ummm, may be dead by friday...

*& thats if I stall!!...
Ok, sit right back & let me share with you just how & why I am in this perdiciment... It is NOT however my fault, I'll just go on and get that right out of the way!!.
Soooo, I have this children's boutique saved in my ebay fav's ( yep, you know right where I'm headed) today I get this email reminding me of how fabulous & thrifty their adorable "Couture" clothing line is. "Ok ", I say to myelf, "I'm just going to take a look & see what they have that's new", then I hear myself say, right out LOUD " & lil P is 8 years old, & pretty soon I won't be able to dress her in these pretty frilly clothes any more" ... Oh- No- I- shouldn't- Have, that my dear friends, was my downfall... Before I knew it somthing came over me & I'm knuckle deep in "Buy it Now's", & "Is that your final bid"?... Enter, Enter , Enter~ then I remember that my other daughter dropped her blackberry yesterday. "Well", (I say to myself) "We certainly don't want to have to replace her $100,000 dollar phone DO WE? & besides, that's not really fair for P to get somthing & not her". So, off I go on another search... WHAMO~ I'm now the proud winner of the cutest lil Leopard Bling case!!At that point I've got to go & get my a big ole Un~Sweet Tea (because by this time I am just plain parched & wore nearly plum out!) & think, "You know, if I can get free shipping & find me a case from that same seller"... Well, you guessed it!!. A proud owner of a super cute blingged- out Palm Pre Case to boot!! Seriously cute, you should see it!! Then............... it hits me & I can see Big Daddy's face.. DBLE GULP.... Here I sit, finger sore & sweat beading on my foreghead, the excitment fading &, I get the "Summary Purchasing Email" on my Palm... Now, Im in strategy mode... Well, it's just got to be this diet. Doesn't he know that I havn't had sugar in 2 WEEKS??? I bet he couldn't nearly starve & get an email like that just taunting him & not atleast go & see what all the fuss was about, after all I'm weak!! Well, if he thinks he's going to act like that & get away with it, he's got another think comming (meanwhile, he doesn't even have a clue about any of this~ Hey, don't you dare judge me, didn't you just read that I havn't had a lick of sugar in over 2 WEEKS & frankly if you arnt going to help me, then until you are ready to appoligize, I frankly have nothing else to say.......................... Oh yeah except, I'm open for any & most all suggestions... ;) I better get going before He comes home. Heyyyyy, maybe if I get back on & get him somthing too. What was the name of that cell case place... Or, he does have a golf bag that I'm just certain would love to have another................................................................................................. LYLAS LA

Serious Thankfulosity!! ;)

A lil backround... That guy right there (in the middle of those beautiful precious girlz) is my Dad. And for over 30 years I really didn't know him. Then about 4 years ago he contacted me & told me he had given his life to Jesus & asked if I'd be open to seeing him to talk about things.  I. Was. Blown. Away!!. This guy was, well lets just say "the furthest person from a relationship w/ God" in my opinion. A total loss to me... But God knew, & reached into the darkness to reach my dad & totally transformed his life!
 Since that time he & I talk regularly & now my 4 babies have a grandad that loves the Lord!! Woooot!
 If there's somone in your life that you have written off, or that you have unforgivness for, God has a plan. He knows your heart. His plans to bless you & he wants to reconcile the lost to Himself & your loved ones to you- don't give up believing Him for them! I've got plenty more loved ones on my "hit list" & when I feel discouraged or like it's just to impossble, I look @ this pic & thank God for the new legacy my girls will be a part of!. I never could have even dreamed this big!! In the famous lyrics of Steve Perry"Dont Stop, Believin"!! LYLAS • LA

Leah Allen
 --Sent from my Palm Pre *Which totally Rocks! 

What the Hizeck Wednesday?!

So, this precious lil girl @ church told me (very excitedly) that I remind her of Rain.bow.bright!!!........Rethinking the haur ya'll!!!...

Leah Allen
 --Sent from my Palm Pre *Which totally Rocks! 

Not me Monday...

I did NOT go to an Eggstravaganza on Saturday & not wear sunblock- nope, that would just be silly!!
I also did NOT not put sunscreen on lil P... :(

I did NOT overeat @ lunch & vow to never eat again, ughh!

