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Random thoughts on women's aging and the things we do to STOP IT!

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Tomlinson Group

Disclaimer: If you take your appearance way too seriously, or if you are just wound too tight at the moment, please do not read this.  You'll burst a vein in your temple, and what will THAT do to your good looks?  Instead, pour yourself a glass of wine (or whatever it is you do to relax), take a deep breath, close your eyes... take a nap!  Then, please come back and read once you're relaxed.  But remember to plant your tongue firmly in your cheek while reading-- as long as the tongue-planting doesn't interfere with that glass of wine.

Subtitle: In Search of Non-Surgical, Low Budget Procedures for the Woman Over Forty

Part I

With the Half-Century birthday rushing at me like a runaway locomotive, I'm taking a look at stopping the march of time across my face.  Plastic surgery is out of the question, as are other expensive options.  A "chemical peel"?? ExCUSE ME?  No funky, unpronounceable chemicals on MY face, thank-you-very-much!

I think I'll stick to something more familiar.  Laminating is something I'm familiar with.  Back in my elementary school-teaching days, it kept all those bulletin board displays smooth and free from fading.  Perfect.  I'm laminating my face next week.

Part II

Remember those younger days when long hair actually complemented your look?  I wore mine down to the middle of my back.  Since it was-- and still is-- rather fine and thin, the remedy was to bend over and brush my hair upside down.  Then, FLIP! and Voila! Poofy Full, fluffy hair! (I lived in Oklahoma at this time.  Big ol' "HAR" was in.  All y'all ladies from the South know what I mean.)

A couple of years ago A few days ago, I'm performing the upside-down-brushing technique and see something frightening.  Something with three chins, lumps around the ears, crumpled crepe paper under the eyes is looking at me.  Augh!  I thought only that little kid in the movie saw dead people. I stand upright so fast I risk whiplash.  I've just seen myself upside down in the mirror for the first time since my thirties.

My hair is now short.  I still object to plastic surgery, but I'm seeing duct tape in a new light.  I wonder if it comes in flesh tones....  If not, silver was one of my school's colors in high school.   Sporting a bit of strategically placed duct tape can take years  off my appearance.  I'm fantasizing about those former high school cheerleaders being envious as well.

Part III

The perfect facial mask?  This would be one I never peel off.  I haven't found any with "never remove" in the directions, but what's wrong with just following the beginning of the directions and ignoring steps about removing it?  Firm, tight skin all the time.  What every woman wants.  My preferred mask has a slight greenish hue.  No problem.  I'll accessorize accordingly.

Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes

Fun post -- we all do all sorts of things don't we --- all the best. Will let you know if we see any flesh colored duct tape.

Oct 11, 2008 05:42 PM
Carol Lee
Dilbeck Real Estate - Oak Park, CA
Realtor - Agoura, Oak Park, Westlake CA Homes

Hey, at least we don't go bald at our age- like a lot of the guys we know!  I passed the half century  mark a few years back.  I won't have surgery, the chemical peels have too much down time, plus the thought of basically burning my skin off doesn't do anything for me.  Have thought about injections, but would rather spend the money on other things at the moment.  So the world is stuck with my face.

Given that my mother didn't make it to this age, I see each day as a gift.  And if I don't look so young anymore, well, I can still act immature!!

Enjoy the big five- oh

Oct 11, 2008 05:43 PM
Paula Ryan
Coldwell Banker Tomlinson Group - Eagle, ID

Carol,

I too am grateful for having hair-- even if it has to be short in order to avoid needing to brush it upside down.  Whatever it takes to prevent seeing my face in that position. :-)

Bob & Carolin,

If you give me a lead on flesh colored duct tape, I'll buy you a roll.  I'm also considering hanging my head out the window while riding in a car.  (Hey, my dogs make it look fun.)   Once the speed reaches about 50 mph, any loose facial skin should start blowing back toward my hairline.  I'll apply duct tape while this is happening. 

Oct 11, 2008 06:25 PM
Kathy Fey
Fey & Associates - Dacula, GA

Gray hair and wrinkles should be celebrated! 

Oct 11, 2008 11:52 PM
Chip Jefferson
Gibbs Realty and Auction Company - Columbia, SC

LOL It get us all. I hope the duct tape will be done in flesh. They have it in camo so now its our turn. My Big hair days are so gone.

