Hubs and I went into Bromley today, not a long trip, not even an exciting one but I wanted to go to a Christian bookshop for Advent calendars. They may stock more reverent ones than the stand in the mall or W.H.Smiths, I thought.
The rain was steady to heavy paying me back for remarking we hadn’t had a real downpour since our arrival, only a persistent, misty, drenching once in a while and often at night.
My mock Uggs were not performing very well so my usual walking pace had to slow to a dogged tramp otherwise I was going to stride myself right into the local hospital, which in England is not a prospect I savour, by slipping ungracefully on the dangerously slick pavements.
Our first stop was at the Red Cross furniture shop, which is very good at secreting steals in unsuspecting places. My knees and I were tired of not having a table in the dining room where we could eat dinner without sitting in a yoga position.
Today was one of those “find” days.
As regular popper-inners we were allowed the doubtful privilege of access to the warehouse and yard beyond. We were looking for beaten up pine and beaten up pine we found with three matching chairs, tucked away in a corner behind ugly wardrobes and formica dressers.
Nab number one!
On our way back through the shop proper, we found a piece of furniture described as a prayer kneeler. A prie Dieu. This was the coup of the afternoon. On further investigation we found it to be a free standing confessional with retractable privacy grille. Two in one, not only a prie dieu, which we have long longed for, but a confessional too!
While hubs was paying and making arrangements for delivery of all the items we had stumbled upon in our favourite furniture shop I walked around thinking…
…of the last time I had looked in a mirror!
Strange thought but all I remember is getting up from my computer, putting on my pretentious Uggs, shrugging on my coat, slinging my bag across my torso and whistling for hubs.
No careful examination of my face in the mirror to check for smudges or shine.
I’d showered and dried my hair earlier in the morning so knew I wasn’t sporting a bed-head.
I was concerned that I’d not added colour to my eyes or face, powder to offset shine or gloss to add a rosy tint to my lips.
The first mirror I came to I hazarded a glance…it was quick but lethal. I hastily looked away and sought a shadowy place to linger and wait for hubs.
Thank goodness it was getting dark outside.
In the next shop we chose Advent calendars from a selection that weren’t a whole lot better than those on sale in the secular sector. While hubs had his debit card aloft I snuck behind a post with my little handbag mirror and lipstick to add a warm glow to my cheeks and lips.
“Is that better?” I asked when hubs came to find me.
“So, that’s what you were doing!” he laughed as he hugged me.
After 27 years he knows exactly what to say!
Well hello there! My name is Vivienne McNeny.
I am an empty nester exploring life as a Boomer…you could say I'm happily Boomering along!
As a homeschooling Mum I have finally quit the job of role model and mentor to my four children. I do what I want to do, eat when I feel like it, enjoy life with my blue eyed cowboy and clean my house once a month or so whether it needs it or not!
In true English form I write about the emergence of my true identity now that I can no longer hide behind my children as their Mum.
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