Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Hair Trouble

Is it just me, or was lice the norm in the 80's? I remember getting lice at school a few times, and doing the whole shampoo, comb out thing. So tedious. And mom had to wash all the bedding, and vacuum the couch and probably more. My kids have never had lice. I wonder if they are just less common now.

And then there was Gretchen, with a huge aversion to getting her hair combed because her scalp was so sensitive, and her hair so thick and tangly. Gretchen and I both tried everything...No More Tangles, shorter haircuts, (including what had to count as a mullet), and another bright idea of my mom's. She told us that she read in the newspaper about a mom who just braided her daughter's hair, and washed it with braids in, slept with the braids in and everything. I remember the strange bath times as we washed our braids. I had doubts even then about whether or not the soap actually came out. But mom was really good at convincing us that new ideas were good, so we were game. As I look back now, I can see some desperation under the surface of that one. Gretchen really didn't like her hair combed. Its ironic now that she's a hair stylist, and a good one too. I think she must have extra sympathy for her clients.

Other hair troubles include the time that I really wanted to cut my hair short in 5th grade, and I managed to get my hair all tangled in a bristled curling iron. I don't think I really meant to, but I sort of had the idea that maybe we'd have to cut it out, and then I could have short hair. I can still smell that unique burning hair smell now. Mom was able to untangle the curling iron before permanant damage was done. Later Mandy Kreitzer cut my hair short, and I went from pretty cute to boyishly akward. But I felt great, so I guess it was worth it. Hindsight is 20/20.