Getting ready day…
Tomorrow I leave for my first book event of 2025 – ROMANCE in CNY taking place in Utica, NY.
Today I need to pack up all my stuff. I’ve got a list ( I’ve always got a list!) of things I need to bring: chargers, SQUARE, books, banner. Stuff like that for the event itself.
Yesterday, I went shopping for clothes because I wanted something new to wear. Having lost almost 70 pounds over the past year, my clothes no longer look decent. I look like I’m wearing another person’s clothing – someone, well, 70 pounds heavier. I went to five stores in my town and found NOTHING for me.
Kids, when did stores stop selling pantyhose? Doesn’t anyone wear them anymore? I’m gonna be 65 next month and have almost 65-year-old legs: creepy, veiny, lily white. I want pantyhose covering them up if I wear a dress. I found a store that carried a very limited supply, and the cost almost shut me down for the day: $10.00 for one pair. Not even control top or anything! Just nude hose. God forbid I get a run, that’s $10.00 down the tube. Back in the day, I wore L’EGGS exclusively. Never ran, always fit, came in a cute little egg container I saved and used as easter decorations. Remember those? Fab hose.
And when did it become fashionable for women to show their nipples and hoo-haas in public?
Everything I found had a collar that dropped down to the middle of my chest ( potential nip-slip territory) or was so short, the bottom edge of my underwear showed. I have trouble showing my bare arms in public, never mind other body parts!!
I was so discouraged. I haven’t been clothing shopping since before COVID, and had no idea fashion had changed so drastically. I’ll mention my age again: at almost 65 I do not want to be dressing 40 years my junior. I want age-appropriate, body-part-covering clothing that looks nice, fits well, and doesn’t cost a mortgage payment. Is that too much to ask?
Apparently, the answer is yes.
I came home with a $10.00 pair of pantyhose and soul-crushing defeat in my stance.
Today, I’ll need to try on everything I still own to find something I can jury-rig to fit and look appropriate for the book signing.
The life of a writer is never dull, kids, despite what you’ve heard.
Le sigh.
