Anyway, DD1 helped them a lot Friday night to just get things done. I need to take a lesson from my daughter. Several times her grandma was about to correct her, or told her she should do something a certain way, my daughter just responded, "thank you, this works too." The chaos continued the next morning, when my daughter called me when I was on route, to pick up three bags of ice. Apparently the melted ice from the day before was causing a lot of stress for the aunts. It was a pretty easy fix-I stopped and bought three bags of ice. You would have thought I single handedly baked and decorated a three tiered cake the way they thanked me profusely for stopping. As "real" guests were arriving, they still hadn't really finished setting up, not even chairs. My daughter and I just went ahead and set up the lawn chairs while the three of them discussed it,washed the dirty ones, moved a couple more tables, washing them as well, and Voila, they were set up. Oh, well. DH's young cousin, the mom to be, who had been our flower girl when she was just shy of three so very special to us, was none the wiser to the pre-shower stress. She felt very loved by her family and that is the important thing.
Back to my sunburn. I lavishly used aloe vera sun soother Saturday night, and throughout the day Sunday, over my sunscreen. Last night I took a long warm shower, using a bit of coffee scrub, which helped get the layers of lotions cleaned off, and ready for a fresh application of the soothing stuff. It was a good night for a face mask as well, only this time I tried one of the wipe on, take off varieties from the winter Fab, Fit, Fun Box. I applied and wiped off before the shower. Here's what the set looks like.
There are four of two different kinds, a purifying mud mask and an exfoliating version. I used the Ready Glow Exfoliating Mask. It felt nice to wear a mask that didn't cover my mouth.
My face did feel fresh afterwards. I tried to rehydrate from the inside as well, drinking water, but with the side effect of not being able to stay asleep through the night, and got up twice for the bathroom. Tonight will be an early night-too much excitement for my pandemic stay at home normal life. I didn't even make an attempt to figure out meals for the week. I'm throwing all kinds of fixings in the crock pot for some vegan chilli. DD1 is coming over to grab our tent for her road trip and hang out with her sister. The youngest is stopping by her place Thursday after work to meet her friend, but they leave Friday morning and will miss DD2's last weekend at home. Not that she'll be around much. she wants to do a round of friends goodbye and she has a lot of packing to do. Plus, a communication mix up, and she got shifts scheduled at the restaurant. Fortunately someone is taking her Sunday shift.
I plan to actually dress in office appropriate clothes for work today, and am going to wear the new black linen pants with a white cotton blouse. I need to feel more pulled together even if no one on the other end of my meetings care. I kind of liked wearing earrings and a bit of mascara the other day. I may do so again and perhaps look a little more polished in my video calls. I've clicked on some commenters profiles from Vix's site and found some new bloggers to read, one who seems to have a sense of fashion that might work for me, though I'll need to get braver with colors. Shout out to Shelia at Ephemera, another stylish thrift store explorer. I am excited to have a fresh to me voice to read each day in blogland. Speaking of work, I better get on with my day. So how was your weekend? Did you do any sprucing up? Are you bothering to look fashionable or have you been sporting the shorts and t-shirts for the most part?
Those three sisters would make me nutso. I am with your daughter-just do anything that works! No, you do not sound mean.
ReplyDeleteWhen I go any place that I am going in, I have the same two outfits that are nice. Other than that, my clothing is limited, well worn, faded or ill-fitting baggy capri length sleep pants, dresses that are too short. For 30 years my favorite thing to wear in the house has been a nightgown. Of course, if I want to go out in the yard, I have to change. I wore earrings for the first time this weekend. Putting the mask on and off just pulls the earrings off, and I never go to same places I did last year. I enjoyed the earrings and decided to wear them more often even though I have to work with mask loops, hair, glasses and the earrings. My ears hurt because of the oxygen tubes!
I can't argue with a good comfy pair of pajama pants around the house. I can imagine with the added tubes, the more around your face and head the more awkward. His aunts are funny-there is another one, but she was the mother of the new mom, so not part of the hostesses. I used to sit back at family things and just cringe at the indecisiveness of every action.
DeleteI work in tech, so it's pretty casual to start with. I typically have on a standard work top, but on bottom when it's hot, may be wearing shorts. At the office, the AC means it would be much cooler than we choose to keep our house, so a lot of days I'm wearing sleeveless tops (work appropriate), with shorts to stay cool. I do put on mascara every day.
ReplyDeleteIn h office, I'm more business casual, with an occasional suit day-Never shorts, and tee's only if layered under a jacket or sweater. Still, I have a lean wardrobe.
DeleteI've had to work through this pandemic so I'm still dressing the part. The facial sounds wonderful. Pampering is so good for the soul.
ReplyDeleteI'm working, but from a computer screen. I still can dress comfortable, but better than my lazy self has been.
DeleteOh my word, I swear we had the same inlaws!!!I could never get over how my MIL and her daughter had to discuss EVERYTHING for hours every day. It just blew my mind. When we moved back to Europe they came over for a 6-week trip (the road trip from hell) and I remember one day, after a full day travelling, we finally made it to our hotel in Bordeaux. Over here you only have a set period of time to eat out so my in-laws and my SIL stood there discussing just how they could get cleaned up and out to dinner. I tried explaining to them that we only had a limited amount of time so how about everyone just get moving but nope, they HAD to discuss it ad nauseum. So I just took my young son and got us both showered and cleaned up and they were STILL discussing how best to get cleaned up and out to dinner when we got back!!! It used to do my head in so I really do understand your frustration!
