lie up

in this month's edition of southern living chef Domenica Catelli is interviewed. something she said caught my eye.

my mom always said, "if you are going to lie about your age, lie up." so, with that i would say "50" and the response is, "wow! you look great for 50!" but in reality - 39.

now seriously, who, at 39, would claim to be 50? how hard-up must you be for a compliment?!? that said, i did find the concept intriguing. having just celebrated a birthday, i thought i would give "lying up" a try.

the perfect opportunity presented itself at work on friday. as i opened my mouth, took a deep breath, prepared myself to say "45"....

i couldn't.

i was physically unable.

i couldn't mouth it.

i couldn't speak it.

why rush it.

right???

though our chef Domenica doesn't hesitate to tack on more than a decade (why?) i find myself unable to add 2 simple years.

so I guess i'm gonna keep it honest (except to my child who thinks i'm 29 and his daddy is 80) say "43" (gads!) and hold my breath hoping that the person receiving the horrifying news is a kind, kind soul, having no conscious (what-so-ever) to openly lie to my face and say, "wow, you look great for 43."