Just a Slip of a Girl...

2nd in the series of stories.  I painted it first and was at a loss as to the story it might tell until I overheard a snippet of conversation between two ladies in the grocery store...and got an idea.

High Anxiety

There sat Muriel feeling miserable in Dillard’s dressing room surrounded by an assortment of one-piece swimsuits.    The overzealous salesclerk with the toothy grin and lipstick on her teeth was hovering around willing to tell her she looked fantastic in anything she tried on.  Muriel was embarrassed to ask the clerk to bring suits in a larger size.  She felt so alone and wished she had brought a friend to help her. She also hated the thought of getting dressed again to look for herself and go through the contortions of squeezing into another suit.  Why oh why does clothes shopping have to be such a bother she thought.  A size, no matter the number, should fit the same across brands - it would save so much time!

Still sitting there trying decide what to do, Muriel’s cell phone rang.  It was American Express telling her that a $2100 charge had been made for an on-line purchase at a site she had never heard of.   She was told to hang up and call the phone number on the back of her credit card to either confirm or deny the charge.  Things weren’t bad enough - now this.  Actually, it was a good thing.   She explained to the credit card agent what she was doing at the time she received the call.  They both had a good laugh.  The credit card agent completely understood her angst.

Feeling better, Muriel again scoured through the racks of swimsuits and found a pretty one in blue which fit nicely she thought.  After she made the purchase, Muriel was fairly certain this would be the last swimsuit she would ever buy.

Linking to:

Katherine's Corner
Little Things Thursday

1st of the series

I’m getting tired fussing with this one - I may come back to it…anyway it’s the first one of the three

Here's the story to go with the painting:

Daily Rituals

As usual she awakes early to the red glow of the digital clock - 4:45AM - time to rise and shine. Even though she took an early retirement from her day job over twenty-five years ago and could sleep in, she can’t break the habit. Mornings are the best time of day!

Tiptoeing so as not to waken her husband, she quickly pulls on clean but raggedy t-shirt and shorts and does her daily Classical Stretch workout. Twenty-five minutes of bending, stretching, and reaching loosen up her sore back muscles and hip joints. She then laces up the neon orange Asics walking shoes, grabs the i-Pod and ear buds and is out the door. Before setting out, she picks up the newspaper and places it inside the kitchen door. Her husband is always grateful to find the newspaper handy when he gets up. It’s a beautiful cool morning - no mosquitos yet. The sky is filled with stars. No one else is up yet except for a neighbor’s cat who is roaming around. Compulsively she sets the timer on her i-watch then it’s ready, set, go!

She power walks to the beat of the BeeGees, Neil Diamond and some rap. Her body is on autopilot - no thinking - just being. Sometimes she looks up and isn’t sure where she is. It’s wonderful to be out early walking in the dark. No one can see that she hasn’t combed her hair or that she is wearing clothes with holes in them. Four miles and an hour later, she’s home again ready for that first cup of coffee - heavenly!

Her morning exercise is complete. She has read the newspaper; eaten breakfast; showered, dressed and put on her “war paint.” Now she looks in the mirror and goes through a litany of daily reminders - be kind, gentle, understanding, polite, encouraging to herself and others. Slow down and be grateful for this day.

Linking to:

Inspire Me Monday

Our World Tuesday
Wordless Wednesday on Tuesday

working in a series

I'm working on a series of small paintings to hang in our newly remodeled bathroom.  I haven't decided whether these will be hang worthy yet - that decision will come later.

drawing and start of underpainting

Linking to:

Friday Photo Journal
Photo Friday
Friends Meet Friends