Mr Myagi and the Art of Hair Removal
October 29th 2008 06:45
One way to save some cash is in the area of beauty maintenance. We all want to look and feel our best but this now comes at serious expense. Some things you can do yourself, other things should be left to professionals but there are many ways to save and still look and feel your best. I’ll try to give you the benefit of my experience so that you can save yourself some pain and humiliation and you can laugh at mine instead. This post is all done from a female perspective so if there are any guys out there that are willing to give us tips, please leave comments!
Todays topic is hair removal - It goes without saying that waxing is probably the best method of removing unwanted hair but it isn’t cheap. Personally I think waxing legs is a luxury I can’t afford so I choose the cheaper method of shaving. It’s fast and effective. Buy the best disposable razors you can afford. It does make a difference. Although you can shave perfectly well with the cheapies if you make sure you shave with the right products. If you can’t afford shaving cream then use sorbolene, it is cheap and moisturizing and I’ve found the one for babies is even better. Don’t use soap. It is not lubricating enough and you’ll most likely get a bad shaving rash and very dry skin. But, bikini line is a different matter. Shaving is no-no! The itching regrowth will send you crazy and you’ll feel like a porcupine. Plus, walking around scratching at your bits is most unattractive.
There are do-it-yourself waxing products for those brave enough to give it a go. Some are messy, some are hopeless but some are really good and much of the time it’s trial and error to find what suits you best. Ask your friends what they use. Anything that comes with wax on a plastic strip I have always found to be terrible; if you end up with sticky hairy legs from them they just don’t have the strength to remove bikini line hair. The sugar based home waxes are usually quite good and there are heaps of products now made specifically for the sensitive skin of the bikini area. You can also use depilatory creams, I personally won’t be using them, call me strange but I don’t want to be putting chemicals that can dissolve hair anywhere near my precious nethers.There's a chemical warfare I don't want to be having.
If you’re into Brazilian waxing then you can do-it-yourself if you have the right equipment, a very high pain threshold and you are very flexible – a third hand would also help but you can’t have everything. Sometimes you might be able to rope your partner into helping if they have a particularly sadistic streak but you are not going to look at all sexy while this is going on so it may defeat the purpose. There will be swearing, contortions of a not so glamorous nature and facial expressions that will border on the comical to the look one would expect if you had just been partially devoured by a rabid shark. Mention a Brazilian to a man and you’re likely to see a dreamy expression; mention him getting one and you will see a face that looks like he’s just witnessed a horrible disfiguring accident…or his favourite footy team being trounced. Although there are the brave boys who partake of the lovely colloquially termed Back, Sac and Crack wax. These guys have my utmost respect. Most men are babies when it comes to pain. Come on guys, won't just one of you "teste"fy as to what it's like and if you've found a cheaper alternative?
As you know if you’ve ever had one they are painful and if you think for even one second that you will chicken out, do NOT go there! I seriously doubt that there are emergency beauticians who will make house calls because unlike Mr Myagi you have managed to wax on but not wax off.
I saved up and spent the money and bought a new professional wax heater and good quality Brazilian wax from ebay for a great price. It’s also easy for underarms. The initial cost was probably half again what you would pay for a salon Brazilian. I do maintenance waxes myself at home. It hurts like hell, it’s difficult and at times I’m sure I look like a demented pretzel but it gives great results. I would never suggest you do this if you haven’t waxed in a while. Remember what you’re working with here and know that if you’re not incredibly careful and confident you can do yourself a serious injury. That’s why it costs so much for a professional to do it for you. They’ve been trained, (possibly at The Pond's Institute) a very reputable scientific centre if ever there was one..
