It's been a long time, but we're all due for an update on life. We have moved. It's a local move, but I still had to pack everything up and move all the boxes. Our place right now is temporary so we're all camping together with our stuff packed away still. I'm not going to say it's easy, but we've had it way worse before.
Lindsay is 8 months old now. I can't believe it! She's sitting and eating some food. I think she might be one to skip the crawling stage and go straight to walking. We'll see. She always wants to be on her feet and never laying down. She babbles like crazy and she's never met a person who she didn't convert to a Lindsay fan. She smile and giggles and grins and sparkles her eyes at absolutely everyone. I love it. There's nothing like a baby's laugh, giggle or smile to put all things awful into perspective. I've got some new pics so I'll be sure to post them soon so you all can become Lindsay fans too. :) She is finally going to be blessed this Sunday and I can't wait! At least we got it in before her first birthday!!
Laney's fitting in and doing well at her new school. She got student of the month last month and while her grades did drop the first 5 or 6 weeks, they're coming back up and she's fitting in. My only complaint is she's a 6 year old girl and thinks she is everyone's hall monitor. It's a little annoying to be bossed around by your daughter, but she is cute so that helps. I think she needs to wear a sign for innocent by-standers though, to warn them of the impending tongue lashing she will give them if they dare to step out of line. ha ha Poor unsuspecting souls!
Arlin and I are hanging in and trying to roll with the punches. It's been tricky to say the least. It's a big ball of stress that gets thrown at us pretty routinely lately. We've been busy looking for new employment for us, and even busier running the salon. Which is doing well, but definitely needs some fine tuning. We are riding on highs and lows all the time, it's crazy. Life is life I guess. We couldn't predict or expect any of this stuff. If so, I'm sure we'd run screaming all the time! ha ha ha
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Let's Watch that Ride Keep Going Round and Round ...
Here we are again. I can't believe, hate to say it, and am ashamed to admit it, but, yes, we are moving again. God hates me. He really does. That or He's like a 9 year old brother and knows what things you hate and brings them up all the time. I'm back to living out of a suitcase for a couple of weeks, and then into our space again. A space I am grateful for, a space that was not mine before, but will be for a short time. My house is in boxes and plastic tubs. (yes I move so frequently, I have purchased plastic tubs because they hold up better between moves). I'm working night and day to pack, do laundry and clean out the empty spaces. Tomorrow will be our last day in our nice big house. I'm feeling pretty meloncoly about it really. I'm happy to see the nice big spaces that need to be cleaned all the time go, but I'm also really pained to be moving into a new space that requires readjustments and growing pains. I mean, I have to figured out all over again where the junk drawer will be and what shelf to put the plates on. Sometimes it's the little things that take too much brain power and energy.
But even with all that is going on in my life. All the packing, cleaning, frustration of each individual wondering where their stuff is, there is one thing I can say. I'm glad I'm moving with my family. I'm so happy we'll all be together and we're not separated by states and miles and time zones. I'm happy to have a husband who kisses me good-bye in the morning and means it, and to have a baby that smiles at me when I walk in the room and say hello, and my girl, who gives me good hugs and is the best helper a mother could ever have. So I say, it could be worse, yes, it could be worse. BUT Dear Lord, please do not take that as a challenge to see if we can make it through worse. I'm still tired from this one. Amen.
But even with all that is going on in my life. All the packing, cleaning, frustration of each individual wondering where their stuff is, there is one thing I can say. I'm glad I'm moving with my family. I'm so happy we'll all be together and we're not separated by states and miles and time zones. I'm happy to have a husband who kisses me good-bye in the morning and means it, and to have a baby that smiles at me when I walk in the room and say hello, and my girl, who gives me good hugs and is the best helper a mother could ever have. So I say, it could be worse, yes, it could be worse. BUT Dear Lord, please do not take that as a challenge to see if we can make it through worse. I'm still tired from this one. Amen.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Family Cuts!
