Wild Cherry Tree Watercolor
Before I say anything, I feel the need to reiterate this: I feel so very blessed to have this little community. All of you have given me so much love, peace, laugh, and faith in people that I would never be able to describe in simple written words. This blog started without intention and it became a gift I didn't expect.
But what I wanted to say is that today I made peace with the fact I am unladylike. I made peace with the fact that my hair is this unruly thing that hates humidity; that I snort when I have a good laugh; that make-up lasts about 2 minutes on my face, on the rare occasion I remember to put it on; that I am flamboyant and exaggerated in my speech; that I curse like a sailor; that I don't care about the "dress to impress" thing; and that I don't want to play "the game".
When I was little, my mom wanted to buy me cute mary-janes to wear to school, but I wanted sneakers, "because they were better to run during recess." I wore real weird clothes in elementary school and in college I had pink or purple or blue hair, depending on the mood. I remember this girl I had as a lab partner in college. Her hair was ALWAYS perfectly coiffed and her make-up looked recently applied. I really liked her, but I realized that I would never be that perfectly put together person.
I am not ladylike. I never will be. And that's ok with me.
32 comments:
I like you just the way you are! And my hair is never perfect, but is frizzy. I have only worn a dress twice in two years, and it was because I had to, for my lovely daughter's wedding and shower. I cant wear high heels, my eye make up lasts 30 minutes because of my allergies, and why laugh at all if you're not going to snort?
PS. My hair is decent in this photo, and I am wearing the dress-- this was taken last summer at my daughter's wedding! I was fairly ladylike but kicked off my medium height shoes for flip flops within minutes!!
First let me comment on your artwork...I've truly liked all I've seen thus far but this piece just blows me away. The moments when nature is just...golden...are glorious and brief and you've captured it perfectly.
As for being ladylike: depending on the day and mood my hair, makeup, and clothing may be perfectly done simply because it's fun. No one who knows me, however, is the least bit surprised to see my 'ladylike' self sashay into a sprinkler or (before the movement disorder showed up, well into my 40's) climb onto a fat tree limb, bare feet dangling down and book in hand.
Curse like a sailor? You're my kinda gal, LOL!
Thanks for your recommendation re the "Zuni Man-Woman" book. Have you read the novel "Middlesex" by Jeffrey Eugenides? Excellent read.
We are who we are! Embrace our weirdness!!
Lovely watercolor by the way :) I love the color and the softness, very delicate and beautiful and calming.
I love this...you are perfectly you! I am very girly but also very unassuming: little makeup, no heels. But I definitely have the unruly hair in humidity! And I must confess, the older I get the more of a potty mouth I have. Those words just seem to slip out sometimes...lol. :)
P.S. I got ahead of myself and hit publish too early...I wanted to also thank you so much for the very nice comment you left me on my blog. Your words made my day. I truly appreciate it!
Everyone should just be comfortable with who they are. How refreshing!
it's okay to be who you are and find that you love her without pause... wish more people could be that way.
Wonderful post! I can relate to you in that I love to shock my friends and family by belching when the need arises hehe - and licking my bowl or plate clean!! I make no apologies :) I have a bit of a potty mouth as well.
Love your Wild Cherry Tree.My language at times would make a sailor blush.I've never had a manicure,never wear a dress and have been told I snort like a donkey! Charm personified!
Ana, I can identify with you totally. Growing up, I was a tomboy and unladylike. I never visited a beauty salon in my life . I have never done any manicure, pedicure,facial, whatever.
I only go for haircuts. I use only lipstick as far as make up is concerned,nothing else.
It is only recently that I have taken interest in "fashion" and "dressing Up". The more I became "aware" of myself, I started "loving myself more", and started to take care of myself more, not by going to a beauty salon but started taking care of myself at home. Gradually, I became aware of what looks good on me and started "dressing up" without buying expensive outfits. I developed my own sense of style.
About "ladylike behaviour"- Well, the more socially responsible and conditioned we become, the more "polite" we tend to be. Although I "do not go out of my way" to "please" somebody, yet I try to be as polite as possible so that other people do not feel hurt by my words or action.
Very nice post. Keep it up!
Take care,
Love to read your posts Ana. In college I was always comfortable wearing baggy clothes. I love to see other women with beautiful clothing and make up but I can never be like that on a daily basis.
Hay, I can't seem to wear my clothes right side out so I am in no position to judge. I think you are quite unique and interesting. That counts bunches.
Wonderful post Ana... and cheers to the beautiful and unique you... always love to visit here... had to smile... my hair is not a friend to humidity either... in any sense of the word...lol... just adore your gorgeous watercolor...
Hugs
Jenny x
Go you for admitting it & being okay with it. :)
I think I'm somewhere inbetween skirts & cut-offs. :)
Thanks for commenting regularly on my blog! I always look forward to hearin' from you. Sorry I can't reply directly to your comments. :/ Lame!
Eat Cake
What a great post, Ana! I like that you don't apologize for who you are. You shouldn't! I'm far from being polished -- and I love it that way. If you could see my nails after a day of gardening...haha...no manicures for this girl!
I knew there was something about you that I liked!
Here's to not being lady-like.
And yes, in this heat....frizz here too...AND I hurt my back about 6 months ago and can not for the life of me sit in a salon chair to get so much as a hair cut.
Did someone say self inflicted bangs...oh yeah.
And I LOVE your painting!
Hope you don't mind that I've linked your blog for Fabulous Friday. =)
Hi Jacqueline, not at all :) What an honor!
well, i wish we lived closer!! the unruly hair, lack of make up, and i really want a hot green wig right now...i am thankful that i have grown into my skin, but, as a kid, i remember thinking i wish to be more like "them;" and now not giving a hoot and sooooo glad to not be like them at all. i love being a little off the beaten path. and i love your watercolor tree! beautiful!! love your post!
You sound just like me. I have never worried about what was on my outside as I was to busy concentrating on finding the real me inside. You know the happy don't give a darn me:). Great post. B
Add me to the club roster of the less-than-ladylike with crazy humid hair, a big laugh and clothes that probably turn my boss' head -- and not in a good way! Delightful!
AMEN to that!
I was thinking about this only this morning, about how I was and always will be a tomboy. I've tried to change, to be what other people think of as a 'lady', to be prettier, to be neater, to wear skirts all the time, to wear heels, to be girly... but whenever I do, I feel uncomfortable. and as soon as I go back to how I have always been, I feel like me again. I used to hate that, but now I am very much at peace that this is who I am and that it's ok.
Thank Gawd Im not the only one!!!
Love your post, the most important thing is to accept who we are and don´t live by preconceived ideas about how we should be. We can be as we like it. I like to wear nice clothes and take care of myself because this makes me feel happy with myself and confident, but of course, this is not the only thing that is important to me and either if I wear an outfit or another, I always try to be true to myself and the way I see the world
Nice art.
Knowing thyself - forever will always be an adventure we, artists, constantly uncover and I applaud you for your integrity:)
oh, that does it! i love your world. *subscribed*
Love this post...always sneakers, never tied for me.
I'd much rather hang out with a bare-faced, sneakered, dressed-to-express kinda person with colorful language than an icon of control and perfection any day. Much more fun to be untamed and free. :)
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