A Novel Life

Wow.

If yesterday had been a book, it would have been a thriller with all sorts of plot twists.

There was the irate client issue to resolve. When I tried to deal with her Friday, there was no talking to her. I referred her (gladly) to my co-owner and tried to brace her for the storm to come. Except when she came in this time, she wasn't irate. She was rational and reasonable and will probably be a new client. Win?

Then there was the matter of my schedule which played fruit basket turnover. Last minute cancellations led to frantic calls to people on the waiting list which led to the 2 hour lunch that opened up shrinking to 15 minutes. (That's O.K., I'd rather be busy. But my tummy does have a bad habit of demanding food every so often.)

Then, my final client of the day, whom I looked forward to because I knew would be a basic, simple highlight, surprised me by saying, "I colored my hair a few weeks ago and I want to match it and brighten it up with some highlights."

Le sigh.

T'was not a big deal, in fact, it paled in comparison to some of the other doozies I'd faced recently, but it did considerably tax my last two remaining brain cells...

But in the midst of the flurry of activity and the apparent emotional unbalance of some people, I watched God pave the way and details fall into place.

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

One Found Item That Cost A Pretty Penny

So Thursday morning we have a chiropractic appointment across town. As usual, we are running really tight on time, traveling separately since I have to go to work directly after. My hubby and I begin a "discussion" as I'm flying out the door about the time and the fact that he should already be on his way.

The conversation continues once we meet at the Dr.'s office.

And again as he helps me get gas in the truck.

Finally, I'm on my way to work. Again-the clock is moving faster than I. I'm on one of the busy highways in my town and pull up to a red light. I'm second in line, fiddling with my phone. The car in front of my pulls away as the light changes, going around something in the road. I look to see what it is and see what appears to be a black sock.

The sock looked at me.

I realized with horror that a kitten was in the road and had been hit but was still very much alive.

I pulled my truck forward trying to remember how to put it in neutral and pull the emergency brake. I jumped out and grabbed the cat noticing immediately that it's back leg was broken. I literally jumped in my car, dropped it in the seat beside me and took off.

It launched itself into the floor and crawled under the seat.

Great. I have to be at work in (literally) one minute. I have a cat in the car who needs medical attention and don't have time to take him. I racked my brain hoping there was a vet on the way but alas, I didn't even have time to stop and sling him into a vet office.

I didn't think this fell under the duties my assistant signed up for.

It occurred to me that my husband was still somewhere behind me, oblivious to my adventure. I called him and asked him to meet me at the salon, I had an assignment for him and I needed his help.

He asked no questions and said he was on his way.

After waiting for him for a moment, expecting him to meet me in the parking lot where I park, I finally ran into him at the salon. (And the miscommunication goes on...) I thrust the cat on him and he took off. I ran in wiping cat schmutz off the best I could and started my day.

Oh, it doesn't end there.

The cat was conveniently ready for pick up at 1pm. The second race began right along with my lunch hour.

I think a pattern is emerging here.

I stopped, along with the rest of the town, at Chick-fil-A to grab lunch and then inhaled it as I drove. I picked up the cat finding out it is is a boy about 6wks old. I had barely looked at him after spending the morning throwing him around. And to my credit, I only choked a little when they told me how much the bill was.

Then, another race back home where I had hoped to change into a clean shirt. Again, no time. I pulled into the yard honking, hubby grabbed the box and I threw some directions into the wind and added and I love you for good measure. I discovered that it doesn't matter if we are at odds with each other. If I have a need, he stops and takes care of me.

He's my hero.

Everyone was asking if I'll keep him.

Of course. I've got to protect my investment.

Feeling the Highs of Anticipation and the Lows of...Well, Feeling Low.

Wow it's only Tuesday, but I feel I've felt a whole week's worth of emotions in three short days.

Sunday, for whatever reason, my hubby and I had a rough day together. I suspect he was feeling--something---which led to a loooooong conversation during which I cried most of the time. What can I say. Marriage is that way sometimes. You hit a bump, but once that hill is traversed, life can be smooth sailing again.

But that didn't happen immediately, so I spent half of Monday thinking, considering and generally digesting. I find working with my clients helps take my introspective mind off myself and I must say that my day improved with age.

At the end of this week, I'm flying out to NYC for a hair show. I've been kind of disappointed, because last week I found out that I owe a pretty significant amount for taxes this year and that kind of sucked the joy out of my trip. I feel like if I go I shouldn't spend a penny on anything that isn't Absolutely Necessary. Like food. (But I'm gonna get some GOOD food dangit!) And with that pragmatic approach, I've decided: "Hey. I'm going to New York City, whoopee!"

Today was the best yet. One of my clients today is also one of my good friends. Every time she has her hair done, we make it a point to have lunch together. Not just any lunch but a 2 hour lunch. And let's face it. If lunch is done well it will take a minimum of 2 hours. We love to savor and enjoy our food. We always choose a restaurant (no fast food) and usually we try to visit a place that will be (a.) Delicious and (b.) a Culinary Adventure. Today we tried the only Thai restaurant in town. We hit the culinary jackpot.

After feasting on omelet soup, pad Thai and some sort of catfish "pen kay" (who knows?) we studied the dessert menu. Since we couldn't make up our minds, we chose two desserts: a triple chocolate cheesecake and something with vanilla ice cream and Grand Marnier drizzled fruit. Beyond that we ended up with a couple of ginormous white and dark covered strawberries and a side of mango mousse.

May I say after polishing off our entrees we put serious dents in all of the desserts. Strawberries? Gone. Ice Cream? Only a smattering of fruit remained. Triple Chocolate Cheesecake? Barely enough to divide to take home.