I do maybe every third wax myself but if I’ve been slack I always go back to the beautician to get it over with quickly and with a great deal less pain. If you do decide to do this (and I take no responsibility for your actions or results), try very small bits first to see if you can handle it and have a trusted girlfriend or boyfriend ready to come to the rescue and rip it off if you chicken out. Take real notice of what your beautician does next time you have one so you know how to do the job properly and safely. Many beauty therapists are happy to show you although they will never recommend it. Partly because they will lose business, but also because it really is risky and painful – but not impossible. The most important things to remember are temperature testing, dry skin and your skin must always be held extremely taut – that’s where the extra hand would be, well, handy.
Even though a gin and tonic or a nice glass of red would help dull the pain I suggest you leave that as an ‘Oh God it’s over’ treat or you may wax off more than you bargained for. Plus the Emergency Ward nurses might think it’s a chuckle but you are going to be deathly embarrassed if you ‘glue’ your butt cheeks (or worse) together!
I’ve tried those epilators that look like shavers but rip the hair out by the roots and I can honestly say they must have been invented by the Marquis De Sade. Slow and torturous, it felt like I was being attacked by a swarm of killer bees with blow dart guns with darts dipped in acid.
I know there are many of you whose budget can’t extend to a salon wax at all and that’s when products like the great Australian do-it-yourself depilatory kits by Nads come to the fore. They are affordable and natural and come with great instructions. Not only do they have bikini kits but they also have a great little wand for doing your eyebrows. Speaking of which, DO NOT try and wax your own eyebrows with normal bikini wax, if it drips you can kiss your eyelashes and possibly your vision goodbye! Yes, I was actually stupid enough to try this once and I won’t go into the hours and ridiculous measures taken to save my glued up eyelashes and the bald patch I suffered suffice to say lesson learned the hard way. If you want to look like a pirate with an eye patch go right ahead. Yes I’m a moron….but moving right along.
I now more sensibly prefer the cheaper old fashioned plucking but I did spend a bit extra getting tweezers with a little light attached called La Tweeze. They are not the cheapest available but they are amazing and you can get them from most pharmacies. You get a far more professional result and they also double as a great first aid tool because removing splinters with them is a breeze.
If you need to remove hormonal or excessive facial hair, please do not shave unless you want to end up with a beard or a mo like a man. You will need to wax or bleach. There is nothing more out there than your face. Plus some bleaches can cause horrible skin reactions. You must patch test them first. For a small amount of hair I would recommend bleaching, for longer or more hair waxing may be the answer. Both are easily done at home after you've seen a professional at least once. This is one visit I recommend paying for the first time. If it's only one or two bothersome hairs, just pluck them out.
I also save money by going to a great beauty salon that has a loyalty card. Every 5th treatment is free and they don’t charge any more than anyone else and they don’t have an expiry date. Ask around and find a salon that has one, it will save you a small fortune in the long run.
Let us know how you go or if you have a great product you use.
Share your tips and better still any humiliating stories, they're always fun!
Todays topic is hair removal - It goes without saying that waxing is probably the best method of removing unwanted hair but it isn’t cheap. Personally I think waxing legs is a luxury I can’t afford so I choose the cheaper method of shaving. It’s fast and effective. Buy the best disposable razors you can afford. It does make a difference. Although you can shave perfectly well with the cheapies if you make sure you shave with the right products. If you can’t afford shaving cream then use sorbolene, it is cheap and moisturizing and I’ve found the one for babies is even better. Don’t use soap. It is not lubricating enough and you’ll most likely get a bad shaving rash and very dry skin. But, bikini line is a different matter. Shaving is no-no! The itching regrowth will send you crazy and you’ll feel like a porcupine. Plus, walking around scratching at your bits is most unattractive.
There are do-it-yourself waxing products for those brave enough to give it a go. Some are messy, some are hopeless but some are really good and much of the time it’s trial and error to find what suits you best. Ask your friends what they use. Anything that comes with wax on a plastic strip I have always found to be terrible; if you end up with sticky hairy legs from them they just don’t have the strength to remove bikini line hair. The sugar based home waxes are usually quite good and there are heaps of products now made specifically for the sensitive skin of the bikini area. You can also use depilatory creams, I personally won’t be using them, call me strange but I don’t want to be putting chemicals that can dissolve hair anywhere near my precious nethers.There's a chemical warfare I don't want to be having.
