Long Hair - What to DO!?

The other evening, I had lovely young lady visiting who, of late, has developed a rather strong attraction to my hair – wrapping herself up in it, covering her face in it, hiding under it – being silly with my headcovering. She has been growing out her own hair long – she started long before she met me.

So the other evening, I am pretending to have an adult conversation with this young lady’s father and she is playing with my hair – twisting it into one rope, then multiple ropes, wrapping it around my face, around my head, looped with my glasses – I kept having this image of Princess Leia and Padme on a bad hair day (did either ever have one???). Lots of fun! I truly enjoyed having her play with my hair. As she played with my hair, I realized just how long it is – finally, I can call it “long” (I’ve been able to sit on it for several months now – but to SEE it stretched out so far from my body or to have it go around my head that many times – yeah, it’s long  )
My own son loved playing with my hair until somewhere around age 7 – at age 8, he maybe played with it a couple of times – and now, at 9, nothing. I am sad to consider those days might be over. He would take the ends of my braids and flip the ends of my hair around his finger; he would wrap up his hands and arms in my braid; he split the hanging part below the braid to make a “rainbow” as he called it. He always preferred it braided to hanging and rarely did anything involving my face (we have a largely unspoken rule that I do not like things in my face). He loved laying on the floor as a baby and toddler having the edges of my ankle-length skirts or my hair brushed over his face though!
I was thinking of all of this just now when I recalled a small number of ladies (with very short hair) tell me that they have short hair because you can’t do anything with long hair. For the record I never asked them or brought up that topic – this was very clearly a defense about something they didn’t feel right about – they felt the need to defend their decision to me when I wasn’t attacking or even cared!
One such lady stands out. We traveled to Italy together many years ago and shared lodging throughout the trip. She couldn’t STAND the fact that I would wake up 5 minutes before we are supposed to be out the door, with a 1 year old boy in tow, and I would still make it to breakfast on time. She was a single woman with no children – so she didn’t understand the amount of preparedness that went into assuring those few precious minutes of sleep. As the mother of a child who is still a morning sleeper and a night owl, I had already learned how to catch a few extra winks: bathe/shower in the evening, have the next day’s clothes ready and laid out for both of us; fresh diaper and travel toilet rim ready to go; all items needed for the next day in the backpack (snacks, water bottles, camera, diapers, wallet). Mission: sleep when I can; think as little as possible right after waking. Result: Get up, use toilet, have child use toilet while doing own hair, wash hands and face, do hair, get both of us dressed, gather up our things, load into car and meet everyone for breakfast. Come back up just to brush teeth. Good to go. Mission Accomplished.
Yes, waist-length hair, 1 year old boy – it can all be done in a 5 minute morning routine. (keeping in mind that breakfast and tooth-brushing is separate)

And how does this relate to hair? 
I didn’t have to wash it every morning to get it to stay in place – I wash my hair once or twice a week because it is actually healthier to get all the natural oils into it before washing it with harsh chemicals (I alternate between the least troublesome of the chemicals and natural methods)
I didn’t have to blow-dry it – it air-dries without doing too many strange things – probably because of the weight?
I didn’t have to curl it – the short sections wave themselves in a natural manner; the longer sections get braided, twisted, roped, tied, looped, banded, pony/pig-tailed – and a thousand varieties on each of those.
One morning, after this woman had been particularly cranky with me for sleeping through her hour-long process of getting herself ready, she told me that my simple braids are proof that I can do nothing with my hair – but look at all SHE can do with HER hair. I just looked at her and quietly said, “You wash it and curl it the same every morning. That is a lot of care, but that is not a lot that can be DONE. You do NOT need to defend yourself to me. It is YOUR hair and YOUR choice.” I walked out of the room.
But it was my catty side of the month – and I was still a bit immature at the time. That evening I did a different hairstyle (took me 90 seconds); in the following days I did my hair twice each day – in a completely different hairstyle. Each one took me less than two full minutes – so quick that the process was almost never seen.

