Important possession

There is a country song where a little boy swears and the dad says " son where did you hear a word like that". In response the little boy replays "dad I've been watching you, I wanna be just like you, I'm your buckaroo"... Or something along that line.

This morning, I watched and learned from my own kids! In the car we had an upbeat song on, happy, dancy type of music and a great way to start the morning, however, it said "Hell yeah". My son was singing along... I told him to please not sing that word, he can sing but just don't say the bad words. I did switch the station and guess what 3 times, 3 differsnt stations, 3 different swear words! I thought to my self "WTF" than I was like oh my gosh did I just think what the f#*%... Wow reality! We as parents often feel like we are the parents and our rules don't apply to ourselves. Boy are we wrong. Next time you are in a mall, check out line, or out in public listen to all the foul language that comes from kids mouths. Yes some are simply defiant children, but most have learned it from us, the parents. It's up to me to make sure my children know some words should not be used, even if they hear them on tv, radio, or from others. In public if I hear a child swear out loud, I think "do I say something, or not" I suppose for each situation I will have to decide.

As we approached the school I told my children to have a happy day. That all I want is happiness for them, each and everyday. I walked my youngest (pre-k) to the crosswalk across from the school doors. We stopped, looked both ways, paused waited for the school bus to drive by, looked again and she crossed the bus lane. She turned around a few times to wave at me as she walked into school. Which I in returned smiled as big as I could a shook my hand vigorously back and forth at her, faster than a dog wags his tail. As she walked to the doors a little boy was behind her. She stopped turned to wave one last time, than said to the boy " boys are suppose to hold the door open for girls, it's the way it's suppose to be".  At first I thought " you mouthy little thing" than I realized, no she is correct. Maybe his parents didn't teach him that, and I was instantly proud of my girl. The little boy did open and hold the door for her. I think a tear streamed down my face. Perhaps because she's growing up, or perhaps because we taught her manners.

Time with my kids is the most important possession I have. My life is not perfect, I don't often complain or vocally express the cons that happen. I choose to be happy, and allow that to reflect on those around me, whether on Facebook, twitter, by phone, or simply in person. I choose to show the public the happy side of our lives. I work full time, more than most people realize...I am blessed to have a career filled with financial stability. Even more I am blessed to be able to spend time with my children each morning, filling them with good, happy day thoughts to start their day off! I am blessed with the knowledge to raise my kids to have manners, know right from wrong, and know love...

And for this I continue to ...
   LIVE, LIFE, LOUD

Whistles and Whoa's

School is back in session.....
Schedules are back on track, kids have a go,go,go attitude, and I'm loving every minute.

The summer went fast. To start off summer I started at a new salon which has been a wonderful transition for me. My son was in full swing with little leagues. This year I finally was able to go to his games. He's got a knack for is it seems, as he rounded home base several times throughout the game. With one game to go in baseball, my husband and I got our roaster for our summer soccer team. Yes, we coached together, well most of the time. My oldest daughter and my son played on different teams, and little Olive played on the sidelines.It seemed one practice would start when the other one was finishing... I found I'm really blessed to have such an awesome husband, and really cool in-laws. My in-laws helped balance the kids soccer games so we could stay on track thru the summer soccer season. As the season ended we made the decision coaching was fun, but in the middle of hay season it's not a good idea. 

Most farmers had their hay in by the end of July, it seemed that here it is September and we just finished. This was my first true year of doing hay. In the past my job or I suppose I should say employer demanded very long hours at work. I barley had time to see my kids let alone help with any chores. It wasn't his fault, he had a business to run, however having a family, and life outside of the salon was important to me. After 3 long years of working in a high demand, fast paced salon I took a leap of faith and quit. I had faith that I was not just a good stylist but a great one, and I could work  in any salon. Well any salon that allowed me to do what I love, hair but also be around those that I love, my family....Viola here I am; attending games, coaching, spending time, quality family time, helping with chores and really living life.

August began with whistles and whoa's. My son padded up and whistles were blowing as football season is in action, while my daughter put on her shin guards and tried out for the varsity soccer team. After 2 long days of tryouts I drove her to her 3rd and final tryout day. She told me she didn't think she made it, I of course tried to keep her spirits up...at 10:32am I got a text and tears streamed down my face. "I made the team"  my sophomore made the varsity girls soccer team. So now we are running to and from football and soccer, and I still work doing what I love to do hair, and here come the Whoa...

I got a horse. My very own rideable horse. My husbands Aunt & Uncle the Little's own a farm. Not just any farm, but a horse farm. Sounds strange to some but they sell, trade, breed horses, they have stud services available, you can rent a horse to ride, or the have wagons for horse drawn wagon rides. (they provided a horse drawn wagon on the best decision day of my life, the day I took the name Mrs. Justin R. Pincoski) They also have a cabin for those that want to spend a week of riding of very well groomed trails, or want a week of peace in a country setting. Well at one of their cowboy dinners (a really cool dinner is cooked entirely the way pioneers did it, and than a band plays and there are cowboy games..these are a must do that everyone should try) my husband made the arragmenents and   Thecrosspatch.com was on the look out for a horse for me. I can't express how I felt when they introduced me to this white and brown mare. I named her "Bliss" it's beena long time that I  wanted a well trained horse, and they found her....well not completely trained. However my Bliss is at their ranch and undergoing professional training. A thecrosspatch.com horse gets the best training for your needs, and I needed something that would be patient with me, and me with her. Whoa, whoa, whoa is the command to stop and the most important. So I am working on figure eights as she is learning neck reigning, and trust me she knows whoa...

So on top of managing kids sports and my career, throw in my horse hobby and you'd think I'd crumble....wait did I mention Olive starts pre-k this year. The salon I'm in now I have unbelievable
hours...I have a set schedule, yet make appointments on my off hours, but now putting my kids the front lines of my life. I'm able to see my kids, I mean really see them, work in the salon, and find time for my Bliss. Living life to the fullest. So as I said in the beginning; Schedules are back on track, kids have a go,go,go attitude, and I'm loving every minute. besides what's that new saying "You Only Live Once".

YOLO everyone so Live, Life Loud...

Couples that HAY together, Stay together...

Woke up early, packed a cooler full of water, and trail mix and headed out for the day... This day was set out to be hot, sticky, hurry up and wait type of day. For this day is my husband and my full day off, and today we Hay!!

Having a farm with horses, pigs, chickens, rabbits, and a few other animals = several hot summer days of bringing in hay. The past years we have cut, raked, baled, and sweat on good old Whig Street, with my wonderful in-laws. This year we are all over the map, because this year we are working with my husbands aunt and uncle helping them to bring in hay for their full time horse farm, as well as bring in our own.

The men worked on the balers to make sure they have all their "teeth (which scoops the hay up)", My husbands Aunt got the water coolers filled, gathered the extra bale n twine, and did the odds and ends, while I ran to the gas station to get the diesel fuel for the tractors. This was my first trip to the diesel pumps and after filling all the gas containers for the tractors. I didn't realize all that goes into farming. I road with Megan in a truck hauling a hay wagon to the fields, while the men drove 4 different tractors, 1 attached to a our square baler, another to their round baler, two attached to two rakes while Luke drove the big diesel; it looks like a mini semi with a long flat bed attached. Although the fields were less than 7miles away it seemed to take forever to get there. Upon our arrival, we saw my husbands Uncle cutting in one field, and in another field the hay was cut and his Aunt was raking. This is all new to me, I work so much I usually show up to throw the bales on the wagon. Three years living on a farm and I'm just beginning to learn what it really takes. I watched the miracles happening, and not happening. I saw the frustration in 4 men's faces as the baler stopped wrapping the hay! After an hour of delay and them pulling the thing apart, out came a metal file, the cutters got sharpened and voila the men are sweating, smiling, and back in business! I ran to and from their tractors taking them water, and throwing broken bales into piles to be re-baled. I learned where the bathroom was, and decided to "hold it" until the next trip back to the house. At around 6ish pizza and pop was brought to us. Funny realizeing most of us haven't eaten since 7-8am in the morning and due to heat I didn't really think about eating until we got pizza. Dinners over back to work! Two wagons piled up sky high, ropes to hold it in place, and a flat bed filed with round bales. I got asked to drive a tractor back to the farm. This too being new to me. Sitting on that tractor, I smiled with sweat from the hot, humid, sun beatin day dripping down my face, my shirt was sticking to my back, and even my legs rolled with sweat. In front of me was my husband with a tractor pulling a full load of hay. It tended to Lean to the right a bit but slow and steady and he'll be fine.

