With both of our children being autistic and therefor sensitive to sensory input, haircuts have been something we have struggled with for years now.  Getting a haircut usually results in getting hair on your face and neck (itchy) and this makes them freak out.  They cry and thrash about while someone tries to cut their hair.  We used to drive them about 40 or so miles to a place that specialized in kids haircuts.  They had various fun, kid friendly chairs.  Looked like they stole them off a merry-go-round.  Still we had to use the high chair, and pretty much sit on ‘em at that.  They would scream and cry and get hair all stuck on their faces and hands while thrashing about.  We had one girl who did pretty well with them for a while, but they were also outgrowing the high chair.  This whole awkward process still cost about 40 dollars just for two haircuts, not to mention the cost of the drive just to get there.  That girl eventually left there.  When we tried another person she had such a hard time she cut her hand with the scissors.  This was the last straw with taking them anywhere for haircuts.  We bought some clippers and I had been giving them haircuts at home.  This worked pretty well for the most part.  We were able to get them to mostly hold still, and sometimes not even cry.  I just hated doing it, as I am no stylist, and they are not easy.

So now that they have been doing better about it and they are older (10 & 8), we decided to try and take them somewhere again for a haircut.  We went to Sport Clips, a new place that opened locally not to long ago.  It is aimed at men and boys and is all sport themed.   They have sports showing on several TVs at each station (including a really big one in the waiting area), and gym lockers the the stylists keep their supplies in.  The stylists also wear referee stripped outfits.  WHO is really THAT addicted to watching sports?  Anyone?  Really?  But, like I said, it is aimed at men and boys.  It worked for us, that’s all that mattered to me.  The kids seemed less stressed out with the TVs to watch, and Caleb has been more into sports lately.  The girl there did great with them and Caleb just chatted away with her, like an old pro at this.  So we were thrilled!  And of course we will be going back.  No more screaming homegrown haircuts!

This new year I’ve told myself the same things I have said the last coupe of years and have yet to manage.  Some shouldn’t be so hard to do but I have not yet…..My list follows in no particular order.

1)  To be a better father and husband.  Not much else to say about that.  I spend too much time being grumpy and upset over everything.  Would like to be a better person.

2)  To resolve my job situation and find something else more stable.  Possibly even a career change to something more worthwhile.  Not sure what that really means.  Something other than making washers or any parts for that matter that will only someday end up in a landfill.  To be of more use.

3)  To visit and if need be hound the doctor to figure out why I am always so tired.  There is more to it than just tired here.  I think I have an idea why, buy probably don’t really want to know.

4)  To finish some of the unresolved projects around the house.  Siding on the garage, paint the bathroom, etc.

5)  To find a new Church to attend at least sometimes.  I have not found one that I have been very happy with since moving several years ago.

6)  To confront my father and tell him I know who he is and I want an explanation.  I want to know who my sister is also.  Or else……..

7)  To talk to a professional about sorting out my crazy head instead of just writing a blog.

Well I think I have lied to myself for at least the last two years.  There just seems to be too many obstacles in the way of some of these things, and I don’t have the energy. Nothing gets crossed off this list, just buried ’til next year.  Maybe in ‘09………….