Today was my official ringing in of the Christmas season with a Ladies' Christmas brunch at church. A group of women took on the roles of table hosts, and each woman (or pair of women) decorated their table in a unique way.
Only at this very moment, as I'm writing, do I wish it had occurred to me to take the time to photograph each table when I found out I had arrived 45 minutes early! Sigh. One of these days... One. Of. These. Days. I hope, eventually, it will start occurring to me that there are terrific things to photograph all the time. I simply need to recognize it.
Anyway... the table themes ranged from traditional to whimsical, to "glamour pink", even. Believe me, the different tables were a feast for the eyes. And then there were favors to take home - which I forgot. Nevermind that, mine is probably waiting for me there still. I was just so impressed how much those ladies put into this lovely brunch. Oh, and the food was good too. Catered by a local coffee house, we had sandwiches, quiches, fresh fruit, salad. It was a feast.
But getting there so early, I ended up chatting with some of the hostesses, who were so kind to tell me how good it was to see me, and asked how I'm doing. I was so glad to be able to say I feel good and mean it. As I chatted with a group of them, one commented on how much she liked how my hair looked. I thanked her, but as I did, I thought the way she said it sounded like she perhaps thought she was complimenting my real hair. I paused a second, gave her a look and said, "You know this is a wig, right?" At which she genuinely appeared surprised! I'm surprised this isn't the first time this has happened. While wigs have come a long way, I can't help but feel it's obvious to the whole world that I'm wearing one. When walking into Walmart, or Kroger (or anywhere) I feel like I should be wearing a placard announcing, "Yes, you are correct. I am wearing a wig. Now carry on, everyone."
While that is both ridiculous and true, I also have times when I forget about it.
That is, until I scratch an itch on my head and realize my hair is moving as one whole unit.
Or, until the wind blows it around and completely messes with my "positioning" of my hair. While modern wigs have movement, and can look like real hair (I guess), just believe me when I say wig hair does not behave like natural hair in the wind. It just doesn't. ETA: To be clear... when I say "positioning" my hair, I mean the actual hair, not the wig itself. The wig itself can be made fairly secure to the head.
And then there's static - which is happening now that it's cold outside. Static on synthetic hair can seem untamable, so I've taken to carrying a fabric dryer sheet in my purse, and I have one in my car.
And finally... While depending on how a wig is made, they aren't necessarily terribly hot to wear in the heat, but now that it's cold outside, I'm here to tell you they can be downright cold. Especially if the wind is strong. Who knew this and hasn't made a PSA about it?!? I guess I can wear a hat over my wig, but then I'll have to deal with repositioning my hat hair and static!
So many things I've never had to think about before...
While I'm glad my wig is evidently fairly decent looking, I'm very much looking forward to my hair growing out to a length I feel comfortable wearing, and surprising everyone all over again - hopefully sometime next spring.
That, friend, is how you turn a post about a Ladies' brunch into a discussion about wigs!
How is your December starting out?
Wet. We've had rain. Praise God only rain and wind. No serious storms or tornadoes. I am very thankful.
ReplyDeleteMaybe a scarf with a dryer sheet pinned somehow so it doesn't come loose while keeping your wig secure?
Very pretty table. Glad you were enjoying yourself too much to think about taking more pictures, Becki. :)
You all be safe and God bless.
That's a good way to look at my not thinking of taking pictures. Thank you, Linda! It's not so much that the wig itself isn't secure, but that the hair just messes so easily in the wind (or I imagine in a hat) and it's hard to know if I'm "positioning" it well without a mirror. I know we deal with such things with our real hair, but it's a very different experience with a wig - partly because of the texture, but probably also because one just can't feel the hair on a wig like one feels their own hair.
DeleteThe Christmas brunch sounds lovely Becki I would have loved to have been there to see the tables, so next year remember to take photos haha. My friend has to wear a wig and has done for several years as she has alopecia, I had no idea until she told me it looks so natural, she even swims whilst wearing it but she says it does get her down sometimes it can't be easy for her knowing she has to wear it all the time. Have a lovely Sunday xx
ReplyDeleteLinda, until I started looking for a wig once I knew I'd be doing chemo, I had no idea how many people wear wigs. Women with alopecia were my greatest help when I was trying to get an education on what to look for in a wig. I am amazed and thankful for the brave women who share their experience and bare their heads on YouTube to help others. It isn't talked about much, but chemo and endocrine therapy can cause some amount of permanent hair loss for some. I try not to worry about how healthily mine will grow back, but it sometimes niggles in the back of my mind as I wait.
