Look who's hair is finally long enough for pig tails! She is even getting more and more cooperative about getting her hair done :) We love you Maxi,you are the cutest daughter ever!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Is There Anything Cuter?
Look who's hair is finally long enough for pig tails! She is even getting more and more cooperative about getting her hair done :) We love you Maxi,you are the cutest daughter ever!
I Love Love
but I won't. It proves that the human race still has one worldwide similarity. We still believe in true love and the fantasy of a royal fairytale wedding. The story that has been told in languages all over the world, where the Prince and Princess ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after.
Everyone secretly believes in true love whether they admit it or not,the several million people tuned into the royal wedding at 1am proved that :)
Friday, April 29, 2011
Hairytales
She sat in my chair,her face full of misery,her body hunched over,her eyes glazed over with restrained tears.
"How are you?" I asked with a look of concern.
"Not...(tears filling up her eyes)..good." is all she could manage to say.
"Do you need to talk..or do I need to drop it? I really don't wish to upset you but I'd like to help if I can..?" is all I could think to say as I scrambled to get her a tissue.
"Kinda...maybe in a minute.." her throat was choked up with emotions.
"OK,nice and short,your usual?" I asked in an attempt to lighten the mood a bit.
She nodded yes.
"Shampoo?" I offered. She doesn't usually get a shampoo but I had a feeling that today she need the extra pampering. She agreed.
I reclined her head back into the sink as she closed her eyes yet her jaw quivered as she was still fighting back the tears. I tried not to stare at her as I waited for the water to get warm. I turned it up juuust a little warmer than usual and gently started to wet her hair. A few seconds went by and her shoulders relaxed as she muttered...
"That feels so good."
"It's not too warm?"( it was much warmer than my usual)
"Oh no,it's good." she said so quiet I could barely hear her.
I ran the hot water over her head for a bit longer than usual and I watched her face begin to relax.
I filled my hands with shampoo and gave her a scalp massage,determined to work my magic and ease her extreme tension. It worked and then I finished with a long hot rinse.
We returned back to my chair and started her haircut in hopes she talk when she was ready. A few silent and awkward minutes later I just had to ask..
" Are you OK? Is it you? The kids?.." my mind was thinking this might be something seriously horrible!
"It's Joe." (her son and father of her 6 year old Grandson whom she is VERY close to)
She had just come from Joe's house. He had yelled at her for "coddling" her Grandson too much and accused her of "creating a spoiled brat". I could tell you the WHOLE story about her son etc but that would take hours. So I will sum it up by saying that I know her AND her son pretty well..and well...that was a really horrible thing to say. He is a single father with no job and has relied on his mother many times. Although Joe can be very difficult and moody she tolerates it for the sake of her grandson and the ability to spend time with him. She does not coddle him or spoil him too much but she's a GRANDMOTHER,that's what GRANDMAS do! Wow,Joe had really hurt her this time.
I have to admit that part of me was relieved. For the most part she was OK but I think we all know that a broken heart feels horrible. I reminded her of my foster son David (she was our neighbor at the time) and how I knew how it felt to love a child despite their parents irrational behavior. Extremely heart wrenching. It's a horrible thing to have in common but it gave her comfort to know I was honestly sympathetic.
She talked,I cut and before I knew it I was ringing her out. I looked across the front desk at her and I saw it once again...the reason I love my job.
A frown turned upside down.
A mad wrinkled face returned to it's happy smooth texture.
A head of hair one inch lighter and a bit of the load lifted off of once slouched shoulders.
"Thank you...for everything." she said with an unexpected smile as she walked out the door.
My days are filled with moments like this and I couldn't be more grateful. It took a long time for me to see that what I do really is important to people. Perhaps I was always assuming that my value was in the paycheck. Thankfully that is not necessarily true.(ha ha) Although I currently have an abundance of loyal clients,over the years I have watched many clients come and go.I have learned not to take it too personally as there is a salon on every corner and location and convenience often trump loyalty. On the other hand,I have so many loyal clients that have become dear friends and most of the new people I meet are friendly. Those are the amazing people that fill my days with so much joy.
