With semi perm, I've had decent success with a good strong clarifying shampoo to lighten the darkness. With permanent, nsm. I definitely learned the Color Will Not Lighten Color rule the hard way. That was the first and last time I've ever had to strip the color out of my hair. Knock on wood.

Prell is supposed to be a good color-stripping shampoo. Just use a nice strong conditioner afterwards.

Oh good. I have some Zerran Moisture Pak which is an excellent conditioner I used to use when I trashed my hair chemically all of the time. Now I just have some cause I like the smell sometimes. It would be actually useful if I need to strip color.

I grabbed Clairol Natural Instincts in Nutmeg. I would have done Roasted Chestnut but they were out and I was all about the immediate gratification, even if I don't use it tonight.

L'Oreal's Color Spa is the other brand I use. They were low on color options too.

I'm only worried that if it looks at all ash, I look like ass with ash-y colors. They claim it's a neutral and on the warmish side. I am leery.

nutmeg doesn't look like it will go ashy -- most of the natural instinct colors I have tried are bright than the box, if that helps.

I am eating Toll House cookies. AIFG. Daniel made them for me. He also made yummy chili for supper.

Keep your hands off him, he's mine.

Cash, so glad to hear things are okay.

I went shopping this weekend, discovered there are 2 fair trade stores in town, one is Ten Thousand Villages which is part of a Mennonite outreach program (there are stores inabout 30 states) and there's another run by a center here in town. Now I have to go return some things I bought at other stores.

Had the Xmas family gather. I got candy (mostly) and earrings. Thank god my liberal lefty cousin was there (his wife is sick so she missed it) because I was going to go crazy. When I first got there my aunt kepting going on about how "politically incorrect" she was and saying Merry Christmas to everyone and being offensive. And my uncle's new wife was telling everyone about an email her father (a preacher) was sending around about how everyone should send a Merry Christmas/religous card to the ACLU and piss them off, she didn't say piss, she said make them angry. I tried to argue, but it's futile and I know it.

Thank god my cousin was there and we could quietly talk about The Daily Show and the morning after pill and various things. I told him about slacktivist's Left Behind commentary and he said he'd have to check that out.

I didn't hear any racist remarks so that was a blessing.

Mommmmmmmmmmm! The President's on instead of Family Guyyyyyy!

ETA: Actually, I can't tell. FG is on a channel I can't get right now.

I am now broke.

Christmas shopping is done, though. Yay!

Also, I have the BESTEST roommate ever. After looking and looking for a nice outfit for Christmas that *actually* fits (I've gained some weight), Emily suggested, carefully, that we try Lane Bryant. Then, she bought me not only a nice outfit for Christmas, but also a pretty dress for New Year's Eve, some work clothes, and some nice jammies. I have the BESTEST roommate ever.

Oh, and Toto's being a brat. He keeps trying to get into his Christmas presents.

Actually, I can't tell. FG is on a channel I can't get right now.

He is on instead of FG.

Mommmmmmmmmmm! The President's on instead of Family Guyyyyyy!

Christopher wouldn't let me watch it after my reaction to Condi on Meet the Press today. I sneaked down here to get another half hour on the computer.

We need a wireless router for his work laptop.