The First Cut is the Deepest

Today was momentous day in our house.

Ladybug's been bugging me for a while now to cut her hair. She seems to be under the impression that if she cuts it, it will be short and straight and brown...just like her friend Audrey's. Last month I took her to my hairdresser, Michael -- so he could do the dirty work of explaining it to her. He looked deep into her brown eyes and explained, "Sweetie, I will never cut your hair. NEVER!" So, I was left with the task of explaining to her that she will never, not EVER be able to wear a Bob. That her hair will always be curly, and cutting it will only make it curlier. That some day, she will realize that her hair is actually a lethal weapon, and that it will get her darn near anything she wants - providing she learns how to use it, of course. Which she will, of course. Which, actually, she has already learned to a certain extent.

But then it happened. Last Monday to be exact. The tangle that couldn't be combed out. The snarl that had to be cut out. It was an unfortunate one - relatively high on the head, in the front, near her face. *snip-snip* A rogue ringlet. A lock that will no longer reach into a pony tail. *Sigh*

Poor girlie. She's so strong-willed. So full of fight. Really. She'll fight you just for the sport of it. But the one thing she lets me do is comb her hair -- even though it's horribly painful and it takes forever. She puts up with it, bless her little Texan heart. But with those fabulous locks reaching nearly to her fanny, the time had come. So...

...out came the scissors.

I cringed as I made the first cut. (Really...I felt a little sick at the sound of those first snips.)

And then, there they were...the locks I couldn't put back on. The point of no return. My intention was to take off about an inch or so -- you know, just to clean it up a bit. In the end, about 4" came off!

Poor little Ladybug. After all was said and done, she wasn't quite sure.

But I think it will be a much more manageable and attractive length for her.

After a while, she seemed convinced that things were going to be OK.

Cranberries Part 2: "Where'd They Get That Red Hair?"

This question is addressed to me when I'm with my children. I hear it at least once a week...and after 4 1/2 years it throws me into a homicidal rage! The first time it happened, my son Jake, was hangin' out in the Baby Bjorn. We were head to head at the ticket counter in the airport getting ready to rendezvous with Daddy in Maryland. The question was posed by a gate agent -- a self-proclaimed "former redhead". At first I thought he was joking. He had to be.

OK...before I get too far ahead of myself. Let me introduce you to the family:

This is me

These are my kids, Jake & Delila (aka: Buddy Boy and Ladybug)
(Yes, I have better pictures of my kids, but I just can't resist sharing this crazy photo with the world as often as I can. Admit it -- made you laugh!)

This is me with my kids
(and yes, I hate this picture of me in the "will call hat", but it's the only one I have of our three heads together.)

Now seriously...would you ask this woman where her children got their red hair?!? Am I not a redhead? My friends don't understand why this question sends me around the bend. That's because they're not redheads.

You see, I was stereotyped the moment I was born, and I've been defined by my hair ever since. I was "the ginger one" (according to Uncle Maurice). I was called "Red" and "Carrot Top" (UGH!!). I was "fiery" and "hot tempered" (Ok, so maybe that part's a little true. In 1st grade Kevin called me Carrot Top so I whopped him in the head with my lunchbox - the old metal kind with the heavy glass thermos inside. Hey, he had it comin'!) And then as I got older I had to put up with all the "Hey...are you a natural redhead?" crap. "Why, yes I am. And no, I'm not going to drop my pants and prove it to you." Grrrrrr!

After a lifetime of BS like that, I'm entitled to be recognized for handing down the gene to my kids. I have earned the right to be a redhead forever! Granted, my hair doesn't blaze like it used to. The color's mellowed a little with age -- and so have I. (I haven't clocked anyone for asking me where my kids get their red hair...yet.) But I'm still a redhead, g'dammit!!!

That's where the cranberries come in. I have decided that, after 4 decades of going au naturel in the hair department, I'm going to give my hair a little boost. Apparently, rinsing my hair in 1/4 to 1/2 cup of cranberry juice will liven up my red a bit. On the advice of my hairdresser, I'm using the regular stuff: Ocean Spray Lite Cranberry Cocktail. 'Lite' because I don't want my hair to get fat. (Huh? Wait. I'd love some fat hair...and some phat hair. Scrap that. I'm going fully sweetened!) And nothing organic or preservative free, because according to the haircresser, the purer the juice the more permanent the color. Since this is my maiden voyage, I'm going to stick with the stuff that will wash out after a few shampoos...you know... just in case I end up looking...well...like a cranberry.

I'm going to try it for a week. I'll post the before & after pictures for you. Now, if anyone would like to join me on this voyage, feel free. Here are a couple of options -- just in case you don't have what it takes to be a redhead:

Dark hair: rinse with 1/2 c vinegar mixed with 1/4 c soy sauce. Leave in for 15 to 20 minutes. (BTW, soy is very nourishing for hair -- loaded w/proteins that make hair nice and strong.)

Fair hair: brew a strong cup of chamomile tea. Spray/comb into dry hair. Leave in for 20 minutes before shampooing (sitting in the sun during the 'leave-in' period will further enhance the effects). This will lift the color and add subtle highlights to light brown and blond hair. The effects of this probably wont wash out since it's not really an 'added' color. If you have an itchy scalp, this should be great for it since chamomile is very soothing to the skin.

Let me know if you try it. And stay tuned for the results!

A Cranberry For My Thoughts

What am I thinking? I'm thinking about coloring my hair.

Why, you ask? And just what's that got to do with cranberries? Well, you'll have to check back later this week to find out.

Seriously. This is all I have time for today, but I didn't want to break my Sunday blogging streak. I know...it's a little lame, but then so am I. And seven weeks in a row of anything is a big deal for me.

See ya later!