Tales Behind the Chair..... Those Moments...

    Those moments when you realize the difference you make in a persons life.  I have a handful of clients that view me as a machine that I am only there to do their hair and be a sounding board, but other than that, they don't seem to think I am a living human being that gets ill, sad or tired.  They don't seem to realize that I too value time with my family, friends and that I too enjoy being home to have dinner with my husband and daughter or spend a full weekend with them.

  Then there are those moments.  Those moments when the most likely and unlikely clients all of a sudden, have your back, want to fight for you, make sure you are OK, check in on you, cry with you and for you and generally take over telling you to stay home, eat, get better and the ones that really know me, gently yell at me when I still think I am 20 years old and can just power  thru this illness.  I have never been sick in my life, and with it turning into pneumonia and ending up septic because of all the infections I had going on in my body without resting completely, it nearly put me into the hospital and I will probably takes months to fully recover.

     This is the moment where my army of loving considerate clients come in, the clients I now realize are my friends.  The clients who refused to come in until I was well, or at least felt up to it, and those clients are the ones that brought me wellness tea, protein bars because they knew how much weight I had lost, refused to get into my chair until I ate, brought me essential oils, vitamins and a vaporizer , texted me, called me and checked up on me daily and either stopped by with soup, sent me cards or offered to come sit with me, clean my house or bring me food.  Some of these clients are still checking on me daily.  I never expected the outpouring of love and consideration and realize that these are the reasons I have been doing hair for 27 years and probably will into my 80's.

     What about the Handful of clients that couldn't or adamantly refused?  Yes I had one send me a text that said "I am sorry you are so sick, but that is not my problem, I pay you to do a job and I have a very important meeting next week I need to look good for, so I will see you at 2:15 regardless... I will bring you soup."  That Client was 35 minutes late, brought me a can of condensed Chicken and Stars soup and even though I could barely stand up and had a mask on , told me not to talk to her because she could not afford to get sick.  That night was my second trip to Urgent Care.  She is also the client that has no showed me at 5 am and then demanded I get her in because her hair looked terrible, which it never has more than a 4 week outgrowth.  She has 2 strikes, I may even let her go before the 3rd.

     Because of this eye opening experience, I now have a compromised immune system but I have also learned that it is OK to take care of myself. My health is more important, losing a day or even 3 of work is better than the total of 9 days I had to reschedule and I also now know the clients I want to keep around, want to keep me around as well.  I guess I now realize they love me every bit as much as I love them.  Thank you too all of my Angels whether you were Hardcore or Sweet.... I feel it, and I love you too.

   

Momma's proud and mad as Hell...

https://fbcdn-video-a.akamaihd.net/cfs-ak-ash4/437143/957/393679663980688_28450.mp4?oh=4aa98ac77584bf212606907deda7331e&oe=4F470D00&__gda__=1330056448_34b7e82f405d4e869f0eee59d79883ff

 I hope I did this correct so you can go to the link....

All of you that read me know that Stevi has been sick for a while and we are trying to get to the bottom of it, so when her friends asked her to load a video of her singing, she really didn't want to because she was nervous but most of her friends have heard her sing, jokingly or to a song she loves, or in the bathroom while she is getting ready.  So she did.  She had 100's of happy, sweet and amazed compliments but of course there where 2-3 girls that bombarded her with negative mean comments that took the wind out of her sails and she was deleting them as fast as they were coming.  These 3 girls, one of them used to be her best friend, but for obvious reasons, they are no longer friends, and the other two are a Junior and a Senior in her school, one of which she thought was a friend.  The two older girls pretty much ganged up on her then on her friends that were defending her who were saying they have heard her sing and it is clearly her singing in the video.  She just got her Monroe re-pierced which makes her have a bit of a lisp on some of her S's which I think is funny and cute, so it's not as sharp as the first time she recorded it into my iphone.  She found a cover on You tube with a similar voice and loved the style the girl sang it in and has practiced to that particular cover, over and over until she felt it was perfect, perfect to her, to share it to the world.  I am proud of her.  That takes courage, especially from a Freshman girl who goes to a school where there are a lot of Evil girls.  Thankfully, the amazing amount of friends that stood up for her and some girls that said they didn't really know her but loved it stood up for her too.  She actually had to delete and block these girls and as immature as it was,  Bubba took over and I had to defend her on some of the comments.  I know it's just a bunch of crap and these mindless idiot girls really have nothing better to do than put someone down to make themselves feel better about how catty and snotty they are, but after seeing her so defeated the last two weeks and for her to put herself out there is a big deal.  Thank you to all of the wonderful friends, Mom's and family member that had her back.  I know there was some language going on on some of her comments that have been deleted and one of her posts was very angry and heartfelt.  As upset as she was with the bricks being thrown at her by these "sweet" girls, I didn't tell her to take it off.  I hope I did the link properly above, I think if you click on it, it will take you to her video.  If not, go to my homepage and you can find it there.  Next song she posts, she will change some words and sing her name into the end so these "clearly expert" girls can say all they want.  I'm sure they feel like idiots, as they should, the grenades where being thrown back at them as soon as they landed on Stevi............You are all amazing friends for her.  Thank you.

