Another highly emotional day. Last night was full of late night texts and trading information about the funeral service. Basically, all I had was the funeral home. When I woke up this morning, and still couldn’t find any sort of information regarding the service, or an obit or anything, well I pulled my best Nancy Drew and just called the place.

The family was having a viewing today, and the service will be tomorrow, however it was closed to only family and close friends. The family had requested that people contact them directly. Well. That’s great but I needed a contact number. I gave my name and phone number to the man, all the while picturing Peter Krause or Michael C. Hall (pre Dexter of course) on the other end.

A few minutes later I was on the phone with Boyd. (a.k.a. the man who wore the subway token) We cried. And talked over each other. And cried. And made plans to speak longer tonight, but the gist was, the funeral was merely a service out in the country. Rance will be buried out on his grandmother’s land, with a few people speaking then a pastor closing things up. No big brouhaha. Rance requested something like this about three years ago and his father is honoring his request. Boyd wanted me to be at the graveside, he said Rance would have wanted it too, so I will be going. The time was earlier than I’d anticipated, which meant moving my 9:30 client to Friday. So yeah…today wasn’t really my last day. Neither will tomorrow be. sigh.

I bought a dress for the funeral. My friend Lynn, met me, pulled dresses, put me in a dressing room and a few minutes later we walked out with the perfect dress. for 6.00. She’s a brilliant shopper that one. It’s pressed. My toes are painted. I have finally quit crying for consecutive minutes…

I wish I could describe the connection that I have with this family of men. It was 13 years ago, but it seems like yesterday. There is so much love, and hope and dreams that just didn’t come true tied into all the memories of the magic that did…I weep for those dreams as much as I weep for Rance. I weep for the what if’s and the maybe’s just as I weep for Boyd and the loss of his baby.

Underlying all of this is saying goodbye to the salon. And figuring out what I need to get ready for Tuesday. And my mind is whirling.

And for the first time in a month, tonight, I really really really wanted to smoke. I wanted that comfort and that charge that goes through your body when you light up. But. I just chewed a piece of gum instead.

almost exactly the same.

So here we go. To sleep, to wake to a day that was supposed to be my last. To a day that will be the end of Rance’s journey. But also to a day full of hellos and I love yous and beginnings.

the circle, dontcha know.

Today is my last real day of clients. I have two tomorrow morning, but will motor out as SOON as I’m finished and head to the funeral. No goodbyes no bla bla’s nothing. So for all intents and purposes, today is my final day. I have some clients coming in, I think we’re having a little snacky potluck…it’s all good.

I had a lunch meeting with a friend of mine that has done boothrent for eons. I got some great tips, good notes about ordering, and record keeping, from him. I feel good about that.

Here’s what I need.

Quickbooks for Mac. (it’s pretty freaking expensive, from what I found…anyone out there have thoughts about a different version, or one that doesnt cost 200 bucks?)

Open my business accounts. (I will do that this afternoon or morning before I go in depending on my schedule)

Referral Cards…I think I need to print my own at first until things get settled at the salon. anyone have ideas where this can happen for a decent price?

Go buy my initial color/supply stock. (probably Friday or Monday)

Here’s another little glitch. And it’s not a glitch, it’s just different. The receptionist doesn’t do confirmation calls. My clients are used to that…Soooo I suppose I will take care of doing that for the first few weeks…gah. Also, they don’t keep the formulas/past history of the clients on the computer. People keep it in a book or a recipe box. To me…this is very Truvy’s Cut & Curl. I want something on the computer. I found an app called MyClient…for iPad/iPhones. I could keep all my client’s info, then if I went anywhere, it would be right there. Initially, there would be the work of entering all the data, but once I had it, when a client comes in, all I’d have to do is pull it up and update. I looked into software for my laptop such as SalonBiz and SalonBiz Light (which is free) but it doesn’t support Mac’s. damnit.

The iPad has always interested me, but only really as an eReader and shiny toy. Now…I can see how I would use it every single day.

Thoughts about this? Yes. I could write it off in taxes. I could. I’m going to ask around to my friends that have one and see just exactly what they think of it.

did I go off track? sorry. So much in my brain.

I need to go look for something to wear to the funeral tomorrow. I really don’t have any dressy clothes anymore…I do have a black wrap dress…but I look like a sausage in a casing. I think I will go to Target or Wal Mart or Ross and see what they’ve got.

Mandrea got all her stuff unpacked yesterday! Her room looks SOOO GOOD! Mine pales in comparison. I need some curtains. seriously.

welp. I just followed a trail of feathers and found a mess under my damned bed. Gotta get some cleaning done this morning, apparently.

