I thought I'd write a bit today since it's my birthday.
I'm 54 and still can't believe I'm that old - lol. I don't FEEL old. I don't think I look too old unless I'm not smiling - so I smile a lot these days - heh-heh. I might add here that when you're younger you don't think getting old will bother you. Well, that is what I used to think anyway. And, in the big picture, it is really not important. But, what bothers me is that I am
very visual, so I notice everything! And, like I mentioned once before - the way you look affects how you FEEL. If I'm feeling like "myself" (young and energetic) and then glance in the mirror and see someone who looks old and tired, it can sometimes take me down a notch. It's like... WHA??? How can this be? Visual stuff really affects me. But, it is fleeting and I have bigger and better things to worry about in this world.
Besides, Mike loves me just the way I am.
So far the day is going great. Mike gave me a wonderful card first thing and is taking me out for dinner tonight. He also gave me some money so I can buy myself what I need since the poor thing hasn't had a minute free to go shopping these days. Since I got in to work I received a birthday wish from my friend, Rita (waving at Rita
) in Italy, and several co-workers. One of my favorite co-workers, a 22-year-old doll, brought me flowers! She is so sweet. She also brought me some green tea and an
In Style Wedding magazine since she knows Mike and I will be getting married (date not yet planned) the end of this year. And just now my gym called to wish me happy birthday! So... the day is going great so far, even if it is dark and raining and outside (I love the rain).
With another birthday comes introspection and maybe a resolution or two.
I've been going to the gym more often and am losing a bit of weight. Since hooking up with Mike, I cook so much more and put on maybe 15 pounds. I'm not fat, but I feel pudgy for me since I am quite small boned for my height. I want my 26" waist back (it's currently 28" and
used to be 23" when I was in my 30's). Gaining weight, as far as I'm concerned, isn't caused by aging; it's caused by
lack of movement. So, I've been doing a lot of weight lifting and am starting to do more aerobic workouts as well. I feel so much better when I work out regularly since my job is quite sedentary. I think the body is meant to MOVE. I can't wait until Mike and I can start landscaping our yard. That will be great (fun and productive) exercise.
My house is
so close to going on the market. After this weekend we'll be done there.
Phew. We had some good news yesterday. A client and friend of Mike's, who is also a licensed realtor, dropped by the house while Mike was there and walked through. She said the house would "sell itself" because it is in such good condition (and has the best closet in the world that I never got to use - lol!). THAT was good to hear after all our hard work. Once it is sold, life will be SO much easier in so many ways. I will miss my pond though... and my fish and froggies... sigh...
I think I'm going to get a hair cut next Saturday. Yep, at least 3 inches. As I wrote on the Loom yesterday in a message to Martine (who is MIA these days
), my ends are looking thin to me and I can't wear my hair down anymore. The thin ends are sudden; they didn't seem that way even two months ago, so it is strange. My hair is about an inch past my waist and it no longer has any movement when it's down. If the ends were big and fluffy, that would be different, but they're looking thin. I think a lot of it has to do with all the blow-drying I did when I was growing out my perm. I didn't stop using the blow dryer until about a year ago, so most of my hair has all that damage. The ends don't look
dry or particularly damaged, but I'm wondering if they're just weak and are maybe breaking off. I will take a picture this weekend and post it on the Loom to get some input. I'm thinking I'll cut off about 3" and have it shaped into a U so that the front length is shorter - though not a
lot shorter. I've really been wanting to wear it down lately and when I try to, it just doesn't look good. The length itself doesn't seem that complimentary to my face and height right now either. It's all about balance to me I guess. Anyway, it's only 3 inches and my hair will still be close to waist. I think my favorite length so far has been about 2" below BS. I could do so much more with my hair at that length. Right now I can't ever wear half-ups or some fun flipped 'dos I used to wear. I'm looking forward to a subtle change - and will post pictures for sure.
Oh, here is a picture of my braid taken last weekend before going to work at my house for the day. My hair was quite dirty here. See how thin the ends look? BAH! I'm thinking that maybe if I cut the old blow-fried ends off, it will get better as it grows out with no heat styling. Otherwise, I'm going to stay above waist. Of course, braided it looks
way above waist.
Here is another picture of me and how I wear my hair most of the time (a pony... *yawn*). When it's not in a pony, it's in a figure 8. I like them both, but don't like having so few choices right now. I rarely wear braids.
The angle makes my butt look bigger than it really is! This picture was taken in downtown Atlanta weekend before last when Mike and I went to a big garden show to get inspired for landscaping our yard. There were some beautiful gardens and plants there and we
did get inspired.
Okay, I'm at work and need to wrap this up. Update pictures SOON!
