It’s been a weird few months. It started with the job I have..or rather had. Back in November I was hired at a State Hospital in the Scheduling office—scheduling nurses for duty. All I’m going to say is that it was incredibly challenging. Although the job itself was easy, there were factors I shall not discuss that made the job stressful.
Although those jackets are no longer used, sometimes I felt as though I needed one!
Anyway, an opportunity arose within the hospital that is more conducive to my skills set, I applied and got it. Happily, I start tomorrow.
I’m so happy to have my own space again and work that I’ve always done!
OK, now that’s out of the way….
I had a bad health scare. In February I had my annual mammogram which came back questionable. I had to have an ultrasound—and for two weeks my life was a mess of depression and gloom—especially given the fact, I always think of the worst. However, all was well and my spirits lifted until…..
My brain and emotional health was spinning. Thank God, all was well!
I had my skin check. In all honesty, it’s stressful because last August I had surgery on my calf, it became infected and now I have the most adorable scar…..
Take a good look. That dark spot was a lot worse. My skin is in good shape for now..I’ll be living on sunscreen all summer. Maybe I should drink it to ward off any skin issues that may sink into my organs!
Now, I’m waiting to schedule my routine colostomy in August. I’m very stressed because I have had polyps removed in the past.
I’ll load up on trashy magazines whilst prepping. The trash will be at both ends!
My life, as I age, is nothing more than the stress and angst of medical testing.
Just wait till this scrub gets old!
OK, now that that’s out of the way…. Wait. It sort of isn’t…
My birthday was last month. I turned 69 years. And while I am thankful and feeling privileged that I did make it this far, I can’t help but think how turning old is scary in the sense that my mortality isn’t going to be forever. I mean, when my grandchildren are the age I am now, I’ll be ashes. Not even ashy or an ash blonde. I will literally be ashes. I am wondering if I can have a caveat in my will that the local parish can use my ashes on Ash Wednesday so I can be slightly immortal—at least for the 24 hours until the ashes are washed away.
From my face when the only wrinkle was in the photograph’s paper..to my early 40’s when I thought I was “old”…to now.
….with fake hair to hide my baldness –is this the same person? LOL!
All joking aside, I had a lovely birthday. The Frenchman surprised me with a weekend in New York City where we hit both the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art.
A vision of beauty..
The best hot dogs on earth. I don’t need a grill–just a tin of dirty hot dog water to cook those links!
I love this portrait of Tallyrand. Did you know that Napoleon called Tallyrand “Shit in silk stockings”? Well, he was!
These days I’m finding Asian art wonderfully calming!
Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup cans was almost classical art compared to…
…this. A melange of stuffed animals. Although I don’t really consider it great art, it was fun to look at!
Then he surprised me with a longer stay in France this summer. Getting the time off from work for that visit has been a fiasco but I am here to tell you that I will be enjoying my time.
The books are at the ready.
My vacation reads: The book on Nick Drake is the one I am really wanting to read. He’s my favorite folk/British/singer. His ending was tragic and heartbreaking but I strongly listening to his music. It’s beautiful. I despised The Scarlet Letter but Hawthorne’s House of Seven Gables seems interesting. Alexander Dumas is my favorite author so I’m looking forward to The Black Tulip. I’m still sad about Richard Lewis so I’ll be sinking my eyes into his book. After the Romanovs and I Was Anastasia will sate my thirst for the Romanov family and The Wife is by one of my favorite author’s daughter.
And I realized I was feeling much better when my daughter called to ask me for:
- A photo of her when she played Tee-ball because she and Sam signed my grandson up to play.
- Her Confirmation Certificate because she was to be a godmother and needed proof of her Confirmation
I’m still amazed I found these. LOL. I would have searched all day for anything my daughter needs!
This was the boost that gave me my sense of purpose back. Deep in the bowels of tubs in the closet under the stairs, I pulled each heavy plastic tub out. And I went through every one of them. I found some great stuff too!
It was a treasure trove. And yes, that white thing to the left is an UNUSED doggie diaper from my beloved Ruby’s last days. I save everything.
Lo and behold at the very last tub, just about when I was about to give up and thought my luck ran out, I said a little prayer to Saint Ant’ny. I found both.
This guy finds everything. Everything except 40 euros I stashed in a safe place three years ago. I thnk he came when I was sleeping, took the euros and used them as a donation for the Church.
