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From Terrible to Great
First of all, I don’t think I have ever been happy with my hair. Short, Medium, Long, nothing seems to work.I want a maintenance-free, kicky, fun, shiny, healthy hair. Join the club right?
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Salon Nightmare
I was in high school and it was time for the Turn-About dance, where the girls invite the boys to the event. I had everything planned, from where we going to eat to how I wanted to do my hair.
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When Outfits Go Wrong
Here’s a picture from High School. I was dressed for “Punk Day” during Spirit Week. Perhaps it was my Junior year in High School. I worked hard on my clothing, makeup, and hair. I wanted to present myself as edgy, fun, and…“out there”.
When I go to work, I shower, put on makeup, and do my hair. I like to experiment with long, dangly, and whimsical earrings. I give thought to what I wear. But my sense of self, how I present myself to the world isn’t always as I expect.
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Big Ass Hair
There were so many fads of the 80s that I tended to follow. I had Care Bears, a Cabbage Patch Doll, a Boom Box, Neon clothes and accessories, talked like a Valley Girl, went to the Video Arcade for fun, and… had BIG ASS HAIR! This is one thing that immediately makes me think of the 80s. From rock stars to television personalities, everyone seemed to embrace the motto: the bigger, the better. -
Are You Really Living?
It was the spring of 1977 and the end of 6th grade. I was sitting on the grassy hill beside the building where I had spent my early education–Washington Elementary. Mary and I were talking about our dreams and plans for the future. I was excited that I had actually gotten up the courage to ask Mom if I could shave my legs, and she said yes. But I was planning on waiting another year or so because once you started, you couldn’t ever stop. I was also wanting to give myself a makeover. I wanted elephant bellbottoms. They were so cool. You see I needed new clothes. Every year I always got new clothes for school, but I felt that I had really held off this year. I wanted everything new for seventh grade. Clothes represented on the outside how I would feel on the inside.Cool. Fresh. In style.
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Oh Such Memories!
Remembering past fads is fascinating and laughable.In particular, I am thinking about the 1970s. I was beyond my years for the most part not having gone on to school, but that didn’t stop my wanting to fit in with those my age. I got married in 1963 and started my family shortly after that. I always enjoyed fashion and tried to keep up with all the trends.
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Teenage Fashion Dilemma
We, as a culture, seem to be attracted to black and white opinions. We see things as good or bad, flower or weed, Republican or Democrat, yum or yuck, right or wrong.As a parent it’s easy to be labeled as either the “go-to” parent or the “hard-ass”. Between Craig and I (generally speaking) I am the one who is more inclined to say “yes”.
But it really isn’t as simple as that…
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Matching Not Required
This is me at 4 years old. Yeah, I can still sleep pretty much anywhere, anytime… It seems that lately, I am so tired at the end of the day that I often get into bed–clothes on. I have a new day job that is really intense. when I get home, I shower, do my hair, put on a pinch of makeup, and go take care of dinner. So when I say that I get in bed fully clothed, that means socks and a bra also.
But life has not always been so crazy.
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My Favorite PJs (or Lack Thereof)
I was recently talking with friends at work. We were discussing buying Christmas gifts for their kiddos. They said the latest trend is to buy 4 gifts for each child: #1 something they need, #2 something they want, #3 something to read, and #4 something to wear. -
I Love My Stripper
When I was little a new pair of pajamas was a wonderful treat. We usually got a pair for every Christmas and were always looked for in anticipation. The ones I am referring to are the soft, cuddly, fresh PJs. I never wanted to have them washed because then they would not be so soft and the cuddliness would go away. So, trying to keep them out of the wash was the key. -
Don’t Scare the Kids
I can’t say that I have ever had a favorite pair of PJs. Throughout the years, I’ve worn nightgowns, silk shirts/shorts, “nighties”, sweats, and gone naked. Each one has been comfortable at the time that I wore (or didn’t wear) it. -
One Pink Shoe, One Green
To say I love clothes and shoes is an understatement. I actually somehow have two full, down from three closets, full of clothes. One of my closets actually has nothing but jackets which I never wear since I am now retired. I also have a surplus of skirts that I haven’t worn even one for over one year. When I go into a store I never try them on there as I hate to try on clothes. This does result in a few returns along the way, but it is what it is. I have to be comfortable or I will never wear the outfit again. -
Comfort Before Beauty
I give quite a bit of thought to what I put on my body. One of my rules of thumb is that “life is too short to wear uncomfortable shoes”! -
Naked, But With the Right Shoes
I always say I would go naked if I had the right shoes to wear! That may be a slight exaggeration, but I do love shoes. -
Love Daisies But When’s the Flood?