I sat on that tractor and as much as I thought I was driving it home, I think that big blue ford knew our work was done and time to retire for the night. Being in the Sun all day and now driving home as the sun sets, I froze. My cold body was filled with the events that took place throughout the day, and the smile on my face got bigger and bigger. Today 4 couples worked together bringing in hay. No one yelled at each other, no one stormed off, no one complained about each other (well often complained about the machinery, lol). 4 beautiful hardworking women, 4 handsome hardworking men spent the day together, quantity time getting hay. I thought about all the times we laughed, and all the times we were silent. It was a good day, no a great day, no a fantastic day.

Getting back to the barn, the men situated the wagons filled with hay, for the hay would be taken off the wagons tomorrow. It was 10:47pm when we all gathered around sitting, chatting, laughing over the day. I thought about a saying as my husband held my hand as we walked to our car, " couples who pray together, stay together".... Well in farming world the saying stands true "couples that HAY together, stay together!". I fell asleep holding my husbands hand as he drove us home. When we got home, quick showers and straight to bed. I slept smiling on the chest of the most perfect man God has created for me...

LIVE, LIFE, LOUD....

You DO Change The World...

GOOD MORNING.....

This week many youngsters graduate. Whether it be from pre-k, elementary school, or complete the 12 year curriculum of high school. I think there is a little more spunk in their attitudes as they become a bit older with their lives developing. What a honor it is to see your child walk across stage or stand there and get a piece of paper that says " YOU ARE A WINNER YOU DID IT, WAY TO GO". Ok well maybe they don't say that but they should.

As we become adults often times its up to us to tell ourselves we did good,and that we woke up survived the day and yes this makes us a winner. I think we should all print out certificates and give them out to people through out the month.... Imagine at work, let's take retail. Imagine being called in the office and your boss giving you a certificate that says "great job with keeping order". What does it mean, keeping order? Well interpret it how you will. Those that kept a clean floor will interpret it that way, those that kept the shelves stocked will interpret it that way, those that helped others to keep the flow, etc..well you get the point! The poi t is that person will have extra pep in their step just for receiving a little piece of paper they will hang up at home an see everyday. Honestly imagine if we gave each other high fives more.

I blogged in the past about keeping your "five hand open" have you done that? I do every day, yesterday it was a little boy he was 2 and his birthday is 2weeks. I was in the supermarket check out line. I gave him a high five, then it trickled down the line to his dad, and mom, than he told me to give the store check out girl one, which I did, and then he said to give the guy walking in the door one! I gladly went up to him and did just that. The man was a little confused but smile with the high five. The little boys smile was enough for me, but by the time I left everyone was "keeping their five hand open" and man it's fulfilling to see happiness amoungst strangers.

As these youngsters graduate I can't express how important it is to honor them and encourage them, as they grow. Hey I met a man a couple of weeks ago, 98 he was, and after his haircut he said " well I didn't know that"! I replied " yup, your still growin, learning knew things all the time". We never stop growing, we always need to encourage ourselves, and others around us. It's not about doing for yourself, it's about doing for others...man when you do that You Are A Winner, Every Moment You Do Something Encouraging for others.

So as the day swiftly sweeps over you, Remember to give some one a certificate, a High five, an encouraging jester, because today my fiends if you do this YOU DO CHANGE THE WORLD!!!!

LIVE, LIFE, LOUD

I'm on the untouchable road...

There are no words to express the feelings going through me. I have been on an incredible weigh loss journey. I have lost 42lbs since Febuary of this year using Xyngulars incredible system.

I started walking and then jogging and then running. I ran my first 5K on May 16. My daughter ran with me, well actually she ran ahead but she was there. When I made it to the finish line my husband, son, youngest daughter, oldest daughter (who finished around 10-15minutes before me), and my mother in law. They had flowers and water for me, my brother called, I talked to my dad. It was emotional. The 5K was for "Gotta Kiss Cancer Goodbye". I ran for my dad that had kidney cancer and so many others affected by cancer. Later that day sitting at my sons baseball game my husband and his aunt chatted about his mom. Valarie is an amazing mother in law, she is a great mother and grandmother. Tears streamed down my face as I've been married to my husband for 15 year and never knew his mother is a cancer survivor. Having her at the finish line was wonderful but to find that out makes it a miracle. I think about how life would be different if she wasn't part of my life, my kids life, my husbands life... I truly do love this women.

I have come to a little plataue in my weightloss. I can't seem to lose but I'm not gaining. Xyngular has been great, I love Xyng and Core4 they have really gotten me to this point, but now what. I know the answer. We have a system called Ignite. It's gaurenteed that you will lose 5-15lbs in 8days. It re-ignites your body and helps get over the plataue. It gets you started in the right direction, it is what everyone should start with, it boosts your metabolism, it detoxes, it restores, it is what I need. It is more strict than what I've been used to, it's only eight days, but I feel like I can't commit.....which lead me to Insanity.

Insanity is an intense 60 day workout program. It tests you, it makes me cry. I feel like a failure because I can't do every single workout move. I try, I compromise using the sofa to stabilize myself, to do push ups, I use the wall to hold my balance. At the end of each workout my oldest daughter and I give each other high fives. She's doing it with me. I've only began this strenuous workout, but I'm doing it. Tears stream down my face, sweat drips off my body, my legs sweat, I don't think I've ever pushed myself like this before. People have already said "I couldn't do it' so good luck", knowing this makes me want to try harder. I have to admit i took day 4 off, I could barely bend over at work, my arms were trembling as I foiled highlights and cut layers into hair, holding my arms up...the pain! I will continue but i need to learn how far to push. After all Insanity is a workout for trained athletics, which I am only beginning to become. It's 60 days of pure muscle confusing insanity....I emailed the Beachbody company to tell them of my day after struggle, they of course suggested I buy whats called Power90. For my body, my untrained, unproportioned body. Beachbody felt this would allow me to push my self, without the strain from Insanity. They were awesome, they gave me a number to call, which I did and I loved that they suggest I work at intervals, I love that they said if I do Power90 than by Christmas I would be powering through Insanity....duh why didn't I all them first.i will continue with Insanity until Power90 comes in.... I can do ignite, I can commit to it now. If I can push myself through this pain I can do 8days to reignite my body. 8 days of pure nutrition commitment, yeah I can do this! drop weight, to get healthy. My daughter has almost given up a few times during the workout, but as the trainer says " dig deep" I can tell when she's done, my response is ..."Bean (my nickname for her) your doing awesome, I can't believe your doing that move." then I will see her literally dig deeper.

To see myself going through this transformation is awesome, however, to see my daughter by my side, being inspired by me is surreal. To know that through my own will I am teaching her health, I am teaching her how to push, to go that extra mile, I am influenceing her life, that my friend is is worth every pain dripping tear and sweat. I once saw a quote that said "I wear black when I run because it's like a funeral for my fat" well my friends I'm happy to say I am still wearing black but I've added a few fairs of color as my size dwindles down....

I am alive again. On the 27th of June I will help my husband coach our sons soccer team... I have taken the road that I've never scene before, the road I never thought I'd go down, the road that seemed untouchable. I've not only taken this road im now running down it...it's my path... My friends I hope you too find your path, and if your not sure which way to go, I will tell you just NEVER LOOK BACK, and you'll be heading in the right direction!

LIVE, LIFE, LOUD

I am me. I Am Me. I AM ME....

I have been through significant changes in the last several months. I have lost 42lbs since Febuary, and I recently quit my job and started at a new salon. It's a lot all at once however it has made me more me again.

I think we all want to change our lives from time to time' some can and some can not. My husband has a wonderful job with great benefits, pension plan and about 4-6weeks paid vacation per year. Does he like his job, sure he does or he would be a bad worker. Does he love his job? The answer to this is no, it's not his dream job, but it provides for our family so he stays he does give his best, he steps up to positions no one else wants and even more he keeps the balance at work for those who like their job and those who hate it. A wonderful man' my husband.

