Sunday Scribbling - "Hair"

I was always a high maintenance woman when I was working. I had the nice suits that had to be dry cleaned and the leather pumps to match. In those days I even bought nice under clothes that had to be washed by hand. I was hard on nylons, however, (yes, they wore those in the old days) so I always had an extra "control top" egg in my car. Do they still sell nylons in silver eggs?

So you're now starting to get the picture, but it didn't stop there, oh no. I had my hair permed, cut and highlighted at regular intervals along with acrylic "french tip" nails and toes. The finishing touch was constant grooming. I shaved and bathed every day and never left the house without my full make-up routine. I still can't believe how I raised two girls, worked full time and kept that up everyday.

Fast forward to an early, unwanted retirement being a useless house mom. I went from high maintenance to fried hair, broken nails and sweats. Being a single mom with a disability did not allow for a clean house or creative dinners, but I tried to keep my spirits high by dressing, bathing and adding a dab of lip gloss on occasion. I didn't want to embarrass my kids at soccer or parents night. It took four years to get comfy in my own skin and find a balance for retirement in my 30's. Not to mention the only man in my bed that would notice hairy legs had four of his own.

Fast forward to 4 years ago, when I began to date Dave. I had to find ways to feel sexy and yet still be me. Shaving body hair was the most challenging. It can be very dangerous when holding a razor with a shaky hand so I used the dreaded Epilady. It pulls your leg hairs out by the roots so you only need to use it once a month. You only cry in the spring when your leg hair is long enough to use a hedge trimmer. I did add a bit more make-up because at 46 bed head with the natural look can be scary. I still dressed casually but used flattering colors which is difficult to find with elastic waists.

My most daring move and biggest change was the hair. Two weeks before my wedding I cut it off with my husband to be by my side. Why? Washing and blow drying was zapping my energy after a taxing shower. I cried at first, because as a woman my hair was very important to me. Not only did the cut not look like the sexy Alyssa Milano from Charmed but I was GREY! Dave took me home and added some color. He decided he liked it but everyone knows men like long hair better (hey, he loves me). I cannot believe how freeing it was to cut it off and in doing so I realized that sexy comes from within. That's not a cliche' because I've lived it. I can be sexy with a boy cut, winter hairy legs and casual clothes. It's all in the TUDE!