Purple is a State of Mind

Jealousy and Envy

noreply@blogger.com (The Purple Pinkie) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 16:52:00 +0000

It has been such a long time since I've blogged. I've just been so busy, but I do miss it and I really do need to blog today. Blogging is my release.

I can honestly say there are very few people that I am jealous of or envy. BFF Jill is one. I envy the fact that she has such a wonderful relationship with her father, that she still has her mother, that she has an older sister. But you know what? It doesn't matter, because she has shared that family with me and for that I am grateful.

I am jealous of people who live in warm climates. I will be there some day. I just can't be there now.

I am jealous of people who have the gumption to eat healthy and stay fit. I used to have that, well, no, I never did eat healthy, I grew up on Miller's Hoagies and Pizzaria Pizza. I just have no energy to be active any more. Taking care of work and home exhausts me. So those of you who can do it all, I am envious and jealous of you.

I can honestly say that I am not jealous or envious of anyone in our industry. If I was, it would shut the door, mentally for me to learn anything from that person and how stupid would that be? Yes there are others that are better than me and yes there are others that have achieved more than me. Only one person can be the best and can you imagine what pressure that is?? Who wants that?

So, if you think I am jealous of you or envious of you, for whatever reason you may have, know that that is not true. I admire all of my fellow professionals, whether you are a newbie or a Nail Hag (Fifteen years or more in the business). Wanting to create work as beautiful as some techs and wanting the awards that they have reaped, both tangible and non tangible, it is not jealousy, it is not envy, it is admiration.

So, some need to read this and realize this. Saying things to others, about me, that are not true, just to make yourself feel better or feel more important. That is not admiration. It is jealousy and it is envy and it is ugly. I am hardly anyone that you should be jealous of or envy. I am just me.

Random Thoughts for the Day

noreply@blogger.com (The Purple Pinkie) — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:34:00 +0000

Why are some people never happy? They have some good things in their life, but it is never enough. Bitch and moan, bitch and moan, then they bitch and moan again. Things could be a lot worse, just look around, others are suffering losses, yet you don't hear them bitching and moaning. People just need to learn to be happy with life. It is way to short, so you have to enjoy what you have.

Why does my cat hate me so much? She attacks me, for no reason, she pisses on the floor in front of her litter box, she shit where she pleases and has become Travis' personal snack machine. What more can I do for her? I buy her food, I feed her twice a day, I scoop her litter box, I make sure it's clean, but not too clean, I make sure nothing changes too much in her life, I take her to the vet to see if there is anything medical going on with her. Still, she hates me. I will admit, I am starting to hate her back.

Why do so many people take drugs and why do so many people feel sorry for addicts? No one forces them to kill their bodies and lives by being an addict. Yes it is a sickness, but when you just feel sorry for them, you are nothing more than an enabler. If you want to do them a favor, don't pity them, help them to realize they have a problem and GET THEM HELP.

Why do people not answer their phones and then while you are trying to leave them a voice mail, they are beeping in, calling you back. If you answer they are all like "Who is this?" Ummmm if you would just either answer your phone in the first place OR listen to the voice mail, you would know who this is.

Why are some people so vindictive? Are they so unhappy in their lives that they have to make others feel bad in order for them to feel good about themselves?

This concludes my random thoughts for the day. For now................

Sharing of Knowledge - Paying it Forward

noreply@blogger.com (The Purple Pinkie) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:28:00 +0000

I have always been one to share my knowledge freely. Without charge. I field numerous questions, each week, via my website, my Facebook page for The Purple Pinkie and email. I have always answered every question and helped anyone who asked for it. It's just my nature.

I have been burned, though. I have had people use me for my knowledge, then cut me down when they talk about me to others. I have had people take what they learned and try to use it to better their business and try to take from my business by cutting their prices. Why would you work for less money? It still takes the same amount of time, effort and product. Why sell yourself short?

I have encountered quite a few back stabbers through the years. They are gone now. Now, since they no longer have me to feed off of, what they do is stalk my website and FB Page and copy every single thing that we do from color schemes to designs. They even use the same "Buzz" words that we use. They wouldn't know an original idea if it bit them in the face. They use all of this to better themselves and belittle us.

Instead of forging ahead and making a mark for themselves, they prefer to be chameleons. They are too damn lazy to take a class. Attend an industry show. Do research on their own. Hell, they don't even try to network. All they know how to do is imitate. They say imitation is the best form of flattery. Well, it gets to the point where it is almost down right repulsive.

I have no problem with most of this. What I do have a problem with is the fact that there is no gratefulness. I will not allow this to happen again.

When I think of the few that used me, I will try to not get mad and try to remember all of the people who I have helped in ten years. I remember these people and their comments. These are just a few I've compiled. I actually got tired of cutting and pasting.

I was proud of myself when I found out you used it too, I figured I made a good choice since I have always looked up to you and respected how you conduct your business. –AA

Just wanted to stop and say thank you for everything and answering all my questions I am getting more clients now everyone loves the glitter toes and the ManiQ !! – YG

I just wanted to get back with you and Thank you so much for your help regarding my service speed. Thank you so much again for everything you have done for me! – AS

Thank you so much!! Your work is so beautiful! I appreciate the share very helpful! – KU

You always are there to help! I can’t begin to thank you enough for all your advice and direction! I have found all of your hints and tips have always worked when I tried them. I cant begin to tell you thank you enough!!!!! You are such an inspiration- you have been like my un-official mentor for so many things! – NK

As always, you are awesome! Thank you so much for taking the time to send me this! I appreciate it so much! I wanted to tell you thank you for all your help and advice. – LG

Thank you so much for your advice. You've helped me before and I really appreciate it! – TI

