Wednesday, July 30, 2008

I'm Not Here

You may observe me going about my day to day routine, but I am not actually present. You see, I've left. I've left the city, the state--I've left the country.

I shall begin a travel catalogue chronicling my activities.

************************************************************

I decide to go. I had to have an escape. Unfortunately, one cannot just simply wake up one day and decide to go do whatever they want instead of take care of pressing responsibilities.

But that's just what I did.

Oh, I was considerate. I gave notices where notice was needed, but essentially, I walked away from it all. Technically, I flew, because one simply doesn't walk to the obscure island where I was headed.

I had come across this island in a book. I remember thinking it would be a lovely place to visit one day.

And here I am.

The process of travelling was an experience in patience--dealing with delays, layovers and long flights.. Fortunately, I'd packed rather lightly and managed to arrive without losing my luggage. A blessing. I could see the heat radiate in waves off the tarmac as I stepped off the small plane. the airport itself was a simple concrete building. I sensed there would be no Starbucks available here. Short work was made of security as I had very little to inspect.

I paused to gather my bearings and picked up a map. The island, although small, still required navigation and I like to get a "lay of the land" so to speak. After arranging for some transportation, I was off.

We drove for what seemed like forever, but I'm sure it was simply my anticipation that made the drive seem long. There wasn't much to see in the way of scenery other than craggy hillsides and a blue cloudless sky. I settled back in my seat breathing deeply...something I hadn't done in quite awhile.

To be cont'd....

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

snippets

"I know who you are," he wrote.
"How can you?" she replied. " I don't even know myself!"
***********************************************************

Their lives briefly intersected as their eyes met.
**********************************************************

I watch you as you sleep. The cares of the world temporarily flee and innocence returns.
**********************************************************
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I could never write a book. I have a problem with this little thing called:
A Plot.

Friday, July 25, 2008

May I Recommend...?

I highly recommend layering

apples
american cheese
wheat bread

and toasting to golden goodness.

YUMBO!

*edited to add:
I finally found it! http://babyslime.livejournal.com/174054.html

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Shampooing...But Not.

Well, snap.

I can't find it now.

I was cruising the internet the other day and found an intriguing concept on one of my fave blogs. I have been trying to find it again so I can share it with you and I can't find it!

Anyway, the concept is stop washing your hair....with shampoo. Use apple cider vinegar. (I'm familiar with using this as a rinse to give the hair shine after shampooing, but I was not familiar with it being the shampoo.)Several people (who think a whole lot about these things) are concerned about the harshness of shampoo. Can't say I completely disagree. Shampoos do have sulfates which = detergent and that is a strong cleaning property. If you color your hair, some of these shampoos (even ones for color treated hair) will cause the color to fade. They can also be drying to the hair. Technology is offering us sulfate free shampoos and there are some very good ones out there.

Nevertheless, some people just don't want to use products with chemicals and are conscious of how they are produced and the pollution that results when they are made. (Wonder if anyone ever thinks about the personal pollution people emit everyday. Especially after a good bowl of chili...but I'm not going there.)

I decided to try an experiment. I would put about 3 tablespoons of ACV in a bottle with water (think: restaurant sugar shaker) and some drops of lavender essential oil. I tried it on my girl and was satisfied with the results enough to do it a couple more times. Then I tried it on myself. I just had my hair colored last Friday. I have a few vivid red streaks in my hair and remembered that vinegar will help to set the color in clothing after dying, so....I gave it a shot. I wasn't too sure how my hair would feel since I have a gravity defying hairstyle and use a paste type product to style it. I expected my hair to have some residual stickiness to it.

But it didn't.

It worked surprisingly well. The fading on my red was minimal. I used this method two or three times before I finally broke down (after a particularly sweaty workout) and shampooed it (with a natural baby shampoo). During the trial, I continued using my paste for styling , but didn't use hairspray, although adding baking soda to remove that would have been effective.

I finally shampooed my girl's hair with natural baby shampoo after she got sticky popsicle in her hair and I just wanted to make sure that came out.

*edited to add: http://www.itstherecessionstupid.com/2008/05/ufo-recession-1.html

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Here's Where I Try My Hand at Raising the Children of the World

Let's just say I'm a woman who knows her own mind. Being fully convinced of my position usually eliminates any possibility that I might be wrong. *insert eye roll here* Observing something that is clearly wrong and being unable to fix it drives me up the proverbial Wall.

