When lunch gets a little too lean

This is a 150 calorie Lean Cuisine after mixing the broccoli in with the beef. This little section can hold all of the food. This is why folks get discouraged when trying to lose weight. You ask yourself why you are still hungry after eating one of these. You think this should be enough for lunch. Yeah right, if you are in grade school or had bariatric surgery. I'm eating a banana when I'm done. SMH.

Developed new symptoms? Check your medicine cabinet.

It has been argued that we live in an overmedicated society. We take medicine to not only cure what ails us, but to improve our quality of life. People who suffer from chronic illness are often prescribed multiple medications. If that person has more than one condition, the number of pills can really add up.

I am not here to argue against taking medicine. Personally, modern medicine has made it possible for me to continue to function and to remain employed. I actually want to share something that I discovered about taking all of these medications that can be easy to overlook in people who suffer from a bunch of ailments like me.

Since the beginning of the year, I have had an increase in the frequency and intensity of my migraine headaches. They run in my family. I have had migraines with auras since I was a teenager. I have been fortunate in the last few years because I only had severe migraines a handful of times a year. Other than that, I only experienced relatively milder migraines and sinus headaches.

When my recent bout of migraines started, I experienced classic auras (flashes and zigzags) in my visual field along with light and sound sensitivity. The visual disturbances increased in intensity. I experienced waviness (like you associate with seeing mirages in the desert) on the periphery of my vision. Sometimes it was so bad, I couldn’t see well enough to type on my computer or drive. I also experienced dizziness when standing and walking. I would often have to grab the wall when walking. Needless to say, it got so bad that I was having intensely painful headaches almost every day. It took a lot for me to make it through the work day. When I got home, I would often lay in bed with the TV off and place a sleep mask over my eyes, praying that I could sleep through the episode.

I went to see my primary care physician and I was prescribed a medication for migraines. After a month or so with not much relief, I went back and was given a prescription for medication that dissolved on my tongue and a low dose blood pressure pill even though my blood pressure was excellent. My physician explained the mechanism by which she expected it to help with the migraines. It didn’t help much.

As the symptoms and frequency worsened, I was told to see a neurologist and get an MRI. I called the neurologist, but his nurse wanted my medical records and few other things from my PCP. I was a little frustrated because I was in sheer misery. I made some calls, took partial days off from work and decided to tackle the back and forth when I felt up to it. I know that sounds crazy, but when you are barely making it, you do enough to get by such as concentrate on making it through the work day.

Sitting at my computer in tears, feeling defeated, wondering how I was going to go on and telling God how I couldn’t handle one more health problem, I finally cut out the melodrama going on in my head long enough for something to tell me to check my medications. The first one that came to mind was the antibiotic, Bactrim, which I had been on continuously taking since last year for my hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).

BINGO! That was the culprit.

As I read through the list of possible side effects such as persistent headaches and signs of low sugar, shakiness and dizziness. I didn’t even connect the bouts of low blood sugar. I just assumed it was because I had a gastric bypass and I wasn’t eating enough. So I took matters into my own hands to test my new theory. I stopped the antibiotic. I don’t recommend stopping a medication without talking to your doctor first, but this was a little different. The Bactrim was a "just in case" med that I chose to be on just in case HS “aliens” got any infection, which they mostly don’t. Because treating the various aspects of treating HS falls under so many physicians, you almost end up taking the lead on your treatment. The dermatologist will inject the aliens with kenalog and will prescribe an antibiotic, but won’t prescribe pain meds or lance them. You have to see a general surgeon for lancing. The surgeon may prescribe a short course of pain meds post draining. The PCP or someone else has to prescribe pain meds for flare-ups. My rheumatologist prescribed the Humira for the arthritis and the HS. Insurance doesn’t cover it for HS, so the dermatologist can’t prescribe Humira and have the insurance pay for it. So as you see, I have to be an active member of my health care team.

So I have stopped the Bactrim for about four weeks and I have been taking my backup antibiotic for HS, the one I take when I get a flareup. The headaches, low blood sugar, dizziness and shakiness have stopped. I plan to call my PCP eventually and tell her that the mystery has been solved thanks to the good Lord, me (after I stopped being a drama queen) and the Internet. :)

Red beans and rice

Here is my recipe for red beans and rice using the crockpot. This could easily be done using the stovetop. I am not a person who does a lot of measuring, but here goes.