You amaze me! Thank you so much for all your great wisdom! You're the best. Truly, I have learned more from you than in nail school – LC

Thanks for answering my questions I so appreciate it Your the best thank you for sharing. – MC

Thanks so much for always be willing to help! You rock! – CC

Thanks Rhonda! I appreciate your call and help and time! – CK

Rhonda, you are always such a great help, thanks. – MT

We have never met but I have always been a big fan of your work and we have chatted here and there. You are such a doll and I so appreciate your guidance! – SG

Thanks for all your help! – ES

You have lifted my spirits so many times and i have never taken the time to say thank you! – CH

I just wanted to say Thank you. Without all your help I would not of finished the competition. Thank you for helping me reach one of my goals. – CR

Rhonda, thank you very much. I appreciate when tech's share their talents with others. – JC

I just wanted to say thanks again for giving me info on your pedi platform. You have such great ideas and you are so nice to share them. Most of the nail techs around here are very private and competitive, and not as willing to share. Thank You! – KR

You are FANTASTIC thank you so much! You just made many of my clients very happy with the Magic Manicure as I too use YN products! – TG

What is a Father?

noreply@blogger.com (The Purple Pinkie) — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 13:28:00 +0000

This is a REPOST of a blog post I wrote last year. It's worth sharing again.

A father isn't just someone who fertilizes an egg. A father is someone who nurtures their child, loves their child unconditionally, teaches and guides their child to grow up to be responsible adults. A father gives a child a moral compass.

My father was actually my mother when you consider these things. My mother was there for me from the moment I took my first breath until the moment she look her last breath. My mother lived her life for me. I wanted for nothing. Sometimes I sit and think, how did she do it? I am sure my grandmother helped a lot.

When I got married, my mother gave me away. She earned that right. People think that my father is deceased. He isn't. He's alive and he lives close by, however, I really don't seem to have a relationship with him.

When I was young, I would see him during visitations. Most of the time, he would pick me up, take me to my grandparents then come back a few days later and take me home. Later, when he remarried, I did stay with them, but the majority of my quality time was spent with my step-mother, who I love like a sister to this day. I remember her coloring with me and making sure I had my favorite snacks.

When I got older, I stopped idolizing the man, who never seemed to show much interest in me. See, my mom never said a word, she let me figure things out for myself. I am sure it must have hurt her to see how much I put this man up on a pedestal and how time and time again, he would either ignore me or just disappear from my life. I really don't think that he even knows when my birthday is.

He had a son with my first step mother and Nick, my brother, and I stay in touch. He has three beautiful children that I love more than I can ever say. When his second child was born in 2006, I wanted to see the baby. They were all coming to visit my father and I went to his house to see the baby. He resides with his current partner. When I walked into their home, it was one of those homes with a large stairway and the wall going up the stairs was lined with photos, lots and lots of photos. Of kids. I am certain that there wasn't one photo of me. I was the kid that didn't exsist again.

Before my mother passed away, I last saw my father in November of 2006, when my cousin, who was like a father to me passed away. At that time, he promised me that he would stay in touch. I never heard a thing from him until he showed up at the funeral home when my mother passed away. I was very surprised to see him there. I felt comfort and akward at the same time. Someone overheard him tell my brother that he was really going to make an effort to keep in touch this time.

I am not holding my breath. I learned years ago that the only person you can count on is yourself. Let's face it. You can never miss what you never had.

Happy Father's Day, Mom, I love you!

Putting the FUN Back in Dysfunctional

noreply@blogger.com (The Purple Pinkie) — Sun, 29 May 2011 00:56:00 +0000

I've said for awhile now, that I should write a book about my totally dysfunctional childhood. I've always said if I did write it, I would call it "How to Put the Fun Back in Dysfunctional". But seriously, the dysfunctionality still goes on. I've waited a bit before I sat down to write about this because I didn't want to write it angry.

Readers of this blog know that my father wasn't too involved in my life. I am certain that he doesn't know my birthday. I am pretty sure that I am not an important part of his life. Time and time again, the man has turned his back on me. Just recently, I gave him another shot, only to be dissed, yet once again.

In January, I got a friend request from him. My initial reaction was NO WAY. I was at the salon at the time and I was doing my friend, Lisa's nails. I was telling her about it and said that I was going to ignore the request. Lisa lost her father a year ago, right before I lost my mom. Lisa said to me that she would give anything to get a friend request from her father. Well, I would give anything to get a friend request from my mother! Anyhow, her comment stuck with me and I started to feel guilty. I gave him the benefit of the doubt that he was reaching out to me and maybe he wanted to make an effort to be in my life. So I hit approve. I thought if anything, maybe I will get a Happy Birthday from this man since Facebook was now going to remind him that I had a birthday coming up.

I hooked him up with other family members on Facebook. He made a few comments here and there. I was in Punta Cana for my birthday. I didn't get a Happy Birthday from the man. The only thing I got was a comment on one of my pictures that I posted from paradise that said "Lucky people" Really? That's all you got? Soooooooooooooo I am lucky that I worked my ass off all year long to save and pay to go on a vacation for my birthday? That's not luck. That's hard work. Seriously, you can't see up in the upper left hand side of your screen that your fucking first born is celebrating her 44th birthday?

I just let it go. In 44 years, I can count on my two hands how many times my birthday was acknowledged and most of those times the WOMAN in his life was responsible for him either remembering or doing anything.

So, time goes on. Nothing. No comments when it is obvious that I am struggling with the loss of my mother. No comments of comfort for me on HER birthday. Nothing.

My sister in law finally gets on Facebook and sends me a request. I go to her wall to post FINALLY! I've been after her to join the fun for years. I happened to see that she had him listed as a family member and I thought, wonder what he's up to. I clicked on his profile and was dumbfounded. HE DELETED ME as a friend! Who the hell deletes their own child as a friend on Facebook? My father does.