I was NOT tempted to push one of the girls in the pond by our home today as they were leaning over looking @ turtles! Nope, now that would just be down rite mean!

We are NOT heading out in a bit to see "How to Train your Dragon" on a school day, no we are not... ;)

I did not sit & think about how in the world I can eak out a trip again this year to fly home (Florida) & lay on the beach w/ my bestie... & Ahhh, I'm NOT dreaming of it now...
So, what did you NOT do today? ;)
For other Not Me Mondays head on over to My Charming Kids and see what everyone else didn't do ;)

LYLAS LA

Leah Allen
--Sent from my Palm Pre

What is it really??

Oh, Yay, we are going to talk about "Forgivness".~ DO NOT HIT THE BIG RED X IN THE TOP RIGHT CORNER, I seeeeeee YOU!! ;) **Well, maybe more about my struggle with it( among other things). The Bible speaks forgivness & I'm preeeetty certain that everyone reading this has someone (s) in their life that they can think of right now that they know they need to forgive?!. (Im not judging) . The good Book says that we are to turn our cheek 7x70 times. Also, that our Heavenly Father will judge us the same way we judge others, and so on and on... And, here's the rub~ we are all called to forgive, despite the other persons deservidness. Good stuff right!!... Well, I have this problem. I am given opportunities often to overcome this little issue that I struggle with and often I fail at. Its called "Justice".I .Want. Justice. When someone wrongs me, I want justice. If you are my friend, and you get wronged, yep. I want justice for you... Well, justice,mercy & forgivness dont really go hand in hand... If Im waiting for them to pay for what they have done~ for the truth to be revealed~ for them to be held responsible, then I am not walking in forgivness. The problem with me not being able to accept them not paying the piper seems to be a running theme in my life ( hence the " I keep getting opportunities to overcome") is because the Lord continues to allow me to be in situations where things happen and I'm the one that has to have all the yucky poop squeezed out of me. (stuff that I know He wants me free'd from because it isnt Christ like. But, what about them Lord?. Why do they continue to be allowed to do wrong; lie, cheat, decieve, portray themselves as somthing that is soooo ovbious to me & seemingly only me) that they are NOT, "yet noone else can see it" type stuff.. This is all really ugly. Im not proud of it. It makes me deal with things that I dont want to think are even inside my heart. But if it wernt in there, I wouldnt do, feel or think them, right?
In the past I could pray & have a peace knowing , one way or another, that I would be delivered, God would be glorified & also show me the way to handle it. Now, I am in a season of raising my 3 teens & their younger sister & for whatever reason, just can't find it in me...
The older 3 girls's pop ( I dont call him their dad, he isnt. A dad sends birthday cards, is dependable, calls on special occasions even when he is 2000 miles away, makes you a priority. My husband is the one that holds them , loves them, talk & prays with them. When they have had a bad day he's the go to guy & deals with all the emotional teen girl drama along side me~ thats a dad... See, I told you..)
I digress, Im finding more & more in the season of life that I'm in there just seems to be quite a bit of yuckyness in me. I think that I am just in such as state of constant stress that all of my emotions are right at the top, just under the surface. I'm just not dealing with things very well. How do people do it? How do people have a functioning, normal life, a thriving marriage, dedicate time to friends & other family, all the while managing to raise teens?? It is so far beyond me.
The reason I mention all of this is because prior to the past 3 years, I feel like I cared more about things. I was way more patient. I would have considered things before I just said no. I was more gentle and loving. I feel like she's gone? ( I'm praying she isn't, I really liked her so very much more. I know my husband did too, & I grieve for her return.)
Which brings me back to forgivness. Because I am feeling like Im in a fight for my life every single day here at home, when something else happens that adds to my daily stress, I dont seem to have the capacity to even deal. I just have a "not very nice thought" and simply move on. Wheres the freedom in that? Where are the years I have spent seeking God? The peace that I had before this season in my life when I could just lay it down? The time I put in growing should account for something, right? Is anyone tracking with me, or am I insane?...
For instance: In the past with the girls pop, I knew he wasnt in a good place & I would give him so much grace. I would oftentimes tell the girls about how difficult his life is & how his choices have led to the place he finds himself in now, that they needed to pray for him & offer him forgivness. I would infuse hope into all conversations about him. Now, I just almost snarl. Its been 10 + years and he hasnt changes a bit. He hasn't really ever helped support them & my hubz hasn't ever held the slightest grudge. He feels like they are his and he will do whats necessary to provide. He says "God is our provider , & thats that..." I have always agreed, until recently. I can't hardly even stomach the whole thing anymore. I know it isn't Christlike. I just can't deal with it & I feel like I just can't pretend anymore. So, I just sit quietly instead of trying to defend him to them. Thats just one example of my new & un~improved attitude. Im bringing this into the light because I need help. I want freedom. I also want to know if I am alone alone in this or if this is truly just a season that I'm in. (I have also wondered lately if its pre menapause? Maybe I need anti depressants? Eather way, its bondage & I. want. freedom).
Thanks for reading peeps. I feel like I don't even want to share this now after reading it, but I'm going to. I need advice, & where better to get it than from all of you, ladies who eather; are that mom too, have had that mom, been that mom, had this struggle, or know somone who did/does...
Sorry so serious girlz. I know you prob came here maybe needing a laugh, to look at some cute pics, or read somthing lite hearted, but today~ this is where I'm at & hopfully not for long ;)
Ok, off to visit you now, make me laugh ladies!! ;) JK, Maybe you've got stuff going on, & if so, I'm your girl. I would love to pray for you or offer any advice. (I know given my prior confession you might be prone not to want to share, but I'm great at helping you, just not so good at helping me... ;)
LYLAS LA