First take two smoked turkey wings and place them in a large crockpot and cover them with water. I purchased mine already cut up. They came one wing per package. One wing will suffice, but I prefer the extra meat. The smoked turkey adds an extra layer of flavor to the final dish.

Set the crockpot to 10 hours the night before, and then soaked a pound of red beans in water and go to bed. Follow the directions on the package of red beans for soaking them overnight.

The next morning, the turkey meat should be falling off the bone. Remove the turkey skin and bones from the crockpot.

Drain the remaining water on the red beans and dump them into the crockpot with the smoked turkey wings.

Then add Zataran's Red Bean's Seasoning Mix. Set the crockpot to cook for four hours.

About three hours later, slice up two pounds of your favorite beef smoked sausage and put it in the crockpot.

Put your rice on (follow the direction on the package, although I use a rice cooker) and when the time is up on the crockpot, it time to eat.

This recipe will yield a lot of food. If you don't have bunch of people to feed, invite some over or freeze some beans for later.

Enjoy

PMS, need I say more?

I just have to ask, do any of you deal with PMS on a consistent basis? Like clockwork, I get moody and straight up evil (thought wise) before my period. Everything aches, I get cramps, moody, tired and I am just miserable. Arthritis, fibromyalgia, and especially my hidradenitis flare up (and pain is enough to piss me off).

Not to mention pain from uterine fibroids and cysts on my ovaries. Ugh!

This time of the month, I get pissed off just by people talking to me. I literally sit there and think, "why are you still breathing?" I try to make an effort to isolate myself so that I don't take it out on others. I've been pretty successful at it.

Thank goodness I can close my office door at work. I came to work this morning with a funky attitude, pissed off that people were bugging me via email. The rational side of me knows that this is completely ridiculous. And it really is. I still somehow manage to be courteous and professional. But each month when I start feeling this way, I know what time it is. I generally like to crawl into my bed and chill with a heating pad and avoid phone calls if I can.

So am I the only psycho out there, or can someone else relate? I haven't slapped anybody, but man it is tempting.

Just so that you know, I'm a pretty easy going person. It takes a lot to rattle my cage, unless I'm going through PMS. ;)

Finding someone to hold me financially accountable

I just finished the Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University course. In it, Dave recommends that singles find someone to whom they can be accountable. I considered asking my frugal yet money savvy friend, Monica, but I chose my mom since we live near each other. Also, my mom is super frugal (ok, cheap); but, as a result, she and my dad are comfortably retired. When I asked her, I understood that this would give my mom a free pass to be all up in my business and to pass judgment on what I do financially.

I also gave my mom the account number, checks, etc. to my emergency savings in my money market account with the understanding that if I ask for the checks, etc., I will have to justify to her satisfaction that I have a legitimate emergency before she will give me access to it. We also defined what we consider a legitimate emergency. My tire blowing out because my car needs new tires isn’t an emergency; it is a personal problem due to poor planning. Once I get a better handle on what is a real emergency, I will get my checks back from her.

To make a long story short, I told my mom that I took Eddie to the movies. Because he is 16 and doesn’t have a job right now, I paid for the movie. My mom’s response was that I obviously had not learned anything because the money I spent on the tickets could have went towards savings. I had to shake my head. I told her that although I need to make some more cuts, that don’t mean that I can never do anything until my car and house are paid off, my retirement is fully funded, or all debt is eliminated. There has to be a reasonable balance between making reasonable cuts in spending and being a hermit.

Online Dating and Avoiding Scams

When it comes to free online dating site, the worse that I have encountered is Black Planet. I am not saying that I have extensive experience with free dating sites, but from what I have seen so far Black Planet (BP) is a haven for scammers from Africa. Plenty of Fish (POF) is not as bad. The example I will show you later is from POF.

So how do you identify scammers and how does the scam work?

What usually happens with a scammer, you chat, they send you poetry, etc. that they didn't write or something romantic that they can cut and paste in a message to you that they are probably also sending to a bunch of other women. You may even get the same email or poem twice.

