Finding ones way back! Renewed and refreshed.

 

It has been several months since I have posted on my blog. So much has happened that I would have to write a novel to explain it all. I have had my heart-broken for I have lost a son, not to the grim reaper but to unfortunate circumstances. I have been subjected to three more surgeries, watched my husband’s health suffer, moved to another town, turned sixty-nine years old and celebrated fifty years married. The last three events should have been happy, joyful and memorable experiences but because of the first heartbreaking events they were not. I know I am not the only mother who has suffered this painful, gut wrenching and devastating loss but it sure felt like I was the only one at the time.  

Our other children, grandchildren and family did their best to see we had an anniversary to add to our memory bank and we love them for that. But our hearts would not allow us to rejoice the way we deserved.

It is time I take God’s hand and ask Him to help guide me though a time of healing. I know I cannot do this alone and was not strong enough to ask for His help before now. I am ready and I can see there is a light at the end of what seemed like a very dark  tunnel into the unknown. I pray for my son who someday may find his way back to his family.

So I am writing this post today, and tomorrow I will get back to writing the sequel to my book “A Hairdresser’s Diary”. I will take one day at a time and cherish each of those days. As far as my Anniversary, Ron and I will be married fifty years for a whole year, and will have lots of time to celebrate the way we imagined we would.

Thank you all my friends for your past support and I can only hope you will keep visiting me once again.

Something cool to read by the pool – A Hairdresser’s Diary

If you have not already read ‘A Hairdresser’s Diary’ now might be a great time to enjoy this inspirational memoir. You can find it at any of these links. Read the reviews and then write your own. You can get it in e-book or printed form. If you prefer an autographed copy you can now get a digital signature for your e-book on Amazon.ca or .com.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Hairdressers-Diary-looking-reflection-ourselves/dp/1475164289/ref=zg_bsnr_220855011_12

 

http://www.lulu.com/shop/search.ep?keyWords=A+Hairdresser%27s+Diary&categoryId=100501

 

http://www.ahairdressersdiary.com/

My Flabbermouth Series – chapter 2

Chapter Two

 

Sometimes remembering the flabbermouth moments are painful. This is especially true when I realize just how dumb I really sound. In some cases, it might take a few minutes or so to sink in. Remember the reference from the last story, my not being the brightest bulb on the tree? This is one of those occasions. I however cannot believe my family still has it in their memory bank. They cannot remember my birthday, but this is burned into their brains.

The family and I were sitting on the couch watching a science – health show one evening on tv. The discussion was on how individual parts of the body function and moves.
The first part of the program was based on the problems and function of our joints.
The second part discussed the damage that could be done by smoking and what it does to the organs and growth hormones. I found all of this rather interesting and it had me thinking. I was taking it all in as at that time, Ron was a heavy smoker. I on the other hand had never parted my lips for the deadly cancer stick. So in my mind part of getting Ron to quit smoking, would be in this new-found knowledge.

When the first part of the show was over. Ron noticed I was staring at him intensely, “What on earth are you looking at?” He said with a rather inquisitive look on his face.
“I was just thinking.”
“Oh no, not again.”
“Yes again, the show has made me think,”
With that, he rolled his eyes and the kids laughed.

“Oh oh, moms thinking again,” piped up one of our rug rats.

Now I was determined to show them I could say something smart. So out it came. “Honey I want to be serious now ok? I have an important. When we talk, what jaw moves our top or bottom one?”
“You are kidding right?” Ron questioned with a furrowed brow.
“No!” I was annoyed he would put it that way.

Then as if the family had rehearsed the response for weeks, they in unison started talking. Moving their heads up and down, pushing their heads back trying to keep their bottom jaw still. They were laughing so hard they almost rolled on the floor. “Anymore questions dear. Does any one have anything to say to your mom?” Hysterically one after the other they teased me. I soon saw the humour in the latest ‘flabbermouth’ moment.

That night when we went to bed Ron apologized for being so hard on me but he said, “Honey you have to admit it was pretty funny?”
“I know now it was.” I said embarrassed but still able to laugh.

And then, ‘flabbermouth’ hit me again. “At least I didn’t tell you I was worried about smoking stunting your growth.”
With that, Ron reached over and patted me on the head and as I turned around to face him he said, “Like this?” There he was with his tee-shirt pulled up over his arm with only his hand showing wiggling his fingers at me. I slapped him and rolled over but not before hearing. “Honey life would be so dull without you?” With that, he got one more giggle in before falling asleep.

What God dropped into our laps

We have all heard the story about the abandoned kittens. The ones left on the doorstep or thrown away like trash, by some uncaring and heartless person. Well I have a different kind of story one I promise will melt your heart.Above is the picture of a perfect and beautiful baby kitten. She is only 3 or 4 weeks old.

