Author: the outside lane

Happy. That about covers it.
Women Worth Knowing

Women Worth Knowing: Meet Charlcye

the outside lane

Charlcye (CHARL-see) is one of those rare women who nearly defy description.  I would swear that the lyrics to Drops of Jupiter were written about her, given that she acts like summer and walks like rain, but I knew her when the song came out and am pretty sure she’s never met Train.  Then again, it’s Charlcye.  She may very well have met and charmed, and been muse for that song.  She keeps her mysteries.  Not secrets.  Secrets are mundane, and there is nothing mundane about this woman.

I met Charlcye when we worked in the same department, and a few years later ended up working for her.  It was a blissful year, and I was incredibly sorry when a merger upended our happy arrangement.  However, once we were no longer coworkers, or in a manager/employee relationship, I got to know Charlcye as a friend–you should always ask for that in a severance package.  Your HR department might look at you funny, but you should definitely always try to get “and a friendship with Charlcye” out of any deal.

To the eye, Charlcye would appear to be carefree and wild.  She would appear to listen like Spring and talk like June.  But look closer.  There is method to her motion.  She is like a hummingbird, appearing only to flit and zip, and dart toward color in a flicker of movement, but in those short strokes, she is solid and serious, and drinking deeply from whatever has caught her interest.  There is nothing shallow about her.  Every click of her high heel is measured.  Every toss of her hair is pre-considered.  Every question she asks you is meaningful to her.

She once told me that she loves meeting anyone because everyone is a wonderful story waiting to be told.  Let her tell you hers.

Meet Charlcye.

Name: Charlcye
Age Range: 30 FOREVER
Preferred Job Title:  Investor in Real Estate, Travel, and Relationships
Industry:  Real Estate

Who are you :  somewhere in the many labels placed upon me you get a true sense of who I am:  Christ-Follower, Free Spirit, Goddess of Travel, Wife, Step-Mummy, Lover, BFF, Soul Sister, Vegetarian, Business Owner, Libertarian, Writer, Poet, Wanderer, Activist, Executive, Sabbatical Supporter, Urban Nomad, God-Mummy, Philanthropist, Connector, Highly Directive (not bossy…lol), Dream Coach, Empath, Life Builder, Pet Rescuer, Creative Soul, Daughter, and Earth Explorer.

Describe your family: Husband Mike, 3 daughters, 2 dogs, 1 cat (package deal when I said “I do” in 2008 – from single/no pets to instant family).  Mum (Spiritual Mentor), dad (my BFF), and my dearest Aunt Sharon (offers encouragement, inspiration, and unconditional love).  I believe in creating my family by carefully selecting and adding people to my life – coining them “family” promises a commitment for Forever.

What does the first hour of your day look like? Looking to see where I am (always hopeful I’m in a hotel in a far-away city); yoga stretches to wake up and to breath correctly; listen to Public Radio updates on the world (90.1 KERA); dress and paint The Canvas (my outer shell) for the day according to agenda, weather, and feelings; kiss Mi Amor good bye for the day; determine my Intentions for the day.

The last hour? Yoga stretches; remove makeup; change into attire for Dreamland; recap day in Gratitude Journal; review/update Prayer List; tell dogs and cat good night and to sleep well; kiss Mi Amor good night and wish him Bon Voyage into Dreamland.   Identify intentions for amazing dreams and waking up rested.

What makes you feel successful? I equate success with making a difference.  Success for me is realized when I see or hear from someone about a positive difference because of my direct involvement in his/her life.

What brings you joy? Times that I am completely in the moment with no distractions – these are the moments I cherish most.  Music that resonates with my soul, music or words that connects my spirit with God, sitting in cafes writing in my journal, and watching an independent film and feeling a shift in my focus that is changing my life.

What women do you admire? Tough question, so many amazing women with qualities and responses to life that I admire.  My Mum gives freely her time, energy, and finances without any expectations in return; her legacy will live on for generations.  Betsey Johnson created her life, her eccentric fashion line, while overcoming being a single mum, seasoned divorcee, and breast cancer survivor.  Mother Teresa for sacrificing for others and yet being awesomely aware of her soul’s cravings.

What do you like best about your closest friend? Both he and she know my heart, my soul (mind, will, and emotions), my darkness and are not afraid, they know and encourage the light in me that when allowed can shine forth.  Unconditional love.

What do you like best about yourself? I am fully integrated, self-reflective, awake and see.  I connect with people and can learn from anyone I meet; I strive to see the magic moments of life.   Adventurous, tenacious, deep thinker.  I take inventory, experience being truly sorry, and seek forgiveness when my actions or attitudes have been less the Best Possible Me.

