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Thursday, July 11, 2013

A Little Lip Wouldn't Hurt

It's come to the point where I must admit that the tendinitis -- not the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome originally suspected -- has rendered me both incapable of typing and in need of NO typing at all.

I will be posting only reposts for the next several weeks.

And I'll be reading your blogs.  :-)

Having lived successfully through a turbulent childhood, the 80s/90s/and yesterday, a motorcycle “club” (never say “gang”), and motherhood, I can safely say that I am not an addictive personality.

You’ll have to take my word for it.

That said, however, I’m going to have to take a long lunch today and run to Target. I may not be back as soon as you think I should, but please don’t worry. You’ll have to trust me on this. Something’s come up, something you don’t know about me, and something that I cannot hide from you for too much longer.

Maybe I should just tell you now.

Ahem.

You see, I’ve forgotten my lipstick.

Go ahead. Scoff. Shoot, if it wasn’t me, I’d be scoffing with you! But it is me, and I feel my pain.

Shhhhhh. Listen. Do you hear that? That’s the sound of my lips chapping.

My mother was a lipstick kind of gal. Not in a gaudy way – never! That would not do. But a quick trip to the grocery store? “Just a little color…” she’d mutter while applying her lipstick, trailing off as she peered earnestly into the mirror. A brush through the hair, a “little color” and she was gone, looking good and getting it done.

One got the feeling, watching her, that that “little color” was done not for her but for others.

Me?

Hardly!

While it is true that I have a healthy ego (actually masking the fear that everyone else is attending some fabulous party that I’ve not been invited to for reasons known only to them) and often feel that people are looking at me in silent judgment, the lipstick is not necessarily to add a dash of color for others on this humidity-wrapped July day.

I apply lipstick, all day, several times a day, because I like it.

I’m used to it.

I’m just used to it! OK? That’s all! OK? I’m just used to it! I like it! I mean, I could stop but why should I?  It doesn’t affect my life or anything! It’s not like I’m leaving work just to –

Oooooh.

31 comments:

Pat said...

Commiserations Pearl and I hoe it gets fixed soon.
Re lipstick I was just this afternoon in my computer room when I heard a car drive up, looked out of the window and there was a car in the drive which I didn't recognise. A man got out who I didn't recognise. Only a second before I had to rush downstairs and answer the bell so I quickly applied my chubby stick -moisturising lip colour balm and even tho' make-up-less and with fly- away hair I felt ready for anything.

Sioux Roslawski said...

Pearl--

Believe it or not, I did not begin wearing lipstick until I was in my late forties. THAT was like closing the barn door once the horse was already loose. My face needed some color but it was waaay too late to make up for all the years that my face was downright scary.

Now, mascara and "little lip" before I go almost anywhere. It's the public service I perform...

Camille said...

Dearest Pearl; So sorry your wrists are still aching and throbbing. How very trying of them to behave so badly.

Wish I had a blog for you to read but alas, I am a lazy wretch and cannot be arsed to pull myself together and start one up. But your daily contributions are always delightful, be they new or old. Take your time and let the mending begin! :-)

Connie said...

Hope you feel better soon!

I, alas, am not a lipstick wearer. I'll wear chapstick in the worst of winter weather, but otherwise I almost always have bare lips--shocking, I know, but hey, I'm not here to judge. :D

Anonymous said...

Your poor cramped up hands/arms! Hope you feel up to snuff soon.

Silliyak said...

Perhaps a fund raiser to buy some voice recognition/dictation software? If the cats can drive a cab, perhaps they could type, for a price of course (the GOOD shrimp?)

Indigo Roth said...

This is a smart plan, PearlyGirl. Your huge readership will wait with baited breath for your recovery and return. We love you Pearl! Roth x

jenny_o said...

I hope your doctor has written you a get-out-of-work note so you can truly be typing-free. After all, if one can't type in order to blog, how can one type in order to serve The Man?!

Seriously, take care of those hands and wrists. The good news is that tendonitis doesn't require surgery to get better. Does it? I hope not.

As for the lipstick, I rarely use any because it makes my lips feel like they are suffocating. Nail polish makes my fingernails feel the same way. So carry on, Pearl, and beautify the world to make up for those of us who can't :)

Shelly said...