I want to start at the beginning. Most of my readers will recall me talking about our beloved Cercie.

.

She was our baby for 19 years. We acquired her when she was only a couple of weeks older than this little angel you see here. Last year when she could no longer take care if herself and she started to get weak we were advised to have her put to sleep. I held her as she drifted away and the look in her eyes was “thank you mommy” she went peacefully and didn’t even struggle. I am telling you this for two reasons, one because we swore we would never have another animal again. We were so broken-hearted and two, because the cat (approx 4 weeks ago) that everyday walked down our fence and jumped onto our roof looks identical to Cercie. The first time I saw her my heart caught in my throat. I thought I was looking at a  reincarnated Cercie.

We didn’t pay much attention as Cercie in her youth used to jump from the fence to the roof as well. But the day before yesterday ( in the evening) I could hear a noise, a very faint noise which sounded like a bird or maybe a kitten. I brought it to Ron’s attention but it was faint and very random so we dismissed it. The next morning, Ron heard it again but this time more constant and a bit louder. We could hear it the  loudest in the front hall closet. Ron, wanting to see if there was an animal in distress went into the attic and looking in the area where the noise was coming from he saw mommy cat. Her head was peeking out from between the walls. First of all, he was concerned how she would have got in and also he was concerned about the kitten we were hearing. We could only hear one. It was not long after mommy saw Ron, that we saw her walking down the street. Ron was concerned and called the vet in town who assured him that mommy would be back, and they thought the only reason we heard only one was that mommy probably had moved the others to a warmer place. The one concern they had was that she was probably feral, for if she had a home, she would have had her kittens here.

Now we had a dilemma, we needed to find  the way she was getting in and fix that but if we did it too soon, mommy would not be able to get in to feed her baby. But the meowing was now not just a faint noise it was getting much louder and almost constant with only short rests in between. We were waiting for mommy to come back but she didn’t. We were very concerned that because she saw us she might abandon her precious one. We were assured with another call to the vet, this would not happen.

I was getting anxious though as Ron could not see any kitten or pinpoint exactly where the cries were coming from. So I called my daughter, Christine and her husband Glenn, who are in the roofing business, to please come and help. They were out-of-town so could not come immediately  we had to wait. The meowing was breaking my heart. I was having trouble believing that mommy was coming back even though we were assured she would. So several hours later Glen was up on the roof where he found the place mommy was getting in. We knew he had to seal it so other animals didn’t take up residence but we had a baby to worry about. Glenn then decided to find the little one from the attic and bring it down for mommy to take where she had taken the other ones. He could not find it but we could still hear the heartfelt meowing. Suddenly mommy showed up as predicted, but as Glenn was in the attic we were afraid of a confrontation with mommy and Glenn in very close quarters, so Ron decided to keep her away best he could by feeding her. She was starving and wolfed down the food he put out. That also was a sign she was a stray.  Christine and I could hear the baby and it seemed further down the wall now. Having mommy under control, Glenn was safely out of the attic and in the closet pointing to halfway down the wall where he said baby had slid to. Without hesitation he cut a hole in the wall near the floor of the closet and out popped this white ball of fur. The little angel was chewing on the gloves Glenn had on in a ravenous manner. Christine was desperately  mushing cat food up in her fingers while this little mit inhaled it every so often nipping a finger, She gave her water in the same manner. Baby looked at us with her big blue eyes as if she was thanking Glenn for rescuing her, and Christine for feeding her. The two of them bonded immediately. Now, we had a quick decision to make. Mommy was just outside the door eating and we had her baby in our hands what do we do? Do we give her to mommy so she can become another abandoned animal or do we break our promise and add a new member to our family? If it was just Ron and I to consider, the choice would be easy, but we are moving within a year and will be living with our son, daughter in law and grandson, and they have 2 cats already. After talking to the Humane Society we decided to be foster parents until we can get all of these things straightened out.

Yesterday we found out the kitten is a 3 week old little girl, who already thinks we are her family. She eats, plays, cuddles, and has stopped crying. Christine is in love with her and our grandson is coming to-day to see her for the first time, and we have asked him to name her. Now I ask you once they look into those beautiful blue eyes do you think she will have to find a new home? I think God dropped her into our laps.

My granddaughter Shandra

Anyone that has read my book “A Hairdresser’s Diary” knows how much styling long hair meant to me and my career. My granddaughter Shandra is getting married this July . My dream has always been to be the one hairdresser of choice for all the brides in our family including in laws. Well I have been blessed as I have had that chance. What you are seeing in this picture is my granddaughter. This is the dry run before her wedding. You might ask why this would be necessary? well as most of you know I am just getting over another surgery this time on my left knee. Being the kind and considerate granddaughter that Shandra is, she has been concerned that I might cause myself pain either with my back or my knees on her wedding day and not be able to attend or enjoy her special day so she asked me to do her hair and take pictures now. This way I will have the pictures  of my loving work  for my ‘grandmothers album’ I am making for her. She looks like a Greek Goddess and I am proud to say she was in love with her hair. 