What CAN’T I do with long hair? In my own hair, I can’t expect curling iron curls to stay for more than a few hours – but that is my hair short OR long (I have had hair as short as just under my ears before – in a boy-ish cut – so I do know what can/can’t be done with short/long hair).
I definitely can’t expect everyone to appreciate the fact that I choose the “traditional” feminine look because it fulfills the truest, deepest core of my nature.
I can’t stay in hiding – long hair stands out in the society in which I live.
I can’t think that the evil one will leave me alone – or that God will shield me from all attacks as my Faith in Him is tested.
But I don’t think that is what people think of when they say, “you can’t do anything with long hair”.

On a “do-nothing” day – or perhaps I had just gotten up and was working at home for the morning – since my headcovering isn’t on yet. Legoboy secretly took this photo on a spy mission of his.

Long Hair - What to do!?

 

The other evening, I had lovely young lady visiting who, of late, has developed a rather strong attraction to my hair - wrapping herself up in it, covering her face in it, hiding under it - being silly with my headcovering. She has been growing out her own hair long - she started long before she met me.

 

So the other evening, I am pretending to have an adult conversation with this young lady's father and she is playing with my hair - twisting it into one rope, then multiple ropes, wrapping it around my face, around my head, looped with my glasses - I kept having this image of Princess Leia and Padme on a bad hair day (did either ever have one???). Lots of fun! I truly enjoyed having her play with my hair. As she played with my hair, I realized just how long it is - finally, I can call it "long" (I've been able to sit on it for several months now - but to SEE it stretched out so far from my body or to have it go around my head that many times - yeah, it's long ;) )

My own son loved playing with my hair until somewhere around age 7 - at age 8, he maybe played with it a couple of times - and now, at 9, nothing. I am sad to consider those days might be over. He would take the ends of my braids and flip the ends of my hair around his finger; he would wrap up his hands and arms in my braid; he split the hanging part below the braid to make a "rainbow" as he called it. He always preferred it braided to hanging and rarely did anything involving my face (we have a largely unspoken rule that I do not like things in my face). He loved laying on the floor as a baby and toddler having the edges of my ankle-length skirts or my hair brushed over his face though!

I was thinking of all of this just now when I recalled a small number of ladies (with very short hair) tell me that they have short hair because you can't do anything with long hair. For the record I never asked them or brought up that topic - this was very clearly a defense about something they didn't feel right about - they felt the need to defend their decision to me when I wasn't attacking or even cared!

One such lady stands out. We traveled to Italy together many years ago and shared lodging throughout the trip. She couldn't STAND the fact that I would wake up 5 minutes before we are supposed to be out the door, with a 1 year old boy in tow, and I would still make it to breakfast on time. She was a single woman with no children - so she didn't understand the amount of preparedness that went into assuring those few precious minutes of sleep. As the mother of a child who is still a morning sleeper and a night owl, I had already learned how to catch a few extra winks: bathe/shower in the evening, have the next day's clothes ready and laid out for both of us; fresh diaper and travel toilet rim ready to go; all items needed for the next day in the backpack (snacks, water bottles, camera, diapers, wallet). Mission: sleep when I can; think as little as possible right after waking. Result: Get up, use toilet, have child use toilet while doing own hair, wash hands and face, do hair, get both of us dressed, gather up our things, load into car and meet everyone for breakfast. Come back up just to brush teeth. Good to go. Mission Accomplished.

Yes, waist-length hair, 1 year old boy - it can all be done in a 5 minute morning routine. (keeping in mind that breakfast and tooth-brushing is separate)

 

And how does this relate to hair? 

I didn't have to wash it every morning to get it to stay in place - I wash my hair once or twice a week because it is actually healthier to get all the natural oils into it before washing it with harsh chemicals (I alternate between the least troublesome of the chemicals and natural methods)

I didn't have to blow-dry it - it air-dries without doing too many strange things - probably because of the weight?