DeleteClearly, your sense of humor is healthy. Thank you for the information and chuckles. I'm so glad you are recovering.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, I am glad my humor was apparent. I've tried to have humor in the midst of the treatment, and now that I'm feeling better, I hope to maintain a sense of humor about things that are, let's say, less than ideal.
DeleteYes, take pics next time:) I guess you will learn what you look like with short hair soon. Wigs have come a long way. There is a younger girl at church who has some kind of condition so I know she wears one, but I truly forget because it looks great.
ReplyDeleteSandy, it is truly amazing how real some wigs look. Now that I'm wearing one, I can't help but wonder how many people I rub shoulders with may wear one too.
DeleteSounds like a lovely luncheon. I have tried wigs before after a botched haircut. (It was almost a buzz cut!) I have decided they are not for me. My son works for Hair Club and says the natural hair wigs are less work but super expensive. I just wore fancy scarves until my hair grew back out. So many ways to tie them. It was kind of fun.
ReplyDeleteMarsha, I was shocked when I saw how expensive human hair wigs are. Yowza!
DeleteI love pictures of pretty ladies in scarves, and I wanted to be one of them, but I bought some scarves early on and learned how to tie them and wear them, and thought they'd be fun, but they weren't really me. At home I either "go bald", or wear knit hats (scarves would be too much trouble at home as I'm constantly taking off, then putting back on a hat due to my personal fluctuating temperature). When I'm out in public I feel best wearing a wig. Mainly because it's a more flattering look for me and I feel less conspicuous. As much as I'd prefer to not wear one, I am thankful to have a pretty wig.
Wonderful tradition! The table in the photo is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you are feeling better.
Short hair commands, I believe, nice earrings, even those big ones I see women wearing. A short hair style with earrings always looks polished, chic, studious, classy.
I have been enjoying my earrings more lately. And even buying some larger ones (though not all that large) than I normally wear. I've worn mostly silver hoops for years, and I'm shaking things up now.
DeleteHello! The luncheon sounds lovely! I am so glad you are feeling better, and smiled at your story of the wig. Have a cozy day, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Billie Jo. :)
DeleteHi Becki! I wore a wig for a year back in the 80's after a devastating hair salon incident when I had to have my head shaved...I remember feeling like you, that it was so obvious, but maybe it's because WE weren't used to them! Mind you, mine was a bit over the top, it was black, like Joan Jett lol! I'm so happy to hear that you're feeling good! Happy news! ♥♥♥
ReplyDeleteRain, I can imagine you wearing a black wig. I bet you rocked it! :)
DeleteOur December is starting out snowy. We had maybe 5 or 6 inches of snow overnight, the heavy wet stuff that clings to every branch and can cause power outages. Our power went out during the night but was back on by the time we got up at 5:30. Even though this is not a soft fluffy snow, it is beautiful, and in the early morning darkness illuminated by an outdoor light it was quite Narnia-like.
ReplyDeleteOur December is also starting out busy. December 1 we went out for breakfast with friends; that evening our ladies group met for a gift exchange and supper. December 2 we went to a Christmas party for my hubby's former work crew (he is retired from logging) in the evening. A sumptuous meal served beautifully in a huge garage. Then December 3 we went to a community Christmas event our granddaughter's orchestra was playing at. Good times though and we are thankful for the energy to attend.
Glad you could get to a ladies' Christmas luncheon. It sounds like such fun, and your wig story was too. I had no idea that one's head would get cold wearing a wig. Your own hair will be back before you know it. I knew a lady once who had very long hair (she always wore it up in a very complicated arrangement). After chemo, her hair grew in curly. *Curly*. She had to figure out a whole new hairstyle.