Myself, I was born in the 70's and I think the word "freedom" must have been secretly tattooed on me somewhere. I love the freedom to make decisions, the freedom of creativity, the freedom to change. I love doing hair, I felt my freedom was compromised for one or another reason and so up and switched salons. I now have the freedom to go to my kids games, to drive them to school, I have the freedom to balance my job and home life. I am also a crafter. At any given moment you come to my house and say what are you working on now and my response will be " which one". In February I actually stopped crafting. Why I don't know a slump' a mix of my suppressed freedom, the answer I still don't know. What I do know is I picked up my crotcheted hook and yarn 2 nights ago, and I have cranked out 2 crazy kid snake scarfs and 2 adorable kids winter chin strap hats. I picked up my spinning dowel and angora wool and started spinning, and I've been drawing like a mad women. My freedom has been restored. My husband is such a fantastic guy, he encouraged the change and this change has returned my to my roots. The meals I'm cooking has flavor again and the creations are just beginning to flow out of me. Yes I have to say I love my freedom. Could it be the increase in my own income as well? It's possible, it's truly amazing how in these past 3 weeks my income has sky rocketed? Is it the new job, is it my skills returning, is it my suppression is over, is it I was blinded by past positions? This I don't know but I feel alive. Alive with soul.....and my soul is dancing to a rythmatic beat of jazz, indie, base, and a bit of rock.... Could all of this be because I've lost weight? 42lbs of nothing but weight, nothing but laziness, nothing but extra baggage...with this baggage being gone is this what is making my freedom be realized again? I love how I feel, I can't wait to lose more.

Tomorrow I run my first ever 5K. This is just a stepping stone. I joked earlier this week about eating carbs before a race, does cookies count. The fact that I'm even joking about it makes me know I am alive with momentum. I am alive with emotion, I am alive. This will be the first of several races. I will have my amazing daughter by my side and this is AWESOME. If I don't not run the whole thing I am ok with this, I am going to try harder than I have ever tried before. This 5k is for "Gotta Kiss Cancer Goodbye" I run for so many others that can't, for so many others who have crossed over, I run for so many people that are in a living hell, I run for Myself. The fact is I RUN. after the race I will watch my sons baseball game. He is awesome, he said he'd run in the morning with me, I told him his spirit will be with me but I want him to save his energy for his game. I want him to hit a home run tomorrow. This home run will be everyone that has survived cancer' everyone who has crossed because of it, everyone that is effected by it.. He said he'll try, in return I said "Buddy if you don't hit a home run its ok, as long as you give it your best everyone will know, I may not run the whole 3.2miles but I will do my best and that's what I ask". My husband will be at the finish line, and at the game with me. Tomorrow is going to be GREAT.

Today I am me. I Am Me. I AM ME. I will be working in the salon making others feel like themselves, or perhaps they will get a little of me with in themselves before leaving. Today is a GREAT DAY. Tomorrow will be a challenge, I am taking this challenge head on... I have regained my freedom....

LIVE, LIFE, LOUD

Whispers from the Devil

Each day we wake up with the Intension that this day is going to be great! What happens between the sheets snuggled up to your chin and the moment we step down on the floor? Some people I suppose have that little devil on their shoulder reminding them of everything that went wrong, and bam good day gone.

My little devil is a sneaky guy. He sneaks up in the middle of good moments, bad moments, and at the most unusual times and places. If you come to my house you'll see in the bathroom, stickers. Stickers everywhere. What do you suppoe these stickers say..."dance like there is no tomorrow", " "smile your up", "good morning sunshine", " laugh like there's no tomorrow", "live, laugh, love"...etc you get the picture. I know these stickers are small but to me they are bigger than a whale when my devil is whispering in my ear! My kids, god love them, they read them too. My lovely 4yr old pealed one off the mirror one day. That next morning I woke my kids up for school, and I crawled back into bed (sometimes these late night 1am, 3am, 5am bathroom runs really make for a sleepless night, YOU other moms know what I'm talking about). My wonderful son came in to my room to give me a kiss goodbye (thank goodness too because I had drifted off, and needed to be getting ready for work). He kissed me and said "mom, my favorite sticker in the bathroom is missing". It hit me how these little sentiments even impact my kids. How awesome is that! After that I started sneaking little notes in hit bag or pocket or even shoe from time to time. I think kids need more praise than what we actually give them, heck I need more praise than what I give myself.

Many of you know the fat devil. You know the one that tells you to eat everything is sight, even when full. My fat devil is very very bad..... I have lost enough weight now that I have figured out how to flick his lil fatness off my shoulder. This is a GREAT feeling. I need stickers that say " fat is fat", " it's only a brownie, but only take one", "enjoy your meal, and than run your ass off", "you look as good as the work you put in"... So if anyone sees these stickers let me know, I'm on the hunt!

No matter how your day starts, or what the devil tries to do to you, remember self positive affirmations. They will help block those sweet bitter devilish whispers. If you can't find a self affirmation than use mine, I use it all the time....
LIVE LIFE LOUD it reminds me to be me, to live for today, to live for tomorrow, to be myself as loud or as quiet as I may be...

Live Life Loud

Mini barn, and I wouldnt have it ANY OTHER WAY

I'm sure you've all heard the phrase as your running out the door and it stays open shut the door, what do you think we live in a barn?". This phrase went through my head over and over yesterday when I arrived home from a wonderful day in the Salon. You see we actually do live on a farm, and we actually have a barn. Right now we have baby chicks and do to the cold weather at night and the increase in coyotes and foxes, our babies are in our garage. We have heat lamps, and it's a controlled environment, rather than the draft barn. We also have ducks! A farm down the road, around the corner, or just over the way (because in the country this is the lingo for less than 20miles, everyone is your neighbor)had ducks and BAM they became dinner for one of those pesky animals. So these too are in our garage TMEPORARILY....

Yesterday I arrived home around 6:50ish, and my driveway is filled with lil chicks pesky at the ground. I quickley depart my vehicle and yup the garage door is open. I go inside and the ducks are gone too. I run to the food bags and start sprinkling food in the garage, and with the "round up" help from our Great Dane Chloe, the chicks returned to the garage. SLAM GOES THE DOOR, at the back of our garage I had bought a children's swimming pool, and the ducks have enjoyed it Dailey...yes, the pool is a hit because there they are swimming, drinking, wading' and having a good ol' ducks time. I open the back side of the garage sprinkle some food' and waddle waddle waddle they went to eat up the feed! SLAM GOES THE DOOR. Ok I got the ducks in, and the chicks' well 3 remained outside. I just couldn't catch them, they must be the independent politicians of the group making their own bold statements! I walk around the front of the house and enter my beloved home, hoping to get dinner going. I open the door, and hear chirping. What the HE double LL? The inside door is open..tonight one of my children is gonna get a good ol' fashion whoopin....there are baby chicks everywhere (mainly in the kitchen). They are old enough to get about a foot in height of flying, so yup they are EVERYWHERE! I ran into the garage and scooped more feed, returned to the kitchen and my amazing skills helped me trip and scatter food. Well it worked all the chicks gathered at the dining area (pile of feed).... I grabbed a broom swept the feed in the garage. A few chicks followed, the others ran (I'm sure I heard them in their chicken language screaming " holy cow where are you, we need major help this crazy mad women has a chicken beater and is falling all over the place and going nuts"). With the help of a laundry basket turned into a trapping device I got them all!

I had called my husband at some point during this chaos. When he got home he was happy to see no mess, chicks and ducks happily hanging in our mini barn aka garage. Of course no child of mine left the door open, and living on the farm I can't say "where you raised in the barn" so instead of scolding, whooping, or otherwise disappointing the kids, I threw my feet up and smiled at my life. Why? Because I wouldnt have it any other way!

Sometimes leaving the door open, leads to an eventful life, literally...

LIVE, LIFE, LOUD

A Twisted Heart!!!

A heart can be twisted as fast as it takes to say "BOO"!

I have a beautiful 14 year old daughter. Her father and I have made the decision to not allow her to date until she's 16. Some may think its being strick,I however think its responsible parenting. Although she can't date she does have crushes. About 5 years ago she started to like a boy. He lives over an hour away from us. They met at the Horse club we belong to. 2 to 3 times a year she will see him during what's called a trail ride weekend. When she was in 5th grade she asked me if she could write him a note. As a mother my heart got all fuzzy remembering when I too wrote my first letter to a boy. However, with the rules we have in place I had to think about it. I finally came to her and told her she could, but she can not say she's in love, or wants to date, or ask him out, or say anything that is adult-ish. I literally heard a squeal and she ran off and started writing. I never asked her to see it. I trusted she would respect my wishes and I think it's important to allow kids to feel that trust sense. I remember te weekend every well. She came up to me with a smile and told me she gave it to him. I asked her if he said anything and she said no. The next day she woke up hoping to see him on the playground but his family was packing up for the weekend and leaving. Her reaction was bland, she was young and then she went to the swings. Last year, while she sat reading "twilight" at the lunch spot, this same "crush" came and had his lunch with her. I was at work and missed the whole thing. When I got to the clubhouse after work Zora came running to me and let me know he sat with her at lunch. She said " mom I was just minding my own business, reading a book and came and sat with me. We talked and he told me he still has that note I wrote him. IT'S BEEN 3YEARS". Tears built up in my own eyes but I held them back as I felt her emotions. That entire weekend she was in lala land.

