I need help.

[v-girl]

Today I came home from dropping Mags off at ballet. I had been at my mom's babysitting my niece along with my own kids before that. I had no make-up, hair was yanked into a messy ponytail (it's curly so it's always messy), was wearing a free t-shirt from the ad agency I used to work at, denim capri pants and cute canvas flats. The only thing cute were my shoes and purse. Add the toddler hanging on me and the 10 year old waiting to get into the house and I was the picture of the frumpy frazzled housewife who has let herself go.

It wouldn't have been a big deal if the new lawn guy wasn't at our house. That also wouldn't have been a big deal if the new lawn guy hadn't said, "Hey, don't I know you? Veronica?" Umm...yeah. Note to husband -- don't hire a guy I went to elementary school with (who happened to be quite the hunk from 6th grade through high school) to mow our yard.

This can't happen again. I refuse. I need to start exercising again. It's too hot here right now to wear jeans though. In fact, I find myself changing at least once during the day because it's just too damn hot period. My usual uniform since becoming a SAHM is a t-shirt (mostly v-necks from Gap or Target) with capri pants, or a skirt and flip flops (Yellow Box or Target, I'm not picky). How to make myself a bit more stylish, while still being able to keep up with a 3 year old? I need help.

[medpedspouse]

Re:the hair. I swear I am not getting a kick back on this - I have curly/frizzy hair too - add humidity and it takes a life of its own. Had a Brazilian blow out a month ago. Hair is soooooo manageable and dries either straight or curly fast with minimal effort. If my podunk town has it - DFW area must too. That in itself makes me feel "put together" without investing too much time. The clothes thing - I'll leave that to the expert fashionistas.

ETA - Dude was a hunk in 6th grade?? Wow!!!

[Michele]

Ha! When we got together I whined to Russ that you have 3 and still managed to put on makeup!

[v-girl]

I haven't put any on this week. So bad! I'm definitely not going to let that be a habit -- even if I have to do my mascara in the car once Kenny's strapped into his carseat! I didn't even have on lip gloss or powder!

My friend from elem school (we've stayed friends since 3rd grade) said he asked her out a few months ago. So freakin' weird. Oh, not so hunky now (or at least not when he's been mowing yards all day).

[SoonerTexan]

Veronica, they just had a Brazilian Blowout Groupon...I think. Maybe they will do more? I've heard Ouidad cuts are good too

I think you look just fine, though

[v-girl]

You haven't seen me this week. I actually went out of my house in workout clothes. And not to work out.

[MDPhDWife]

You haven't seen me this week. I actually went out of my house in workout clothes. And not to work out.

Ok this I'm guilty of because I can't deny myself the comfort of yoga pants, but the one thing that makes me feel like I haven't let myself go completely is making sure I have some form of make up if I'm leaving the house for any reason. My hair can be jacked and in a ponytail, my clothes can be borderline pajamas, and sometimes I will do my face and lips only as long as I'm hiding behind sunglasses. That's the nice thing about living someplace sunny is you can always hide behind sunglasses!

[v-girl]

"Some people think of dressing up or being polite as a burden. They think having to wear a tie or use the right fork or send a thank-you card is a kind of shackle. To these people I say: Getting out of bed is a shackle. If you feel that way, stay in it! Invest in a hospital gurney and wheel yourself around on it when you need to go out. I get very impatient with this whole "comfort issue" with clothing. Yes, you don't feel as comfortable in clothes that fit as you do in your pajamas. That's a good thing. You're navigating a world where you need to have your wits about you. If you're in a lackadaisical comfort haze, you can't be engaged in the world the way you need to be." - Tim Gunn

I'll be back later, V.

I need you! Today I'm in a cute tank with cute capri pants and Yellow Box sequined flip flops with full make-up and the hair is down and done. No jewelry though (which is quite ridic since I make my own). And all I've done so far is come to my mom's then went to McD's for a playdate. Though my friend commented on how she's jealous that I can do make-up with 3 kids. I pointed out that 2 of the 3 are 10 & 12 and watch their brother while I get ready.

[houseelf]

I hear you. It is soooo easy to get sucked into the mommywear vortex. I mean yesterday I went to the pool, cleaned diarreah off the floor, and went for a run after the kids went to the bed. It kind of makes haute couteur seem ridiculous. I have baby fine hair that melts into wispy strands in this heat, so kind of the opposite problem from you. It results in the same ponytail, however.

Still, I try, try, try to give myself a kick in the pants every now & then just because I feel better about me. I make myself try to look presentable a handful of days out of the week. I mean, some days are meant for sweats because the toilets need scrubbd and you don't feel like changing out of the vomit soaked shirts. On the other hand, it is demoralizing to look like this all the time. I suggest trying to get a couple of "get real" but pulled together outfits and making a mini goal of tryign to wear them a couple of times a week. At least, that's how I have had to cope with my utter lack of time, energy, and money.

[poky]

"Some people think of dressing up or being polite as a burden. They think having to wear a tie or use the right fork or send a thank-you card is a kind of shackle. To these people I say: Getting out of bed is a shackle. If you feel that way, stay in it! Invest in a hospital gurney and wheel yourself around on it when you need to go out. I get very impatient with this whole "comfort issue" with clothing. Yes, you don't feel as comfortable in clothes that fit as you do in your pajamas. That's a good thing. You're navigating a world where you need to have your wits about you. If you're in a lackadaisical comfort haze, you can't be engaged in the world the way you need to be." - Tim Gunn

There's a middle ground. I get that not everything's as comfortable as PJs, and shouldn't necessarily be, but I'm sorry, if I'm actively UN-comfortable, that's *all* I'm thinking about, and I do *not* have my wits about me.

[Auspicious]

I mean, some days are meant for sweats because the toilets need scrubbd and you don't feel like changing out of the vomit soaked shirts. On the other hand, it is demoralizing to look like this all the time. I suggest trying to get a couple of "get real" but pulled together outfits and making a mini goal of tryign to wear them a couple of times a week. At least, that's how I have had to cope with my utter lack of time, energy, and money.

Wise words. It's like you understand both Tim Gunn and my life.

[v-girl]

Wise words. It's like you understand both Tim Gunn and my life.

I agree! But I need a middle ground because I do have to leave the house every. day. of. the. week. With a wild 3 year old boy. Who runs fast.

[BonBon]

*groan* I need help too. I rarely wear makeup and we won't even DISCUSS what I wear on a daily basis because it's guaranteed to fry me. lol. Lily, DH and I are training for a marathon and if I can ever shake the fat off this ass I will beg you and Vish to overhaul my wardrobe. I will even let you toss every pair of capris I have. (draw the line at yoga pants, need those for around the house, lol)

Veronica, I do not envy you the heat. I've been grateful this summer for our aborting our move to Dallas.

[houseelf]

if I can ever shake the fat off this ass

You are not permitted to say unkind things about any members on this site, INCLUDING YOURSELF!

You are trainign for a marathon (Congrats BTW), was pregnant with five babies in less than four years, are enrolled in school, dealing with contractors, a medical career, and family issues. You would never talk about any of your friends that way, extend yourself the same kindness.

<smack> buttkicking over. Return to regular conversation.

It's little steps! Just making those small changes to make yourself feel good will I'm sure add some positive spin with your DH I know it must be hard, but sounds like you are making good progress!