First Time for Everything

Before today, I was a forty three year old pedicure virgin. I had never had my feet professionally serviced. There was a good reason for that - my feet are horrible! In fact, for years every time my mother showed up on my doorstep she had some new cream, gadget, lotion, home remedy you can think of for me to try and soften these babies up. I can recently remember her with something for horse hooves that she got at a feed store. Another time she wanted me to try Crisco. All to no avail. In my defense, I like to be barefoot a lot. Sort of like a beautiful Indian Princess...or something like that. I think my feet have just hardened up in self defense.

Anyway, as I mentioned in an earlier blog, my good friend Peggy gave me a Gift Certificate last year for my birthday. She had seen my feet on many occasions and knew they needed professional help. We went today and it was a life changing experience! Here is how I prepared for our day and the fun we had showing my feet a good time.

First, I have always thought my feet were beyond help and the idea of walking into a shop with them as they were made me sick to my stomach. Yeah, they are that bad. So in anticipation of my appointment today I did a little prep work myself to try to make them at least presentable.

Here is the before picture. You can also see from my tan line in this picture that I am fond of my flip flops!

Yesterday, I dug out this little Ped Egg that my mom had brought me on one of her previous trips to Texas. I worked my feet over pretty good and if there was a maximum capacity for dead skin in this baby I am sure I exceeded it.

After I finished with the Ped Egg, I went hard core with the moisturizer and opted for straight Vaseline! 100% Petroleum Jelly! I caked this stuff on in a nice thick layer. It was probably overkill.

How did I walk around you ask? Wouldn't this get all over the carpet and the floor? Wouldn't I slip and fall and break my neck?

Not if you put your feet in giant Ziploc bags and put socks on over that! My boys were very disturbed by this footwear! I asked Harold to take a picture for me and he said "Mom, getting a pedicure is weird." I am not going to tell him that not everyone goes through this rigorous of preparation. He will think his wife is a rock star if she can just walk into a pedicure without doing the baggie/bootie intense moister and softening process.

I am thrilled to report that I wore the baggie/socks for about three hours and it worked like a charm! Although my feet were still pretty horrible, I brought down the horrible several notches.

I did almost fall down in the shower later in the day cause they were still pretty slick! Several times yesterday and again this morning I soaked my feet in lotion to keep them decent for this morning!

We arrived at the spa at about 11:15 this morning and spent about 10 minutes picking out a color. That is hard. Too many choices - too many shades - shiny - matte - glossy - glittery. It was like picking out paint colors for your house. Every shade of pink and red ever brought together on a display cabinet shelf stared at me. I was scared to go too bold and sassy, most definitely no red for me. I settled on a nice dark brownish pink. Is brownish pink a color? Maybe it is pinkish brown.

My sassy pedicure companion went with a fantastic hot pink that made her beautiful feet shine like she was a foot model with $1M insurance on each foot. She gives me major foot envy.

After we picked our nail colors we were brought over to our chairs. I know most of you have done this before, but if you haven't please make note of a few important features. This is a massage chair. Kind of like the ones you always jump in and try at Brookstone in the mall. You know with the massage rollers that go up and down your back, alternately beating your back, kneading your shoulders. PURE HEAVEN I tell you!! Then please notice the jetted tub of hot water where you soak your feet! DOUBLE TRIPLE PURE HEAVEN!!

My feet are in hot water, my chair is doing its thing, and I have met my person. He was a boy. I wasn't expecting that. I gave him my disclaimer that this was my first rodeo. He smiled and said "Well I hope you enjoy it." He didn't flinch when my first foot came out of the water. He didn't turn in his two week notice. He didn't raise an eyebrow. He did say something in Vietnamese to his side-kick that was doing Peggy's feet and they both laughed hard. I don't think it would be me being paranoid to think it was some comment about the amount of time, tools and sheer magic it was going to take to whip my feet into shape. It didn't hurt my feelings at all because really who could blame him.

Then he got to work, scrapping, rubbing, massaging, doing all the enormously enjoyable things that these people do. By the time he was done I wanted to marry him.

Look at my stubby, supple, soft, toenail painted feet. They have never experienced the level of joy that happened today. It was my first pedicure, but it will not be my last.

Thanks Peggy for convincing me to go - I completely loved it. Thanks especially to the man whose name I didn't even learn who introduced me to the world of the pedicure. I am forever grateful!

Sucking it Up and Sniffing it In

This morning I totally did not want to exercise. Period. The End. Roll over and go back to bed.

But I didn't.

Unfortunately, I stayed up way past my bedtime, reading The Time Traveler's Wife. Loved it. Cried like a baby. Could not put it down until I finished it, which was like almost 1:00 this morning. I could have gotten finished sooner, but I spent half an hour looking for the damn cat who I could hear meowing, but couldn't find. After extensive searching, I found her locked in the upstairs linen closet. Stupid cat.

