Alright so boo to me for not blogging recently. After a nice unplanned trip home it is back to buisness as usual and since I have been gone I have a lot to catch up on. But it is all good. We are bustin ass and takin names. No more games goin on, I am back and recharged and not puttin up with people any more. And unfortunately for Melissa (Karen's apprentice) cuz I am NOT puttin up with anyone's bullshit anymore. So she picked the arong time to be droppin the n word about one of my best and dearest friends. Personal or not, this is dead serious buisness, and that kind of talk wont occur in my salon. Hell no! Whether you make a racist, sexist, anti- reliogous, agist remark I DONT CARE get the HELL out of my salon. For real. She got into some argument with Ralph about tips, cuz we arent paying them out in cash anymore, they are getting paid in their paycheck for tax reasons, but she doesnt get a pay check cuz she ispaying us to work there instead of going to school to finish up her hour requirements. So Ralph told her she couldnt have cash and she hung up the phone and said " This is why I dont work for n****rs" And this was overheard by three other employees. So I kicked her out. Contract or no contract i adhere to a strict zero tolerence policy. And Karen threw a hissy fit and told her to come back, and gave her a slap on the wrist and pretty much said dont do it again. Now wait a minute, who runs this store? I dont remember it being you. And I do believe Lori told me to handle it and i belkieve I had already done that. So now there is a HUGE rift between me, Amber (who also heard this statement and was VERY upset by it since her grandfather is black) and Karen because of this slap on the wrist thing. It would have been fine if she would have just left the store but no, we have to have drama. Bull shit. Get out of my store.

Rest in Peace baby Joey

I know that you were hurting, and I hope we did what was right. Jackie misses you so much. But I know that you are better now. There will never be another like you, with your little goatee. We loved you so much, but your heart was too big for this world. Rest in Peace little baby. You're home now.

We love you and we miss you. 

Dedicated to a little school house. All it taught me. All it gave me. And its memory that will always live in me.

This Used To Be My Playground

(originally from the movie "A League Of Their Own", andappearing on the "Barcelona Gold" album)written by Madonna and Shep PettiboneTrack 6, Time: 5:06 (short version), 6:03 (long version)-
------------------------
Chorus (first time without background vocals):
This used to be my playground [used to be]
This used to be my childhood dream
This used to be the place I ran to
Whenever I was in need
Of a friend
Why did it have to end

And why do they always say
Don't look back
Keep your head held high
Don't ask them why
Because life is short
And before you know
You're feeling old
And your heart is breaking
Don't hold on to the past
Well that's too much to ask

(Long and movie versions only:)
(chorus)
Live and learn
Well the years they flew
And we never knew
We were foolish then
We would never tire
And that little fire
Is still alive in me
It will never go away
Can't say goodbye to yesterday [can't say goodbye]

(chorus)
No regrets
But I wish that you
Were here with me
Well then there's hope yet
I can see your face
In our secret place
You're not just a memory
Say goodbye to yesterday [the dream]
Those are words
I'll never say [I'll never say]

This used to be my playground [used to be]
This used to be our pride and joy
This used to be the place we ran to
That no one in the world could dare destroy

(Short and movie versions only:)
This used to be our playground [used to be]
This used to be our childhood dream
This used to be the place we ran to
I wish you were standing here with me

(Movie version only:)
This used to be our playground [used to be]
This used to be our great escape
This used to be the place we ran to
This used to be our secret hiding place
This used to be our playground [used to be]
This used to be our childhood dream
This used to be the place we ran to
The best things in life are always free
Wishing you were here with me

The Break-Up. "Every new begining is some other begining's end" 

Since the Break-Up is official (its capitalized since it is a catistrophic event in my life) the air in the store is different. Almost like a mourning. Thats how I feel anyway. Because I am mourning. I know nothing else but Ralph and Lori and now there is no "and", so its hard for me. Like they are breaking up with me. I have spoken with both of them. They are each handling it in their own way. Ralph has gone into seclusion and Lori flew to Vegas for a few days. Some have said that was irresponsible of her to leave when this transition is taking place, but I cant blame her. News this big will fly through this town's beauty industry like wild fire. Hair dressers love a good story and love drama even more. But there is no drama. They broke up. Its not any of anyones buisness why. They just did. But people wont care. They will say what they want to no matter how hurtful. I've already heard it. And this just happened on Saturday. People saying he was after her money and shit like that. It hurts to think that people really think that about him. I made sure to let him know that as far as L.A. Style was concerned, he resigned and thats all we have to say. We are not involved in the personal stuff so we will not comment on the personal stuff. I will protect him, and her, as much as I can. I know how he really feels about her, and the store, about me, and that is all I care about and it is for those reasons that I will not feed the fire with any details that people may twist into slander. It is the least I can do, for both of them.