What advice would you give boys about girls? 1. Every decision has a consequence – indecision is a consequence. Choose your consequences wisely.  2. “Crushes” can last up to a year and are only chemicals in the brain showing you similarities and “feel good” moments.  Love lasts and needs values and morals that are the same to build the foundation for a lasting love. You will “love” several but can only build a healthy life with a select few.   3. Never let anyone believe he/she is more special to you than they are – don’t break hearts and stop others from damaging other humans.   4. Don’t believe the lies society tells you:  high school -> college-> marriage-> suburbs-> children.  FIND YOUR PATH; only get married if you truly mean “forever”, don’t have children unless your decisions will be for their best interest, don’t have children to feel loved or to live out your plans through them, don’t live in the suburbs if you are a Urbanite or Downtowner.   5.  Watch for the Moments of Clarity.  Talk to strangers.  Travel by yourself.  Wander with no destination in mind.  Explore all possibilities.

How do you overcome adversity? With my faith in God and the support of my friends and family.

How do you want to be remembered? I hope that others would place on my epitaph:  “ Believer in possibilities, Embraced others Souls,  Aligned her Spirit with God’s plans, and Lived until her last breath.”

Uncategorized

Alladin Sane

the outside lane

David Bowie was just on the Muzak, which made me remember this.  Enjoy a peek into my world.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

 You Remind me of the Babe…

Tonight, I tried to show Labyrinth to my son.

“Why should we watch this?” He asked.

“Because it has muppets, and goblins, and fight scenes, and David Bowie,” I answered.

He said, “Oh. David Bowie?”

“Yes,” I nodded, wondering mildly how he recognized the name.  Had I talked about him before?  “David Bowie.”

When David Bowie came on the screen, I pointed him out.

“That’s David Bowie,” I said, not mentioning that I loved David Bowie before I met Daddy.

“THAT?!” Thor asked incredulously. “That is David Bowie?!”

Surprised at his tone, I said, “Yes…why?”

He shook his head, “Well, in Space Chimps, Titan says to Ham, ‘What? Are you David Bowie, or something?'”

While I was registering that David Bowie got name checked in Space Chimps, Thor was snorting his disgust. Seriously. He was so disappointed. I can only assume he thought David Bowie was an astronaut, or race car driver, or something else a four-year-old might find interesting.

He wandered off soon enough, bored out of his skull. Daddy Diarist had already left the room. That’s fine. I never turn down five minutes alone with Ziggy Stardust.

Style

Stripped Down

the outside lane

Today’s polyvore.com offering comes in khaki.  Can you tell I’m tired?

If you follow that link, I posted the jacket and trousers, so prices are correct.  I did get the trousers for $25 during a promotion.  Hilariously, I got the sweater for over $100 less at Ross.  Mine cost a whopping $7.99.  Exact same sweater down to the pocket.  Not sure of the brand, as I can’t see the tag.  The shoes are similar to the Santana slingbacks I’m wearing, but mine cost in the 20s at Ross.

I like the juxtaposition of the wide horizontal stripes of the sweater with the skinny vertical seersucker.  As for the rest, well, it was clean!

Style

Hair We Go

the outside lane

My hair has a mind of its own.  It is baby fine and mostly straight, with strange, deep waves right at the temple, and two wild cowlicks in the back.  Years of struggle have taught me how to tame it, but on mornings I don’t feel like cracking the whip, I like wigs.

Wigs!  Accessories for your head!  You can change your hair wardrobe as often as you change your shoes.  Have short hair.  Have long hair.  Have bangs.  Have curls.  Be blonde.  Be brunette.  Be pink.  It is all within reach.

I have yet to add full wigs into my rotation of hairpieces, but frequently employ the services of wiglets, clip-ins, and 3/4 wigs.  This link will take you to a site showing the best variety of options available for hairpieces.  I have bought some of my pieces at Sam Moon (hair only available in stores), but usually, I will find what I want online and then shop out the prices.  It is worthwhile to spend the money on a good hairpiece, especially if you plan to wear it frequently, but I like a bargain and don’t mind hunting for it. 

Roots can be up to 2 shades of difference with a headband.