A shampoo and haircut isn't rocket science but it can be the opportunity to brighten someones day,offer a shoulder to cry on,be a 3rd party to vent to,be a friend to confide in or just the opportunity to clear away a hectic day. Even the grumpy ones usually cannot resist enjoying a salon shampoo,a friendly smile and a perky new haircut.
That's good enough for me :)
"How are you?" I asked with a look of concern.
"Not...(tears filling up her eyes)..good." is all she could manage to say.
"Do you need to talk..or do I need to drop it? I really don't wish to upset you but I'd like to help if I can..?" is all I could think to say as I scrambled to get her a tissue.
"Kinda...maybe in a minute.." her throat was choked up with emotions.
"OK,nice and short,your usual?" I asked in an attempt to lighten the mood a bit.
She nodded yes.
"Shampoo?" I offered. She doesn't usually get a shampoo but I had a feeling that today she need the extra pampering. She agreed.
I reclined her head back into the sink as she closed her eyes yet her jaw quivered as she was still fighting back the tears. I tried not to stare at her as I waited for the water to get warm. I turned it up juuust a little warmer than usual and gently started to wet her hair. A few seconds went by and her shoulders relaxed as she muttered...
"That feels so good."
"It's not too warm?"( it was much warmer than my usual)
"Oh no,it's good." she said so quiet I could barely hear her.
I ran the hot water over her head for a bit longer than usual and I watched her face begin to relax.
I filled my hands with shampoo and gave her a scalp massage,determined to work my magic and ease her extreme tension. It worked and then I finished with a long hot rinse.
We returned back to my chair and started her haircut in hopes she talk when she was ready. A few silent and awkward minutes later I just had to ask..
" Are you OK? Is it you? The kids?.." my mind was thinking this might be something seriously horrible!
"It's Joe." (her son and father of her 6 year old Grandson whom she is VERY close to)
She had just come from Joe's house. He had yelled at her for "coddling" her Grandson too much and accused her of "creating a spoiled brat". I could tell you the WHOLE story about her son etc but that would take hours. So I will sum it up by saying that I know her AND her son pretty well..and well...that was a really horrible thing to say. He is a single father with no job and has relied on his mother many times. Although Joe can be very difficult and moody she tolerates it for the sake of her grandson and the ability to spend time with him. She does not coddle him or spoil him too much but she's a GRANDMOTHER,that's what GRANDMAS do! Wow,Joe had really hurt her this time.
I have to admit that part of me was relieved. For the most part she was OK but I think we all know that a broken heart feels horrible. I reminded her of my foster son David (she was our neighbor at the time) and how I knew how it felt to love a child despite their parents irrational behavior. Extremely heart wrenching. It's a horrible thing to have in common but it gave her comfort to know I was honestly sympathetic.
She talked,I cut and before I knew it I was ringing her out. I looked across the front desk at her and I saw it once again...the reason I love my job.
A frown turned upside down.
A mad wrinkled face returned to it's happy smooth texture.
A head of hair one inch lighter and a bit of the load lifted off of once slouched shoulders.
"Thank you...for everything." she said with an unexpected smile as she walked out the door.
My days are filled with moments like this and I couldn't be more grateful. It took a long time for me to see that what I do really is important to people. Perhaps I was always assuming that my value was in the paycheck. Thankfully that is not necessarily true.(ha ha) Although I currently have an abundance of loyal clients,over the years I have watched many clients come and go.I have learned not to take it too personally as there is a salon on every corner and location and convenience often trump loyalty. On the other hand,I have so many loyal clients that have become dear friends and most of the new people I meet are friendly. Those are the amazing people that fill my days with so much joy.
A shampoo and haircut isn't rocket science but it can be the opportunity to brighten someones day,offer a shoulder to cry on,be a 3rd party to vent to,be a friend to confide in or just the opportunity to clear away a hectic day. Even the grumpy ones usually cannot resist enjoying a salon shampoo,a friendly smile and a perky new haircut.