I have no idea why. I can only imagine that he somehow found my blog here and read my memories. Yes that is right, MY MEMORIES. I am so sorry if my memories of you are painful for you to read. I am so sorry if you feel that my memories are things other people planted in my brain, yet these are MEMORIES. Instead of trying to man up and be a father for once, yet again he takes the easy way out. He turned his back on me yet once again. I guess the truth really does hurt, huh?

I will admit, I am beyond pissed off. I think I am more pissed off at myself for being so fucking stupid to give this man another chance. When will I learn? Well, I think I finally have.

So there are a few things I would like to say. I have become the woman I am today DESPITE you. I am an honest, caring person. I have a gazillion people who I can call friend and they call me a friend. I am an educated, successful woman with her own business. I have a successful soon to be 19 year marriage. I am compassionate. I am all of these things and the person I am DESPITE you. I have my mother to thank for all of this. Without her I would have amounted to nothing.

Thank you so much for turning your back on me yet again. Thank you for reminding me why I didn't want to approve your request in the first place. Thank you for keeping your fucked up life away from me. I will NEVER miss what I NEVER had. And now, I am finished being angry with you. I am just finished period.

The Beginning of the End

noreply@blogger.com (The Purple Pinkie) — Fri, 06 May 2011 02:36:00 +0000

One year ago, today, my mother had surgery to amputate two fingers that were infected with MRSA. I truly believe that that was the beginning of the end. The end of her life. Mom had some complications after surgery. Her heart rate elevated and she ended up being hospitalized for almost a week. She should have been in one day.

While waiting for her to get out of recovery, I met Anastacia, the therapy dog. She was all decked out for Cinco de Mayo. She made me smile that day.

The following day, I had some major shit blow up in my life. I made one of the best decisions I ever did and cut a big dead weight from it. In return, I ended up depressed and just tired and exhausted with life. I never did go to see my mother on Mother's Day. I wanted to take her flowers but she was still in ICU. In the state of mind I was in, I didn't go visit.

I did visit the next day. She was in a regular room and I took her a nice floral arrangement. She loved flowers. It was just like most visits had become. No talking and her just kind of not really caring if I was there or not. This was the last time I saw my mother.

I let life get in my way. I was extremely busy at the salon with prom. Prom season goes on for weeks here. I worked like a dog to get everyone in and ready for their big day. I was exhausted, both physically and also mentally. Then there was the Memorial Day rush. I then had to work like crazy the first week of June so that I could get everyone in before we all hopped on a plane to head to Orlando for the Premier Beauty Show. The Monday before we left, I had every intention to go visit my mom. Somehow I talked myself out of going. It was the frame of mind I was in. My mother died a week later. I was in Florida.

I really wish I had made myself go that day. I just worry that she died thinking that I didn't care. I did. It makes me so sad to know that my mother died alone. I still remember the call. My ringtone at the time was Turning Japanese and I can't hear the intro to that song without feeling sick to my stomach. I just really hope that my mother knew how much I loved her.

I Don't Care.....

noreply@blogger.com (The Purple Pinkie) — Thu, 05 May 2011 03:34:00 +0000

I don't care if you think you are better than me, prettier than me, thinner than me.

I don't care if you think you are more successful than me, creative than me, popular than me.

I don't care what you own, I don't care what you wear, I don't care what you have to say about me, I don't even care if you lie.

I don't care what your opinion of me is, or what you really think about me.

I don't care if you talk about me. I don't care if you sneer at me when you see me or try to hide to avoid me.

I don't care if you want to see me hurt or want to see me fail, because I will never give you the satisfaction.

See, YOU are the reason that I care about the important things. I don't want to be like you, because truthfully, you suck.

How to Bling Out a Cell Phone Cover!

noreply@blogger.com (The Purple Pinkie) — Mon, 02 May 2011 00:10:00 +0000

I’ve been blinging out cell phones for years. It’s been a few years since I’ve blinged one out and have been asked countless times how to do it, so I decided to so a tutorial.

I recently got the Verizon iPhone4. I love this phone. I got a cheapie cover at Five Below. Make sure you get a plastic one and not a rubber or silicone one. The glitter finish will just peel off of any surface that is super flexible. The cover that I chose was the best of both worlds, it is plastic with rubber sides so that the phone is easy to grip.

SUPPLIES
Cell phone :o)
Cover

Modge Podge – this is a very thin glue used for decoupage. You can find it at most craft stores or at Wally World.

Brush

Tape – Masking tape works best, but I only had Scotch tape and it worked fine.

Glitter!!!!

If needed, mask off the areas that you don’t want blinged out. I masked off the side because they were rubber.

Apply an even coat of Modge Podge, make sure to not leave any puddles.

Put a paper towel or sheet of paper down under your cover and pour the glitter all over it. Be generous.

Tap off the excess glitter onto the paper. Fold the paper and pour excess back into the glitter jar. No waste!!

Let dry. It doesn’t take long. Once dry, you can add another layer of Modge Podge, but it really isn’t necessary unless you want it to feel smooth. I didn’t add a second layer. Remove the tape and give your blinged area a good brushing with a nail brush or just tap it real well.

All done!!! I expect to see lots of these now! Take a photo of yours and tag me on Facebook!!

Cavy Cookies!

noreply@blogger.com (The Purple Pinkie) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 13:38:00 +0000

I am doing a little fundraiser for Wheek Care Guinea Pig Rescue in Lower Burrell, PA, this is where I got Lilah from. In case you don't know, Cavy is the proper name for a guinea pig.

These cookies will be available at The Purple Pinkie Wednesday - Friday this week, while supplies last. These are perfect for your Easter Baskets or to give to your sweetie.