The piece I am wearing today is a 3/4 wig on a headband.  I found the style and brand through the internet, then I searched for it on Ebay and bought it for $39 instead of $70.  I like this style because you use your natural hairline, and the more of actual nature showing, the more natural it looks.  Also, it is lighter, cooler and easy to style.  The big bonus is that you don’t have to worry so much about a perfect match between your natural hairline and the wig.  Your roots can easily be two shades up or down from the hairpiece, and no one will wonder.  When you change your hair color as frequently as I do, that’s a plus.

I also love the fauxnytail and the faux updo.  Right now, I’m pretty sold on the Jessica Simpson/Ken Paves collection.  I have several of their items and like the quality and how well they hold their shape.  I keep my eye out for these on Ebay.  I think my best purchase was of the faux bangs.  I was trying to decide if I wanted a thicker cut fringe, and this was a good way to try out the look without having to hack into my hair.

I’m not a fan of claw clip add ins, mainly because with my hair texture, it’s hard to get a natural look with those.  On people with thick hair, those can look beautiful.  My thick haired cousin, Michael, wears them and they look fantastic on her.  I love the pieces that are fitted onto combs.  I can put my natural hair into little sprigs of ponytails and secure the comb into those.  I also like the pieces that are on clamp type barettes.  The interlocking combs are my favorite for the sheer grip and security, and because they cover a wider expanse of my head than a claw clamp can.  This means a more natural look, too.  It’s a case of whatever looks best on your head.

If you’re new to wigs and hairpieces, start small and experiment.  It is so much fun to be able to change your look in the time it takes to put on a snow cap!

Women Worth Knowing

Women Worth Knowing: Meet Jennifer

the outside lane

Jennifer was one of the prettiest babies I have ever seen.  She was a headful of platinum blonde curls, big brown eyes, and little pink cheeks.  My earliest memory of her is watching my aunt feed her dinner at our grandmother’s kitchen table.  She was eating field peas mixed in with butter beans, and couldn’t have been much more than a year old, which would have made me five. 

Jenny.

See, in my mind’s eye, Jennifer is still Jenny.  She is stuck at 4 years old, the first summer we spent together at our grandparents’ home, tan and rosy, running around in a bubble suit romper, alternately chasing or being chased by Oscar, the family Boxer.  We had three full summers together, and were alternately good and awful to one another.  She would break my toys, and I would do my best to terrify her out of sleeping.  But she also put up with me using her for a hair model, and was blessedly patient with me while I lectured her on makeup and beauty routines.

She was the first out of the six of the cousins to get married and have babies, and she’s been an excellent model of homemaker and mother.  Her children are polite.  They are well-mannered.  They are helpful and good.  They are smart and work hard in school.  That’s a reflection of their mom.  Not a bad mirror at all. 

Jennifer is creative and funny.  She makes these cakes that should be on Food Network.  She really understands the mechanics of keeping house.  Now listen, I admire this.  I really admire women who know how to keep house and have order–I don’t.  That’s not my gift.  Jennifer’s house could be a magazine set.

She’s a lovely grown woman, but she’ll always be that pretty little girl to me.

Meet Jennifer.

Name: Jennifer Nestell
Age Range: 30s
Preferred Job Title: Domestic Goddess/Student
Industry: Home making

Describe your family: Full of men…So at all times there is chaos, messiness, and smells that you wouldn’t believe. But I couldn’t imagine my life any other way.

What does the first hour of your day look like? The first half hour of my day, begins by making sure my boys get up on time, eat breakfast, brush their teeth, and make it to the bus stop. The second half is me washing my face contemplating going back to sleep. But that never seems to work out that way.

The last hour? Relaxing and talking to my husband about our days, uninterrupted.

What makes you feel successful? Watching my family meet their goals and excelling at what they love.

What brings you joy? My kids coming up to me out of nowhere and telling me they love me and that I am a good mom. My Lesa. =)

What women do you admire? I would have to say my Mom, my Grandma, and my Aunt Donna. They all have taught me many things. Mainly to be strong and to fight for my family! So that is what I do. I am grateful to have them in my life.

What do you like best about your closest friend? My bestie Lesa goodness what is not to like?? She is the most loyal person I know! She can laugh in any situation and well she just brings me joy.

What do you like best about yourself? The same thing I hate about myself. I trust too easily.

What advice would you give boys about girls? Always treat them with respect!

How do you overcome adversity? With Gods help.

How do you want to be remembered? Well I want my husband to remember that I am the sexiest woman alive. And that he will never do any better then me. My kids to remember that I love them at ALL times and that they always come first!! My extended family that even though we don’t get to see each other a lot I love you all and think of you often. And my friends that it doesn’t get any more loyal, loving and dependable then me! Anyone else can remember me however they like!