How ‘ya doing scruffy face?
Zen-Den said this to me as he was walking into the kitchen from the garage after getting home from work. Because I had my back to him while standing at the stove cooking ye olde supper, he couldn’t see my face.
Domesticity, we got it.
Anyhoo, while you might think this is going to be a tale about another gushy nickname, he was being literal. There was no Chickiedoodle cuteness involved in this salutation.
~ ~ 👀 ~ ~
You see, somehow, probably while out in the forest primeval behind the house doing the fall clean-up, I got a rash on my face.
And somehow, probably by using one of the aesthetician-approved fancy Vitamin C serums that are all the rage, I exacerbated the rash.
And somehow, probably by not backing down on my doctor-prescribed retinoid, I managed to destroy my face. Well, not literally, but my face got all red and flaky and itchy and beyond not good– straight to ugly.
~ ~ 👀 ~ ~
So there I was cooking, not looking my best nor happy about it, still feeling a twinge of self-pity, when Mr. Hilaremoose wanders into the house. And you know what?
His ridiculous way of saying “hello” to me, even before he saw my ratty face, cheered me up instantly.
Didn’t do a thing to reduce the inflammation, but made me realize how inconsequential it is to worry about that. which. just. happens.
Laugh it off, move along.
Make dinner.
My life.
The joy of living the way we do. And your face looks fabulous again. Always did of course – a little scruffy can’t deter your inner and outer beauty.
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Zen-Den, aren’t you sweet! While I appreciate your sentiments, living with a VERY ITCHY face was a challenge. However now that I’m on the almost healed side of things, I can be philosophical about it. 🤔
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😀 a good reminder of what’s important…..getting on with making dinner….
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LA, exactly. Food first, whining second.
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😉
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You’re a far better woman than I. In this house, Mr. Hilaremoose might have gotten a frying pan up side the head for that remark!
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rivergirl1211, I didn’t even think of that. I was in my own state of itchy woe so what he said seemed like a perfect sad trombone comment. 😦
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Alas, another justifiable reason for conking the other half with a skillet missed.
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Life can be tricky like that. 😉
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I learned my lesson with those Vitamin C serums, ABean. I guess I’m overly sensitive because they do nothing but dry out my skin. Sometimes a simple hello is all it take, eh?
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Jill, I’m over those Vitamin C serums, too. This last experience with one, that cost a pretty penny, has convinced me they’re too strong for my sensitive, acne-prone, aging skin. And that’s before you throw in the rash! Yes, a simple happy/silly hello was what I needed.
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The itchy woe will disappear soon, hubs will retain his sense of humor, live will go on!
Thanks for the tea quote. Another one I’ve heard attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt which you may have heard: “A woman is like a teabag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water.”
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marian, life will go on, for sure. I’ll admit that initially I was rather grumpy about my scruffy face, but you know… oh well, whatever.😐
Now that you say I’ve heard that Eleanor Roosevelt quote, too. I think it’d be applicable to this post. Maybe all tea quotes would work here!
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I can honestly say that would not be my reaction. I’m mostly not vain (I don’t dye my gray or wear makeup hardly ever) but I’m known to be a bit tetchy from time to time so I admire your attitude.
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katie, I don’t know why Z-D’s comment struck me in such a good way, but it did. Maybe I was already over feeling sorry for myself, so it came at the right moment. Of all the accidentally dumb things I’ve done to myself over the years, this one doesn’t even crack the top 5– so he offered me perspective, maybe.
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Zen-Den is a keeper.
What awful time for you though! This encourages me to stop taking the vitamin-C serum I currently have in my kitchen!
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L. Marie, I agree that Z-D is a keeper. He cheers me up in the most original ways.
I poured the end of my Vitamin C serum down the drain. If it works for you, then go for it. But like Jill mentioned, it’s too strong for me– and I’m beginning to think of it as another passing beauty trend.
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You and Zen Den understand each other completely. He will always be there for you and have your back! Sure hope your face gets to feeling better.
I’ve been dealing with resacea and with all the concerts I’ve been playing, it freaks me out a bit. Makeup can only cover so much. But as they say, “Looks aren’t everything.” Focus on what’s important.
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Beth, yes, Z-D & I are two goofy peas [beans?] in a pod! I’m lucky to have found him.
I have rosacea and it comes into play most often when some other skin problem shows up. Like a rash. And you are right, make-up only goes so far toward downplaying the redness. It’s frustrating, but *hey* whatever…
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Aw – you’re so spot on with this post – the beauty is in the love behind the cook that nourishes the relationship!
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Shelley, wonderful wordplay there. I’m less annoyed about looking lousy than I am with feeling itchy. But Z-D doesn’t seem to be concerned about my looks, so why should I?