They claim to be in Africa visiting or working, then the imaginary emergency happens. My child is ill or I lost my wallet and me and my kids are stranded. And because they think you are so in love with them, you will send them money. Don't bother chatting out of boredom with these folks either. LOL

This is the type of email you get from scammer on an online dating site. Clue #1 was he wrote too much on the initial email. Other clues: They go overboard with laying the flattery. In this example, He posed as a white guy on black dating site and only had one picture up. Also look at the language used. He didn't come across as a native English speaker.

This is the scammers initial email:
Hello how are you doing, my name is David Jason i was just searching by list when i got to see your profile and felt so enthusiastic about you and more interested in getting to know you much better..... wish I could see through your eyes so I would know what you like to see. I wish I knew your wishes, so I could give you everything you want. I wish I dreamed the same dreams you do, and together we could make them come true. I wish I knew what makes you happy, so I could make you the happiest person in the whole world. And lastly, I wish I were a cell in your blood, so I would be sure I was somewhere in your heart hope to hear from you pretty soon

David

A little over the top don't you think?

My response to the first email:
Good morning, David. How are you? Thanks for sending me a note. I read and liked your profile.

2nd email from him:
Thank you for getting back to me, I hope everything is fine....If so thanks be to God almighty. I'm 45yrs old, 6ft tall single and searching.. I went thru your profile I found it very interesting and I would really like to get to know you better. Am David Jason from Houston Texas... A Building Contractor....But a Dermatologist by my course of study.I'm single... I came across your profile while searching on this site,and I bet I got so acquainted to your image cause of the beauty i could see on you. You're simply irresistible and i must confess it's a great pleasure writing's to someone of your nature. I can be the lucky guy that would own your heart ....You're God gifted and attractive.... You are so beautiful that i believe God spent extra time creating you and if i were to present your picture in heaven, all the angels would hide their faces in shame.I'm a non typical Guy with a good heart and a calm head, someone who appreciates the value of a good people like my father did, I’m not a surface dweller, I can see beyond the outside and I'm not afraid or unwilling to express myself or laugh out loud. I consider myself an excellent communicator. Do you like walking or dancing, do you like hugs and kisses, taking long drives or just staying home listening to music or cuddling. The smallest of gestures I meet with joy and appreciation instead of expectation.I'm presently in West Africa for now I do Alot of travelling Alot it's all depends on where I have a was statina. This are things I dislike, I do not like being around with people who are negative, Rude, No patient and very lousy people. I'm pretty easy going but when I am passionate about something I will definitely speak my mind. I am very adventuresome and love the idea of trying any new fun activity or sport..I'm romantic and very contented with my life.. I just think it would be a lot more fun if there was someone to share it with. I'm a strong, independent Guy with a great sense of humor and have managed to remain so lovely and caring to people. I try very hard to keep a positive outlook on life and hope you do too.I dont mind travelling or relocating to other states to meet my match.i like candies, flowers,music and reading...water (whether it be a lake,stream or the ocean)...sunshine and rainy days...falling leaves (Autumn is my absolute favorite time of year), holding hands,cuddling,walking in the evening and kissing under a street light. I am honest and expect the same in return. I don't play games or care much for people who do so give me a way to get in touch. In short, I'm looking for the last love of my life... I am looking for a true companion, the missing link in my life.I am looking for the bone that mine was brough out from...am looking for whom God has set aside for me......... be happy and have a positive attitude.......I hope you will be honest, sensitive and affectionate (being romantic would begreat!) Be prepared though, I may want to take you away for a surprise romantic weekend...If you have a strong shoulder for me to lean on and allow me to cry on at the movies, well, that would be a real bonus! But you should know that I will be there for you - a partner (in every sense of the word) who will be there to share the laughter and the tears. If you hold my heart, there is nothing I won't do for you.I read a profile once that says it all perfectly - "someone I am excited to spend my nights with and even more eager to spend my days with"... a gentle guy and a kind soul i'm looking for a Woman that will be my best friend plus more if it goes that way, someone who has a positive out look on life, caring,loving, not boring likes to go out and do things even if its just a walk.its the little things that matters.If you have read this far I’m amazed, There's still a lot more about me that i would like u to know but i would only do that if u send me a message to my personal email be cos that the only way we can get privacy in our relationship. can i have

Really? It got cut off at the because it too dang long. If you want to look him up, visit www.plentyoffish.com. His screen name is davidsjacon. This is a bunch of nonsense. He didn't even spell his name right on his screen name.

