The Woolf Pack

Hasta Luego

I’m taking a break from blogging, mostly because I have nothing to say. I mean, I always have something to say, but rarely is it interesting!

Someday when something interesting happens…you’ll know!

Until then, keep writing so I have something fun to read!

Totally Legit.

It’s over. ALL over. No more stressing, asking questions. No more memorizing the different type of pathogenic and non pathogenic bacteria. I can stop biting my fingernails and wondering if I sanitized enough, or sectioned correctly when doing my haircut. Why is it over? Because I’m a TOTALLY legit cosmetologist now! I’ve been working in a salon for a month now, it’s getting better and the girls I work with are really fun.

Probably the most stressful day of my life thus far. And not really b/c the test was THAT hard, it was all the anticipation, the horror stories you hear etc…I took my test with 40 other girls. Some girls were super prepared (just like me of course), other girls looked like they just woke up and threw some stuff in their bags. Not gonna lie, those girls did not pass. Test was in 2 parts. So we would wait and wait and wait. I was going to open my letter in my car by myself b/c I had it in my mind I Failed. You have to have gotten a 75 on the written exam and a 75 on the practical to get your license that day. Ohio is the only state that prints your license the same day you take your test. Since everyone else was opening theirs I figured “what the heck.” I was very scared and probably had about 10 mini heart attacks while opening the envelope. To be frank, I was super surprised I passed. Not trying to sound like a debbie downer, but I always expect the worst so I’m never let down, is that bad? Well, I got an 87 on the written and an 85 on the practical. It made for a wonderful day b/c it was also our 3rd anniversary! Due to our current financial state, we celebrated at applebee’s but it made it special nonetheless! I certainly loves James more than I did yesterday!

I’m still on an emotional roller coaster. There are no regrets in my emotions, just what ifs. I know that this is not the end. I know I made the right choice for us now. I just need to continue to hone my skill of patience which is currently wavering.

But for now, I am thankful I have a job (s), a great husband that has survived another year with me and super duper quality family and friends!

Here are some preparations for the big ol’ state board test:

A hot mess before:

All organized and ready for the big day!

Yay me!

This and that

So, it’s been a month since I’ve graduated from school. I’ve got a job, we’ll call it “The salon.” It’s going pretty good. Honestly a little different than I expected. Not necessarily in a bad way, just a little less exciting we’ll say. I am thankful for the opportunity and plan to make the best out of it that I can. It’s funny that the girls I work with didn’t waste any time (all at different times) to tell me who they don’t like and why including their annoying work ethics. I just laugh and hope to stay as neutral as possible, after all I am human . I’ve already experienced a ‘problem’ client – it was quite funny actually and after the client left, they all started laughing saying “You passed your initiation!” My favorite co-worker interaction has been when a slightly older lady who’s been doing hair since the 1800′s says to me “You remind me of my daughter [who is also named Stephanie] she’s not very tall, but she’s big.” I love people.

I can’t believe this is the last week in October. In one week from tomorrow I will be sweating bullets and biting off my nails in anticipation of passing my state boards test. James and I will also celebrate our 3 year anniversary! Time flies when you’re having fun, or stressing out. Mostly having fun though.

Mr. Woolf is doing swimmingly, being studious as ever and even got the dub of Employee of the Month. I love that dude. I came home from work Saturday and he had cleaned the whole house including changing our sheets. Man, I must have been really good in heaven, b/c I’m pretty sure I am far from good now.

The battle of the bulge #35634534534 starts again on Friday around 4 p.m. My sweet visiting teacher is going to let me come to her gym to attend one of her classes she teaches. Man, I have got to get my booty in gear. I REFUSE to buy a bigger size pair of pants, but alas I sit her on my ever growing booty talking about losing weight.

Hire me? Comment me?

So, I am jobless (in my field at least). I have interviewed at 4 places, dropped off my resume and portfolio at another 4 places, I have an interview at a salon on Thursday and finally just registered for a temp agency to give me office temp jobs while in limbo.

