Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later: they needed new pictures for the website.  Since my last photos were taken, I have gained a boyfriend and too many pounds to name, after all it changes all the time.  What matters is that I have never been happier in my life, that each day is a new adventure, that my  family loves him and he thinks they're terrific.

There is one little thing, though.  He prefers to see me without makeup.  He says he loves my face the way it is, not with colorful embellishments.  He tells me I'm pretty, even beautiful, every day.  He never lets me forget he loves me just the way God made me.

But this was a picture for the website, for all the world to see!  And it's been years since I have even tried to put on makeup.  So I asked for advice about cosmetics and got something even better: an offer to have a cosmetologist do my makeup at Long's School of Cosmetology.  I was dumbstruck.  And grateful.  And relieved.

So I bought a new tube of mascare and arrived at Long's with a brand new haircut and color.  Ashton introduced herself to me and said she would be doing my makeup.  She loves doing makeup, which put me at ease right away.  She carefully layered on foundation, a beauty blush, fairly subtle eye shadow and liner and a nice "mature" lipstick.  When she finished, she even restyled my hair for me.  I felt pampered...and definitely a bit self-conscious.

I went back to work and put on some mascara for my "photo shoot."  Our IT designer Jaclyn would be taking my picture here in the studio where we do our shows...just like she did the guys' pictures earlier.  That's when it happened...people in the station, who had become accustomed to seeing me sans makeup...started noticing the difference in my "look."  Everyone fussed and flattered and made me feel awfully good about myself.  Our HR gal Sherry did a classic double take and walked right into the picture (see above) because she was so surprised to see me wearing make up.

So I think it's time to thank Ashton, at Long's School of Cosmetology, for her sweet time, attention and talent.  Ashton, you made me feel like a milion bucks and gave me the confidence to smile for the camera.

And when I got home and showed Dave the "new" me, he said, sincerely, "I'll be happier when you wash your face.  I love you just the way you are."