Now I know why!!!

Im not really sure how to to do this so I hope it works, soooo funny!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7q2wD6HHdUY
LYLAS LA

It Just Happened.

I just had to have a talk w/ my 8 year old about how un nice she is to her older sister's. (especially her & the cute one in the middle up there)  I talked to her about what it will be like once they are all gone & how it hurts me to see them treat one another so poorly. Punk (oldest on the rt) is a junior, so 1  1/2 more years is about all we have w/ her here & Shorty & Pooh are twins & freshmen, so 3 yrs w/ them- it will be gone in a flash. How in the world did we get here so fast? It. just happened!... I was 14 yrs older than my lil sis & wanted a sister for yeeeears before she came along. We were to far apart in age & when I left home she was 3 so we never really had much of a relationship. I reminded lil P of that & told her how special "sisters" are & about how she'll miss them & wish she could have these years back. -he teared up & made a commitment to try & do better.I don't know if it did any good & if so, for how long but I could see that she hadn't really thought about how her attitude effects them or that she's not been very easy to share a room with.  I called Shorty in & had them hug & talk it out. Uncomfortable for them? - Uh hu!! Necessary, yup!. As they left my room I have to admit that I was somwhat doubting that the truce would last for long (they are both type A & lil firecrackers!) I know that they may have to be reminded from time to time, & that's ok. I just want them to realize how special it is to have 3 sisters & how truly blessed they are. Just now I heard lil P ask if Shorty wanted to get a snack & then say " I love you..." Hmmm, & I didn't even have to threaten.. It just happened!!
I'm gonna go see if I can get in on that snack! I hope you have a Teriffic Tuesday! LYLAS  LA

Leah Allen
 --Sent from my Palm Pre

Teen Miles?

Hi. I'm Leah & I've recently discovered that I'm an age aholic... Ok, let me explain. My father in law made a comment to me when we were there for Christ mas about how we have all aged. He said (paraphrasing here) that I can't deny that even I'm looking quite older since my wedding (in 03). I can't stop thinking about it.
Shortly after that I heard someone say that the "teen years" raising your children will put 20  (years) on your face. OMGAW!!!! It's seriously happening to me right before my eyes!! (or right around my eyes! ) Since hearing that lil life changing statement I have noticed tons of lines!. Crows feet, stress highway right between my eyebrows & now - laugh lines too!! I'm to young (39) to look this dang old!. So I am on a mission to find any reversing agents allowed by law. (ok, maybe even illegal!) :o"  So in my quest to look my age (what? 39ish is YOUNG PEOPLE!) I'm asking for any (Tested, Tried & True) products that you might have used to keep your youthfulness (just please no Yak Urine or anything of it kind!!) Any & all - ok, most any & some suggestions will be tested by yours truly (& any of you that wish to join me :)  for the alloted time & then I will report back w/ said results!! So, whatcha know of?? Yes, you back there w/ the glowing, very youthful complexion!! :)   lylas  LA 

Leah Allen
 --Sent from my Palm Pre

No~Stinkin~Way!!!

