Conversation Hearts: Blonde to the Roots, Dumb like a Fox

For new readers, my tag "Conversation Hearts" has always been about my daughter Caitlin.

It's been awhile since I've written about her, or my son Bryan. When Cait was at home, it was easy pickings for blog fodder. She has always been the light in a room and the never ending ball of energy.

As both Bryan and Caitlin get older, I try to hold back on the writing and keep theirs lives private. Plus, if they ever decided to write a blog, yikes, the "Mom" stories they could pay me back with! J/K .... sorta.

When Caitlin was a junior in high school, she decided she wanted to become a cosmetologist. Although I'd have preferred the path to a 4 year degree, I know my kid. Strong willed! I wonder where that comes from? [looking everywhere except in the mirror]

Cait went to beauty school in 11th and 12th grade, graduated from high school and beauty school within a month of each other. At age 18 she moved out to be the 2006 version of Mary Tyler Moore [throws hat in air] "You're gonna make it on your own."

She immediately began doing hair while keeping her waitress job that she had since age 15. When the salon she worked at begin to feel the hard times most small businesses in Michigan are, she found another to work in. She stayed on at that salon until the day the locks were changed, it had to close too.

Not one to miss a beat, she kept her waitress job, began to do hair out of her my kitchen, and started cleaning offices at night.

The maintenance company sold a few contracts and that job ended. She still has the job at a local pub, but it's so slow, they cut her hours. And hair? Yes, she still has her clients, but most are stretching their appointments as far apart as possible because of their financial crunches.

I know things are tight for her. She has an apartment and the bills from living on her own to go with it. I offered her to come live with me. She teases we'd not last a week under the same roof together, but in truth, I know she's her mother's daughter.

I moved out at 18 and never moved back home, part being bullheaded, but mostly because I wanted to be independent. I think Cait is like me in that way. I'm lucky both my kids have been financially self-supporting. I've never had to pay car insurance, cell phone bills, bail them out of over extended charge cards, or buying expensive"peer pressure clothing" for them.

Cait had a rough month. As hard as she tried, she felt in a slump. Then, she totally blew me away. She decided to go talk to a counselor at a local college. She took some tests and took their advice on a career change.

I asked her about financing. She has it handled. First year should be fine. No student loans, she qualified for a couple grants. She'll start next semester. Yet, in all the excitement, she STILL was applying for jobs. [She's never been without a job] She starts tomorrow at DSW [shoes] ... oh the joys! At the end of the week my Imelda Marcos Caitlin will have to sign over her check. ;)

Oh, her tests? Pharmacy. She's going to become a pharmacist.

I am so proud of her, she's still the brightest light in the room!

Cait and Lola

To read some funny/cute "Cait" stories, click on the Conversation Hearts tag below: