Friday, February 29, 2008

Hair-The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Part 2

A couple of posts ago I wrote about the gyrations women go through to have a "good hair day." I also admitted that I was going to cheat on my stylist, and the guilt that I felt over doing so.

Well....I did it. The deed is done! I crossed over to someone new, and I must say that any guilt I had is totally gone. Christopher is my new man. He listened, understood and was able to completely satisfy my needs. He took his time; he was in no rush to make me happy. He was careful and meticulous as he placed each highlight. New cut....new color.....I have been transformed and I absolutely love it! I had a great hair day today, and despite the beginnings of a sinus infection, I felt great.

I have succumbed to "Salon Junkie Syndrome" and I am totally ok with it. So go ahead...jump ship if you're not happy. A person who brings a new set of eyes to your hair frenzy can work wonders. As for me, I will stick with Christopher.....until I feel the need to wander again.

PS: If you live in the Philadelphia area, and are in need of a change, check out The Lion's Mane at 1133 Pine Street. It is a small, two chair salon tucked away in the middle of the block. The two owners, who are the only stylists and colorists, are warm and welcoming and do great work.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Braces Anyone?

Unfortunately, I have been spending way too much time in the dentist's chair lately. My dentist fear stems from my childhood, I am sure. We were poor and the only time I went to the dentist was when there was an emergency. Consequently, I associate the dentist with pain. Now, as I approach 50, a few of those heavily filled teeth are breaking and require crowns. Thank heavens there are miraculous advances in detal technology, and pain isn't an issue, just time and discomfort.

I have always been envious of those who have beautiful, straight, white teeth. Orthodontics wasn't an option when I was young. Then, as I had my own children, of course they had braces. However, now as I approach my 50th birthday, and after speaking at great length with my dentist, I have been thinking that braces may be the perfect gift.

My husband was completely taken back when I discussed this with him. He couldn't quite wrap his head around this idea. He gave his appropriate good husband response of "Honey, you have a beautiful smile." While I do appreciate his loving comment, I went on to explain.

For years my less than perfect teeth have bothered me. I always looked at people's teeth. I internally grumble when I see my smile in pictures. Some women have a little nip, tuck, lift or suction as they age; why can't I have straight teeth?

So, I am in the process of doing a bit of research.
  • Is there anyone out there who has had braces as an adult?
  • If so, did you opt for the traditional or invisible type?
  • How long did it take?

Any suggestions or advice?

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Hair-The Good, The Bad and The Ugly


Are all women focused on their hair, or is it just me? Does a bad hair day really affect your mood? I am making a true confession here, I am a hairmaniac. Maybe it is just because I am hating mine right now and so ready for a change that I could scream, but I think that hairmania is a condition that primarily strikes women at epidemic proportions.

Our mothers did it, their mothers did it and now it is passed on to our generation and we will pass it on to the next. I can already see it with my teenage daughter. Coloring, teasing, spraying, geling, curling, straightening, ironing....oh Lord, the lengths that we go to so we can insure we are having a "good hair day" are endless. I have vivid memories of my mother sleeping with torturous rollers and my grandmother, who had her hair "done" once a week, would carefully wrap it with toilet paper each night and cover it with some sort of bonnet to keep it just so. By the end of the week, it looked like a matted rug.

Let's not forget "Salon Junkie Syndrome." You know women who have this condition; you may even be one of these women who shamelessly moves from one salon to the next on the never ending search for the perfect style and color. Have they no ability to commit?

I have been loyal to my stylist for years, but yesterday I crossed over, gave in to my hairmania and made the call to someone new. I am consciously going to cheat on my stylist. Will the guilt I suffer be worth it? Will Christopher be able to perform magic that will make me smile at the mirror each morning after I have finished my moussing, drying and spraying? He must be good since I have to wait 10 days before I can settle into his chair! I have seen his work on a colleague and she has her hairmania under control. Will he be able to do it for me?

How about you? Are you a hairmaniac? Do you suffer from Salon Junkie Syndrome? It's ok...unburden yourself. All comments can be anonymous!

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Super Bowl Sunday-Sunday Morning News Just For Us!



I like football, I really do, but I have to admit, today doesn't really rank as a holiday for me like it does for many people around the country. My husband is not a football fan, my son is away at college and my teenage daughter has other plans. I'm kind of bummed. I feel like I'm missing out on something. Today I will have no excuse to overindulge in great food that is totally bad for me or throw my regular Sunday chores to the wayside.

When I think back to long ago when I was married to my first husband, my role on Super Bowl Sunday was mainly food preparer. We would usually pack up the car with our share of goodies and travel to a friend's house....the one who had the best TV. Then, the men would crowd around the TV to cheer, eat and drink. The women would spend a good part of the evening in the kitchen gabbing and laying out the spread. We would occassionally pop our heads into the family room and catch a score. Finally there would be the cleanup.

Hey....wait a minute....maybe I'm not so bummed after all!

Ladies, what are your plans for today? What is your role as a Super Bowl woman?
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Sunday Morning News Just For Us

For those of you who are not cooking or partying today, check out some of the latest news for boomer women from this week.