If you’re into Brazilian waxing then you can do-it-yourself if you have the right equipment, a very high pain threshold and you are very flexible – a third hand would also help but you can’t have everything. Sometimes you might be able to rope your partner into helping if they have a particularly sadistic streak but you are not going to look at all sexy while this is going on so it may defeat the purpose. There will be swearing, contortions of a not so glamorous nature and facial expressions that will border on the comical to the look one would expect if you had just been partially devoured by a rabid shark. Mention a Brazilian to a man and you’re likely to see a dreamy expression; mention him getting one and you will see a face that looks like he’s just witnessed a horrible disfiguring accident…or his favourite footy team being trounced. Although there are the brave boys who partake of the lovely colloquially termed Back, Sac and Crack wax. These guys have my utmost respect. Most men are babies when it comes to pain. Come on guys, won't just one of you "teste"fy as to what it's like and if you've found a cheaper alternative?
As you know if you’ve ever had one they are painful and if you think for even one second that you will chicken out, do NOT go there! I seriously doubt that there are emergency beauticians who will make house calls because unlike Mr Myagi you have managed to wax on but not wax off.
I saved up and spent the money and bought a new professional wax heater and good quality Brazilian wax from ebay for a great price. It’s also easy for underarms. The initial cost was probably half again what you would pay for a salon Brazilian. I do maintenance waxes myself at home. It hurts like hell, it’s difficult and at times I’m sure I look like a demented pretzel but it gives great results. I would never suggest you do this if you haven’t waxed in a while. Remember what you’re working with here and know that if you’re not incredibly careful and confident you can do yourself a serious injury. That’s why it costs so much for a professional to do it for you. They’ve been trained, (possibly at The Pond's Institute) a very reputable scientific centre if ever there was one..
I do maybe every third wax myself but if I’ve been slack I always go back to the beautician to get it over with quickly and with a great deal less pain. If you do decide to do this (and I take no responsibility for your actions or results), try very small bits first to see if you can handle it and have a trusted girlfriend or boyfriend ready to come to the rescue and rip it off if you chicken out. Take real notice of what your beautician does next time you have one so you know how to do the job properly and safely. Many beauty therapists are happy to show you although they will never recommend it. Partly because they will lose business, but also because it really is risky and painful – but not impossible. The most important things to remember are temperature testing, dry skin and your skin must always be held extremely taut – that’s where the extra hand would be, well, handy.
Even though a gin and tonic or a nice glass of red would help dull the pain I suggest you leave that as an ‘Oh God it’s over’ treat or you may wax off more than you bargained for. Plus the Emergency Ward nurses might think it’s a chuckle but you are going to be deathly embarrassed if you ‘glue’ your butt cheeks (or worse) together!
I’ve tried those epilators that look like shavers but rip the hair out by the roots and I can honestly say they must have been invented by the Marquis De Sade. Slow and torturous, it felt like I was being attacked by a swarm of killer bees with blow dart guns with darts dipped in acid.
I know there are many of you whose budget can’t extend to a salon wax at all and that’s when products like the great Australian do-it-yourself depilatory kits by Nads come to the fore. They are affordable and natural and come with great instructions. Not only do they have bikini kits but they also have a great little wand for doing your eyebrows. Speaking of which, DO NOT try and wax your own eyebrows with normal bikini wax, if it drips you can kiss your eyelashes and possibly your vision goodbye! Yes, I was actually stupid enough to try this once and I won’t go into the hours and ridiculous measures taken to save my glued up eyelashes and the bald patch I suffered suffice to say lesson learned the hard way. If you want to look like a pirate with an eye patch go right ahead. Yes I’m a moron….but moving right along.