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Exactly! I hope the itch goes away soon!
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Thank you. It’s much better today and I imagine it’ll be gone by tomorrow. I’m only slightly red now, so ever onward go I.
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Scruffy Bean. I like that. Run with it…
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evilsquirrel13, if I was thinking of a new blog title I’d do that. It does have a certain ring to it.
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Oh, bless your heart. I am horrifically vain, and that comment, however sweetly said/meant, would not have played well with me. You are made with Sterner Stuff!
Glad you’re on the mend and have poured the offending serum down the drain.
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nance, I’m not very vain plus I get Z-D’s sense of humor. He was just trying to get me out of my doldrums– and he did.
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I love how this little snippet of domesticity captures your easy, loving way with each other. You guys rock!
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Deb, thank you. I’d prefer to not have had a scruffy face, but since I did… why not laugh, huh?
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That was so sweet! (I would have laughed!) As for skin, yikes! I thought getting older would get me out of the “break out” mode but it didn’t. I use Vit c but it oxidizes fast and puts an orange glow to my face. I was never able to use the prescription retinoid. I looked worse (scaly, red skin) using it than not. Hope your face has mended, at least until the next thing that comes along.
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Kate, Z-D did make me laugh out loud with this one. He can verbally jostle me out of my grumpiness almost every time.
You’re right about how that Vitamin C serum stuff turns your face orange. And it smells icky. I’ve had success with the script retinoid, but I use it sparingly– not like the instructions tell you to use it.
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Even once a week made me peel. I had an IPL this fall for the first time and that did wonders for everything.
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What’s an IPL?
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Intense pulse light. It’s grouped with lasers but it’s not actually a laser. The light zaps the capillaries and it reduces inflammation. It’s often used for rosacea.
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I’m not familiar with that, but I’ll keep it mind to ask about when next I see the doc. It’s always new something in the skincare world.
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I’m surprised he didn’t mention it. I have a friend with full blown rosacea and it helped her a lot.
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Yes, this sounds exactly like what I need. In my experiences, dermatologists around here are old curmudgeons who don’t suggest anything new, unless you mention it to them.
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I’m surprised because a treatment will generate more revenue for them. I find locally that many have one or two devices and suggest them for everything. We are fortunate to have a derm whose specialty is lasers. He has all different kinds for different situations and conditions. He’s also very interesting and has wonderful skin himself. He practices what he preaches. His prices are better too.
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At the moment, I am covered by an itchy rash from head to toe . . . or maybe just head to knee.
I hurt my back on Sunday doing NOTHING (moving a bag of broccoli in the freezer) and started an Aleve/Advil regimen to reduce the inflammation and ease the pain. Yesterday, I learned that I am allergic to Aleve/Advil. Like the Simpsons, I’m now enjoying the Itchy & Scratchy Show.
On the plus side, my back pain is minimal so that popping pain pills is no longer necessary.
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nancy, oh what a mess you’re in! You win the prize for most scruffy blogger. At least you now know not to take those meds again, but really… totally ridiculous string of events. See what eating healthy will do a body?! 😁
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BFF suggested that it was sign that we should no longer purchase broccoli! 😛
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Well, you know… 🤔
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Poor Ally! That’s another reason I stay away from gardening and being in the woods in general. Glad you are healing.
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Janet, you make a good point. Of course, generally speaking, I like gardening and being outside in the woods. But this time… well, at least I got a good story out of it.
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As an elder relative would say “You got the misery.”
Red face – ugh. had that happen in college (shudder) How fine you have someone that puts it in perspective and jumps you out to the “wallowing in the misery” (also by ancient relative)
Maybe bad things happen so we can see the really good around us?
Glad you’re better
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philmouse, I’ve never heard the phrase “you got the misery” but I do like it. I agree that not so great things happen but when I completely stop itching I’ll be ever so grateful to have non-itchy skin. And ever so cautious when I go back into the woods again. 😳
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Old small town/rural (but not by those untraveled or uneducated) sayings. Those phrases used to make me laugh so – still remember them said with just the right voice and old fashioned accent.
Just a thought, are you wearing sunblock when you use retin-A or Vitamin A products? Those make you ultra sensitive to sun and sunburn…been there… 😦
My derm guy said people should roll out of bed and put on sunblock before doing anything else – especially those on certain skin treatments (and some meds that can cause sensitivity to sun). Might be worth an inquiry to yours? Red, itchy and scaly is misery not worth suffering HAHA
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There are lots of those old midwest/southern saying from around here, too. I often hear my mother’s voice in my mind when I go to say one. They were programmed in there at a young age.
I use sunblock religiously whenever I’m outside. I’ve heard that idea that you should wear it in the house, too. I do sometimes, but then it’s not as sunny here as it is where you live so that might be overkill around here. Thanks for the suggestion.
