CHANGING MY WAYS AIN'T EASY

Yesterday I met with the high school buddies to finish planning our get-together in July. As mentioned earlier (I think), we are gathering to celebrate our 70th birthday. Acually, it's just an excuse for us all to see each other again because we know we're not getting any younger.

As I was getting dressed, I was contemplating why it takes me so much longer to get ready to go anywhere than it used to. When I worked, I arose every morning at 5:30, showered, dried my hair, dressed, and put makeup on. By 6:00 I was ready to have my morning coffee with the genius and at 6:30 we both left for work. Now it takes me at least 45 minutes and often longer to do the same routine. So I began looking at how I've changed since I retired.

One thing I do differently is that I make up the bed as soon as I get up. Also, I wipe down the shower walls after I've finished bathing and this takes at least five minutes. Then I have to decide what to wear. Often, I try on several different outfits before making a decision; before, I had laid out my clothes the night before. Another little exercise I do is to put my contact lens in every morning (before I was using extended wear lenses, but the doctor made me stop). So that takes time. And I'm sure that I take more time with my makeup due to the aging process.

So! That explains it, but I must say that I operated on the old schedule for quite a while before I caught on. I would allow for only thirty minutes and then realize I couldn't make it. The genius, meanwhile, would be pacing the floor downstairs, calling up every few minutes. Then he would get the car out and have it ready to go. I would grab whatever makeup and jewelry I still needed to do and fly out the door, trying to juggle everything.

On the way to wherever we were headed, I would attempt to put on mascara and lipstick in the car. I couldn't say a word when the genius hit a bump in the road and my lipstick would hit my nose or I got mascars in my hair. I was the one who had made us late, after all.

I finally caught on and allowed more time, but it hasn't been easy.

At my age, old habits die hard!!