An evening with friends

Last night Ron and I had a wonderful evening with a special group of friends. We all know how much these special friends mean to us. Wonderful food, lots of laughs and memories from years gone by. What more could one ask. Everyone kept teasing me about taking notes for my next book. Hmmm now for a title lol.

When we are young and carefree we do not think thirty or forty years in the future and what these precious times will mean to us. Some of us at the dinner table have been friends for over thirty-five years. Some we just met last night but the feeling was one of something that can last forever. 

Great way to wake up

Well, what a way to wake up in the morning. I just found out that yesterday I sold two books internationally. One to Japan and another to Singapore. I would assume the people who bought these have already bought the first book. I love the fact I can see where the books go but it would be nice to who they go to. This would give me a chance to thank these people for their support. Wahoooo international !!! Not bad for only being available for two weeks.

Carol, my sister in law got a big surprise when she opened her book. It was printed upside down. I of course replaced it but what a hoot it would be as she is sitting on the bus or in a doctor’s office to see the weird look on the faces of the others as she is reading a book that looks like she is reading upside down. I would add, “It goes to show you what we from other planets can do, stay tuned and I will show you how I can read it sideways.” lol lol

What an exciting day

This morning I announced the publishing of my new book to Amazon and to Kindle. I now can let you all know it is also on LULU, Kobo, Nook and many other sites. What is amazing is I have already sold my first copy online. Thank you all.

It is hard to believe it took over two years to get it to this point. I want to thank all who helped me get where I am today and share the experience of being published once again.

Being Thankful

It does not always have to be the big and dazzling things in life that make one thankful. Just yesterday while in Toronto Ron and I had to put in some time while waiting for an item we ordered. We decided to go visit one of the Asian grocery stores, just to be inquisitive. The grocery carts used for the store needed a coin to unlock it. I had change but the required amount was a loonie.Ron and I were just deciding who was going to go into the store and wait to see if a cashier would give us change when a young lady walked up to us and gave us the dollar and with a big smile said, “here have a great day.” I was surprised and very graciously accepted. She was gone so fast that our chances of finding her were nil. I know she would not be reading my Facebook or reading my word press but I still would like everyone to know there are kind, caring people out there and I had the honour of meeting one yesterday. When we left the store we passed the cart- paid for on to someone else. So who ever you are thank you again.

The next piece of news I have to share is very exciting and almost two and a half years in the making. I am so pleased to announce the fact I have finally published my new book. The sequel to ‘A Hairdresser’s Diary’ is ‘A Hairdresser’s Diary: Scissors Retired’ https://www.createspace.com/5783094

I have so many people to be thankful to. If not for so many I would have no stories to write about. I could not have done it alone. So if you have a moment please check it out. You may just find that you are right there in print. Right now my book can only been purchased or viewed at the link above but in a couple days it will be on Amazon and Kindle. Thank you all.

Tidbits from A Hairdresser’s Diary /Scissors Retired – part seven

Water drops

Approximately a month after we moved and got settled we had our first new neighbour. Lidia, her husband Jack and their three year old son Johnny moved into their newly built house. They were friendly but kept to themselves most of the time. Although the family was not much on visiting I did cut Lidia and Johnny’s hair. My kids were too old to regularly play with Johnny but would let him in on their games when he was outside.

It was on one of the many days when I had to make a trip to the doctor’s, that I was stopped by a very strong urge to go back into the house and write a poem. The deep seeded urge was almost magnetic, almost as if, I was drawn by a power other than my own. This would not be just any poem but a very specific piece, one that would burn itself into my heart and mind for the rest of my life. I was almost in the car when this feeling overwhelmed me. I went back into the house and started writing. What was strange about this particular poem was while composing it I made no mistakes. Can you imagine not even making one error? I walked out my front door and across Lidia’s front yard, I knocked on her front door, and as she answered, I found myself apologizing for being in such a hurry. I handed her the folded paper the poem was on and I left. I was running late.

