Yesterday

...Mixed bag of events. I know this much, it was a lovely day.

Any day that starts with a pedicure, is going to be a lovely day. Fact.

Lauren, the beautician, is beautiful and gorgeous. I apologised for the state of my feet. Being a long distance walker/hiker and runner can really mess with your feet. Fact. The dry skin can build up, and it's not abnormal to find callouses and dead skin on the soles of your feet. I imagine that barefoot walking could also be the reason for developing 'leathery soles'.

Lauren is only 18-years-old and is a single lady. We discussed all of the benefits of being single, and how much we can put our energy into ourselves and our lives. I find it odd, when I get asked, "Why are you single? You are very attractive etc. etc.."

This tells me that our society assumes that being partnered is more commonplace, more 'normal'. Not long ago, I met a man of 89-years old. He wanted to know why I had not married. He advised me that I should. I thought, Hmmmm, well, I can marry myself, or my bed.

I think, if it were a possibility, I would marry my bed. I love it that much. safe, calm, relaxing place there is never conflict between us. Just peace. I can literally get excited about going to my bed, at night : )

Carly was in the salon. Her wedding is this Friday, and she is running around doing last minute things. She will have some photos on display, after the event. I'm very happy for her. She is lovely. There seems to be a wedding season, currently. I know of three weddings/engagements happening this year.

My pedicure lasted a good hour and a bit. It was lush, and I did not want to leave the chair afterward. I was zenned out.

New feet equals new graduation event dress. Just one week away. There as a new young volunteer in the Marlets. Steph joked that doing a 'Laura transaction' would be her big test. My 'dressing to till checkout' can take more than an hour, sometimes more. I gather, chat and dress and undress, give and accept style advice as I go. The shop is my second home, for sure. Graduation dress-al-la-Meghan, sorted, and I completed my own challenge.

The Afija Challenge:

I know a lady called Afjia. She is a member of our local running club. She is Dutch. Afija frequented the shop I used to work at. Often with her family in tow. I had attempted many times to get her to buy something feminine and glamourous for herself. She would only spend on the four kids. I get that. I used to spend on my daughter, more than I would on myself. It's what you do. You put them first.

Yesterday I persuaded Afjia to try on a purple evening dress for an award ceremony. I accessorised it with a 'Goddess necklace', and adjusted her. She was so unused to dressing up that she was clearly compromised. The royal purple dress and necklace suited her so well, that I offered to buy it for her, if she decided not to make the purchase.

I could not have accepted that she were to leave the shop without the outfit. She looked like a Goddess. I told her so. And I think that she had not seen herself like this before. I love seeing women and girls treating themselves. They deserve it.

One of my many mantras, 'Treat Yo Self'.

Afija bought the outfit, under slight duress. She commented that I should have a job there. I looked at Steph (gorgeous Manager), and she joked that the shop was thinking of having a unique cubicle for me because of the amount of time that I spend there dressing up, meeting other women (and men) and persuading them to buy. So, in effect, I work/volunteer there...on my terms.

I felt very accomplished. I then went with a friend, who invited me for a coffee out, to B&Q. I had needed some picture tacks and some screen wash. I had to use earplugs in the shop, it was very loud. We had coffee at Costa and had a giggle.

It was later on, unpacking shopping, that I realised that 'graduation dress' had ben left on the changing room floor and that the other glam dresses that I had purchased had been packed and paid for. The shop was closed. I knocked on the window and collected the dress. It would probably have been there, still, today. I did not want to risk it.

After walking my pooch and doing some organising at home, I went back to my friend's house. We shared fish and chips and had a lovely evening, discussing things and playing nicely.

My daughter got in touch today. I like to chat to her on Facetime. I love to see her face when we talk. She is after a bed frame and a donation towards the purchase. I advised Ebay, for fast delivery, no hassle and a new well priced bed-frame. She had not thought to look there. She found the perfect frame for her taste and her new space, where she move to next week. I was glad to help her out.

Next week will be her big day. It will be a lovely day.