You guys... You are NOT going to believe this!!!. In Touch Mag is reporting that Jesse James is cheating on Sandra Bullock!! They say that he had an affair with tattoo model Michelle McGee while she was filming "The Blind Side" in Texas. Sandra and Jesse have been married now for 5 years & have seemed to be a very happy couple. James has been to all of the awards shows this year to support her for the all the nominations and awards she has won for The Blind Side. Did you guys see when she won the Oscar and James was seen in the audience with tears in his eyes?. She has even referred to her him as “having my back”.

Michelle McGee is telling InTouch magazine that she was having an affair with Jesse while Sandra was filming The Blind Side saying “We ended up on the couch,” “He wanted to watch movies, but I asked him, ‘What’s going on with you and Sandra?’ He said, ‘She doesn’t live here. She has a house in Austin. She is filming, and I can’t talk about it.”

McGee claims that she had a 5 week affair about 2 times a week with Jesse James. Just because she says it does not make it true, but having Sandra Bullock pull out of the movie premier in London makes me wonder if there is truth to this story. It would be a shame if in the best year of her career, her marriage to the man she is head over heels in love with falls apart... Well, I for one really don't know what to think. I truly thought/ think they are that 1% in Hollywood that will last. I have so much respect for her and I truly hope this is all just part of an evil pan to destroy all Great Marriages in Show biz. Thats what Im gonna believe until I hear otherwise. JUST PLAIN SAD... PS. I dont usually ever talk about this kind of stuff, but I feel like I know them. Ive watched her movies for ever and have watched Jesse on his various TV programs for years . We have seen him go through alot of family trials & a divorce all while trying to protect his babies. For some reason, this just really shocked me...

LYLAS xoxo LA

To Big For Her Britches!

Kait is growing up- to fast! In the last few months she's started dating, 3 weeks ago she got her driving  permit, & now has a job that she started on Friday. WOWEE! Mama not ready... I keep trying to remember what I was like @ that age. How boy crazy I was, how much smarter I was than everyone else. How I was never ever going to be like my mom. When they say those things to me it hurts me so deeply, but I remember feeling those same things... ( I just don't think I ever said it to her face!!! I am however trying to encourage honesty! Ugh...) I know now that God purposes this time in our life to help her grow those wings we all dred, & for me to let out more & more net, but boy is it difficult. I'm so proud of her & the woman she's becoming - I just hope I have taught her everything she will need to know to be the person she was born to be. Love you Kait. I believe in you Kait. I'm always always right here for you Kait. Just turn around. 

Leah Allen
 --Sent from my Palm Pre

Precious Girlz & Fellowshippin...

Just look at these faces...

Arnt they beautiful?.....

God pours out His love for us in so many different ways...

Not the least of these are in our "Friendships"....

Isn't girl time good! Last week one of my bestest friends was able to be in town to go to the retreat w/ our church. We all got together & had dinner to love on one another & basically celebrate these friendships. God is teaching me ALOT about boundries & healthy relationships- not an easy lesson... These arn't all of my good friends (& all the pics wernt taken this night). Thankfully, I've got a few & I'm so blessed to have girlz in my life that are going after Gods heart. ( It truly makes all the difference). I want to celebrate all of us "True Blue" girls!! I bet everyone reading this has those friendships in their life~ some may even be kin!. Eather way, Praise the Lord for the love that He is showing you through these precious relationships!! **& to my sweety gf's, I want tell you that I appreaciate you & I'm inspired & blessed by you in so many different ways! I pray for " True Blue girlfriends" for my 4 girls & you & I are who they will model after ;) I pray also that they'll know how to be ones! LYLAS LA

Leah Allen
-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Please,if not for yourself, do it for others..