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That sounds unpleasant-itchy, rashy and flaky. ‘Tis the season. My skin is very dry right now and I need to moisturize but I haven’t found a product that doesn’t make me feel like a greaseball.
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Margaret, this is one of the dumber things I’ve had happen to me lately. It’s clearing up and I’ll survive, but I’m filing this under You Can’t Win For Trying. I was just being productive out there in the yard/forest…
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Sounds to me that, despite irritating itchy rash, you have a good life because you have a good partner. As far as magical face potions, after too many years trying too many of them, I’ve concluded that Gold Bond Ultimate cream in a tube does as good a job as any of them for a lot less money. Wrinkles are badges of character and living.
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Carol, I do have a good partner. Zen-Den is a good guy with a delightful sense of humor and the ability to overlook rashy faces. I’ve seen TV commercials for Gold Bond but never tried it. I’m not really surprised that it works for far less money than I spent on Vitamin C serum. 🙄
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I originally bought it for my hands and body, then decided to try it on my face. My daughter has stuck with Pond’s cold cream.
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I’ll look for it. Who knows, it might be the miracle cream that I need!
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I once had a black eye that lasted for over two weeks. At first I was embarrassed by it, but then I just shrugged and got on with my life. We really do figure out that looks aren’t everything!
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Ann, you’re right. Looks aren’t everything and considering my scruffy face is a temporary inconvenience I’m sure I’ll survive. I’ve never had a black eye so I’m in awe of you. Not that I want one, mind you!
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My sympathies. Nothing worse than a itchy rash.
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Jan, thank you. This is a stupid problem, but it’s getting better each day so I’m to the laughing about it part.
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I find it terrible embarrassing, the rosacea, at times. There will be no serums on my face, as I have suffered terrible reactions. Pizza face comes to mind. One day last week, a colleague asked me why I was blushing, and I wasn’t. Sigh. Then, I ate m&ms and got rashy all along my jawline, and I swear, if she said anything to me, I wouldn’t have been able to bite my tongue. Gah, I hate it.
Anyway, go on with your good nature. Me and my scruffy face will try to follow your lead.
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joey, I have rosacea, too. You said it about how embarrassing it can be. I hadn’t put together how the Vitamin C serums might be making the rosacea worse.
I’ve had the same thing happen to me when I’ve been asked about blushing when I wasn’t blushing, only rosacea flushing. I have reactions to some foods some of the time, but it usually starts on my neck and moves up to my face creating a large quadrant of redness that can’t be hidden.
Gah, is right.
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The only letters I’ll put on my face — E , and well, H2O
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Gosh, Ally, I hope your rash is settling down. I’ve had instances of scruffiness like this, in my youth, in regard to acne. You know, the ones that get infected and look like a mountain on your face. I hated going anywhere on those days. Over time, though, it didn’t matter and now my scruffiness consists of cat hair-laden yoga pants and bad hair days and I don’t care what my boss thinks. 😉 :-p
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Mary, thanks for your concern. Today my skin is looking pretty darned good, if I do say so myself! The rash + itching are gone, and the redness has toned down to my usual rosacea redness so all’s well that end’s well. I agree with you that as an older and wiser woman I care less what people think about my scruffy face than I did when I was a teenager. Back then, skin problems seemed insurmountable.
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While Zen-Den seems like he has quite the talent for fun nicknames, I also quite like your “Mr Hilaremoose” too 😉
I also appreciate that you listed “make dinner” as a step in this thing called life. Priorities, hey?
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Pistachios, Z-D can be funny when he wants to be hence I occasionally refer to him as Mr. Hilaremoose. Because he is. At least around me, maybe less so at work.
And yes, making dinner is a good thing to do in life. Priorities, yes!
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I hope your face is all cleared up and you’re doing great. 🙂 Now, about what’s for dinner. How about all us women, married or with significant others, got up one morning and that other person told us what they were planning to make for dinner. Now, that would put a smile on this face. 🙂
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Judy, I’m doing much better today so my face is back to normal. I like your idea. We could turn it into a national holiday and call it: You Make Dinner Day. I think it’d catch on quickly among those of us who usually cook dinner.
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Yikes! I’m glad things are back to normal at least!
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Erika, thanks. I’m doing great today, but the itching and redness were annoying and ugly. Honestly I don’t know I get myself into these ridiculous situations.
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priceless!
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Solitaire, thank you… I think! 😊
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I’m glad to read that you are feeling better. I loved this post AND the comments (especially the first two)!
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Donna, I’m all healed now and back to my normal red face. Not itchy, not whining– just happy to have this episode over with. ‘Ya know?
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