Take my clients for instance. They come in telling me about all sorts of things in their life. Relational issues with their spouse and behavioral problems with their kids. Since I consider myself the cheapest therapy they'll ever get, I avail my services to them and tell them how to fix that child that just won't behave.

Hey, I have a captive audience.

Yesterday, I was cutting this dad's hair. I've been doing his hair for years. The whole family has been in my chair at one point or another. His wife passed away unexpectedly several years ago and he has since remarried a great lady. He has a teenage daughter and son. The daughter will be a senior next year. The son is a couple years younger.

The daughter got a car for her sixteenth birthday--a tradition I cannot fathom. ("Let's give an immature teenager a powerful machine and turn them loose on the streets!") She is pretty free to come and go at will, but has an 11(!)pm curfew. (What 17yr old needs to be ANYWHERE except at home after 9:30 at night?! But I digress) So the other night, he watches the end of the news and his daughter still isn't home and he calls her and asks where she is. "Oh, I just stopped by to see this friend, I'm on my way home." He said, she wasn't in trouble, he just wanted to know where she was.

?!?!?!?!?!

What is the point of the curfew if it isn't enforced? He talks about how she does pretty much what she wants to do and she's not a bad kid so...???
What? Are you afraid you'll hurt her feelings if you get on to her? She's playing you like a fiddle, man. She doesn't follow any of the rules you set up for her because they are all a sham. Nothing happens when she breaks one! There are no consequences for her actions and she is going to be hit smack in the face with a little reality discipline when she hits the real world.

She does not respect you because you are not a man of your word.

Unfortunately, I can't fix that.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Field Trip

The good news is, my visit with my friend Susan was everything I had hoped it would be. The bad news is, I forgot the camera. I seem to have a penchant for that.

After entering the white picket gate and oohing and ahhing over the big sand pile and play structure outfitted with colorful garlands, we discovered we had a welcoming committee. A Great Dane began lumbering toward us, greeting us in his native tongue which I only hoped was friendly. My girl began climbing me like a tree. Unfortunate, since both arms were full. We made it to the door where Susan's husband rescued us and led us inside.

Delicious fragrances of lunch cooking made me thankful I hadn't snacked too much beforehand. I thought we were having pasta salad (based on prior information), but found instead we were having yellow rice with corn, broccoli and quail. I'd never had quail before in my life. It was quite good!

Susan had a teenage girl named Rachel helping her out around the house and she joined us for lunch. I found out that she has an interest in working in a salon. What a coincidence! I had a lot of information to share about that as did Susan since she is a hairstylist also.

After lunch, Rachel began cleaning up and I just generally looked around at all of Susan's displays. She has a long window over her sink and has suspended red martini glasses above the sink. There are interesting plates leaning against the window and you can see the window box full of silk sunflowers just outside the window. Susan had brewed coffee and as I helped myself to a second cup, I noticed a tray under the machine. I remarked to Rachel how brilliant I thought that was! My coffee machine leaks also and I just keep shoving it around and cleaning under it! Susan puts a tray under it! I made the comment, "Susan really thinks outside the box!" Rachel replied: "She doesn't have a box!" Perfectly describes Susan! I aspire to boxless thinking!

We turned the kids loose (Susan has a 10yr. old downs syndrome daughter) to play together which they did very well. The big girls played beauty shop! It is absolute heaven for a hairdresser to get her hair done in a relaxed way. Usually we catch as catch can. We each luxuriated in having our hair shampooed and getting color and highlights.

I finally decided it would be prudent to leave before I completely wore out my welcome, but I declare, I believe we could talk all night!

I can always guage the success of a trip by how disappointed my girl is because we are leaving. There were tears because we never went swimming. We brought our bathing suits and everything! We just never got around to it. Poor punkin.

We are already looking forward to our next visit!

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Whacked Out Day

Today a couple of serendipitous things have happened.

First, a long, "lost" friend invited me for lunch (along with one of my other business partners). It was soooo good to see her.
You don't want me as a friend. Although I'll love you deeply and think about you all the time, I'll never call or write. Difficult to maintain a relationship like that. (Exception: one of my friends reads my blog and I read her blog and we stay in touch through comments. Works for me!)
Susan is one of my wackiest friends. She laughs easily, is incredibly creative and a great, GREAT hairdresser. She invited me and my girl out to her house Friday (I'll gladly sacrifice the gas to drive that 30 minutes to her house.) I always get so inspired when I see her house. She is a great, but offbeat decorator. I'll try to get some pics and preserve that inspiration.

I've smoothly sailed through this morning's schedule even while accommodating a client who showed up and hour later than her scheduled time. I never told her differently. Even though she arrived about 10 minutes before my next appointment who actually did have an 11:30 appointment! Thank God for my assistant who shampooed while I cut.
As if that weren't enough, 4 pm rolled around and I went to the waiting area where I found one of my clients (not the one on my book, though) ready for her color appointment---which was 2 weeks ago. I'd been wondering if she had rescheduled but didn't see her on my book yet. In the spirit of "can do", I said come on back! My 4 o'clock appointment never showed, and when I got the bright idea to check the messages on the phone, I found she had canceled. (Thank you, Jesus for filling that gap!)

After all that craziness, I needed a little "therapy" and sent the assistant down the block to the new bakery for a red velvet cupcake and a cup of coffee.

Made it all better, it did.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Waterpark Survival

For those of you waiting with baited breath to see if I survived the water park...

I did.

My skin is slightly "crispy" in a couple of areas. For some reason I didn't put sun block on my arms. Left to my own devices to cover my back caused me to have strange red streaks on my back where my hands didn't reach.

Muse:
Why did my legs not get any sun? I was not in the water the whole time, I sat on the side, stretching out my legs in an attempt to knock the white off. But it looks as if someone buried half of me. Maybe it's because as I walk around, my shoulders are closer to the sun. :)

My girl, of course, had a fabulous time. I think I tolerate the water park simply because I watch her having so much fun. I truly gives me such pleasure.

O.K. I just want to know how you mom's with multiple children do it?! At one point the coach left me to keep an eye on three little girls (one being my own). One of the children would haul off in another direction, and I, leaving two unattended, would have to run, Baywatch style, across the pool to catch her and bring her back to the fold. I'm a mom who doesn't like to lose sight of her girl for one second and found it impossible to do that with three. Then there was getting distracted people watching too! The coach, who is maybe, 18, was really relaxed about the whole thing. She had about 10 kids in all, by herself. All but three were older and pretty much had the run of the water park. The would come find her occasionally, but otherwise were on their own. I WOULD FREAK OUT! Then, I really thought about it. The whole area is pretty much fenced in. There are life guards all over the place, several in each area. The play areas are entertaining enough to keep the children pretty much in one spot and I keep a life jacket on my girl while she's there.

Doesn't matter.

I still have to see my girl. No sitting on the sidelines reading a book for me.

Maybe when she's older.

Maybe?

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Watch My Weekend Fly By

I woke up this morning and sat on the side of the bed, my head in my hands.

Thursday.

How did we get here? Again. So fast?

I automatically dressed to go to the weight lifting class at the gym. Then as my brain began kicking in, I thought about going to the gym, but working out on my own instead of going to the class. I think I'm getting a little bored.

So here I am all dressed to go to the gym and I'm not going. Because after further thought, I've decided to stay home and work out. Come to think of it the truck is on empty. Another good reason not to drive across town.

Thursday, for me, are what Friday is for everyone else in the workforce since I'm off on Friday and Saturday. I start thinking about my weekend and what that will entail. I begin planning my course, feeling optimistic about what I'll accomplish. Sorting my schedule.

I'm already a little bummed. This weekend will be a busy one, no lazy days at home. My girl is in gymnastics camp this week which means a trip to the local waterpark Friday to top things off. I usually buy groceries on Friday which means I may look like a drowned rat unless I figure out a different time to do that. I'm due for a massage Friday as well. Pity that will be BEFORE the festivities at the water park. Maybe I can get my salon responsiblilities finished today so that won't be a factor on Friday.

I'm working Saturday from 8:30 till about 2, which isn't bad, but there goes the bulk of Saturday. Maybe not. I have no plans after work.

Sunday, at least the first half of the day will be devoted to church. After being out of church for most of this year, (a story unto itself) we've been attending a church again. It's been refreshing and encouraging. A relief to both of us who weren't too sure we'd go back to church again. (Considering that we've never, NOT gone to church, not going to church was a big deal.)

See, my weekend's gone and it hasn't even started yet! I hate when I do that!

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

And Look! I'm Over There!

I joined a new site called cafemom which is basically "myspace" for moms. It's a cool site and their is lots to explore if you're interested in checking it out.

