Wiggin’ and Wrapping It!

It was a very productive Monday.

First of all, I’m so tired of dealing with the hair loss. Honestly, after I pulled my hair back in a ponytail, I got a side glance in the mirror and this time saw a huge chunk of scalp in an area that had hair not too long ago.

Slowly, I am coming to grips with the fact that no amount of Rogaine or Biotin is going to grow my hair. I am so ready to start wearing assistant hair. Wigs.  Luckily I started ordering wigs some time ago which gives me a stack of pret-a-porter tresses.

That time has come today.  Missing my bobbed hair of quite a few years ago, I opted for my off-black Scorpio wig by Revlon.  Bonaparte thought it looked cute and gave me a 1960’s vibe.  Perhaps tomorrow I’ll opt for a longer wig.

Me in wig 1

It’s cute–right?  I’m kind of liking the shorter bob look!

Wednesday I’ll be going to Adam for a blowout. I’m saddened to say it will most likely be the last blow out for a long time. Because I’ve decided to just give the hair that I do have a rest. It’s breaking and brittle and dry and just needs some TLC right now.  The wigs will do my natural hair well!

Me in wig 2

It doesn’t look too wiggy either. Well, I HOPE it doesn’t look too wiggy! Oh–who cares HOW it looks!

Now that the hair issue is out of the way, I’ll entertain you with the rest of my day.

After taking inventory of wrapping paper and embellishments, it was time to incorporate more tissue paper and boxes.

There was a time when receiving a nice, sturdy box—complete with tissue paper, was an automatic given.  No more.  Even though most people at present are Christmas and Holiday shopping, asking or kindly requesting gift box is mandatory or you will not have a box to place the gift into.

I did some shopping last month at Madewell for a couple of gifts for Oona.  Although I did receive the boxes that I practically had to beg for, the boxes didn’t come with tissue paper.  In addition, the boxes are one piece. The top is connected to the bottom and you need to fold parts of this one piece box into place.

Madewell boxes are not well-made

Madewell’s boxes leave much to be desired but I see that they made sure their logo was quite spectacularly perfect!

I swear you have to be some sort of engineer to figure out just how to turn this one-piece of cardboard structure into what will eventually resemble a box.  In trying to fold the corners, I ripped the box and had to tape it together.

Madewell box one piece

It took me fifteen minutes to figure out how to fold this–and I STILL managed to rip the box. Ugh. It’s so damn cheap looking!

I’m glad that I can purchase plain, two-piece boxes at discount stores.

Oh…and let me mention that I prefer the white tissue paper because it won’t clash with the wrappings when the box is opened. But, the white tissue paper is actually more expensive than the cheesy and colored Christmas tissue paper.  I’m cheap—so I went with the cheesy and colored paper.

I have to buy my own tissue paper

I’m hoping that before opening gifts, way too much Martha Stewart Eggnog will be drunk-drank-drunken? so that nobody notices this cheesy tissue paper that will be inside the gift boxes. Can you believe that plain white was more expensive?

Did I also mention that each person in the house gets their own special wrapping paper?  I call this “lazy mom” wrapping.  I can’t stand name tags—they are too small and never look pretty. Instead, I’m able to tell which gift belongs to whom by their personal paper!  Smart—right??  Sometimes it just pays to be lazy.   Here’s how this practice strongly impacts my grown, adult kids.  Two years ago, I went against the grain and did the mixed wrapping paper and name tag thing. The kids hated it.  Yes. My adult children were shocked and disappointed because their gifts were not wrapped uniformly with their special paper.  I learned a lesson that year….

Waiting for ribbon 2

Guess who got the Target deer head wrapping paper? I cannot wait to embellish these gifts!

Back to wrap.

I embellished one of the gifts with a bow. Thank God it was the first gift wrapped because I realized that the bow would be squished upon placing it back in the “hiding” bag.  The ribbons, bows and embellishments will have to wait till just before the gifts are placed under the tree!

