NATURAL BEAUTY

Let’s all agree that some females arrive on earth looking better than others. When perky pointed noses and wide oval eyes were being handed out, some of us got in another line where the bigger, rounded buttocks and larger sized ears were being circulated. I don’t think the intention was for us not to be worthy of love, adoration and attention, but that God just wanted some variety. Simply observe the rest of creation where there are big mountains, little hills, great oceans, tiny ponds, roses and cacti.

Fellow women of the world unite! Starting today let’s stop competing with the movie stars, celebrities, models and perceived-beauties of the world. The reality is, those of us who attempt to make ourselves look as good as those famous people won’t ever really catch up. No matter what we do to enhance our appearances, these fashionable icons will be a step ahead in the beauty game. Every time I think I’ve reached a fairly equal-look with my peer group, there is another product, service or process on the market.

I give up! They win! I say, get rid of the hair dye and botox! Let’s throw our lash lengthening mascara wands high into the air in surrender and celebration of our new freedom. Together we can boycott the face-lifting, boob-implanting plastic surgeon’s offices and refuse to change lipstick colors each season. Let’s exercise to stay healthy and feel good, not to become hard-body muscular robots. I, for one, am willing to put away the multitude of uplifting face creams, eyebrow enhancers and lip plumpers.

Even you earth-mothers can join the movement. Oh, I know you have a cache of lavender and rose hip scented shampoos and conditioners. I’ve seen you pinch your cheeks a hundred times to get the rosy blush effect and then apply lightly tented lip gloss. Yes, ladies, throw those wooden handled, natural bristle hair brushes in the recycled trash can and support this worthy cause.

Reminiscent of the bra-burning festivities of the 1960’s, we can hold community bon fire sessions created to destroy lipsticks and facial masques. What a blaze these petrochemicals will make! Events could be held in conjunction with holidays so they can serve a dual function. We can have receptacles placed in strategic public locations for blushes and eye shadows which can be recycled for school art department projects. At airports, in addition to having bins for dangerous sharp objects, there can be receptacles for collecting compact powders and eye lash curlers.

Oh, I know none of this will actually happen. I will keep participating in the styling, coloring, skin-smoothing, body-changing rituals so I won’t scare myself as I pass by mirrors. However, I do think exchanging the same effort. time and money it takes to “get gorgeous” for something worthwhile, like feeding needy children or saving whales, seems like a grand idea and I suspect the Creator thinks the same.

Economics and Life

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I admit it! I have spent too much on things I didn’t need, wasted things and overspent my income. The current economic situation has not been a wake-up call, but a big slap-in-the-face. It’s forced to think about each and every cent I spend. When looking at my overall financial situation, I hope I can afford to live a few more years. It’s easy to look back and see my many financial mistakes.

When friends sported a new jacket with matching shoes and jewelry I had to do the same. After all, I belonged in their crowd. I deserved having what they had, didn’t I? Even if my income couldn’t afford the new outfit at that time, I had American Express, Visa, Mastercard and Discover.

Home décorating was a hobby. I’d buy stacks of décor magazines and books. Martha Stewart was my idol. If bedrooms in peach and seafoam were featured, I’d repaint mine. When the color palet changed to Chinese red and black I’d do it all over again. I went from Early American to Danish Modern to Shabby Chic over the years. Buying replacement furniture for the pieces I’d donate to charity was a habit. Decorative pillows, colorful towels, Venetian Vases, brass lamps and silk flower arrangements were common purchases.

When I didn’t feel like preparing lunch or dinner, I’d stop by the local grocery deli section and pick up a gourmet treat. Spending more than a few dollars for lunch became the usual. I never gave a thought to the occasional restaurant visit with a select glass of wine. The ever popular cup of java from Starbucks was a daily treat. Fast food was not an option. I only ate healthy. I never looked at prices when I did my grocery shopping, I selected the items I wanted and the brands I thought were best. Reading labels for calories and fat content far outweighed the importance of price.

Driving a spiffy car was important. After all, what would people think of me if I drove a Junker! I always insisted on reliable transportation which I thought meant a new car every three years. The amount of gasoline it took to run the thing was a non-issue. After all, there was plenty of it and the cost was nominal. The folks who bought into the electric hybrid cars were a bit on the edge, weren’t they?

Several times a year, I’d hop on a plane and head back to my home state to visit family and friends. I’d rent a car, treat myself and friends to fancy meals, shop for fun and give little thought of the total ticket. Occasionally I’d visit Santa Fe, New York or go to a spa. While I did think through the trips to Europe, I explained that extravagance by telling myself I only live once so I have to take advantage of each opportunity. Simply drag out that good ole American Express card again.

Seeing a play, attending a symphony or jazz performance, playing golf, attending a workshop and going to or renting movies were necessities.

Now I look back and think. Why didn’t I evaluate where my money was going? I mean, each dollar? Like I do now? Well, I knew I would always work and be able to make a decent amount to supplement my savings. The stock market would continue to pay regular dividends and my portfolio would increase by a livable amount each year. I could live to be ninety-three and do well according to my spreadsheet. I’m not saying I’d redo all of my life’s expenditures, but I definitely would be more aware of where I made spending decisions that weren’t important. I would give more away to others who needed it, spend more on travel, activities and experiences and much, much less on stuff. If this economic situation turns around, I promise I’ll continue to reassess my priorities and pay attention to pennies.

First Day of Blogging

Okay, I've signed up and I'm ready to try this blogging thing. I want to be a woman of the 21st century, not a lagger stuck back in the dark ages of the1900's.

I was born and reared in conservative, southern and western-styled Houston, Texas were my conservative values were formed. Having experienced this town from a population of 15,000 to several million, it wasn't necessary to move elsewhere to learn about different cultures and viewpoints. The petrochemical businesses and it's growth brought people and their customs from around the globe. Houston and I have changed greatly through the years. As Houston was torn down, tilled under, rebuilt, and expanded, so was I. We "older native Houstonians" are so rare we are similar to other extinct species. To stay alive in the changing environment each of us morphed and adapted until only our outward appearances looked the same. That facade is one of the attractive things about folks who live in the lonestar state. Every new Texan quickly learns to walk with a certain swagger and acquires at least one complete cowboy or cowgirl outfit with a Stetson hat and Lucasse boots. Acquiring a taste for Lonestar Longnecks, Texmex and real barbeque is easy.

I left my Texas home, dear friends and family to head west in 2003 to live closer to my three grown children and their families. My life started over in Sonoma, California with it's historic plaza, abundant vineyards and intellegent, talented, forward-looking citizens. In four short years I've left many stagnant opinions fostered in the southern environment and have become more enlightened in northern California. However, I still get tears in my eyes and my heart flutters when I see a Texas flag waving, hear "The Eyes of Texas" or see a field of bluebonnets.