I said I was initially going to limit my participation in Dress Up Thursday to identifying my excuses. So I was practically in tears thinking about that after seeing your lovely pictures. Sharing my issues helps me move forward.
Have you ever had a geriatric cat? If so, you notice how when they get old, they stop grooming themselves. That is what I feel like. I remember being highly critical of my MIL who would palm off emptying the trash on anyone she could. My theory was that the less she did, the less she would be able to do. Now I am the one without energy.
I have some legitimate health issues that contribute to this: thyroid problems and a bad knee. I baby my knee, but I typically have a strained episode that lasts a week or two maybe every three months. Since New Years Day, it has not been sporadic. I have literally lived in my pajamas for the past 6 weeks. I have done nothing but read, sleep, and try to stay off my knee. I went to an orthopedic surgeon last week who informed me I have no cartilage in half of one knee.
The surgeon gave me a cortisone shot. This created a new problem. My knee alignment slipped out and then popped back. I could not put any weight at all on that leg for about 2.5 days. It was horrifying. However in the midst of this horror, it was amusing, that living in a retirement area, I could text my next door neighbor and ask “do you have a wheelchair or walker?” She immediately sent her husband over with walker, which was a godsend.
Now I am scheduled for a knee surgery in two weeks. After the surgery, I am supposed to be as good as new (after rehab). I will be able to walk more, and walk off those extra pounds living around my waistline. Then I can wear my beautiful clothes rather than the slubby ones that hide the roll living at my waist. I am kind of depressed about the surgery for the short run, but actually excited for the long run.
But my knee is really not the issue at the root of my geriatric cat problem. When DH and I go out which is fairly frequently, I always have the best hair, handbag, shoes, scarf, or accessories of anyone at the orchestra, opera, ballet, theatre or restaurant. But around home I am an embarrassing slob. I just don’t make grooming a priority and I lazily slide into cheap tee shirts and dirty hair.
So my initial participation in Dress Up Thursday may be to show a fresh manicure or good bangs or lipstick or a linen shirt instead of a cheap tee shirt. It could be making the effort to wear my contacts instead of glasses. I look at these minor efforts as being like one of the last people to cross the finish line at the marathon. It may be a weak showing, but it is an improvement over not participating. My goal is to eventually be June Cleaver, but it will take a lot of tiny steps and better habits to get there.
I couldn’t post at work but managed a quick shot out the door this morning. I feel like a cheater as well since my outfit is basically as comfortable as pajamas. I added the coat for drama and wore lipstick for at least an hour!
I'm sure no one would care but....