At the beginning of the school year, she held her second crush. An eleventh grader, and he's in a band. She has asked to go to a few of his concerts, but with work, it never seemed to work out. Let's jump ahead a couple months to Valentines week 2012. The school does what's called a secret valentine. Its we're you buy a carnation for someone, and student council delivers it to the valentine for you during home room. My lil Bean (it's our nickname for Zora, she grew so fast my sister said she was growing like a bean sprout at 2months old and it stuck) asked if she could have 4 dollars. She informed me she wanted to buy 3 flowers for her 3 friends and 1 for this boy. I guess she's growing so I handed over the money. On valentines day I asked her that night if everyone got their flowers and knew they were from her. She rambled and rambled, and said how it was suppose to be secret, but student council put a list of who bought what for whom up in the lab, so if anyone wanted to find out they could go up and see. She told me she was walking behind the boy she bought a flower for, and he yelled to a girl down the hall " it was Zora that bought it for me". She continued to tell me she was so embarrassed hoping he wouldn't turn around, and that he only got one flower and it was from her. After that this boy came to a few of her basketball games and talked to her on a regular bases, including on facebook.

Trail ride 2012 my daughter is growing. She packs her stuff for the weekend,including makeup (this is a disagreement between her dad and I) and she is excited with glee. We arrive and off she goes.... Saturday night she gets all dolled up and god she's a beautiful county girl. You know, pink sunkissed tan, cowgirl clothes, braids,and a touch of makeup. Then she is gazing at her trail ride crush. She dances in a group of her friends and he is in that group. Throughout the night she glances at me with a sparkle in her eye because she knows I'm watching her.

This is where my heart gets twisted.... She's watching him. Hoping he'll remember their lunch from last year, hoping he too feels the same way she does. He looks at her from time to time, and her face lights up with redness, she is blushing. As a mother this is hard for me to watch. I know everyone thinks so far; aww how cute. What I am watching is not filling me with joy, but filling my head with " damn him how can I protect her from getting hurt". While she looks at him with dreamy eyes, he's looking at another girl, one of her friends. She doesn't realize it but soon she will. My heart is slowing tearing knowing she will be hurt. As the night turns from old to young my husband and I decide to turn in for the evening. Usually at the trail ride dance around 11:30pm - 12:00am the older crowd turns in and the younger crowd seems to come alive with energy (those 21 and over or 16 and sneaky I think a little alcohol gives them that extra boost of crazy silliness). My beautiful 9th grader knows better than to be sneaky, but I let her stay up and "party" with everyone. As my husband and I turn in I go in search to kiss her goodnight and remind her of the rules, and MY HEART IS COMPLETLEY BROKEN!! I find her on the playground, feet dragging as she spins on the merrygoround, crying. My first thought is she realized her trail ride crush likes another girl. I want to scoop her up and rock her. I ask what's wrong, she blurts out "he died, mom I'm so sad". I lean over her clueless and hug her and I find out her eleventh grader crush, died today. She heard it through Facebook, and other friends. Oh my god does my heart hurt. His family has got to be going through hell, she is going through hell. They were not dating they were just friends, but her "what if" heart hurts. I'm crushed. All I could do is hug her as she cried in my arms.

This is part of why I know emotionally she is not and I truly believe most kids her age are to young to date. The domino effect from this tragidy is going to be long and hard. I got a pre recorded call from the school, all families in the distric got the same call. It's the principal letting the families know a fellow classmate has passed, and the school is setting up grievance counseling tuesday for kids that need it. Oh my god, counseling? I feel a release of emotion knowing people trained with situations like this will be there for the students that will mourn a friend, for students like my daughter. It's less than 3weeks until final testing begins, my heart goes out to the school district.

Lessons I have learned throughout the years have helped me to this point in my life. Nothing, and I mean nothing prepares you as a parent to stand by and watch your child's emotions pour out. As strong as I am I find myself stronger than ever for her and preparing what is to come, yet I find myself weaker than ever. I never knew this feeling of strength and weakness could exist in the same moment. A twisted heart is worse than a broken heart, a few stitches can heal a broken heart but a twisted one can become tangled in a web of misunderstanding. I am learning. Live life to the fullest, live life with every emotion you can, and be sure to tell everyone how important they are in your life, EVERYDAY! Do not let small things cause pain that you may not beagle to undo, that you may regret for the rest of your life. Kiss your kids, know your kids, be there for your kids, for your family, for your friends.

EVERYDAY LIVE, LIFE, LOUD....

27 months of pregnancy ...

Today was moving day! I slept in and randomly got ready, I had on my running pants, and tee-shirt, sneakers, and put my hair in a braid (no make-up) and headed to the new salon I will be working in. I figured why not meet the new crew, dressed super casual. This is not the usual me, but I planned on going for a run after. So why dress up because today I moved in...

I got to the salon somewhere between 1 and 2pm. I figured out where my station was going to be and I started "moving in", throughout the day I met staff. I was leisurely preparing myself for an eventful first week. The phone kept ringing and to my delight appointments started calling for me. This was just another reassurance that yes this was the right move for me. My color shipment will be here tomorrow or thursday, but I have the supplies I need to start my week. Its going to be an adjustment, but coming out of your comfort zone makes you a stronger person.

I read a quote from Charles Barkley "If you are afraid of failure, you don't deserve to be successful" I guess looking back I see where I have failed at things, but ironically enough when failure crept up on me I jumped, and man did I jump high. I have learned so much in my life. One thing I know is I have failed before, I'm still here, I'm still standing, I'm still confidant, and I'm still me in every way, shape, and form! I know my pay may take a hit for a couple weeks, however my sense of pride will be completely restored as not only a hairstylist,and an educator, but as a mother, and wife.

Its a beautiful thing marraige. Being married to a man that builds you up, and grows with you. To have children together and have a mutual agreement on seeing them grow. Having your own values shared and watching our children choose our values. Learning from each other, learning from our kids, watching the smiles. Seeing them do their very best because your there. I stood behind the fence at my sons baseball game. He stepped up, bat in hand. Before he stepped completely up to the plate, he looked at me, noodled and smiled big, then stepped up to the plate...batter up and GRAND SLAM! Wow my son was awesome, it was great to see this. I know work is what provides for our family, but if I live to work instead of work to live than these moments will pass me by. After the game my son got in the car, I told him how proud and good he was. I told him I saw him hit that ball outta the park, he looked at me and said "I know mom, thanks"! That night the hug and kiss before he went to bed was great. He hugged me, and whispered in my ear " thanks for being at my game mom, I love you."

Yes moving to a new salon will be an adjustment, but 9 months of adjusting to pregnancy, becoming a mother(a total of 27 months of pregnancy, 1 natural childbirth, and 2 c-sections, 3 beautiful kids) is worth readjusting to a new work space!

Live, Life, Loud...

I May Be Broke

On top of life being life, I quit my job on Saturday. I'm so excited about starting in a new Salon, John Davis Salon and Spa. I can be committed to my family first and to my clients. Funny most clients have kids or have had kids and understand needing to take the day off here and there or work around kids schedules. I'm excited for the first time in my career to Be able to do this!

Returning home my husband asked how it went and I just rambled and rambled. Earlier in the week he had told me he may be coaching my sons soccer team, he had mentioned me being the assistant coach. Knowing I would be at the new salon able to control my own hours, not having to work until 9pm would allow me to do this. Saturday night we got the confirmation that indeed my husband will be the soccer coach for the under 12 team, I was so excited.

There are so many tricks and turns in life, we have ups and we have downs. With the emotional Saturday I had I was really looking forward to relaxing on Sunday.