Check it out! Our new business made the local paper. Hard to believe we own a hair salon, but the adventure is fun. :)
POSTED: January 24, 2010
"Making the cut as a brand new hair salon"
Article Photos
By Jamie West
Journal Staff Writer
MARTINSBURG- The new Family Cuts hair salon on Foxcroft Avenue by the Martinsburg Mall has a few highlights that customers might not find at a typical salon. One of those highlights is its televisions - and lots of them.
The salon has a small flat-panel television in front of all eight client chairs, so customers can watch or discuss their favorite programs with the friendly stylists, or parents can get some help from SpongeBob to soothe children who are startled by the notion of a haircut.
The store also has a big screen just above the children's play area, another feature that owners Arlin and Brandy Kethley incorporated to provide a sense of togetherness and comfort - hence the term "Family" in the business' name.
"The one thing we wanted to do was not be an ordinary hair salon. We want to give our customers the best experience we can give them, " Arlin said.
Televisions aren't the only feature that makes the salon stand out, though.
If anyone noticed a monkey and werewolf lumbering along Foxcroft Avenue last month, consider Family Cuts the guilty source. The shaggy duo held up a sign advertising the business, drawing the attention of many drivers. Arlin said some people even stopped to get pictures with the costumed critters.
"We're all about creating a fun environment for our stylists and a great environment for our customers," Arlin said.
The hair salon, which opened on Dec. 5, was the brainchild of the Kethley's, who originally owned a construction business. After moving to the area two years ago, they wanted to change their business outlook. The pair desired to operate a place that was more involved in customer interaction, so they looked into buying a hair salon franchise.
However, the thought of being limited in their choices to promote their business eventually swayed them into creating a foundation from scratch.
"We just figured we'd go ahead and do something ourselves, to be able to serve our customers the way we want to serve our customers," Arlin said.
With that, Family Cuts was born. The salon currently employs eight experienced stylists: Jenny Philbrick, Annie Smith, Misty Ends, Tara Locke, Debbie Sherman, Jess Dorsey, Angel Bowers and Michele Wilson. Each employee brings between five to 20 years of salon experience, Brandy said.
"We have such a great group of stylists," she said.
Family Cuts is a Paul Mitchell Signature Salon and offers their color products. The salon also has Paul Mitchell educators who come in and train the stylists on the latest techniques of hair cutting and coloring.
The business offers, but is not limited to, natural hair colors.
"If someone wants pink, blue or green hair, they can have pink, blue or green hair. You don't get that anywhere else around town that I know of," Brandy said.
"We are willing to do anything customers want us to do. We can offer things like bridal packages, or if you want to have a Mary Kay party or mom's day out party, we can do any of those things. We are willing to accommodate our customers," she said.
Rates are also competitive, with a general cut and wash costing $14. Kids' (10 and under) cuts are $10, and a general hair color is $45.
The store's hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. It is closed on Sunday. The early closing hours and Sunday off is so stylists can enjoy time with their families, Brandy said.
The business plans on getting a Web page up and running soon, which will feature coupons and client testimonials.
Arlin and Brandy both firmly believe in the importance of customer satisfaction. But as they have proven, there doesn't always have to be a traditional method in achieving that.
Not convinced? Just think of the last time a business has used a werewolf, a monkey and a talking yellow sponge with square trousers as marketing tools.
Making the cut as a brand new hair salonStanding out from the crowd
POSTED: January 24, 2010
"Making the cut as a brand new hair salon"
Article Photos
By Jamie West
Journal Staff Writer
MARTINSBURG- The new Family Cuts hair salon on Foxcroft Avenue by the Martinsburg Mall has a few highlights that customers might not find at a typical salon. One of those highlights is its televisions - and lots of them.
The salon has a small flat-panel television in front of all eight client chairs, so customers can watch or discuss their favorite programs with the friendly stylists, or parents can get some help from SpongeBob to soothe children who are startled by the notion of a haircut.
The store also has a big screen just above the children's play area, another feature that owners Arlin and Brandy Kethley incorporated to provide a sense of togetherness and comfort - hence the term "Family" in the business' name.
"The one thing we wanted to do was not be an ordinary hair salon. We want to give our customers the best experience we can give them, " Arlin said.
Televisions aren't the only feature that makes the salon stand out, though.
