A funny thing happened to me on Christmas morning. Let me backtrack. The day before I was thanking God and the universe because a new year was about to begin, and everything was going so much better than last year. 2017 – 2018 was difficult due to illness in my family, an elective bunionectomy (don’t do it!) and the death of my sweet Yorkie Lucky. My prayers were answered and my family member was back to his jolly self and I was looking forward to a banner year.
Back to Christmas day– While walking, I tripped over a speed bump, fell on my left wrist, spent the day in urgent care getting x-rays to determine that I had a radial fracture. Now, I don’t do things halfway . I give it my all; of course I needed surgery with a plate and pins and am now still in a splint awaiting pin removal and physical therapy.
Why do I tell you this? It started me thinking about why this happened. Of course there had to a reason. As a result of frail bones I am usually a very careful walker, looking down to avoid a fall. Does everything happen for a reason or do we tell ourselves that to feel better and not beat ourselves up over random things that we cannot control?
After deliberating, I decided the reason for the fall was to slow down and pursue my hobby and forever passion.. healthy aging, skincare, beauty and lifestyle choices. I have decided to share my years of experience and write this blog. Even while working as an ESL teacher and a paralegal, I was researching these topics and trying on different products. My friends joke that I could open a Sephora annex from my condo. I want to connect with women who are similarly situated, who desire to pro-age naturally rather than anti-age, which suggests a battle that we need to fight and can never win.
I dedicate my blog to my beloved twin sister Jill (Dolly) who never got the chance to pro-age with me; she died 10 years ago and I know she is cheering me on from heaven.
I invite you along for the journey and welcome your encouraging comments.
I’m sorry about your fall and surgeries, Penny! I trust you are healing well.
Good luck with your blog! I remember we’ll our lunchtime makeup sessions. You were so good at making me look good!
I stopped dying my hair almost 2 years ago and never mastered the art of make up so I don’t use any!
What you see is what you get!
I’ll be following along!🤗
Hi Kathy. So glad you are following my blog. I do remember our lunchtime makeover sessions. You are beautiful just the way you are, with or without makeup. I hope you are using sunscreen. Tune in next week for an easy morning and evening routine.
Congratulations Penny on starting this blog and the conversation about aging. You are such a wealth of knowledge on so many subjects but skin care is one you really mastered. Since meeting you in 2005 I have always admired your beautiful face and skin. But, your beautiful inside and out. You have taught me so many things about aging. We made a pact to stop coloring out hair last year and that is one of the best decisions I have ever made. It is so freeing and has changed my attitude about how I look at myself. Thank you for starting this blog and I look forward to reading your updates. xoxo
Thanks Debby. So glad you are on this journey with me. If you have any questions or anything you would like me to address, let me know. Hugs. Penny
Penny,
I do believe everything happens for a reason. My little story for you, should also put you on the alert! I know you have your nails done frequently/naturally. However, I also know we don’t pay much attention to our nails when we are having them done. I decided to take my polish off myself this week, (I haven’t found a place I like yet, in/around Florence.) I put clear polish on and let it go at that. This morning, while examining my natural nails I noticed a light brown vertical line down my ring finger nail. Having gone through classes to get a license to own a store in Indiana, I knew that a vertical dark brown/black/purple line is a sign of melanoma. I’ve researched extensively and the condition is called Subungual Melanoma. I will be going to a dermatologist asap. Be vigilant! Check your nails!
Wow Rachel. Thank you for sharing your experience. That was so lucky that you took the polish off and had the knowledge to recognize the melanoma. I see a dermatologist every three months after she found a tiny melanoma on the back of my arm. Good luck! So glad you found my blog.