The cookies are $3.00 each or 2 for $5.00 and are all on a stick and beautifully packaged.

We have pink, purple and white flowers.

Pink and purple tulips and limited supply of Easter Bunnies!!

Be sure to stop in to The Purple Pinkie this week and get a cookie! The guinea pigs thank you!!

Meet Lettie!

noreply@blogger.com (The Purple Pinkie) — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 23:28:00 +0000

For my birthday, this year, Mr. Bruises got me another gift card, but this one wasn't from WalMart. He got me one from Petco. See, right before we left for vacation, we were in Petco and I fell in love with these little Russian Dwarf hamsters. He thought that since I lost Chip, I would like to have another little creature in my life. This is awesome since this is the man who usually is saying "No more mouths to feed in this house!"

So, off I went to Butler to bring home my little fur ball. Well, when I got there, the only ones out and about were the males. They are cute and all, but I usually like female rodents. Then I saw this guinea pig. I large one. That just kind of looked sad. I walked over and she looked at me and followed my finger. I kept going back and forth. I called Mr. Bruises and asked him if we still had Rudy's cage and he said yes. Still, I was undecided. Those little fur balls sure are cute. Finally, I decided since the little gal didn't want to come out to meet me maybe I should take the pig.

Well, once I asked the guy to get her for me, I knew I was meant to have her. See, she wasn't for sale, she was up for adoption (for a small fee) and she came with a cage. Right then I knew I was meant to take this gal home. The guy seemed relieved that she found a good home. I guess she was brought in last night, in a filthy cage, her water bottle was full of algea. One thing I can say, they did feed her, so.......just like everyone in this house, she is on a diet!

She's a sweet pig, very loving and not as skittish as I though she may be. I don't know how old she is, how long they had her, I just know that she's in her forever home and she doesn't have a worry in the world now.

The meet and greet went well. Travis was very interested in her. Now to keep Kallie off of the cage. She used to sleep on Rudy's cage and I think she's gained some weight since Rudy passed away because when she jumped on the cage, she bowed it. I want to put her in Rudy's old cage and will once Mr. Bruises gets home and finds it for me.

Rudy was born shortly before I brought her home on February 2, 2002, which was Super Bowl Sunday. She was named after Rudy Giulianni, even though she was a girl. So, keeping with that tradition, I took the suggestion of my boyfried, Dawson and his mom and am naming her after Kris LeTang. We will call her Lettie for short.

So, welcome to the Kibuk clan, Lettie! I can't wait to hear you "WEEK" for the first time!

Dying....

noreply@blogger.com (The Purple Pinkie) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 15:16:00 +0000

I thought I was dying on Wednesday. I woke up and it felt like someone was sitting on my chest and when I went to let the dogs out, I got so dizzy I nearly passed out. It passed, I sat for a few hours and drank coffee, ate oatmeal and surfed the net. When I got into the shower, I was having a hard time breathing again and got dizzy once more. After showering and getting dressed, I just felt so hot. I had no cold symptoms, no fever but I did have the pain between my shoulder blades that I get fairly regularly that I attribute to doing nails all day long.

I drove to work, still having a hard time breathing. I decided that maybe I needed to go to the hospital. I had two clients coming that I needed to do because they were getting their nails done for special occasions. I texted a client/friend, who is a nurse and asked for some advice. I wanted to make sure I wasn't over reacting. She told me to go to the hospital. She thought I was nuts that I was going to do two people and go in two hours. As I sat there, I started feeling worse. I called the second client and told her I needed to reschedule and she said she was leaving for vacation in the morning. She understood, but I still felt bad.

I called BFF Jill to see, if chance, she could do this client for me and she asked what was up and I explained everything to her and she said she was going to close up shop and come up and take me to the hospital. I told her that I was fine to drive myself, she told me she would rather I NOT do that and to wait for her, so I did.

At this point, it is too late to call my first client. She comes in the door right before Jill gets there and she agrees with everyone else, go to the hospital. So Jill comes and she brings a local paramedic, who is off duty with her. He agrees go to the hospital, but he thinks I should call the ambulance. I told him that one ambulance call to The Purple Pinkie was enough (We had a client pass out in November and had to call for help). I insisted I was okay to have Jill drive me.

Off we went. Long story short, I got an EKG, chest x-ray, lots of blood taken and everything looked okay. They did, however, want to keep me over night so that I could have my blood enzymes checked every six hours to see if something went on with my heart. Then, if that was all good, they wanted me to have a stress test in the morning.

So, long story short, I have a healthy heart. They think I have either Reflux or I had a gallbladder attack. It's good to know that my heart is healthy. I don't have high blood pressure. I just now have to figure out what foods trigger these events.

As I spent all of that time in the ER room, all I kept thinking was that this was the same bay that my mom and Nick's mom were in. These were both times that they left the hospital. I then wondered if these were the same bays that they died in. I wasn't there when either of them passed, I was enroute from derby practice when Nancy passed and I was in Florida when my mother passed. I just kept thinking of them.

When I got admitted to my room, it was number 325. My mother's birthday was March 25. I think both of these wonderful ladies were with me through my ordeal. I am thankful I have so many friends that helped me out. BFF Jill for taking me and staying with me. Betsy for such great advice and staying with me until I went to my room and checking in on my until I went home. Jason for coming over to see if he could help. Tammy for taking my boys for the night and bringing my book. Sherri and Bonnie who checked up on my and saved me from having to stay another night because they kept me from eating breakfast and getting my stress test on the schedule. Amanda for sending her husband Dave to pick me up at the hospital and take me to the salon. Kylie and Regina for holding down the fort at the salon even though they had just as much as me going on in their life.