Anyway, back to my grumpy, grouchy attitude this morning. I got up at six, barely had enough coffee to make a pot, totally did not want to put on a bathing suit and go swim. I was moaning and groaning in the kitchen and Hubby says "Why don't you go for a run instead?"

Apparently, he has never met me, has no idea of my limitations, desires, capabilities or pursuits. Go for a run. Yeah right. I will suck it up and put on my swim suit.

Am I ever so glad that I did. This morning I did 1/2 a mile without stopping. That is 32 lengths or 16 laps however you want to look at it. It was good. Felt surprisingly better and better as the laps clicked by. So, sucking it up worked this morning and I will try to reach back and remember how good it felt when I am dragging on another day. If anyone cares, this is Day 6 of consecutive exercise - which will be followed by 5 miles on Day 7 and 4 miles on Day 8. Happy to get my streak going again.


On my walk back to the house I found this right outside my front door. A gardenia. A sweet smelling, memory evoking gardenia. I came to love the gardenia when I first met one in my Grandma's back yard. She had several big gardenia bushes and when we would visit in the summer we loved to pick them and smell them. She also had these tiny pink roses on a bush that I loved. I also loved the big container of compost and fishing worms in the back yard, just so you know. I haven't had much success growing gardenia's myself, but every time I get a bloom it brings back such fond, fond memories. I hate to pick them, but I do. I almost am afraid I will suck one up a nostril I breathe in the aroma so deeply. My Grandma rocked. She was a funny, energetic, loving woman who would have delighted so much in watching us in our lives. She died too soon. She left an impression while she was here though. One that fills me with love every time I smell a gardenia.

Today is going to be a good, good day.

Confession and Celebration

First, my Confession. You know how some people sneak cookies or chips? Thinking that if someone doesn't see them eating it that the calories don't count. I don't personally know anything about that kind of behavior, but I have read about it. Maybe in one of those self help books or a magazine laying around here somewhere. Oh alright, I am sure you all know I am lying. I know a tiny bit, maybe have actually experienced it once or twice before OR maybe it is a daily occurrence in my life. Regardless of the answer, today I hit an all time new low.

I snuck out to the garage with a cup full of ice, dug a hot diet coke from the bowels of the garage where I had hidden them a few weeks ago. I tried to quietly open the can, pour it quickly into my cup and then bury the can in the outside trash. I so desperately didn't want Chip or Harold to see me breaking the no coke ban. I should be setting an example with nothing but pure fresh water as a beverage.

Don't judge me. I was desperate. My eyes just would not stay open, hard as I tried. At one point my head literally almost went through my computer screen. I jerked my head back so hard my neck hurts a little bit. I would have had coffee, but the afternoon sun has already warmed up my office to the point that I am warm and cozy and subsequently spontaneously dozing off and pulling muscles in my neck. The idea of drinking hot caffeine just did not appeal to me. So there I was, slinking into my own garage in my own house digging out the contraband Diet Coke. Embarrassing.

I was ashamed, but I gotta tell you, it was the best damn diet coke I have ever had. I can live with the shame.

Next, my Celebration. I am going to get my first ever pedicure on Saturday. My girl Peggy gave me a gift certificate last year for my birthday and we finally have a date to get it done. I am planning to photograph and document the entire experience for my blog. Did anyone who knows me just throw up in their mouth? Stop it! I know you may think I have the worst feet ever, and you may be right. However, lets see together if that is true or not. I will try to capture the expression on the girls face when she first lays eyes on my feet. Will she be surprised, stunned, cry, cuss, run screaming from the room, pull out a chisel and a belt sander with industrial strength coarse sandpaper?? We don't know yet, but we will on Saturday.

I am hoping that maybe, just maybe she raises one eyebrow, furrows her brow and shakes her head a little. Then I will flash her an apologetic grin (or a $20) and she will go about her business of getting 43 years of accumulated crap off of my feet. It may throw off my equilibrium to lose a couple of inches off my feet or I might go down a shoe size. It is going to be exciting!!!

A Conversation with Chip

Last night after a fun night swim, we were all settling in to watch a little "So You Think You Can Dance". Chip asked me if he could have a snack and I suggested a piece of cheese instead of the goldfish crackers he was about to dig into. He goes to the refrigerator and gets a regular old slice of American Cheese and sits next to me to eat it.

Chip: Mom, this is good. I can't remember cheese being this good. I mean it is REALLY good.
Mom: Well, I am glad you like it.
Chip: Mom, can I have more cheese tomorrow?
Mom: Sure, buddy.
Chip: Can I have more cheese tonight?
Mom: Well, why don't you wait until tomorrow, okay?
Chip: Can I have it for breakfast?
Mom: I guess.
Chip: Can I have another piece for lunch?
Mom: We will see.
Chip: Mom, what I really want is a cheese schedule.

I laughed so hard. A cheese schedule.

Happy Distraction

I went outside to pull a few weeds and was so happy to see some new blooms popping up in the garden. Thought I would take a few pictures and share my happy little distraction. I am sure most of you could care less, but my sister will appreciate it.