If anyone noticed a monkey and werewolf lumbering along Foxcroft Avenue last month, consider Family Cuts the guilty source. The shaggy duo held up a sign advertising the business, drawing the attention of many drivers. Arlin said some people even stopped to get pictures with the costumed critters.
"We're all about creating a fun environment for our stylists and a great environment for our customers," Arlin said.
The hair salon, which opened on Dec. 5, was the brainchild of the Kethley's, who originally owned a construction business. After moving to the area two years ago, they wanted to change their business outlook. The pair desired to operate a place that was more involved in customer interaction, so they looked into buying a hair salon franchise.
However, the thought of being limited in their choices to promote their business eventually swayed them into creating a foundation from scratch.
"We just figured we'd go ahead and do something ourselves, to be able to serve our customers the way we want to serve our customers," Arlin said.
With that, Family Cuts was born. The salon currently employs eight experienced stylists: Jenny Philbrick, Annie Smith, Misty Ends, Tara Locke, Debbie Sherman, Jess Dorsey, Angel Bowers and Michele Wilson. Each employee brings between five to 20 years of salon experience, Brandy said.
"We have such a great group of stylists," she said.
Family Cuts is a Paul Mitchell Signature Salon and offers their color products. The salon also has Paul Mitchell educators who come in and train the stylists on the latest techniques of hair cutting and coloring.
The business offers, but is not limited to, natural hair colors.
"If someone wants pink, blue or green hair, they can have pink, blue or green hair. You don't get that anywhere else around town that I know of," Brandy said.
"We are willing to do anything customers want us to do. We can offer things like bridal packages, or if you want to have a Mary Kay party or mom's day out party, we can do any of those things. We are willing to accommodate our customers," she said.
Rates are also competitive, with a general cut and wash costing $14. Kids' (10 and under) cuts are $10, and a general hair color is $45.
The store's hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. It is closed on Sunday. The early closing hours and Sunday off is so stylists can enjoy time with their families, Brandy said.
The business plans on getting a Web page up and running soon, which will feature coupons and client testimonials.
Arlin and Brandy both firmly believe in the importance of customer satisfaction. But as they have proven, there doesn't always have to be a traditional method in achieving that.
Not convinced? Just think of the last time a business has used a werewolf, a monkey and a talking yellow sponge with square trousers as marketing tools.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
My Neighbor - or Ode to Becky
This is a picture of my neighbor Becky. She is the best lady a a girl could ever have for a neighbor. I've lived in a lot of cities in a lot of states around this place and I know very few of my neighbors until now. I didn't think anyone took the time to get to know the people around them any more, certainly not to know their neighbors. Becky proved me wrong though. I so grateful her family introduced themselves to us that day we moved into the neighborhood. I don't know if I've ever had a more attentive friend. She knows my likes and dislikes and my needs and she always seems to be there in person or on the phone just when I need her most. Not too pushy, but pushy enough. We've received countless of homebaked goodies, invitations to backyard bar-b-ques, childcare, rides to the hospital, rides home from the hospital, milk from the grocery, you name it and Becky's probably done that. She's awesome, and Becky, in the words of Laney, YOU ROCK!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Silence
So, I know I've been pretty quiet on here lately, and I've been beating myself up about it a little. Wondering why I'm not more clever and why I don't have more fascinating things on my little blog. Then I remembered ... oh, yeah, I'm not doing anything right now for two reasons: 1) all my spare time is either spent at the hospital, going to the hospital, or pumping for the baby (read 8 hours a day at least) AND 2) none of my time is spent sleeping. Seriously, if I am in any position for more than 5 minutes, I'm fighting to keep my eyes open. That's ok, it could be worse, I could be packing up the baby clothes and/or making a lot of returns at the store. I'll take this route.
