didn't even introduce himself.

Spoiler alert: They do speak in the live action movie. :)

Actually, they switch up how they meet just a bit so it's clear the Prince is attracted to Cinderella because she is kind, not just because she is beautiful.

The theme of the movie is "have courage and be kind." I love that message. Cinderella is as she should be--kind to a fault, even to animals; optimistic even in the face of great suffering; and hard-working and willing to go after what she wants.

Sometimes she is taken advantage of for her kindness, and sometimes her optimism falters. But she carries on.

I feel like sometimes, strong women characters are the anti-thesis of this Cinderella character. They're tough as nails and they don't take crap from anyone.

I love that this movie takes a different angle, and instead shows kindness as a strength, an attractive characteristic. Being kind and sweet doesn't make Cinderella weak.

I hope my little girls like this movie someday because I think Cinderella is a great role model!

Blast from the Past: Baby Shelece

Tonight my Dad let me access his computer to get some of his pics from our Disneyland trip.

While I was in there, I did some digging through really old pics just for fun... and I found some classics! :)

Our 1989 family Christmas picture!

Me on my 2nd birthday. My mom's parents gave me that Baby Goofy doll. I slept with it every night until... oh, probably 8th grade. :) It's still in a place of honor in my room.

Me and my mom on the same birthday (you can see the back of Goofy's head in the foreground).

Little me. Look how cute I was! :)

I love that we both have the same expression on our faces

That's a Chipmunk doll I'm holding--Britney from Alvin and the Chipmunks. I was OBSESSED with that show from age 2 to age 8. I used to pretend that my human form was a disguise, and I was really Britney.

Oops

I am not a big fan of telemarketers.

Mostly I screen their calls, if I can. Recently I got a call and tried a new tactic. They asked to speak to Shelece. I said she wasn't in right now but I could take a message for her.

The telemarketer in question said, "Oh. I'll just call back later then. Thanks." And I felt like I had hit the jackpot.

Today I accidentally answered another telemarketer's call. I tried the same tactic, thinking it was genius. They would either hang up, or leave a message, without expecting me to commit to a sale, because I wasn't the person they wanted to talk to. (Yeah, I know. But it seemed so brilliant at the time.)

Here's basically how the conversation went:

T: Hello, may I please speak with Shelece?
S: She's not in right now. Can I please take a message?
T: Oh. Sure... *Proceeds to make sales pitch*.
S: Okay, thanks. I'll let her know.
T: ...Don't you want my contact info?
S: Oh... Is it different than what popped up on the caller id?
T: You have to dial an extension, extension ???.
S: Okay, great. I'll let her know.
T: Okay. Thanks, Shelece. Have a great day.
S: *pause while I try to figure out how to address him calling me by name when I told him I wasn't Shelece* Uh... Thanks. You too.

Yeah. Guy totally had me figured out. Cuz it's not that hard to do.

Lesson learned. Keep screening calls, and never be afraid to flat out say you aren't interested in their product.

Duh.

And She's Off!

Dropping Kristie off at the entrance to the MTC

Sister McAllister goes off to Finland

Or, at least to the MTC.

The last week and a half have been a blur. Shauna and I flew out to Colorado on the 20th, to attend Kristie's farewell talk on the 22nd. (Mormon missionaries usually speak to the members of their congregation on the Sunday before they go out--Kristie was speaking two weeks out because the first Sunday of each month is reserved for a special meeting called fast and testimony meeting). Then it snowed so much that church was canceled for our entire stake!

The new plan was for Kristie to give her talk right before the testimonies started on fast Sunday. So Shauna and I opted to stay in Colorado until we got to hear her speak. She did a great job. :) I can tell she is ready to be a missionary.

On Sunday, we had a family party with Dad's side of the family to wish her well. On Monday, we came back to Utah, and had a family party with Mom's side of the family too. It was fun seeing so much of my extended family in such a short period. They are all proud and excited for Kristie to serve.

We will drop Kristie off at the Missionary Training Center on Wednesday. I will miss her like crazy while she is gone, but I am so proud of her for serving the Lord, and I know He needs her in Finland right now.