Tuesday's Tribute - Thank Yuko, I Am Vain

Think back to your middle school years. Sure there were the good times, rocking out to Like a Prayer with your girlfriends at the roller rink, shopping at Contempo while eating some Sweet Factory treats, hanging that fresh Nelson poster in your locker.

For me, middle school also holds a special place in my heart because it was the only time I had "good" hair. I had the "in" hair. All my friends were getting perms, defusing and scrunching like madwomen , while I was going au-natural with my crazy, curling locks. Getting ready in the morning took about 2 minutes (ok, 2 minutes after I finished the blue eye shadow and adjusting the Kleenex in my bra). Damn if that curly hair trend, like Nelson, only lasted a year or two.

In high school, my once coveted coif became termed "the fro." I have nothing against a "fro" personally, but can be inconvenient for peripheral vision purposes. (yes, my hair is THAT BIG NATURALLY). My straight (haired) friends all laughed while I resorted to blowing dry, then ironing my fuzziness into a manageable do. My hair suffered, and my burnt hands and forehead, while making for a funny story, have never really recovered.

In college I discovered the revolutionary device known as the flat iron. I was in love! I would blow dry then flat iron my hair every day for an hour and then marvel at its smoothness. I could run my fingers threw it, see around it and style with ease. This love affair went on for quite a long time until baby came along. Reality came crashing down on me like rain on freshly blown-dry hair - WHO THE HELL HAS AN HOUR TO SPEND ON THIS CRAP?

Enter Yuko. (pause because I get a little choked up here). Yuko is not a person, but an amazing hair treatment that PERMANENTLY STRAIGHTENS your hair. Yes, it takes 5 hours. Yes, it costs a gazillion dollars. But can you really put a price on self esteem?!?! (I would also like to add that I don't color my hair, and don't get mani, pedis, other lady stuff on a regular basis, but I will spring for the Yuko).

I have gotten Yuko twice now. Last Friday was my second time and this morning I woke up, showered, blow dried and was ready in 15 minutes. Noah, who was in his gated area watching the Disney Channel, never even noticed I was gone.

Thank you Yuko, for taming this mommy's "fro" and for giving her 30 more minutes a day to spend on more important things - like blogging!