Have you ever felt that low right after accomplishing something you’ve worked really hard for? I remember feeling like that right after I graduated from college, I was just there taking up space. Most of my roommates were married, or had great job offers. I on the other hand was on the phone with my mom “Hey! Guess what, I’m moving back home, I have no job! I’ll be sleeping in my same twin size bed again!” I am thankful they let me back in after being gone for 6 years! I then embarked on a great marketing career for some 7 years.

I know find myself in the same spot where I was in 2003 (in the fall too). I have been humbled that I haven’t gotten any job offers. I know that it’s probably b/c I’m not licensed just yet and most salon owners need that piece of paper, something will come of it soon. I have been in talks with a corporate salon company for future opportunities. Which is good b/c there’s lots of the salon world I want to be involved in. Once it happens I know that I will be more tranquil. Currently I am having some inner turmoil wondering if I’m good enough, you know?

Ah well, I know it’ll all workout somehow.

In other related topics…my friend Andrea asked all her blog followers to let her know they’re out there and encouraged them to comment on her posts. I know mine are boring, but are you out there? If so, stop by and leave a comment!!!

p.s. scroll down, there’s more new posts!

Apple Festival 2009

The weekend of the 18th was the annual Apple Festival in Hartford, Ohio. My sister-n-law Greta’s home town (which she was the apple queen one year, btw). About 3 years ago, we squeezed our way into the Betts’ tradition of making a weekend out of it. We headed up there with my parents on Friday night and stayed in a hotel over the weekend.

Basically the weekend consisted of, laughing, eating lots of food primarily fair food (fries, corn dogs, you know), 4-wheeling, more laughing and overall just a great time.

It’s times like these where I think to myself, “Man, my life is awesome!”

Woolfs do the windy city

This past weekend we were able to go to Chicago (thank you Kesten’s and $35 one ways Southwest!)

We got in on Thursday afternoon and left early this morning. For the short amount of time, we sure packed a lot of fun in it! We were able to go to the Lincoln Park Zoo, Bahai Temple, Chicago Art Museum, Window shop the Magnificent Mile – I was going to buy a few new fall items at Prada, but we just didn’t have time, ha ha! I can’t fail to mention the amazing food we had Saturday night at Hugo’s Frog Bar when I hear the term “filet medallions” my taste buds will water! We were very lucky to get a ‘local’ view of Chicago too, it was so fun!

Sunday James and I ventured on our own (true tourist style) and headed over to Navy Pier . I have to say, I’m proud of myself as to make this trip as least costly as possible we only took a cab to the airport, and walked the 2 miles (each way) from our hotel to navy pier. I got my people watching fix in for sure. I loved our hotel, especially b/c priceline gave us a super duper deal! Being the freak I am, I was stressed we weren’t going to wake up in time to catch our cab at 5 a.m. So I had a really cool internal alarm that woke me up every hour starting at 12 a.m. it was awesome. Not. But we made it on time!

It was a great time and had fun pretending there wasn’t laundry or bills waiting us at home!

Driving with the Hughes

Over the weekend Lauren & Bob Hughes blessed us with their presence. Lauren and I were crazy friends in college and have kept in touch. We had talked about visiting each other, and Lauren made it happen! They came in Friday night (they drove 10 hrs to sleep on a full size bed, then to drive an additional 4 hrs round trip just to be with us). We got up Saturday morning and made a hearty breakfast -I’m not telling how many pieces of bacon I ate…ok FINE maybe like 6, are you happy? Then we headed up to Cleveland to go to the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame – it was so busy but I loved it. I’ve been there several times, but they change out their exhibits so it was fresh. We even got to tour Johnny Cash’s 1979 Tour bus he was stylin’! After we walked around the shore and headed off to some delish food at The Hard Rock. We finished it off with an “eh” movie .

Sunday we went to church, then headed off to Kirtland to see the beautiful sites of the church. I don’t think I can get enough of that place. I learn something new each time. I didn’t know this, but besides Salt Lake (where our church is headquartered) Kirtland was the longest settlement of the early saints where they stayed for 7 years. We headed back home for a much needed family gathering – I love my family!!!! Then we headed in the car AGAIN to go back to Columbus. We drove them around a little bit on Monday and ate some good food and said adios to the Hughes, until next time!! We had a great time!

