Dear Darlings,

Yesterday, in the midst of this pandemic, I did something unfathomable…I took a shower, put on make up, got dressed in real clothes (not just leggings and a sweat shirt) and I straightened my hair. Straightened my hair! I haven’t done that in…umm…well…let’s just say I can’t remember the last time I blew my hair dry with a roller brush. Now, to be clear, Claire said to me, “Mom, I like how you straightened most of your hair.” So…there’s a patch at the back of my head only my hair stylist can get straight. At least I tried, right?

Why all the fuss, you might ask yourself? Why in the middle of this crazy thing we’re now calling life, would I even care about how I look? I’m only seeing the same four people, day in and day out, and day in and day out, and day in and day out…(you get the picture) except to run to the grocery store for provisions (and I think the folks at the store have seen some pretty unusual looks lately). But, here’s the thing…I was on a video conference call Tuesday evening with my CASA peeps, and for the first time I saw myself as everyone else was seeing me. Those cursory glances in the mirror while I was throwing my hair into a very messy bun, and tossing some moisturizer on my face, wasn’t quite getting any type of trick done. I saw, in that instant, that I was a hot mess, and nothing like the apocalyptic version I had in my mind. I stared at myself on this video conference cringing at the sight of the wild, baby hairs around my face sticking out like devil horns, as our case managers asked us all what we’re doing for self-care during all of this craziness. Self-care? Uh…

So, that night I brushed my hair (probably for the first time in weeks), and watched as my hair exploded all around my head with wild abandon. I looked like the head of a bison, horns and all. I vowed to do better. Why, you might be asking yourself?

Well, did you see the picture of Kate Middleton in her home office? The stark contrast between what she looked like working from home, and what I looked like on the video conference call was stunning to say the least.

I looked like something the cat dragged in. And for no good reason.

I’m not sick. I’m not depressed. I may be a little bored, but, hey, who isn’t? So I decided I needed to up my game a little. Make up – done. Hair – done. Putting on real clothes – done! I have to say I felt a little better yesterday after my little primp fest. A little more like my old self and a little less like a wild animal. The bison has left the building.

So…here’s looking at you kid…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNMEktJDArA

Keeping up my appearance is just what this mama needed.

xo,

Me

P.S. Remember to wash your hands.