Amazing how the passage of time changes things

[Medusa]

As I type, I'm having a new driveway, 2 walkways and patio poured. The guys showed up at 7:00 AM ready to work, every tanned and muscled one of 'em wearing wife beater Tshirts, some w/tatoos. Young as hell, too. Time was when I would've been dressed in my finest, wearing full make up, hair done to perfection, ready to strut my stuff. That was then. Now... I was wearing mismatched pajamas, I had bed hair, no makeup and was wearing my favorite bacteria infested bedroom slippers. I handed one of the hotties my car keys to back my car out of the garage and park it where he feels it won't get splattered w/concrete. Then I slinked back into my house to take a shower. I imagine that they'll have a good story to tell their kids later on: "I remember the day we poured concrete at a house haunted by a hag who handed one of us the keys to her car and then disappeared".

[sasvermont]

Oh, how true. After years of caring what other's think about me, early in the AM, I now do just about what you just did. Toss on a mismatched bathrobe, ugly slippers, hair pulled back and yucky, but I must also put on glasses. I think the membership in this club is increasing by the moment.

Just remember, this same process will happen to men and to the young man you gave your car keys to, to move your car.

Does this make you feel a little less frumpy?

[Medusa]

Oh, how true. After years of caring what other's think about me, early in the AM, I now do just about what you just did. Toss on a mismatched bathrobe, ugly slippers, hair pulled back and yucky, but I must also put on glasses. I think the membership in this club is increasing by the moment.

Just remember, this same process will happen to men and to the young man you gave your car keys to, to move your car.

Does this make you feel a little less frumpy?

Oh yes, I forgot the glasses. Gotta picture me w/those atop my head. Actually, I felt more scary than frumpy. But my Fur Posse still love me.

[pomtzu]

Retirement has made me the hag that I am these days.

After spending most of my working years in an office setting and having to dress accordingly, I'm taking advantage of not having to do that anymore. Every working day it was fix the hair, apply the makeup, dress to kill, stuff the feet into heels, don the jewelry, etc, etc. Even in later years when the office went "business casual", it still was pretty much the same routine - just more casual clothes and not suits or dresses and the dreaded panty hose. Even on weekends, I was inclined to still do the makeup and hair, just to go grocery shopping!

Now some days I'm lucky to be showered and dressed by noon! And it's definitely super casual. Around the house in the summer, it's capris, tank top or tee, and flip-flops, no makeup except for a dab of lipstick, and do the "finger-styling" thing with my hair. Tomorrow I have a doctor appointment, so I'll have to get "dressed up" - a nice pair of capris, a nice top, Birkenstock sandals, brush a little Bare Minerals on the face, and use the curling iron on my hair, but only if absolutely necessary.

Oh, how times have changed. I like it this way!

[Cataholic]

I would never inquire as to the age of others posting here, but, at 43, I long ago gave up dressing to impress. I haven't worn hose since the summer of 2004, and see more and more women (professionals..downtown...) doing the same. I am showered, with a minimal amount of make up (as I have pretty uneven skin tone) M-Th (my work days) and am lucky if I shower before dinner on the others. Why bother when my PLAN is to go to the gym each day. I wear suits next to never (unless it is a trial), and open toed shoes as much as I can.

I am a scruff around my house and only if I venture out into the yard do I put on what might pass as clothes. Otherwise it is lounging pants and a t-shirt, face washed bare and hair in a pony tail. Comfort has always ruled my life. Last night, after soaking himself in the hose, and having to leave the wet clothes at the front door, J was nekkid as the day he was born for 3 hours....telling me it was more comfortable for him like that. Now, I don't go that far...but, inside our house its our rules.

[Medusa]

Last night, after soaking himself in the hose, and having to leave the wet clothes at the front door, J was nekkid as the day he was born for 3 hours....telling me it was more comfortable for him like that.

Oh boy, does this bring back memories of when my son was little. There were lots of days when I'd have to hose him down before he could come into the house. It's good to see that your little one actually plays outdoors. There are so many kids today who are planted in front of the TV or computer and may not know the pleasure of coming home, stinking dirty and exhausted.

As for myself, I've always been a girlie girl. I've always loved dressing up and never minded when I had to dress to impress when I was working. Then later on when I was cleaning houses for a living, I wore jeans and a T-shirt every day and in the evening because I was dating a biker, I wore jeans to go riding, too. I got sick of that and looked forward to times w/my girlfriends when we'd go to dinner and would dress up a little. Around the house I usually wear jeans or slacks now and in the winter I have my favorite velour suits but those are dangerous because I can gain weight and not realize how much until I try to squeeze the gluteus into jeans or a pair of pants that I haven't worn in a while. I still do my hair and makeup each day (usually) but since my office is now in my home, I'm not always presentable at 7:00 AM.

[Cataholic]

It's good to see that your little one actually plays outdoors. There are so many kids today who are planted in front of the TV or computer and may not know the pleasure of coming home, stinking dirty and exhausted.

This ties into the thread by Carole, about the fattest countries in the world. I firmly believe you must build exercise into a day. That might be by walking to get ice cream (yes, it is a treat....and I believe in treats), taking a bike ride to no where (and we just bought a 3rd wheel for J to ride behind me on my bike), walking the neighborhood with your dog. We went to brunch with my brother last weekend, and walked to the restaurant (not miles and miles, but, it is still movement). We walk to the movies the week before, we play at indoor play places when it is super hot. If you don't actively seek it out, it prolly won't happen in our typical day.

Playing outside is one of our favorite activities. J's grandpa built a 4 x 4 sandbox, which holds 400 pounds of sand. It sits outside, of course, away from TV, computer, etc. And, if he is outside, he is more likely to be moving along moreso than on the couch. (But, we do watch TV, too!!).