Scarred (or Scared) for Life

Originally, I had planned to spend most of today on the couch with my nose in a book. Then Susan called at 10:00 AM and pitifully begged me to come shopping with her and Julia. Sure. So I jumped in the shower and hastily applied some make-up. This shopping place was in some ritzy suburb of Dallas so I gave up my sweats and tennis shoes for some jeans and sandals. Susan finally arrived at my house around 11:30, after several phone calls and wrong turns. We began our one-hour drive, stopping at Sonic for lunch.

Now I finally know what teenage girls do at the mall -- shop 'til they drop (mostly for clothes). I never enjoyed shopping for clothes that much, perhaps it was because of a long-term hate relationship with my body. In one store I tried on a party dress in a stunning teal, but I couldn't bear to pay the $25. Cheap skate, I know, but where does one wear such clothing? Sweat pants and sneakers will do just fine.

I mostly served as fashion consultant for Susan and Julia: that color is good on you, that one isn't, this color washes you out, watch where the fabric gathers, the rouching is in the wrong place, that makes you look pregnant, that's too revealing, etc. They may as well have brought their moms. It's funny that I am quite liberal in some areas, but when it comes to clothing I am very conservative (or at least I am compared to Susan and Jules). Susan says, "If you've got it flaunt it." I have nothing to flaunt (and shame upon you, Susan -- what would you do without me to keep you in line?). For some funny reason, Susan and Jules didn't want to stay in Barnes and Noble. If I had my way, I would have stayed there the entire day with my nose in a book and sipping coffee. But I'm a nice friend.

About half-way through the day I had to remove my right contact, which was scratching my eye. It was interesting to shop half-blind, but all I had to do was sit on a couch and wait for Julia and Susan to try clothes on (I gave up after the first store).

The most momentous occasion of the day for me was my first trip to Victoria's Secret. Momentous... ha. The prices were momentous.

"I'm going to be scarred for life," I groaned as we approached the entrance. "Maybe I should take out my other contact lense." I picked up a $45 bra and trudged to the dressing room.

"I wanna see!" I heard in front of my door before two heads popped in. Yep, scarred for life.

"Wow..." Julia gawked, "You're... curvy." Nice way to put it.

"I hate you," Susan pouted.

"That's okay. I hate you for being skinny," I retorted, laughing, "But I'm not paying this much money."

Dinner was eaten in the mall food court before returning home. As long as I live, I never want to eat out again. I've had too much food out and my stomach is paying for it. Now I am on the couch after several shots of Pepto-Bismol and a fistful of Maalox tablets. No more food and socializing... just books (and maybe a few trips to the tredmill).