Once a Fashion Statement

Just walk with me through those moments when you realize you really aren't a "young chicken".  You pick up the latest fashion statement, while old memories rewind through your head, you anxiously try it on.  Either you still have it all together and can still pull it off, or you have that "Aqua Velva" moment. If you know what the "Aqua Velva" moment is then you are admitting your age.

So, my vanity was slapped this summer.  My husband wanted to buy me a new fashion accessory.  I was less than excited until I saw it.  Yes, it called to me across the packed aisles of Sam Moon.  I put it on...oh, my... did I feel like........

Yes, from one of my All Time most favorite shows..."Funny Girl".  Can you see her on the boat singing "Don't Rain on My Parade" tossing her head back with her hat? What beautiful hats!   If you
want to watch and sing along.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_g3kkGH8Mo&feature=related

Then I started to laugh internally while strolling toward my newly wanted accessory.  My love affair with 

                                                              

The Hat 

had begun in high school.  

                                        Okay, now this is your warning....all laughing will be heard through your

                                          computer coming across to me.  I have arranged for this to happen.

                                                  Laugh too hard and I will come pull out your old photos, too.

Yes, the Drill Team Hat.  I wore her proudly and strutted with her presence upon my head.  She accompanied me through the years of leading a small group of girls onto and off the field with the direction of my whistle...and yes, I still have the whistle, but didn't get to keep The Hat.

She once again adored my head at my wedding, along with six brides maids also wearing her.

She walked through my early years of motherhood.  I wore many varieties to church... that was back in the days when you dressed up for church, not the flip-flops and jeans of today.  I had a large red, straw-brim hat.  I had a off-white felt hat.  I can see them all.

Now I wouldn't be a Texan if I didn't, at some time, put on a cowboy hat.

Then styles changed and I put away the hats.  I only remember once in the last two decades pulling it out for the last time...a beautiful orchid Easter hat.

Benjamin and I played with hats which were props for the Home School Prom.  Yes, home school students have a prom...the last one I helped to decorate for had over 850 students...I must show those pictures one day.
Isn't Benjamin just a doll here?  I now have a blackmail photo for when he is a teen....here he is, age 3.

 As I bounced youthfully across the room, remembering my love affair with the hat, my vanity was put in check with the tags hanging off my hat.  The long list of all the types of protection it gave you from the sun.

It was now a health issue that caused me to buy this hat....no longer a fashion statement!!

I realized that I am now in the category, not of a fashion statement, but a necessity.  I am also not the age where I can wear a red hat with the Red Hat Club.  I am now stuck in the middle of  Hat - mid-life!