Then I started thinking about the crazy things stress and sleep deprevation are making me do. I repeat, MAKING ME DO because I don't have a choice in this nonsensical brain of mine. (Your honor, I swear the voices made me do it!) These are the things I've caught myself doing or not doing in the last couple of weeks:
a. Putting the cereal in the freezer
b. Promising anything to my 6 year old to get her to watch cartoons next to me in bed so I can take a nap
c. Forgetting to buy milk at the store when I went to the store just for milk (I got a lot of other things that I'm sure I don't need, but forgot the milk)
d. Forgetting to call and schedule a major surgery for my husband (yeah, that's not important honey)
e. Being enornomously pleased when I see not only has Laney put on non matching clothes to wear to school, but to hear, she has packed her lunch (sandwich, cookies, juice, cookies, donut, cookies) and ate breakfast (ho ho, granola bar, ice cream cone without the ice cream) all by herself -- I mean, I really was happy not to have to do any of these until I realized 4 hours later, that maybe I shouldn't have been?!
f. Not remembering to make dinner every single night until it's bedtime and Laney looks at me and says, "But I can't go to bed, I'm hungry. What's for dinner?" Yes, really, almost every night do I forget we eat dinner.
I think you get the point. Once I realized all the things I was either forgetting or erronousely thinking, I figured not getting a blog up here was no big deal after all. Is this a sign that I put too much pressure on myself as a woman? I actually expect myself to get the energy and motivation to blog when I can barely remember to feed my children? Sad story, but true. :)
Then I started thinking about the crazy things stress and sleep deprevation are making me do. I repeat, MAKING ME DO because I don't have a choice in this nonsensical brain of mine. (Your honor, I swear the voices made me do it!) These are the things I've caught myself doing or not doing in the last couple of weeks:
a. Putting the cereal in the freezer
b. Promising anything to my 6 year old to get her to watch cartoons next to me in bed so I can take a nap
c. Forgetting to buy milk at the store when I went to the store just for milk (I got a lot of other things that I'm sure I don't need, but forgot the milk)
d. Forgetting to call and schedule a major surgery for my husband (yeah, that's not important honey)
e. Being enornomously pleased when I see not only has Laney put on non matching clothes to wear to school, but to hear, she has packed her lunch (sandwich, cookies, juice, cookies, donut, cookies) and ate breakfast (ho ho, granola bar, ice cream cone without the ice cream) all by herself -- I mean, I really was happy not to have to do any of these until I realized 4 hours later, that maybe I shouldn't have been?!
f. Not remembering to make dinner every single night until it's bedtime and Laney looks at me and says, "But I can't go to bed, I'm hungry. What's for dinner?" Yes, really, almost every night do I forget we eat dinner.
I think you get the point. Once I realized all the things I was either forgetting or erronousely thinking, I figured not getting a blog up here was no big deal after all. Is this a sign that I put too much pressure on myself as a woman? I actually expect myself to get the energy and motivation to blog when I can barely remember to feed my children? Sad story, but true. :)
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Fall
I love this time of the year! I love the smells in the air of harvest and leaves falling that is carried on the crisp breezes. I love the knowledge Halloween is coming and the anticipation of watching Laney get excited for dressing up as another princess. I love knowing that I can drink my hot chocolate and no one will look at me funny because it is a little chilly outside. I love being so close to Thanksgiving and the season of gratitude. AH...I heart fall.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Blessed
So we have a lot of people asking how on earth we are managing to make it through this difficult time with Lindsay being a preemie in the NICU. I've thought about this quite a bit during the last 4 weeks she's been in the NICU, and I think it's only fair to explain a few things to everyone. First of all, please don't think we are amazing or superhuman, or some finite example of enduring challenges well. Hardly. I don't endure pretty much anything well. Just ask my husband. I'm horrible at nagging, whining, complaining, and moping. I might put on a brave face outside my front door, but behind it, I'm awful. Secondly and I guess finally, it's all about perspective. Last night, with the help of my friend, I was making a list of horrors our family has been through the last seven years. Now there's been a lot of joys, but I'm just going to list the major catastrophes here for you so you can understand my perspective. In short, here's an abbreviated list of the items I'm willing to put out there:
1. We moved 8 times (yep, more than once a year sometimes)
2. Between Arlin and I, we've had 12 new jobs - with that comes the stress of job searching and the economics of it all
3. We've had 3 children - each prematurely, with her own story of dramatics
