Monday Musings – New Hairdo and Hobby
Happy Monday, ladies. This week’s ramblings are, as usual, personal and all over the map. There’s some navel-gazing with a small amount of whining and other sundry things that are on my mind.
I don’t think I shared this outfit that I wore in Lake Tahoe over Thanksgiving. If I did, here’s your second look :)Fair Isles are synonymous with winter style, and I was anxious to get another opportunity to wear this dress. My fair isle sweater dress is from last year, but they have one almost identical dress this year. This dress from Talbots is also similar but without the pattern on the bottom, which would make you look taller. The cashmere scarf- similar here was a surprise and lovely gift from Talbots several years ago. My boots are eons old, but black riding boots don’t change much over the years. The velvet leggings are a toasty alternative to opaque tights I love to wear all winter long.
MORE FAIR ISLE SWEATER DRESSES
I don’t know about you, but my teeth are a train wreck, and the older I get, the bigger the problems become. I needed braces as a kid but didn’t get them. I’m dealing with a crossbite, plus I grind my teeth, so I have lots of chipped teeth and now cracked crowns. I tried braces last year, but I have two implants that were not a good mix with braces, so that didn’t work. I spent five hours in the dentist’s chair last week, and there will be many more visits before calm and relative order is restored in my mouth 🙂 I drive two hours each way to see my old dentist because I trust him with my teeth…call me crazy, but there you have it. Whining over…I’m lucky to have the teeth I do 🙂
I got a new ‘do last week, and it’s taking some time for me to get used to it. My hair has gotten so thin that my stylist and I agreed it was time to grow out my layers and go a bit shorter. The result looks dangerously like a bob. I say dangerously because bobs feel so expected on a woman with fine, thin hair, and I’d prefer a more unique style.
It’s the best haircut for my current hair, but I don’t care for the look, so it’s time to get a little creative with how I style it. She suggested a paste at the roots, which I’m game to try. As a funny aside, my stylist mentioned my color looked different than she remembered. I told her it’s just gotten older and grayer. She thinks I’m overdoing the purple shampoo, so it’s likely a combo of the two. At any rate, it’s not as silver as I want, so I’m a bit frustrated by it. BTW- this photo makes it look blonder than it is in person.
Taking up an old hobby
On our way to Lake Tahoe last week, we stopped for lunch and some window shopping in Truckee. As we strolled the main street, a store window stopped me cold…I mean, dead stop and stare. There were a few balls of yarn, knitting needles, and a handknit wrap in the window. I had to go in.
My mom taught me to knit at 14, and I became an obsessive knitter for 45+ years. I never went anywhere without a project and often knit for 8+ hours daily. I made myself and my family tons of sweaters, hats, afghans, etc. I’m not sure when I stopped, but I think it was when AWSL became more than a full-time job. Rather than occupying my spare time with knitting, I began spending my time creating content for social media, editing photos, or writing blog posts. Arthritis in my hands began getting worse, and I wondered if it was because of all the knitting I’d done.
Whatever the reason, I stopped knitting cold and never looked back…until that shop window drew me in. It pained me to buy knitting needles because I have multiples of every size imaginable at home. We would be at the Lake for three days, and I had to start knitting right then, so I bought the needles to do it.
My rusty skills took several attempts to fire back up, but once they did, I felt the old obsession take over. Knitting is a form of meditation for me. The repetitive motion and stitch counting are both monotonous and soothing. The kit I bought is not my favorite pattern, yarn weight, or color, but that’s not the point. The process is the point for me, and I’m delighted to have taken up this old hobby again.
What hobbies have you let go of that you might want to get back to now?
Thanks for reading, and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.
Jennifer, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’d been following me around in order to write this post! Only a few of my situations are different: First, I didn’t travel anywhere, and second, my hobby since 1985 was cross-stitching. (I’ve tried knotting several times, but the most was ever able to “knit” was a 3″ x 5″ piece which my daughter used as a wrap for her Barbie years ago.) Last, my dentist is only a three-minute drive from my house. The tooth trouble, arthritis, and hair (ooooh, that thin and thinning hair!) have been some of my issues lately, so I can totally relate. I, too, am grateful a d feel blessed that there are things that can be done to help us through it. Thanks for sharing this with us, and for keeping it real. Here’s hoping we can smile on our holiday pictures. Thanks again.
We are all in this together. I’m so glad we have this community to chat about things. We are blessed.
Jennifer, I love your hair. The style looks fabulous on you. As I am a knitter also, I am glad you found the love of it again. Enjoy and thanks for the wonderful fashions and ideas you share with everyone. I look forward to reading your blog everyday!! All the best!!
Well, guess I’m not the only ne, but I love your new hair. To me it’s not expected or fuddy duddy, but modern and cute. I’d be thrilled with that look…I think a lot of us are working through changing thickness, texture and color with our hair. Isn’t knitting the best?! I do mostly socks, blankets, hats. Small easy projects that I can do during tv. Makes me love winter so much more when I have knitting to go along with it!