Something I knew but was reminded of this week....

While reading Sundays paper I saw an ad for a Women's Networking dinner. I have often thought about going to a networking group, but this one caught my attention because it was for women business owners. I thought what the heck and signed up. It was $60 for the dinner , knowing that if I got one new client out of the dinner it would pay for my dinner. The day after I got a call from one of the gals that was sitting at my table, she needs a new hairdresser and needs cut and color. That will pay for my dinner twice. Is it worth it? I think so, not only was dinner delicious, but the women there were all wonderful, I was also introduced to the lady who owns Gesture, her name is Holly Evers, and not only have I bought gifts in her store but every time I have gone in there to even browse, she has been very nice. I will go back. Now I have a reason to go back to dinner next month, if I get one new client a month, it is worth the time and socializing. Not only that, they have a guest speaker every month. This month was a reminder to me that positive outlooks are contagious, if you are negative, whether it is because you are broke, sad, or just not having a good day, your clients will feel it and their experience with you will be negative as well. Part of retaining a happy clientele is to always be truly positive and upbeat, they will feel it and your day will go much smoother as well. We all have people in our lives that are negative, sometimes we need to distance ourselves from them if we can't remind them to be positive with us because it is a much better way to be and better for our health and energy. I know you all have felt the negativity of someone around you, it weighs you down, makes you feel heavy and lethargic. This week try to keep a positive outlook all week, look on the bright side, if there seems to be none, find one and be cognisant of how your day goes, even your week. Please post on my wall any experiences this brings you and how it changed your week. We could all use a LOT of positive energy right now, don't you think?

Pass the Pepper......

My friend Shannon played Volleyball in high school and is still amazingly gifted at pretty much anything she does athletically. She is coming over today at noon to pick up Stevi and go work on some volleyball skills to get Stevi ready for her Middle School try outs on February 23rd. She is already pretty good but I know Shannon will be able to fine tune her and get her skills up to par. She has already been told at school that she is going to make the team, but nothing in life is free and you have to work at everything you do. Just because someone tells you you made it, doesn't mean you actually made it until that day arrives. Never take anything for granted.

All a girl needs is a good pair of "support Hose"......

Yesterday was my last day operating as a salon owner. Everyone but Christi had moved all their stuff out but Christi wasn't working, it was hollow, empty, serene. Funny that the day I made the final decision to close the doors, the first client I told was Randy (the witch with the broken arm, cuz she ran into a tree) and yesterday the first client of my day was Jeanine. They have become friends over the years, and they are the talented artists that painted my beautiful murals in the salon. Girls need each other. We are all going through tough times in our lives right now for various reasons, most of them economical. But you always know who your friends are in these times. They are the ones who offer help, a shoulder to cry on and to just be there, without asking for anything in return. Last night Jeanine knew I was done around 7 and she and Randy showed up with a bottle of wine, and a beautiful wine glass, a camera, salami, chips, salsa and guacamole. With hugs and tears they were just there. Just there. Men would never be able to understand the value of this. Girls just know when you just need some one there to laugh, cry and well just take the time to be there. I did a lot yesterday with the help of my Mom and my friends Cheri and Gini also volunteered their time but I had it pretty much under control. By the time they showed up, it was wrapping up at the end of the night and it was just what I needed. I cried as they took pictures with me in front of the mural (I'm sure that one is a picture for the internet) and had a nice glass of wine with them and just felt happy to have true friendship and camaraderie. Thanks guys, it was just just what the "witch" Doctor ordered..........I love you both dearly.

Ha! Bet you didn't expect this!

Happy! Today is a new day and I choose to be happy. Today I will smile and laugh. Choosing these pictures made me smile. I will go to work and "Git er done." Today I challenge you to think of your life, your memories and when one makes you smile, take a moment to call that person, don't text message them just take a moment to call them and share that memory with them and make them smile today too. I promise you it will be rewarding!

Sleeping Beauty.....