It's times like these that you really appreciate the people in your life. I have been blessed with some wonderful people and for that, I am thankful.

Christmas Without Her

noreply@blogger.com (The Purple Pinkie) — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 13:33:00 +0000

This is my first Christmas Eve without my mom. I grew up in a broken family. My parents divorced before I was two years old. My mother always allowed my father and his family to have Christmas Day with me. I always had Christmas Eve with my Mom and Grandma. It was great! I got to open my presents on Christmas Eve around midnight. I got TWO visits from Santa!

As I grew up and my Father disappeared from my life, I started spending Christmas Day with some of my friend's family and then eventually with Nick and his family. The Christmas Eve with Mom tradition was always a given.

This year, I just find myself so sad. I am going to go today and light one of her eternity candles, but it's not the same. I am trying to remember the good times, but all I can think about is last Christmas Eve and all the crap that was going on at the nursing home and it just pisses me off that that is the last Christmas I got to spend with her.

My Mom loved Christmas. She decorated like there wasn't a tomorrow. Every year, she would decorate her tree differently. She crocheted snowflakes one year, then the next year pastel snowflakes, then the next year she crocheted angels and hearts. Each year totally different. I never inherited that from her. I really don't like the holidays. Someone said this morning that they don't either that all they bring is disappointment and rejection and that is how I feel. Yes, my mother made sure the holidays were nice for me, but there were just some things she couldn't fix. She couldn't make someone love me or want to spend time with me when he didn't. Here I am, 43 years old and still suffering that same disappointment and rejection. Why do I care? I don't know. All I know is the one parent that loved me and thought the world of me and would have done anything for me, is gone.

So, I am going to try to get through this day, with a smile on my face and try to remember my mother when she was the most happy, loud, boisterous woman. She was me times 10. That's what I will focus on, not the small, frail, weak, soft spoken woman that she ended up being in the end. I will hug my dog tight, knowing that if she was here, she would be doing the same. I will light that candle and I will always love my Mom and I will always miss her the most on Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas Mom.

Happy St. Nick Day!

noreply@blogger.com (The Purple Pinkie) — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 14:26:00 +0000

Today is St. Nick Day and today I am really thinking of my mother. Up until I was 21 years of age, St. Nick visited my house. Sometimes, I wouldn't have a clue that it was St. Nick Day until I went to go out of the door to go to school and would nearly trip over a bag of goodies. Sometimes I would go to put on my shoes and find money in them.

The goodie bags usually had candy bars, Bubble Yum (which was a hot commodity back them) oranges and walnuts. All the goodies were in a brown paper sack that was twisted closed at the top. As I got older and stopped believing in Santa, I also questioned who St. Nick really was.

My mother swore that it wasn't her, yet I reminded her that she would never let me eat things from strangers. I thought for awhile that she may have invested in the help of my Great Aunt Marg. I really don't know. My mother never admitted doing it.

I am almost certain it was my mom. It had to be. And she never forgot. Neither will I.

Happy St. Nick Day! May you find some money in your shoe!

Giving Thanks

noreply@blogger.com (The Purple Pinkie) — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 16:17:00 +0000

So today is Thanksgiving. So many people are giving thanks to all the things they are thankful. Today, I woke up, not really thankful for anything. To me, this has been one of the worst years of my life. I blame it totally on the fact that I didn't eat pork and sauerkraut on New Year's Day. I will not be making that stupid mistake again.

I mean seriously. 2010 has brought me a lot of heartache and sadless. I had to fire not one but two employees this year. I am still trying to reach around to remove the giant butcher knives that were stabbed deep into my back. I've had more than my share of run-ins with the nursing home and the IRS concerning my mother. My mother died. I got jacked around by an attorney for seven months and finally got things straigtened out. My sweet little Chip died.

After thinking of all of this, and feeling sorry for myself, I realized, it's really not that much. Yes, I lost my mom, but there are so many others that are having a much shittier year. So I decided to pull up my big girl panties and think of all that I am thankful for.

I am thankful that I have the most amazing dogs that have the ability to make me feel better just by looking at them. I am thankful for a best friend that just seriously gets me. Despite an 11 year age difference, we are so alike and in tune, it's scarey. I am thankful for my Aunts Robin and BJ. I can always see my mother's face in Aunt Robin's eyes and hear a smidge of mom's voice in hers.

I am thankful for a job that allows me to laugh, be creative and have fun. I am thankful to work with two of the best gals that anyone could ask for. They are loyal, they are hard workers and most of all, they put up with my menopausal mood swings. They deserve an award for that alone.

I bet you thought that I was going to forget Mr. Bruises. I am thankful for him. He annoys the ever, loving shit out of me a great deal of the time, but what husband doesn't do that? I am thankful that he lets me live my life and doesn't try to control me like other husbands. He puts up with my love of animals and my borderline hoarding habits. In turn, I put up with Glenn Beck and Fox News.

Happy Thanksgiving to all. Be thankful for what you have instead of feeling bad about what you don't have.

Charlotte?

noreply@blogger.com (The Purple Pinkie) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:04:00 +0000

About two weeks ago, I noticed a spot, on the kitchen wall, near Jeffrey, the turtle's tank. Since this was also near the kitchen garbage can, I thought maybe it was a food splatter, or one of the dog's eye boogers. Yes, we have pets and we deal with eye boogers and shedding. We don't mind.

Upon closer inspection, I realzied it was a tiny spider. Little spiders don't really freak me out. I will scream like a mad woman when a spider the size of my wrist is on my coat sleeve, though, but that's a whole other story for another time.

So I thought, it must be dead, so I blew on it and it quickly became alert. I thought it was odd that it was on the wall and fully expected it to move back to it's web. Well it didn't. It's still there. It lives on my kitchen wall.