We woke up, and headed out the door to go to the Horse club for a fun show they were putting on. Bam, life being life begins again. My birthday present 3 years ago was Vanessa. She is an all white beautiful angora rabbit. I groomed her and have even tought myself to spin her angora wool. Im not that good at spinning but I sure do enjoy it. A year ago Vanessa got a cut that was so bad my husband said we should put her down. I refused and turned into a vet that night. I nurtured her and spend the evenings making her feel better. She had a full recovery, and Vanessa was hopping with happiness. While on vacation about a month ago we bought a handsome grey angora buck. We haven't tried to breed them yet, but I couldn't wait for this to happen.... Today Vanessa died. As we walked out the door I could see her just laying there. My heart dropped, why she died I do not know but my heart hurt. My kids have had hamsters die, and fish. I hug them and tell them it's going to be ok. My son took Vanessa to bury her. Within minutes we were piled in the car on the way to the club. I never even cried, or showed any emotion. Emotion came, it came in the way of anger, and then tears. My husband, whom I truly love, never once showed me compassion. My anger flared. I know it's only a rabbit, but she was more than that. I learned to love the hobby that became of her. Now it is gone, she is gone. No reason. She is the last birthday present my husband bought for me. She was a symbol. I suppose throughout the day I have misbehaved and acted childlike, but don't I too deserve that hug, that feeling I give my kids when there pets pass. Is adult life filled without this?

I am a self made machine. I don't often wear my emotions on my sleeves, but I feel broke at this moment. Next week will be emotional too. It will be my last week with a group of fantastic girls.

I will begin at John David's Salon. I will meet a new group of co-workers. I will begin helping my husband coach my sons soccer team. Being a stylist is my world but I have brought 3 little lives into this world and they too deserve my attention. The majority of the people I have talked to have thought this is a great decision, the others think I should just stay home....well those others don't know me that well. As I stated, I'm a self made machine, at times I may be broke but with a little tender love and care I'll be back up and running....

LIVE, LIFE, LOUD.....

15 years later I have finally seen his vision, it's beautiful....

There comes a time in everyone's life that you look back at time and wonder where it went. Today I went to school with my 14year old daughter (graduating #2 from her freshman class) and set up her sophomore schedule. Before setting up her schedule I went to the elementary wing and handed in the rest of the paper work for our youngest daughter to begin her schooling journey. As I walked into the office to set up the schedule, my 4year old held tight to my hand and I started to reflect back.

I remember 9/11... My husband had finished his 4year contract with the US Army in April of that year. My now, 14 year old,was only 4 then, had just finished her chocolate milk and I was getting ready to drive her to school. I flipped on the morning news, to see if I needed a sweater or jacket for her, and there was one Tower burning, smoke, gray, glass, catastrophe! Zora was in pre-k. I kept her home thinking my husband would be called into duty. My close friend Jen was due to be married in 4weeks. Her husband got called up, their wedding was postponed! Now today I walk into this school watching my oldest continue her success as a student, and I hold tight my youngest hand as she will just begin. my son has had many hurdles, but the school and teachers work with us, DAILY for him to conutiue his journey.

I don't rememberer as much as a mother should. In 2001 I began my career as a business women. I took my job and put it first in my life. I missed many moments, I can not take back. I missed concerts, parties, and in the long run I now have regrets. My life has been filled with love. My husband understood I am differsnt. I am not a person that relaxes, I even work in my dreams. He was there every step of my career. Now holding my youngest hand I realize, I WILL NOT REGRET missing things again. I have made a vow to my oldest daughter. She is a beautiful, smart young women. Teenagers are harsh, they call her nerd, amount other things, on the bus. She has informed me she will protect my youngest next year on the bus. I have vowed that next year she will be first, all of my children will. I will drive them to school, I will take them to their practices, and games. I will be there for awards. I will not let my career get in the way of my career as a mother any longer.

I am looking forward to the time in the future. I love when my husband holds my hand just because, and when I am working at home when he kisses my head as he passes by me. It's these moments that I remember the most, and for this I love him. For this I want more of my childrens moments in my life.

I'll always work, I'll always be a mom, but I will not always have my kids by my side, so while they are here...I need to be here! I am excited about our future, I have enjoyed learning to relax' and learn about farm life, thses last few years. My husband (of 15 years) has been gentle knowing my vision was not the same as his. 15 years later I have finally seen his vision, it's beautiful....

Air hugs all around via me....

Times are good, times are bad, but no matter what time it is, you have the power within yourself to choose whether you will remain positive or let the negative devil sit on your shoulder.

My husband is an amazing man. I think this week I realized more than ever, it doesn't matter where we live, what material things I have, honestly as long as I have him everything will come out the way it comes out. I think all families go through financial restraints, or negative banter by others. I have come under both in a very short amount of time. The stress alone is hard to hide behind a smile, however SMILING is one of my greatest assets.i hear people complain about their jobs, and the little person inside of "Drea's world is saying to them, than do something about it". Yet month after month its the same thing. I love John Lennon for saying what he wants to be when he grows up is happy. Sometimes it's hard to be happy if you are under fire (financially, mentally, or otherwise). I have what I call my happy movies: Finding Nemo, The Itialian Job, Love Acutually, Up to name a few, I have my happy places: Starbucks, The Laberyinth, Running/Walking, Sitting side by side with my Bigs, just to name a few. I think we all need to find our happy moments, or places to reflect back on when times are tough.

I wish I could push a button on my head and it would roll a film of every happy thing that has occurred in my life. Many people are having a difficult time. This is the way of life, however it doesn't mean we have to let it control us, or drain us.

STAND UP, push your happy button and know "THIS TO SHALL PASS"!

Much love and prayers go to all my friends and family, and to those that need an air hug, it's being sent your way.

I am Perfect

This morning I read a wonderful little blurb about a Peacock. It said "our beauty is multiplied when you spread your wings and show the world our stuff! Don't be afraid to be who you are...each peacock feather is flawed and imperfect but collectively they create something of great beauty. Your flaws are what make you perfect"

What an absolute awesome way to start the day, knowing my imperfections make me perfect. For to long I have stood in the shadows of others, lurking just behind them. For to long I have held my tongue, and given applause for a team effort when it Was 1 lone member or possibly a few that should really be boosted up. The fact is I love loving, I love living, I love interaction. My husband is the most supportive man I know, what a wonderful gift god gave me when he let me "score" on my husband in soccer back when we were 10 years old. Of course my husband tells me he let me he didn't want to challenge me and hurt me, lol. he has given me the ability to spread my wings, and doing this has allowed me to share my talents with others. To stand next to a person with no or little self esteem, and use my passion of hairdressing to create a side of them they didn't see before is awesome. To stand next to this person after a few minutes or a couple of hours in MY chair, and see a glimpse of confidance, a radiant smile, or just a thank you sediment is the most amazing feeling in the world.

My paycheck may not be the biggest, my car may not be the best, my bank account may be drained, and my life maybe filled with complexity...but I am not afraid of who I am, I am completely flawed and this makes me perfect. I know this and this allows me to share my imperfections with other PERFECT PEOPLE.

Live, Life, Loud

.....

Intelligent Failure...

"failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently" - Henry Ford

What a wonderful quote. Think of this concept. Let's face it mistakes happen, whether they be your own fault or they are caused by an outside factor. Think of the opportunity from making a mistake. The ability to not only try again but this time try again with more knowledge than before. Incredibly enlightening.

Someone one said "opportunity doesn't knock, you have to go out there and find it". Is this true, it doesn't knock? Every time you fail or make a mistake is this not the chance to once again begin again. Does the opportunity just go away, I think it is there you just have to try harder. DON'T BLAME OTHERS! If your opportunity is bringing you down, than isn't this the "opportunity" you've been waiting for, to get back up and make something better of yourself. Yes I see way to often when people, whether it be your boss, friends, family, co-worker, or a complete stranger try to pull you down. Try to break up your good vibes, if your vibes are disrupted it's time to re-string yourself and either take to opportunity to better the situation, or get out and start over with better intelligence. So rejoice in the failure you have, for this failure has presented you a new opportunity, and this is the greatest, because this time you are more prepared.

Opportunity may not knock at your door, but if you pay attention it lurks everywhere around you! If you fail at something in life, jump up and celebrate your failure, because my friends is the opportunity you've been looking for! and Remember to always Live Life Loud!!

A GLOROIUS blonde moment

I had a moment, you know one of those; For lack of a better word "blonde" moment! Yes yes we all have them but mine was GLOROIUS!

