by Andrea Yeager
By day, she’s an attorney’s executive assistant, by night, she’s a student, and any time, she’s a mechanic and repair person.
Tracy Bouma of Waveland loves fixing things — cars, motorcycles, home repairs — but the one thing she couldn’t fix was her dad’s health. She spent two months this past summer as his caregiver in South Bend, Ind.
“This year has been hard for me,” Bouma says. “I drove home to Indiana to take care of him. He died within two months. We were so close. I am still grieving. Something can trigger a memory, and here I am crying again.”
She also turned 50 this year and severely broke her arm when she fell off a 20-foot ladder while painting her ceiling. Like she says, it’s been a tough year. She also gained a few pounds when she was recuperating.
“I ate a few cookies and some more,” says Bouma, who is studying to be a registered dietitian.
Since she broke her arm, she hasn’t been able to ride a motorcycle. Her right arm is too weak to stay stretched out on a bike, but her two sons, Adam and Zachary, are searching for a bike that she can still maneuver.
A friend at the law firm of Balch and Bingham, Kathleen Shiver, decided Bouma needed something uplifting, so she nominated her for the bi-monthly Gulf Coast Woman makeover at Tanya Tancredi Hair Salon in Gulfport.
“She and my boss, Ben Stone, are so supportive,” Bouma says. “My boss gave me the day off for the makeover. Those two are the only ones at the office who know about this. My 22-year-old daughter, Eva, knows, but doesn’t know what to expect. As I was packing my suitcase with a few things for the photo shoot, Eva questioned the items I was bringing: lace, pearls, bustier and leather. It’s going to be a surprise reveal tonight.”
After the whole process, Bouma hopes to look a little bit younger and more attractive.
She has never had a professional haircut before and she’s a bit intimidated. She trims her own hair and friend, Katherine, cuts it straight across.
“I am scared, but know I will be happy,” Bouma says. “I need a happy in my life right now. I don’t take time for myself.”
This is especially true since she saved her hardest college courses for last: algebra and chemistry. She is set to receive her associate’s degree in the spring and then it’s time for clinicals.
She need not worry because she’s in good hands with stylists and colorists Angela Taylor and Lauren Damond. Taylor, who senses the fear, decides they simply will tone down some of the brassy blonde and trim the ends of Bouma’s hair.
“We want to give her a subtle difference,” Taylor says as she paints on a quick-acting highlight. “This fades in and blends in with the different tones in her hair.”
“I’m trusting you,” Bouma says a bit nervously. “I want a change and need it, but don’t want a disaster.”
“Don’t worry,” Taylor says, “You won my heart over. I think some women can relate to Tracy’s feelings.”
The hair is the second step in her makeover. Two days ago, Jessica Richmond, owner of Bronze Secret in Gulfport, did a spray tan on Bouma. Her skin looks smooth and healthy.
Now that the color and cut are done, makeup artist Gracyn Taylor takes over giving Bouma a natural look with a sultry smoky eye, which gives contrast to Bouma’s unusual light blue-gray eyes. Gracyn also does a bit of contouring on cheek bones and jawline.
All the while, Bouma is like the cat in the poster, saying, “Lord, help me hang in there.”
The result? Bouma looks refreshed and ready for an evening out. Tina Brown, manager of Avenue in Crossroads Mall in Gulfport, furnishes a striking dress and a “pay-it-forward” Avenue customer added jet and rhinestone bracelets and jet drop earrings.
Bouma looks hot. Later, she dons her biker girl look with leather chaps, boots and halter, and, of course, her dad’s leather cap for a photo shoot. She is stunning and worry is nowhere in her face.