Bowed box

In keeping with my “rustic” themed Christmas decor, I carried it over to the wrappings.  This STILL needs more—-perhaps some fake cranberries in the middle of the bow!

Scissors, tape, wrapping paper, bags and everything else created such a mess on the dining room table that I was so happy Bonaparte was with clients.

Messy table

It IS rather messy.  Bonaparte would definitely NOT approve of this mess!

 

Speaking of tape, I purchased a package of four rolls of Scotch Tape. One being “free”. Let me tell you something.  The fourth roll is not free.  The tape company makes the rolls of tape much smaller than usual.   I used an entire roll of tape on about ten gifts.  And I don’t use large pieces.

Tape--free roll my ass

Free roll my ass.  They make the rolls so sparsely filled with tape that you need one roll for under ten gifts!

Pencil box top.

And another thing–see the top tab on this box? You need to tape that tab down in order to get a decent wrap job on this pack of pencils. This kind of packaging drives me nuts!!  

Gifts all wrapped, it was time to bring the remaining paper upstairs and out of Bonaparte’s sight.

Waiting for ribbon

Wrapped but not fancied up yet, the gifts will be hidden. And will await the rest of the gifts I still need to get!

I swear to God you will not believe what happened.  One of the rolls of paper hit the wall going up the stairs and left a dent in the dry wall.  When Bonaparte reads this the shit will hit the fan and he will blame me for not being careful.

Mark in wall

Look what the wrapping paper did. I swear it was NOT me!

It wasn’t me. It was the paper!

Bonaparte, my Christmas elf, is a fine one to be criticizing though.  He claims to “nut cahhr” about the decorations.   For the past couple of weeks he’s been muttering about “zuh pip-uhl ou ahr crizee to ‘ev zuh decoratshunz up so uhlee”.   (Translations: 1. Not care.  2. The people who are crazy to have the decorations up so early.)

This morning Bonaparte asked me “Casseee. Why do ou nut ‘av zuh leets and grins ‘ang-ing from zuh dick?” NOTE:   In this instance “dick” is “DECK”—it’s the deck! He’s French! (Translation:  Cathe, Why do out not have the lights and greens hanging from the deck?)

DECK

I’ll be adding ribbon to this mix as well–but for now, I need to apply some band-aids to my hands!

So after all the wrapping was finished, I was out on the “dick” with greens, wire, wire cutters and lights.  And my hands have the cuts and scrapes that went along with it.

Table now cleared

I thought I cleaned the table up nicely. Bonaparte pointed out that I left some of my mess in the bowl. Oops! Time for a cup of tea!

So now, as I relax, the only song that can possibly come to mind after this post is “Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses—quite possibly one of the greatest Christmas songs of all time!  Enjoy!

XOXOXOXOXO!!!

About Catherine

Far from perfect, but enjoying life as a non-perfect and flawed individual at 60 years young. I'm still wondering what I'll be when I grow up! The characters in my life's screenplay include my better half. He is a refined Frenchman who grew up in Paris and summered in St. Tropez. I grew up in Long Island and summered in Long Island. I am not refined. My three grown children are also a big part of my life. For their sake, they happily live where their careers have taken them! But I can still mother them from a distance! I write about the mundane. I write about deeply shallow issues. But whatever I write or muse about--it'll always be a bit on the humorous and positive side! It's all good!
This entry was posted in Christmas Decorations, Christmas music, Christmas Wrapping, Hair Loss, Revlon Wigs, Scorpio Wig and tagged , . Bookmark the permalink.

34 Responses to Wiggin’ and Wrapping It!

  1. Debra says:

    Love you in the bob! Depending on the style, it really helps a wig look like your own hair if you take it to your stylist and have them shape it while on your head. Doesn’t look like you need to do that with the bob, but maybe other styles.
    Deb

    • Catherine says:

      Thanks Deb! I ordered another wig, this one is more like my natural length and I’ll most likely take it to Adam for some touching up as soon as I receive it. It’ll be fun! XOXOXO!