In Chicago at the Americas Beauty Show there is no time to eat, no time to shop, the booth is swarming with stylist willing and wanting to learn. You see our hotel had a Starbucks right across the street, I happen to have a life line to Starbucks. Actually. I am so in love with Starbucks I have the card app on my phone and reload my monthly allotment so I never have to be without my blonde roast, soy, grande coffee. Up and at um early for show days, so over to starbucks and on this particular day I ordered a venti! Then of course I took my V3 with half a bottle of water, and with in an hour of the start of the show I finished my coffee and water and cracked open a second bottle.

Now when we arrives at the show we had to take not just one escalator up to the show floor but two. As a matter of fact it seems everywhere we went there where escalators. So of course I have no time to take a bathroom break but when you have had coffee, 2bottles of water and your a mother of 3, ya you can't hold it for to long. So I dash through the show floor passing booths that are swarming with stylist buying, booths so big they are having there own stage presentations and runway shows, and booths so crammed with merchandise you can't tell where one booth transitions into another. So i am darting and twirling through the crowds looking up trying to find the magical sign that says "restroom". Which can also be interpreted as a moment of sitting , getting off your feet, and a quick moment of solitude in a stall. Aha there it is I see the sign. I approach and more escalators, however this escalator is to take hungry show goers upstairs to the dining area. An arrow pointing down will lead me to my stall of sanity. So I approach the stair, I step down and stand, waiting for my moving staircase to take me to my relief. I am in a zone, my mind is on the booth, my mind is also saying "hold it hold it, god please don't make the line long". Just then I man goes walking past me.....and I stap out of my trans. I realize I was standing there on the stair that is actually a stair and I just assumed like all the other electronical escalators around that the staircase down to the restrooms you actually have to walk down. No relaxing, no standing, just step, step, step down the staircase to the restrooms. With each step brings a gravity pull on my bladder and I really was hoping I make it to a stall before some other person gets there.

So my blonde moment of zoning out thinking i was standing on an escalator, was definitely the most GLOROIUS blonde moment I've had.......oh wait did I tell you about the time I......

KEEP THEFIVE HAND OPEN

There is something about coffee shops that make people just open up and start talking to you about random stuff just because. This is a concept that has been around for centuries in europe, but here in America, well it's just the beginning. I think Starbucks revolutionizeD the house house industry and it's take off from there. You see little coffee houses everywhere. Any any coffee shop you go into, people just chat. I love this neighborly feeling of friendship. It's like hi I don't know you but let me tell you about my recent ski trip to Tahoe! We as Americans walk down the street and there are very few Americans that greet everyone that walks by. Have you ever thought a simple gesture of " hi, you look fabulous" to a perfect strange can make their whole day. Why not!

My dear friend Molly whom I love to go out with , laughed at me one night, because everyone I walked by I put my hand in the air wide open and said "keep the high five open". Let me say all night she was smiling when I did this to perfect strangers. All but 1 person gave me a high five back, that one person that didnt high five me back well, I whipped around did the finger gun salute and said "stay cool man". In response they said "you to". Think about it "KEEP YOUR FIVE HAND OPEN" what a way to live, open, not close minded, energetic, happy. Hey if someone doesn't high five me back, no harm done....but if they do, man the quickly America gesture can send tingles down your spine.

Change people's lives, say hello, give high 5's, engage into each others lives. The death of the salesman came the day that we as Americans shut down. Hid without own emotions, and stopped smiling. Man, think of the revolution of the salesman if we all "kept our five hand open"! Salesman is of course a general term. A salesman could be selling something, but how abou the person thats not selling, how about the teacher. Are they not selling a good vibe to students to do good in school? Yeah they are salesmen. How about the person at the check out counter. Is it not their job to make sure you found everything ok, they are selling customer servive! That person in disability that can't work, yeah they too are salesmen, they are selling everyday the emotion of struggling with their disabily, they just want to feel like they are worth something and you know what they are...they are worth "keeping that five hand open"! Put a smile on people's faces, no talking neccarily required, just keep that five hand open, whether it be to give a hi five, or take it down low, or to simple put it forward and shake another persons hand!

The empowering gesture!

Gotta love coffee.....

Southwestern Eggs, Horses, & Toilet Water

Today I woke up and got breakfast sizzling away. Home fries, and southwestern eggs. I only had a few eggs, but I had a cartoon of fresh of the farm eggs,needing to be washed before using. We do not have our own chickens right now so I've been getting my brown farm fresh eggs from my husbands family farm, called "The Crosspatch" (). I love southwestern eggs, you know fully cooked, add some cheese, and top off with salsa!!! Yum, I really look forward to Sunday breakfast with the family. Usually we have a hard time waking my teenage daughter up, but with the smell of fried butter, potatoes scratching the pan with season salts sizzling it wasn't hard to get her to join the family.

After breakfast we all putted around the house doing this and that and then dressed to head to The Cross Patch. We have 2huge black Percheron horses that have been there for a couple months. They have an unbelievable black and white gypsy vanner stud and he is going to the auction in march. This led us to housing our 2drafts there for the winter to breed with him. This breeding was a process to. I am learning farm life as I have only lived and been around farms for 3years, yup I'm a city girl (probably why I'm a hair stylist). Now our black beauties are around 17-18hands high (68-72inches high from ground to withers), while Roy the studdley horse he is stands at about 15.5hands high(60inches). So breeding horses that are much taller than the stallion is quite a chore if your going to "do it" the good ol' fashion way, which we did. So a special platform was built and well we would back a mare up to the platform, while Roy would step up, literally, on the platform and they would do they thing. This was strange for me I think I even used the words "I feel like I'm watching horse porn" because it was so awkward. However, if it means we get beautiful foals than by all means bring on the porn..lol. Our horses have been breed and hopefully they took and we will have foals by Christmas.

In the mean time my husband (and I when I can) and my son have been going there almost everyday to help out with chores. TODAY WAS AWESOME!!! The little yellow machine that picks up the big bales of hay that drives out to the field to feed the horses was broken. Battery, starter, who knows, but what my husband did know was nighttime was setting in and only about an hour of daylight left. While his uncle messed with the machine, my husband grabbed our horses, harnessed them and told uncle Jim they were ready to work. YUP, the machine may be broke but the horses can work with out a starter or battery. So on went the forecart, and out to the field to get the wagon. Into the barn and the boys(my son and his cousin) adrenaline was pumping. They love climbing up on the bales sometimes four high, but it's like barn rule to not play on the hay and climb. They could fall or a bale could fall on them, and really we don't play with our food so we should play with the horses either. Well today they could climb and push and shove those bales down onto the wagon. Three loaded and my husband was off "step up" is the command to make our girls go! When they got back to the barn yu could tell they hadn't been worked in a while. Chores done, now off to home to do our own chores for the 3 other horses we have at home and me into the kitchen to cook dinner. When chores were down my husband came in and was like a school boy. He was exhausted but he had tons of feel good vibes, from being able to work with Max and Lace ( our girls nicknames max for Maxine and lace for Lacey).

To end the night here I am blogging, husband (his nickname is Bigs)is sleeping on the couch, two oldest kids in bed for school tomorrow, and my 3year old cries in the chair. Why is my little Miss Olive Amelia crying....well because I must be a mean mom because I don't believe in playing with tub toys in the toilet water, and she just doesn't understand why!!!

Roll with the Punches

Today was fantastic...well actually this whole week. There have been a few stumps I've had over the last few weeks but when you roll with the punches man can things happen!

A co-worker that went home for the weekend back to Pittsburg called and her grandmother passed away. I remember my own grandmother passing. My husband and I were living in North Carolina at the time I was pregnant and 2weeks away from having our son when I got the news. The plan was my mom was going to comedown and stay with my husband and I and watch our 2year old little girl when I went into delivery. I knew my gramma was sick and she had gone through so many surgerys, and suffering, so when I got the phone call....well a lump filled my throat and I felt confused. I cried and I was sad, my husband was with me. He was only going to be here until the birth of our son and than he was being shipped to Kosovo. So the emotion of not being able to say goodbye to my gramma, not being able to be home during this time, knowing my husband was leaving, and now facing the task of giving birth without my mom being by my side to help Was both physically and emotionally. Thanks to my aunts and uncles they all mourned and with a few days to spare my mom was able to make it down before our son was born. So when this employee called and said she wasn't sure what the arrangements were yet, all I could say while thinking of my own gramma was to "take the week off, we'll let your clients know and just don't worry about up here". In times like these you need to be with your family,and time to grieve with family. I called the salon and started rearranging schedules. I also found out that one of our assistants that was changeing to part time because she's going back to school, decided to make tuesday her last day of work to just focus on school.