Beauty School, check.

I finished beauty school, hair school, cos school (whatever you call it) September 11, 2009, about 2 weeks after my scheduled date. Not bad considering what happened during the 10 months I was in school.

You’d be interested to know that on my first day of school my class was around 11. Of those, only 6 of us made it all the way through. Beauty school was much different than college. I dare say it was more difficult in the sense that it was a full time job being there FORTY hours a week in the SAME room with the SAME people for TEN months can wear on a person if ya get my drift. Don’t get me wrong, I made some life long friends and learned about myself as well. I learned about stretching my abilities, I made plenty of mistakes (mostly on my mannequins!), learned more than just about hair, skin and nails. Did you know that zygomatic bone is also known as the cheekbone? I learned that being a peace maker is so much easier than giving my opinion at any given opportunity. I was known in school as just that, and was thankful that was my ‘legacy’ if you will. There was plenty of drama, and hair pulling moments, but just as that – there was always someone there to sweep up my hair after a haircut. sigh. I am proud to announce that I was in the top 3 of my entire school in service volume, retail volume, customer satisfaction and repeat customers. (thanks to all my family and friends!)

I have to say, I didn’t do this on my own. If it wasn’t for the strength that Heavenly Father instilled in me, the love I felt he had for me when I just thought I couldn’t take it anymore. I had amazing support from my entire family, especially Greta, Mom and James. Thanks to Greta for being my VERY first haircut in school, thanks to Mom for always coming to see me in school and thanks to James for his constant encouragement and high fives. I can’t forget my fly girls from church that gave me a chance to get my practice in!!!

I’ll never forget the teachers asking me not to go b/c I “balanced” everything out. Or the mass quantities of kit kats, diet coke, that were consumed in the break room. There are many things that I will try to forget, but I’ll never forget that I did it. Now I just study and PRAY I pass my boards!

This is just the beginning, I am starting from square one. It’s been an exhilarating experience all in the same it’s been draining. I am still on the job hunt which has left me feeling a little displaced at the moment, but I know the right thing will come along eventually…until then, folding childrens clothes will have to due (ugh).

I AM DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Dirty 30

Yup. I’m 30, I’ve got the cake to prove it:

In case you can’t read it, it says Happy Dirty 30 O.G. Steph. According to my classmates, I had to “represent” my age. Gotta love it!

So, I had kind of had a weekend long of celebrations. Friday night some AWESOME friends from my ward threw me a surprise party. I loved it! We started off the night with the best, TACO BELL!! When they found out it was my bday, they paid for my dinner. I’m sure it’s the fact that we brought 15 other people to eat there as well. Then we headed out to a childhood pastime of mine, roller skating! let’s just say I had to take a break after almost every song! After that, we headed to sing our hearts out at karaoke. I have to say my favorite was my friend that sang Hammertime with me. We totally should go on tour. We ate delicious chocolate pie!! I loved all the girls that came and thought of me. I love you guys!

It was busy on my actual birthday Saturday too. I had 3 clients at school, the we had a potluck/cake party in our breakroom!!! James came up and surprised me with flowers, he’s so sweet! After school we left to my bro’s house we were to meet up w/ Tony & Greta and my parents – off to dinner so I thought. We drove downtown and I thought, “Oh we’re having a fancy dinner!” or…going to see a movie. I’ll be honest at first I said to myself “We drove all the way downtown to see a movie?” When all of the sudden I look up and see this little marquis that said “Stephanie B-day”…and as I walked in I heard “SURPRISE!” James had rented out this nice little theatre!!! All for us, friends from Cleveland came down (which was my biggest surprise), and friends from Columbus. I felt so loved and was so thankful for awesome friends, wonderful family and an amazing husband. We watched Harry Potter in our own theatre, along with my 3rd birthday cake!

I had an amazing Birthday and am thankful everyone in my life. Here’s to another 30 years!