I’m sure this episode but the thought in my daughter’s head to go buy some tubs and start loading them with everything the boys will do from today up to their college days! It’s so funny because I wasn’t annoyed at all. I was so happy that one of my kids actually needed me for something. It really snapped me out of my slump!
I started curating the clothing I’m going to wear.
I love the wide leg pants. My husband hates them. I am wearing them, not him. The linen blend pants don’t hide my gut and I don’t care.
A few dresses I’ll bring because it gets hot there.
Two more dresses. The one on the left is from a few years ago. The one on the right won’t be packed because it’s too heavy!
Naturally, I’ll pack wigs!
I’ll be packing my Rondini sandals and will be happy to purchase a new pair!
And I am looking very forward to our relaxing trip.
Ohhhh. And another thing—I started to wear less makeup on my face. The reason for this is basically I’m so sickened by the Beauty industry allowing the false advertising of influencers both young AND old. Yes—influencers over a certain age, I’m talking to YOU. Stop with the filters on your old and wrinkled face. You are a hypocrite. You lie. You are ashamed to age. Show us your nose that has been all but eliminated due to filtering. Show us your skin texture and lines. Let us see your redness!
I would rather showcase my age with less makeup then pay the beauty industry to pay the false advertising of influencers–both young and old!
It is sad because the cosmetics companies know full-well of this deception yet they allow it so I am showing off my age! It is not bad at all.
Due to all the above, I just didn’t feel like writing. It was a mix of not having anything to say for a while. It was a lack of passion.
Now the passion is back and I have a lot to say!!
No pressure because I’m looking forward to writing again!
Thank you for sticking by while I had my time off!
So Glad You’re Back!!!
Yes, glad to hear from you. I”ll always be ready and waiting. Hooray for more time in France this summer. Then more stories about your adventures for us
I was wondering where you were. Many scaries. You look wonderful. I go lots of places with no makeup. I’m 77. So what. Go to the beach and people watch. Did you see a perfect person? No. Love your writing so much. Thanks for coming out of hiding. I get it.
I never comment but I want to tell you, I wondered if something much worse had hap pened than the trying episodes you did have. Listen, I’m 80. I wear Ilia Vit C with SPF, everday, no make-up, I have a history of skin cancer and don’t want a melanoma to kill me. Of course we will have the body of an old person but so what. Believe me, no one is looking. Just enjoy your life.
Hi Frances! So true. Life is to be enjoyed!
Glad to see you are back and will be posting again. Sorry to read about the job stress and then coupled with medical anxiety (of which i 100000000% understand) is awful. But all was fine for you…thank goodness. I understand your comments on the cosmetics industry and I agree. I almost got talked into into some pricey Chanel foundation at Nordies but decided to get a sample and give it some time…the next day I wore my reg. foundation ( G. Armani) on one side and the Chanel on the other…no difference that I could see. I wear makeup for me, I feel better so its not to look younger cuz that won’t happen but it def. affects my mood if I feel dumpty. I do wear a bit less on weekends but still its moisturizer, foundation, blush and eyebrown mascara. On days I am out of the house I add in mascara and liner and sometimes shadow and lipstick (I sometimes forget about adding this last item).
Welcome back! We missed you! Glad all is well with you!
Hi Catherine – well back!!!!! You have been missed. can’t wait to hear all about your next trip to France. Have you ever ordered your Rondini sandals on line? I would love to get a pair and I doubt I will ever get to that area of France again. Also, have you tried Jones Road makeup? I have been really liking it. You should take a look.
Good luck on your new job – kick some butt!!!!
Great to see your post in my inbox! I had wondered where you were…but having had my own health scare last year I completely understand your angst. Glad all seems to be well! And a new job too, big stress points.
Hope your trip to France is all you hope it to be- we’ve been traveling from Paris to Bordeaux & the Dordogne to northern Spain and Portugal & now back to Spain for the past 5 weeks and it’s rained all but about 4 days during that time. So disappointing!
Great to see you and well done for getting yourself out of that slump. I hope any other tests you have to have turn out to be nothing. Enjoy your French holiday . Let’s hope the weather is perfect for you.
Don’t forget you are a very special person and we love you❤️!