Sooooo we have 3 stylists and 1 assistant to run the salon the rest of the week (we are open 9am - 8:30pm)! Lucky for us tuesday night the salon was closing at 6pm for a business class! With business as normal minus our full staff, it ened up being amazing week. The business class was energetic and inspiring as always. We had a mini P.K. class on a new product line;called Scruples (which we found after using it this week this stuff is AWESOME) Myself and another stylist ended up working one day each from 9am till 830 and as tired as we should have been, I think knowing how much we love our business and our clients and each other we just rolled with the punches.

On Saturday by 12:00 all three of us stylists were booked and the assistant was busy with pedicures....our boss came in, saw this and called over to the Mothership (our other bigger location) and sent over a stylist to help. Funny thing, as soon as we knew that it was like magnetic "we've got openings" vibe got sent out to the community because within 15 minutes, she was booked solid too. Let me tell you a little comic relief that summed up the week. I've been a stylist for 14years and I know my stuff. Well we were so busy on Saturday, I forgot to focus and when I went to shampoo a client I just simply let go of the hose. Now if you've been in a salon an seen this happen you know it is hilarious. I tried to grabbed the hose and without knowing it managed to put it back in the holder, so now it's streaming straight in my face! My hands are flapping at the water, my shirt is getting soaked, I am laughing and finally I turn the water off. I soak the whole left side of the salon. Everyone is laughing, at this point I can't see because my makeup is running down my face, my glasses are drenched and my hair is dripping like a wet dog. I am laughing so hard and my client says very subtle "I didn't know if I should get up or stay here, but I didn't even get wet" . This sets me off into tearful laughing and ....I quickly crossed my legs to avoid another type of liquid to flow down my legs!!!! Well needless to say I now look NOT like a fashion forward stylist, but like a wet dog that didn't know how to put makeup on correctly.....I finished every client with smiles and my hair looking crazy!

Sooooo roll with the punches I did do this week. From sunup to sundown everyday was great. Although there were fumbles along the way I think between the business class and knowing the other girls on my team had hearts of gold I managed to stay sane and in good spirits. I can honestly still say "life is Good"!!!!!

This is AWESOME

I am a hairstylist that also manages the salon I am in. This week I talked with my mentor manager and she told me as "manager your not always going to be liked, and to care for and nurture a business tough decisions need to be made". This was a concept I once new but went soft in trying to please everyone with Flexible schedules, distributing clients out fairly, trying to teach the stylist that truly do not want to learn, and not getting rid of the bad apples.Wellllll I may not own the salon I am in but being manager I put my hard earned knowledge and endless hours into it.

The owner of the salon, told me story too, he said "I had a partner and we had two salons. We decided to split and had to split the staff. My partner he wanted all the master stylists. I just wanted to be done with the partnership so I said take um, go. You know what I had left? New girls that didn't know anything. You know what I did? I molded them created them the way I wanted, if a girl couldn't learn my way, than I got rid of them, and today I have one of the most successful businesses in Western New York. You see I knew what it takes, and Andrea you do to. I want you to get the girls mold them, train them, grow them. You know color, that's what you do, show them what you know. You know what happened to the girls that stayed with my partner? Gone all of them, no one stayed with him, no one learned from him, instead they just left."

So what does this mean, well just that....start from the ground put roots into the girls and grow them to be big and bountiful. Now in my business a bunch of girls, there is drama, there are headaches, and there are sacrifices that have to be made. Some will leave, some will stay, but most of all I have the ability to take those that are dedicated that want to learn and grow, that want to have fun and bring them into the most amazing career out there. This means if I take a girl and make her head of the nail department, she will actually know her job, know how to give 100% customer service, she will know all the products and how to do the services right, she will know how to retain clients, and how to teach others to be just like her. She will know what it means to truly be the leader of that division. THIS IS AWESOME! If I have.......Wait I am saying I when what I should be saying is if "We" we because it's a team. Our salon revolves around team work, it revolves around those that want to see a prosperous work place, it revolves around the team players that attend all classes, promotions, any outside events the salon participates in, and most of all team players that actually want a life long career in the business! So, now if We as a team decide that a future RISING STAR has the passion and driving force within them than yes we give them 100% of ourselves to bring them to the next level. If that future star shows lack of effort,or shows signs of controversy than I vow "YES I SAY I" to not let them take down our energy or our driving force!

In a salon things can change fast and rapidly crumple, just as I felt everything was slipping away, tonight we had a class. Oh and thank god we did. It's at a time when what my mentor manager, and the salon owner now all makes since! I feel the end is not near , but instead the beginning has begun to rise...tonight was an awaking of who I am, what I am, and what I am about to become!!!!!

There are Pessimist, optimist, and yes I have both with in me, but what I know most is above all there is the opportunist and that is what I am is an OPPORTUNIST....so my friends that are near welcome to the Andrea you once knew in a little place that was know as Rapunzel's. It was no fairy tale, it was my life and I am starting to make this Rapunzelgirl come off the shelf, shake off the dust and DO MY THING! To those that do not know me, know this...never ever let what you know, be put away and collect dust, stand up for what you know, don't be afraid to say what needs to be done, even if it makes enemies, because hey everyone can't always be happy. Especially those that are not OPPORTUNIST, so no matter what always LIVE LIFE LOUD!!!!!!!!

"Kiss Cancer Goodbye"

As a hairstylist I realize I will always work on Saturdays, however to take one off here and there can brighten my whole world! Usually I take a Saturday off to "work" lol, confusing but I will leave the salon and travel to a a hair show/training and work. I'm sorta addicted to my career! So the first weekend in March off to Chicago I fly to work Americas Beauty Show. While I'm there I will celebrate my 35th birthday. I wish my husband could be there with me, but he cannot. Good news I am taking a co-worker with me. Ironically enough this is a stylist that I totally think secretly we should be best friends outside of the salon because we get along so well , but in the salon, well....I think her husband calls us "Alpha Dogs" because we are to much alike. Well I seriously can't wait to work with her and hang with her for an entire weekend and I can't wait to share my birthday with her! So jasmine, Chicago, and 35 birthday here I come!!!!

At the end of the month I am taking a Saturday off NOT FOR WORK! I have found I truly love living on a farm, and horses and all animals. My mom asked me if I would go to the parelli tour with her and I immediately said yes. I don't often spend time out of the salon, or with my mom, or to learn about horses, so I am looking forward to my time away from the salon once again, this time for myself not work.

Finally in June I haven't even told my boss..oh yeah he will probably be mad, but once again I'm taking a Saturday off. In ellicottville, ny there is a 5k run called "kiss cancer goodbye". This will be the first time Ever I've run a 5k. After the birth of my first child in 1997, I kept gaining weight. It was seeing a good friend lose 50lbs that inspired me to start losing weight too. Than another friend that not only lost over 200lbs but also started running marathons made me say "I can do this too"! But which one, where, will I be ready? Well when I saw this run I thought yes this is the one. My dad has kidney cancer and my family went through hell dealing with it. It's still hard when every three months he goes back to Roswell to see if it's returned, or grown in size. My aunt she too had cancer. I love that women, and she made the choice to lose her breasts rather than her life. Then there are my clients in the salon. I can't tell you how many have gone through cancer, or lost a loved one because of it. Hearing my clients sorrows can take an emotional toll on me, but I stay strong for them. It's funny how at times clients are closer to their own hairstylist than their own family. 3days ago my husband came home and told me his uncle has cancer. This is a stubborn man that so many people rely on. It brought tears to my eyes. Now let me say I have no clue about a 5k but I googled it and I think with 4 months to get myself ready I can do this. If they all can fight for their lives, their family, their sanity, I can run in their honor.

So I will take this particular Saturday off, not for work, not for pleasure, but for all of those that have been affected by this cruel disease of cancer!