I had not given the morning events much thought until I arrived home. Lidia was sitting on my front step and she was crying. I noticed the piece of paper in her hands. I was confused when I realized my poem might have offended her. “Lidia, I am so sorry. Did my poem upset you?” No longer just softly crying, she started to sob. Now I was extremely and painfully upset. “I didn’t mean to make you cry, what did I do?”

“You didn’t do anything wrong, Chris I promise you.”

“Then why are you crying?” I asked my voice softening.

“Chris today is the first anniversary of Jack’s death.”

Oh my, I had not remembered it had been a year since Jack had the horrific and tragic accident that took his life. While he was on his way home from work he had been listening to his car radio and had not heard the train whistle that was warning him to stop as he tried to cross the tracks. He was killed instantly. Lidia continued, “I was slumped in a tearful heap at the kitchen table this morning, dark and depressing thoughts fueled by uncontrollable pain was squeezing my heart, mind and soul had overpowered me. I was seriously contemplating if I was any use to Johnny or myself without Jack. I had just gotten off the phone with my mother, who thought I should just shake off my dreadful mood. I was in prayer, talking to God. I was asking Him why no one understood how I was feeling when you came to the door,”

“I am so sorry Lidia, so very sorry.“  As I hugged her I could feel her pain. “I am so sorry I hurt you with my words.”

‘MY LOVE’

I sat here just a crying,

Listening to our favourite country song,

I still feel the haunting pain

Of a love we’d known so long.

I can close my eyes and see you,

I can touch you where you stand,

As my eyes do open slowly,

I feel your warmth still on my hand,

I don’t know why God chose you,

To sweep you away, my love,

But I’ll bet my bottom dollar

You’ll protect me from above.

With so many precious memories,

Special moments I’ve spent with you,

I really feel deep in my heart,

You’ll help me do what I must do.

The pain inside may lessen,

But I won’t let it go away,

Because our love was special,

I want the memories to stay.

“Oh no! You don’t understand. I am crying because through your poem, God spoke to me and He let me know He understands.” She held my hand tightly as she spoke. “Every word you wrote, were my thoughts and I knew you could not know such intimate things about us, so it had to come from God.” She was now whispering, “Thank you for believing and being an instrument of the Lord’s words. I know now that I have the strength to go on and be a good mother and for that, I will always love you.” We now cried together and I knew the words on that paper were not from me but were through me. I felt blessed.

It was not long before Lidia and Johnny moved to another part of the city. I heard she was remarried to a wonderful young man from her church. I never saw her again.

Testimonials from Amazon – A Hairdresser’s Diary

awesome!

craig

Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase

Just read for the second time and it was even better! A must read by everyone that enjoys a laugh and a tear!

love it

Amazon Customer

Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase

I can relate to so many stories in this book all hairstylist must read this book pure passion for the business

Was I To Become A Hairdresser Too?

angel1957

Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase

WOW Chris! When I went into fb and saw there was a suggested friend for me named ‘Christine Hannon’ I figured maybe it was the younger one…but NO it was YOU!! YAY! Then to find out you had written a book about your life and tales of hairdressing..some of which I had heard first hand from you a ‘few’ years ago as we sat having tea as friends or as I or my daughters Donna or Mindy sat having our hair done by you. In fact if I remember correctly my oldest daughter Donna was going through something at one time and you wrote a little poem for her. Now back to your book…so on May 6th I bought your book for my Kindle Fire and on May 7th @ around 11:45pm I finally could put it down…FINISHED! You see sometimes reading a book is easy and refreshing, like ice cream on a hot summer day. Compulsive and addictive, like a drug you just can’t get enough of..and these I found in reading Chris’s Memoirs. I cringed and cried at the life she lived as a child growing up but I first handed lay KNOW and have SEEN the BEAUTIFUL woman inside AND out that Chris has become due to the trials and tribulations she has gone through, and when Chris tells us she’s a ‘Chatty Cathy’ please BELIEVE it!! She is, but in the most awesome way! Thank you Chris for this awesome read! I CANNOT WAIT for the sequel
Lovingly Always
Debi xox

Great memoir

Christy “Christy C.

Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase

This book is a heartbreaking and beautiful story of Christine Hannons’ life as a stylist.
I couldn’t put this book down once I started it.

Hairdresser’s Diary

Dfcu “Joyce”

Format: Paperback

A great incite in what hairdresser’s go through. It gave a great incite to her life experiences. I highly recommend this book.

Embracing Accomplishment within a Broken Dream

Sharla 

Format: Paperback

Christine Hannon’s story, A Hairdresser’s Diary, carries you on a journey from a life where she longs to be loved to one where she is not only loved but adored. It embraces accomplishment of her dream only to see it shattered most unexpectedly.
The hairdresser is more than a connoisseur of tresses: She is a confidant, psychologist and friend loved by most, revered by those closest to her and envied by no one. For Christine, hers is a story of immense gratitude even in the face of adversity.
You will find yourself at the intersection of many life-changing events where you will want to reach out to her, share in the moment, and lend a helping hand when so urgently needed. You will laugh at the incredibly funny stories, cry at thoughts of the uncontrollable pain, and share with her the most memorable endeavors.
Step back in time with Christine to an era before modern day technology: an era devoid of today’s amenities we so often take for granted.
To Christine: Your book left me wanting to know what happens next. Will there be a sequel? I certainly hope so for this reader definitely wants to continue along the journey.

When I feel I am part of the story

swellguy

Format: Kindle Edition

Once I started reading A Hairdresser’s Diary I found myself right there with Chris. I was one of her customers, one of her friends and I was the one who wanted to console her during her pain and disrepair. This book is a real “could not put down” kind of story. I felt sad, angry, excitement, pride and accomplishment sometimes all those in one chapter.
A definite must read. you will not be sorry you did. I will now look at MY hairdresser in a whole new light.

Full of Heart and Hair-styling

francisfactor

Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase

This book engaged me from the beginning as Christine describes her difficult childhood. Even though she suffers hardships, many brought on by her family, she goes on to achieve her dream of becoming a hairdresser. The portion of the book in which she describes going to beauty school is fascinating, and she details many trade secrets along the way and lets the reader in on dealing with head lice as well as showing the glamorous side of the profession. As she begins her career she brings in fascinating details about her customers and the new fashion of using the seasons to determine what colors would best suit the customer. In school and on the job, Christine shows her heart as she helps customers with their problems. She relates how she has to adapt to new job situations and to a tragic accident that leaves her in constant pain and unable to pursue her career. Despite the setbacks she’s experienced, Christine’s sense of humor, love of her family and personal courage shine through in the pages of this book. As you read, you’ll not only learn a lot about hairstyling, but about how Christine handles life’s setbacks with determination and grace.

AWESOME

wendy cook

Format: Paperback Verified Purchase

Chris Hannon did a wonderful job with expressing her life & feelings. Such a beautiful, strong & courageous woman. I thoroughly enjoyed reading thls book, from beginning to end. I can’t wait for the sequel…..Wendy Cook, Sydney,Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

Inspiring

Kathleen Boston McCune “Kathleen Boston McCune”

Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase

Christine’s autobiography so clearly comes from her heart and soul and compels the reader to stay with it to the last word. I enjoyed the tale and wanted to hug her throughout, but particularly when she was still a toddler and being pushed away from her mother by her mother….how utterly heartless and unfathomable to me, the mother of two children myself, I could never imagine treating them thusly. She had the stalwart fortitude to stand up straight as her beloved Grandmother decreed and march forward under her own strength alone….well done you!!
I feel sure you have raised your children with love you missed all those years.

“What a Fabulous Story!”

Hamster Lady “Sunshine

Format: Paperback

This is a must read story for anyone who thinks a bad life of downs holds you back. This story is so unbelievable you won’t be able to put it down. It keeps you wondering what will happen next in this woman’s life when she is down in luck but yet pulls herself back up and keeps on going forward to her dream and then… A must read can’t give it all away! Pick up your copy today you won’t regret reading this amazing story.

