I have to admit it...ever since I was about 25, I've always wanted pink hair and a nose ring...I know, not what you normally hear from someone on local television, but as we all know I'm a little different than most! Maybe it's the rebel side of me since everyday I spend  wearing tons of tv makeup and fixing my "do"...I don't know..but I've always loved pink hair. Not totally pink, just subtle hints of pink weaved into my blonde hair. The nose ring I have no explanation for...it just looks cool. I just interviewed a 72 year old woman and she had a nose ring and I loved it...mostly because she was proof that you can do what you want at any age.  So when my fabulous hairstylist, James Quinton from Salon Couture told me he was offering pink hair extensions for Breast Cancer Awareness month I had to jump on it! He put one in on my right side and it added that piece of pizzaz that I needed. But all this talk about pink hair may have you thinking, "why in the world would I want pink hair?" and now there's no better reason to get a pink hair extension as a portion of the proceeds benefits the Charleston Breast Center.

The Charleston Breast Center helps those without insurance or those who can't afford it get mammograms.  Their cancer detection rate is more than twice the national benchmark and they're the only ACR Breast Imaging Center of Excellence in coastal SC. Many women put off getting mammograms for many reasons...and in this economy, there are now many more. Some women have to choose...their electric bill or a mammogram...well, we all know what the choice will be. And don't think it can't happen to you, because a new statistic is busting one of the biggest myths about breast cancer. At the CBC and nationally 75% of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer are the first ones in their family! YIKES!!  For more, check out their website. www.charlestonbreastcenter.com or call James at Salon Couture 853-0505 to get your own pink hair.

Of course we can't forget about the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, it's happening Saturday, October 17 and it has to be one of my favorite runs in town. The amazing women that walk or run this race is what is so inspiring...and it's not too late to sign up, go to www.komenlowcountry.org

Although October is designated Breast Cancer Awareness Month, paying attention to our breasts should happen EVERY month. So whether you're sporting pink hair, wearing pink or racing for a cure...you're helping someone you don't even know and that's a wonderful feeling! See you at the race. Cheers!

 

Twenty years ago today seems like yesterday...when Hurricane Hugo came barreling onshore, I was only 15 and scared to death. We were living in Summerville and I remember coming home from school to a frantic father scurrying to stock up on hurricane supplies. At 15, you really have no idea the impact a hurricane can have, so I was puzzled by my dad's behavior but I could feel that this was urgent. Although weather reports are far more advanced now, at the time, we were glued to the television praying that it would take a jog to the north, but no such luck. That night as the storm unleashed itself, my father, mother & I huddled in a hallway on the second floor of our home and my father covered us with couch cushions. I cried like crazy. It sounded like a locomotive. Not knowing what was happening outside made it worse as the storm howled, trees cracked and windows shattered. When the eye of the storm passed, it was so still it was as if someone had pressed pause on the VCR. But the second round came with a vengence and all we could do was wait it out. Over 25 trees fell around our home that night and luckily not ONE landed on any part of our home...we were very lucky. My aunt's house on Folly Beach was a different story..the only things remaining were the stilts of her home.

The day after Hugo was completely opposite of the thundering storm that it brought. I remember it like it was yesterday, the sky was as blue as could be and there were a handful of white fluffy clouds, the birds were chirping and it was hot.  Even though we were 25 miles from the shore, Hugo made an huge impact on us in Summerville as well. We went over 3 weeks without electricity...and trust me, once you go without it for that long you cherish it for the rest of your life! We took cold showers and heated canned foods on our charcoal grill.  The thought of going to school was far from anyone's mind, except when you're a teenager, all I wanted was to go back! After a few months, our neighborhood slowly got back to normal but it was a different normal...living through Hurricane Hugo was not only the scariest event I've experienced but it changed who my family & I are...I pray we never have to go through it again.

So...What have I learned from this storm?

Never underestimate the power of Mother Nature, she will slap you in the face harder than you would ever expect.

Hurricanes spawn thousands of tornadoes, so prepare for them.

"Things" are replaceable...Lives are not.

Never take for granted how easy we've all got it - even a warm shower was a luxury

And thank goodness my dad and mom were prepared!

 

Every 70 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s disease.  In the United States, more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s and that number is expected to grow to as many as 16 million by mid-century.  That means more than 25 people develop Alzheimer’s in the time it takes to air just one half-hour news segment...it's sad for not only the person going through it, but also the family.

 

My grandfather, Robert Williamson, died from complications of Alzheimer's. Seeing him through the last years of his life was devastating. Once a wonderful kind-hearted man that wouldn't hurt a flea, he turned into angry man who kicked me once in the shin because he had no idea who I was...we were on a walk and only 5 minutes earlier, he was alert and talking about things we did together when I was a kid, his blank stare and frightened look came upon him quickly and he began screaming and telling me to get away, he was so scared, he kicked me...hard. I knew it wasn't my fault nor his, it was just that awful disease taking more of our memories. I cried like crazy that day and it would be only months later that he passed away. I think of him often and remember the days when he worked at the JCC and I would swim the day away and he would carve out some of his time so we could share lunch. He was a great grandpa.

 

The sad thing nowadays is that more folks in their 40s-50s are beginning to show early signs of Alzheimer's.... which is why we MUST bring awareness to this disease and the Alzheimer's Association wants you to join their fight. World Alzheimer's Day is September 21. You can help numerous ways.....grab your walking shoes for the Memory Walk that will take place in Charleston on October 24....log onto www.alz.org/sc to donate....or on September 21, join me and wear purple on World Alzheimer's Day.

 

Who knew that wearing purple could look so good??

Cheers, Ryan