I didn't need to go any further. I have already been there. I had one guy years ago that I was chatting with on BP that claimed to be an artist who was in Africa buying clay. He was a widower so he had his three year old daughther with him. At one point he even had the three year typing me a message on Yahoo! messager. I mean really. Then the crisis came. He needed money because his daughter was extremely ill and he wanted to know if he could borrow some. She was a British citizen. I asked him if he contacted the British embassy for help since she was a British citizen. The UK has universal health care so that should solve that problem.
Obviously, he didn't like that respond.

I know someone who was talking to another widower who claimed to be stranded in Colorado with his son and he said he lost his wallet and plane tickets. Even though they never met, he sent her long message and poetry from the Internet. I told her to tell him that she had a brother who was driving back from Colorado the next day and to let her know if he wanted her to ask her brother to give them a lift. He was really upset that she didn't trust him. Oh well is my response.

I am sure that there are women who are able to get emotionally involved with someone that they have never laid eyes on but I am not one of them.

Do yourself a favor. Look for the warning signs I cited and be careful online.

Gastric bypass surgery: Things I didn’t know to expect

I had a laparoscopic roux en y gastric bypass two months ago. I have had surgery before and I went to a series of pre-op classes and group meetings, so I thought I knew what to expect. Well here are a few things that I didn’t anticipate that might be useful for someone else to know.

1.       This surgery is a gas, gas, gas! I was warned about the gas, but I had no idea that the gas pain was worse than the pain from the incision. That is probably because the pain meds help with the incisions. That goodness that cleared up after a few weeks.

2.       I didn’t want anything to do with food. I was told that I would not feel hungry post op. In my case, that was very true up until week four. I actually had an aversion to eating or drinking all together for the first two weeks. A big part of this was due to the discomfort and gas I experience whenever I ingested anything. After the second week, when I moved to soft foods, I became interested in exploring what food I could eat. I did notice that I do not feel hungry, especially if I am consistent about taking the acid reflux medicine, which I am suppose to take for the first six months.

3.       That doesn’t taste right! About a week after surgery I developed a weird taste in my mouth. I also have a metallic taste in my mouth, which makes drinking plan water awful. And I am water drinker. I did some research online and it is supposed to go away and it did after six weeks. Some foods and drinks that I liked don’t taste the same anymore. Hopefully it will pass. Things that are sweet, even it is an artificial sweetener, tastes and now smells disgusting. Believe me, I love some sugar. When I drink 100% juice, I water it down. I was surprised that I actually liked and could tolerate the candied yams.

4.       What do you mean I now have more medicine to take? Online, everyone talks about how they came off their medications. Well that wasn’t the case with me initially. Not only did I have to take all of my previous meds, but I have to add meds prescribed by my surgeon. On top of all of that, I had to add vitamins. After three weeks, my primary care physician took me off my prediabetes and high blood pressure meds. Hooray! Just note that until you are on regular foods, you will have to crush your medicine or open the capsule. That made me hurl. Yuck! Also, I had a hard time swallowing my pills up until about week 8. It felt like my medicine was getting stuck in my throat. You have to realize that you can’t drink as much water as you use to.

5.       It is so easy to overeat! Take serious the advice to eat slowly. You may not know that you are full if you eat too fast. By the time you know, you are experiencing stomach pain. What looks like a tiny amount of food still may be too much. Also, sometimes you can eat more or times you can eat less.

Clear liquids: Day 1

Started off the morning (although late) with a hot cup of beef broth. It isn't the most flavorful. My natural inclination would be to add salt, but that is why I have high blood pressure. Oh well. I need to adjust to food with adding salt anyway. I will tackle some light apple juice next.

The day before the 2-day clear liquids

You would think that I would pigging out today, but I'm not. I'm not that interested in food. Tomorrow I start two days of a clear liquid diet before surgery. And I'm actually ok with that. I plan to take some full length before pictures tomorrow.

The last tango

For the last month or so, I have felt the need to say goodbye to some things. All of which are certain foods. I know that once I have the gastric bypass, the real work begins.

This is a life line. A tool. A chance. I plan to take it very seriously, but as the saying goes "the road to hell is paved with good intentions." And I have the best intentions.

I have no doubt that this is the right thing to do. The only thing I doubt is me. I have lied to myself and made excuses so long I can't honestly tell if I believe in me anymore. I would like to say that I have reached the point where enough is enough. And it is. But is that enough?