From Dolls to Real People

Nancy Clark Townsend

Format: Kindle Edition

Christine Harmon’s journey from childhood to emancipated adult as chronicled by her diary is an interesting read and worth taking the trip with her. Despite the terrible cruelty of her mother and step-family she proves what grit and determination can do. She never gave up on her dream of becoming a hair stylist – from dolls to real people. She found strength in writing poetry and drawing along the way as well as writing in her diary. Against all odds and with help from unexpected sources she obtains not only her dreamed-of career, but love, marriage and a family of her very own. She held my attention despite the fact that I personally have never been interested in the “beauty” business.

Great Read

Doug3847

Format: Paperback

Inspirational story of how dreams can become reality and struggles become blessings. I was unable to put this book down. The writing is refreshing and down to earth.

Betsy A. Riley

Format: Paperback

I found your story very interesting. I kept getting caught up in the story and having to backtrack to edit the section I just read. And the ending left me wanting to know more. Your story is so inspiring, especially that you maintain such a “can do”, positive attitude in sprite of all that has been thrown your way.

side from your life story, which was gripping, the view it gave of the changes in salon services (and clientele) over the decades was interesting from a historical perspective.
I remember the days of setting lotion and curlers, and ladies going out with their hair in curlers. I remember the shift to tousled, “natural” looks. I remember when the color seasons swept through America (I am a winter who always thought I was a fall-switching my color palette made a tremendous difference). It was fascinating to hear about all that change from the perspective of a stylist.
I wish you all blessings and joy. I hope that others can read your story and be touched by it as well.

Tidbits from A Hairdresser’s Diary /Scissors Retired – part four

Today was to be one of those days that was embedded in my memory and still makes me smile. Christine, now ten, just came in from school while I was bleaching Bethany’s hair – something I did as a six-week ritual. This time I was using a new bleach product just out on the market. Instead of going on white, it went on blue. Bethany was paranoid when it came to using new products on her hair. She had, over the years had some unhappy results. Even though I had been doing her hair at Nora’s for the last two years she was still anxious. Christine walked in and seeing Bethany’s hair, she said, “What a pretty blue colour mommy.” With that, Bethany started to panic. She grabbed the hand mirror from the table and started to cry, “Why is my hair blue?” It took me some fast-talking to get her settled down. I needed to almost beg her to let me leave the product on to finish its work. Until the bleach on her hair was completed its job, she was very cool to me. It was as if all those years of total trust had almost vanished. I could not say anything to ease her anxiety. The stunning final results, the look of relief and a hug, were indicators that she was no longer concerned. Christine learned a valuable lesson that day never to make unsolicited comments again when it came to a customer. I calmly explained to her that some people are obsessed and over react when it comes to their hair. Once alone we joked about Bethany’s ‘panicky blue hair’ response.

My makeshift beauty shop was unusual and definitely not your run – of – the – mill salon. I had no specialized equipment, no fancy pump chair or lighted mirror above my hairdressing table. I used a kitchen chair, a utility room sink and a hand mirror. Sometimes the sunshine was my only overhead light, and a lawn chair my customer’s beauty chair. There was more than one occasion when Ron would have to remove an implanted hair from one of my feet or from my belly button. I had a habit in the summer of cutting hair outside, barefoot and in my bikini. I carried my scissors and comb everywhere I went. When we went to visit either family, I always had a haircut or style to do. Even my mother was treated to a professional cut and style when I went home. This pleased her. What a turnaround in her thinking from just a few years earlier. Oh, how far we had come from the attitude that my hairdressing training was a ‘ waste of time and money.’

