Winona A. Foreman
My stories and photos are my memories. Some accounts may not be as others remember them, but they are memories that I recall and I have no reason to deny them.
My life began at South Shore Hospital on the Southside of Chicago. After living in a number of bungalows my large family moved into the apartment above my father, Cash Erler's camera and photo finishing business.
These writings are not in chronological order, this was not done to confuse the reader; I wrote them as they entered my mind. Some took months, even years to complete. Most touch on a particular person or subject of importance in my lifetime.
I will take you through my childhood, my marriage, the births of my children, deaths of loved ones, illnesses and reveal the boundless love I receive from my family and countless friends all over the USA.
By writing these words I have released old heartaches and unconditional love. The deceitfulness and unfaithfulness I experienced throughout my life has made me stronger, more independent and a loving and devoted friend.
God has watched over me for a reason, I believe I survive due to His Plan for me. My words are my blessings. My story ends in Southern California. I have wiped my tears and found….A WAY TO WIN.
A shy child, Winona Erler was the only girl in a family of seven boys. As an adult she became an outgoing over achiever; owning hair salons in a Chicago suburb and later in Southern California while raising two wonderful kids and tending to the needs of a terminally ill husband who took too long to die.
Letters, short stories and journaling were all there was time for until an early retirement, due to health reasons, found Winona Foreman enrolled in a college 'Advanced Creative Writing' class. Memories surfaced of older brothers going off to war, a mother who was in a constant state of depression and a hard working father who drank himself into an early grave. Winona was encouraged by many teachers and friends to begin writing chapters for a book.
This is the second addition of A WAY TO WIN; including over 100 photos, you may also purchase the 'Color Book' addition containing the same text including over 600 photos.
“I’m so sorry, Win, all of this is my fault. We should have never moved out here.”
Jim’s long years of depression were jump-started once more. His cardiologist, Dr. Dicus, suggested he apply for Social Security disability.
At forty-four years old working was a thing of the past for Jim. He kept busy some of the day weeding through the mass of daisies in front of our new home, but the beer can was never far from his other hand.
In the spring of 1978 I took the state test in Los Angeles for my cosmetology license. Shortly after I answered an ad for a hair stylist at JB’s Hair Salon in the village of Carlsbad, telling the owner that as soon as I built up a clientele I would be looking for a salon to purchase.
About a year later I bought JBs Hair Fashions, Jan’s initials were ‘J B’ I kept the name. I told everyone it stood for ‘Just Beautiful Hair Fashions.’ At the beginning it was a little gold mine, I had three employees but could use more. I remodeled and added a station and before long had six girls working staggered hours in four stations.
After seven years I moved to a new building closer to the ocean, I had the contractor put in seven stations with three nail stations, I employed thirteen stylists and nail techs.
I worked long, hard hours out of necessity, attributing my success and independence to Jim’s illness. My cosmetologist's license was our means of survival.