  2. Jane Billman says:

    I really think your wigs look great very natural-I have very thin hair a closet full of wigs I need to try to wear them…. It is hard to do it…….headbands are good during the winter. Last year I had the skin cancer procedure on the top of my head – they shaved a runway and 8 staples and a hole the size of a quarter – a charming look for the holidays!
    But seeing you look so cute …maybe I will pull one out and give it a whirl. Thank you for … Being so open and sharing about the thin hair augh!!!!!!

    Xxxxxxoooooooo
    Jane

    • Catherine says:

      Oh Jane. You are so right–the wigs ARE hard to start wearing. Ugh. My skin check was last week and I had a “thing” burned off. I cannot stand when he checks my scalp. His reaction to my baldness is non-existent……I definitely think you should go into your closet, take out one of those wigs and make it your crowning glory! You will look adorable!!!!!!! It’s important to be open about this stuff–I think there are more women suffering from hair loss than we can imagine! XOXOXOXO. Hugs to you!

  3. Arpita says:

    You look absolutely fabulous with the bob wig!!! Had you not mentioned it, I would never have realised it to be a wig! Stay fabulous! xo

    • Catherine says:

      Thank ;you Arpita–I really appreciate that! Your comment actually helps to give me the confidence to wear my wigs without being so self conscience! XOXOXO!

  4. calensariel says:

    OMG! I LOVE the wig. I want one!!! I’m losing my hair like crazy, too. They tell me it’s the thyroid medication. Been talking to Drollery about it. The silly goof wants me to have a Barbie wig! Not in a million. But that wig is adorable! Sigh…

  5. Cassssssseeeeee….you Rock the bob!!!!!!!!!! 👊

  6. hipchick66 says:

    Love the wig, looks very natural, and the bob style suits you! Looking good!!

    • Catherine says:

      Thanks Lori! I’m really happy with the bob. I’m now in the market for a “Lob” wig–a longer bob! I can say that my hair grew overnight! XOXOXO!

  7. kgeher@comcast.net says:

    You look great in the wig. You are good! I haven’t even thought of buying gifts yet.

    Have a great day.

    Karen

    • Catherine says:

      Karen–it’s a throwback to my Navesink days! LOL! Thanks for the compliment. I had to start buying the gifts now because I cannot stand the crowds at the stores. Its an awful thing to have to stand on a line for what seems like hours…………then there’s the parking lots…………Have a great Thanksgiving! XOXOXO!

  8. Miss Bougie says:

    Oh God, you really made my (cold and rainy and just plain…yuck) day today. You made me laugh so hard with this post, Cathérine! Love it. You are one amazing gal, tackling decorations and gift wrapping so early. I should emulate you, methinks.
    The bob really looks great on you. I’m wearing a “carré plongeant” ; bob longer in front than in the back.So easy to style.
    And for your info….., nothing is for free in this life, not even sticky tape.

    • Catherine says:

      Ohhhh. Bougie. I LOVE the carre plogeant. I used to have what we call an “angled” bob, longer in the front too. Hmmmm..now you have me wondering. Can I get a wig like that? LOL! Yup. Bonaparte must not have seen the blog post yet because he didn’t mention anything about the wrapping paper attacking the wall………….XOXOXOXO!!

  9. The bob looks good on you, makes me want to try a short hair cut!
    You are all ready and set for Christmas, I am yet to start my shopping! Ohh..where’s Black Friday??

    • Catherine says:

      Thanks! Yeah. I kind of like being able to change the hair look up a bit with the shorter hair. It’s fun! Don’t. Even. Go. There. With. Black. Friday! I cannot even go anywhere near a Mall–LOL. I’ll wait till the weekdays and hit the shops early in the morning. there isn’t much more that I need to get so I’m in good shape! XOXOXOXOXO!!