Hey…it’s Humpday. Let’s all try to breathe through it today. I love you. I love George Clooney

There was a summer, many moons ago, that was filled with equal parts tragedy and bliss. There were new faces in my life, many hello’s and sadly, there were goodbye’s. I had my first professional job as an actor. My marriage dissolved. I lived in a one room motel. I made friends forever. There was hacky sack. And late night swims. And hot afternoon naps. And volleyball. And picnics by the river. It was brilliant. We got to play dressu p for two hours a night and get paid for it…and the other 22 hours in the day were ours to waste away as desired.

This weekend, all of those memories were brought back to me with the news that one of those new faces…passed away suddenly. To me, he will always always be that 8 or 9 year old kid, running around like a wildcat. Poking things with sticks. Catching snakes. “come look at my dog! touch his tail. it’s thick!” He was brighter than the sun and had more smiles than a circus.

It was his dad, that wore the subway token for three years. . . that I found about three weeks ago and began wearing again.

I’m going to the funeral on Thursday. It’s my last day at work, but I’m going to finish my morning and head out. I’ll go back on Friday to clean out stuff and say goodbyes. This is more important. My heart is breaking wide open. To me…he will always be that kid, running around acting a fool.

I wish you peace, my sweet child.

This is the last Friday I will work at Duncan Brothers Salon. The last Friday I will scurry to find something black to wear. I’m ok with this. The buildup to the change has been drawn out. I’m ready to leap forward and start swimming in it.

I’m busy all day, then heading to Tulsa to have a mini vacay with the fam. I’ll be back this weekend sometime…

I hope your Friday is full of fun and laughter. Find a little peace and time for your brain to be happy.

So…i’m not going to make it to the theatre tonight. Nor am I going to be able to pick up scripts. Just too much to get done. Laundry, packing for the weekend. Mandrea and Waynebryan are here. She’s going to finish painting, he’s putting the new and improved ceiling fan together and installing it.
I need to get the oil changed and perhaps the tired rotated…
I have a fairly busy day tomorrow so hopefully it’ll go by fast…I’ma needing some Wonderboy/Wonderbaby time!

take back ceiling fan and exchange for new one.
buy more paint.
deliver more campaign signs.
drive to BSCT and pay for/get sweatshirt I ordered.
bang some hair.
go see a play tonight as it’s my ONLY night to see it.
go pick up some scripts to read for committee.

sheesh.

Mandrea got her room painted last night! Alas the ceiling fan I bought was the absolute craziest kind ever to put together so we’re taking that back and getting an easier one. But…I’m getting excited for her to be here!

Yesterday I was exhausted. Finally got to sleep about 5am, only to meet Julie at the gym by 6:30 to workout then to work…after bible study last night I got home and went straight to the bed. Well, first I cut up a plum for snack then went to the bed. Watched Glee, then half of Parenthood and then slept the sleep of the dead. God it felt good…so good that when my alarm went off at 5:30 so I could do a 6am class at my gym…I slept right through it.

I’m hoping to get Little Mow from the Frontier today. My yard is so high I’m going to get a ticket if it doesn’t get chopped tonight! So that will count as some activity!

Coffee this morning, then I have class at my new salon at 8:30…I’m pretty busy this afternoon at work so should be a good day!

hope yours is good too…

clean sheets
vacuumed carpets
mopped wood floors and bathroom
laundry
mattresses wrapped in plastic and taken to the little shed
groceries bought
dishes washed (by hand thankyouverymuch) and put away
fridge cleaned out
trash taken out
U-Verse cable installed
Cox cable taken away
dvr set to record all the new shows premiering and the old favorites returning this week. there is…more than 10.

What I didn’t get done:
I must get to the Frontier and pick up Little Mow because my grass at Brokedown Palace is almost outta control.
I have some campaign signs to deliver in Yukon/Bethany and MUST get those done.
I need to go look for a dishwasher
I have to get my business plan together. 7 days left at my salon before the switch…

isnt it crazy that no matter how much we do…there’s still more? why can’t I just be satisfied with an accomplished day?

Ok. I made a delicious meal of chicken cacciatore tonight…easy way.
white meat from a rotisserie chicken
big chunks of green pepper, red onion and a container of mushrooms
one jar of newman’s sauce
the leftover cherry tomatos from the fridge
whole wheat penne

pretty stinkin good. That’s what I’ll be having this week because it made one metric shit ton.

I did watch Boardwalk Empire. about three times. I’m excited for this show…
I have a workout date with my friend tomorrow at 6:30 so I’m going to curl up on the couch and watch some new tv and then head to my clean sheets…

how was your Monday?

Or grateful. I can never remember. But I am both. Glad it’s Friday. The weeks are getting more difficult, as we race to the new salon. The countdown is on, and the anxiety is tantamount. Good things are coming…I can smell it in the air. And when I need a little pickme up? My best friend leaves me this on her blog.

Happy Friday, ya’ll. Giddyup. Let’s Ride!