Tidbits from A Hairdresser’s Diary /Scissors Retired – part three

I wished that was the end of my suffering but some of it was just beginning. Chronic pain and surgery were two constants in my life. I was only twenty-seven and I was already been four times under the knife. This left me feeling lost overwhelmed and useless much of the time. Needing to find something, anything, to take my mind off my pain and frustrations, I started accepting a few of my former customers for hair appointments in my home. No one had a problem with the inexact schedule I was a slave to. When it rained, my friends and customers knew not to call for their hair needs on those days. My fingers and my back were far too painful to work. I was, at first, restricted to haircuts and styling, but gradually as I was stronger I was able to stand long enough to do the occasional colour or perm. This was a far cry from the customer base I had while working in a salon, but it kept my hand in my craft, and helped us a little financially. This made the few customers I accepted happy. But, I missed having my fingers entwined in the long hair I so desperately desired to help make me feel alive and creative.

1974 was the year that things would start to turn around for us, financially. Ron was promoted to salesman and one of the perks was a fully loaded company car, his own office and expense account. Ron worked so hard for this position and no one deserved it more. We splurged with a celebration dinner. The kids were so excited they could hardly wait to go for a ride in Daddy’s new car. Ron could hardly contain himself as well. He couldn’t wait to share with his mom – showing her just how far he had come, from being a truck driver for one of the largest gas companies to a salesman with his own car. His father had passed away from a heart attack June 1968. It saddened him he could not share this great news with him too. There was no doubt he would have been proud.

For the first time in our lives I now even had my very own car. We had come so far in these few short years. We long ago decided we would never pack up our tents and give up we were determined no matter what it took we would fight to survive. We would forge ahead to make our lives better, not just for ourselves but especially for our children. It was obvious both our families were proud of what we accomplished. Frank and Cathy in particular showed their support.

Since I had my own car and when I felt well enough I would go back to the old neighbourhood. There I would cut a few heads of hair or give our former next door neighbour, Hildie, her much needed colour. Three of those haircuts and styles were for the three women of the family who had lived across the street from us before we moved. Sharon’s husband was the architect who had built the tiny castle we now owned. I loved doing Sharon’s, Leslie’s and their mother, Mary’s hair. They wore the elaborate, high bouffant styles that allowed me to be creative. Leslie, at one time in her career, was a practicing hairdresser and had a room in their house set up as a mini salon. This made my job very easy, but made me miss the salon atmosphere even more. Although I suffered afterward with body pain, it was so satisfying for my soul and my ego.

Tidbits from A Hairdresser’s Diary /Scissors Retired

Now we were into early 1974. Four more years had passed and there were even more dramatic changes in our lives. We had happily reunited with my Baba and Guido only to have Guido pass away just a few weeks before our son Douglas Ronald was born. I also had a second chance to get to know my father. I must say I had a burning curiosity to see him again. I was not sure if it was to confront him or forgive him. Maybe a little of  both. I was biding my time until I was comfortable about asking Baba how I could get in touch with him. Once reunited, our visits were sporadic but we were trying to get to know each other. I was looking forward to having our kids and Ron get to know him as well. This reunion did not sit well with my mother so we didn’t discuss it with her. I had not seen him in 26 years. We had so many years to catch up on. I also had the good fortune of cultivating a good and loving relationship with all the siblings I knew as my brothers and sisters. Now we were grown and could think for ourselves, we as a family decided to be just that – a family. Nothing pleased me more. We started going to the family Christmas gatherings, something we had not done for many years. This was great for our kids – they now had a very large extended family.

The smartest decision we ever made was to take the four thousand dollar settlement from the accident – not more than an insult for the extreme loss we suffered – and use it as a down payment to build our tiny one floored castle. We could not know how this one important decision would have such a positive impact on our young family. We would no longer look back. We went from Windsor Housing to becoming homeowners. How proud we were of that accomplishment. We would take a horrible experience and make it something special and wonderful – ‘a silk purse out of a sow’s ear’ – or so they say. One of the things that made it so wonderful was we brought our beautiful, seven month preemie, miracle baby boy, Douglas, home to our new home the first week we took possession. We had to leave him in hospital for five heartbreaking, frightening weeks after he was born. He was too tiny, sick and weak from fighting for his life to come home with me. We knew he was our son when he fought and won. Christine was the typical big sister who wanted to be a little mommy and Terry the big brother who wanted to protect his baby brother. The doctor was worried about my health and arranged for a tubal ligation the day after Doug was born. We were concerned another pregnancy might land me up in a wheelchair. God gave us three amazing, caring and loving children who rarely complained when they had to chip in and help. It did not matter if it was helping with Doug, housework or just running errands.