      • I love Black Friday shopping, I’m usually out all night shopping 😀

      • Catherine says:

        LOL. A few years back, the boys decided that after Thanksgiving dinner was finished, they would get into the car and drive to the local outlets at around midnight. Well. They did. And the next morning they said they waited longer in traffic leading to the outlets than they did at the actual outlet mall! Have fun–enjoy the evening and WEAR COMFY SHOES! Hugs!

      • Ohh yea…comfy shoes for the night! 😀
        Xoxoxo

  10. Sweetie, I am so sorry to hear about your hair loss. Have you ever been diagnosed with a condition such as alopecia? A couple of years ago I suffered from a severe bout of alopecia which made me lose about 80% of the hair on my head (including lashes and eyebrows) and 100% of my body hair (OK, that was actually great) in only two months. I can talk about it now but back then it had a huge impact on me.

    With you it might be stress-related hair loss which is common and which is definitely possible due to all the things you had to deal with recently. But it might be auto-immune. In my case the culprit was my undiagnosed celiac disease which caused quite a severe reaction which made my immune system attack my hair follicles. I got steroid shots which helped somewhat, but staying away from gluten made all the difference – not only has my hair grown back (I had sudden all over peach fuzz about ten weeks after saying goodbye to gluten), but I felt much better. I still make my husband check my scalp for patches every couple of weeks – especially when I notice a lot of hairs in the shower, but so far I’ve not had a relapse

    What I’m saying is that you might have a (more or less) manageable auto-immune condition so you might want to see a doctor. But not a random quack, but someone who has a clue about hair conditons as this can make all the difference.

    AAAHHH, and here’s the idea for your next job! Look for a job in a private hair loss clinic! I’m sure the patients would love you (who wouldn’t??) and you might get treatment – or at least a diagnosis and good advice – for free!

    Something else – I love it that you already wrapped your Christmas presents. I haven’t even bought any…

    • Catherine says:

      Hi Strawberry! I’ve had bloodwork done. Test done. And the doctors just shrug it off at this point. Besides, my medical insurance sucks so I’m taking the loss in stride. However, I am going to follow your advice about the “no gluten” thing…..I’ve been reading a lot about how gluten can affect people so I’m getting serious about that!

      Hmmmm..maybe I can get a job as a Christmas shopper for those who just don’t want to be bothered. Whaddya think? XOXOXOXO!!!

  11. Deb says:

    I laughed so loud at your post. U r a incredible writer n comedian. Love ya cuz. P.s. I went food shopping at Aldi n quests what appeared in my cart . Those scented pine cones you just adore. Lol. And u look beautiful with ya new do’s.

    • Catherine says:

      Deb Cuz. How could you possibly buy those scented pinecones? OMG. If your mom and my mom were still alive (and in their good frame of minds), they would NEVER allow those things in the houses–not really because of the smell, but because they were Gorman OCD cleaners and the cones would produce dirt! LOL!!!!!! Love you and enjoy Thanksgiving–we’ll be in the city! XOXOXO!

  12. junedesilva says:

    Wow! You really rock that wig…

  13. spearfruit says:

    Wrapping presents is so fun! And the new ‘dew’ – love it! 🙂

  14. Catherine says:

    Hi Spear. Glad you like the new dew! XOXOXO!!!

  15. June says:

    Catherine, Ok, you have inspired me once again. I have very thin, fine, balding crappy hair. Not getting any better. I have often thought about trying a wig. You look fabulous. Btw, both sites you mention are running 30 % off sales. Any tips/ suggestions for a first time wig purchaser? Synthetic, monofilament, lace front, etc.. totally confusing; Love your posts, love you. Thanks!

    • Catherine says:

      I like the monofilament and the synthetic is a good deal. If the wig is too shiny you can sprinkle dry shampoo on it to reduce the shine. The 30% off has some great deals!! Honestly, our aging hair needs a rest and the wigs are “assistant hair@!❤️❤️❤️💗😘

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