Monday, April 5, 2021

CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR

There have been two things I have been wishing for most of this past year.  Well one I have wished for about 15 years and that was snow. I left Florida mainly due to 3 back to back hurricanes and a desire for cooler weather and snow.

I ended up in Arkansas for the amazing bang for your buck when buying real estate here but also because the chamber of commerce promised a decent amount of snow each year and summers that were pleasant. They told bald faced lies.

The summers hit 100 plus degrees way to many times and snow was just dustings that melted by noon. That has always been the case yet I still wished. Even whined a bit.

This year I did get a good snow that kept me house bound for three days. It was both wonderful and not so wonderful.  Hard for me to believe  but that beautiful snow actually got old by the third day.  Anyway, I could cross that wish off my list. 

The second wish came with the pandemic.  I had needed a haircut when we went into lock down over a year ago.  Oh my did I get raggedy. My hair grows rapidly.

Fortunately we were wearing masks in public so few people knew it was me and we all looked pretty unkempt anyway.  I have always had a perm in my hair but now it was long, straight as string and I had given myself a bit of a bowl cut. Sexy.

Luckily for you and me--my camera is on the fritz so I have no before or after photos.

Once I was fully vaccinated, a haircut was all I could think about. My regular beautician wasn't available so I went to this place that said "Walk Ins Welcome." Now I understand the reason they were so accommodating. They were desperate. Pretty sure repeat business is rare.

The lone beautician turned my chair away from the mirror and after a few questions, she set about turning me into a man. Yikes.

I had warned her about a few thin spots I have in the back and said I didn't want my ears cut out.  I watched as large chunks of hair fell from my head. I actually lost a pound that day. Hopefully there were other factors in that loss for a pound of hair is a bunch. 

Mercy, did she cut me short.  The ears were completely bared in spite of my request. Did you know ears grow as we age?  At least the lobes get saggy. Lordy mine are now huge.  Need to hide those suckers again.  Come on hair, grow.

Now there isn't enough hair left to roll around a curler so for a while, a perm is out. She did leave me a bit to cover up the thin spots but she practically turned me into a guy and I just can't pull it off like Jamie Lee Curtis does.  Being 80 plus with sharp features, super short hair it is not a good look.

My hair is so short that my gardening hat from before pandemic no longer fits and I have to tighten the chin strap or lose it. 

I haven't worn lipstick for almost a year because of the mask ordinance. Now I wear it everywhere I know I'll be exposed to a mirror. Earrings are now hanging from those huge ears.  I'm doing my best to put my best feminine foot forward but I guess jeans and bulky sweaters don't help my cause. 

I was cringing inside as I waited for the dreaded, "Can I help you sir?" 

However the other day I went into a small grocery store, masked up and skimpy haired when this nice older male clerk asked, "Did you find everything you needed ma'am?"  I really, really wanted to kiss him. 

Ahhh. Maybe this too shall pass. Always heard a bad haircut only lasts a couple of weeks. 

Ever really wish for something only to be disappointed when you got it?

50 comments :

  1. I always make wishes that eventually come true & I regret it. Personally, for me, I live the short, short, hair. I'm lazy that way...shampoo, run my fingers thru to toss it around, and vòila.

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    1. Anni,
      I know and you look so good in short hair. I just can't pull the really short of. I need a little curl at least.

      Delete
  2. I still love a really good snow storm. Mrs. C's hair has always been long, now it is really long...it gets sexier and sexier every day. I'm sure your feminine qualities will shine through even a bad hair cut. Sexy is an attitude, and it never gets old.

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    1. joeh,
      Men most often love long hair on a woman. As for my feminine qualities, at least that old fellow that rang up my order could still see some. Not sure about anyone else:)

      Delete
    2. That doesn't apply to me. My wife's hair is short.