~First, please go and mute my playlist player, or turn it off on your speaker's, My music rrrreally rox and I want your undevided attention..~

Ok, Hi , welcome back!! Now, I want to share with you why it is that I feel strongly that we as a people need to continue using the Character Verification thing. Let me see if I can perhaps persuade every single one of you to put it on your blogs. (and be sure and tell all your friends). I am one of those people who realize that when something happens to me (even tho I'm still only 39) that it is a sign of things that are bound happen to me in the future.. Such as, sometimes when I am drifting off to sleep, I have a tremor (and lately it's not just when I'm drifting, its also starting to happen when I'm just chilaxin reading Twilight for the 11th time ( it had to be said) , or watching TV. All of the sudden my leg, (or arm) will just spasm , very briefly, just slightly. In that moment, I know, this is just further proof that I am having early signs of Parkinson's... I know, it's Ok, they are making major advances in this disease every day, and with a strong support system ( My Lord & Savior, Hubz, and good insurance) I am determined to make it...In my weaker moments I think that it's unfortunate that since I gave my life to the Lord I know I wont be able to throw back a Jack and Coke (or 3) when the time gets nearer, to help ease the pain dontcha know... Well, I prob. wont be able to hold the glass steady enough anyways.. Its perspective...
Also, there are times when I cant remember how to spell the word 'The" or remember my own phone # . Just today I was on the phone with the Dr. at the Parkinson's research dept, He wanted my phone # when he was threatening that if I don't stop calling and leaving messages for him about the weird things that are happening to me, (like just now, I'm on the toilet as I'm typing this and my knee just jerked as I leaned over to get the tp ( you totally thought I was going to say as leaned over to wipe , didn't you!? ) and nearly fell of the toilet!! Hold on, I have to write the knee thing down for when I call the Dr @ the Research Center here in a minute, be right back... Ok, back, where was I? Oh yes, I'm sure you'll agree, those are definitely signs that I am due for Alzheimer's to set in at any minute. Which brings me to Character verification. I seek them out. I'm thankful to those of you that, against every ones badgering, pleading, threatening and waging to never return to your blog, that you stay strong and continue to use them. I strongly believe that they might just be what will help to stave off the Alzheimer's, at least for a bit longer. Let me explain. When I pull up someones comment page, and I see it there I type my reply, then I scroll down to it, take one look at it and then try, in one take, to type it out without looking again.. I feel so good when I get it in one take.. Some of those are difficult, like 'cremuhged' how many of you could remember that in one take?? I am building my brain back with the help of this wonderful Character Verification! So I just want to say "thank you" , to all of you that have made this a reality for me!! I also want to encourage you to stand your ground, don't give in to the threats and the nay sayers that say that they arnt going to come back, or that because it takes a extra 30 seconds to leave a reply it makes them shy away from reading your blog's. Waa waa wa, who needs those replies anyways, not us my dear friends, NOT US!! So, wont the rest of you join us in building a stronger future? Its such a tiny way to give back, but the brain you strengthen may just be yours, or maybe even someone you love... Take all the time you need, just remember every tick of the clock may take you closer to a ......... what the heck was I going to say...Wait, No, that wasn't.... well, maybe I'll... aw, forget it .......
Till next time, LA

The ladies Retreated!!

Hullllo peoples! Boy did I have a wonderful time last weekend on the retreat. We had 53ish ladies & I'm telling you, it was so much fun! Our theme was 'Emerge' & that's just what we did. You know how sometimes when you go you know Gods eather going to move in your life, or you are just there to refresh & renew? Well GOD truly moved & soooo many of us were freed from years of bondage!!! ( I'm still reeling from it!). He is so good! Also, the 'weirdest' thing happened!. I was sick for 3 days prior to going & guess what happend?. As soon as I was driving up, I started to feel so much better & I felt great the entire time! (thanks to those that prayed;). As soon as I got home I was sick again! - God healed me for the weekend!!!. HE IS SO worthy of our praise!! This pic is a few of us just after we repelled from 6 stories on a zipline. ( I nearly couldn't do it! I literally had to be forced to let go!) But, I trusted God & here I am- alive & everything!! lol...  I am so excited to see all my visitors that stopped by over the weekend- You Are JUST PRECIOUS to me!!! I can't wait to pop around & see whatchall be up to- I just LOVE you girls!!!. Ok, I'm gonna head on over to your place :)  LYLAS/B  LA