That's a beautiful picture you describe of your snow. I love those snows you just had - but only if I don't have to get out in it to drive. So far my hair is looking straight and white as it's growing in. I do wonder if it (and the color) will change. My hair was pretty white before chemo (with remnants of blond), so I do know that's my natural hair color.
DeleteHmm. I would have never thought wigs would be cold, honestly. I would have assumed they had some kind of heat retention.
ReplyDeleteEver so pleased to hear you were able to get out and feel good about being out.
I know, TB! I was feeling thankful that I would be wearing a wig in the winter instead of the during the heat of summer. I imagine it can depend on the cap of the wig. Mine has a pretty open weave - which probably makes it more comfortable in the summer - but when the wind blows my wig hair around, it's very cold this time of year. Also, being a synthetic fiber may make it kind of cold, too, I imagine.
DeleteOh hello there! I loved hearing about the ladies get together and the beautiful tables. Your tales about wigs reminded me of a time when I probably should have worn a wig-almost 29 years ago. I had a brain tumor and had to have my head shaved. So I wore hats. But a funny thing happened...at home I was used to being bald, and my family didn't care. So I just went about my home as bald as an eagle. One day someone knocked on the front door. Not thinking a bit about my baldness, I answered the knock. Well...the cable guy sort of had a shocked and scared look on his face when he saw me, because not only was I bald, but my scar was very visible! I looked like Frankenstein! He excused himself fairly quickly and never came back again!
ReplyDeleteThat is funny, Debra. I can see how that can happen. When it was warm, I sometimes forgot I didn't have hair until I saw myself in the mirror. Now that it's cold, I wear a hat most of the time and I can't seem to pull my hat down low enough. Even my ears are cold.
DeleteYou're such a good storyteller. I bet you'll be glad to have your hair grow out, for the warmth if nothing else.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Martha. I'm hoping I like myself in short hair and will want to wear it short when it grows out. Now that winter is here I do look forward to having the warmth of hair on my head.
DeleteCertainly, there must be a lot to learn about wearing a wig! I think you're younger than I so you may not remember this, but back in the day there was a (short-lived) trend of ladies wearing wigs . . . just because. My mom bought one and wore it a couple of times. I never quite "got" that trend.
ReplyDeleteA ladies' Christmas brunch sounds like a lovely way to usher in the season!
Cheryl, I am so appreciative of women who have youtube channels devoted to wigs. It was helpful in giving me some idea of what to look for. But I could have learned more, and perhaps would have even chosen something different. I don't really know. There is a ton to know about wigs, but since I don't anticipate needing a wig long-term I have a few special products that are needed (or helpful), and I've got it down to wig wearing being as simple as I can make it.
DeleteSounds like such a great ladies lunch and with fun decorations too.
ReplyDeleteI think wigs have come a long way and most times it's impossible to tell if someone is wearing one. I can see why they would be uncomfortable though.
I was having lunch with a friend who had cancer years ago, and wore a wig. She commented that she liked how I was wearing my hair now. I decided to handle it differently this time. I just thanked her, and later in the conversation I mentioned that I really liked her hair, and I needed to find a hair stylist when my hair started growing out and would need shaping. I asked her who she went to. She paused a moment and looked confused, and then she asked, "Is that a wig?!? I thought it was your hair!" Sometimes I question if people really can't tell I'm wearing a wig, or if they're just trying to be nice, so I thought this would be a good experiment. I'm thinking if a person who's worn a wig can't tell I'm wearing a wig, I must have a pretty good wig.
DeleteI have friends with plenty of natural hair who wear wigs because of the styling. They like the look better. But they don't have that coldness to contend with. Thank you for your explanation, that was kind to anyone who might need to start using one.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I painted the correct picture, Liz. The cold is really only when I'm in the cold wind. The weave of the cap is very open and the air can just whip right in there. I don't know why it feels colder than when the wind whips through my natural hair... I'm sure it's this openness that keeps it from being too warm otherwise. I will say... while I don't enjoy putting it on, it IS quicker getting ready. I don't have to style it much at all. Just brush, pat down, spray it with wig hairspray or wigwax, and go. Since I don't wear it everyday, or for very long, usually, when I do, it only needs to be washed once a week or so. My real hair needs a wash every day to look nice.
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