On my page, I have a journal and on a bit of a lark, wrote about the glories of the internet. If you want to read my frivolous post, have at it at http://www.cafemom.com/journals/read.php?post_id=1095709&pop_voted=1

I added a poll to it just for fun.

Monday, July 7, 2008

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

What a nice weekend we had!

We recently met a few new folks at the church we've begun attending and one of the families invited us over for dinner on the 4th. Just plain, unpretentious folks. I enjoyed visiting with them so much.
I love looking at other homes. I like to see the way people use their space, and decorate. I couldn't decide if I wanted to pull it out of the 80's (I did--the wallpaper! the kitchen cabinets!) or just enjoy the "homeyness" of it all. They have cared well for their space and their hospitality was a balm to my soul.
The following evening, we were back again for a church-wide ice cream social.

Oddly enough, although we've lived in this area for about 13 years, we don't really have any close friends here. I have a couple of good friends. Maybe I'm underestimating my friends, but I'm talking about the "hang-out-in-and-out-of-each-others-houses-all-the-time" kind of friends.

It seems easy to start a friendship. You know, the initial hit-it-off goes well. Then there's the "we should have you over" statement; which I really look forward to but rarely materializes. So when we met this couple, I wasn't sure how far this would get off the ground.

I know that I'm one half of the friend equation. Maybe I hold myself apart a little too much. Expecting others to do more than I'm willing to do. Not good.

I always feel a little guilty when people invite us over. I feel like I "owe" them an invite after to keep the playing field even. I really don't enjoy entertaining. Probably because I make too much out of it. Then there's all the stuff that needs to be done around our house. It's not a very welcoming sight right now.

Sigh.

Then I go back to feeling overwhelmed, wondering when all this will get better. (The house, I mean) We did make some progress over the weekend. A baby step, but a step, nevertheless.

Gotta remember this a marathon (maybe a couple of 'em) not a sprint.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

This Is The Official HippyChick Summer Newsletter

Well, it's the 4th of July weekend.

I try to remember it as Independence Day to remind myself of the reason for the holiday, but for some reason, "4th of July" is way easier to say. Nevertheless, my patriotic heart continues to beat.

We have had no plans to do much of anything this weekend. How is that different from any other weekend, I'd like to know?!

Yesterday, for the first time in I don't know when, I actually had a Friday off. I didn't even drive by the salon! I did all the bookwork Thursday evening after work and was done in an hour! I dropped the deposit in the night slot and Friday was truly mine!

I celebrated my luxurious day off by sending the family on a picnic to the park, looking around at the house and bursting into tears. Every where I look there is so much to do, I don't even know where to start. It feels I shuffle stuff from one place to another, never exactly dealing with it. Of course, several projects would get done a lot faster if they had the benefit of some money behind them. But, thanks to the IRS, the dentist and the accountant, that won't be available for awhile.

SIGH.

BUT. I can take baby steps, cleaning and tossing to my heart's content which will keep me busy until then. I'm positive of that.

You know? The benefit (for me) of the poor economy right now is the fact that it is really forcing me to simplify my life. Up till now, I've been looking at simplifying as a novel idea--a new hobby, if you will. A "let me try this and see if I can make it work" kind of thing. Now, it is becoming much more of a necessity. Especially with a few extra (if temporary) bills to pay.

Business is down a little. I can't tell if it's from the summer season, or the economy. I have had a couple of people stretch their appointment time further. Especially those who drive a ways to see me. Then, there are those who swear they would go without food before giving up getting their hair done. I'd personally rather cut my own hair, cuz this girl's gonna eat.

Although I'm working full time, I'm having a lovely summer. I've been reading up a storm. Lot's of light stuff along with more serious reading. I've been spending more time with the family. Hubby and I have seemed to turn a corner in our relationship and I think a lot of the changing has been in me. I've been learning to trust his heart. I listen. I've spent so much time not listening because I was too busy disagreeing in my head to whatever was coming out of his mouth.

Our girl is surprising me every day with her abilities. She's been to gymnastics camp all day for a week. I was afraid it would be too much for her and that she would be tired and irritable, but she is very resilient. We are still coaxing and coaching her in the potty training area, and if I don't scream and pull my hair out...

I'll call it a successful summer.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Fight Normalcy




The opposite of courage in our society is not cowardice, it is conformity.
Rollo May