Am I Ever Gonna Grow Up?

I ran into an old acquaintance that I haven't seen in years. She's a very nice person, but boy, did she seem....old. It's not that she looked particularly wrinkled or anything, but she just seemed...matronly. In fact, it wasn't any one thing, but the overall package: the clothes, the hair, the makeup (or lack of).

It got me wondering, when does this happen? At what point do we decide to ditch the Manolo Blahniks (well, if you're Carrie Bradshaw) and opt for "sensible" shoes? When does one decide to go for the no-maintenance haircut? I'm not talking low-maintenance, but rather literally wash-n-go hair. I'm certainly no fashion plate sitting here in my jeans and t-shirt, but at what point will polyester pants become attractive to me?

Which begs the question: is she 'old' or am I 'young'? Am I destined to be one of those nutty old ladies who look so ridiculous dressing decades younger than they are? I used to chuckle at those women when I'd see them at the mall. Now I applaud their spirit. (Is this the first step?)

No Red Hat Society for me, bring on the Blue Jeans, White Tank w/ VBL Society! I'm kidding, mostly. I've spent my life trying to avoid Visible Bra Lines, so I'm not about to start now. But you get my point?

I debated this a few years ago when I got the idea that women of a certain age really have a difficult time pulling off long hair. That was before I grew mine past my shoulders, though.

When will or should my wardrobe grow up? Am I too narcissistic to become matronly? Or will I be the woman who tries too hard to look young? Who should my fashion muse be? Hmmmm....

Deep Thought of the Day:
He who laughs last...thinks slowest.

If I Had My Life To Live Over

This was written by the late, great Erma Bombeck:

If I had my life to live over....
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
I would have eaten popcorn in the "good" living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have sat on the lawn with my childten and not worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would have never bought anything just because it was practical, would show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment realizing that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
There would have been more "I love yous"...more "I'm sorrys"...but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it...live it...and never give it back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today's Deep Thought:
A day without sunshine is like . . . night.

New Year's Resolutions: Update

Here's an update for my resolutions for 2006:

1) lose weight - I've lost four pounds this past week, for a total of...four pounds. I really didn't start trying in earnest until last week. I've begun counting Weight Watchers points, altho' I haven't joined WW. I'm using my sister-in-law's books from last winter. Giving up chocolate for Lent is helping, I think. I also began working out two weeks ago to a Pilates DVD I really like. It's a series of 10 minute workouts. Most days, I combine two of the workouts. Even on my worst day, though, I can squeeze in a 10-minute workout.

2) drink more water - not too good here...

3) drink less Diet Coke - I'm down to 32 oz a day, instead of my usual 44 oz. It's a wonder I haven't grown a third arm from my forehead with all the chemicals that stuff contains!

4) pick a hobby and stick with it for the entire year - My neighbor taught me to make beaded jewelry and I had fun with that, but I haven't done much lately. I need to stock up on my supplies. I wouldn't say I've given up yet...

Our family resolutions are:
1) less yelling - this past weekend was a tough one...better this week
2) pray the rosary as a family once a week - oops!
3) set aside time at least once a week to play a board game as a family - not regularly, so this is still a work-in-progress.


Finally, today's Deep Thought:
Save the whales. Collect the whole set.

Chuck Norris

I was listening to a radio interview with Chuck Norris and the DJ asked him about the website that popped up listing "facts" about Chuck Norris. I had never heard of the site, but then it got a mention in next week's TV Guide. Mr. Norris really has a sense of humor about it and shared a few of his favorites with the radio listeners.

Here is a link: www.chucknorrisfacts.com and below are a few of MY favorites:

1. When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.
2. Chuck Norris doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.
3. Chuck Norris is the reason why Waldo is hiding.
4. When Chuck Norris does a pushup, he isn’t lifting himself up, he’s pushing the Earth down.
5. There is no such thing as global warming. Chuck Norris was cold, so he turned the sun up.
6. Chuck Norris can lead a horse to water AND make it drink.
7. Chuck Norris doesn’t wear a watch, HE decides what time it is.
8. Chuck Norris is not hung like a horse... horses are hung like Chuck Norris.
9. Chuck Norris invented black. In fact, he invented the entire spectrum of visible light. Except pink. Tom Cruise invented pink.
10. Chuck Norris once ate an entire bottle of sleeping pills. They made him blink.