22 February, 2010

A Great Big Hairy Deal!

I went for my regularly scheduled hair cut this past Thursday afternoon. My stylist and I have developed a relationship over the past nine years. I have followed her from shop to shop spanning four different locations in this length of time, no problem, she's worth it; she knows me and my hair. I'm no longer reticent to stop anywhere along the way home from the salon. I used to be that way after visiting other stylists, I had to plan time to go back home and re-do my hair before going back out in public, but not after Debbie is done with me! She's so good that my daughter drives the 100 miles 'back home' to get her hair cut. So, there I was this past week, recounting my life's story to her since we last saw each other six weeks ago when she drops the bomb... she's retiring! Wha'huh? NO!! Yes, it really is true... she is retiring from doing hair. After I scraped myself up off the floor I wished her well and gave her a hug but my mind was racing, where would I go now? Who would do my hair with the same great style and knowledge? Groan. I called my daughter after I left the salon and her reaction was equal to mine, one of shock and disappointment. We discussed our options on the phone, she decided that she would seek a new stylist closer to her own home. I was armed with the names of two suggested stylists and my hair color formula listed neatly on two note cards to begin my own local search, but my heart wasn't in it. I dragged myself into my husband's workshop when I got home to deliver my sad news to him, I knew he'd surely share my sadness and commiserate along with me. I was wrong. He looked at me blankly, as if I were crazy, "what's the big deal?" was the response he communicated to me without a word. "It is a big deal" I responded, wordlessly, with my own reproachful look; "a great, big, hairy deal!" I'm sure that you all understand and can relate to this dilemma. I suppose that my husband (bless his heart) thinks that finding someone new requires little more than browsing through the yellow pages, oh... if it were only that simple! And so, the search begins once again. I've been in this place before and this time I have nearly five weeks to make a decision before my hair gets out of control; I only hope I get this one right!

Wish me luck~
Life is Good!

19 comments:

julieQ said...

Oh, I know exactly where you are. I have one lady who knows...just what to do with my mop. I rue the day that she retires!

Trudi said...

Oh my! Good luck with the search, I really feel for you, it's not an easy one, but no-body ever said it would be!

*karendianne. said...

Oh gosh, I get it. This would be a big deal for me, too. Ugh.

Paula, the quilter said...

This happened to me also. My 'old' stylist moved to Belize. Took me years to find a new one and during that time my hair grew and grew. Now the new one, who has been doing my hair for 10 years, is starting to cut back on her hours. Argh! I feel your pain.

Nancy Near Philadelphia said...

AAAARGH! Deep sympathy, friend!

Ancestor Collector said...

Oh, I've been right where you are now! About 8 months before Brad's wedding, my hairstylist moved to Mississippi to be closer to her aging parents. Oh my gosh, I had such panic and sadness the day she told me!! I found myself walking up to women in the grocery store who looked like they had a nice cut, and asking them who their stylist was. Do you know some women won't share that info??!!! After a few horrible appointments with other sylists, I finally (re)-found Rene. She had been a young inexperienced sylist in my previous stylist's shop years before, and I decided to give her a whirl at her own shop. What did I have to lose? Now she holds the secrets to my color, my fine hair, and my life, and my hair always comes out looking great. She even came back from maternity leave for one afternoon to cut my hair just before Amanda got married. :-) I'm blessed, and you will be too, once you find *your* Rene. It'll happen! Chase those women in the grocery store! :-)

Quiltdivajulie said...

One thing for sure ... five weeks after the first trip to a new stylist, you'll have a choice to make. Go back to the new person or try again somewhere else. It's nervewracking and anxiety producing, but our hair continues to grow through it all. Funny how we get so comfortable and then KABLAMM, we're all on edge again. Good luck with your transition!!!!!!!

Loris said...

Yes, we do understand :-( Keep hoping for another bright spot in your future. and Hopefully :-) you won't have to go through too many bad haircuts to find the right one.
I tend to leave the stylist with my hair wet. They do a good job on the color and cut but I hate sitting there while they take forever to dry my hair and then I hate how it looks. Fortunately, it is only 10 minutes home so I don't scare too many children with how I look!

Salem Stitcher said...

I feel your pain. I'm in search mode myself and have been for quite some time. It's a lonely place to be.

Anonymous said...

I know all too well what it is like to find a new hair stylist time and time again. Military life does that to ya! You'll find one...no big deal once you weed out a few! Hee!!

lesthook said...

I am still looking after 2 years!

Brenda said...

Ouch! The nerve of the woman...retiring? BA-humbug! LOL!
I feel your pain...

Quilting Memories said...

Since we live close, I should tell you I have never found the "right" one after the right one left and moved out ot town several years ago...I hate my hair, but I just can not find the person to do what I ask...They just don't get it!
The closest person to do what I ask, lives on the coast of Va. and that's a little Far to go!!!!
Of course being on the road for months at a time, I just have to take a pot shot and hope for the best****
You'll find someone you like, and your hair always looks perfect....

AnnieO said...

I had a really good hairstylist for years...then I left her to go to a brand new stylist--my daughter! Who just happens to be really great at color and cutting :)

Good luck on finding someone compatible for you. I know it won't be a fun search.

Dawn's Daily Journal said...

Oh No!!!!! Not your hairdresser!!! This may call for some emergency chocolate....or cake. Definately cake!
I am feeling your pain. Took me awhile to find the guy who does my hair. When he retires I may have to go in mourning and wear black for a year.

Lighting a candle for your search,
dawn
hugs!!!

Janet said...

Oh no! I've been going to the same hair "stylist" for about 9 years except during her maternity leave (the nerve!) To be honest, there's been a time or two where I've become a little discouraged with what she'd done with my hair that I've tried someone else, but I always go back. After nine years, it's more than just her skills that I miss, but her friendship!

Karen Newman Fridy said...

no fun!!! let me know who you end up with

Beth said...

Oh my goodness! When we 1st moved to AZ, I followed a lady thru the mall. She was kind enough to share her stylist's info. My family, however, was MORTIFIED! TOO BAD! I replied! Lucky for me, we never saw that lady again..but I DO have a good stylist! Good luck!

phyzz said...

Goodness, I've had to do this more than I can remember! It seems as traumatic as changing doctors!
(And who knows, your hairstylist may miss all of her clients and doing hair so much, she could come back...?) I wish you the best in your search...