It’s freezing outside. The snow ain’t goin’ anywhere. And I’m thinking of the warm weather.

Spring is in 5 more days. Five. More. Days. And this is what I’m dealing with!

Some people get prepared for the warm weather by going to the gym and working out.

I prepare for the warm weather by going to the doctor. To have my skin checked.  Today was a bit different.

I’ll be covered up like this at the beach to protect my skin.   No I won’t. I’ll use sunscreen and sit under an umbrella!

I had a thing on my leg. It started as a little scaly patch. Very small.  And last week I was in Target looking at stuff I couldn’t buy because Bonaparte took my credit cards away from me.  That didn’t stop me from looking at home goods or underwear.or stuff I wasn’t even interested in purchasing.  So anyway, I noticed a display of earrings on sale.  My clumsiness got the better of me.  I literally bumped into the display. I had my keys in my hand. Just my luck one of the keys dug into the little scaly patch.

Are you following?

The next thing I know, my little scaly patch grew within seconds to a deep red circle and in the middle of the circle there appeared what looked like the largest, pus-filled giant pimple you had ever seen. Only it wasn’t a pimple.

I know. It’s gross, but this is a photograph of what my “thing” resembled. Only mine was worse. A lot worse. It was so big, I could have skied down it!

It was now a “thing”. And what really scared me was that this “thing” resembled the squamous cell skin cancer that I had on my forehead seven years ago.  I just about shit a brick!

I couldn’t stop inspecting this “thing”.  Bonaparte was becoming annoyed with me because I kept shoving my thigh into his face—and it was not in a sexy or romantic way either.

This is me. Only I had a huge magnifying glass to inspect my “thing” every hour to see if it hadn’t gotten bigger!

What else could I do but make an appointment with the doctor.  My first appointment was set for this past Tuesday—but the big snow ruined that for me.  The appointment was scheduled for today.

I made sure that I wore clothing that was easily removable. After all, I was wearing fake hair and I’ll be damned if I would wear something I had to pull over my head. I spent fifteen minutes making sure that messy bun of mine was strategically messy.  On the coldest day of the year, I went bare legged! Going to the doctor’s office bare-legged in sub-zero weather always ensures a return trip will be on the horizon due to pneumonia one would catch by wearing as little as possible! I’m sure the doctor will be thrilled to see me return!

Ensemble for a visit to the doctor. Boots that come off easily.  A button-down shirt and cardigan sweater and a short skirt! Very appropriate for 12 degree weather!

And here’s how the visit went.

Tiffany, the P.A. came in to inspect my “thing” and I think I saw her suppress a laugh as I explained how this “thing” grew to enormous proportions within seconds.  I then explained to her that even though this thing could very well be the squamous cell, it was healing. It wasn’t as big as it was last week. And I had a feeling it was Actinic/Acetic Keratosis–or “AK”. (At this point Tiffany looked scared because she realized I was one of those patients–a self-diagnosing hypochondriac. No thanks to WebMD!

I keep a copy of this in my wallet. You never know when someone may need to know these symptoms!

Ultimately, the diagnosis was one that made me happy.  It was Acetic Keratosis.  I’m very familiar with this because I’ve had many of them burned off my body.  Instead of spending money to get rid of wrinkles, I get to spend money ridding my body of sun damage!

The funny thing was that Tiffany was a bit apprehensive about burning this thing off of me. She wanted one of the doctors to do it.  I told her I didn’t care if she had to run into the little kitchen in the office, get a knife and a spoon and cut and spoon the “thing” off my leg!

She wasn’t used to being with cheeky patients like me.  But in the end. She did a fantastic job of burning that Acetic Keratosis from my leg. She mentioned that I might have to come back for a second go-round and I was fine with it.  I think she is now home kneeling at her bed praying that I don’t have to go back.

Funny how the band-aid is almost darker than my pasty, fish-belly, bluish, freckled Irish-American skin.  Now you know why fake tan is so important to me!

And speaking of cheeky, I’m mulling over the idea of getting a new blush.  Actually, I’m mulling over asking Bonaparte to give me cash to buy a new blush.

But do I really need one?

To tell you the truth, I don’t have many blush or cheek colors in my artillery at the moment.  I have a couple of powder blushes that only come out in the extreme heat—like when my skin is glistening from sweat and we are about to go to dinner and I want a little somethin’ somethin’ on my cheeks.

I like a natural flush of color on my cheeks, but this isn’t the way I attain it!

During the rest of the year, I love me a cream blush. And I’ll tell you, it isn’t easy to find one that works on my pale, pasty white freckled skin that is now getting age spots!

But, I’m gonna tell you about four  cheek colors that I love and have been continuing to use on a rotating base. They are my go-to’s.  And I may need to replenish soon.

Let’s have a look. Shall we?

From left to right. e.l.f. Color Stick in “Pink Lemonade” , Stila Converable color in “Sweet Pea” and NYColor Lovatics Cheek and Lip Tint in “Cheeky Pink”.  

At one buck, the e.l.f. color stick is the buy of the century. It’s heavily pigmented and a little goes a long, long way!  The Stila was the priciest at $25.00. But I’ve had this for two years. It’s bright and again, a little goes a long way. The NYColor Cheek and Lip Tint is incredibly pigmented and the liquid dries very fast so you have to work quickly.  This was less than four dollars.  Proof that you do not have to spend a fortune to get a great product!

Left to right. Wearing the e.l.f. color stick. It’s more of a pinkish-coral on my skin.  Middle pic is the Stila Sweet Pea, more subtle. Right pic, the NYColor Cheek Tint. It’s very bright. I purposely went darker so you could see the pigmentation.

I just found out the the e.l.f. color stick has been DISCONTINUED!  If you see it anywhere, buy it. I’m serious. It’ll be the best buck you ever spent! I cannot believe it’s discontinued. Thank God  I bought a backup. Now I’m going to have to go on the hunt for leftovers! Why does this happen to me?

Last of all, the NARS Multiple stick in “Riviera”. I’m a huge fan of this because it can be used as a lippie. And during the summer with a fake tan, it looks nice on the mouth!  This is another pinky-coral color. Goes on more subtle.  At $39.00 it’s a bit pricey but I’ve had this for about two years. It’s worth the money!

Here’s another look at the swatches. Top pic from left to right. Elf, Stila, NYColor.  Bottom pic same order but to the far right is the NARS Riviera–it looks more peachy but it could be the awful lighting!

Rosy cheeks. They’re so healthy looking! What’s your choice in blush???

Because of the snow, I didn’t go to the Weight Watchers meeting tonight. The roads are still pretty bad and in the dark, I would have driven into a snow bank or slid on ice.  Anyway, I did weigh myself when I got home from work and am down another half-pound. I’m thrilled with the loss because I ate like pig this past weekend. And on the snow day—I found comfort in stuffing my face.  It happens. It’s ok.

Down a half pound. I’m thrilled with this!! But I do look forward to the meeting next week!

Because tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day, I am fondly remembering all the dance-outs I drove Oona and her dance friends to during this time of year. My favorite dances are the hornpipes. They are so lively and rhythmic and I was listening to this CD today by one of the feis musicians, Billy Furlong.  Hornpipes from his CD “Strings for the Sets”. Yes. I still listen to this!