I need your help. I’m looking for 12 women who are breast cancer survivors and would be willing to have your photo appear on the faces page in flaire for women. If you or someone you know would be interested, please feel free to e-mail me at cynthia_ellis@thetelegraph.com or give me a call at (618) 463-2570. Remember that the faces page only shows a photograph and your name will not be used.

I want everyone to know that I am a proud band parent. My son is a member of the Alton Marching 100 and despite the problems that took place last week it’s a new day.

M100 parents would like the public to know that students are moving forward and do not wish to dwell on the allegations against the Alton High School Band director. We would like to put the past behind us and focus on the upcoming marching season and wish the same from you.

The band’s first public performance for it’s new routine “Five” will be on Friday night at Public School Stadium. The band will perform it’s Beethoven inspired piece during half-time of the AHS football team’s red-gray scrimmage game.

So rather than continue to talk about the issue, do something positive and support the students who’ve worked hard , because the day news broke “the band played on” and we need to too.

It’s hot outside. The beautiful cool weather we had in July is now haunting us. It’s just in time for the start of school too. In less than two weeks children will be returning to the hallways to begin another year of learning. Although at my house the end of the school year didn’t really seem to stop. Band practice took place all summer long, so the year seemed to blend together.

Heat does funny things to people. It makes us tire more easily. It makes us anxious and it makes us cranky.
Can you imagine life before air conditioning? I remember they never called school off early when it was hot, when went all day and just had to “suck it up.”

If you are near my age or older I’m sure that you can recount stories of not having air conditioning. At our house there was limited use of it and we even had central air. My parents didn’t like to use it all that much. It sucked because there is nothing worse that trying to get to sleep when you are hot and sweaty. I had many childhood nights like that and it’s the one thing I will not tolerate now.

The worst time being without air though was when I was pregnant with Cole. I had moved back to Illinois from Germany and my husband (ex) was still overseas so I was staying with my parents. They live in an old farm house and at the time they didn’t have air-conditioning. It seemed like I could never get cool and when it got so unbearable, which it did toward the end of my term (he’s an October baby), I would go for a drive or go shopping. I did it just so I could enjoy the cool air on my face. There are days now when the air is just so muggy that it reminds me of those days more than 16 years ago.

All I know is that I don’t mind being out in the heat, but I would ten times rather be inside. My motto is “if you can’t stand the heat, find air conditioning.”

So what stories are you willing to share about your youth and keeping cool?

It’s one of those gloomy days. Although I have plans later in the day, the weather has put a damper on my afternoon plans.

I could use the time to relax and read my new book, Girls Poker Night, but really I need to go to the store and get a few things. Why is it that weather is the determining factor of our moods sometimes?

Ever since I was a teenager the weather played a factor in how I felt. I guess because I’m a “curly girl” that whenever it was wet outside, I never had a good hair day. As I get older it still is like that. I like it when it’s nice outside with no humidity. My hair really appreciates it too, especially when I have plans of going out. I’ve learned to work with my curls, but I still like days where it will be “no frizz.”

So for all you “curly girls” out there I’m feeling ya on a day like today. Remember though when our hair goes a little crazy it gives us the excuse to act that way too.