Dear Reader,
I turned 37 earlier this month. While in days gone by it was considered not polite to ask a lady her age, I'm not against sharing. And, besides, they say life, like a fine wine gets better with age. I've always liked the analogy and so far it has proven to be true.  It was a wonderful day and my mind, in adding to the festivities, had this little bit of dialogue on repeat.

 That's how I'm looking at this birthday year. I'm not old. I've got a lot ahead of me. In fact, I felt excellent my whole birthday. Everything made me smile! As if that weren't enough, the universe seemed to share with me that this year is going to be a sweet one. I received so many kind birthday wishes, and best of all...cake!

I had not one, but five total cakes over the course of birthday celebrations. Sadly, we only captured picture of four of the cakes. We dug into the fifth one too fast, but rest assured it was amazing and delicious. You can see what they looked like in the picture on the right.

​First was a cake The Boy and I made for my day job, a pineapple carrot cake with homemade cream cheese frosting. Next up, one of my bosses made me a homemade German Chocolate Cake (my favorite!). Would you believe she used whole wheat flour and less sugar? It was one of the most decadent cakes I have ever tasted. Don't get me started on the toasted walnuts and the coconut frosting. After that, a slice of Polish cheesecake. We typically go out for Polish food for my birthday. Well, our local place found out it was my birthday so I received that lovely slice and a rousing rendition of both Happy Birthday to you and  Sto lat. Last but not list (at least of the ones shown), The Boy and my husband made me a chocolate pear cake. Somehow The Boy decided this was the kind of cake I needed. Nothing would steer him from it and we have no idea where he came up with the idea. It was pretty good. As if that weren't enough, for my birthday party, we had a delicious Chantilly cake from Whole Foods. It's a good thing calories don't count on one's birthday.

In non-cake related sweetness, I would say my favorite part of my birthday was said birthday party. My husband invited several of our closest friends for a casual gathering. Good food, good fellowship, lots of laughter and as noted above...cake! I couldn't have asked for a better celebration.

All the sweetness, abundance and fun surrounding my birthday and the days that followed feel like a clear indication that I am in for a sweet year. I will take it with open arms and you can guarantee I will share it with others. I'll leave you with a rare shot of The Boy demolishing his slice of the epic German Chocolate Cake.

Have you had a birthday or special day that brought a smile to your face? I'd love to hear about it. For now, accept a little sweetness from me (and perhaps a slice of leftover cake).  Until next time.

I'll be seeing you.
~Molly

Dear Reader,
​Whenever I think of Thanksgiving, I get Bing Crosby's "I've Got Plenty To Be Thankful For" from Holiday Inn stuck in my head. This year especially the song holds a great deal of meaning. If you followed me on social media earlier this year, you'll know I went through two surgeries back to back and lost about three months due to recovery. It has been a very humbling experience. The lyrics Bing sings in the movie talk about how he doesn't have much, but that the simple things he does have are enough to get by. And, it's a great reminder in these times that at the end of the day, I have plenty I can be thankful for. 

This month, I thought I would reflect on the top 10 things I am most thankful for. I know I have plenty to be grateful for, so I'll keep it simple:

1. My health and the fact that I am slowly getting back to normal.
2. My family, especially my husband and son who were amazing caregivers through my entire health ordeal. They continually show me love day in and day out.
3. My basic necessities (i.e., food, shelter, and clothing) are met or exceeded, and I have the ability to give to those in need.
   
4. My writing tribe, especially my chaptermates in WisRWA and the ladies of WIP Crack Wednesdays. They keep me on track and encourage me every step of the way. I would also be remiss if I didn't mention the many people (both writers and industry professionals) I have met as a member of RWA.
5. The vintage community. The people I have met through this community have been amazing, welcoming, and above all helpful. I have learned so much about vintage style, and particularly hair setting from these ladies and gentleman. Plus, they offer some pretty epic vintage goals.
6. My friends. They get my crazy and don't run away screaming. From my fellow historical reenacting friends, to those I work with at Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, and to those who have known me longer than I care to admit. Friendship is a gift I do not take lightly, and I am blessed by the number of friends I have.
7. The gift a smile or kind gesture can bring to others. On some of my worst days if I find a moment to do something kind for another, expecting nothing in return, I find that I am gifted double. I have made it a personal goal to spread light and love wherever I can. To paraphrase Galadriel from Lord of the Rings, "To be a light in dark places when all other lights go out."
8. Speaking of Lord of the Rings, to my sisters of the heart in the Worldwide Eowyn Challenge, and my friends in #Run3rd. Knowing them has changed my life for the better.
9. The ability to travel and experience the world. My life is richer for the travel I have been afforded. I have learned about new places and ideas, and it has truly opened my eyes. I feel I am a more accepting and loving person from the experiences I have had. It truly is a small world.
10. Life in general. Yes, that is quite broad, but I am. I have been given so much, especially this year. I will not apologize for the kitschyness of it. I am so grateful that I have a life where I can learn new things, meet new people, and experience what the world has to offer as much as possible.

So, there you have it. My short list of 'thankfuls.' I will continue my gratitudes for the rest of the year and when 2018 rolls around, I intend to add practicing daily gratitudes as a reminder of all I have.

Time for me to get back to NaNoWriMo!  What are you thankful for this year?  

Till next time.
I'll be seeing you!
~Molly

Dear Reader,
​
Yes, the above title is something I hear quite a lot when it comes to my hair when it's pin curled. If you've been following me for a while you know that I desire to share the dying art of pin curls, and that I love a good retro wet set.  Fortunately or unfortunately, I was blessed with a lot of hair that is extremely healthy and stick straight. None of those things are really conducive to wet sets, but I'm stubborn and I make my hair conform to my whims.

But, how did I get there? It's only fair to tell you that it's taken me seven years to get my sets to where they are today. It took a lot of work, a lot of patience (which is not my virtue), and tenacity. I also would not be here today without the help of my amazing stylist, Dez. She has worked with me every step of the way to help me achieve my #hairgoals. ​

When I started, I hadn't a clue where to really begin. One of the first resource books I acquired was Daniela Turudich's 1940's Hairstyles. Talk about a scare! Setting patterns? Specialized hair cuts and hair cutting diagrams? Brush outs? What was this sorcery? Stubbornness prevailed and I set to work with some help from a few people (like Dez).

The best part about having Dez as my stylist? She knew exactly what the sorcery meant.​​ We usually talk about a new (to me) technique or something I'm curious to try at each hair appointment. I'm always learning and always striving to make my sets better.

We also have things pretty much down to a system. She cuts my hair in a modified 1940s haircut: the middy. She usually uses a razor rather than scissors, and modifies it with layers rather than a blunt cut so if I don't feel like setting it, I don't look like I have a bad mullet.  It is also not uncommon for her to take out a ton of weight to make it easier for the curl to hold.  It has made all the difference!

By contrast, this is what seven years of hard work and practice (and the right hair cut that doesn't pull out the curl) looks like.

I can say I feel much more at ease and accomplished with wet sets. And that book by Daniela Turudich? It has become one of my greatest resources because the sorcery has been unlocked. Wet sets will always be known to me as "pin curl adventures," but now I can sit back and enjoy the ride a bit more.

Have you tried pin curls or did you wear them daily growing up? What was your biggest challenge and what did you find was the most useful tip to help you achieve a great set? Leave me a comment below. I'd love to hear.

Till next time. I'll be seeing you!
~Molly