Oct 11, 2008 11:57 PM
Mike Saunders
Retired - Athens, GA

Paula - unless that is a really outdated picture, skip the duct tape. I was reading a book by Michael Connelly, a detective story and they were trying to figure out why a victim had Preperation H in his glove box. The detective found out it was to tighten the skin and remove the wrinkles around the eyes. Personally, I like the character aging gives my wife and she is still very beautiful

Oct 12, 2008 12:33 AM
Paula Ryan
Coldwell Banker Tomlinson Group - Eagle, ID

Laura,

Thanks for the smile.  There are some things I really miss about the South-- especially the gal pal humor! :-)

Mike,

You are a doll!  My photo is two years old.  Flattery gets you extra mileage with me.  (wink, wink) ;-)  The Preparation H story is priceless. Thanks for sharing a humorous incident.

Kathy,

Agreed.  I don't have any gray hair to celebrate though.  Even my dad has yet to go gray.  Go bald, yes, but gray hair tends to shy away from my side of the family.  Wrinkles?  Plenty of those to go around.  Enough for one big Mardi Gras of a celebration! :-)

Oct 12, 2008 07:16 AM
Don Rogers
Keller Williams Realty Chesterfield - O'Fallon, MO
Realtor, Broker, CDPE, GRI, OnullFallon MO & St Charles County MO homes

Paula,

When you do the facial mask or the duct tape thingy would you send me my very own, private, picture? ;)

Oct 12, 2008 08:06 PM
Greg Gorman
John R Wood Properties - Naples, FL
Naples Florida Real Estate

Paula I have the perfect solution...only look into mirrors while on your back. Gravity baby! The best news is the beauty within outshine the outter appearance. Thanks for sharing and greetings from Paradise.

Oct 13, 2008 11:42 AM
Kathy Passarette
Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY
L.I. Staging/Decorating

Paula ~ I was getting my hair cut and colored the other day (gray strands started appearing at about 20, so I envy you with no grays!), and the hair stylist was telling me how his wife was getting to try Restalin, botox and had a peel done recently.  Unfortunately, she could not/would not go out because her face was all red, then peeling, then her eyes were swollen.  Now from what I understand, woman are having this done to look better - yes?

Oct 13, 2008 11:55 AM
Paula Ryan
Coldwell Banker Tomlinson Group - Eagle, ID

Don,

I will certainly send you a photo!  I may add accessories too-- cucumber slices over my eyes!  Woo-hoo!

Greg,

What an excellent idea!  Maybe I'll have my next business photo shoot done that way!  Thanks.  I'll give you all the credit for how great the photo looks. ;-)

Kathy,

That is hilarious!  Apparently the purpose of Botox is to look good?  Isn't "Botox" an abbreviation for "botulism" and "toxin"?  Yikes!

Oct 14, 2008 04:36 AM
Sidney Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula
Realty Works Temecula - Temecula, CA
Realty Works Temecula

Paula:  I half agree with you...for me: 

  • No Plastic Surgery anywhere on my body.
  • No botox
  • Yes to the peels...I do very minimal peels on myself, (I used to be a make-up artist and know somehing about skin).  No down time - No pain, just a little peeling and the dead surface layer skin is gone.  Because as we age the skin does not want to shed the dead layers.
  • Yes to long hair,,,I have a new picture coming out....This one of me is 5 years old...I like the look of us 40 & 50 somethings with long hair....Who says you have to cut it.

I know this is probably more than you wanted to know...I enjoyed your post and like the funny side of this topic.   Glad you joined CC...and if you lived closer I would love to have that drink with you....

Oct 15, 2008 10:02 PM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

Paula - what a funny post!  I am amazed at the lengths some women (and men) will go to to reverse the aging process, alter it or cover it up.  Personally, I am enjoying this getting older thing!

Oct 15, 2008 10:23 PM
Sidney Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula
Realty Works Temecula - Temecula, CA
Realty Works Temecula

Paula, Thanks for the nice introduction.  Glad you like Temecula...Your kids must be great soccor players.    Please do call me when you are in Temecula again!!!

Oct 17, 2008 11:55 AM
Laura Watts
Positive Properties, LLC - Laurinburg, NC

Paula- This is really cute and hilarious. It is amazing what we go through. You did come up with some good ideas. In fact, I am still laughing-I wonder how many more lines that will cause. LOL  Thanks for sharing.

Oct 17, 2008 03:36 PM
Sherry Scales
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Leander, TX
Realtor, for Austin, TX and surrounding areas

I don't want to do the surgery thing. I am just going to hang out with older ladies and tell people I am 20 years older than I am. (Won't I look good for my age!)

Oct 17, 2008 05:00 PM