Hell freezes over

This just in -- hell has frozen over.

Today I did something that I never really thought I would do.  I didn't exactly come out and say I would never do it, but I might have given lots of people that impression.

I have needed to get my hair cut for almost two months.  I almost got it cut about a month ago, but when I walked by the salon in the mall, the woman who always does my hair wasn't there and I couldn't bring myself to let a stranger cut my hair.

Finally I decided that I couldn't stand my too long hair another day -- plus I had a coupon for $5 off that expired tomorrow, so it was now or never.

When I arrived at the salon, my stylist was working with a client.  Another woman had walked in right before me (rats!) but it seemed as if I would only have to wait a relatively short time, so I chilled and looked at a magazine until Candace called me over to her chair.  She asked me what I was thinking about having her do and I heard myself say, "I need about 2 inches taken off and I want to get highlights."

What?!?  Highlights?  Where did that come from?  Candace has been trying to convince me for at least two years to get highlights.  All I really intended to do when I left my house this morning was get a haircut and, as a splurge, have Candace style my hair instead of walking out of the salon with a wet head.  No way was I planning on getting highlights.

But there it was.  I'd said "the word" and there was no taking it back.  Candace was so excited she was practically jumping up and down.  It would be cruel to say that I'd only been kidding, so I decided to take the plunge into the color pool.

One of my children loves my hair color.  She has often complimented me on my "hair of many colors" and just last year she tried to get me to promise that I would never color my hair.  I respectfully declined.  I have no idea what she will think of my highlights.

I am pleased with my new look.  The highlights are subtle -- maybe a little too subtle seeing as my husband didn't even notice them.  Of course he also didn't notice that I got a haircut.  To be honest, he rarely notices anything related to appearance, so I'm not reading too much into his non-reaction.

Tomorrow evening I'm having dinner with three friends that I've known for more than 15 years.  Their reaction, or lack thereof, will be the first real test.  Small group on Wednesday evening and lunch with another friend on Friday will provide more opportunities for feedback.

But I've already received the only feedback that really matters -- my own.  Today I got highlights and I like them!  : )