      Delete
  3. Patti I feel guilty for smiling as I read this, but I love how you're as honest as you are sweet & funny--I'm just sorry for your walk-in fiasco! A few years ago I got fed up with the always long wait at my barber of 28 years, went down the street to "Walk-Ins Welcome" and got some Army guy who slapped the back of my neck with a wet towel and gave me a "Basic Training" cut! (If you think guys aren't as affected as women by a bad cut.... do a search for 'Turtle Man' on my blog, cuz I posted angry photos and everything.) Took about 3 months before I was normal again. (And now at least, my barber takes appts!) Still, I'm sure there's no question you're a woman and you sound so much like my mom with your lipstick and dangling earrings! She ALSO said the same thing about our noses and ears growing as we age... as if getting old wasn't trouble enough. Anyway, excuse my long ramble but I enjoyed your piece very much and have missed you. I sure hope you have a springy week ahead. :^)

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    1. Doug,
      Just read Turtle Man and Doug was that guy ever arrested for assault? Mercy he really scalped you. Gee I hope I don't have to wait three months like you did.
      You are right, walk-ins-welcome should be enough warning. Glad we both have learned.

      Delete
  4. I wear my hair short, but not that short. Maybe that poor hairdresser only knows how to cut one look and you got it. It will grow out, but I hear you. I once got a haircut I hated and was so glad when it grew out.

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    1. Djan,
      You and Anni can pull it off and still look good, I just can't. I think that lady pretty much gets an all male clientele. If I hadn't been so desperate for a hair cut, I probably would have waited for my regular girl. Lesson learned.

      Delete
  5. Patti, you wanted snow? I am running from snow. I hate heat and yet I'm going further south. We know 2 people there. Did you know anyone when you moved to Arkansas?

    A bad hair cut for me lasts forever. If my hair is not "right" then I am most uncomfortable. My hair grows slow as molassas. I will share a tip - any salon that says walk in welcomes is not somewhere to get a good hair cut. We used to joke back in 1974 when I was a barber. That means they have no business and why is that? (not during a pandemic of course)so then homework has to be done and who wants to do that? If they have great stylists that have recurrent training and update technicaques they would be very busy. Normally those places are right out of school stylists. But I bet it isn't as bad as you think. And since your hair grows so quickly it will be covering your ear lopes in no time. You can't get inexpensive hair cuts here even at the walk in places like Hair Cuttery where they aren't trained in up to date techniques charges over $50+ for a hair cut. Sadly I pay more but she's normally worth it. Normally.
    I can't wait to wear lipstick and someone see it. Even being vaccinated I have to wear a mask so I may not need to buy lipstick for ages.

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    1. Margaret,
      Nope, I knew no one when I moved here but being raised by an army brat, that has never been a problem. Strangers are just friends you haven't met yet.
      You are so right about walk in welcome. Lesson has been learned.
      Before the pandemic I was afraid I would run out of my life long favorite lipstick (Revlon 712) as they quit making it. I had found a couple of tubes on the internet. Mask wearing really extended my supply.

      Delete
  6. We've all had the hair woes during the pandemic. My hair was the longest it's been in my life since I was 12. A week a go I finally got most of it cut off and I was shocked when I got home to find out the girl had shaved the back of my head up an inch above the natural hairline. Makes my neck look dirty and I hate it! I had brought in three photos of what I wanted and none of them had a shaved back. Lucky for both of us that hair grows.

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    1. Jean,
      I feel you pain. I am shaved up the back also. Even my regular girl never seem to understand my wish to not have much cut off, just shaped up. I guess they want us to feel like we get our money's worth.

      Delete
  7. I have been on both sides of the bad scissors. I had a roommate that was a hairdresser. She talked me into trying it. One of my first and last clients had naturally curly hair. He wanted it trimmed above his ears. I pulled the hair down, cut above the ear and release. The curly hair sprang up showing an inch of scalp above his ear. He freaked. I started shaking. I thin nicked his ear with my trembling hands. I then proceeded to run down the block to grab my roommate from a restaurant to say her lunch was canceled I had an issue on my hands.

