Today was one of those days…just an all around gloomy yuck day. I like to think of myself as an optimist and spend a lot of time trying to encourage and cheer up those around me. However, I do have my own little moments…moments in which vanity can completely sour my day. Today, I had the bright idea of taking a photo of myself to update my Facebook profile. I have a new camera with a timer and thought….well, I should do it. After all, I’m always the one behind the camera taking the pictures and am pretty much absent from all of my family’s pictures, for the last 25 years or so. So, here we go…for posterity’s sake.

Anyway, I start out by going to my cosmetic drawer and fixing up a tad. I’ve never been one that wears much makeup, but I do know and appreciate the value of a little here and there. I have the same attitude about my hair. I know that I have to pay for highlights, otherwise I look really tired. In my 20’s & 30’s, I used to do the whole hot roller, teasing, hairspray thing. Now, I tend to do the roller brush, little bit of teasing, and spritz of hairspray thing. After the quick primping session, I take my dog and we go outside for some pics. Okay, I figured out how to use the timer…pretty easy. I came in and uploaded the pics to my computer. Somewhere after uploading and watching the photos appear on the screen, I felt my entire body sink into a lifeless little puddle of self-loathing and disbelief. What I saw in those photos was not what I was expecting.

I don’t know where I went, but I was nowhere to be found in those pictures. So, I decided….well, they were taken in direct sunlight. Yes, that was it! Nobody should take a picture in direct sunlight. So, off to the backyard again. This time, I would take some pictures in the softer, more friendly shade. After uploading… I must need to try moonlight without a flash.

I told my husband about my experience when he came home from work. He’s a smart man, so he knew what he must say….oh, honey…you’re still pretty….you’re just being silly. He did gently add that my change to bare mineral makeup about a year ago, might not have been the best choice. Now he tells me! Anyway, at least someone told me. So, in an attempt to practice what I preach…I decided that I should do something instead of just whine….so, I did an internet search and looked up my local Mary Kay lady. Those pink Cadillac ladies always look good. Maybe she can help a girl out.