I’m happy for you that you are writing again and also for your followers. You have a unique way of writing and I enjoy it. I’m sorry you had the stresses of potential illnesses. I am an 18 year breast cancer survivor so you can only imagine the stress of annual mammograms,ultrasounds and breast MRIs. Tomorrow is my annual breast mri and I am anxious. But, all the tests have to be done. I turned 69 on April 18th and still cannot believe next year is the big 70. I’ll take it wrinkles, lines and all. My mom lived to be 94 and still got dressed, did her hair and makeup every day. I aspire to do the same and make her proud. I can’t wait to see the pictures of your France vacation this year. We are going to Italy and a Mediterranean cruise in September and I cannot wait.
So very glad you are back and feeling more like your wonderful self. Health scares take so much out of us. Oh how I hate the filters that are everywhere also, that just ruins it for actual reviews on products so I have been doing a lot more research before I try new stuff, and still get disappointed. So happy that you are going back to your happy place ( France ) and the planning is so much fun also. I really need to plan a trip soon. I am turning 69 in a couple months too so had better get moving on that.
Soooo glad you’re back! One of my fave bloggers.
Welcome back. I’ve been following you forever and missed you! We’re the same age, and you look better than I and even tho we’re the same height I weigh much more than you but you’re my inspiration. You make me happy.
Thanks Gerry! I’m very honored that I can be an inspiration! And I try to keep as transparent as possible!!
Small world. I was just reading one of your blogs from Thanksgiving in Paris in 2023. Missed you So glad your back. Health scares? I’ve got a book of them. What are you wearing in your less makeup mode. I’d love to know what is working to show a lovely glowing skin without filters. So glad your woking in a field that makes you happy. BTW. I’m amazed that you love kidneys and sweetbreads. Where did this adventurous palette begin?
Hi Sandy! Thank you! I’m adding some makeup to my next blog post (working on it now). LOL. I’ve been eating kidneys since childhood. My mother cooked them all the time. Sweetbreads? Had them for the first time years ago on one of my Paris trips and fell in love with them!!
Glad to see you pop up in my inbox! Sounds like you are back on track….i always love to read your posts!
Hi Julie! Thank you!!!
Glad you’re back! I enjoy hearing from you and think of you as an old friend.
Hi Tracy, Thank you! We are all old friends in this blog neighborhood!!!
Happy Birthday. I’ve missed reading your writing. Glad you are back. Congrats on the new job. Look forward to reading about your new adventures in France.
Thank you Carolyn!! I am looking forward to writing about our adventures in France!
I have been reading your blog for such a long time and although I rarely comment I missed you. I’m so glad you’re back, well and excited about your new job
and send greetings from England.
I too (at 70) feel as you do about the cosmetics industry but I am enjoying a few Jones Road products. I don’t enjoy the encouragement to layer lots of their products though – a natural look should be simple rather than complicated I think! I would be interested to know what you think about the brand.
Have a wonderful holiday. I look forward to reading all about it!
Hi Carla! I, too, am a fan of Jones Road products. They work well. The Miracle Balm, though is best used alone–I agree with you that too much layering isn’t good. I have an eyeshadow palette of JRB that is excellent!!
I am so happy to see your post! Honestly I read them all and can identify with so much of what you’re saying. I know what you mean about staff scheduler in a hospital – I’m a retired RN and had so much respect for our schedulers. It can be a nightmare job. I’m glad you found something else. And yikes on the health issues. I obsess if my results are abnormal, I’m even worse if my kids have anything going on – then I’m full on crazy. RNs know too much and too little. I had to laugh though – I think you mean ‘colonoscopy’ – not ‘colostomy’? You always look fab – and I still have to have thank you for being so open about hair loss. I don’t know that I’d be wearing toppers now if I hadn’t started following you on IG. I look forward to reading all about your upcoming holiday – a ‘vicarious vacation’ if there is such a thing.
Hi Sheila. Oh YES! I meant colonoscopy. I hate having them but they are necessary. Ugh, that prep is worse. I’ll need a book to read while on my throne! The scheduling in that State hospital was absolutely horrific due to the staff. There was no respect at all. I’m glad to be away from it!! LOL. I have my clothes at the ready for our trip next month!
It’s good to see you back. Congratulations on the new job! It sounds like you’ll be enjoying it much more than the last one. Those health scares are just that…scary! I had my own travails last summer, and spent the entire summer and lots of the fall wondering what the heck my body was doing to me. How wonderful to have a husband who understands your love for NYC as well as France (well, I guess he would, of course, understand that). I honestly don’t remember the last time I wore foundation. I put on my SPF, dust on some setting powder because I don’t like how tacky the SPF is, and a little blush. I do have to draw on the brows because I have very little due to my good old thyroid not doing her job. And, mascara makes me feel better. I go for my skin check this very week. So far, so good, but the husband has had several pre-cancerous places.
