Change

Makeovers

Jeanna GLeave a comment

In middle school, the early 90s for me, we had pretty mid-out hairstyles. The 80s were far-out, so we were in a weird limbo, working our way back to some form of reserved. Aqua Net was essential. I had “The Wave,” a hard wall of bangs high above my forehead. At a slumber party, I was dared to shave the side of my head. I covered it with a section of hair so my mom wouldn’t know. (I have an incredible amount of hair). When she picked me up, she caressed my head while talking to my friend’s mom. It’s like she knew. Wide-eyed, I slinked away like any tween would from her mother’s touch. My friends all covered their open mouths and held their breath.

My daughter told me today that her best friend decided to chop her own hair off on a whim. She covered her mouth and giggled. I looked out the window and smiled while cheering her friend on in my head. New style, new life! At that age, it was so easy to change our image and become someone new. Are we ever too old for a makeover?

Antiques for Hire

Jeanna G1 Comment

My friend and I, both Gen Xers, were talking about the job market and what makes us seasoned veterans qualified versus those who are just now entering the workforce. The world is changing so quickly, and we are feeling very outdated. Even so, we know we’re valuable. I guess we can sympathize with antiques?

Honestly, I don’t even know what I’m qualified to do outside of my degree and the career path I’ve been on for 20 years. What skills do I have that are even relevant anymore? There are parallels between what my daughter, an Alpha, and I both learned in elementary school, but I can’t help but notice that some things I think are important are being disregarded.

My friend and I questioned if anyone actually reads résumés, and then imagined what would happen if everyone’s résumés were based on what we picked up in elementary school. Here’s mine:

Education:

Elementary

⁃ Achieved “Moonbeams” reading level

⁃ Memorized the multiplication table

⁃ GPA: Outstanding

Job experience:

⁃ Dog walking

⁃ Lawn mowing

Skills:

⁃ Plays well with others

⁃ Rides a 10-speed with no hands for long distances

⁃ Fifer (Yes, I know it’s an instrument that hasn’t been popular since the American Revolution.)

⁃ Check writing

⁃ Nice penmanship, including cursive

⁃ Colors inside the lines

⁃ Juggles citrus fruits

⁃ Knows how to carry on a face-to-face conversation

⁃ Washes hands for 30 seconds with soap and warm water

⁃ Follows directions, especially when baking cookies

⁃ Great whistler

⁃ Reads analog clocks

⁃ Utilizes polite manners and social etiquette

⁃ Demonstrates that sharing is caring

Accomplishments:

⁃ Won the 50 yard dash at field day

⁃ Caught an 11” rainbow trout

⁃ 1st place in a cow hair clipping contest at the county fair

⁃ Spelling Bee class champion

Volunteerism:

– Lots of chores around the house

References:

Ms. Sturges, Kindergarten Teacher:

“Jeanna is an interesting girl. She matured as a sharing, contributing, helpful member of the group.”

Ms. Davis, 5th Grade Teacher:

“Jeanna is tops all around – pretty, bright, conscientious. The world could use some more like her.”

Now how would this compete with the résumé of a Millennial, Gen Z, or Alpha? Would I have the edge? Sounds like the makings of a new game show!

Enuf

Jeanna GLeave a comment

On a first grade spelling test, I spelled one word wrong.

Enough. E-N-U-F. It was a forehead slapper of a mistake. I resented that word for many, many years. But something changed somewhere along the way, and that word has become one of my favorites for many reasons.

Enough has served as a limit, like of my patience, and has therefore been a trigger for necessary change.

Enough has meant fullness; full belly, full heart, full cup.

Enough has helped me recognize peace and contentment.

Enough has allowed me to share.

As long as enough is enough, then I’ve had enough, and that is enough of that.