I always thought that spiders lived in webs, which are usually in the corners of the wall or ceiling. Not this spider. It hangs out on the kitchen wall. I wonder how it's eating, I don't see any trace of a web on the wall.

So then, I started wondering if this spider is like Charlotte. Is it conversing with my animals? If so, what do they talk about. Me? Obviously, since the spider doesn't seem to be skittish. It's like the spider was told that this is a safe haven for all God's creatures. That is, until you get really big, then you have to live in the garage.

Friendship

noreply@blogger.com (The Purple Pinkie) — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 13:40:00 +0000

Friendship. Loyatly. Trust. Those all go hand in hand. I am a very loyal friend and I like to think that I am trustworthy as well. If I am your friend, I will defend you to the death. I have many people, in my life that I consider friends. Some are a different level of friends, like BFF Jill, she's my ultimate friend. She is who I would call if I was dying. She is who I vent to. She is who I could tell my deepest, darkest secret to and I know that she would never sell me out. She also, is who would help me bury a body if needed. Just kidding, just wanted to make sure you were reading and not skimming.

When you betray my friendship. That's it. Game over. There really are no second chances. If you don't have loyalty or trust, then you don't have friendship.

There was a person in my life, previously, who I considered a good friend. Well that friendship was betrayed. There was lying. There was deceipt. There was a lot of other stuff. I severed the relationship, however, I still wanted to be amicable. I had every intention of wanting the friendship to end "friendly". No, she was no longer in my "Circle of Trust" but I didn't want hard feelings and I didn't want animosity. Life is too short.

As months went on, I started hearing the absurd things that she was saying about me. Accusing me of doing such stupid stuff that is so trivial. My life doesn't revolve around getting revenge, holding grudges, etc. She assumed it did. She assumed a lot of things and she talked about it. Lots. Well, I know a lot of people and lets just say, everything ever said about me, came back to me.

Recently, she told someone that she feels bad how things went down between us and said we just don't get along now. Well, who's fault is that? I did everything I could to make things end friendly.

So, when you look around, and you realize that you have no friends. Not one girlfriend, maybe you will realize that you had a true friend at one time. Someone who remembered your birthday. Sent you flowers. Brought you things back from trips. Listened to your problems, gave you advice. What do you have now? That's what I thought.

I, am blessed with a lot of wonderful ladies in my life that I consider true friends. The vast amount of close frienships that I have is all the proof to me that I know how to be a true friend. A loyal friend. A trustworthy friend. Some could learn from our friendships.

The Question

noreply@blogger.com (The Purple Pinkie) — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 02:01:00 +0000

So, for the second time ever, I was asked The Question. It is a simple question. An innocent question. A dreaded question.

So, how's your Mom doing?

Both times I have been asked this question, it was people, who knew my mom and one knew of her illness. Both didn't know that she died. They both felt horrible and I feel awful that they felt that way.

The first time, was about a month after my mother passed. An old, childhood friend, was home visiting and was in the salon. She asked and I responded. I know she felt bad and I assured her it was okay. I was fine and it truly was a blessing.

So, time passed. I knew I would get The Question again some day. Tonight I did. A previous client, who gets her nails done occasionally was in tonight and while catching up, she asked The Question. I had no idea how much that question was going to hit me. It's been over five months.

I got a huge lump in my throat. I instantly felt my eyes start to tear up and my voice quivered when I told her that my mom had passed away in June. Again, the question asker felt horrible. Again, I assured her it was okay and told her of my surprise at my reaction.

I realized that I still, really haven't let myself totally break down. Why? I don't know. Maybe I am afraid if I let the gates open, I will never be able to close them again. I guess I just never realized how much I was going to truly, emotionally and physically miss my mom.

Trick or Treat

noreply@blogger.com (The Purple Pinkie) — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 14:16:00 +0000

So, Wednesday was Trick-or-Treat in the Ford City area. I finished up at the salon at 7:00 and headed down to BFF Jill's Salon to help pass out treats.

I was greeted by this sign. Teens in no costume is a big pet peeve of Jill's. Hey, if you have a costume on, cool! This is even despite the fact that Trick-or-Treat is for 12 year olds and under.

We heard of a lady who solved her disgust of teens coming with no costumes, smoking cigarettes, while they are TOTing and never say thank you. She saved all year. Ketchup packs. From Wendys, McDonalds, you name it. When those kids came to her door, that is what she gave them! GENIOUS!! They had no clue, either! Can you imagine their surprise at the end of the night when they check out their loot!

So, next pet peeve on BFF Jill's list is tiny babies, either in strollers or being carried around and the adult has a bag and expects a treat. So, are you telling me that the baby eats that candy? Um no..............the adult does. We all love to look at little ones in costume, but is it necessary to give them candy that they can't eat? To solve this problem for next year, BFF Jill is purchasing a case of baby food and will be giving that to babies under a year old. GENIOUS!!

Now, my pet peeve is the mothers that are taking their kids TOTing and dressed in costume as well. I have no problem with this except for when these costumes are obviously stippers or hookers. I am telling you I have never seen so many ass cheeks. Roller Derby is more modest than TOT night was. I am talking tiny booty shorts, with ruffles and ass hanging out with a tail back there with a Madonna bra on and nothing else. First of all, what the fuck are you? Madonna with a tail? A stripper with a tail. What is up with this tail?

To solve this, next year, I will be handing out clothes to these hoochies. See, between three of us, we have solved all of the issues!

Tonight is the annual, getting dressed up and going out night. I am not all about dressing like a slut on Halloween, I am all about dressing Scary. Remember last year? Carrie. I won Scariest Costume. This year is Medusa. Will I out due myself? We will see!

