I got the nod today. You know, the nod? I rolled to a stop on Sheridan Road, looked at the car to my left stopped in the opposite direction, and the guy driving gave me that "hey, you" nod. I actually did a double-take, and then started blushing, which luckily I'm sure nobody saw. There I was, in my mom-van with my bad hairstyle, and I got the nod. That was pretty freakin' cool.

Once I'd pulled away from the guy, I did a quick check in the mirror. In a glimpse, I saw the sunglasses (clip-ons!) and lip gloss (cheap Maybelline or something). I think I'd put some concealer on that blemish on my chin earlier but couldn't tell with my sunglasses on if it was still covered. On the whole, I didn't look like a complete train wreck. But I'd certainly made no effort.

I know what you're thinking -- how desperate for affirmation is this chick, anyway? Well, kinda. No, actually, I'm not -- when you're with someone for as long as I've been with DH (well, hey -- 11 years seems like a long time), you sort of take for granted that at least one person in the world thinks you're relatively attractive, or at least that you appear inoffensive. It's much less important to seek the approval of potential partners once you're shackled to your own.

I do think DH would be happier if I grew my hair long again, and I doubt he'll complain when I've lost more weight. But I don't think I've ever heard him call me a fugly witch, so hopefully he still puts up with me. (I'm sure my feminist friends are raging at me right now, but understand something -- my husband is one of those freakish people who just gets better looking as he ages. It's infuriating. When I met him, he was skinny and had giant circles under his eyes. Over the years, his hair has remained thick, his skin unwrinkled, and his body gets better and better. I have to make sure that he doesn't suddenly become George Clooney and dump me for a shinier model.)

Right now, I'm getting over yet another mystery illness (I thought it was strep, but the doc says just a throat infection) so I'm setting the bar at basic hygiene. That's just going to have to do.