I don't get out much anymore, so last night was a big deal. Felt like I partied like a rock star. I wasn't in bed till 3 and didn't wake up until after noon today. Stevi had Cierra spend the night and since Jay wasn't feeling well, I invited my mom to come along for dinner, (I had 2 50% off entree coupons for Carrow's, don't laugh, it actually wasn't that bad) and Stevi and Cierra needed to shop for Crazy Week at Shaw, so while they walked around Summit Mall, my mom and I had a martini and a mocha latte at the Chocolate Bar, then we all went to go see Fame. The movie was ok, but I was hopped up on caffeine, so last night we got home after midnight and I stayed up and finished Season 2 of Dexter. Finally got tired after taking Black Cohosh and didn't wake up until after 12. We are going on a 10.1 mile hike tomorrow off of Hobart Rd. in Washoe Valley, the west side, so I guess it is ok that I skip exercise today, I added Ball Blast to my schedule for Wednesday, so don't worry, I am not slacking off.....it's fun, anyone want to go with me!?

Halloween Rant........

Everyone has been complaining about the price of costumes. I think I may have a solution. How about a costume co-op? Beg, Barrow, Trade or Steal? We all have tons of costumes for different age groups, some handmade, some from our closets, some store bought. Why don't we list what we have after Halloween, and the sizes and see if anyone is interested in borrowing them for the next Halloween? Then whoever borrows has the whole year to accessorize, add to or take away to make it just what they need. In just the photos I posted, I have a soccer player, a softball player, a dead sock hop girl which comes with an awesome home made poodle skirt and hula hoop, Sage is Cinderella, Guoda is Courtney Love and Jayson is Kurt Kobain. I know I can lend out stuff to be a biker, hairdresser, witch, Alice in Wonderland, The Cat in the Hat, a Candy Corn Witch, Hip Hop Dancer, ballerina, hockey player, a plug and socket set, Fat Elvis, Lisa Marie and I am sure so much more that I have forgotten, we can also mix and match, kind of check the costumes out like a library and have fun maybe do a cookie exchange one day and bring all our costumes from the past for everyone to pick through. I will post a poll for everyone to vote and if you're in, you're in!

Jumping curbs and taking names later.......

Yesterday was my day of leisure...I woke up, called my Mommy, had a fun chat with her, got on the computer and started my shopping list. It takes even longer now that we are starting Weight Watchers tonight, I had to research everything and make sure it was point worthy. Most of it is common sense, some of it is surprising. My mom suggested a W.A.L.K. with the dogs and I thought about it for later. Then I called my friend Autumn because Stevi is having some issues with her computer and she is the "Computer Whisperer." She asked us if we would like to go for a bike ride later and it seems that every time she asks me I am busy or can't for one reason or another, I said yes this time. Stevi wanted to go to Rue 21 and get a couple of summer outfits for the Family Reunion, and keeping in the "Lets be active" mode I suggested that we go only if we ride out bikes. We rode over the and had to race back to beat the rain. Got home, made dinner and called Autumn. After a little deliberation on whether it would lightning or not, we were on to meet at 7pm at the Java Jolt on Vista. As Stevi and I wait anxiously in our summer clothes on our cute little Mountain Bikes, up rides two bike riders ready to hit the road in full gear.............uh-oh. Now you know, I am a glutton for punishment and I will try anything at least once so of course I point to the neighborhood up on the hill, way up on the hill, and say...."Lets go there." Autumn casually smiles and says sweetly......"You know that's uphill right?" As we head up the hill on Los Altos, we get about a block from the meeting place and head towards the sidewalk. First Shannon hops her fabulous bike up onto the curb then Autumn, now my turn...........looks easy enough. I pull up on the handle bars, not as high as I had expected, hit the curb, flip the bike and take Stevi out in the process with my back tire. Of course I didn't have a helmet on, so I protected my head with my arms and got a trophy in return on my arm and elbow. Of course I started laughing as soon as I did it because I realized this was my first attempt at looking cool in front of my friends and I ummmmmm didn't succeed. Stevi is OK as well, but hey what's a bike ride without a little adventure. Now I see why they looked so cool in their gear, it really wasn't for looks, hmm who knew. To finish the ride we all ended up at the Starbucks and enjoyed a coffee, tea and great conversation together. I will proudly wear my scabs and bruises was a badge of honor......I think a helmet may be a good investment!

Weird how things have a way of working themselves out.....

My intentions were to help a friend in need.  Being a hairdresser, you develop very strong bonds with some clients, those clients usually become friends.  I have made a few in my career.  I wasn't sure if I should write this in a "Tales from the Chair Chapter" or not, but because it effected me on a personal level more than anything else, I decided to not.

As you know, I've lost a few friends over the last years to various illness' and unexpected accidents, two of my closest friends lost their brave fights with breast cancer in the last year.  My friend, one of my best, was full of life.  Loved to laugh, live and just enjoy being alive.  Her husband bravely stayed by her side until the very end.  It wasn't easy for him, they were soul mates.

