My Hair and Its Lesson

My hair is now longer than it has been since high school, only back then there were lots of curlers, combing, teasing, and other methods of torture.  Now, I just blow it almost dry, add some "product", and finish the drying while turning under the ends........so much easier! I'm not sure how flattering it is, but it requires little upkeep and is versatile.....I can band it, clip it, or just let it go.

This all started when I was unsettled at work, not able to sell the house and just feeling like I needed to do something different.......but couldn't affect much change to those larger issues.  I had long felt that when I retired I would cut my hair as short as I could and spike it, because that seemed the easiest thing to do.....and I am into ease.  Then one day when I was getting my short do trimmed, I happened to mention that idea to the beautician and she gave me (without request!) a very short cut.  It was then that I realized that I couldn't really go any shorter because, when cut short, there is a band of hair running from ear to ear that stands straight up........but everything else is totally flat!  With Plan A ruled out, I moved on to Plan B........which was to go in the other direction and just let it grow and see what happened. 

So, as soon as I was no longer working, that is exactly what I did.  There are several ladies with whom I "lunch" every 4-6 weeks, and I was amazed at their response to my "new look".  When I began to think of it, I couldn't remember any one of them ever looking different from when I first met them.  Some are lucky enough to have the type of hair that takes a good cut and looks stylish and "natural".  However, there were many like mine - a short, fixed style that didn't look current or natural, but more something stuck in a time warp!  But this isn't about style or vanity, it's about change.  I was surprised at how amazed people were that I did something different.  It was a positive experience for me because everyone was very complimentary (whether or not deserving), but it was the element of surprise that struck me. Why are we so surprised when someone does something different or makes a change?   Is it because we become so comfortable with the status quo that we resist change?  Is it the fear of the unknown? Do we fear it or do we just not notice that we rarely change even the little things?  Or, even worse, do we feel that because we are older there is no need to change or that change might be considered inappropriate??  As minor as this change has been, the experience has given me lots to think about, especially as I get older.  I don't want to get stuck in a rut just because it's comfortable or easy or even appropriate.....and certainly not because I'm getting older!!

So, the moral of the story is to change things up a bit.  Do something "different" for yourself.....something new, fun, rewarding, exciting, whatever adds a spark to your life.  And do it often!   I remember years ago sitting in the waiting room of a dentist office with another lady.  I just glanced at her and noticed her plain hair, lack of makeup, nondescript clothing, comfortable shoes and said silently to myself, "Poor lady".  At almost the exact same moment I realized that she was about my age and could very well be saying the exact same thing about me!!  I've never forgotten that moment in the waiting room; and that, along with the response to my new hairdo, reminds me that to be static is to miss a lot, especially the delight of experiencing something new.  Sometimes we have to be proactive in creating our life experience, even if it's something as simple as changing a hairstyle.

Where has the time gone??

Mother's Day Lunch.......good photo of Mama, not so much of me.

Seems like ages since I've written and I really don't know where the time has gone....or what I've done with it!  My trip to NC was very nice.  My cousin Laney invited us down for a birthday dinner for her husband and our twin cousins, all born on April 30th.  I'm not sure why the dinner was given so late, but it worked out well for me and we enjoyed seeing them all.  It was a lovely afternoon and we ate out on the porch.  Everyone was in good humor and it was lots of fun.  On Sunday I took my mother out for a Mother's Day lunch and, needless to say, we did some shopping afterwards.  Then on Monday I took her to get her hearing and her hearing aid checked.  By then it was time for me to get home to my kitties.

June 23rd will be my mother's 90th birthday and I'm planning a reception for her on the 19th, the Sunday before her actual birthday.  I'm taking the easy way out and having it catered at Sullivan Place, a B&B in Wadesboro. They will take care of the details, which makes it easier on both of us.  Invitations went out earlier this month and it looks like we'll have a good turnout.  In searching around for something a little different, I found a site that does a compilation of things that happened in the year of one's birth, everything from the price of various items, to political events, personalities, etc.......you can see it HERE.  It's really kind of fun and I think my mother will get a kick out of it.  I've made copies of it for guests to have as favors, along with two recent photos of my mother. The photo of her with her cat (shown in a recent post) is one of them, actually the one I like best because it's her at home, where she's happiest.  This is the other, which was made on Mother's Day.  So, I'm looking forward to the event and hope it will be a memorable day for her.  Keep your fingers crossed!!

