Eyebrow threading originates from India and is probably the only way that eyebrows are shaped there. It involves the beautician or whoever is performing the threading to make a loop with a thread and twirl it a couple of times. The loop with the twirls at the center and the sides held by the beautician when applied with light pressure on the area of unwanted hair growth removes hair efficiently. The best thing about threading is that hair can be removed from the exact spot where unwanted and any possible desired shape can be achieved. 
As a warning!!!!
When your friend (no names mentioned, HOLLY) looks at you and says, "Come with me and get your eyebrows threaded. It hurts so much less than waxing." You think, "Sure, my eyebrows need done. Why not." You go to the shop. You climb in the chair. You repeat three or four times that you DO NOT want your eyebrows darkened; hoping that the limited English spoken by the woman about to rip your hair out includes, "No, I like the color just as it is." You feel the coolness of the cleaner she wipes across your eyebrows. And then...the pain shoots through your face and you want to hurt your friend (again, no names mentioned, HOLLY). I am not sure what awful experience she has had with waxing, but no waxing job I have ever had has compared to the pain caused by the thread ripping out all the hair in its path!!
I will have to agree that the end result was worth it. But oh my, getting there was an experience that needs a warning label!!!
I love you Holly:):)
A few weeks ago, Michaela took the American Red Cross babysitting class at RAF Lakenheath. It was an 8 hour course that went over basics of childcare, rescue breathing, abdominal thrusts, and the practical aspects of babysitting. She had a great time and is ready to go!!!! Anyone need a babysitter?
I don't like this! I don't like this!
As we pack things away and get rid of items, we explain to Emma that various toys or clothing items are going to be given away to individuals that need them more than she does. She has been VERY good about letting go of the toys...no drama or breakdowns! When we told her we were taking her bike to Ms. Joan's she just said "Okay, but I want to try riding it without the training wheels first." So Steve took of the stabilisers, Emma got on, and as soon as she got going and Steve began to let go, she repeated, "I don't like this!!! I don't like this!!!" That was the end of that:) The bike and the stabilisers went into the van for Ms. Joan.
~~~michaela's 12th birthday~~~
Michaela has turned 12!! Oh my! Only 360-ish days to go before she is a teenager. HELP!!!!!
Her big day began by her sweet, loving Mum coming into her room,...I did let her sleep until almost 10:30... tickling her, and giving her her 12 spankings! She loved that almost as much as Emma, Alex, and Mason ( I babysat this week) running into her room and jumping on her while they sang Happy Birthday to her:)
She then was treated to lunch at Frankie and Benny's with her friend, Thu and our friends Holly, Sarah, and Ryan. We all enjoyed a good Italian meal and embarrassing Michaela with 'the birthday song' over the loud speaker!
Later that evening, we headed to Holly's for brownie sundaes (Michaela does not like cake). We sang, we gave gifts, and then Steve went home and Thu, Michaela, Emma and myself had a sleepover at Holly's (her husband is in Africa for business). We (everyone except Emma and Sarah) stayed up until 4:00am talking and laid around until lunchtime on Friday!
It was a simple birthday, but she enjoyed her special day!!!
Next year....the big blowout 13th birthday party is already in the works!!!!
We arrived in Shannon Tuesday night around 11:00pm. We went through Customs—with no complications—picked up the rental car, and headed to the hotel in Limerick. We arrived at the hotel about 25 minutes later and were ALL finally in bed at 12:30am. 
Have you ever been at the top of a rainbow?
Because we had the girls in the car driving for hours yesterday, Steve and I decided to take them on a DOLPHINWATCH boat trip today. We drove about 90 minutes to Carriageholt, a small ‘village’ on one of the islands peninsulas. While we waited for the start of the excursion, we walked around the ruins of a castle stronghold built to protect against a French invasion. At the castle wall we watched what we thought were seals, but later found out they were depth markers—aren’t we clever!!!! The boat arrived and we headed out to the mouth of the Shannon. While we were out, the clouds thinned and bright blue skies appeared…along with the dolphins. It was such an awesome sight to see them out in their natural habitat; chasing a school of fish. They are FAST, so the pictures are not the greatest. It was a great day. The girls loved it—even the fridgid, salty water that splashed us was not minded!
Pilot just came on: We are cruising at 31,000 feet. Touch down at half past 9. 16.5 degrees Celsius with light rain showers. Welcome home!
It was a bittersweet week of dance, as this was the last time we would see Ms. Butler. I have already spoken with Ms.Mary Jo in Kentucky, and the girls are registered for their dance classes in Florence and will begin the week we arrive. Michaela is looking forward to getting back into Tap and Jazz and Emma is thrilled that she will be able to FINALLY learn Tap!! 
Early this morning--okay it was 9:00am, but since I stayed up and watched a movie and read until 3:00am, it was really only 2:00 or 3:00am in Tammy-time:)--I was half asleep, lying in the bed, feeling the cool breeze blow in through the window; enjoying a lazy morning. The moment of peace and contentment was soon interrupted--surprisingly, not by the girls--but with the sounds of an enterprising employee of Macintyer Leasing office wielding his trusty hammer to stake claim of our front yard with the Macintyer To Let flag. Soon, others will see the flag and desire to have this homefront for themselves. Strangers will wander through our abode and picture their families making lasting memories among these four walls.......I just hope not any time soon because it is chaos:):):)I guess this white and green flag makes it official...we are leaving England:(
Funny unrelated anecdote...
When we first moved here in 2005, Stephen took the girls and I into Banbury--one of the larger towns around us--for dinner at Pizza Hut (because of course, when you arrive in England and want to experience the British culture, what place is better to mingle with the locals than good ol' American Pizza Hut:). While we were walking through town, Michaela looked up on the side of a building and saw a large sign that said TO LET. (If she was down here and knew I was sharing this story with you, she would be squealing, "Mommy, stop telling this story. I was only 8!!!" But she isn't down here and I love this story. And yes, she was only 8!) She looks at us, and says, "They left the i out of toilet." Needless to say, "I have to go to the TO LET." has become a family joke that she fears will haunt her always.