Have a wonderful week, and I can’t wait for your next post.
Hi Marsha! It’s nice to be back. You know, SPF bothers my eyes! It’s so weird because they start tearing up immediately after applying. HEY! I hope your skin check went well!!!!!!!!!!!!
So happy you are back. I thought I had fallen off the list. I love reading your blogs and following your adventures. Your pics with less make up look amazing, I always think I look like death warmed up without makeup. Good luck with your new job, and hope to be reading more from you soon.
Hi Lyn and thank you. Yeah, I fell off the track but I’m back on it and happily so. Don’t be so hard on yourself regarding the without makeup look. IT’s giving our skin a vacation that counts!!
Oh thank goodness you are back. So missed you. I’ve been checking my junk mail mail as I thought it would be there. I read two other blogs and both of them have had health scares and are talking about there mortality they are both in there seventies. Please keep on writing you brighten my day.
Hi Karin and thank you so much for your support! You know, aging is definitely a health-scare roller-coaster and I like to read realistically about it as opposed to the fake shit overfiltered women who are ashamed of aging yap about! (I’m so mean–actually, I’m not-LOL!)
Great to have you back. Hope the job goes well and a lovely holiday to look forward to as well. Keep being you – you are doing good! X
Thank you Carol!!!!!!!!!!
kudos Catherine to working, I would like to return to the workforce for financial reasons only, but my temperament at this time is I don’t suffer insufferable coworkers one bit. It isn’t easy at this stage in life. Take care of your teeth I’ve cracked 2 in the past 7 months. I’ve had to challenge the DDS on the second one they wanted to pull it and replace it with a dental implant (not covered by insurance). I managed to get them to do a crown and root canal (both which are covered by insurance).
Hi Ann. I’m working purely for financial reasons. That divorce did me in. I’m happy to have gotten a promotion and transfer because, like you, I don’t suffer insufferable coworkers and there was a doozy of a coworker that I just left. The drama and self-importance. I can’t deal with it. Just give me my work and let me be. I am still upset with the state of dental insurance in this country………………….
So glad you’re back. Have missed you so much.
Hope the new job is better and glad your health is no longer causing you worry.
Theoule again? We’re going back to Mandelieu La Napoule in September with a stopover in Paris on the way back. We will of course be visiting Theoule several times as we love it there. Have a wonderful time and I look forward to hearing all about it.
Just discovered elf Lash’N Roll mascara – best I’ve ever used.
Susan D
Hi Susan. Thank you! The new job is better and more conducive to my skill set and I get to work independently which is what I love. Yup! Same apartment in Theoule. I can’t wait.Geant hypermarche in Mandelieu will be welcoming us with open arms!! Hmmm. Lash n’ Roll mascara–I’ll have to look into that!!
Great post – and along with the others, I’m glad things are looking up. I just turned 69 on May 3rd, fellow Taurus.
We lost our beloved Maine Coon kitty a couple of months ago and have been so sad ever since. He was just a couple of weeks shy of 16, but he had a great life here with us. This is the first time in decades that we haven’t had the pitter patter of little feet in the household. But that will soon change! Getting two boy Ragdoll kittens next Sunday!!!!!!! I like to think that our Tino had something to do with that.
I gave up makeup and wearing contact lenses right after we had a house fire 5 years ago. I only wear sunscreen now, and I have a wardrobe of eyewear, too. Jewelry for the face! I certainly agree with you about all these influencers who are obsessed with anti-aging stuff. What’s weird is many of them are in their early 30s!
All the best in your new job – and I’m sure you’ll have a blast in France, too. Sounds great!!! Take good care!
Hi Vava! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!! I feel for you with the passing of your cat. Our fur babies are our additional children. Glad you are welcoming two more on Sunday! It is 10:06 Saturday morning. I doubt very much I will put makeup on today!
Glad you are back! Dear St. Anthony-he never lets me down.
Hi Charlotte. Right? Ol’ Saint Anthony always comes to the rescue!
So pleased you are back. I always enjoy your blogs. Just a month younger than you and thankfully retired. Very impressed you are still working and finding a new job.