I now more sensibly prefer the cheaper old fashioned plucking but I did spend a bit extra getting tweezers with a little light attached called La Tweeze. They are not the cheapest available but they are amazing and you can get them from most pharmacies. You get a far more professional result and they also double as a great first aid tool because removing splinters with them is a breeze.
If you need to remove hormonal or excessive facial hair, please do not shave unless you want to end up with a beard or a mo like a man. You will need to wax or bleach. There is nothing more out there than your face. Plus some bleaches can cause horrible skin reactions. You must patch test them first. For a small amount of hair I would recommend bleaching, for longer or more hair waxing may be the answer. Both are easily done at home after you've seen a professional at least once. This is one visit I recommend paying for the first time. If it's only one or two bothersome hairs, just pluck them out.
I also save money by going to a great beauty salon that has a loyalty card. Every 5th treatment is free and they don’t charge any more than anyone else and they don’t have an expiry date. Ask around and find a salon that has one, it will save you a small fortune in the long run.
Let us know how you go or if you have a great product you use.
Share your tips and better still any humiliating stories, they're always fun!
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Comment by Johnny Come Lately
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You do your own brazillians! Are you insane? I'm not sure I'd want to save money that much ROTFL
Comment by Morgan Bell
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i use a Nads wand on my eyebrows and those facial ready-to-use strips (i think the brand is Veet) that you just warm the strips between your hands
ive tried salon waxing of underarms and legs but i find it annoying to schedule appointments, waxing your own underarms is really really difficult, i tried electrolysis once but it grew back . . . i just stick to shaving now, a Venus razor
ive known people to do laser hair removal, its an expensive bulk amount but its probably most effective in the long run . . . apparently some operators will give discounts if you say it is for sport or hygiene or embarrassment
i love the pics you have included in this post!
Comment by Hatchy
great blog!
Comment by Cheryl J
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Hey Morgan, or we could go to Tasmania, stand next to trees and the way it's going down there we will be deforested and all have bare maps of Tassie in no time at all!
Good feedback on the eyebrow wands - thanks, you have great eyebrows so they obviously work well and they are far less expensive than salon eyebrow waxes. I thought electrolysis was a big waste of money too, not to mention painful.
So Venus razors are the way to go? There you go - Gillette seem to good for both men and women.
Hi Hatchy, or should we call you Thatchy? I think any man that gets waxed is brave or stupid or possibly both. You guys have much thicker denser hair than women.
Do any of you guys out there wax your own chests to save a buck?
Comment by Journeywoman
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I always found that when it came to bikini waxing, the wax didn't remove every last hair, whereas the cream does. Interesting to hear other people's preferences.
Comment by Cheryl J
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Do you think the depilatory thing is OK for an all off type thing like a Brazilian? The thought of chemical irritation scares me a bit. But as you are a frequent user of it, does it last long in comparison to shaving and/or waxing? Is it something you'd have to do every day or once a week etc?
I'm looking at it from a cost point of view as well as comfort. You're of course right about waxing not removing everything but what about regrowth, is it the same as shaving? I've never used the stuff myself and I'd love your advice!
Comment by RubySoho
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I used to spend $40 a month waxing my underarms and bikini and mostly shaved my legs but god it was annoying. Plus I'm an Arab and my hair was dark, curly and annoying.
I think over the long term laser is saving me money but my credit card is feeling the pinch now.
And there is no way I could ever wax myself. Never, ever ever. I'd rather go without food for a few days.
Comment by Cheryl J
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I have to wax around every to four weeks and I'm of Celtic background, I'm assuming being of an Arabic background you would probably have faster and darker hair growth. Although it hurts the wallet now, you've probably saved a motza!
Comment by Janet Collins
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What I really would like to do is what Ruby has done and go the full hog on the laser but I haven't. I have my legs and bikini line waxed at a salon most of the time and in between use those wax strips. I can stretch it out in Winter but I really need to be more diligent in Summer.
Great you shared it.
Comment by Cheryl J
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Ruby has already been nice enough to share her experience and cost. Any others out there that have had this procedure done?