Happy Birthday Travis

noreply@blogger.com (The Purple Pinkie) — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 02:42:00 +0000

Well, today is little Kissy Face's birthday. Yes, my Travis is three years old today. I can't believe it's been three years. He has really turned into an exceptional dog. He is attached to my hip. I could get up and go to another room every five minutes all day long and he would follow me each time.

He is a bed hog. He is still very vocal, making exasperated groans when he lays down and makes roo roo noises when he yawns. He still counter surfs, but only when Daddy is cooking. He likes to steal his buns when he is out grilling.

He's my coffee buddy in the morning. He's my snuggle bunny at night. He is my fierce protector, keeping me safe from UPS trucks, the garbage truck, squirrels, bunnies, birds any anything else he has decided is not worthy of my time. He's my little daredevil, but most of all, he's mine.

Happy Birthday Travis, Travee, Kissy Face, Little T, T-Rex, and all the other bazillion nicknames you have!

Miss Rudy and Chip

noreply@blogger.com (The Purple Pinkie) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 21:53:00 +0000

While looking at my blog today, remembering Chip, I recalled how Chip came into our lives about a month before Miss Rudy our guinea pig went to the Rainbow Bridge. She was nearly seven years old, they usually live to be about five. I remember thinking that Chip was a gift from God, to help us through losing Rudy.

Imagine my surprise when I read my blog post about her passing. I realized that Chip passed away two years to the day that Rudy did. WOW. Chip is buried right next to Rudy in the same peaceful spot. I am sure that they are together again, on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge, along with all of our other fur babies, who have made the crossing through the years. Look out for each other girls!

My Sweet Chip

noreply@blogger.com (The Purple Pinkie) — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 23:02:00 +0000

I had a great weekend getaway with friends this weekend. When I came home, called to Chip, like I normally do, however, this time she did not come to greet me by climbing as high as she could and shaking the cage to try to get my attention. I thought maybe she was asleep, so I tried waking her up. Nothing. Then I thought that maybe she had somehow gotten out. Nope, checked the cage for any sign of escape and nothing.

I called Mr. Bruises to see when the last time he saw her. He mentioned that she wasn't up this morning running on her wheel like normal and thought maybe she was taking a nap. The last time I saw her was early Saturday morning before I left to meet with my friends.

I found her, all curled up under her hollow log. It looks as though she went to sleep and never woke up. She looked comfy and peaceful. I am heartbroken. I expected to enjoy her company for many more years.

I will be honest, I've never researched how long they live. I also, don't know if she had any issues that wouldn't allow her to live longer either. The way I look at it, she was supposed to die September 10, 2008. That was the day that I found her as a baby, soaking wet in the middle of the road. I scooped her up, took her home and somehow nursed her back to health. She lost half of her tail somehow, but she seemed to be thriving through these last two years.

I have a new respect and love for these creatures after sharing my home with on for over two years. She wasn't like a hamster, up all night. She was like us. She got up at 7:00 in the morning and she went to bed at 7:00 at night. In those 12 hours that she was out and about, she ran on her wheel constantly.

When we first got her, she was in a smaller cage and she had a hamster wheel. She used to get that thing going so fast that she would shoot out of it. Here's a video that I shot that always cracks me up when I watch it.

For her first Christmas, she got a new, bigger wheel. She escaped for the first time that day as we were trying to put the wheel in her cage. We had her in the living room in a huge bird cage with lots of branches and logs for her to climb on. Each time I would clean her cage, I would not only remove all of her stash of nuts and things that she was storing, but I would move her branches all around. I felt that it kept life interesting for her.

She was a part of the family. Travis loved to look at her. Mr. Bruises shared his breakfast bananas with her. I would call her name all of the time just to see her react to my voice.

Wow, this just really sucks. I had no clue our time was going to be so short and I miss her already.

God speed, sweet Chip.

What is a Discount Salon?

noreply@blogger.com (The Purple Pinkie) — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 12:11:00 +0000

Okay, I’ve already told you “MY” definition of what a NSS (Non-Standard Salon) is, now I want to touch on what a Discount Salon is. Discount Salons CAN fall into the category of NSS as well, but some of them don’t.

A true Discount Salon is actually using legal product, providing a service in a clean and safe environment all while operating under the proper licensing. They do not require appointments and their goal is to provide as many services as they can fit into their workday. Even though they charge less, they make money due to the volume of people that they do.

There are a number of things that are a downfall to a consumer that patronizes a Discount Salon. First, they are herded like cattle. Sometimes they are passed from technician to technician, each performing a certain part of the service. There is usually no personal interaction. The nails are usually okay, nothing that will take your breath away, since they are being done really quick, they usually look like a “Chicklet”. Or a duck’s behind because they flare out so bad at the end.

Most Discount Salon really aren’t that inexpensive either. They usually charge you ala carte. They charge you extra to shorten your nails, if you want a shiny top coat, if you want air brushing, if you want glitter top coat. You usually will not be able to get colored acrylic or glitter acrylic in a Discount Salon either. Their goal is quick and fast, using the least amount of product that is inexpensive to them.

Now, combine a NSS salon and Discount and you have a disaster waiting to happen. Quick, cheap, poorly done nails added with no sanitation or disinfection, rings of fire on the nail bed from the shredding of your natural nail with their DREMEL tool because they don’t know that it is a WOODWORKING tool and they don’t know how to use it properly. Add all that up. Is it really worth that $20 set of nails, a $12 fill or a $16 pedicure?