I have another friend who I have become extremely attached to over the last couple of years, she is a wonderful, caring, loving, kind and generous lady.  Beautiful on the outside but even more so on the inside.  She lost her husband 3 1/2 years ago to a sudden, unexpected heart attack.  They were soul mates as well.  When my good friend's husband needed to talk, occasionally he would stop by.  I never knew what to say to make things easier for him.  Just seeing the pain on his face was enough to kill me.  He came by one day and we made a "talk" date.  That same afternoon, my other friend who had lost her husband came in and we began to talk.  I told her I didn't know what to say or how to help him......it's a hard thing to do. She offered her phone # and knew she could understand what he is going thru and could give him an ear and a shoulder.  So I told him about her and we decided to go for a motorcycle ride, since we all have Harley's.  We ended up out to dinner at the Outback and they bantered back and forth as if they had known each other their whole lives.

She hadn't been ready to meet anyone but was finally ready to put herself out there........they became fast friends and have been able to laugh, cry and talk to each other.  I never thought about why they both came in within minutes of each other until having more conversations with her, she was not sure if he should  be ready to open up, but they were developing feelings for each other, it took her 3 years for her to let her walls down, but with him, he had been preparing for years, this was his wife's second and final bout with cancer.  I know my friend, and she would have told him that life goes on and not to dwell.  All she would want is his happiness.......so finally after 3 months of their special friendship.......she let him hold her hand........they are taking it slow but God works in mysterious ways and I know my friend who has gone on to better things is smiling down on her husband........and my other friend's husband is smiling down on her.  When she came in today we had another heart felt talk, and I got chills and almost cried.....happily. 

I never intended to "set them up"  it just worked itself out on it's own.  They have so much in common, it seems so right for things to have fallen into place the way they have.  I will pray for them both, they have both had that one love of a life time and like she told me.......The four of them can make this work.  Who knows what will happen, but for now, lots of support and laughter and smiling in a time that may have gone completely different.

 

I love you both and God is smiling down on you as well.........good luck.

My photoshoot......

Well, it is done.  I had my boudoir photo shoot with my friend Michelle.  She made me feel so comfortable, I got a little more risque' than I though I would but everything she did was done very tastefully.  Tomorrow is our 23rd anniversary so the photo shoot was for  Jay as a gift.  I was so nervous to begin with, but Michelle really made it fun and I started to relax quite a bit after the first part of it.  All-in-all, it took a little over 2 hours, was very empowering and made me feel pretty sexy, even at my age, and being a Grandma.  The photo's will be ready for proofing on Friday, I can't wait to see them!

I have even booked a photo shoot for Christmas Cards this year with her and for Stevi's 13th birthday, we are going to do a portrait party.  She really is great, you should check her out!

Today we head to San Jose.....

This morning I will head over to Christi's house pick up her and Maddi, bring Maddi to school, go to the salon, do our hair for the show then hit the road.  

I travel well with Christi, we pack snacks and only stop to get another Starbucks and to pee.  She is truly like my "Sister from another Mister."  

I love going up with Christi,  she has to work it and I don't therefore, I have all day  Saturday to read, chill or just walk around.  This year I have been stashing a little more money so I have a little more to spend, not much mind you, but some.  I drive, Christi got the room.  Tita, Angie and Jeanne will be meeting us up there on Saturday night, it should be a fun weekend, I have been torn what to do with my hair, as you can see last year it was pretty normal, so I am going shorter and bright red today with black chunks........Hope Adam doesn't see me, if he does, he may go straight!

PS  Remind me when I get back to tell you a hair raising story, I don't have the time this morning, but you will like it........or not.

The Reason for FACEBOOK

I have become addicted to FACEBOOK.  But now I know it is ok.  I have reconnected with so many people it is amazing.  One being Niki Moran, now Niki Davis.  I have known Niki since kindergarten.  Yes, 35 years.  Amazing.  She was always so sweet and so pretty.  I remember when we actually became friends.  3rd grade.  She asked me if I wanted to come play Barbie's at her house.  Only I didn't think I could because I didn't have any Barbie's.  She said "That's ok.....I have plenty!"  So I went to her house.  Confession........I liked to play with trucks and cars, I didn't do dolls (except Raggety Anne of course)  but I went because she was one of those girls who was so sweet and pretty, her smile was infectious.  We played for hours and I have to admit, I was confused but I had fun.  Through the years Niki and I remained friends, she hung out with the smart girls  because she was smart, I, the bad girls because I was bad.  But, we always liked each other.

She found me on FACEBOOK.  I was so excited!  Imagine, now in our 40's we have so much in common.  She and her husband ride Harley's and rode with a local club until her husband wrecked his bike , circumstances much like when Jay totaled his) only he broke his neck.  We have a lunch date on Wednesday at PF Changs and I can't wait!  Just look at that infectious smile. How could you not like that girl!  Thanks FACEBOOK!  I owe you one!