A Rusted Root

In the 1989 love ballad "Sacrifice" by Sir Elton John, the appeal of the extramarital affair to a married man is discussed and discarded in fewer than four minutes. Though Sir Elton admits that "temptation's strong," he argues avoiding a booty call isn't really a sacrifice, because a hot night of passion has less to offer the human spirit than a loving, respectful bond between two consensual adults. I think. In a nutshell.

But when a twenty-five-year-old-soon-to-be-married woman and her fiance decide to cut back on living expenses in order to pay for their spring wedding in cash, and said woman does her part by not having her hair trimmed or recolored for almost three months, surely even he would agree on its significance. Why isn't anyone singing about THAT?

Luke and I strengthen our money-management muscles a little bit every day. Sometimes it's turning down a matinee because that ten bucks could contribute to the deposit for the DJ. On other occasions, it's refusing an offer to go roller-skating with your sisters, even though one of us LOVES roller-skating and still has visions of making it around the rink with one of their legs gracefully floating in the air like Nancy Kerrigan except on a hardwood floor. And even sometimes when somebody is preparing to celebrate her twenty-sixth birthday on MONDAY, JANUARY 9, DON'T FORGET TO SEND WELL WISHES, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, and desires nothing more than to partake in spinach-and-artichoke dip and babyback ribs, to hell with high cholesterol!, at the local Ruby Tuesday, that someone is still adamant about enforcing the "No eating out" rule. We are redefining the definition of restraint.

The hair, though, is not on board. Instead of being on its best behavior during this time of financial conservatism, it is unruly, beastly even, and my dark brown roots are dangerously close to eyebrow level. Roots, people! So much root that I should make my own Lifetime drama called Roots, which would be much rootier than that one movie with Oprah Winfrey. Behold the catastrophe that is my head:

Painful even for you, isn't it?

This has become a constant source of unhappiness for me, as I was used to keeping hair appointments every six weeks and firmly believe a good hair day can overpower a breakout, bad outfit, and if you're REALLY on a roll, the imposition of Aunt Flo. Now I frequently feel the need to justify why my Cute Working Girl facade is in shambles and why product can no longer keep The Curl from becoming The Afro Poof, or even worse, The Flat Yet Still Slightly Poofy Afro Poof. Pretty soon I'll be handing out business cards with a pre-emtive apology to all those forced to be within ten feet of its presence.

In the grand scheme of things, I realize and acknowledge that these problems are small. Last night, when I was holding Molly's newborn son in my arms for the first time, I knew that cable television and pretty hair were just two on a long list of items I'd gladly give up to experience the Heaven of being a mother and taking care of a family.

And P.S.: In case it's not evident by the tie-dye, clothing was the third thing to go.

Comments

[Sambo V.]

You already got to hold Jack?! How cool!! I know you and Luke are budgeting, but for heavens sake, to make you fee better at least dye it back to ONE color sister. Do it for you, do it for me, do it for the blogging world!!! ;) J/K You always look FABULOUS. I envy your awesome fashion sense and even your beautiful curls.

P.S. Next time we go roller skating, it's on me. ;)

[Luke]

You know, there was already an award-winning miniseries of the very same name, Roots, only about a very different subject matter.

[Luke]

PPS: And you had that tie-dye shirt long before you ever started dying your hair.

[Brooke]

My birthday is tomorrow the 6th!!! My b-day dinner will also consist of baby back ribs!

To make you feel better I have not had my hair cut or dyed since the day of my baclorette party, which was the last Saturday of March!

[butterflygirl]

I commend you for your self-control. However, in order for your hair to look good for that wedding day, you should keep those 6-week appointments. I'll dye it for you!!!

[Number Twelve]

Wonderful thing about them babies... they could care LESS what their mommma looks like as long they have her. Here's to you preparing for your New Life and a Baby Frema.

[The Older Molly]

Your hair always looks lovely. The difference in color is certainly not as dramatic in person; besides, your beautiful curls mask any difference in color.

If you like, we could eat at Ruby Tuesday's instead of the House of Kobe...your call. See you this evening. You could even wear your tie-dye shirt.

See you soon.

[bdogg_mcgee]

I think that a special occasion such as a birthday trumps the "No Eating Out" rule. It's all about the compromise.

I'm a fanatic about getting my roots done, too. What about buying a semi-permanent in the box? It's easy to put on...Or have someone dye it for you? (I saw an offer from butterflygirl!)

Good job on flexing those money muscles....I know how hard it is to cut back on things! :)

[Lisa]

I've had some recent luck with the home hair-coloring kits that have the highlights built in (Feria et al.). Whatever you do, though---DO NOT use a home highlighting kit. That's just a disaster waiting to happen.

As for the curls---Aveda's Be Curly has performed miracles with my hair.

But I agree with Butterfly Girl---At least get a trim every 6-8 weeks if you want to keep your hair healthy and pretty for the wedding day.

[Janet]

Hang in there! We have done the no eating out rule before and it sucks! I am right there with ya, girl!

[auntie betty]

Is that a high light in your hair?
you still are beautiful.

[Erica]

I feel your pain. Keith and I are saving for our honeymoon... money is not an easy subject (especially when we were both hit recently with car accidents... everyone's ok). Hang in there girl, keep your eye on your goals, there are highlights in your future!
-Red Neck Woman (ps, nothing wrong with bottle at home color)