When you come to a salon like The Purple Pinkie, you WILL pay more, however, you are paying for the following:

A clean and safe environment
A friendly staff that will talk to you and wants to get to know you
A staff and salon that is properly licensed and proudly displays those licenses
A staff that is properly trained and attends continuing education classes regularly
A staff that attends major beauty shows to stay on top of the trends
A staff that will answer ANY question about any procedure or product that we use
A staff that is trained how to use an electric file safely and properly
Tools and pedicure tubs that are properly sanitized and disinfected
Products that are of good quality and legal to use
Nails that are applied so that they are strong, but flatter your hands
Colored acrylics and glitters and art like you can’t imagine

Aren’t you worth all of that? We think you are!

The meaning of a NSS - Non-Standard Salon

noreply@blogger.com (The Purple Pinkie) — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 15:01:00 +0000

A NSS - Non-Standard Salon is just that, a salon that does not follow standard policies and procedures. Some seem to think that this is a racial thing because let's face it, the large majority of these salons are Asian owned and operated. There are plenty of White NSS salons, African Amercian, Irish, Italian, etc., but the majority of them are the Asian salons.

The term "Chop Shop" has been used for some time to describe these salons. Asians take offense to this term because they believe this is a racial slap at them because of the fact that they eat "Chop Suey" or something to that effect. Listen, when people call NSS Salons Chop Shops, they do so because these places are hacking the shit out of your natural nails. They use an illegal product MMA (Methyl Methacrylate - aka dental acrylic), which in order for it to adhear to your natural nails, you have to SHRED the natural nail, you then have to put on an ACID primer. In my opinion, your nails are trashed before they even put the MMA on them. So the reference Chop Shop is meaning you are chopping the shit out of the nails, you are shredding them, you are destroying them. Period.

Our job as Nail Technicians is to ENHANCE the natural nail not destroy it. It is also our job and responsiblility to follow rules and laws and provide a safe and sanitary environment for people to receive services.

Some people confuse Discount Salons for NSS or Chop Shops. This is not always the case. You can charge a minimal fee, do walk-ins only and do a large volume of clients all while using legal product, following rules and laws and providing them in a clean and safe environment. A lot of Asian salons fall into this category as well.

So, I just thought I would give you MY definition of a NSS or a Chop Shop. Here are things that I consider to be traits of one:

Using MMA (Methyl Methacrylate - aka dental acrylic)
Practicing without a license
Hiring technicians without a license
Not practicing proper Sanitation and Disinfection practices
Not following State and Federal laws and regulations
Dirty, filthy salons
Reusing sanding bands on clients, even after cutting them
Reusing any "disposable" item like orangewood sticks that cost pennies
Not properly cleaning and disinfecting whirlpool pedicure chairs
Not using an electric file properly and creating rings of fire on the nailbed
Lying to the public or deliberatly trying to deceive them into thinking they are getting something else

These are just a few off the top of my head. The NSS term and Chop Shop are not racial. They can apply to ANY salon. I think it's time that everyone stop being so damned sensitive about everything. Everyone takes offense to the littlest things anymore and it's really getting out of hand. No pun intended.

Censorship at it’s Finest

noreply@blogger.com (The Purple Pinkie) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:40:00 +0000

So, I’ve been a reader and commenter at Kittanning Paper for awhile now. The whole Elderton High School reopening issue has been a hot topic for awhile now. We have been asking the KP to put up a poll asking if people supported the decision to reopen a school that will graduate 29 students. There have been polls before, asking what your favorite cinema is and crap like that. When we first requested it, we were told they didn’t want to put up a poll until after the lawsuit. Well the lawsuit came and went and still no poll.

Recently, EHS supporters have again, been beating the dead horse that is:

“69.92% of the Elderton attendance area taxable inhabitants signed the petitions to seceed and equated the notarized and legal signatures to be 2899.”

So, that equates to almost 7% of the approximately 42,000 taxpayers in the Armstrong School District, who want EHS open (and 93% that do not). In fact that 7% is probably significantly lower at this point since Kittanning Township Elementary was sold down the river. Isn’t it funny how “Community” schools are only appropriate in certain “communities”?

So, we took it upon ourselves to create an unbiased poll, where people can only vote once (You may think you are voting more than once, but those extra votes are kicked out and reported to me as a skipped question). We posted the link to the post on the KP and it was removed. I have had a back and forth with the Editor of KP and it is obvious that we disagree about business practices. Seems he wants us to pay for advertising if we want to post links on his blog. Nice.

So, I would like to give my opinion that the KP is biased. Plain and simple. If it is pro-HERO or pro-EHS, it’s all good. If it is the opposite, get out your checkbook.

Seriously, what is so hard about putting up a poll? The only reason anyone would be afraid to is because they fear the result of the poll.

I would like to invite all of my Armstrong County readers to join me in a BOYCOTT of any advertiser in the KP. By advertising in this paper, you are, whether you know it or not, advocating censorship, plain and simple.

Please also, if you are an ASD taxpayer, please take our poll. No matter what side you are on, your opinion matters!

Someone raped the Pimp Van!

noreply@blogger.com (The Purple Pinkie) — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 13:46:00 +0000

So, the plan was for the boys to go to the River's Casino tonight and Tammy and I would ride with them and they would drop us off at the Steeler game and we could then partake in some brewskies at the game. That called for the Pimp Van! Mr. Bruises went to the storage facility last night to get the Pimp Van and when he went to start it up he noticed something was wrong.

Some fucking douchebag scaled a 12 foot wall, broke into the unit and then cut of the catalytic converter! OMG can you belive some people? My Pimp Van was raped, truly raped, unlike Ben's accusers.

The Pimp Van is much loved by the GNO Girls and the Casino Boys. We have a lot of history together and I am sure all who love the Pimp Van are just as pissed off as I am now! The photo is of a recent Christmas shopping trip we took in the Pimp Van.

I hope you enjoyed your heroin that you bought with the money you got from selling the part, you douchbag Pimp Van rapist!