Leah Allen
-- Sent from my Palm Pre

My MIL

This is Diane... The mother of my Hubz & Grandmother to my girlz. Wanna hear some amazing awesomeness??!. God has healed her of Breast cancer this last year!!. Isn't He good!. I am truly thankful to God for giving me her as my mother in law & for seeing to it that she's around for years to come. I pray (literally) that He will show the same kind of favor to my 4 girls in their future MIL's! ( I'm honestly claimin it in Jesus name! ;) . I'm supposed to be packing for this weekend, but I came across this pic of us @ Christmas & wanted to share it & just how blessed I am (we all are) that He has healed her!. What do people do that don't know of His love, favor & just plain awesomeness?! Breaks my heart... We don't worry. No matter what may come! Excitin huh?... Well, I leave tomorrow for my Womens retreat, (wooohoooo) & won't be here to visit w/ my teriffic friends (you:). But, have a wonderful weekend & if you think of it, plz pray that I start feeling better & soon- this stomach thing is cramping my schedule!! :) I'll check in as time permits! xoxo & Be Blessed Ya'll! LYLAS/ B... LA

Leah Allen
-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Da Man, Big Daddy, Hubzie, Dad....

That (and a silly name that only I call him)

is whats he's known by. My "wordfull Wednesday" post is about this man. Isn't he cute? He met and married myself and my three girls, never having been one to date someone that had children. Since then, we have added another youngin to our posse ~and he hearts them all the same... He is the dad that I needed (prayed for) as a little girl. One that prays with them, kisses their boo boo's, tells them they are precious. Stops what he's doing when they need to talk. Still wrastles ( its a word, we in the south ya'll) even tho the older 3 are teens . He has taught me how to love. Love so madly and deeply that I have been able to let go , trust in him, & be healed of such deep wounds that even I wasn't fully aware of~ (except for the fact that I couldn't fully trust, or love). He saw me as broken, but worthy of love. Desperatly clinging to this " I dont need anyone" mentality because the little girl inside of me had been hurt so many times. Dont tell me that God isnt real. That He doesnt know us (me) intimately. Doesnt search our hearts. Plan our lives. Give us Hope and a Future. I cant even put into words the lengths I went to to try & confirm my fears (& the lies satan told me) in our relationship to be true. I call it "the other shoe's gonna drop mentality". And Hubzie? He just stuck... He was so patient with me. He's been stickingnow for 10 years . Not only has God used him to help to heal all of my brokeness, but He has also used him to restore what the locus tried to steal in my girls lives. I. Am. Loved. Blessed. Thankful... I am Whole...

Please post one of your Favorite Pics and what it means to you and join us over @ "7 Clown Circus" for "Wordful Wednesday" & check out other awesome Pics and stories & get to know fellow bloggerettes!!!! Thanks for visiting, & happy Blogging!! LYLAS/B .LA

Soppin Sweetness & a side of Smooch...

It's been rainy & cold here for what seems like forever! Now, that seems to bother quite a few people, but not Moi. Actually, I LOVE it!... You get to bundle up all warm & toasty, you get to cuddle w/ your hunny, & for some reason the darker the sky- the happier I am!... I know, weird! On this particular cloudy, rainy day this weekend my sweet man took me for a ride through the countryside where we drove down by this little bridge & stream. We stopped the car & got out in the mist to walk down to the streams edge & I just had to capture this memory. Just looking @ the pic envokes such a wonderful feeling in me... It's just the little thoughtful way he stole away w/ me & we talked & laughed & drove. It's those times that get me through all the times that arnt fun.(& if we arnt careful, start to weigh us down). The best part is, it didn't cost us anything except for time. What does it for you? Somthing that wells up pure joy & contentment in your heart? I wish you lost of time spent in that place (but not so much that it looses it's flare). Make time for your "somthing". - Thanks for reading & I can't wait to read about yours! LYLAS/B , LA

Leah Allen
-- Sent from my Palm Pre

This seriously made me laugh till I cried ~ & Sunday Citar..

This may not be somthing that inspires me, but it certainly is somthing that brightend my day, and Im certain you wont soon forget it!! I Got this from another blogger who got it from someone else- Author unknown...

