The Pink Hair Chronicles: The Fade

Wednesday was the first day that I washed my hair.  For those that are counting, yes, four full days.  That’s pretty typical for me, because after I bleach my hair I want to give my scalp time to recuperate before I add insult to injury.  This time there was the extra added fear of the fade.  I had been warned that everything from my pillow to my shower might be covered in some shade of pink. So far, all I’ve seen is a little pink in the lather of my shampoo.  I am still very worried about what time will bring for this color.  Pink is one thing, peach is a whole other story. 

Overall, people’s responses have been very positive.  As a matter of fact, I’ve heard a whole lot of “I love your hair!”  I tend to get that a lot, I’ve found since having my hair short that most women covet but always claim “I could never wear it”.  But, the pink has added a new dimension.  Getting stopped at dinner, at Chuck E Cheese, even the TSA agent said “nice breast cancer hair”.  I have to admit, that one was pretty unsettling.  Nice breast cancer hair. 

 

This is the current shade.  It's a pretty pastel so I'm thankful that the fade has been to the pink side and not to the peach side.  You can't see it here, but I still have parts that are really pink. It's twenty days in though, and I'm starting to get used to the look.  Make no mistake though, it will be coming out very soon.  It's been a great experience for me, but I'm ready to just be blonde again. 

 

 

 

The Pink Hair Chronicles: the first few days

Sunday I stayed pretty close to home.  The neighbors noticed and asked if I had pink eyebrows too (she was across the street).  No, I don’t.  That’s too much!  Nolan and I had a couple errands to run, but this being Halloween season I didn’t get too many weird looks.  One little boy did say to his mom “Mom, why is that ladies’ hair pink?”  I didn’t stay to hear her explanation.

Monday, I went to pick up Nolan at school.  I was able to explain it to a big bunch of parents, which reduced the number of times I had to repeat it.  The young girls were elated.  One proclaimed “I want pink hair, it’s my dream hair” emphasis on dream J

Tuesday was a big day for me. I had a very important introductory meeting with a leader at a healthcare organization and I was very nervous about the hair.  As it turns out, she didn’t care.  When I asked her if she wanted an explanation she said ‘it’s not necessary’.  Perhaps I just don’t give people enough credit.  I’ve hidden my tattoos for years thinking that people would look at them and make judgments about me; maybe it was my perception of myself that has been skewed all these years. 

During pick-up at Nolan’s school a woman that barely ever talks to me normally told me that not only was she a breast cancer survivor but a thyroid cancer survivor.  It occurred to me how deep some of the stories are that we carry.  I’m learning a lot about people as a result of this and I think that’s pretty cool.

Pink

As promised, yesterday I dyed my hair pink.  I'm not going to lie to you, I've always wanted pink hair.  But, like Botox (another story) wanting pink hair and actually having pink hair is a different thing.  I'm good for my word though.  So, my story in pictures:

Just getting ready in the morning.  Can you see the apprehension?  Yeah, I was a little nervous.  I spent a good chunk of the week searching make-up tips for pink hair. Turns out there aren't a lot that are appropriate for a (nearly 40-year old) professional.  That was my first clue.

This isn't apprehension.  It's terror, boredom, not sure.  The process started off as it normally does, with applying bleach to my hair.  My stylist (shout out to Michelle at JCP salon in Burnsville) was nervous because she had never used this hair color before and she wasn't sure how well it would work. 

First application. It seemed to be going really well, at first...

With a head of pink hair dye, this is where it goes a little off the rails.  When they went to rinse me my roots (the healthiest part of my head) were orange, like ORANGE.  Michelle got so nervous at one point she actually said that she was afraid she was going to throw up on my head.  (She didn't).  After a consult of what felt like at least half the stylists in the salon a second application was put on the roots and I was put in the dryer.  The result?

At home, after about an hour and some food.  It took four hours (yes, 4) to get my head pink.  It looks good in the picture.  In person, the hair that's white (about 25% of my hair is completely white) is magenta, my roots are light pink and the rest is sort of a rosy pink.  It actually looks like we did that on purpose.  Of course we did.  Totally.

 

It will be rinsed out on 10/30 in prep for my trip to Vegas.  I don't have enough balls to ACTUALLY be a 40-year old with pink hair.  I am no Gwen Stefani.  But, I'm proud I did it.  I will blog about the reactions I get as I travel around for work and tell my sister's story.  There's still time to donate, just go here. 

 

On that note...please think before you pink. I'm all for raising money and awareness for this disease, but buying plastic pink bracelets or using pink garbage cans does very little for a cause that you're concerned about.  Just donate to well-run, respected organizations, that's what will help win the fight.

 

A celebration of my sisters 5 years!

Few things mark milestones in your life more than your siblings.  I've been blessed with a crazy and diverse family.  Many of my childhood memories are sprinkled with laughter and sunshiny days, and my brother & sisters.
Together, we faced the loss of our mother.  It was as if someone sucked all the oxygen out of the room. In many ways, you are prepared to lose a parent.  But, I was never prepared to face the possibility with my sister, with someone that I grew up with and shared so much.

In 2008, on the heels of a shocking diagnosis of my nephew, my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Breast cancer.  I doubt there are scarier words ever strung together.  I was there when the doctor said to her "we will do a biopsy, but I can tell you that you have breast cancer."  I was supposed to be there to listen and gather information, but in that second I recalled a warm summer day, driving the back country roads in one of Annie's Chevy Camaro's.  I had my hand out the window and the music was playing loud.  I remembered the smells and the warmth of that summer day.  I knew that no matter what, I was going to be where I was that summer day, right next to her.

Of course, we all know that Annie conquered.  This year marks her 5th year since official remission.  I've always known that my siblings, all of them, are incredible survivors each with their own strengths and weaknesses.  Annie survived with such grace and fortitude that I have carried a deep sense of love and admiration for her.  So, this year I want to mark this fantastic milestone by giving back in her honor.  I've started a fundraising campaign with the National Breast Cancer Foundation.  They provide education and mammograms to women in all sorts of different situations.  I can't imagine a better way to honor a woman that takes brownies to her local police department just to say thanks.

If you would like to join me in honoring her, and so many like her, you can donate here. And, if I raise some money (preferably my goal of $2000 but any amount will work) I will spend the month of October with pink hair, and sharing her story to anyone that asks why I'm walking around with pink hair :)

Carpe Diem!

You may recall from a previous post that I wanted to do a bunch of stuff that is outside of my comfort zone.  Much of that is prompted my 40th birthday this year and my entry into the statistical middle-age (technically that happened last year, but nobody likes a know-it-all).  Ugh.  I wish I were like many of my friends that say they don't feel 40.  I feel forty, in my back, feet, shoulders, legs...

This has prompted some rather rash decisions on my part.  Like the decision to participate in a mud run.  I don't run and I sure as hell wouldn't do it in mud.  The only mud that touches this skin (usually) is the European kind that is painted on by the delicate hand of a well-trained masseuse. But, here is the proof to the contrary: 

I blame my sisters; I will also never forgive them :)  Just in case you were wondering, this is a one and done experience. 

Second, and probably more shocking if you know my overwhelming need to analyze any financial decision against a myriad of factors, was this: 

Yes, I bought a brand-fricking-new BMW.  I call her Sydney.  Immediately following the paperwork signing I drove home in my old car (for sale if you are interested) and had a major meltdown.  Major. Meltdown.  Couldn't breathe, sobbing gag-fest.  Arm-chair psychologists would likely attribute it my feelings of self-worth, nope, it's all about the money.  I'm cheap.  I enjoy being frugal and very thoughtful and analytical in all financial decisions. I am very conservative.  Then I go buy a performance/luxury car.  But, man, she goes.  Don't piss her off, she'll kick your ass--just like her namesake.  I love her like Don Draper loves his liquor.  To hell with the consequences.

Finally, (yes there is more evidence of questionable decision making!), I'm heading to Vegas with some of my best gal pals to celebrate the actual event.  Some of you may be saying to yourself "but you hate Vegas", and you would be correct.  But, after much consideration I deemed it to be the best place to get 1.  a variety of things to do, 2. not freezing/snowy weather and 3. cheap (you thought I was a lost cause there for a minute, didn't you?)

So, here's to Carpe Diem.  Life is too damn short to not run in the mud (once) buy a car you love and celebrate a milestone with friends. 

Better Late than Never?!

Okay, so that is the name of my friend's blog (see right) but I guess it applies in this case since it's been since March (March, really?) since I've blogged.  My apologies.  We've been busy (blah, blah, who isn't). 
So, here's what we've been up to.
The snow is a distant memory.  It's hot in the great north and we've been enjoying our summer.  We spent July 4th week in Door County and Nolan stayed for a few extra days with Grandma & Grandpa Madsen.  Karl and I enjoyed the quiet, but it was weird.  It's been nearly six years since the both of us have been at home without Nolan for more than a 24-hour period.  I was happy to have him home.

I spent much of April - June traveling back and forth to San Francisco.  A city I'd never been to prior to January and now I feel like I know very well (just don't ask me directions, but that's true for Minnesota :).  Karl joined me for one weekend and we visited Half Moon Bay, driving down the Pacific Coast Highway to get there.  Spectacular. 

Other than that, not much new.  I've been trying my hand at gardening.  I'm fighting the good fight against Crown Vetch, Buckthorn, deer, rabbits and random vandals.  The hill in our backyard looks anemic but it's getting there.  My hope is that over the next few years it's transformed into a hill all the neighbors envy. 

 

Finally, Karl & I went to the Kenny Chesney concert on Friday.  He loves Zac Brown, and I have a very odd fondness for Kenny Chesney.  I don't listen to a ton of country, but he's right up there for me.  We had a great time.  The only down-side was the massive amount of drinking that occurred.  By the end of the evening we were surrounded by seriously (SERIOUSLY) drunk people (and no, we weren't one of them).  Karl actually had to intervene between this drunk guy and some girls sitting next to us.  My hero.

I can't forget a picture of Nolan. Here's one of him feeding the giraffe today.  I hear they eat box elder trees, if I'd only known this sooner. 

Oh, and one more thing...(no offense to Steve Jobs).  I'm writing another book.  Due out next summer:  "Data Driven Healthcare:  How BI and Analytics are changing the industry" it promises to be a page-turner full of mystery and intrigue. 

In like a Lion...

Another major snowstorm resulted in a first for the Madsen household, a snow day!  Well, I remembered how great snow days were so I was excited to tell Nolan.  He was very excited to hear the news.  That's the end of the fun stuff.  The rest of the day was him either complaining he was bored, tired or hungry.  We are certain that he's grown about 2 inches in the last month.

The new snow did provide for some fun recreation.  While I tried to work from home Nolan tried to play outside.  Then play inside, then eat, then play outside, then eat, then play inside, well you get the picture.  Anyway, the first snow day is over and Karl and I are excited (and Nolan can't stop talking). 

Other than that all is well here.  We've had a nice winter but it needs to stop now:)  I am very excited about gardening this year and I have a lot of plans for the yard.  After the frost is out we will have our new patio installed and I will be planting some peonies and lilacs, just for a start.  Can't wait to get my hands in the dirt and Karl is very excited to use his new truck to haul stuff. 
Some pictures of our recent activities:

The new truck...my only request was heated seats.  They work great!

Nolan on honor roll, twenty weeks in a row!  We're super proud. 

This is the great neighborhood we live in.  Karl got a little help from the neighbors clearing the driveway this morning.