I know that some of these doubts are fueled by fear. Some are a result of my track record. Some by all of the stress in my life right now.

I am scheduled for surgery on Tuesday. Once the surgeon is done, I know that it will my turn to pick up the scalpel to carve out a new life for myself.

Day 2: Countdown to gastric bypass

I couldn't bring myself to try the New Direction Vanilla Pudding for lunch after having a light breakfast. I was starving. I will have to try these at home over the weekend. I still haven't stood on the scale to assess the damage.

So the saga begins

Day 1: instead of lunch I had one packet of New Directions Nutritional Supplement Cream of Chicken Soup. Nothing to write home about. I followed directions. It was very clumpy. A coworker gave me a tip -- mix a small amount of hot water in it and mix it until it smooth and then add the rest of the hot water to it. Hopefully that will take care of the floating layer of goo. I have until the day after Labor Day before my two week liquid diet begins. Then roux en y here I come. As I drank my lunch, I asked myself "why am I doing this?" I know the answer is my health. I will work on perking up. I'm just exhausted from working so much. It will get much better.

Wet N Wild Color Icon™ Eyeshadow Trio Swatches

I recently picked up two Wet N Wild eyeshadow trios from Walgreens. I have been pleasantly surprised how highly pigmented the Color Icon eyeshadows are. The color payoff is fantastic. The shadows are very soft and smooth and are easy to blend and pack onto your eyeshadow brush. I have read reviews that warned about them getting crumbled if you drop the palette — so be careful. So far, I have worn the 380B Walking on Eggshells trio to work. With a good primer or eyeshadow base, I didn’t get any creasing or fading. I have also worn the bright green in the 331 I Dream of Greenie trio. I highly recommend the Wet N Wild Color Icon™ Eyeshadows. Best of all, each palette is only $2.99! I have my eye on a few more trios including Spoiled Brat. These may not be Mac eyeshadows, but you get more than your money's worth.

Below are swatches of the two palettes. No eyeshadow base or primer was used.

331 I Dream of Greenie



Wet N Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Palette in  I Dream of Greenie



Wet N Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow in  I Dream of Greenie swatches

380B Walking on Eggshells

Wet N Wild Color Icon EyeshadowPalette in  Walking on Eggshells

Wet N Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow in Walking on Eggshells swatches



Urban Decay Naked Palette Swatches on Brown Skin

I finally gotten "Naked." I know that I am late to jump on the Urban Decay Naked Palette bandwagon but hey, I am finally on it. Before I bought the palette, I searched the Internet looking for swatches of the 12 eyeshadows on brown skin. I really couldn't find any. Now that I have the palette, I decided to take a few photos so that if anyone else looking for swatches before buying the palette.

hidradenitis (do I owe you some money or something?)

If you ever missed a bill payment, you know what is like when bill collectors call. You come home from work and there some strange number popping up several times in one day on your caller ID.
Call me crazy but I never dodge bill collector unless they are calling for someone else. I actually want to know if I forgot to pay a bill. I am trying to keep half way decent credit, but I've been known to forget a bill especially if I misplaced it.
Anyway, what does this have to do with hidradenitis suppurativa? Well just like a bill collector who calls your house with an messed up attitude as if you personally owe him some money, HS just won't let up. HS just keeps "calling." Popping up out of nowhere.
In case you didn't know, I refer to the lesions as "aliens." Hey, it gets me through the day. Well just as I get some relief (just for one day mind you) from a few huge ones (we'll call them Visa and MasterCard) then here comes some more (Macy's, Sears and Loew's charge cards) rearing their ugly heads.
THIS IS SO FREAKING FRUSTRATION AND PAINFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I go to the dermatologist tomorrow. I am off my Remicade until after my gastric bypass and that is a few months away. So I will definitely need some intervention here.

Congrats to the class of 2011

I'm here at friend's pinning ceremony. She finished nurse school as a single mom with four kids. Whenever obstacles presented themselves, she leaped over them like a true super woman.

How can silence be so loud?