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i know this one girl who's obsessed with hair so much she guys with hair head to tail and likes hair on herself. yet, she's self-conscious about the hair on herself. shaving it seems to be the answer to me, but obviously it's not that simple.
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Comment by Lady Henrietta Muddling
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Or even worse? They buy shaving cream.
Shaving sticks are not designed to be whipped into a lather by themselves. It's a sure fire recipe for shaving rash. Shaving sticks were designed to be mixed with soap. Blokes who use shaving cream alone are basically morons. (I'd also recommend a decent soap that is 'lathery'. Cheap soaps are useless).
The only part of my body I shave is my face. But I follow the old-fashioned instructions (even though I don't use a switchblade or slingblade, "Uh huh. Don't reckon I got any cause to be killing anyone no more." [Grunt!]). - Billy Bob Thornton - Slingblade.
I'll talk about what I know about. Shaving the face. But I'm convinced it's applicable to other areas of the body, and even female bodies. As my ex girlfriend will testify to.
The skin needs a good soaking in hot water. It's a pore and follicle and skin thing. That's why in cowboy movies or movies about barbers, a steaming hot towel is placed over the face. Personally, I never shave unless I've had a hot shower. Unless you do the steaming hot towel thing properly, your face is still dirty, and if one thing interferes with the sharpness of blades? It's dirt. Or dust and grime. I learnt that by shearing dusty sheep. It's why the cutters and combs are continaully oiled. And changed regularly. Otherwise it's just metal on metal. Or metal scraping dirt over metal until you scratch the surface of the combs or cutters, and then they grab wool [read hair].
The instructions on shaving sticks are worth following: Wash your face in hot water. Lather your face with soap and hot water. Then wash it off. With hot water (as close to boiling as you can stand). Then soap your face with hot water and soap. Then get your shaving brush and lather it with soap first, then the shaving stick. So the lather is a combo of soap and the shaving stick. Then work it into your face with the bristles. Don't buy cheap bristles. Bristles play their part. Then get a mug of boiling hot water and dunk your blade/shaver in it. Then go for it. (I use an old ceramic mug). Clean the blade(s) regularly, so you've got clean blades doing the shaving.
If you follow this method? The shave is smooth and clean and pain-free (apart from the odd burning sensation from boiling hot razor blades, or if you're totally pissed, you end up with a few cuts). And no rash.
PS: Loved the graphic, but don't call Jim's Mowing.
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Cibbuano? When some people do that. . .
This happens.
Comment by Janet Collins
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I forgot to mention - I loved the pic with the mower. Nice touch!
Janet
Comment by Journeywoman
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Cheryl, regrowth with the depilitory cream is the same as shaving... so i'll eventually be looking into lasers too.
Comment by RubySoho
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I paid $400 a visit that did all the legs, bikini line and underarms so it's not like you pay 2000k all at once.
I found it works best on the underarms and bikini line- after three treatments I had next to nothing. I had my fifth and probably last treatment a few weeks ago and so far only a few straggly hairs have grown back on my legs which i think I can just live with.
When you consider that I would be paying something in the vicinity of $500 a year on waxing then this turns out to be far cheaper in the long run. I may need to do a top up now and then over the years but that's okay. No more ingrown hairs, no more razor burn, no more painful waxing.
I recommend you shop around because prices do vary greatly. One place I went to wanted to charge about 1000k a visit just for the legs. Ouch!
Comment by RubySoho
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Comment by Cheryl J
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Hi Cib, unfortunately some women are very much on the hairy side and letting it all grow free is uncomfortable, not to mention unattractive! As Gene pointed out in his lovely pic (thanks for that Gene, I can't unsee stuff you know!), some men really need to wax too!
