The Lisa Life

New Specs

I got my new glasses today.  I'm fairly happy with them. 

And yes, I know the calendar says 2008 but my hair says 1989, New Jersey style.  Now, you must excuse me while I go get in my Camaro in the mall parking lot.  I just bought a pair of acid-wash jeans and some Obsession perfume.

A Change Will Do You Good

Okay, I changed my profile picture.  I'm still not real thrilled with it.  Look quickly because it may soon be gone.

New Blog Photo

Click on picture to enlarge.

I need a new picture for my blog.  The one displayed is old.  In some ways, I don't mind at all that I look different and I am somewhat incognito.  Namely, that my hair is now shoulder length and that makes me look a lot different than the picture.  Conversely, I don't want to seem lIke I am fooling anyone or hiding anything by posting an older picture. 

What do you think of this one?

The Hair Chronicles

With apologies to Wally Lamb.  I am fairly certain that The Hair Chronicles is one of the essays in the wonderful book he edited, Couldn't Keep It To Myself.  My apologies as well to the author of that essay.  It was great and stuck with me, though.

Until I was about two years old, I had no hair at all.  Barely even peach fuzz.  I was a very bald headed baby.  As a child, I had thick wavy hair.  It wasn't curly but it was wavy and filled with cowlicks.  I got the Dorthy Hamil in sixth grade.  Had long hair again in ninth.  Had punk hair the last part of my senior year of high school, had long long hair in college then short punky/new wave in a Jersey girl sort of way.  Had long hair again when my son was first starting school, went short again after the last divorce.

My hair has been very short for about six years now and I've let it grow for the past three months.

Damn, I have a lot of hair.  The longer it gets, the curlier it is.  Curly.  Not wavy like it used to be.  Curly.

I have big hair. 

I have big curly 80s rock and roll hair band hair.

All I need is a can of Aqua Net to make sure my bangs don't wander or droop.

In Which The Author Has A Brief Wardrobe Malfunction, Easily Corrected

Note to self:

When wearing a wrap dress that only fastens with a tie through both sides, make sure said tie is securely tied while walking across the very windy Meijer's parking lot or you will show that old man wheeling in his returnable bottles in the wheelchair shopping cart much more of your upper thighs than either your husband or your doctor see on a regular basis.

We Had Joy, We Had Fun, We Had Seasons In The Sun

Last night was my 40th birthday party.

I had such a great time.  So many people from so many walks of my life were there.  It was a reunion of sorts.  I got to see Darr, Tammy and Melissa from my high school days.  Melissa was a surprise guest and it was wonderful to see her.

Some of my Misfit friends were there as well, Loretta, Barbara and her husband Joe, Pat was a surprise guest who almost was trapped in the Vegas airport and I was happy to host Veronica and her husband as guests in my home. 

Former co-workers and good friends Holly and Jennifer were there.  Jennifer was a repeat performer as she was at my 30th birthday party.  Holly looks wonderful and I'm so glad to see her after such a long time.  When I hugged her, she said, "You smell just the same!"  and at the same time we both said, "Clinque Aromatic Elixir!"

My sister Sandi and her wife Janey were there, Sandi looking resplendent in purple.

I also was honored to see fellow bloggers Domestic Princess and Vintage Lilac and their friend Tracy, visiting from Vegas.  Tracy has great hair, I so wish I could rock that style.

Prezzies!  I got prezzies!  I didn't even expect them!  I was gifted with enough great bottles of wine, it should last me oh, at least a week.  (Do my friends know me or what?)  I got a bottle of my trademark perfume and candles and tea and so many wonderful things.

It was nice to see Martin's friends Tom and Kelly and Don and Lori and Kim and Eric.  Kim and Eric have a tough week ahead of them and I wish them well. 

I had so much fun, I wish I turned 40 more often.

First Gift!

I just got my first 40th birthday gift.  And really, I don't expect any.

It's from my wonderful friend Michelle, my fellow Spartan fan and true crime buff.

MUAAA, Shell, you are wonderful, have fun on vacation and raise a glass with Joe on the 29th and think of me.

She sent me a t-shirt that says OVER THE HILL U 40th.  A tape of 24 Tunes For Celebrating 40 which I totally love, all the great 80s stuff.  And a book, Every Woman's Nightmare, about the Lori Hacking murder.

Death Hags, UNITE.

Now, I'm going to put the tape on so I can drown out the really abysmal neighborhood garage band who is practicing Bad Company's Good Loving Gone Bad over and over ad nauseum.  Guys, hey, it ain't working out, okay?

The Final Countdown

Isn't that like a cheesy hair band 80's song?

In a week, I will be 40.

(Thank you, darling for that Grey Goose martini and the smelling salts, you're a sweetie. Kiss, kiss.)

The party looms.  Everyone seems to be freaking out with the planning but me.  First of all, it's at my in-laws, so I don't have to hide the porn, the paraphernalia and the drugs.  (JOKE, COP FRIENDS!  JOKE!) Nor do I have to clean the house up after.  Menu:  was going to be deli tray but I was coerced into making lasagna because you know, nothing quite says, "Happy Birthday, Lisa!"  than having to cook your own birthday dinner and lasagna is so nice and light for the end of July.  And yes, for all you no meat people, there will be meatless but not vegan because really, how can you make lasagna without cheese? 

I am happy to know that Ellen, Darr, Tammy, Holly, my Sis and Janey, and Mike and Paul, and Tom and Kelly and Kim and hopefully Eric and my Misfit friends and Beth and others will be there.  I am sorry that Sarah and Anne and Monica and Michelle A. and my co-worker Andrew won't be.  I am especially sorry that Sam won't be there.  Sam always gave me the cutest presents.  One year, he got me some really good chocolate and wrapped it in the funny papers.  I nibbled on it for the longest time.  It was a little bit of love for about 2 months.

I don't want, presents, either. 

Another note: if you need directions, call or email us because this whole side of town is under construction.  Do not, under any circumstances, trust Mapquest.

Still don't know what I'm going to wear and I'm accepting suggestions. 

What?! Another Meme?

We all know I hate memes and avoid them like STDs, beer and already worn socks.  However, I thought this one, shamelessly lifted from Annie was different and kind of cute.

So, here we go.  Leave your responses in the comments, kids.

1) Who are you?

2) Are we friends?

3) When and how did we meet?

4) Did or do you have a crush on me?

5) Would you kiss me?

6) Describe me in one word.

7) What is your first impression of me?

8) Do you still think that now?

9) What reminds you of me?

10) If you could give me anything, what would it be?

11) How well do you know me?

12) When was the last time you saw me?

13) Have you ever wanted to tell me something and felt that you couldn't?

14) Are you going to put this on your blog or journal or in an email to see what I say?

Oh and by the way?  Yeah it does take a lot of work to be this self-centered.

You Know Your Outfit Isn't Working Out When...

You know your outfit isn't working out when one of your co-workers, who is not exactly Mr. GQ himself, asks you when you decided to become a Mennonite.