ReplyDeleteWith his mom and sister, it isn't quite that bad, but his sister exaggerates the amount of planning that is needed for things. Will have five texts, notes to herself, etc. I think for her it is a control thing rather than an indecision thing.
DeleteOuch on getting a sunburn on Saturday, Sam. I know those can be painful.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about your great aunts having trouble deciding. The way you described it was funny though. Dysfunction is the name of that game.
Fortunately, the burn looks worse than it feels. The aloe helped a lot to cool it down. It's like a comedy skit to watch them.
DeleteI don't have the obligation of dressing for other people's standards, and haven't for a long time. That said, you'll never catch me going about my day in yoga pants and t-shirts unless I am working out. I just don't feel stylistically comfortable. I have about 18 inches of closet space and 4 drawers of clothing, almost all of it which I wear regularly. My typical style is skorts and t-shirts in summer, denim skirts over leggings with t-shirts in the winter. I may or may not put on jewelry, based on my day's plan. I enjoy my limited wardrobe--it gives me one less thing to have to consider during the day. As for makeup, I haven't bothered in a while, and I haven't missed it. I used to love to wear it, but now, I feel like I can't be bothered.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to picture if 19 inches is a lot of space or not? When you say skirts over leggins, do you mean tights, or leggings ie some people wear as pants (not me!)
DeleteI have a HUGE walk in closet, but only take up about 18 inches of the rack for my shirts and skirts. It isn't a lot of space. At the end of every season, if I haven't worn something, it gets the ol' heave ho. As for the leggings, I wear the cotton leggings under skirts in lieu of tights. (Can't bear to have my feet covered with tights.) This is the brand I wear https://www.nononsense.com/leggings/cotton-leggings/cotton-leggings.htm I could wear them as pants I suppose, but I like to have my booty covered. In warmer weather, I might wear the capri length and sandals, with a slip style dress over. Generally, though, I avoid capris, though. I'm short, and they only make me look shorter.
DeleteWhen I stopped dancing, I swore I was never going to wear a pair of tights again. With leggings, I can wear comfy socks, and boots, or sandals if it's warm enough for open toes. It's running skorts and athletic shoes over leggings for something like a hike in the cooler weather. I may not be a fashion plate, but my style works for my life.
I have a very strict rule of attire for women over 40 which I believe we should all follow. I am willing to share if you are interested.
The MIL and aunts gave me a chuckle.I would be like you - just make a decision! LOL. I like how your DD handled it. Working from home even before COVID, I've always been casual and rarely need to do a video meeting (usually just phone). I used to always wear some foundation and mascara, but ever since my scratched eye, I haven't been able to wear mascara. I'm finally getting used to not wearing any makeup, I guess. When I used to go into the office 2-3 days a week we could wear jeans, but I usually wore a dressy top with jeans. I recently found all my dressy tops in a bin, haha. Haven't worn them for over 2 years now.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is a no nonsense, but warm person. She just has learned to just be direct, and pleasant. I find foundation, if I rub my face or I sweat, irritates my eyes, so have limite the times I use.
DeleteAny decision, even a wrong decision, is better than none. Unless something is worth discussing there is no point, especially a napkin debate!
ReplyDeletePampering is crucial right now. We have so much negativity blasting us that taking a few moments for self care is wonderful.
I had to make an appointment to actually be physically in the bank today (my bank is now drive through only with the exception of bank appointments) so I am wearing "real" clothes, and a little eye makeup, but am following my traditional summer hair (pulled back and twisted in a clip because I can't win hair battles with heat and humidity) and no jewelry because it is just too hot to have anything additional touching my skin.
I think that is the craziness-nothing they are in such disarray about matters at all! They went about making up 20 box lunches, ordered the containers (which I later cleaned out and washed because they wanted to save!), wore gloves and masks while assembly, robalby spending at least five hours a piece. For $150 with tip we called an ordered the same quantity for the shower in June. They could have saved the difference by not buy silly party favors and a gazillion door and game prizes. Part of why I haven't cut my hair is it is so easy to just stick in a braid or pney and get out of the way on hot days.
DeleteWell, aren't you a dear to give me a shout-out? Thank you so much, SAM.
ReplyDeleteYour daughter's response ("this works well too") is so perfect! Some people are ditherers and some are micromanagers - sound like the aunts became very used to having someone else making all the decisions. I find it very helpful to take a step back, deep breath, and then act with confidence. Sounds like that's exactly what you did, and I hope you felt less stressed once you did that. :)
I'm so proud of you for dressing up! Black pants and a white shirt sound like the perfect canvas for showing off some fun jewelry/accessories, especially if you're only seen from the waist up. I really find that putting on a little make-up gives me a real lift, mentally. Good for you.
Ouch, sorry to hear about your sunburn! I have always done a tepid bath with copious amounts of baking soda in it for a sunburn - my mom swore by it! I'm glad you're pampering yourself with those fancy masks!
I love when I find additional blogs to read and like to share. I ended up in a simple dress-today may be the black pants and shirt.
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