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    1. Sue,
      That is funny but not for him or you either. I would have made that same mistake. Curly hair has its own problems.
      Hope he forgave you.

      Delete
  8. Really sorry to read about that haircut, Patti. I hope your hair grows back fast. I'm pretty lazy about haircuts and hadn't had one for quite a while (years). A couple of months into the pandemic Roger and I decided to cut each other's hair. It was really okay, a little bit shorter than I expected, but still okay. What I noticed was that it grew back really really fast. So maybe with your new cut, it will grow back with great speed. Sometimes that really happens. Take care there.

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    1. robin,
      You two were brave to let the other cut your hair but during this pandemic, guess a lot of married couples are doing that.
      Like you my hair usually grows fast. Hope that doesn't change now.

      Delete
  9. A hair cut seems to be first on a lot of lists. Thanks for the cautionary tale. I do have an appointment for a haircut this week but it is with my trusted regular guy.

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    1. Olga,
      I know, it was an obsession with me to get a haircut. Glad you can get in with your regular. Bit of comfort there.

      Delete
  10. Living in Texas, I too think snow is beautiful... but after 3 days, it's enough... and luckily ours usually doesn't last that long. As for the hair, yes, I too have a long white ponytail. I don't mind it too much as I grew up wearing my hair like this, but being 75, long hair is a pain to wash and dry. Sent my hairdresser a text the other day asking if she was still around and that by this summer I would probably be ready to go short again. She said she would be ready whenever I was. Hope yours grows back fast as I too envy those who can wear it really short... but I've tried and it's a no go.

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    1. Rian,
      I think if mine had been long enough for a ponytail I would have been fine with that. Though you are right, it is a pian to wash. Be careful when you get it short. At least you know your hairdresser.

      Delete
    2. I just don't see how long hair is more of a pain to wash. Under the shower, wet, apply shampoo, lather, rinse, apply conditioner, lather, rinse, done. Towel dry and leave it or ponytail it. No unnecessary styling needed, unless you want that Farrah Fawcett look.

      Delete
    3. River,
      I remember when I was a kid and had long hair, it was the drying part that took forever.

      Delete
  11. I'd gladly send you some of our snow, about mid-January when I am so tired of it. Three days would be plenty for me too.

    I'm sure I've wished for things and regretted them afterward but at the moment I'm coming up blank.

    I'm still not ready to get a haircut even though it's the longest it has been in 25 years or so. Even with the vaccine, our province is being hit hard with the variants and I don't want to chance it. So I keep it up in a ponytail since I can't stand the feel of it on my neck.

    Take care, stay well.

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    1. Eileen,
      Know your reservations about going to a hairdresser. If I hadn't been fully vaccinated, I probably would still be shaggy.
      So sorry to hear about the variants. Hope the vaccines all ready available will work against them.

      Delete
  12. Haha. It happened to me too. I went to Regis for a trim and left looking like a man. It was really short. Now I go to Great Clips and they do what I tell them to do. No layering, just cut the bottom off 1 inch.

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    1. gigi,
      That was fun wasn't it?:)) You are lucky to find a beautician that listens. Even my regular girl always cuts it shorter than I want.

      Delete
  13. Funny that you should mention haircuts. I just gave myself and Art a pretty short trim. And yes, all our ears are exposed. His hair looks good and he’s happy. Mine? I forgot and gave myself a rooster tail in back. Dang! Thank goodness hair grows!

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    1. Kay,
      Yikes cutting your own hair? I know how you feel about those rooster tails. I got one once and it takes forever to tame back down.

      Delete
  14. I paid way too much for my first cut in over a year but at least I got what I wanted. Hope yours grows out soon. Mine is nearly down to my shoulders from being just covering my ears. Bangs all grown out. I like it. I'm trying to justify the cost because unlike my old short cut every 5-6 weeks this doesn't need trimming before 4 months or so.