Other than that, it's been the usual things of life......trying to get my house tidied up, washing the car, pampering my kitties, walking daily, etc.  I came home wanting some "at home" time, and I've really enjoyed having it this week.  My only social outing was last night, when I was the greeter at our Living/Drinking Liberally group.  We had a nice gathering. Some time ago I had gotten a windshield sticker (shown below) and liked it so much that I contacted the folks again and, knowing how I planned to use them, was given a good price on 20 of them.  So, I distributed them to those who attended last night and everyone seemed pleased......and I hope they enjoy them as much as I have.


Actually, we liberal folks have to stick together.  It was funny when I contacted the nice people at britebluedot.com about more stickers.  When I told them that I wanted more for my friends at Drinking Liberally, the return email said,  "Umm......Drinking Liberally!  Sounds like an interesting idea!"  So, I sent them the link to Drinking Liberally with lots of encouragement to start their own chapter.  They live in the "really red state" of Alabama (and their slogan is "help us connect the dots") so I imagine that our political environment is pretty similar.  Anyway, it was "good crack", as Allan would say, and I enjoyed the exchange.

One thing I have done is update my site a bit.

• There are two new photo albums ---  more than you ever want to know about the Earth Day Festival in Savannah and the Blue Angels.   There wasn't much time for editing so both albums are pretty rough.
• The Quotes page has been updated.
• A page of Meatless Recipes has been added......just in case anyone is interested in trying Meatless Mondays or just looking for something different. 

 So, I hope you find something of interest and will visit often.

Easter Weekend and After

Am not sure where the time has gone.  It seems I've been far busier than I really like, though everything has been enjoyable, beginning with Easter morning.  As luck would have it, I was awakened around 5:30AM by the melodious sound of Gabby repeatedly trying to relieve himself of a hairball.  Just as I was settling in after that, my phone rang twice, just long enough for me to get to it and find no one at the other end.  By that time, I decided that I was fully awake and may as well get up.  Since it was still dark, I made a pot of coffee and joined my kitties in the sunroom to watch the sun come up, making it a really nice Easter morning.  The motley crew is shown below.

Like most people, I overdosed on the Royal Wedding.  The UK gets the prize for pageantry. No one else does it better.  The young couple seem quite impressive, with a genuine affection for one another.  The bride was beautiful and totally poised throughout, and the groom seemed relaxed and at ease.  They were a pleasure to watch and  I think everyone wishes them the happiness that William's mother found so illusive.  My favorite moment was when they came driving out with the balloons attached to the car......a very nice touch!

Since then I've been to the Marine Corp Air Station in Beaufort to see the Blue Angels.  My neighbor's husband was a Navy pilot and she gets entry to these things.  We actually went on the Friday, which was a practice day and, therefore, smaller crowds. There were sky diving teams, biplanes, cargo planes, etc.  This isn't exactly my thing, but it was quite impressive.  As you might guess, there are photos but I haven't had time to deal with them.  So, they will be coming!

The following day we went to our electric company's all-day general meeting event - food, music, etc.  My primary reason for going was to collect a weather radio, which was the gift to those attending.  With the weather being as unpredictable as it is, it really seemed like something I would actually use, unlike the previous two gifts that are sitting in the garage in unopened boxes!  We didn't stay at the meeting very long but did some exploring on the way home.  We found a cute little winery that we'd heard about, and then drove through Ridgeland just to see what was there.

Other than that, it's been the usual.......lunch or dinner with friends, Living Liberally, continuing my walks, etc.  Tonight I'm going to a jazz concern at Palmetto Bluff, which should be fun as the weather is perfect.  Tomorrow I'll go to NC for Mother's Day weekend.  Once home, I hope the pace slows a little.  While everything has been enjoyable, it does feel that I've just been running from one thing to the next, which does get to me after a while.  Maybe if I just have time to clean my house I'll feel better about whatever comes up next.

There is a little neighborhood news.  My neighbor who lives directly across the street and one house over is one of the 15 finalist on the Food Network's Star competition.  She is Orchid Paulmeier and you can see her and vote for her HERE.  She opened a restaurant called One Hot Mama's here in Bluffton, then sold it and opened another on the island.  I believe it then became part of a "group" that operates some of the better restaurants in the area.  So, she's obviously got what it takes and this would be a big break for her.

Well, Bin Laden has met his maker and I guess we can all take a sigh of relief......and see what happens next.  To be honest, the news bulletin came on just as I was about to go to sleep, but I had to see what had happened.  Never once did it dawn on me that they could have gotten Bin Laden.....he has been that elusive and off the radar for so long.   I'm thankful that President Obama handled it perfectly (in my humble opinion) and I'm hoping this is the beginning of things turning around for him.  Lord knows he hasn't had a break and has a critic on every corner.  It has temporarily silenced those who complain about his "weak", contemplative style.......and I hope that will continue.