Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

Oh...those "itches" we get...for something new?

I've been growing my hair out for years (4 to be exact). I've gotten it trimmed and styled essentially all to one length over the long haul. I've been totally amazed at how my hair grew so long and straight this time around! It was always way too thick, but it was strong, and with a natural curl that's enough to be frustrating but not truly curly - when it was short, for example, I still had to have a permanent to get curls instead of frizz. Remember the late 60s - early 70s? We all wanted straight, long hair, and ironed it to get it that way? Well, mine never would do that (ironing was my way of life, but it never grew much below my shoulders and just looked funky). So the fact that it had finally done what I used to want it to do, and looked good, several inches below my shoulders - it was delightful! And I've enjoyed it. The hair was healthy...ok. Probably I'm being a bit too rhapsodic about it now, huh?

Still...it was too long. And too much - thick and long, all one length, with my lifestyle? I would shampoo once a week because I simply could not stand the drying process (my arms above my head that long just hurt my shoulders too much, especially with my recurrent bursitis...). And I don't have time for curling irons or electric curlers, I'm surely not sleeping on juice cans like we did back then...

I've complained a bit too much. I was sick of it. Two weeks ago? I called my hairstylist - the woman who was my very first boss, way back my senior year in highschool...she STILL does my hair (no one believes me, but it's true). She was a young, really young, beauty salon manager!

She scheduled me for tonight..."we'll look at pictures before we do anything!"

I decided last night to document this...so here I am, pre-cut, a photo showing the longest my hair has ever been...(I do a lousy job of self-portraits, I know). I can't help it...I think I really look old in that photo...

Today, I had an appointment about my foot - diagnosis is plantar's fasciitis, and I've an appointment with a podiatrist tomorrow (yes, a true sign of aging, at least in my mind - going to the foot doctor!). I've been assured that there WILL be a steroid shot in my heel and orthotics (ARRGH...grandma shoes? PLEASE tell me I can at least still wear my Birks?)

Feeling thoroughly "old" I went off to my hair appointment and we laughed and carried on as we usually do - my Wonder Stylist showed me photos, we decided to be conservative, cut 3 inches off the length and make small stab at shortening 2 layers at the face...

I HATED IT. Truly. I looked like Yoko Ono. And while she's fine, nothing wrong with her, I never thought I wanted to look like her. (sigh)

I knew Wonder Stylist was waiting to see where I went from there (she said, SHE liked Yoko Ono).

I asked, "Do you remember the SHAG?" And of course, she did...we debated...another friend, a hairstylist who knew me from "back in the day" (at the same first after-school job) came over and she put in her two cents worth. "I think it'll look nice." They both explained the process (because believe me, had they not? I'd have freaked! And they knew it).

And then another customer, with equally long hair egged me on. "I've been listening to you. You know you want to. JUST.DO.IT! Besides, I want to see what it looks like, because I have the same problem you do. And I'm about your age...you're right, the straight, long style doesn't really look the best on us."

Wonder Stylist was silent. She had my hair, gathered into her hand, pulled up in a ponytail above my head. She indicated that she would cut just under her hand. (That's a LOTTA hair - whacked off - but, sadly, not enough for Locks of Love!)

I covered my eyes. I held my breath!

"Okay. Cut it."
Now this shot is after trimming up after the initial WHACK, and doing a touch of styling. But just a touch, because I don't have time to do much so I wouldn't let her do too much.

In essence, I got two haircuts tonight, but Wonder Stylist knew better than to do the shag to start with. I'd have freaked. Way too much too soon...(She had told the customer who "egged" me on, that we were old, old friends. Thank goodness for that.)

Here's the best shot of all - the "Two Old Friends"
Wonder Stylist and me. LOVE YOU, HON! And I love my hair!

OH. And in honor of the heel that will be shot tomorrow? I turned the heel on the CTH Northern Lights sock.


It's been a big day. And that's some kinda change up there, doncha think?