Sunday, January 17, 2010

Old Bag

I'm a second-grade teacher and I really like it, but I always feel sorry for my students at the beginning of the year. All of the other female second-grade teachers at my school are young and pretty and wear trendy clothes. In the fall and spring the other teachers wear cute little sundresses and fancy flip flops. They aren't allowed to wear regular flip flops because those are deemed unprofessional by our superintendent. Also, the sundresses have to have straps so that a child in need of comfort won't accidentally expose parts of the teacher the superintendent has deemed as unprofessional to show. However, one of my work daughters, which is what I call my young co-worker friends, has been known to wear a bolero sweater over her strapless sundress. So far, so good on that. In the winter months, my cohorts wear sweater dresses with high-heeled boots or leggings.

My plan for work wear is somewhat different. In the fall and spring, I wear knit tops and capri pants, which surprisingly, our superintendent currently considers professional. With that I wear sensible sandals that cover most of my wrinkled feet. In the winter months, I wear the same knit tops with cargo pants, which I have found to be the same pants as capri pants, only longer. I have even discovered cargo pants that have a little tab which allows the pants to be rolled up into capri pants, therefore cutting in half my work wardrobe budget. I have, however, had a hard time rolling both legs up to the same height, which sometimes causes a half capri/half cargo effect. In the winter, I wear either black, blue, or brown trouser shoes I bought about 15 years ago. They still look good, although one of my work daughters makes constant catty remarks about them. I think that's because her feet are hurting in her high heeled boots. Finally, if it gets really cold, I have some corduroy pants I wear along with socks I buy at Publix. I also have a couple of hoodies I wear, which I bought at Macy's. I had a great gray hoodie I used to wear with everything, as gray does pretty much go with everything, but my friend, Allison, who isn't all that great a dresser herself, made me throw it away. I showed her, though. It's in the trunk of my car in case I ever need it.

Back to my poor students. I can just imagine, during the summer preceding second grade when the class lists go out, a child asking his mom or dad, "Dr. Mayo, is she the one with the long blond hair and the flip flops? No? Well, is she the one with the long dark hair and the pretty boots? No? Well, is she a real doctor then, the kind who gives shots? No? Well thank goodness for that."

So, with the relief that I'm not a real doctor who gives shots, the kids seem to forgive me for the all-season knitwear and the shoes twice their age. They even tell me I'm pretty sometimes, but that's usually when they are in trouble. I did have a student a couple of years ago who, during story time, would push the skin around on top of my foot. I have to say that irritated me a bit.

8 comments:

Christie said...

I giggled aloud as I read through this story. Knowing you, I know this is exactly how you think/act/feel regarding your clothes and "work daughters." You are not old. You are perfect. Can't wait for more! You encourage me to to embrace the place where I am...and look for the humor at any age and place!

Anonymous said...

Google put an add for sun dresses by your post! I love it! You are a total hoot! Keep writing!

Nancy

Anonymous said...

Now there is an add for Health Care!!! I can't stop laughing!

Anonymous said...

Ad NOT add!!! OOOOOH NO!

marciamayo said...
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marciamayo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cheryl Thompson said...

I have turned into one of those "wear the same clothes" people, too! I have been known to wash one or several pairs of my many, many black pants during the week and wear them again, because they are my "favorites" (i.e., "fat pants", or have all the buttons). And I've been wearing the same pair of shoes (black) since I bought them four months ago. Never any other pair.

marciamayo said...

do you really wash them or just tell people that you do? Unless they really stink, I ain't washing them. As for shoes, four months isn't old enough. Learn from me, Grasshopper.

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