Good Tuesday morning. Last week our issue of AARP the Magazine hit our mailbox. I scanned through it when it came in, but didn’t take the time to actually read it. Yesterday I did. There is a wonderful interview with Jamie Lee Curtis, Getting Back to Basics at 50. Not only did the interview hit me like a ton of bricks, but so did the picture of Jamie Lee Curtis on the front cover. Her hair is short, she’s let it go gray, very little makeup and she looks spectacular. When you read the interview, there is no doubt that she knows who she is and is comfortable in her own skin.

A month or so ago, another stamper told me I intimidated them. I was actually stunned! I have heard this before, along with any number of things (i.e., the site of you makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up, you ain’t right – you just ain’t right, and the one that I’ve never understood, you have more pull and power than you realize). Most of these things were said to me when I was volunteering at my girls’ elementary school, but they have stuck with me. Why? Perhaps because I have struggled with coming into my own. I’ve said before that every 5 years, things change. A little at a time, but things change. Whether it be more independence, more self-confidence or the toll that time takes on the body. For the most part, the change for me has been for the better.

Anyhoo, I asked this person “why, why do I intimidate you? You really don’t know me that well.” She told me, “you know who you are, you know what you want and you aren’t afraid to speak out.” So I thought about this for a minute, then replied to her, “That comes with age. The older I get, the more assured I am of myself and the more I realize what I want and need.” Now, I’ve struggled with this. I’ve pared things out of my life that have caused me stress and let go of things that I don’t need or want. I am who I am, like it or not. I have short hair, very short hair – boy cut hair, because it is easy to care for and I can wash, towel dry and go. I no longer spend 30 minutes making sure this or that hair is in the right place and that there are no dents or holes. AND, it’s gray, no more worrying about it, that gray hair is just there!!!! I quit wearing makeup years ago, and if I wear any, it’s very little. I don’t like the feel of it on my skin, and it actually makes my skin worse. I’m comfortable in my shorts and/or flannel pants and jeans. I’ve quit groups and activities that do not bring me pleasure or fun. I’ve learned to say no and mean it. Perhaps I need to quit worrying so much myself and just come to terms with the fact that I am here, I am me, I’m in my own skin, and hopefully, as I age, I will continue to learn and grow! Granted, I still need to loose a few pounds (well maybe more than a few pounds) to feel healthy, and I need to realize that I can’t do today what I did at 30, let alone 16. But I’m working on it!

I have to say that my rambling and babble above, have nothing to do with the rest of my post. I just got carried away on a self-realization tangent. However, before I leave you today, let me remind you that today is Treasure Hunt Tuesday at Rubbernecker. You’ll find the first clue on Shelly’s blog, and both Kittie and Broni have Rubbernecker Blog Candy today. If you are new to the Treasure Hunt, you can find all the details on the Rubbernecker Home Page.

I will more than likely be back a little later with my Color Challenge card! Until then, have a great day, I know I’m planning on it!