Memories of Recent Days...

That first year was a dud. A time of figuring out who I was, now that I had said "Okay" to retirement. Fiddling; learning a few things about what having a greenhouse meant, Wearing a path on our hardwoods throughout our living spaces, looking at things needing done (but didn't have the gusto, or the want to), missing conversations with my clients, and eventually becoming a hermit, had became a swirling dark cloud focused on keeping me a prisoner.

It's not a pretty sight. Most days I looked like a homeless person, living in my comfy (and decently sloppy) pants and shirts, hair looking flat and unimpressive, adding to a mild depressive state. We, by nature, believe what we see reflected back to us in those 45 mirrors we have hanging vicariously throughout our houses. Or is it just me?

I suppose stranger things have happened. I suppose I'm not the only one who gets surprised by life's little quirks. I also suppose there are others whose minds have changed to an extreme they never saw coming. But here we are...

It has been close to a month since rising from bed one morning and my whole body felt it had been renewed while sleeping. It wanted to live again. The central nervous system had finally awakened after a long year of paralyzation, and connected once again to guidance from its main source of supply...the cortex of human existence...known simply as the brain,

Instructions began loud and clear. Upon rising, memories began to emerge and thoughts began whirling much like turning on a rotating fan. As my sensory integration began, and found it's proper place, the blades picked up speed. 

"Oh boy....here we go," I thought.

But it felt oh. so. good!!! Almost like what I think a re-birth would feel like. All of a sudden I had a purpose that I had laid down without having a clear plan as to where my feet may land. It was me jumping off a cliff...hoping to land on solid ground...yet not knowing if I would. For sure.

This past month has been different. Not in a way that anyone (other than myself...and possibly a few family members) would recognize. Unless they had know the "before" me. But I know. I know something has changed. Something good.

Being a worker all my natural life (from the age of 7 years), the transition from working with a schedule, to not working with a schedule, was daunting. To say the least...

I've never been one for marketing myself. Probably never will be. I have no need of becoming famous, so have always depended on word of mouth, and the knowledge of belonging to a God that is for me and not against me, has been my guiding light. I've always done what I've known to do and listened as best I could, for direction from Him who knows all things.

I've made my fair share of mistakes. But the way I see it, is, without mistakes we can't grow. Just like the natural body heals if it's cared for, so do the failures become successes when wisdom is applied as lessons are learned. Of this I am sure.

That morning I was speaking of? The morning I woke and felt new? The first thought that came through my waking moments was, "It's time to live again."

"It's time to live again." A second before that thought, I was sound asleep. And then the thoughts began to whirl...much like a dusty old fan had been turned back on. That's when you know you have been given instructions. For me...I knew.

I'm not completely sure what this all means. I don't have to. My days seem different now. I feel more awake, more alive. On a different path than the past "do nothing" year. "Lay back and take your ease" year. 

"You've earned it," just didn't settle well with me. 

And the beautiful rain falling this morning has been my inspiration to sit quietly, once again, to visit my blog site to create another memory for the times I forget.

Awake, and feeling alive, again...with plenty on my plate...

...As always, here you will find me...in Mary's World.

Something New Is Brewing...

Recently...just this past week...I've been working on something new. Something I never saw coming, until it did. 

It's not what I would have ever thought to do. At least I wouldn't have planned it out, which is what I usually do with anything new. Of course, there had to be planning (of a sort), but this planning didn't happen until the thought came front and center.

The reason I think it just might be the most unusual, never seen before, bend in the road...a turn that takes me out of my comfort zone, is simply because I would never have (on purpose) chose something so bizarre. Bizarre to me, at least... 

Well, Mary. What have you done now?

Honestly, I was searching for a way to create a stream of income outside of the usual monthly "allowance" we get from Social Security. Once a person hits retirement age (way past, for me), and actually retires, if feels as if everything is flowing out and not much flowing in. It can be a bit disconcerting. 

Where this particular advice came from, I couldn't tell you. It seemed a bit odd to me at first glance. And that, my friends, is what got my attention. It was something out of the norm of what I had found upon previous searches.

So now that you have the foundational information, I suppose it's time to say exactly what I'm dipping my toes into these days.

Okay...it's something I said I would never do. Doesn't it always happen that way? Never say never...

I have started a Facebook Group!!! Only because there aren't enough of those things. 🤣 

However, this group is different. Be honest. You knew it would be. Right? It is different in that even the title says, "What in the world???" 🤣🥴🤣🌿 At first glance, one might wonder how this could be a relevant group. But trust me...it's gonna be good!

It's a place where honest questions about hair issues someone may be having, will be answered (no matter the members age) in a welcoming environment. A non-judgmental environment. A "Pull Up A Chair" and let's have a conversation environment. 

Plans are to have a Hair Library.

1) Seasonal Hair

2) Gray Hair

3) Thinning Hair

4) Hair Myths

5) Salon Stories

There could be more. One never knows what the 'morrow may bring. We have only begun.

Plans are to post on Monday, Wednesday, & Friday.

Monday: "If You Were In My Chair" addressing practical tips, or a myth buster.

Wednesday: "Pull Up A Chair" with a conversation members want to talk about. If no one has a question for that particular week, I will use something from my most commonly asked questions when I was still working behind the chair.

Friday: "From Behind the Chair" will be little stories, a bit of encouragement, a seasonal reminder, or a possible reflection. Whatever my trusted archival brain brings front and center. 😁 Hopefully, members will leave with enough encouragement to put a really big smile on their faces.

That's what this little group is destined for. The main end desire, when I was still standing for 9-10 hours behind the chair, was to see a smile etch itself across my clients face. To see them walk just a little taller as they left the comforts of my salon. That hasn't changed. I love seeing people smile.

THAT is what I want for this "Ask A Retired Hairstylist" group! A place to feel like you are visiting with someone who actually cares about what you care about. 

A place much like what a porch light feels like. A place that shines to show a clear path. A welcoming environment. A place of safety. A place of truth.

A porch light, or possibly a sun room that has a large Boston Fern standing ornately in the corner windows, surrounded by comfortable seating and a place to sit a cup of coffee. A place to relax and simply visit.

And...in the future...should anyone need a one-on-one with me (through a Zoom meet up), there will be opportunity for that. Think of it as a private consultation. That is where one can get professional advice for a small fee.

This group is for common issues that may not be able to give distinct answers for individual distressed issues. Not all hair is "created" equal.😁

Our group is live. Now. It's a private group, just so we can keep it real. Yet, it's easy to join. Just copy and paste the URL below into your facebook search. OR do a search in FB groups for Ask A Retired Hairstylist.

Find it here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4313356238928167

Being only a week old, we are still in the "tweaking" phase. That's got me written all over it🥴. A bit too anxious to get things moving before the over-all look has even been decided on. My salon without walls... 😁 Yep. Once I get an idea in my head....ugh! It's so hard to slow my roll...

As always, here you will find me...in Mary's World.

P.S.

My very old, sweet fern has been with me since our late July 2013 move from Oklahoma where she hung from the arbor that sat in our front yard. She rode in the back of D's pickup for 1200 miles of heat and wind, only getting nurtured at break stops along the way. She has sat in this corner since August 5th, 2013. She's tired. Not what she once was. But, hey! Aren't we all? 

See you in the new group?