- All hair removal methods have tricked women with their promises of easy, painless removal - The Epilady, scissors, razors, Nair and now…the wax. Read on…… My night began as any other normal weeknight. Come home, fix dinner, play with the kids. I then had the thought that would ring painfully in my mind for the next few hours: 'Maybe should pull the waxing kit out of the medicine cabinet.' So I headed to the site of my demise: the bathroom. It was one of those 'cold wax' kits. No melting a clump of hot wax, you just rub the strips together in your hand, they get warm and you peel them apart and press them to your leg (or wherever else) and you pull the hair right off. No muss, no fuss. How hard can it be? I mean, I'm not a genius, but I am mechanically inclined enough to figure this out. (YA THINK!?!) So I pull one of the thin strips out. Its two strips facing each other stuck together. Instead of rubbing them together, my genius kicks in so I get out the hair dryer and heat it to 1000 degrees. ('Cold wax,' yeah…right!) I lay the strip across my thigh. Hold the skin around it tight and pull. It works! OK, so it wasn't the best feeling, but it wasn't too bad. I can do this! Hair removal no longer eludes me! I am She-rah, fighter of all wayward body hair and maker of smooth skin extraordinaire. With my next wax strip I move north. After checking on the kids, I sneak back into the bathroom, for the ultimate hair fighting championship. I drop my panties and place one foot on the toilet. Using the same procedure, I apply the wax strip across the right side of my bikini line, covering the right half of my hoo-ha and stretching down to the inside of my butt cheek (it was a long strip) I inhale deeply and brace myself….RRRRRRIIIIPPP!!!! I'm blind!!! Blinded from pain!!!!…. OH MY GAUD!!!!!!!!! Vision returning, I notice that I've only managed to pull off half the strip. CRAP! Another deep breath and RIPP! Everything is spinning and spotted. I think I may pass out…must stay conscious…must stay conscious. Do I hear crashing drums??? Breathe, breathe………… OK, back to normal. I want to see my trophy - a wax-covered strip, the one that has caused me so much pain, with my hairy pelt sticking to it. I want to revel in the glory that is my triumph over body hair. I hold up the strip! There's NO hair on it. Where is the hair??? WHERE IS THE WAX??? Slowly I ease my head down, foot still perched on the toilet. I see the hair. The hair that should be on the strip…it's not! I touch. I am touching wax. I run my fingers over the most sensitive part of my body, which is now covered in cold wax and matted hair. Then I make the next BIG mistake…remember my foot is still propped upon the toilet? I know I need to do something So I put my foot down. Sealed shut! My butt is sealed shut. Sealed shut! I penguin walk around the bathroom trying to figure out what to do and think to myself 'Please don't let me get the urge to poop. My head may pop off!' What can I do to melt the wax? Hot water!! Hot water melts wax!! I'll run the hottest water I can stand into the bathtub, get in, immerse the wax-covered bits and the wax should melt and I can gently wipe it off, right??? *WRONG!!!!!!!* > > I get in the tub - The water is slightly hotter than that used to torture prisoners of war or sterilize surgical equipment - I sit. Now, the only thing worse than having your nether regions glued together, is having them glued together and then glued to the bottom of the tub…in scalding hot water. Which, by the way, doesn't melt cold wax. So, now I'm stuck to the bottom of the tub as though I had cemented myself to the porcelain!! God bless the man who had convinced me a few months ago to have a phone put in the bathroom!!!!! I call my friend, thinking surely she has waxed before and has some >secret of how to get me undone. It's a very good conversation starter 'So, my butt and hoo-ha are glued together to the bottom of the tub!' There is a slight pause. She doesn't know any secret tricks for removal but she does try to hide her laughter from me. She wants to know exactly where the wax is located, 'Are we talking cheeks or hole or hoo-ha?' She's laughing out loud by now…I can hear her. I give her the rundown and she suggests I call the number on the side of the box. YEAH!!!!! Right!! I should be the joke of someone else's night. While we go through various solutions. I resort to trying to scrape the wax off with a razor . Nothing feels better than to have your girlie goodies covered in hot wax, glued shut, stuck to the tub in super hot water and then dry-shaving the sticky wax off!! By now the brain is not working, dignity has taken a major hike and I'm pretty sure I'm going to need Post-Traumatic Stress counseling for this event. My friend is still talking with me when I finally see my saving grace….the lotion they give you to remove the excess wax. What do I really have to lose at this point? I rub some on and OH MY STARS!!!!!!! The scream probably woke the kids and scared the dickens out of my friend. It's sooo painful, but I really don't care. 'IT WORKS!! > > It works !!' I get a hearty congratulation from my friend and she hangs up. I successfully remove the remainder of the wax and then notice to my grief and despair…. THE HAIR IS STILL THERE……..ALL OF IT! So I recklessly shave it off. Heck, I'm numb by now. Nothing hurts. I could have amputated my own leg at this point. Next week I'm going to try hair color…… I told ya ~ You are wel come!!