I didn't have to curl it - the short sections wave themselves in a natural manner; the longer sections get braided, twisted, roped, tied, looped, banded, pony/pig-tailed - and a thousand varieties on each of those.

One morning, after this woman had been particularly cranky with me for sleeping through her hour-long process of getting herself ready, she told me that my simple braids are proof that I can do nothing with my hair - but look at all SHE can do with HER hair. I just looked at her and quietly said, "You wash it and curl it the same every morning. That is a lot of care, but that is not a lot that can be DONE. You do NOT need to defend yourself to me. It is YOUR hair and YOUR choice." I walked out of the room.

But it was my catty side of the month - and I was still a bit immature at the time. That evening I did a different hairstyle (took me 90 seconds); in the following days I did my hair twice each day - in a completely different hairstyle. Each one took me less than two full minutes - so quick that the process was almost never seen.

 

What CAN'T I do with long hair? In my own hair, I can't expect curling iron curls to stay for more than a few hours - but that is my hair short OR long (I have had hair as short as just under my ears before - in a boy-ish cut - so I do know what can/can't be done with short/long hair).

I definitely can't expect everyone to appreciate the fact that I choose the "traditional" feminine look because it fulfills the truest, deepest core of my nature.

I can't stay in hiding - long hair stands out in the society in which I live.

I can't think that the evil one will leave me alone - or that God will shield me from all attacks as my Faith in Him is tested.

But I don't think that is what people think of when they say, "you can't do anything with long hair".

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300"] On a "do-nothing" day - or perhaps I had just gotten up and was working at home for the morning - since my headcovering isn't on yet. Legoboy secretly took this photo on a spy mission of his.[/caption]

I LOVE Vacuuming!

SHSHSHSHSH!!! Don’t tell my mom but I DO like vacuuming! (and washing dishes by hand – but there are caveats and working under duress and last-minute orders takes away all love  hehe).

I have NEVER owned a new vacuum. Most of my vacuums have been well over 30 years old when I got them – I have used them until they died and are irreparable or have passed them on to others in more need than me; the newest of the variety was a gift from a dear friend (now a priest) and lasted 8 years until a part broke on it – a part that they won’t sell me online or in the repair shop but I can get the part for the OTHER side of the motor (similar but doesn’t fit) on Ebay for $10 – but they will happily charge me almost $90 to to fix it. Seriously. Sell me the piece for $10 – I have the screws it needs (still in the machine) and a screwdriver and the whole 60 second it would take to fix it.

But that was a year ago and I have gotten exactly nowhere. I have a smaller vacuum with no attachments (doesn’t do corners and crevices) that has been our back-up (it is a child-size vacuum, but works). That vacuum was/is bagless – and I’ve really been spoiled by that particular feature – no remembering to purchase bags and which size (when you’ve had and used as many vacuums as I have, with all the housecleaning I’ve done… they all blend together – and you learn to retrofit bags with ease). —
About every other month I go through the corners with my fingers, paper towels and vinegar (and those who know me well, know that I ordinarily go through ONE roll of paper towel approximately every 5 years). Yeah, it’s not been satisfactory around here, but I thought things were clean enough. 

Until I got my new toy. I know I could have gone far cheaper, but I used the model one step below this one at a friend’s house when doing some housecleaning – and fell in LOVE. This thing got up so much out of allegedly clean carpeting, has great attachments, neat little features like consistent suction (even when almost full!), and allergen filters….. And it works.
Well, I can’t find that model locally. I kept starting to order it online and backing off (there are 4 other high-price items I was budgeting for too – we can only get one at a time, about 2 months in between… then I got a bit of a break and I could afford THREE items – and then the computer needed replacement. So the money is finally there again – and I just did it. I bit the bullet. I bought the next model up – it has a lift-away feature so I can even more easily get stairs (I don’t have stairs in my apartment, but I’m thinking the car….) and furniture and upper corners, it tilts to get around objects – I am so in love!
It cost more than the repair on the old vacuum, but with so many other features, the fact I’ve never purchased or paid for a vacuum (only replacement parts – I can replace almost anything on a vacuum at this point – as long as I can obtain the materials: cords, motors, belts, rollers, plastic covers).
I started vacuuming today and it actually left marks in the carpet (you know – brushroll marks – I’ve not seen those in months and months!) —- and when I moved a chair (that left footprints in the floor), the brushroll actually pulled up the pile on the carpet so there are NO marks!
Did I mention it is bagless, but empties so much easier than any other bagless I have ever used….

And it cleaned my allegedly clean floor!

This was 3 square feet of allegedly clean carpet. Hm.
Anyway, I REALLY love vacuuming now!

I love vacuuming

SHSHSHSHSH!!! Don't tell my mom but I DO like vacuuming! (and washing dishes by hand - but there are caveats and working under duress and last-minute orders takes away all love ;) hehe).

 

I have NEVER owned a new vacuum. Most of my vacuums have been well over 30 years old when I got them - I have used them until they died and are irreparable or have passed them on to others in more need than me; the newest of the variety was a gift from a dear friend (now a priest) and lasted 8 years until a part broke on it - a part that they won't sell me online or in the repair shop but I can get the part for the OTHER side of the motor (similar but doesn't fit) on Ebay for $10 - but they will happily charge me almost $90 to to fix it. Seriously. Sell me the piece for $10 - I have the screws it needs (still in the machine) and a screwdriver and the whole 60 second it would take to fix it.

 

But that was a year ago and I have gotten exactly nowhere. I have a smaller vacuum with no attachments (doesn't do corners and crevices) that has been our back-up (it is a child-size vacuum, but works). That vacuum was/is bagless - and I've really been spoiled by that particular feature - no remembering to purchase bags and which size (when you've had and used as many vacuums as I have, with all the housecleaning I've done... they all blend together - and you learn to retrofit bags with ease). ---

About every other month I go through the corners with my fingers, paper towels and vinegar (and those who know me well, know that I ordinarily go through ONE roll of paper towel approximately every 5 years). Yeah, it's not been satisfactory around here, but I thought things were clean enough. 

 

Until I got my new toy. I know I could have gone far cheaper, but I used the model one step below this one at a friend's house when doing some housecleaning - and fell in LOVE. This thing got up so much out of allegedly clean carpeting, has great attachments, neat little features like consistent suction (even when almost full!), and allergen filters..... And it works.

Well, I can't find that model locally. I kept starting to order it online and backing off (there are 4 other high-price items I was budgeting for too - we can only get one at a time, about 2 months in between... then I got a bit of a break and I could afford THREE items - and then the computer needed replacement. So the money is finally there again - and I just did it. I bit the bullet. I bought the next model up - it has a lift-away feature so I can even more easily get stairs (I don't have stairs in my apartment, but I'm thinking the car....) and furniture and upper corners, it tilts to get around objects - I am so in love!

It cost more than the repair on the old vacuum, but with so many other features, the fact I've never purchased or paid for a vacuum (only replacement parts - I can replace almost anything on a vacuum at this point - as long as I can obtain the materials: cords, motors, belts, rollers, plastic covers).

I started vacuuming today and it actually left marks in the carpet (you know - brushroll marks - I've not seen those in months and months!) ---- and when I moved a chair (that left footprints in the floor), the brushroll actually pulled up the pile on the carpet so there are NO marks!

Did I mention it is bagless, but empties so much easier than any other bagless I have ever used....

 

And it cleaned my allegedly clean floor!

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="417"] This was 3 square feet of allegedly clean carpet. Hm.
Anyway, I REALLY love vacuuming now![/caption]

 

 

Marriage is a Sacrament

Several years ago my son and I were blessed to attend the ordination to the priesthood of one of our dearest friends (and my son’s godfather), Fr. Nick Rottman – a triple blessing as it included two bonuses:

1. Being inside of (the only?) one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the United States, I might even think in North America !?
2. My son, yet to be nicknamed Legoboy, receiving First Holy Communion from the newly ordained priest himself, followed after Mass by a blessing from the bishop – and a few other priests. This was also the last time for 2 years that we would see another priest friend of ours who took Legoboy to the side before Mass for the sacrament of Reconciliation.