Doug was only a year old when I had to have an emergency hysterectomy. I was shocked but so very thankful that my mother came to the rescue to take care of Christine and Terry. They were old enough to go home with her and they genuinely loved their Nanny. To my delight, my mother and I had found some common ground. I no longer wept for the mother I never had. What she lacked in motherhood she made up for as a sweet, loving grandmother who the kids called, Nanny. She showed her love not just to our children but to the rest of the family as well. She showed no favoritism. We had too much baggage to let bygones be bygones but we could have comfortable and enjoyable visits. I must confess I had painful moments when I caught myself feeling jealous, these thankfully were short-lived and fleeting. It was important to me that our kids had grandparents that I was deprived of. It was obvious she was still oblivious to the bad treatment she bestowed on me. She acted as if it never happened. When I tried to talk about it she would look at me as if I was talking about someone else. I put it aside for our kids’ sakes. Ron didn’t want Doug to be so far away so we had a friend come stay at the house and take care of him for the week I was in hospital. She also helped for the six weeks I needed to recover.

The final words written for A Hairdresser’s Diary / Scissors Retired

Good morning all. It has been awhile since I have been here to visit with you. I can give you the whole list of excuses and most would be valid and accurate but who needs to be bored with those. Everyone has them and no one wants to hear them. So I will give you some good news. This past Mother’s day I wrote the final words to the sequel to A Hairdresser’s Diary. I was so excited to have finished although we all know it is not really finished. Now comes the hard part edit, edit, edit.

I though you might like a taste of what I have accomplished so far. For those who have read my first book this will make sense to you. For those who have not it might be a little confusing. Anyway here is a taste. I will add more to morrow.

A  Hairdresser’s Diary

Scissors Retired

Chapter One

It was a long and painful, five years that followed the devastating car accident that targeted me in mid-June of 1970. The memories were overwhelmingly painful for me. So horrifyingly vivid were those first hours after being hit by the unconcerned, uncaring drunk driver those memories remained fresh in my mind. The life altering accident happened in a split second, but in my mind, it repeatedly played back in slow motion. There were even freeze frame moments. I was overcome with anger as I recalled the way my back was twisted so severely and grotesquely. Seat belts were not installed in vehicles as of yet. I was sitting facing Ron, my husband, both my knees rested on the front seat, my feet on the console and my left arm on the back of the seat. Then, in a flash of a second, a drunk driver sideswiped us. He was driving a stolen car, and was on probation from prison and had no driver’s license. He was eventually charged with dangerous driving. When he hit us the whole top of my body twisted to the right. I hit my forehead on my passenger side window. My knees remained on the seat. I thank God that Ron was not badly injured, even though our car was totaled. Fast thinking and in shock, Ron was able to get us to the OPP station safely. He was smart enough to get the description of the car and had part of the license plate memorized. It was not long before an OPP officer had the driver in custody. Remorse was not in this uncaring person’s personality. For someone who caused so much devastation and destruction he got off easily, his sentence was few more years in jail. My sentence was far greater. Although I was the injured one, my sentence would be for life. How profoundly unfair, one drunk drivers inconsiderate choices changed the lives of a whole family. At the time, Ron and I did not know just how much fight God had instilled in us. In the next few years, we would have many an opportunity to show the world just what we were made of. I still remember those family members who thought these two, nineteen-year old kids wouldn’t last a year together, let alone have the guts and gumption to get through this life-altering circumstance.