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“Another Year”, Part 2!

And the fun went on…

Our son seems to be getting accustomed to me being addressed as “Ma’am.”  It’s happened a number of times when we’re out.  He has long hair as well, and we both accept it as normal.  Of course, when he hears it, he simply turns around and immediately gets an apology from the person once they see his facial hair.  As for me…that wouldn’t work.  I don’t have – and never will – facial hair.  My father did, and he wasn’t concerned that it made him look older than his actual age.  I’m old enough already –  don’t need to add to my apparent age! 

As we were at the grocery store getting food items for meals on the way home (we still carry most of our en-route meals with us, to avoid restaurants) I was pushing the cart and interacted with the staff and cashier.   Wifey was following me since she’s having some leg pain issues.  I asked where certain products were located, and the stock boy appropriately responded with female forms of address. From our conversation at check-out, the clerk could tell we were shopping together.  And after she rang up the order and I paid the bill, she handed me the bag and receipt, then said “Happy New Year, ladies.”  I responded appropriately, and Wifey said nothing.  Did she hear? Don’t know…

Then at our en-route hotel, the front desk clerk, a housekeeper, and the breakfast room attendant (who gave you a choice of items, served them to you on a plate, and sent you back to your room to eat) addressed us both as women.  What a wonderful end to a fabulous visit!

On our way home, we got a text that the older grand just got her ears pierced.  I guess it’s a rite of passage for girls these days.  (And she’s such a girly girl.).  Can’t wait to check them out next time we’re there!

That’s the latest for now…

Mandy

It’s over for another year…part 1

Yes, we had a safe and wonderful holiday with our son and his family!   Being careful helped: we were judicious about where and when we were out, and avoided crowds where possible.  All of us (except the 1-year-old) have been vaccinated/boosted per the CDC guidelines, the weather was warmer than usual; accordingly nobody became sick.  Plus, Santa was good to the grands…such fun!

Our trip south was basically unremarkable.  There was another incident involving a male customer in a rest stop, likely because what used to be “family rest rooms” have become storage areas.  A man and I were headed toward the men’s room, with me just a few steps ahead of him.  Apparently my long hair, purse, leggings, bare ankles and flats “told him” that I was a woman going to the men’s room.  So he pretended to be searching for a brochure in the rack just outside the men’s room, waiting for me to leave before heading in. (The room was empty except for me.)  I’m getting used to that type of reaction.

As usual, there were no issues whatsoever with my daywear from the family. Both granddaughters (the 1-year-old and now the 6-year-old) fawned over my long pink nails.  At different times, they each touched them.  The 6-year-old commented on their pretty shine and smoothness, and wanted to talk about them.  I stalled a bit, and fortunately her mother called her into the kitchen, much to my relief.  That changed the subject (for the time being, of course.)

Earlier in our visit, the 6-year-old had painted her own finger nails each in a different bright color, and I complimented her about how pretty they looked.  I suspect that at some point in the future, she’ll end up wanting to paint mine the same way!  She’s persistent – so I may give in.  And once she’s painted them, you can bet she won’t let me take it off.  Not sure how Wifey will deal with that!

The oldest grand had unexpectedly visited grandma in our room when I came out of the bathroom in my black housedress, barefooted and with black pedi plainly visible. (Didn’t have a choice in the matter – what I was wearing was the only outfit available to me.)   Even though I spent time around her and we talked for a while, she hardly looked at my pedi or dress. No commotion whatsoever! She seemed quite comfortable with it.  But time will tell what she really thinks…LOL!

Stay tuned for more!

Mandy

Favorite Dress?

There haven’t been many opportunities to wear this pretty dress yet. But I love the floral pattern, and it feels so silky to wear. Plus – it doesn’t wrinkle even a little bit, especially when crushed into a suitcase. So it’s great for traveling.

In reality, I think it’s my favorite outfit…or at least it’s in the top two! It works with either black flats or white sandals, and with pantyhose or black tights, so it can be multi-seasonal. Heeled sandals would be fabulous, but given my foot issues, that’s not likely to happen…

I may just have to settle for these cute white sandals spring summer and fall, with black or white nails. And for any solo traveling, with 1″ extensions on my fingers and pretty purple finger and toe nails!

To quote Shania Twain’s song: “Man, I feel like a woman!” Wearing this girly outfit, it’s so easy to feel feminine!

Hugs,

Mandy

Will this work for cooler weather?

You may recall that over the summer, I bought a couple shorter dresses to wear while sunning my legs, this dark blue one along with one in light blue. Wifey didn’t like the light blue one, and in public I probably wouldn’t either. I now wear it as a nightie when traveling solo. It looks like darker colors hide my 200# (+/-) a lot better.

However, I got the idea to try the above combination next time I travel solo in colder weather. Ballet flats with pantyhose and light color leggings are an attractive but feminine way to keep my legs warm, while sporting a cute, knee-length dress once I shed my coat or sweater. Does it look ok?

When worn with leggings, should this dress be 2″ – 3″ shorter? I know it would be more stylish, but fear that shortening it would limit my ability to ever wear it alone, as a dress (someday I’d like to do that.) I’m just not confident of an older woman like me showing that much leg, possibly showing my panties, or worrying about my deportment, which is why I don’t own any seriously-above-the-knee dresses.

What do you girls think? Is it an outfit I should consider? BTW, male readers can feel free to comment, as well!

Mandy

Many years back…

…I weighed a lot more than I do now… Losing almost 40 pounds over the past decade (20 pounds in the last 3 or 4 years) has eased me out of the “is she pregnant?” category. Back then It didn’t take much padding or prep to have me looking like there was a “bun in the oven!) (I admit the short maternity dress with padding I wore for a short time back in the day looked wonderful!) Today, a few months of eating too much would get me back to that weight, so I could be “pregnant again.”

Trouble is, I’d need a new wardrobe of maternity clothes, which wouldn’t “fly.”. Back then a few maternity blouses and pants actually found their incognito way into my closet (sans labels, of course), as they turned out to be much more comfortable than regular womens’ things. Nowadays, wifey wouldn’t stand for it.

With additional weight in the right places, it certainly would be a challenge to NOT look pregnant. But the wrinkles and imperfections (which weren’t there a decade ago) would ruin the impression. Gone are the days of being a “passable” pregnant lady!

Getting old is h*** – BUT it sure beats the alternative!

Mandy

When pants are required….

…instead of my house dresses, these are usually what I find myself wearing, and they’re clearly the most fun style:

Since Wifey objects to my wearing dresses or skirts in public, I’m always required to change into outfits like this (or sometimes shorts) whenever we – or I – leave the house during seasons when such attire is appropriate (typically late March to the middle of November) Fortunately, they’re fun to wear and I’m comfortable in them.

Typically I’ll be found in v- or crew-neck tunics or tees with my capris…occasionally in cooler weather with a mock turtleneck version . (This summer blouse is a bit “over the top” but it has “flown” a couple of times.) With long hair, a purse, hairless legs and arms, manicured light pink finger nails, and now-required white summer toe nail paint, my feet are almost always on display in some style of sandals. In the rare event closed shoes are required for an occasion, the only question is whether I wear tan or black ballet flats.

It’s a comfortable and unmistakeably girly appearance, without a shred of masculinity to be found. I love being a girl… And, that’s the way it should be.

Mandy