That's good enough for me :)
" Of all the bad things in life that I cannot fix or help, I can fix and help hair!"- Me,Myself and I
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Rain
Rain
I opened my eyes
And looked up at the rain,
And it dripped in my head
And flowed into my brain,
And all that I hear as I lie in my bed
by Shel Silverstein
I opened my eyes
And looked up at the rain,
And it dripped in my head
And flowed into my brain,
And all that I hear as I lie in my bed
Is the slishity-slosh of the rain in my head.
I step very softly,
I walk very slow,
I can't do a handstand--
I might overflow,
So pardon the wild crazy thing I just said--
I'm just not the same since there's rain in my head.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Happy Bubbly Surprise
I came home the other day to a wonderful surprise! Vern had set up and plugged in our new fountain! I love it!
The New Deck
Here is Vern making me a cold drink on a warm spring evening on the new deck....with mini fridge! So fancy! The deck is still a work in progress..
Easter
I hope you all had a wonderful Easter! Ours was fantastic as it felt like the fun kind of Easters we had as a kid. Please forgive the multiple blogs but my blogging app only allows one photo per blog and all the photos are on my phone...so please keep scrolling and enjoy!
Here is Maxi digging into her Easter basket.
Happy 1st Easter my beautiful furbaby!
Toys,teething bones and plastic eggs with a treat inside.
Let's see who's smart enough to figure this out.....
Here is Maxi digging into her Easter basket.
Happy 1st Easter my beautiful furbaby!
Toys,teething bones and plastic eggs with a treat inside.
Let's see who's smart enough to figure this out.....
Easter
Here is big brother Chipper joining in on the fun.
He has the nose of a Blood Hound..
he can smell a treat from a mile away!
He has the nose of a Blood Hound..
he can smell a treat from a mile away!
Easter
Maxine on the other hand...is too small to get her mouth or paws around them. She spent her time chasing the slippery plastic eggs across our hardwood floors but she was happy just the same :)
Easter
Once Chipper got the hang of it,he slowly but surely opened them all and shared treats with his sister!
Easter
"Ohhhh crap." is all I heard Vern say from the back door...
Chipper and his Pug cousin Norm were playing in the backyard and guess who found the mud? "I didn't do it" he says with those innocent eyes HA! Guess who also got a bath two days in a row? Boys will be boys....
Chipper and his Pug cousin Norm were playing in the backyard and guess who found the mud? "I didn't do it" he says with those innocent eyes HA! Guess who also got a bath two days in a row? Boys will be boys....
Easter
We spent the day with my sister and her family.
It was a much needed day of good food and chit chat.
Too much candy and too little sunshine.
Here we are,finally all nice and clean (again) and ready for bed.
Happy Easter ;)
It was a much needed day of good food and chit chat.
Too much candy and too little sunshine.
Here we are,finally all nice and clean (again) and ready for bed.
Happy Easter ;)
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Good Things
1 more day of work,
3 WHOLE days off with Vern.
Friday and Saturday are supposed to be sunny and warm.The new deck is almost halfway done.
We are very excited to work in the yard and soak up the sun!
I love Easter,
but I have yet to establish any kind of Easter traditions.
So THIS year..
I am making Easter baskets for our 3 kids.
Trevor,Chipper and Maxine.
I am considering a doggy "egg hunt" since it's Maxi's first Easter.
Then I want to make a small but traditional Easter dinner at home.
Surely I have earned a "Holiday Dinner Free Pass" with my in laws by now
and most of my own family is 400 miles away.
I have worked hard to make this house feel like my home,
so dammit..
I'm doing this Easter MY way.
Small.
Pretty.
Relaxed.
Delicious.
Simple.
Home.
Monday, April 18, 2011
A Little MonFriday Humor
Deja Moo: The feeling that you've heard this bullshit before
Life is an endless struggle full of frustrations and challenges, but eventually you find a hairstylist you like.
"Love is my Sword, Goodness my Armor, And Humor my Shield."
"I have yet to hear a man ask for advice on how to combine marriage and a career."
- Gloria Steinem
This weekend was somewhat of a long,strange blur...
. . . . . . .
The best part was having my parents and brother here for the weekend. Too bad it was because we lost a dear friend. Wanda's family held a celebration of life ceremony on Saturday. It was wonderful to see the many many people who loved her but it was hard to see a her family without her. It really sank in that she is gone..and it feels rotten.