Sometimes there are just certain items of clothing or certain pairs of shoes that just have a special meaning to them or bring back a particular memory. I have a few things that do that for me.
Kindergarten -
What’s So Special About a Silly Apron?
Did you know that there is a day dedicated to “aprons” (November 24th)? I couldn’t help but reflect back on a very special apron that I have. I really don’t usually wear an apron, but way back in the day–like 1961–I was going with a guy (he is amazingly, still, my husband today) that had a surprising skill that changed the way I will forever view the humble apron.
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My “Hot Tub Rules” for Underwear
Opening the top left drawer of my dresser in the bedroom, I need a fresh pair of underwear. However, the drawer is filled with so many items besides the needed unders. This is where I store 1/2 ream of printed emails that my husband sent to me in the year before we got married. It holds 18 old mother’s day cards from my three children, 8 bibs from races that I’ve run and 4 metals from three half-marathons and one full marathon that I ran, and 12 multi-colored headbands.
At first glance, it holds everything EXCEPT underwear. Do I not own underwear? Do I even wear underwear?Have you ever given any thought to the idea that underwear should be considered when making a commitment to yourself about self-care? Well, let me tell you a story…
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Dress for Success
Then, I went to the pharmacy yesterday to get a prescription for my dad. It wasn’t ready yet, so I had about 10 minutes to shop while I waited.
I grabbed a watermelon and some boxes of Kraft Mac&Cheese that were on sale. I was investigating the spices when someone said my name. It didn’t register that they were talking to me until they said my name again, “Lisa?”
I glanced up to recognize an elder version of a guy I used to drool over when I was 14. Eric was still about 6’5″ and his blond athletic self. He is/was 3 years older than I. (In High School, this seemed soooo important). Now, I noticed that he looked somewhat….faded…but he was still tall, and still blond, and…HE noticed me. -
No Bras Required – Ever!
Age 18 – No Boobs!! Bras have always been a source of strife in my life – being one of those people that really doesn’t require one completely. (I’m the odd duck in my family in this regard)
Look at this picture!! I’m 18 in this picture and you can see – I have NO BOOBS!! Ha-ha!
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Who the Hell Invented Bras?? It Must’ve Been a Man!
Bra drawer of a cute perky teen Who the hell invented bras, and who the hell says we have to wear them????
Who likes bras? Well, I don’t know many people, women, who do. On two different occasions, maybe three, I have gone bra shopping with family and friends, spending many, many hours in dressing rooms, thinking that I have found the ONE. Then a couple of days later I returned all of them much to the dismay of my helpers. As you will note in some other Sidetracked Sisters’ posts I am not very popular in this department.
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Bra Shopping – The Perfect 6 Step How-To Guide
I recently needed a change. I was feeling blah and stale. When I looked in the mirror, my middle-aged face, clothes, and body all looked tired. I smoothed my hands over my face. I ran my fingers through my hair. I looked at my self straight on and sideways. Then I saw it. The “girls” could use a lift. They were looking rather blobby and rounded. I think the terminology is “uni-boob”. I decided that I would begin a mini-makeover from the inside out. That is, clothing-wise, with my undergarments–my bra.
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Shopping for Intimates (namely Bras) with my Sister?!?
Bra shopping is an event that comes along very rarely in my life. Several years ago, I found a bra that fit well and I keep buying the same make and model over and over in different colors but mostly flesh color. I know, boring.