4. We've lost one of our little babies and had to endure all that comes with that
5. Arlin has lost his memory (short and long term) for more than 3 months (yes, that means he didn't know us or anyone else)
6. We've had multiple major health scares, each of us - yes serious ones
7. We both lived with family and had family live with us (multiple times)
8. 3 of our moves occurred when we went somewhere "on vacation" - i.e. we cancelled our return trips home and only went back months later for our boxes of belongings
9. Multiple deaths in the family - both his and mine
They say if you get married, move, change jobs, have a birth/death in the family it is a time of major life stress. We've had at least 2 - 3 of those events happen per year, each year. It's to the point where I feel my life is ever in the "surreal" category. Forever, do I think, "This is one of those things that happens to other people." Forever do I think, "Wow. Just wow. Okay, let's see where this goes." I've stopped saying, I'm not moving again. I've stopped thinking this is where I'll be next year, or wonder what will happen next. You could say we don't make many long term plans. We are even tentative when it comes to planning vacations. Lol (especially since we don't return from them - ha ha). We've learned in our family to roll with the punches. We've learned that trials are part of life and the smooth journey is fleeting. We've also really learned to count our blessings. Our blessing this time is the baby will be coming home with us. Doesn't matter how long it takes to get her here, we know she's going to get here. That's a world of difference from last year. We are a family and we love each other, and we're together. We are fairly healthy, have clean food, a comfortable home, we are not living on the streets or going hungry or oppressed. Things could be so much worse for us you know? We really feel blessed to have all we do. To have a new baby is awesome. I wasn't really sure we'd get to this point, but I'm so happy we have. I'm so grateful we did. Yay us!
And thanks to all of you for your love and support during any and all of these great trials you've helped us face. Many of you have been there for us more than once and we are truly grateful and appreciative of the service rendered to our family. We couldn't have done half as well as we have if it wasn't for the blessing of great friends who are there for us. Thanks to all of you! We are blessed.
1. We moved 8 times (yep, more than once a year sometimes)
2. Between Arlin and I, we've had 12 new jobs - with that comes the stress of job searching and the economics of it all
3. We've had 3 children - each prematurely, with her own story of dramatics
4. We've lost one of our little babies and had to endure all that comes with that
5. Arlin has lost his memory (short and long term) for more than 3 months (yes, that means he didn't know us or anyone else)
6. We've had multiple major health scares, each of us - yes serious ones
7. We both lived with family and had family live with us (multiple times)
8. 3 of our moves occurred when we went somewhere "on vacation" - i.e. we cancelled our return trips home and only went back months later for our boxes of belongings
9. Multiple deaths in the family - both his and mine
They say if you get married, move, change jobs, have a birth/death in the family it is a time of major life stress. We've had at least 2 - 3 of those events happen per year, each year. It's to the point where I feel my life is ever in the "surreal" category. Forever, do I think, "This is one of those things that happens to other people." Forever do I think, "Wow. Just wow. Okay, let's see where this goes." I've stopped saying, I'm not moving again. I've stopped thinking this is where I'll be next year, or wonder what will happen next. You could say we don't make many long term plans. We are even tentative when it comes to planning vacations. Lol (especially since we don't return from them - ha ha). We've learned in our family to roll with the punches. We've learned that trials are part of life and the smooth journey is fleeting. We've also really learned to count our blessings. Our blessing this time is the baby will be coming home with us. Doesn't matter how long it takes to get her here, we know she's going to get here. That's a world of difference from last year. We are a family and we love each other, and we're together. We are fairly healthy, have clean food, a comfortable home, we are not living on the streets or going hungry or oppressed. Things could be so much worse for us you know? We really feel blessed to have all we do. To have a new baby is awesome. I wasn't really sure we'd get to this point, but I'm so happy we have. I'm so grateful we did. Yay us!
And thanks to all of you for your love and support during any and all of these great trials you've helped us face. Many of you have been there for us more than once and we are truly grateful and appreciative of the service rendered to our family. We couldn't have done half as well as we have if it wasn't for the blessing of great friends who are there for us. Thanks to all of you! We are blessed.
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