Hi David, thanks so much for your tips. You're right, many men (and women) have no idea how to shave correctly and then it causes no end of problems. that's why I always shave my legs in the shower. the hot water makes it a much cleaner shave with less chance of razor burn. One of my male friends has a hot shower, jumps out and shaves while the pores are open and then jumps back in the shower. He also swears by sorbolene as causing him far less skin irritation and ingrowns.
The image was for a mowing company so maybe it was Jim! Oh and I love the Slingblade quote, it gave me a huge chuckle!
Thank for the answer Journeywoman, I am looking at laser in the future too.
Ruby, thanks for all of the info. It obviously pays to shop around. I honestly didn't realise it was that effective. It must be the skeptic in me. I just assumed that they would just keep getting you to go back time after time with little effect but lots of promises.
MNG, I see your problem. We will all save up and buy you a leash for those lunar cycle problems. Just don't bite anyone in the meantime!
Comment by Someone
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If anyone has tried one, do they work? Not quite sure if women have the same trouble, but one of these things is roughly the same price as one set of replacement razors, so if it does i'm getting one asap.
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Thanks for the input Someone
Comment by Raoul Duke
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It's funny the things we do for power and acceptance.
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Anyway. . .
Sorry for the pic Journeywoman and Cheryl. I often gouge out my mind's eye to "unsee things." I think I need to use that pic on some random post to get it into the popular list for the viewing pleasure of a certain person.
Back to the topic now -
As I previously said in some post of mine that I don't remember now - even though I am half Italian I lucked out and am not extraordinarily hairy in places I shouldn't be. (Or at least where I don't wish to be lol)
I totally agree that opening the pores prior to shaving is crucial. If for no other reasons it will help reduce the occurrences of ingrown hairs which can become rather painful.
I personally use a Philips Norelco 7110X cordless rechargable wet-dry shaver. After the first few times of using it, just as it said in the instructions, it has given me a nearly perfect shave all the time.
On some occasions I do use a normal razor. For that I use a Gillette Mach 3, and Edge shave gel. The gel is amazing it has moisturizing agents in it that make razor burn almost non-existent.
As for the "nethers bits" - as you said shaving sucks, but can be gotten used to. Also, in some ways/cases having your partner help you with the grooming can take on an erotic type of angle.
Of course that's all just my opinion.
I also just remembered why I had mentioned my hair previously. It was a post for that "back hammer" tool thing that I am sure is still maiming men all around the world. Anyone that wants to see that torture device can search for hammer on my site. It has to be one of the worst inventions ever.
Gene
Comment by Aaron: The Co(S)mic Hero
But just to let you know, I CAN solemnly and honestly profess to having given brazillian's to women before (I wanted to impress, and frankly my french-tips leave a lot to be desired..).
So if you want a wax Cheryl - let me know. Plus, y'know I'm medically trained, so should any horrors, er.. I mean mishaps occur, I'm first on the scene...
(Just puttin' it out there - always keen to stipple your nethers with scorching canuba/Parrafin..).
AzxYour text goes hereYour text goes here
Comment by Cheryl J
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Ok, that's a great thumbs up for the shaver which is good to know especially as it's rechargeable which is always a bit of a money saver, and being able to use it wet or dry is great. Now the think I don't understand is men can shave with a shaver and get a really close shave but if women use shavers as opposed to razors on their legs it still feels stubbly. Anyone got an answer for that?
And there you have it folks, you can make hair removal part of erotic play, then you get the job done and have fun at the same time. Once again, not sure I'd trust anyone other than myself with a sharp implement near the precious nethers.
Comment by Cheryl J
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I'm still laughing at the image of you getting your stomach and chest waxed. It made my eyes water, not from imagining the pain, it's seriously from laughing til I cried. Is there anything you wouldn't do for a dare?Scratch that question, I already know the answer!
I'm sure your medical training would come in very handy should you cause a waxing mishap.
I've missed you, you big goofball. Now that you've joined Orble you have to start blogging on here. You cannot possibly deprive the Orble community of your writing talents for another day!
How are the dollies?
Big fat kiss for ya. Mwah!
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