A Little Ditty...

You might already know that a few years ago I lost my hair because of  anxiety.

I've blogged about my alopecia a few times, and weirdly enough there have been some positives that have come about because of it, mainly the fact that it made me stop and really think about how I want to live my life.

Anyhow, as I was enjoying a bubble bath last night I came up with this little ditty:

Dear Alopecia,

you're having a laugh.

'Cos I still have to shave my legs in the bath.

I don't think I'll be winning any poetry prizes in the near future but it made me smile.

(Do you know, this is the first ever blog post I've written that hasn't had a photo, but believe me you wouldn't thank me if I photographed my knobbly knees!!!!!)

Have a great half-term chucks!

X

The Universe And Wetherspoons...

On Sunday I was in Birmingham and had a few hours to kill.

One of my favourite things to do in situations like this is to sit in cafes and sketch, (I guess its because I'm basically nosey and love people watching!)

I then popped into a Wetherspoons for my dinner, and the two blokes sat on the next table to me were enjoying a pint and putting the world to rights.

I was having a lovely time, doodling away, listening to the Brummy accents and the political ruminations of my neighbours.

Unemployment, Brexit, the housing crisis...

and then they started about teachers.

'Paid a ruddy fortune they are!'

'They get 50 weeks paid holiday a year!'

And what really struck me was that I found it quite funny, that mischievous Universe sitting these two political geniuses next to someone who'd worked in education for 25 years and whose hair had fallen out because of the joys of Ofsted.

But this really was a blessing in disguise because it just reminded me that it really was ok and that I have changed so much since then in lots of little ways.

I could have got up, pulled off my bobble hat with a dramatic flourish and had a rant, but by this time they'd moved onto solving the NHS crisis, and I wouldn't want to stand in the way of political progress...

I Spy With My Little Eye...

It's been nearly three years now since I lost my hair.

I've always tried to resist from checking in the mirror every morning,but recently there have been little signs that my poor withered follicles have been trying their best to express themselves.

New eyelashes seem to be sprouting around my left eye, and some rather straggly, but very welcome, eyebrows are emerging on the right.

(This is going to be a VERY interesting look if it comes to fruition!)

I also seem to have a little Mohawk of white fluff too, which is rather exciting, but I'm not getting my hopes up too high.

Now, I'm sure that you are finding this to be very interesting indeed, (not!) but the reason why I wanted to write about this is because I've come to the conclusion that having Alopecia has probably been the most positive thing that has happened to me in a very long time.

Alopecia has taught me two valuable lessons that I will never forget, even if I start sprouting for England:

LESSON ONE:

I cannot control everything.

Alopecia cannot be 'fixed', no matter how hard I work, or however many hours I put in.

Alopecia will do what Alopecia wants.

LESSON TWO:

Nobody will ever judge me as harshly as I judge myself.

(I'm sure that this is the same for every human being on planet Earth, it just took me a while to realise this.)

Therefore, nothing will ever be as scary or terrifying as the things I tell myself.

I am so very glad that I have something that is so visible, if my anxiety had manifested a condition that you couldn't actually see, I am sure that I would have just 'cracked on' or 'soldiered through'.

Alopecia made not just myself, but my family reconsider what we actually wanted from life.

And life is a lot better.

Thank you Alopecia.

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Gratitude And Baldness...

It's that time of year for reflection and to take a minute and count your blessings.

And funnily enough I think the one thing that I am truly grateful for is my alopecia.

I lost my hair two years ago due to stress, and I am so glad that my anxiety manifested itself into something so visible.

I think that if I had developed something else I would have ignored it, and just soldiered on.

But I think that when all your hair drops out in the space of a few weeks your body is giving you quite a strong message.

Of course, when it happened I wasn't thankful at all.

In fact the first thing I thought when the doctor told me was 'great, I have a condition that rhymes with my name.'

'Hello. My name's Letitia and I have alopecia.'

And it was difficult at first when I decided to ditch the wig.

The first time I ventured out shopping, the woman at the till smiled at me in a pitying manner and whispered:

'You're so brave, I wouldn't have the guts to go out like that.'

Being British, I smiled apologetically and mumbled something as I packed my bags.

However, as I looked up to pay her I felt much better.

Being ridiculously and utterly British, I didn't say it to her face, but I giggled all the way to my car as I repeatedly said in my head,

'Well lovey,

I'm not half as brave as you wearing that frosted green eye shadow and blue mascara.

Given the choice I know which look I'd rather be rocking around Asdas.'

What I am truly grateful for is that it made me and my hubby sit down and re-assess what we really wanted in life.