Even if I am chasing cows on foot in the deepest of muck and mud, two things I am never without are earrings and lipstick.

Have you considered maybe doing oral blogs while your tendons settle down? I have a good, free recording site that lets you paste the clip into your blog. And then we'd get to hear your voice, too!

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari Om
EEk - that's both good and bad news I s'pose. Good that no surgery is in the offing, bad that now enforced rest is there... then again IS that bad??? Key word - R E S T.

You keep staying pretty, gal, lippy or no lippy!! YAM xxxxx

Bill Lisleman said...

The only lipstick ever on my lips came from a kiss. Best way to apply lipstick. I have used chapstick and wonder if that could be a substitute for that lipstick feeling.
Hope your wrists heal quickly and you are still able to click over to my blog.

mapstew said...

Hope yer better soon! :¬)

xxx

Glen said...

look after those tendons - you needs em :)

Anonymous said...

Jenny O.......That is EXACTLY the feeling....EXACTLY. I made the mistake of putting some nail hardner on the other day and my nails feel like they are in a strangle hold.
Pearl...I'm so sorry you are in wristlock. Rest those little wristies for a while.

Joanne Noragon said...

Has Maryna labelled the diagnosis a piece of sheet? Because it is.

Pearl said...

You guys are funny.

And would there be an interest in me SPEAKING my stories, rather than typing them?

Also: just so happen to be seeing my little Marynka tonight. I hope she doesn't have too much funny stuff to say -- I can barely hold a pen. :-)

Perpetua said...

So sorry the wrists are still bad, Pearl. make sure you really rest them and let them heal.

Lipstick - what's that?

Kristy @Loveandblasphemy said...

I definitely need foundation and cover up all the time. And powder. And eyeliner. Yes, all of those. You know, a full face of make up to feel ok.

Watson said...

Sorry you are still suffering Pearl. I'll have to get busy on my blog now so you'll have something to read!

People with other dis-abilities re: writing/typing, do use voice programs or something to communicate via computer. Perhaps it's something to look in to.

Hope you are soon feeling better.
Daisy and her Barbara

Unknown said...

My mother used to go out with a head full of rollers but never without lipstick...sometimes applied in the rearview mirror.

Sioux Roslawski said...

A video of Pearl speaking her stories? I think you've hit upon a jackpot of an idea.

And those two crazy cats can make an occasional appearance as well...

Gigi said...

Such a timely re-post....as I do love my "touch of color." In fact, I just spent the past few days sans makeup and hair torture - but found that I couldn't leave the room without a dash of color.

And as far as you speaking your stories (or even better - a video!) - that definitely gets a thumbs up from me!

The Cranky said...

Take care of your wrists lady.

Ooo, a vlog post? Hie thee over to youtube!!!!

Unknown said...

I remember this one. It was good then and entertaining again now.

So sad to hear of your chronic tendonitis. Been there! Not a good scene. Take care of yourself, and you WILL get better eventually. I ended up having cortisone shots into my shoulder and elbow. yeah, right....

Have you considered a voice activated programme to save your wrists from typing? Blessings, Rosemary

HermanTurnip said...

Oh no! So sorry to hear this! If I can be of any assistance, please let me know.

Will be hoping for the best, and am looking forward to your triumphant return!

Rose L said...

I have not worn lipstick for years. I do use chapsticks and have some with slight tints to them. I also have flavored ones: vanilla, cherry, watermelon, root beer and my favorite--chocolate. They all smell like the flavors and the chocolate smells and tastes so good that I often lick it off. Mmmmmmmmm!

rcazares said...

Yes, yes, yes! Spoken stories! Did I already vote yes? YES!

jenny_o said...

Spoken posts - yes!

jeanie said...

I would listen - or you could type with your toes, or your nose, could you not?

Love you work whichever way it comes.

Unknown said...

Glad you're resting those tendons! Hope they are better soon!

jabblog said...

Ooh, bad news re the tendons but if it means we get to hear your voice I'm fascinated. Pressing a couple of buttons shouldn't be too trying on the wrists . . . but then, you have such a lot to offer maybe it wouldn't be such a good idea. Just rest those wrists, Pearl. (I'm sure there's a song in there . . . )