It Takes a Village!

The most important and toughest job I do is being a mother. After being a mother, I am amazed that we don't need a license or a degree to take on this career. In fact it's kind of crazy to realize the only formal training most of us get is our own experiences with our own moms. And most would agree we get better and better as each generation passes. Thank Goodness!

Being a mother for the last 12 years, I have become a believer that yes it does "take a village!" And that any female, whether you're a mother, god-mother, aunt, sister, friend, advisor, teacher, or neighbor, often fills the shoes of a mother to the children around us.

Growing and nuturing children is 24/7. Learning opportunities present themselves all day, everyday. These special women jump in at anytime.

I have close friends who do not have biological children of their own. But I regularly see them guiding and influencing the children in their lives, as if they were their own. In pleasant situations and not so pleasant situations. They help solve problems, give advice, help with homework, correct language, teach them to bake, fill in on field trips, even show the older kids how to text.

So for all those women we know who are positively influencing children, whether it's in 2 hour increments, or 24 hour increments, whether they wake up with their children, or simply pick them up for the afternoon, we are all working towards the same goal. Happy successful people!

This is the village of women that I would certainly not hesitate to call a " Mother" .
Thank-you to all the moms who help me raise my own children.
I could not do it without you!
XOXO!

Make it a great day!
Cathy

The Dash by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning to the end.

He noted that first came her date of her birth and spoke the following date with tears,

But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth.

And now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own; the cars, the house, the cash,

What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard. Are there things you’d like to change?

For you never know how much time is left, that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough to consider what’s true and real

And always try to understand the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more.

And love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile

Remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read with your life’s actions to rehash

Would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?

Our New Apprentices!

Congratulations to Ashlie Camp and Alicia Norton! Because of their loyalty and commitment, both of these ladies have earned a position in Brown and DeLine’s apprentice program.

As part of our commitment to the local community, we offer this 2-year, state regulated program. Being an apprentice allows individuals to stay working in the salon while obtaining a cosmetology education at no cost to them. This hands-on approach has proven to be extremely successful.

During the 24 months, apprentices have weekly classroom time, independent study, exam, model days and long hours. Time sheets, tests and practical application totals are all reported to the State Board of Cosmetology at different times throughout the program.

By the time our apprentices take their final state board exam, they have a huge advantage over their beauty school counterparts. Most students at this point are dealing with the stress of finding a job as an assistant, trying to get advanced education and building a clientele.

Because of our finely tuned program, taught by Kristy Williams, Jacki Rasmussen and me, our apprentices begin their careers with an established clientele and the knowledge and skills to succeed!

Many of Ann Arbor’s top stylists are products of Brown and DeLine’s aprrentice program!

Act like an Olympian

For the last two weeks we have been glued to the TV watching the Olympics. It has been so amazing watching these superstar athletes competing for world titles. The commitment and focus they share is astounding. As I was watching the closing ceremony, it looked as though the celebration could last forever. I’m sure the celebration will for those athletes. Everyone on that field was a winner. Their level of accomplishment and pride was larger than words. Can you imagine being in their shoes!

As we are heading into March, I challenge you to act like an Olympian. Commit to follow through on that broken resolution. Pick up the phone and become a volunteer (stop just talking about it and DO it!). Stop saying ‘Someday I will….’. Make today that day. Go for the gold!

We are all Olympians in some way.

We must align our thoughts and our actions.
Success will surely follow!