I have never pushed my body before so I'm sure it will be hard but I can do it. I am nervous but more importantly I hope this run that so many people will run in will help to truly "kiss cancer goodbye"

Blindsided but not hit by the Bus

What an emotional week. Is it in the water? Well here I sit at Starbucks for my 45minutes of peace before the day begins. At work my co-manager, Stacey, got moved back to Foote Avenue. They are upgrading to the computer system we have and her constant presence is needed. I have loved being part of the Salon 1 family. I from the moment I walked into Foote avenue right up until we opened the 3rd street studio.... I found out this week that (at71yrs old) my boss may be selling the location I am at. What an emotional roller coaster. Does this mean I'll go back to foote ave, or will there not be room. I can't imagine working in another salon, this is now home for me. But then I question, what will happen when he does walk way, who will take over, will it be the same. Is this a sign, that it's time to move on? Is times like these that make me miss my own salon Rapunzel's. Should I look at going into business for myself again. What does it all mean, do I find a booth to rent? It's not panic time, but I do worry about my clients. Some drive more than an hour to be with me. I'm sure there are other stylists that can live up to my expectations, but who? I devote hours to further education. I devote hours to being an educator, I devote hours to being the best I can be....I honestly don't know another stylist in a 45mile radius that does what I do. I feel like a bus has hit me....but wait I caught a glimpse before it ran me over and now I see the future of possibilities. I have a lot of soul searching. My dad has encouraged me to look into sales...possibly my own distributors hip branch. Could I do that, financially? I love being behind the chair. I love doing hair, I love crating. My husband says when the time is right you'll know what to do. He is right I always do! For now I go to work at my beloved Salon 1 and hope the future will unfold without obstacles. No worries I'm not going anywhere. I do know through this emotional roller coaster to rely on myself.i am a go getter, I seek and attack situations. I know right ffrom wrong, I know when I've been played or used. I think what hurts the most is I am a smart business women. Where has my head been, on easy street perhaps. It is possible I went with the flow to much instead of making the waves people around me are use to. I do know this, sometimes you have to fall deep down before you become a rising star. My friend Mary Gamble from behindthechair.com taught me this. Also my friends at Life is Good taught me to be open, remember your inner child, and most of all don't change who you are for the corporate world. I am thankful for them and for all who swarms my presence...I feel after writing this I can laugh today, it's been over 4 days since I smile. TODAY I WILL RULE THE WORLD, so to speak, with open arms and I am ready for the future!

I am Iluminati

The term Illuminati, is the plural of the Latin, Illuminatus, meaning "one who is illuminated." the Iluminate states "The most difficult decision in life is choosing whether to walk away or try harder"! What a concept, walk away or try harder. What I have found to be true in life is I am a successful person. Not due to the money I make, the happiness I have, or the items in my possession, but because I simply try harder every day. To say "I will just walk away" is not reasonable. When you walk away and leave it in your past at some point it will reach up from behind and become your twisted new present. If you take the moment your in, give it your all, try harder with each moment you will know you'll never have to walk away. You gave 100% of the being that you are to become successful in that breathe. I think people who give there their all are the true "Iluminati" in life. I think most of the people I surround myself with are Part of my own order of the Iluminati, they are the ones that others come to for advice, direction, and a ear to listen. Their minds do not stop thinking, or rest, but instead create new obstacles to create new solutions. I don't know any single person in my direct circle of friends, or family that say I'm just gonna walk away. The people in my "Order of the Iluminate" are the ones that go above and beyond their best and have the highest goals, they take each moment and live it they are the ones that are illuminated!! ....and for this I thank them and I constantly challenge my own steps towards my next successful moment.

Finding your labyrinth

Sitting at one of my favorite places, the labyrinth press company. It's a merge of artist expression, great coffee, and vegetarian dishes. As I sit here I hit I listen to a young girl talking to a reverend about her life. Sounds like she has parents that aren't active in her life and a guidance councilor who doesn't give this kid a chance. He she is talking to a man of god. I think god works in mysterious ways, somehow through this man this young girl has hope. She is excited to talk to him about school, and he listens and advises. He is extending his hand of humanity saying " you are loved and cared about" . Why can't more people be mentors toward these young kids....oh my gosh she said "asshole" in front of him. He said back some people don't know how not to be. Yes that sounds like good advice " some people know how not to be an asshole" . I know plenty of them.
Another table is a couple holding hands. One has a coffee the other it looks like a smoothie. They are to far away for me to hear them. Secretly I think they are planning their future together. You can tell how much he adores her by the way he holds her hand.
A rickety old chair sits in front of me, filled with some Brit kid that goes to the local community college. He is talking to his buddy about the professors.
I love this moment. Just sitting here, writing, living in the moment. There is so much culture and entertainment around each nook of the labyrinth. The is a painting on the wall I want to buy. It's $40.00, I think I'll go buy more paint supplies tonight and paint my own. I think when people get down on their community they haven't found their "labyrinth" filled with life....is there just keeping looking, or perhaps you can come to 4th street and enjoy the atmosphere and fall in love with my labyrinth!

If the grass is greener...

Proven point!
When you work in a business that relies on referrals it's a proven fact that if you just talk they will follow. Or so they say.....
I've been doing hair for 15 years. The salon I'm in now is about 40minutes away from where I live. I've been down on my luck lately and the grass is looking a whole lot greener on the other side. Living in one area and working in another has made the road rougher than what I thought.

To make this potentially long story short, I have failed myself. It's hard to admitt but I say it loud that way I remember. I have used every excuse in the book on why my business isn't as busy as I was at my own salon. I especailly use "well im not from here" excuse. EXCUSE is the perfect word.....people in my business say talk about what you do, I have not done this for a longggggg time. Today for lunch I decided to try Cibo Cafe. I had a bourbon burger with cottage cheese and there homemade brownies.....yum as I chew it down. When the waitress brought me my meal and viola the chance for me to slip her a card. She told me she just moved back from Florida and loves my color. I'm thinking it's time to fertilize my own lawn???? Yes I did I filled her with my knowledge and hook line and sinker she repeated my name to me 2times. I think she is trying to remember my name for a reason. Ding ding ding yup she ask for pricing...which in return I gave her a personal referral card and she returned to the kitchen. Within 1minute the owner of Cibo cafe came to my table, Brian introduced himself and asked how our big fashion show just went. Which means my waitress went in the kitchen and talked about the girl from Salon 1, for him to come out and ask about the event we just finished on saturday night. Well I caught him up to speed we exchanged hand shakes and he was excited to share his business information with me. Now I'm sure he to would become my client except for one thing, HE IS COMPLETELY BALD!

So to say I have failed myself is a big admittance, but today I talked. Everyone in the biz says if you just talk about what you do it will make a difference. Today that point was proven and I'm back in action. I thank you to the leaders in my industry that remind me to do what I do best "just talk"!!!!! (and let me add I got the best fertilizer around so watch out)......

Living amongst the Muck!

A little unknown fact about me is I do have a life outside of the Salon. Hard to believe but true.
My husband and I made our vows in 1997 and since then I've been on the go with work. I worked in a commission salon, a booth rent salon, even my own salon. Each day I would go to work 8-10 and sometimes more hours. I come home and my mind is racing with ideas for the salon. Honestly I don't know how my husband has handled my business mode, but he has. I love my job so much I even became a national educator for Matrix a division of L'Oreal from 2005 - 2011, an international director for Babe Hair Extensions from 2009 - 2012, and I now work as part of the Wella Proffessional team a division of Procor and Gamble. Guess what I do all this outside of my regular day job in the salon. I seriously love my career, but.....oh there is a but; 3 years ago my whole life changed.
Three years ago my husband and I purchased a farm house with land. We got some animals and soon I found myself thinking about home while I was working in the salon. Ahha my life outside of the salon. As much as I love my salon life and life on the road I find myself daydreaming about riding horseback, or driving a carriage, or running around chasing pigs, goats, and chickens. Soon after our move my husbands family nicknamed me "pig farmer" as silly as this is I love it. Pigs are the stinkiest animal I've ever been around, I'd rather muck a horse stall than a pig pen any day. I have found fresh farm eggs have a better flavor than store bought, raising our own meat has more meaning at dinner than ever before, and everyday I fall in love with my husband again as he teaches me new things. This year I have started taking horse back riding lessons. My hope is that I some day can become a team penning fanatic or barrel race.
I'm sure you will read my funny stories (blogs I should say) as time goes by. I actually have taken my stories of motherhood, life behind the chair, and living amongst the muck and I'm creating a comedy skit I hope to use at the laberynth Press Company's open mic night. I am truly at home when I am in the salon everyday, however I found my home outside of the salon at "Broken Beam Farm" ( that's the name of our farm, how we named our farm is for another blog )!