Nice Moustache

(haven't figured out how to paragraph in this new blog format... so bear with it!)

So I'm heading back into the work force. Sent some emails out to the 3 contacts friends I still have 12 years later. Supposed to meet Elliot, 11 am on Thursday, the day after Halloween. Of course, 2 kids didn't go to school (too much candy + too much walking = bad parenting the next day.) --- So it's 10:30 on Thursday and Barry says shouldn't you leave a half-hour to get there? I stare at him. Half an hour when I can get there in 15 minutes going 90 mph? I'm standing in a messy living room making 3 different breakfasts for 2 girls still in their pajamas. I was counting on the luxury of that last 10 minutes for finishing making the food, putting on some socks and maybe that last minute for changing out of my barn clothes, brushing my hair, finding pants and rushing to the car. ------ Once in the car I realize this meeting is with an old boyfriend I haven't seen in 12 years. I start thinking Man, I should really look better. I suddenly realize that yesterday in bed Lilly told me I had a beard and moustache. At red lights (& okay while driving) I wrench my rearview mirror towards me and start picking handfuls of moustache and tearing them out piece by piece. Because we will be face to face and he will be wondering when I turned into an old hairy Swedish woman. My top lip is now "smarting," and I dip my fingers into someone's old water in my cupholder and smooth my few chinhairs back, hoping they'll stay. ------- I get there precisely at 11. Very glad I washed my hair last night. Very glad I've been doing the treadmill and riding the horse because my body is fairly streamlined and I don't mind looking a little older than the 12 years younger version my meeting dude will remember. ------ I get into the bagel place and no Elliot. I order bagels and a giant tea pretending I'm rich. They charge me $1.99 for a tube sock size cup of hot water and a lone tea bag. ---- I sit down. ----- This bagel place is where I go with my family. I am nostalgic for when I didn't ever have to think about work. Like, last week. I can't text because I have 400 pictures on my phone. I start deleting pictures. The kids are so cute.

Wow, my life is so amazing and perfect. I try to call a friend but my phone won't work, no one can hear me I get the paper off the trash can and read half of 2 articles about movies.

---- It's 11:30. Elliot has hopefully been in some disfiguring accident. ___ The meeting is over. Turns out I was the meeting. I feel happy that nothing has happened, because this is a situation I am used to. B texts me that they all miss me at home. ---- I grab my bagels for the family and head back home. ---- Successful, and clean-shaven.