OH! All the sacraments going on that day!

(There were previously two gorgeous photos in this spot, but StBlogs (my previous blog-host) lost them :( )




This past week, we joined Father/Uncle Nick for another sacramental celebration: each year the Diocese honors with a vesper service and blessing from the bishop, all those couples who have been married a significant number of years: 1, 25, 50, and every year after 50.

Father Nick offered to sit with us as we didn’t know any lay people there (I really don't like being in crowds of people I know, let alone people I don't know!). But I asked him to sit with the priests as he had originally planned – so that Legoboy could see him in a different priestly role than he has seen him previously.

My heart was so full of gratitude that my son could be in this beautiful cathedral that truly honors the Creator of the Universe and the Savior of Mankind – while honoring True Marriage: his godfather who is married to the Church, the Bride of Christ – and all those hundreds of couples called up to receive a blessing from the bishop. The wedding feast of the Lamb.

Two couples of note – one couple in their 50-something year and one couple in their 60-something year – BEAMING as they walked up the aisle to receive their blessing, linked arm in arm – I thought they would float away with the happiness and love they so clearly displayed.

It was both sad and encouraging to see several of the couple walk up side by side, but not holding hands or linking arms; then as they returned to their pews, the woman walking ahead of the man by several paces (there was plenty of space to walk side by side). It was sad to think that something isn’t quite there that could be there; but it was encouraging that they were still together, perhaps they are going through a rough time – with the graces recieved from the blessing and the renewal of their vows, perhaps they too will be the beaming couples together for 50, 60, 70 years, practically waltzing up the aisle in the confidence of their Savior’s love for them, who made it possible for them to overcome all obstacles and be an example of true Christian love to the world.


A link to a panoramic view of St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica of Covington:
http://rackphoto.com/panos/rackoramas/cov-cath-tour/covcath-nave-main.html

Homemade Hand Soap

I have been asked a lot lately – now that I’ve finally found a homemade hand-soap I *really* like -
“Why do I make my own hand-soap when I can buy off-brand hand-soap for so cheap?”

Because it’s even cheaper. And could be even cheaper than I do it now.
Because it’s FUN! Just enough of a challenge – and a bit of danger (I start from scratch with oils/fats and lye).
Because of the trick of getting just the right essential oils to provide the benefits we want the fragrances we like. (Tea tree oil takes serious getting used to!).
Because I’m not paying for junk: triclosan, fillers, artificial colors, artificial fragrances, alcohol, added glycerin when the full-base soap is more moisturizing anyway, and who knows what else.


For right now, I am still using old pump bottles from Christmas/catechist/Easter/end-of-year-teacher gifts – when these wear out, I’ll come up with a more creative solution.


My little corner of beauty and peace:

Homemade Hand-Soap

I have been asked a lot lately - now that I've finally found a homemade hand-soap I *really* like -
"Why do I make my own hand-soap when I can buy off-brand hand-soap for so cheap?"



Because it's even cheaper. And could be even cheaper than I do it now.

Because it's FUN! Just enough of a challenge - and a bit of danger (I start from scratch with oils/fats and lye).

Because of the trick of getting just the right essential oils to provide the benefits we want the fragrances we like. (Tea tree oil takes serious getting used to!).

Because I'm not paying for junk: triclosan, fillers, artificial colors, artificial fragrances, alcohol, added glycerin when the full-base soap is more moisturizing anyway, and who knows what else.

 

 

For right now, I am still using old pump bottles from Christmas/catechist/Easter/end-of-year-teacher gifts - when these wear out, I'll come up with a more creative solution.

 

 

My little corner of beauty and peace: