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  Sunday   February 13   2005       06: 53 PM

Gallery Glam: Today Mom and I went to the Gallery in Oak Harbor where we get our hair done together every 5 weeks or so. Robin Dowling is the owner and our stylist, she's an amazing woman with a huge heart that keeps getting bigger and bigger if you can imagine that...but a different day about Robin.

The reason for this Sunday visit, was to have "Glamour Shots" done.

Mom and I are both photo-phobic, [we pinkie-swore, when we signed up, to not share these snaps with the public ] so this was a big deal for us. Our plan was to have twosie-snaps, Mom and Daughter ones, but it wasn't exactly like that as the day wore on.

I guess it was a bit contrite, my wanting to do this with Mom, it has a bit of negative fore-shadowing on my part, but she always has wanted, as I was growing up, to do Mother-Daughter girlie things. And I wasn't that type of child or teen or adult even.

She used to envy the way Martha Vinick and Zoe used to go to tea or galleries et al, but it wasn't my style. As much as she wished I was an extension of herself, I am, and was, so much not a chip off of her block,that had never sat well with her.

She also, was a "player" -- dating many men -- in her youth, while I was more of a one man gal. This was a bone of contention with her. In fact, in my early teens, I fell in LOVE (no not puppy love!!!) with Jim Finley. Mom eventually made it a condition, that if I wanted to see Jim anymore, I HAD to go out with other people.

I did, it was wrong for me -- Jim loved me unconditionally -- he really did. It was the first time I had ever experienced anything like that...I'm not sure if it is something I will truly ever feel again in my life (except for my Cats). Jim and I were together for 4 years, until my parents said "Him or Us" and being the "pleaser" that I was, I chose them. Methinks that I missed out on a world of love.

But, I digress. Or maybe not? This is a chat about today's events.

When it was our turn to get made up, the woman, Monica, who did the makeup, did my Mom's first. As she did it, she kept saying how amazing and gorgeous she was (she is -- blows the mind). Even during and after the shoot, people kept remarking about how beautiful and photogenic Mom is. Their socks were literally knocked off! Mom refused to hear or believe.

When it was my turn in the chair next, Monica kept talking about Brazil and her journey that found her in Seattle with her own Salon. She looked a bit like my dear friend Judy, so far away , who I immediately feel homesick for. That's one of the things about my "independence", I'm really pretty solo here except for Mom and Gordy now. It's a scary and frightening thing lately.

Monica did say that earlier today she was all frustrated, but was excited with me and Mom because she has something to "work with". She wanted to watch the shoot. That was sweet of her, I know that it's true about Mom, to include me was very soft and sweet -- thank you, M!

Much waiting around, chit chatting, eating off of lipstick (ooops touch up in lips Gillman). Mom was getting nudgy, some coffee and snacks helped (thank you Robin for the spread ), but she was not happy. This really wasn't the bonding thing after all that I so hoped it would be.

Finally we were called up. Mom first. They had her looking "old lady" -- probably fooled by her white hair -- so I started my trip to type-A'sville, getting Mom into a Denim Jacket, and mussing up the bangs. I put a rhinestone necklace on Mom, and the photographer was NOT happy. This was not "done". But, we prevailed this time.

I was similarly decked out, and we did a twosie.

More Momshots, with gallery in the Gallery "oohs and ahhs" about Mom. She still has it!!! I'm still her very own Dorian Grey picture.

One time, I wanted to do "smushed noses" -- Mom was game too -- but not so the photographer. Do you believe that she REFUSED to take the shot? Egads, this is wrong!!! Of course that got my blood boiling. Grrrrrrr.

Solo shots of me -- the photographer didn't want me in Black -- later in the shoot I prevailed. Last snap I put on my leather jacket I had with me, good taste and all, and donned a purple strip of hair. This did not please the photographer, but the film ran out after 2 clicks, so I should get one in there at least to look at.

As we dressed, more oohs and ahhs about Mom. When it was time for her to pay for herself, she didn't have her checkbook. This happens way too much for my pocketbook -- I keep telling Gordy and Mom to Please PLease PLEase keep $$$ in their wallets, 'cuz I get stuck paying the bill -- but no fool they, I am always prepared like Dad (the Scout-Master of troop 366).

Mom hurried me out, I had to catch my breath -- it was a long day and I needed to rest before heading home. Mom had her down time, snacking on sugared goodies that is frowned upon here at home re: her blood sugar, while I was getting snapped, so she was energized, moi? not so much.

On our way home, she said that she had a lovely time, but truth be told, it had little to do with me, and much more to do with being with people and chatting and snacking and having her hair and face done. So "our" special day never really happened for us -- but Mom did have a nice day out, and only started to get in "infinite loops" on our way home as we approached a cloud-darkened sky.

Her alzheimers really manifests in weird ways -- like the sky being stormy south, where we were headed causes fear and is translated into paranoia about her checkbook. I tried to calm her, assure her all would be fine, but she wasn't ok until we were home, and I found her checkbook and it was placed in her wallet.

So, this wasn't the bonding day I prayed for, and I was reminded in public about how Mom wins people over with a smile, apparentlyl with little to no effort, other's soon become part of her entourage, watching out for her, while I am a tad green with envy that I am not like Mom in nature or beauty.
BUT, and this is a HUGE BUT, I thank you "universe" for a day with Mom where she felt special and socialized and safe for a while.

PS I saw an eagle driving north and one driving south -- that was briliant. Eagles, to me, are messengers from my Dad, and they have been scare to me of late, but when I'm with Mom, they have shown up more often than not .

Peace

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