(If ya barrie, link back & let me know plz :) ~Also, Please check out "Sundar Citar" over @ "Fresh Mommy" w/ my friend (& if you dont know her, soon to be yours too!;) Tabitha!
And as always, LYLAS/B LA

Leah Allen
-- Sent from my Palm Pre

That's right. Stay off the sidewalks!!

Kait got her permit yesterday!!!! I cannot even believe it... I said that I still see her as the 3 year old w/ pigtails & a scratchy lil voice. It's funny how God prepares us for each step in the journey. When they are little you think "I'll never be ready to let go", but along the way somthing strenghtens you. I have 2 15 year old right behind her & they are just as independent & brave as she is& every bit as excited to spread their wings. Lets hope I'm as brave when "they" are sitting in the drivers seat. Thank you my heavenly Father for strength for the day, peace on the joirney(should I CHOOSE to accept it) & a vision for your call on their lives!. Till next time, I still LYLAS, B ;) LA.

Leah Allen
-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Daddy Daughter Valentines Dance!

Tonight an elementary school is having a dance for little girls & their daddy's, so Daddy took lil P! Chels got her all dolled up & she looked so precious! He also brought her flowers & her first pair or heals! (Mary Janes ;) You should have seen how excited she was, I started to well up! She's not gonna be excited to dance w/ Daddy for to much longer, so we'll take it!! 

Leah Allen
-- Sent from my Palm Pre

My Pops...

xoxo

Pops...

I just wanted to say a word about the most- most important man in my life (before my Hubzie & before I knew the Lord) my Pops. This fella here was the man who raised me w/ so much love & security(& @ the time,  hands that seemed as tho they belonged to a giant). I went back & forth from my moms to her parents house all of my young life (for reasons I won't share). My grandfather had a ranch in NM, where thankfully I spent quite a bit of my youth. There I got to be a cowgirl, explorer, treehouse co builder & basically anything that my young mind could dream up. While on my trip back to NM last week I had a really wonderful visit w/ him. (now 85 years young) It was such a reminder of who is in my life. He's a really great man & one to whom I have measured all of the men in my life.( so many will never measure up). So I just want to say,"Thank you Papaw, I wouldn't be the woman, wife, mom & friend that I am today, if you hadn't been there to love me & to teach me how to love." I love you...

Leah Allen
-- Sent from my Palm Pre

New year, I'm here!

Hi peeps! Well I'm posting this from my Palm Pre in the middle of an ice storm, so we'll see if it works! I wonder if any of you know if you can post pics on here from a mobile? Anywho, I just returned from NM. My mom found a lump so off I went. We just got the results back & Praise God, it was just a tumor! Things have been crazy here as usual when anyone has 3 teen girls @ home! Kait has a boyfriend- whom we really like!  - (God-is-so-very-faithful! ) We also really like his parents, which is such a nice bonus! Man, I can hear the sleet hitting the window right now! Brrrrr! The girls just went on their church ski trip last week. They had so much fun but were sore! The place they went is only 5 or so hours away & we are thinking of maybe going back before winter is gone. Everyone seems to hate this time of year (including hubbsie) but I just love it & I really can't explain why, but for you I'll try :). Theres just somthing about bundeling up ( scarves, gloves & nice warm fur boots) & feeling the snow on your face. Looking out the window & everything is covered in white!. Makes me feel all warm & cozy inside- nevermind the excuse it gives me to make a fire ;). What's your favorite part of winter? Or are you one that just wants it to hurry on by? %ve missed you guys & what's happening in your world (although a good number of you are friends of mine on FB ;) so I'm gonna get going & pop around to your places & see what's up wicha! (also lil P has just asked me to start a fire. How could I say no to that :) LYLAS/B. & stay toasty warm! LA