But we did anyway.

Food is wonderful therapy, but this particular friend is also of creative mind. While shamelessly eating off each other's plates, she began telling me about a plot line she has and we began brainstorming using her phone to record some of our ideas. (I thought that was brilliant. My great ideas always evaporate without a trace.)

After asking the wait staff for a wheel barrow to roll us out, she returned me to work. I have retained my sense of well being, feeling that my time with her helped light my creative spark.

My heart feels free, because....

I am me.

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.

Life, Gurgle, Gurgle

Overwhelmed.


You name it, it's overwhelming me.



I realize that I'm just going through feelings of inadequacy right now and I need to recognize them for what they are: changeable as the wind-- feelings.

Sometimes it feels the world is going to fly apart in a million pieces.

O.K. My world is already in a million pieces. A world where carpets are half torn out, cats are throwing up, toddlers are rebelling and husbands are as stubborn and strong minded as I am. But somehow, I juggle it and keep it all aloft. I'm successful at many things, but when I'm on the inside looking out, I feel it's all a mirage; a carefully crafted scene for the world (who is on the outside looking in) to see.

I wonder if a lot of people are that way; creating mirages so others think everything is hunky-dory. I especially wonder that on days when I want someone else's life. "They" obviously have it together. Bills paid, house organized, marriage blissful (always)... I create perfect little life scenes for them to escape my imperfections.

When I grow overwhelmed, my facade crumbles. I drive to work sitting up very straight as if by holding myself so, I can hold my world together. I overcompensate my loss of control (of things I have no control over in the first place) by becoming bossy and in charge in tiny things that don't really matter. I'm this way at work mostly, where: "I say who, I say when, I say how much."

I hate when I get like this. I, the eternal optimist. The one with the can-do philosophy. I think (truth be told) the reason I get so out of sorts when life piles up on top of me, is the fact that there is no quick fix. And I'm a fixer par excellence'. I love fixing whether it's a bad haircut, a leaky faucet or your life. I'm a fixer.

Fortunately, after a couple of days, my vision shifts again, I get a second wind and I find myself breathing more normally and realizing it will even out...eventually.

Growing Up

I never dreamed six years ago that I would be doing some of the things that I'm doing now.

Like signing up my first and only child for preschool.

Amazing.

How could my heart could become so enwebbed (is that a word?) in someone that I would be loath to share her with the world-- in any way shape or form?

When I look at my daughter, I see this child who is precious in her innocence. An innocence that I want to preserve all of her days. Impossible, I know, but still...

Until now, her exposure has been limited to the nucleus of the three of us predominately. Now, I must open up her world and allow others to influence and teach her. These are good things, I know, but in my selfishness, I want to keep her all to myself. She's too precious and special--will others know this? Will they protect her innocence as fiercely as I want to? Probably not and that's what scares me a little.

I know that when our children are born to us we are to begin letting go even as they are given to us. But how do I let go of someone who has become such a part of me?

It's bittersweet to watch her grow up. While I rejoice in each new ability she acquires and boast of her abilities, I also grieve over the fact that she loses a bit of her baby-ishness. That little chubby faced toddler, pointing and jabbering her own language. The baby who nestled at my breast her compact weight making a perfect bundle to snuggle.

All of these thoughts and emotions tumbled through my heart yesterday as I drove home.

Makes me think my girl isn't the only one growing up.

It's Nothing a Latte Won't Take Care Of

Can I just tell you how glad I am that this week is over?

It was a very busy week in the salon. I juggled hair appointments, employee meetings and new policies, wrangled disgruntled clients into satisfied clients (more than once), distributed the money to it's respective places, discovered that I have nothing because I basically owe it all to the IRS, and bought a dishwasher with some of that "nothing".

Then I had a great big cry.

And slept.

It's amazing how therapeutic crying and sleeping is.

Especially when followed up with a sugar-free caramel, fat-free latte. It's better than a stiff drink after talking to the accountant who is adding insult to injury by taking any money left after the IRS gets through with you.

Antidote

The best antidote for me when life is challenging, is to have something to look forward to that I'm really excited about.

It's not that life is bad, per se, it can just suck the, well, life out of me sometimes.
I enjoyed my trip home, but that was a long trip, and when you factor in our adventures it was kind of tiring.
I have a client who decided she couldn't wait to get her hair cut so she let one of our other stylists do it and now she's unhappy. Complicate that by the fact that she just spent about a thousand dollars with us to get extentions and now....what do I do about that?
We had a hairshow at the salon last night with just under 50 sorority girls in attendance. It went well, but it took a lot of energy to talk to them ( I was the moderator). We were there late-ish but I think it was successful. But it took a lot out of me after working and dealing with the above situation.
One of the cats scratched baby girl yesterday--twice. Yes, she's been aggravating the cat, but stil...Hubby doesn't care for the cats anyway and struggles between loving them (mostly because I love them) and wanting to throw them against the wall (or at the least, out in the yard.)

When I got home last night, feeling rather poor in spirit, it cheered me to have gotten a couple of new books in the mail and to find the latest Domino magazine on the counter. Getting a big hug from my favorite 4 year old helped matters immensely.

But the thing that is bouying me immediately is looking forward to this weekend. I'm in between trips and purposely didn't plan anything. Oh, except a massage (with reflexology this time--I've never done that before--kinda curious) and our salon is now offering facials and microdermabrasion (the latter I've never done before either) so I'm going to give our skin care specialist some practice. Poor me.

Having this to look forward to is helping to give me the stamina to push through these rough spots in my road.

What are you looking forward to?