I thought it would go differently....

Remember how busy I was with the whole sculpture/artprize thingy?  Well there were a lot of things that happened this summer I wanted to share with my blogger friends.  Why you?  Because you like me and I like that about you.  I think all of us who blog get that we are doing it because we need an outlet and a way to document for posterity's sake all the weird things that happen in our lives. 

Two things recently, big things in my little world that I pictured going just a bit more smoothly.

1.  The 25th class reunion

2.  My young daughter learning about the facts of life.

Now, when I explain the 25th class reunion I should explain that it did go well.  It was a blast.  Thanks to Facebook a lot of the awkwardness was avoided.  About a year ago we, the classmates that are friends on FB started discussing the reunion and someone suggested creating a page which I did, mainly because I happened to read the suggestion look to the side bar and see the words "create a page".  Turns out, I was able to do just that, create a page.  Next thing you know people were posting pictures, getting in touch with each other, discussing 80's music- it was all good.  Thanks, Facebook!

But.... whether or not you think you care about what you look like....you do.  I swore I didn't.  I lost a little weight after a recovering from an illness.  Funny how feeling so-oo-ooo  much better makes it easier to do that!  It showed and I was happy!  It was summer so I had a tan.  The hair was good.  (NOT so much now!)

 
However.... some where, some time...long ago..in a past life... I must have done something really bad.  I mean- unforgivable...maybe not murder but maybe something more like sleeping with every married man in the neighborhood bad....something out of Wysteria Lane kinda bad...because...

The week of the reunion I broke out.  In the really big hormonal zits.  The ones that look and feel like small mountains that change the geography of your face...those zits.  Tuesday there was one.  I was suspicious...like mice, if you see signs of one you can bet there's more.  Wednesday there were three.  I couldn't help it.  I panicked.  I picked.  I called everyone.  They all said- "DON'T PICK" but they may as well have been screaming into the wind.  I picked.  By then I had two days for those to heal..by the way "no joy" these pimples are more like tumors.  This was bad.  Should I miss the re-union?  A sudden unexpected death in the family or merely called out of town on business? By the time Saturday came along there were six of various sizes and projection.

Well, as women do, my colleagues gathered round.  My boss brought me some of her trusted pimple cream and another lotion.  Immediately I could tell by the burn that it was working.  I went to the tanner.  by Saturday morning I knew it was as good as it was going to get.  I decided to document everything because this was just too hard to believe other wise.  I can do this.  I am an artist for a reason.  Time to paint a pretty picture.  Or at least one that is pretty till the second drink. 

Yep, those are my best paint brushes and my paint tray.  On it my best make up and my new blemish concealer.
Now I should tell you that I flake.  And flaking I was- right on those blemishes I just couldn't leave alone.  Having tons of experience with makeup and flaking skin I know that the makeup is just going to soak into the flaky area and look- well, flaky.  So off  must come the flakes.  Now, the tricky part- not removing the new skin underneath.  Know those rotary brushes you are supposed to use with cream to oh- so gently stimulate your complexion?  I used it oh- so- gently- dry, no lotion, until I was pretty sure I wasn't getting any more dead skin off.  Yeah- I knew I'd pay for that in the upcoming week but I'd pay that bill later....Next, the skill full application of makeup.  Hey- I'm 42, I have some make up skills- don't you?

 This is during.  First I went around the blemish in a circle because that area is darkest.  Then on top.  I let that dry and then applied my foundation.  (Pretty bad when your foundation has to have a foundation, heh?)

 Here's one where I don't look maniacal.

So then, knowing it was the best I could do my hubby and I went to the re-union.  It was a blast.  I was very glad to have seen every one and I even shared with just a few what I had gone through to get there.  They applauded my bravery.  Actually I don't think they were terribly interested in discussing my acne and just wanted to move the conversation along.   

So here's the proof that all went fairly well and the evening was certainly a lot of fun.  The zits?  Caused by a new birth control pill that is supposed to help with skin problems.  "Once in awhile some one comes along and has the opposite reaction..." I was told later when I said to my health professional "Hey- believe it or not, I do have to be seen in public..."  All is much better now, those hormones leveled themselves out...at least on my surface layer anyways....

Oh!  My child learning about the facts of life.....I'll tell you about that another time...it went really smoothly...