H IS FOR HARMONY

I had a moment of revelation that I haven't had a picture taken of myself since something like fall of 2008. Maybe there were Christmas pictures last year, but I don't have them. If any exist, they are on my mom's computer, and I haven't seen them. Hmmmm. Now, I am kinda sorta wondering about that. In any event, I decided THIS Christmas that I would actually make an effort to look good for Christmas. I really needed to have some sort of halfway decent looking picture of myself. In other words, try to look as good as possible. That meant doing something with my hair. I knew that my blowdryer worked only because my stepdad's grand-daughter visited for the holidays about a week ago and asked to borrow it. Yep. It worked. So, that meant that the least I could was blow out my hair and try to do something with the ends. Put on a dab of make-up (just so that I don't look dead) and see what happens.

Can you tell that my expectations weren't rolling real high here? Well, it was a bit frustrating. All of my pants were too big. I mentioned this on yesterday's post (for those of you who didn't read it) and all of my clothes are dated. That is what happens when you don't work for an extended period of time. And my hair hasn't been cut in almost two years, so there was not really any part of the whole that is me that I was excited about "showcasing." Of course, it didn't help that my mother pointed out that the black shirt I chose made me look washed out and pasty against all of our white walls. Washed out and pasty wasn't really the look I was going for to update my facebook picture and punctuate the 2010 photo album as "me" in the appropriate slot.

This one is me by the Christmas tree. Turns out it wasn't so bad. What is amazing is that I have horrible red eye in every picture. I look like the devil. Thank the powers that be that someone invented red eye removal. Unfortunately, there are some pictures that I still was unable to get it punched out.



For instance, this one of me and my dog, Shelby. There is still a hint of red eye.



And this is me opening a gift that totally cracked me up. Again, I tried to completely remove the red eye, but no such luck. However, this is what I look like when I laugh. So, I kept it in. Just without the red eye.


Then, I told you that I went shopping for pants yesterday. If you want more on that story, you will have to read yesterday's post. Boy, that was an experience. This is the full length shot of the pants that I was trying to describe. The pattern in the pants is so fine that you can't even really see it. Figures. However, I think that Stacy and Clinton from What Not To Wear would be very proud. I barely own any clothes, but the pants that I do own follow the instructions about the line of the leg and all that to a Tee. However, before I can put Phase II of my Big Idea into action I am going to have to go on What Not To Wear, and be fitted out with a new wardrobe. I am completely unprepared for serious fundraising with the pitiful clothing that I currently own. I had a terrible time with this outfit. I have no nice blouses. And finding a wide belt was a nightmare. One that fit. Ugggh. So, this was a making do with what we had outfit.



I do like this picture better because I am actually smiling. If you are wondering about the necklace, I bought it from a girl who walked into the little part-time job I worked in Florida. That seems like forever ago. I was doing a lot better then. Anyway, she made her own jewelry and she was so sweet. As a salesperson, I am a sucker for other salespeople. I have the worst time saying "no." So, she was telling me about each piece, what it was made of, what it stood for, and I was nodding and trying to figure out how to say "no." Then she got to the one I am wearing. It means harmony. At that point in my life I needed harmony. A lot. I was going through some rough times. So, without being able to stop myself, I said, "I'll take it." And that is how I bought myself harmony.



You may have noticed that my hair on Christmas was straight and it is curly today. Well, I dug out my curling iron and curled it. It took me a while to find it. I haven't used it in... I honestly don't know how long. I just wondered what it would feel like to feel pretty again. Turns out it feels pretty good. Well, not on the hands while you are curling the hair. That hurts. All of that spinning hurts the joints like crazy. But the after part feels good. And I remembered what it was like to curl your hair. What it used to be like. Back when I did it all the time... that was the time I had practice conversations with myself. In high school, it was the time that I had hundreds of conversations with the boy that I had a crush on. Not one of those conversations ever took place. When I went to work, it was when I had practice conversations about how to do my job better. Those conversations actually happened. I practiced my demos as a salesperson. Sometimes I practiced arguing when I was married. Those always went better in my bathroom than they did in real life...lol.

So, what do you think about while you are fixing your hair?