My parents shared their time between our house and my sister's (she lives about an hour away). I returned to work today while the sun was shining warm in the sky for the first time in a week. It was a struggle. While I was at work the demo on the deck began and Vern prepared a wonderful dinner. We spent a fun evening eating and chatting with my family while our obnoxious children played loudly in the middle of the room. ha ha Thank God my parents and brother are as in love our kids as we are :)
On a more personal note....
The passing of my friend has brought back so many great memories. Time slipped away before her and I could share them one last time. Unfortunately those good memories with her, take me back to a time that was filled with so many bad memories for me. A time I try to forget about. You gotta take the good with the bad right? Yet isn't losing a friend sad enough without it bringing a distasteful assortment of other emotions? I feel like a bad actor on the Hallmark channel.Getting lost in a long gaze filled with one memory that leads to so many others in a slightly hazy thought bubble until something snaps me out of it. Strange. So I sit and reassure myself that things really are different and it's OK to be happy.I have never doubted that where I am now is exactly where I am meant to be. Time goes by and people change.
I received another large bag of "slightly loved" clothes from my sister! She is so very generous! She sent a bag for me and a bag for Trevor (yes my 14 year old nephew(his Mom is 6'3, Dad is 6'5) is bigger and taller than my 18 year old stepson ha ha) So I will be returning to work this week with a whole new wardrobe...and a new hat. I found it in the bag from my nephew. It's a classy hat,it fits my head just right and for some strange reason I just love it. I don't even care if it's cute on me....I want to wear it! Is it a bad idea for a hairdresser to wear a hat to work? ha ha I bet if I were 43 or 53 instead of 33...I'd say "Go for it! Who cares what people think!" with a little more confidence.
My battered soul needed something new as much as it needs sun. These beautiful clothes do bring me joy and makes the new "happy me" smile that much bigger :D Somehow my sister has that special gift of timing.
Oh Monday,please go easy on me....;)
The best part was having my parents and brother here for the weekend. Too bad it was because we lost a dear friend. Wanda's family held a celebration of life ceremony on Saturday. It was wonderful to see the many many people who loved her but it was hard to see a her family without her. It really sank in that she is gone..and it feels rotten.
My parents shared their time between our house and my sister's (she lives about an hour away). I returned to work today while the sun was shining warm in the sky for the first time in a week. It was a struggle. While I was at work the demo on the deck began and Vern prepared a wonderful dinner. We spent a fun evening eating and chatting with my family while our obnoxious children played loudly in the middle of the room. ha ha Thank God my parents and brother are as in love our kids as we are :)
On a more personal note....
The passing of my friend has brought back so many great memories. Time slipped away before her and I could share them one last time. Unfortunately those good memories with her, take me back to a time that was filled with so many bad memories for me. A time I try to forget about. You gotta take the good with the bad right? Yet isn't losing a friend sad enough without it bringing a distasteful assortment of other emotions? I feel like a bad actor on the Hallmark channel.Getting lost in a long gaze filled with one memory that leads to so many others in a slightly hazy thought bubble until something snaps me out of it. Strange. So I sit and reassure myself that things really are different and it's OK to be happy.I have never doubted that where I am now is exactly where I am meant to be. Time goes by and people change.
I received another large bag of "slightly loved" clothes from my sister! She is so very generous! She sent a bag for me and a bag for Trevor (yes my 14 year old nephew(his Mom is 6'3, Dad is 6'5) is bigger and taller than my 18 year old stepson ha ha) So I will be returning to work this week with a whole new wardrobe...and a new hat. I found it in the bag from my nephew. It's a classy hat,it fits my head just right and for some strange reason I just love it. I don't even care if it's cute on me....I want to wear it! Is it a bad idea for a hairdresser to wear a hat to work? ha ha I bet if I were 43 or 53 instead of 33...I'd say "Go for it! Who cares what people think!" with a little more confidence.
My battered soul needed something new as much as it needs sun. These beautiful clothes do bring me joy and makes the new "happy me" smile that much bigger :D Somehow my sister has that special gift of timing.
Oh Monday,please go easy on me....;)
Friday, April 15, 2011
Just One More...