Health checks never sure if they are good or bad because of the worry they cause. In the U.K. we have fewer checks until we get old (60+) then it seems to be aimed at putting everybody on statins.
HI Sue, Yeah. I have teetered with retiring or not but realized that after divorce twenty years ago, I’ll be working for a long time. I never want to depend on anyone ever again. I’m actually going to start receiving my SS benefits (that I paid into for years) soon but the job supplements it. LOL. I’m checking everything this days from boobs to skin to observing my poop–it’s disgusting but it’s aging!!
Cathy–great to have you back! I love the minimal makeup look on you. I’m into it, too.
Thanks Molly. Yeah. I think part of my minimal make up is the fact I can’t stand influencers and have decided to boycott companies for collaborating with them. They pile the shit on like it’s no tomorrow!
Welcome back! Being the parent of adult children is a bit of a rollercoaster, in my experience. It also seems that I create the rollercoaster in my own head. I want some sign from them that they think of me, that they haven’t forgotten me, that I still matter. Something more than the regular calls. And I work myself into a sadness when I think I no longer matter. It’s all crazy self-talk. They are busy with their relationships and building their lives. What I am saying is that I think I understand how and why the blues come to a mother of adult children. I spent this past weekend with my son and his wife so at the moment I feel good. Catch me next week though…
Hey Maryellen. Are we the same person?? I’ll tell you, I was thrilled yesterday to have received an early Mother’s Day gift of my favorite flowers–Peonies. My kids still love me! LOL!
Delighted that you’re back, Catherine! I really missed your opinions and ‘telling it as it is’!
LOL. Thank you Mary. You’ll get a kick out of the post I’m working on now!
Catherine, I am so happy you are back! You have been missed. Now do tell us what makeup you are wearing these days. I have given up on foundation altogether and now basically wear eye makeup and a little lip. Concealer only if I have a boo boo, not even under my eyes. Just look fresher without face makeup, plus my skin hates it these days. You are looking fabulous. Congrats on the new job.
Hi Michelle. I’m wearing cushion foundation. I’m actually in the midst of a new blog post. My internet connection was out for a few days. Ugh. Where do I begin with that? Don’t give up on the makeup. In an odd way it can make us feel better!
I’m so glad you are back AND that you have an even better job! I guess our makeup issues change as we get older, when I was younger it was so hard to find anything pink based enough for my skin, now I want something very subtle – if at all. I still need my eye makeup otherwise I look kind of featureless, but at our age we use make up to please ourselves not to meet others expectations, being older does have its benefits after all 🙂
Hi Juliet! You are so correct regarding the makeup. There are days when I do only eye makeup so that people won’t think I’m an alien with no eyes or brows. But there are days when I notice my skin is unusually rosey and a bit of foundation is applied. It is all about pleasing ourselves! BTW, thank you for the congrats on the better job. That other one was an absolute nightmare!
so happy you’re back !!!wonderful and beautiful ! bonjour from France ! Bonnes vacances !
Unfortunately I don’t get the time to read many of your posts but I do thank you for still sending them to me and I do greatly enjoy and appreciate the ones I am able to read. I’ve been extremely busy with caregiving to my 89 year old mom.
Glad you’re healthy and congrats on your new job and in getting the extended time off for your vacation, what a nice thing to look forward to. I can’t believe that stuffed animal exhibition. What’s were they thinking?? Every mother on the planet has had that same exhibition in their house when their kids were little, except it was on their bedroom floors, lol. I’m not wearing heavy foundation anymore either, it makes me sweat too much. I use Bare Minerals tinted moisturizer with spf, and some concealer instead.
Stay healthy and hydrated (it makes a huge difference). All the best!
So happy to read your blog again. I wrote a comment on IG yesterday asking if you still blog. I then found your mails in my spam file – how dare you Gmail! Anyway, TG all your health issues went well. Unfortunately, the older we get the more false alarms we may receive – I know how scary they are. I also think of you as a dear friend, and missed you. Enjoy France, I know you will. We are off to London on the 25th. We are staying till Halloween. Please keep us posted on your trip, with pics please.. Take care.. 🤗 😘
I stopped wearing make-up years ago-didn’t make sense or my farmer life. But I never stopped being clothes! Health scares are awful- and we get through them. Focus on the happy stuff! You have lots of wonderful things in your life-like great shoes! BTW, ashes for Ash Wednesday come from the burning of the previous year’s Palm Sunday palms.