Jeudi Journal - Problem

 "It was a lovely summer day and Samantha was out in the garden.  Samantha had been going to Slimming World and had shed quite a few pounds as a result so she was feeling quite good about herself,  In fact she had had a few admiring glances from the local builders who were working quite close to the nursery where she worked.  I wouldn't say things had gone to her head but she had decided to buy herself a new swimsuit and a pair of shoes which almost were a perfect match.

She decided that sunbathing was the only activity for the afternoon but as she had finished reading her book she could only think of one thing - inviting her best friend Maxine around for the afternoon.  They could have a good chat and listen to some of the music that they both liked, her parents were out shopping, and they could have the music as loud as they wanted.  She could get all the 'goss' and a nice tan ready for the disco that evening.

Maxine said she would be around but it might be an hour or so before she got there as her mother wanted a couple of small jobs doing, so Samantha took herself upstairs and started experimenting with some new make up she had bought for that evening.  She could get Maxine's thoughts on whether it was suitable or not.  She rather liked the sequins that went underneath the eyes and the pendant looked particularly good when worn on her head.

Maxine arrived and took one look at Samantha. "What on earth are you wearing?" she asked.  "I thought you were, err, we were, spending the afternoon in the garden, listening to some music and having a chat about tonight".

"I just thought," began Samantha, "that I could wear these sequins and the pendant - like this tonight."  "I thought you would love them and maybe want some of the sequins for yourself."  "Whatever we do we must outshine Jo and her friends and they won't have got anything like this to wear."

She then went on and on about how she had always wanted to outdo Jo and her friend, Fran, and this was the perfect opportunity.  They had not seen one another for the whole of the summer recess and therefore the other girls did not know about the weight she had lost and she was feeling really good at the moment so with a tan and this new makeup she would easily outdo the others. Particularly where the boys were concerned.

Maxine sat and listened totally lost for words herself.  What on earth was the matter with Samantha - it was all this weight loss that had turned her head.

"I don't know what your problem is but I know it's not mine" she said, "I think it is time for me to go home if you are just going to go on and on like that.  To be honest if it is going to be a popularity contest tonight you can forget me joining you.  I cannot do with catty people and since that weight loss you have changed so."

And with that Maxine left and went home whilst Samantha sat there with a dumbstruck look on her face -  and a sequin coming off and slipping down to her chin."

I am entering this journal page into Alison's challenge over at Art Journal Journey.  It's almost the end of the month which means Alison's challenge is nearing its end but hopefully this scene will fall under the umbrella of Summer countryside for Alison

Background is Pan Pastels with a Janet Klein stencil used with PP's to give the appearance of flowers in the garden and a Dylusion stencil up the side.  Figures coloured with Promarkers.