Maxine's new hair cut! Be patient with me..mobile blogging only allows one picture per post :(
All The Little Things I Forget To Mention..
OPI just came out with a new "Pirates Of The Caribbean" collection.
It's so ugly it's worth mentioning.
Fail OPI.
Epic.
Maxine is still eating her poopy.
Just this morning I was chasing her down,
trying to get to it before she did.
Then Chipper got so excited about a Pug friend who stopped to visit..
that soon after he puked in his bed.
This was one of those mornings that I really did feel like a Mom.
I still haven't done my taxes and I am not the least bit stressed about it.
The grossest place in a hair salon?
The lint catcher in the dryer.
Scentsy's "Scent Of The Month" "Flutter" is super yummy delicious!
Rumor has it that the new deck will be started and finished next week.
BUT....
that what Del said last week too...
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Over the Hump
Oh how a week can fly by! Vern and I have had the rare pleasure of having the house all to ourselves for the last few days. It has been so nice "playing house"! Also it has been that much easier for me to clean the WHOLE house. My cobwebs had cobwebs! Oh how I despise those old dirty popcorn ceilings in the living room!Thankfully it will be painted and given a face lift soon by yours truly! It is all a labor of love as I also prepare for the arrival of my parents and brother this weekend. They are coming over for Wanda's memorial on Saturday. In the meanwhile I volunteered Vern and I to bring 2 huge trays of smoked cheese and crackers so Vern has been very busy! His smoked cheese is becoming very popular,it seems we just can't smoke it fast enough!
The cheese is smoked,the house is clean...and it's only Wednesday. Tomorrow I work the late shift and then hello weekend! One of the final preparations I need to make is to bathe the kids for Grandma and Grandpa! Maxine has never met my parents before so I want to be sure she is looking her best! Chipper's hair has finally grown out a bit so I promised him a bath AND blow dry too. Up until now his hair has been too short to blow dry :(
As for me,I have felt so much better since I have been able to get some fresh air and sun. Spring couldn't get here fast enough! I have always thought of myself as tough enough to handle the rainy Washington weather but the older I get ...I begin to doubt that. The winters are looonngg and January through April can really test morale. I find myself wound up in petty frustrations at work and home,caring less about my appearance and having the desire to sleep and nap more than usual. That's just not like me?! Just when I was starting to get concerned,a few nice sunny days appeared and guess what? Little by little I see my energy returning along with a genuine smile on my face :) I am too concerned with garden plans and my family to worry about those who trigger my pet peeves. I think I just might make it to summer...in July. Lol!
Time to shut off my brain for the night. Perhaps I will browse for an Easter dress for Maxine...just for fun :)
The cheese is smoked,the house is clean...and it's only Wednesday. Tomorrow I work the late shift and then hello weekend! One of the final preparations I need to make is to bathe the kids for Grandma and Grandpa! Maxine has never met my parents before so I want to be sure she is looking her best! Chipper's hair has finally grown out a bit so I promised him a bath AND blow dry too. Up until now his hair has been too short to blow dry :(
As for me,I have felt so much better since I have been able to get some fresh air and sun. Spring couldn't get here fast enough! I have always thought of myself as tough enough to handle the rainy Washington weather but the older I get ...I begin to doubt that. The winters are looonngg and January through April can really test morale. I find myself wound up in petty frustrations at work and home,caring less about my appearance and having the desire to sleep and nap more than usual. That's just not like me?! Just when I was starting to get concerned,a few nice sunny days appeared and guess what? Little by little I see my energy returning along with a genuine smile on my face :) I am too concerned with garden plans and my family to worry about those who trigger my pet peeves. I think I just might make it to summer...in July. Lol!
Time to shut off my brain for the night. Perhaps I will browse for an Easter dress for Maxine...just for fun :)
Monday, April 11, 2011
Wishful Thinking
I made us a virtual garden to look at until my real one grows!
Here's a little preview of all the beauty yet to come...
Here's a little preview of all the beauty yet to come...
Sunday, April 10, 2011
3 Days
Friday
Kids to the groomer,
Garage sailing for Me.