This is my beautiful pink Phlox, which is spreading more and more every year. In front of it, the Black-Eyed Susan's have just started to bloom. They are really blooming in the front, but I didn't get a picture of those.

Close up of the phlox. Isn't it so pretty?

Purple Coneflower is also putting on a show.

An up close shot.

I think these are called Spider Lillies. Lots of blooms already and many, many more on the way! Yeah!

Close up of Spider Lily.

This is a little baby Sago Palm that came from a friend's yard. It was just a little nub when I put it in the ground, but it is super happy in this little spot and is growing new fronds. Can't wait to see how big it gets.

My crepe myrtle is blooming like crazy.

A shot of my favorite corner of the yard this time of year.

It looks like a jungle out there, but I sure love watching these plants and flowers grow! Wish I just knew what the heck I was doing! Maybe I will add Learn How to Garden on my list of things to accomplish!

To Do Lists

I need a list. I feel myself stumbling aimlessly through my day. Nothing on the calendar for today. NOTHING. I don't think that has happened since early April. I need to work, obviously, but putting in about 4 hours of work leaves lots of hours left in the day to be productive. I should embrace these days of leisure, but I feel a need to cross some things off a list. Here are a 10 things I would like to get done today:

1. Put away laundry. (DONE - A day later)
2. Sweep floors. (DONE)
3. Unpack the boys backpacks from our trip. (DONE)
4. Go to the grocery store. (DONE - four days later)
5. Find recipe for Roasted Garlic Brown Rice (DONE)
6. Clean out the car. (DONE - two days later)
7. Order pictures for my Month frames. (DONE)
8. Take recycling to recycling center. (DONE two days later)
9. Schedule my annual OB appointment (DONE)
10. Pull a few weeds in my garden. (DONE)

Here are some bigger projects for the weekend:

1. Clean out the toy closet in my office.
2. File some work paperwork.
3. Wash out the outside garbage cans. (DONE)
4. Send email to friends and neighbors about final Breast Cancer Yard Sale.

Speaking of lists, I am working on a list of 50 Things I Want To Do Before I Am 50. I started jotting things down yesterday and only came up with 11. I am obviously not thinking hard enough. Help me out here. Give me some ideas of what is on your Life To Do list so I can get my creative juices flowing.

Hope your day is productive and fun!

Being Optimistic

Several good things have happened around here over the last 24 hours:

1. After two days of dreading the scale, expecting a vacation four or five to be stubbornly clinging to my butt, I finally got brave enough to weigh this morning. It was exactly the same as when I left last week. That is beyond good - that is great! It also may be a first! That exercise and eating right really might just work!

2. I found a great little lake house for the family reunion in a few weeks. Sad not to be going to the beach, but so happy we will have a place to gather and spend some time together. It will be so much fun and I can't wait to blog about it! In honor of the upcoming Lake vacation I have changed my blog background to a picture of a beautiful lake! What's Up? Getting fancy around here!

3. Got a haircut! HIP HIP HOORAY!!! My hair is so thick and this Texas humidity is doing a number on it. Lord help me if I go outside for any length of time. By the time I walk back in the house, my hair is touching the sides of the doorway. If you could only see the hot mess it is when I take off my hat after exercising in the morning. I seriously look like I have a hairnet on - but there is no hairnet. Hello Lunch Lady. Not just a regular, working the serving line Lunch Lady either. I am talking Queen Head Honcho Lunch Lady. It is matted down on top and ultra fuzzy at the bottom. Not a pretty picture.

4. Hubby has a work dinner tonight, so we are having Waffles for dinner! Easy, cheesy and no oven! Hubby likes Waffles too, but it just seems like a simple dinner tonight that the boys will eat and I won't be left with a lot of prep or dishes.

5. Beth gave me some home grown tomatoes from her Daddy's garden. I put some Balsamic Vinegar on them with a little salt and pepper and it was happy explosion of summer in my mouth. Delicious! Thanks Beth!

6. I grilled some chicken breasts outside on the grill last night and Chip said it was the best meat he had ever eaten. Not supremely high praise, because the boy doesn't really like meat, but I am going to take it as a nice compliment.

7. My garden phlox and black-eyed susans are blooming. I love them.

Just so you don't think it is all rainbows and sunshine over here, there are a few things that haven't gone quite as well.

1. My dog is shedding like crazy. Hair everywhere and all around.
2. I still haven't finished all the laundry from vacation.
3. I think our Water Softener might be broken.
4. My garden is becoming overrun with weeds AGAIN!!!
5. It is not Southern California here - it is HOT AND HUMID! I wore a sweater last week and now I don't even want to touch a sweater to hang it up.
6. My boys are playing a rented video game like their very lives depend on it for survival. It is not on the list of summer fun activities and they need to stop it.

I am going to leave the Not So Good stuff on number 6 so that I can be optimistic that the good outweighs the bad! If you were brave or bored enough to read all the way through this blog I will be shocked! You would probably like that 45 seconds of your life back and for that I apologize right now!