If you look hard enough you can see fine braided woven throughout her hair. This was one of my signatures that made my styles set apart from other stylists. Remember this was over 50 years ago and are no longer a rare embellishment. I enjoyed every second of this special day.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Hairdressers-Diary-looking-reflection-ourselves/dp/1475164289/ref=zg_bsnr_220855011_12

http://www.ahairdressersdiary.com/

 

Family – 2012

This year is almost over and another to begin. As I sit here looking at family pictures on FB I thank God for you all. I realize once again how much I miss our son Terry and son-in-law David and granddaughter Courtney. It has been a couple of years since we have seen them or visited with them. Thank goodness for pictures and the internet.
We have lost a couple of members of the family who we will definitely and truly miss.
On a sweeter and happier note we have expanded. Shandra our granddaughter is engaged to Jack and our family will grow as we proudly add Jack’s family to ours.
Ron and I started our family 49 years ago when we were only 19 years old ourselves. Christine our oldest made us a family. Then our son Terry and our last son Doug made us five members strong. They in turn now have families of their own.
Thank you Ron for being the one who started this amazing family with me. What started out as Ron and Chris has continued to grow.

Christine’s family is now Christine, Glenn and Shandra

Shandra’s family is now Shandra,Jack and Owen.

Terry’s family is now Terry, David and Courtney.

Doug’s family is now Doug, Linda and Ronnie.
Ronnie is only 7 so we have to wait a couple of years for him to make us even bigger.lol

You make me so proud I love you all and wish you the best for 2013. Happy New Year my dear family.

A Dream come true for grandma

What an amazing feeling grandparents have when they are informed of the marriage of one of their grandchildren. The fact that we are even at an age that we can be part of this is even more interesting. This is the time when Ron and I are happy we got married young. We will be celebrating 49 years married Feb 1st and we will only be 69 years old when we are married 50 years so the excitement of great-grandchildren is also in the stars for us.

Now back to my exciting news. Shandra is Papa’s best girl and this is so exciting for him. But for me the excitement does not end there. It extends to something that makes me tingle all over with pride. For those who have read my book A Hairdresser’s Diary you will immediately know what I am referring to. That excitement stems from the fact that I, her grandmother will be doing her hair for her wedding. Her long flowing blonde hair. I will be able to once again use my creativity and love for styling long hair for my granddaughter on her special day. Even in my dreams I am running through every step of the process. I am creating curls, swirls and movement in my dreams. I have mentally laid out all the items and products I will need to create the perfect and most elaborate piece of artistry of my career. I can not even explain to you what an honour this is for me. It may sound silly to most of you but it is not silly to me.

Sandra is very concerned that if she lets me do her hair for her wedding that I might be in too much pain to enjoy this special day. So I had to promise her I would not do anything the week or so before so that doing her hair would not be too strenuous for me. She is seriously concerned that I might not be unable to enjoy myself if I am in pain.  I have to tell you that for this privilege I will endure the pain. This all sounds like the rambling of an old woman but it is indeed my dream come true.

Last month a hairdresser friend of mine made hair appointments for her, the bride and wedding party at a local salon. She said she was not interested in doing any hair on that day. She could not understand my excitement until she read my book. apologizing she said she completely understood now. When I told her my granddaughters wedding would be in my second book she asked me if she could also have the privilege of being in it too. I told her I had had many requests from other customers and friends and yes she could be in my sequel. My granddaughter suggested I include a picture of her hair on her wedding day as the finality to my book.

Sandra is our only granddaughter and Ronnie our grandson is only 7 so there is no fear of ever needing my creativity like this ever again.

I am so thrilled you can not even imagine.

When family and friends notice the little things.

I had my eyes opened yesterday and what a delightful surprise. I is amazing how many family and friends noticed and followed the things I am doing with my book. My heart was touch when several asked me how my book signings went. Even more encouraging was the fact that even though I am the first author in the family I certainly am not going to be the only. Three other family members were talking to me about their books or pending books. I can only wish that I might have had just a little influence on their decision.

I had compliments on my cover and title which made me feel proud. Some even remember me looking like that.

I am working on ‘A Hairdresser’s Diary’ sequel and this support will make it so much more enjoyable to write.

I have had several customers and friends ask to please be included in my new book and those who I’ve asked give a resounding yes to my request. I respect the trust they have put in me.

This is a thank you to you all both family and friends.