Bad luck garage sailing,
Good luck at the garden nursery.
One Hydrangea,
One Lilac.
Does this day get any better?
Time to pick up kids from groomer.
They look great and Maxi has her new summer cut!
Off to Lowe's with Vern.
1 Honeysuckle,
2 Hosta,
2 Heuchera,
2 large tomato cages for future projects
and about 50 perennial flower bulbs later..
This day just got even better!
We returned home with enough daylight for Vern's first mow of the summer.
I love the smell of fresh cut grass!
Saturday
Up early and back to the nursery.
This time for dirt.
1/2 yard of top soil,
1 Camellia and
1..flower....I'm drawing a blank here..
Let me get back to you on that...ha ha!
Returned home to shovel dirt and plant everything before it started to rain.
Soon after Trevor showed up to help
(and make a little extra money).
I put him to work!
Then the mail lady brought a package from my BFF!
New Scentsy bars,
a new mug,
a new scoop for making truffles
and an adorable dress for Maxine!
Once again,
it's an awesome day!
Vern built me the new flower bed I requested in the back yard,
it looks awesome!
He also took over the tomato cage transformation.
I will blog about this more later..
with details and pictures.
He did an amazing job!
He's the best :)
The rest of the night was filled with family time
and ice cream to soothe our achy muscles.
Sunday
A very different kind of day.
It was gray and rainy.
Back to work for the week.
I just didn't feel good.
And then the text came..
A dear friend of mine had lost her fight with brain cancer.
Our angel was sent back to Heaven,
too soon.
I will miss you Wanda.
My heart is full of sadness but my head is full of so many good memories.
I finished the client I was working on
and went home early.
I needed a hug from Vern and loves from my kids.
I needed my favorite pajamas and my electric blanket
as I mentally escaped with a milkshake and a movie.
Just 3 days?
So much can happen in 3 days.
I trust His plan,
I just wish I trusted the guarantee on the 50 bulbs I planted
:)
Friday, April 8, 2011
Long Day
It's been a long day. One where I had to put on my big girl panties and deal with it. I found an escape tonight by researching my fun new skill of couponing. Hours later,I drug myself off to bed feeling cold,tired and mentally drained. That's when it happened..somehow my electric blanket had gotten turned on and was waiting for me all cozy and warm. Oh heavenly! It's the little things that make days like today disappear..snuggling into a warm bed next to my sweet slumbering boyfriend. One dog at my head and one at my feet. Good night all,good bye bad day :)
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Do You Have A Design Style?
After 33 years and 14 years of having my own place,I could never quite figure out what to call my indoor and gardening style. Last night I found mine as I was researching flowers for my summer projects.
Cottage/English Garden and Funky Junk.
I know this may all seem trivial to some and let's be honest,for most of my adult life I have been too broke to have anything much more than "hand-me-down" style. After years of collecting and thrifting I learned that I always ended up with a cluttered look and a ton of dusting. In the last few years I have tried to focus on simplicity yet my yearning for a feminine shabby chic touch has never disappeared.
So here lies my dilemma-
I don't have a good eye for interior design. At all. Zero.
I want a cute house that is not too feminine looking.
My budget requires creativity and a knack for deco using items I already have.
My solution?
Pictures and ideas taken from Google and one of my favorite blogs Funky Junk Interiors. So if you were wondering what my idea of Cottage/English Garden and Funky Junk is...here is some of the inspiration I found.
Cottage/English Garden and Funky Junk.
I know this may all seem trivial to some and let's be honest,for most of my adult life I have been too broke to have anything much more than "hand-me-down" style. After years of collecting and thrifting I learned that I always ended up with a cluttered look and a ton of dusting. In the last few years I have tried to focus on simplicity yet my yearning for a feminine shabby chic touch has never disappeared.
So here lies my dilemma-
I don't have a good eye for interior design. At all. Zero.
I want a cute house that is not too feminine looking.
My budget requires creativity and a knack for deco using items I already have.
My solution?
Pictures and ideas taken from Google and one of my favorite blogs Funky Junk Interiors. So if you were wondering what my idea of Cottage/English Garden and Funky Junk is...here is some of the inspiration I found.
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