The quieter things are, the louder it gets. If you have tinnitus, then you know what I am talking about. I have been dealing with a swooshing sound in my right ear that seems to pulse with my heartbeat for a few years now. Lately, it has been getting louder and harder to ignore, especially at night. Fortunately, I sleep on my side. If I keep my ear against the pillow, it muffles the sound. Unfortunately for my neck and shoulder, it is less painful to sleep on left side instead of my right. We all have to choose our battles. I have visited numerous specialist and I have had all kinds of test, and the sad reality is I may have to live with it. But, I am not ready to give up just yet. For now, I will settle for sleeping on my right side with the TV on. Hopefully, my ongoing research online will turn up with something that will prove helpful. If it does, I will be glad to share that information.

Stop worrying about what others think

As a child, my mother told me that if people were not putting clothes on my back, food on my table or a roof over my head, then I shouldn't worry about what people had to say. I was listening to Marvin Sapp’s song, “Praise Him Advance,” this morning, and it made me think about that little pearl of wisdom. That was the best piece of advice I was ever given. Thanks Mom.

I have come to realize that I spend too much time worrying about all of the wrong things, like what others will think. I tend to hold things in that should be addressed and it ends up creating tension and stress that in turn affects my health. This week, I have been very cranky. Stuff started getting to me. I was more irritated with people than I usually am. The little things set me off — a sure sign of stress. That is all because I haven't set boundaries or I just don't enforce the ones I have set up.

Dr. Tony Evans, senior pastor of the Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, in his daily radio address, “The Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans,” has been preaching a series about freedom — freedom from anxiety, freedom from debt and freedom from fear. It has been very helpful to learn what God’s word is on the subject of how Christians should deal with worry and the things that are the source of those worries.

Those sermons came right on time. I also needed to be reminded of Mom's advice. She didn't mean it to say that I should be cavalier when it comes to others, their views or their feelings. I just can't run my life based on them, especially when it is not in my best interest.

I am still learning and growing.

I responded to the tension this week by doing something for myself. I started cleaning my bathroom and put up new shower curtains and rugs — and it is starting to take shape. I never would have believed that housework could be relaxing. I don't mean the act itself, I mean the feeling you get when chaos turns into order. When you begin to see the fruits of your labor come to light. That sense of accomplishment is sometimes enough to put a smile on your face and to get you motivated to make other changes.

Here is a link to Marvin Sapp’s live performance of “Praise Him Advance.”

The Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass pre-op

Tomorrow I take the next step in my journey. I was hoping to have a gastric sleeve but I knew based on my research that the roux-en-Y was best option, so it wasn’t hard for the surgeon to convince me of that. I will be doing my psych evaluation and meeting with the nutritionist. I am eager to be compliant. I haven’t had a soda in a week. It would have been longer but I had a few sips of Sprite because I was nauseated.
I had someone who doesn’t know my health situation tell me that all I need is to join a gym. Hello, the best thing is water aerobics because of my joints and back, but that is out right now because the hidradenitis is flaring. And that is just nasty to get in a pool that other people have to get it when you open wounds – for both me and them. I hate it when people take this attitude, BUT if you haven’t been where I've been, don’t tell me where to go or how to get there, especially if you aren’t willing to take the time to educate yourself about my situation.
I digress. I just hate it when people think they know what you have or haven’t done or tried or what you are going through. I’m excited about tomorrow. I will post what I learn just in case someone is curious.

When going somewhere meant something

I came across an old picture online of a women dressed in a suit buying a movie ticket at the box office window. It got me to thinking about how times have changed. We no longer see going to the movies or taking the Greyhound or riding on an airplane as something you get dressed up for.

I remember when my mother and I were shopping and packing for me to go off to college. She and I would argue about what was appropriate for me to wear on campus. This even included my PJs. My mother thought that I was supposed to dress more conservatively and wear real nightgowns (the ones that go down to your ankles) at the dorm. I was ok with sleeping night shirt or shorts and T-shirts.

Now before you laugh, you have to realize that my mom went to Grambling University in the 1960s. Women wore dresses and pantyhose. Your clothes were ironed. You came to class looking like you took your education seriously. And that is because you did. You knew that those attending an HBCU at that time were among the privileged few.

I am sure the educators out wish that there students came to class looking like they took their educations seriously and more importantly, that they realized how lucky they are to be getting an education.

By the way, my mom and I came to a compromise. But still, it turned that I was often overdress for The University of Texas at Austin because some of the students looked worse than hobos.