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    1. Celia,
      You are smart to enjoy a longer hairdo. They do last much longer. Congrats on getting a good one.

      Delete
  15. This is a great post except that I have a hair appointment tomorrow and now I'm quite apprehensive! Who I see in the mirror with longish shaggy hair is not my vision of myself. (but a hair trim could make it worse)

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    1. Margaret,
      Oh how I hope it goes just as you want. I know how desperate we get after a year of abandon. Good luck.

      Delete
  16. You said your hair grows rapidly, so by the time you read this it might be almost long enough to wind around a roller, right? Ha Ha. My hair grows slowly, it took three years to get below my shoulders! anyway, no more haircuts for me, I don't want to have to be constantly going to the hairdresser to keep it short.

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    1. River,
      Ha ha, well not that quick but we'll get there. Lucky you to have a minimal care do. Wish I could get past the "not quite there yet" stage but I can't so I am back on the beauty shop treadmill.

      Delete
  17. This has been a time for me to be happy that I have not hair. My wigs are always ready to pop on my head to go out in the world. I like to pass by my front window without my wig so persons will believe two people live here.

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    1. Annie,
      Do you style your own wigs? I thought seriously about getting one to just try during the raggedy stage.

      Delete
  18. My wife gave me two pandemic haircuts. I go to the barber next week. We'll see what he says and does.

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    1. Tom,
      Hey if she does a good job, I'd keep her. She really is handy. Good luck with the pro.

      Delete
  19. I well know how you feel! Many's the time I have asked for a trim to get very light headed by the time the girl was finished with me.Fortunately for me my hair has curl and waves. Now it is long and I wear it in a bun. I will probably have it cut and styled after the pandemic abates and I have been vaccinated.💖

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    1. Susan,
      How lucky are you to have curls. They can hide a multitude of mistakes by a hairdresser. That is one reason I perm mine. Never could get it long enough this time to make ponytail or bun---darn. Would always start cutting it on my own.

      Delete
  20. I think the last time I got a professional haircut was when I was living in NY City ...almost 40 years ago. Actually I've had fun testing out new looks and I'll bet you look much nicer than you think ... just different, and remember, it always grows back.

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    1. Ginnie,
      Wow, you really have held out. Guess you are pretty good at doing it yourself.
      Waiting, impatiently for the growing back part.

      Delete
  21. Oh, I hate haircuts like that. I don't mind short, but I want cute short. LOL

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    1. Mage,
      I know and there really isn't a lot of inches different, just talent.

      Delete
  22. Had a good chuckle at your hair cut post and the comments, Patti. As you know, I keep mine very short and kind of "choppy" looking. The 4 months I didn't get mine cut at the beginning of the pandemic seemed more like 4 years. I normally have a trim once a month. My normal look is dandelion and the pandemic look was tumbleweed. My cutter still wears a mask and I do, too. When she needs to clip around my ears, she has me hold the mask in place. I always get my hair cut out around my ears. I'm going to have look at those ears more closely - maybe they're getting way too big to do that! I had no idea they "grow"! You've learned a valuable lesson about "Walk Ins Welcomed". As for snow - I usually start wishing for rain right about now, but at our altitude the snow continues to fall.

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    1. Barb,
      As long as you ears were partially covered or always completely exposed, you won't even notice the growth. It is just when they suddenly decide to go naked that they get your attention:)

      Delete
  23. I was lucky. I've lived in a retirement community through covid, and there's a retired stylist two streets down who cut my hair on my front porch for months.

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    1. Linda,
      You were so lucky. I'll bet she was really busy this past year.

      Delete
  24. Oh, you give me second thoughts about going out to get even a shampoo since where I had gone for years shutdown and my 90+ year hairdresser retired. I’ve allowed my hair to grow ever since I retired and just keep tying it back so think I'll keep doing that a while longer after reading your tale. Will be posting my own hair update soon.

    ReplyDelete

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