It happened. I don't know when it happened, or how, but somewhere along the way I stopped being "Dana" and became "mom." Mom doesn't leave the house much, is a bit frumpy. Mom didn't care how she looked, what she wore, etc, because Mom rarely leaves the house anyway. It's not like anyone sees Mom!

Yesterday, I had a girls day out with my daughter. First stop, something to eat. We don't have a car for Mom so Dad dropped us off at a shopping center. The only place available to eat was Target, but hey, it worked. The second stop, getting our hair did. (Old un-educated redneck speak for getting our hair done!)

We went to JC Penney for this. Now, I've had many different hair cuts over the years, but haven't had my hair actually done up since my son was born. He's sixteen now. The woman spent about half an hour just cutting out the dead and then, she pulled out the hair dryer and curling iron. Within moments, I went from being "Mom" to "holy hell! Who is THAT???"

Memories of my youth flooded back to me. Suddenly, I looked like me again. The old me, before I became Mom. Okay, a bit fatter, but still, ME. Suddenly, I wanted make up and clothes and oh so many different things.

My daughter's hair made  her look so grown up and yet at the same time, like an innocent child as well. It gave me visions of her past and her future, and the children that she too will have. I really couldn't be more proud of her.

After getting our hair done, we went shopping. I found some soaps and lotions and such that I can use since it's all organic. Supposed to be anyway! My body isn't having an itchy reaction to them yet. I don't know what this body butter stuff is, but it makes me smell like a girl, not like frumpy old mom. We even bought a hair dryer of our own! Maybe I'll go so far as to get a curling iron as well. Who knows?

I think 2012 may just see more of a return of Dana over the year. That's my hope anyway.

Happy new year everyone. May you remember fondly the lessons that 2011 has taught you, and hold close the loves it brought to you.