I know that he had to do what he had to do, and I understand that. When your personal life and your professional life get so intertwined together, when one doesnt work out, the other one cant continue. I know this. But that is also why I am mad at him, and both of them. Because now I get shoved into something that I dont think I am ready to take on. Her store lies in my hands. Solely in my hands. Ralph isnt my crutch anymore. But how dare you abandone me? How dare you! I have never known anything other than them. And for that I mourn.

Alright, so I realize that it hads been a long time since I have blogged, and I apologize, sort of. But I havent realt felt like it. Everything is going good. I just got back from Seattle. Had a nice time. Not really exciting to report. BUT I do have some exciting news. In a couple of weeks, I have a meeting with the VP of Pureology! Well, not just me, Jackie and Brandi and of ourse Lori will be there, but OMG, Pureology! This is like the mothership coming to visit. Awesome! ut right now I have to go grocery shopping so I thought i would let you know I was still around.

My new car 

I have taken the plunge and bought a new car. A Saturn Vue. I really like it. Matt is out right now with someone who wants to test drive the Blazer. Hopefully we can see that POS. I did love it though. It was my car. My first car that was actually mine. I'm gonna miss it, but it is so nice to have a new car. I just want to go out and drive. Doesmt matter where to. just drive. It has a sun roof too. Cool huh? I drove home from Wasilla yesterday with it open. I could today too. I'm glad that it is nice so I could enjoy my new purchase. I'll post pics later. I have to keep cleaning now. Just thought you would like to know what I have been up to!

How many good-byes does it take before your heart stops breaking?
How many times do you watch someone you care for walk out of your life, before you learn to quit watching?
How many tears do you cry, before you cant cry anymore?
How many memories does it take to help you forget?
How many promises get broken before you stop believing?
How many times do you ask yourself "why", before you stop wondering?
How many times do you endure pain, before it stops hurting?
Never.
It will always break.
You will always watch.
You will always cry.
You will always believe.
You will always wonder.
And You will Allways Hurt.

So I have really been enjoying VH 1's "I love Toys" series. It is fun to see all those toys that you may have forgotten about. Tonight I actually laughed out loud cuz I tuned in late ( I have the DVR set to record all 5 episodes on Fridayand they were talking about Tinker Toys. And I honestly have not even THOUGHT about Tinker Toys in YEARS. And Lew ALWAYS wanted to play woith the Tinker Toys at Grandma's. Sometimes I would actually WANT to play and sometimes I HAD to. But he always wanted to. And I laughed because they said that the only kids that WANTED to play with Tinker Toys, and actually built things (Like cars, Lew) with them were the kids who grew up to be engineers. And everyone else just made a square. And I laughed, and laughed cuz Lew would have these great creations and I would put sticks all around in one of the wheels and call it a smowflake or a flower or something. Now he's working at Rolls Royce and I run a hair salon.

Who would have thought Tinker Toys could help predict the future?

I've decided to get up early and go see the dogs start tomorrow. With or with out Matt. He wants to stay out all night, on the first night we both have off in a week, thats fine. Whatever. I will be by myself. I dont NEED him to be with me, I would just LIKE him to be with me once and awhile. I even called him from work today to tell him that I missed him and that i loved him, and he STILL goes and plays pool with Marcus. He sees him everyday, he hasnt seen me, at least not awake since Sunday. I called him at the hockey game and asked him if he was going to go play pool, cuz if he was then I wasnt going to stay up for him, and I told him that I was having a shitty day. "No, I think we are going to TGI Fridays." Oh, ok. so to me he just told me that he WASNT going to go play pool and so I waited up for him. He pulls up, comes inside and says he is going to go play pool. And wants to know why I am mad. "Is this part of your crappy day?" Yes, you butt head, it is part of my crappy day and you just put the cherry on top of the shit pile that has been the last couple of days, so thanks. Thanks for making me cry the tears I have been doing so well at holding back. That fucker is the only one who can make me cry (and i mean real tears, not sappy commercial fake tears).. And he always finds that way to do it.

My day with Isaac 

And the cat food 

He loved the cat toys 

PLayin with the kitties 

It was a long day 

My happy boy 

We were worn out 

Wow, I guess it has been awhile since I've blogged. Too busy I guess. Had some DRAMA at the spa. People stealing. People being fired. Lori being hurt. Ralph being pissed. Emily picking up the pieces. Same ol' deal. Mom and dad are ooked and set to come up in August. so that gives me some thng to look forward to. I really needed something. I would look forward to my trips but i never know when those are. I just know I need to get away from that store for a few days. I have the Northwest show at the end of March, so I know we'll be going to that one. And then we ahve the West oast show n April. And the TMS confrence in May and Cosmoprof in Vegas in late June earlt July... So I have those to look forward to. And L.A. is in there somewhere. I am getting some cabin fever like no one's buisness right now, so I need out. Could be that I am getting burnt out too. either way a few days in Seattle will help. Hitssome clubs, do some shopping, and go to the show. Thats what I need. Now Lori just needs to come back and we can get out of here!