I love it so much, I can’t believe I quite like I did!
I always loved your hair the way you used to wear it, but think that this new style is very attractive and flattering on you!! Your skin looks incredible as well!! Hope your holidays are merry and bright!!
I also like your hair. It is very chic, but I totally understand if you don’t as it’s your hair and not ours.
Now for knitting. I knit all the time and when I stop my arthritis kicks in. I think the repetitive motion helps with arthritis so keep it up.
Maybe that’s why my arthritis got so bad… I stopped knitting! I thought it was the other way around.
My mother was an amazing knitter. I am not very good, but I do enjoy it. Living in North Carolina, we don’t need more warm hats, and our baby grandsons don’t wear many sweaters. So I decided to knit hats for preemies in the NICU. I have six done, and when I have ten, I will donate and then keep knitting more. Wish my mom were still alive to help me.
How wonderful, Arna!! I love that idea. We don’t really need hats either, although my husband is bald, and he could use a new one.
I find that purple shampoos seem to dull the white or make the white look lavender or gray.. If using that, I will do once a month. I use a clear shampoo the rest of the time so no color can be deposited. I prefer baking soda (couple of teaspoons) mixed with a couple of squirts of shampoo and maybe 3/4 cup of water used in place of shampoo once a month. That is a clarifying mixture recommended on the Going Gray and Loving It Facebook page. It works great, better than purple shampoos.
Wow, that sounds like a fascinating recipe. It doesn’t dry out your ends?
I love your new hair style! You look so beautiful!
Thank you, Joanne. Thay’s so sweet to say.
I think your new hair style is stunning!
Your haircut is absolutely fabulous! I think you look 10 years younger! KEEP IT! Not sure at all why you don’t like it! It is wonderful! And keep sharing hair tips too. Thanks!
I do love your new hair do. It looks so
Lovely on you.
Knitting: so very jealous of people who can knit. Just do it a bit at a time, may be therapeutic for you.
Can’t over do but a little bit will help keep your hands going.
I am a quilter, but the hand sewing is hard but it keeps my fingers moving. A little at a time goes a long way.
Still love your haircut.
❤️
I love the new cut. Like everyone else, it seems mine is thinning too. But the texture has also changed, and getting it smooth is a real challenge. What’s worse is one side is entirely badly behaved while the other side does Ok. Just had the top and sides streaked a bit darker to match my darker lower hair. It does not help that my husband has ZERO grey and we are the same age. But I am thankful to have hair as 2 years ago chemo took it all. Sorry about your teeth dental work is no fun. Love your blog.
So glad your cancer is behind you. That does put things into perspective, for sure!
Jennifer I love your outfit and your hair. I think all styles seem to be in right now. At least that’s what my hairstylist says. I feel for you having to be at the dentist that long! I just hate to go. Root canals are the worst for me!
Hi Jennifer, I thought I was the only one knitting these days. Like you it is a meditation for me and it is not the result, although a good result is nice, it is the process. After a stressful day or any day for that matter the needles come out for an hour or so and I am in a lovely space.
Robyn
It is so soothing, I am very happy I took it up again.
I love your new hairstyle. It doesn’t look frumpy but young and healthy. It frames your face nicely. Perhaps, you just need to get used to a new style or use some product to make it less smooth.
I used to paint (watercolour) but stopped when I was overseas. I often think I should start up again but then doubt stops me. I guess, I just need to start playing around with paints until the skill comes back.
I was horrified that I could not remember a simple long tail cast on!! Horrified. I had to watch Youtube videos to relearn it. I think sometimes the wheels just need a little grease to get moving again.
I join the “yeses” on the new hairdo. It looks lovely and I’m sure you’ll come up with some creative alternatives that make you happy. Thank you for your always frank yet positive musings. It’s so wonderful to have a community of sisters to share with as we face all these changes.
I agree. I love this community, Beth!
I Love your new hair style. Very becoming on you and makes your hair look full and bouncy. Just like knitting for you, crochet is my relaxation. I’ve made way too many afghans!!
That’s how I feel about my knitted scarves 🤣
I love your hair! It is so flattering! Not gonna lie, I’ve been planning on taking a picture of you with your {now ex} hairstyle to my stylist next time I go for a cut. Keep on keeping on, I love reading your words!
Jennifer your haircut is very flattering!
She did an amazing job of making your hair look thicker.
Time to get out the sparkly & pretty outfits for the season.
Dianne🇨🇦
Thanks!!
Jennifer,
I love your new hair cut. The shape looks beautiful. Your hair stylist did so well. It takes getting used to I know. Hopefully you will.
I just had an “oh my” cut. I have learned to let it all go. The blessing is hair grows out. Mine will take forever.
Great attitude Katherine. I’m always careful not to go too short because it does talk a long time to grow out.