The Ambassador of Smooth

So a friend of mine took me to a new store in our local mall: "The Art of Shaving".  He went to their store a few years ago in Vegas, it changed his life.  Strangely, it changed mine.  I learned how to shave 17 years late.

I always shaved by washing my face, applying some shaving cream or edge gel, and then ending with a spritz of cologne or cold water.  This continually resulted in shaving rash on the neck, the occasional ingrown hair, and the regular tugs and pulls.  




At the store, I learned that a proper and comfortable shave involved four steps.  First, a coat of essential oil to provide protection to the skin.  The store sold lemon, sandalwood, lavender and a few others.  (How cool is it that Melissa started making her own essential oils this week - hello major savings!).  Second, shaving cream (which can also be made with coconut oil and glycerin) need to be applied with a brush to exfoliate the skin and raise the whiskers off of the face.  Third, shave with the grain, then reapply cream, then against the grain.  Finally, apply a non-alcoholic balm to heal the skin.

The difference is amazing.  Two weeks ago I would have thought that neck rash was part of being a man.  I now know there is an art to shaving.

I highly recommend this practice.  For some of you, I imagine this is old news and you may be shaking your head in disbelief at my ignorance, but if not, try this link:  Shave like a man.

Just in time for Father's day!

Go My Favorite Sports Team Go

Tim completed competition soccer try-outs this evening.  He was one of the youngest (if not the youngest) to try out for the highest level U-9 team available in the area.

One of the coaches approached me towards the end and informed me Tim would be making second squad (of 82 boys, being in the top 20 is not bad at all) or we could put him on a U-8 team and let them get used to playing together.

We were pleased he did so well.  Way to go Tim!

Freckles

After giving David a kiss good-night I overhead Ami tell Tim, "Ooo! Dad did not have any freckles tonight, I did not feel any pricks when I kissed his cheek!"

So, shave and your freckles go away.

Non-sequitur

We are happily employed.

We have sufficient for our needs and wants.

We are not planning on moving unless offered a position out-of-state with our current employer (unless a high-paying cheese-tasting job opens up somewhere).

We enjoy spending time together as a family more than about anything else.

Gas is expensive.

PhD programs are psychotic endeavors in masochism.

So why are we starting a PhD from Utah State's Theories and Practices of Professional Communication department?

Because.

No really, why?

Because.

Go Aggies.

 

Prayers and pain began in August.  

Goodbye Bruce, Enjoy Blowing a Gasket

Our mechanic and good friend informed us our Subaru was well on its way to blowing a head gasket shortly after the warranty would expire (after only 22000 miles this was not a pleasing thought) so we traded good ol' Bruce in for Scottie.

Named after Scottie from Star Trek, this Gunmetal Honda Civic LX Coupe Econ gets about 40-45 miles per gallon, has comfortable seats, and only fits the severely vertically challenged and small children in the back.

We always seem to be blessed with what we need and want.

There are worse ways to spend your 10th anniversary.  We'll go out to eat another night...

Salt Lake Staycation

For vacation this year Amirrah requested a "train ride".  So we took Trax to Temple Square.  David's employment allowed us to get a special look at the temple from the Church office building, and we were able to eat in the cafeteria with the employees and general authorities - which proved to be the perfect place for Susanna to have a meltdown. 

Don't mind us.

 We also toured the Conference Center and enjoyed the gardens on the roof for the first time.

First Recital

Amirrah's first recital went as many formal recitals do.

Step 1: Pre-arrival excitement, counting down the days for a week.
Step 2: Arrival nervousness.
Step 3: Realization that one will be playing for people they do not know.
Step 4: Complete meltdown.
Step 5: Dad promises Ice Cream, great excitement.
Step 6: Realization that one will be playing for people they do not know.
Step 7: Complete meltdown with stomach problems.
Step 8: Call to stage.
Step 9: Refusal to go without Dad.
Step 10: Trip on stage and face plant with instrument.
Step 11: Get ready to play while having breakdown
Step 12: Play

Here is step 12:

Egg-celent

A couple pictures from our neighborhood egg hunt and bar-b-que.