We decided that we wanted to get off the Merry- Go- Round and slow down a little.

And this last year has been a really good one and I appreciate my friends and family with all my heart.

I was thinking about this this morning as a few little tufts have started to peek out of my scalp here and there, in fact I have half a side burn!

But if it never comes back I don't really care that much.

(The only thing I'm not grateful about is that now I have to shave my legs!

Alopecia without the benefits I guess!)

Hope you didn't mind me prattling on chucks, thank you for all the support and comments you have sent me throughout the year.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas time and a magical New Year.

Lots of love xxx

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Alopecia Chic!

Had a fab morning with my hairdresser, who very kindly cut three of my new wigs.

( Problem? Who says I've got a wig buying problem?)

I really like this one, I feel a bit '70's Charlie's Angels in it.

So I tried on my felt hat and took a photo of my reflection in the bathroom mirror.

(Do you like my ever so kitsch swan!)

I also had my head shaved today, can't stop rubbing my stubble!

(That sounds wrong somehow!)

Will show you my Tank Girl look when the weather's a bit warmer!

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Channelling Louise!

The lovely Sacred Keepers Of The Treasure at my local charity shop asked me if I'd be interested in a brand new wig that had been donated.

Was I!

So, after a snippety-snip or two, here's my new do!

It's almost exactly the same hairstyle as the one of my mis-spent Indie youth, when I was obsessed with Louise Brooks.

Right then, where's me Smiths records?

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Ta! Daa!

Forgot to show you me new wig!

I never, ever thought that I would be a blonde!

I did try on a wig that was exactly like my hair, which was quite spooky, but I didn't feel like I was getting value for money!

And who knows, this might be the only time in my life that I can have whatever hair I like!

Hope you like!

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A Wig Shopping We Shall Go!

A couple of weeks ago my Mum and myself set off on an intrepid adventure to hunt out a wiglet for my poor old bonce, which is now starting to shiver in the cold.

A good friend of mine had suggested 'Trends', a little shop in Sheffield.

So, to start the day off in style we enjoyed a lovely coffee and student magazine,ahh... takes me back to the old days!

I'll tell you about the my wig-tastic time a bit later on, but let me share the joys of the city with you.

We had a fab time exploring the studenty part of Sheffield and I can't wait to go back, there are so many cool vintage and quirky shops there!

This one was my favourite, and I even tracked down the dungarees of my dreams here!

Look, Christmas cardis!

What's me Mum after?

www.wearecow.com

facebook.com/ wearecow

A few snapshots from the day...

Now, you don't see that every day!

It really had a Camden- type vibe (but is a lot cheaper!)

Hope you enjoyed our little shopping trip!

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Alopecia Chic:

Yesterday I went to see Tracey my hairdresser, not really knowing what to expect.

Because I thought it would all have to go this time I really didn't care what she did with it, which felt very strange because I normally have my hair trimmed about twice a year.

It felt quite liberating and Tracey turned into Edwina Scissor Hands.

How on Earth she's hidden my baldy bits I have no idea, and I will probably lose more but then Tracey and I will have more fun!

Feel a bit Betty Boop (with a scalp that feels like sand paper because there's loads of black stubble...but that could be a good sign, maybe.)

Thanks Tracey x

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A Strange Week Indeed...

First of all, let me apologise for inflicting you with a photo of my mug.

I can't believe I have taken a selfy!

A week ago I found out that I have alopecia and I was mortified (especially since my name rhymes with it! )

'Hello, my name's Letitia and I have alopecia.'

However, I digress (how unlike me) and after the worst week of my life, just sat in front of a mirror literally crying as my hair fluttered to the floor, I am fine.

Really fine.

I have taken this as a positive thing, I haven't been looking after myself very well, not eating properly, not finding time to exercise and getting stressed.

And I found out that I have the best family and friends in the whole wide world.

When I went into work on Monday I had rehearsed over and over in my head how I would casually drop it into the conversation. But of course that went wrong and it just spewed out my mouth in a jumble of nonsense and tears.

But in less than a minute I had my head tipped upside down showing everyone me baldy bits and laughing my head (and hair) off.

There is one thing I've promised myself though, I'm not going to hide it.

If I wear a wig it will be pink, if I wear a turban it will put Carmen Miranda's to shame and if I just go bare headed then I will stick a plaster over my eyebrow and be tank girl.

I'm going to style it out and rock the look.

So every now and then, if you don't mind, I shall be having a new slot in my blog called 'Alopecia Chic'.

My mum has been a star and cut my hair in a bob last night and pretty soon I'm going for a crop.

Hopefully it'll be more Emma Watson and less Uncle Fester.

X

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