SPARKLING TOES!
It’s been a while since I’ve touched base with you through my blog! There’s seldom anything new and exciting that happens to me, but every now and then something funny and ridiculous crosses my radar that could bring a laugh or two to my audience!
Well, it happened like this: first, I’ve got ugly feet, which includes of course, ugly toes/nails. Don’t get me wrong. I’m grateful to have feet that are still intact and that actually still move. Now that this fact is firmly established, I thought to myself, well, why not do something nice for them! Some color on my toe nails would be nice, I thought. (What you need to know is that I have never, ever, let anyone other than my grand-daughters and Bill – on one occasion – paint my toe nails!)
At last I worked up the nerve to at least walk by the nail salon in Wal-Mart (of course!) and finally mustered the courage to actually enter the premises. I had become rather motivated because I wanted to wear some summer sandals – with pride – as opposed to, with shame.
Okay, so I walk in, rather sheepishly, and inform the nail technician that I would like to have my toe nails polished. At this point I had not considered an actual pedicure. That would be far too risky! “Choose a color,” she stated, in a calm, steady voice, apparently undeterred by this rather matronly looking woman looking like a bull in a china closet. She directed me to a literal wall of colors. You name it. Every hue in the rainbow and then some. It was more confusing than the paint selections at Home Depot! Psychedelic, flat, glossy, glittery, pale, dark, cobalt blues … on and on. How in the world is one supposed to choose just one color out of so many? After considerable ponderings, I settled on something in the range of a true red! Yes!!! If I am going to enter this zone, then everyone will know about it! I’d seen other people flaunt their red toe nails and decided to join the ranks of those brave souls.
After making what I felt was a rather wise choice, the technician then motioned me to climb up in this rather unusual looking chair, complete with an attractive looking plastic small tub affixed to the foot of said chair. “Put your feet in here,” she said, as she started filling the tub with warm, soothing, water, as well as various, unidentified chemicals. Of course, I obeyed her. What else could I do at this point? I did have the presence of mind to remind her that I was very afraid of contracting an infection of some sort and that I had never had this experience before. In other words: Be very careful with my feet! They are the only ones I have. They are old, and I’ve grown accustomed to their ways. I hope to keep them for a long time. Sterilize everything! Do not stick me or otherwise cause bleeding and subsequent contamination! I think she got my message.
Well, she scrubbed and she rubbed and she massaged and she changed the water and the chemicals several times. Or at least so it seemed. I thought to myself: this is not so bad, after all! Now mind you, all of this flurry of activity was going on long before she even opened the flashy nail color! And then, she opened an adjacent drawer and dug into some kind of compound that resembled some kind of undetermined glob when activated in water, proceeded to put it on my feet, and then she had the nerve to put a plastic footie or something similar over my feet and let this soak in for a while! Back in the tub for a while … then the moment of truth! She removed all of this glob, and in doing so, I was quite certain for a few seconds that the top layer of my beloved feet was also being removed! After I recovered from this sinking spell, I was thankful to see that my feet remained intact. Then she began to cut! I cringed, but never saw blood, so I assumed she only cut the nails, not the tissue surrounding them. Whew!
Next, she ordered me to “pull up your pants”. Not that they were down, or anything like that. But I figured out that most normal people either wear shorts (not this lady!) or cropped pants, etc. I pushed my britches up to about where my knobby knees begin, and the colored road map veins begin to strut their stuff, and the fun began! She used at least a quart of some kind of oily potion on my legs and feet. She must have massaged for an hour – up and down and around and back again – or at least it seemed that long when I woke up! Actually, I didn’t go to sleep but I would’ve most likely, if she had not decided to tickle the bottom of my feet! Talk about squirming when she hit that area! Yikes! No one has tickled my feet in a long time! It was good to affirm to myself that at least something is still working, even if it is nerve endings!
While all this was going on, another patron entered. You could tell it wasn’t her first rodeo. She entered with pride. Just need the color changed, she said. Okay, pick a color. I like what she’s wearing, she said, pointing to the toes of another technician. Are you ready for this? Bright, neon, cobalt blue! It was dazzling! Going to the beach, she said. She wanted to make a bold statement. And she did! Now cobalt blue is fine for a vase or as part of a stained glass window, but on the toe nails of a rather heavy-set, middle-aged woman headed to the beach! Give me a break! Is nothing sacred anymore! Plus, she seemed to be rather giddy about her choice and had no qualms whatsoever about wearing something so spectacular. It wasn’t even close to a 4th of July celebration, yet here she was ready for the fireworks to begin!
At last, we got to the real reason I walked in the salon into the first place. She dried my feet and finally began to apply the polish. Oh, right before that, she put these darling little toe separator things between my toes! Another tickle! (no charge for that sensation!) One coat, and then another; and then a final top coat of clear, glossy shine, to top off those gorgeous toe nails. Next thing I knew, she had put these funny looking disposable flip-flops on my once ugly feet and directed me to carefully proceed to another area and stick my feet underneath a counter that had a light under it! I sat down. In a few minutes she walked over and said, “You need to put your feet under the light. Oh, okay, have it your way, I thought. My feet were sorta, kind of under the table! I thought she had hung me out to dry on my own!
Finally, the exhilarating experience was drawing to a close. After about another 15 minutes of my being in the drying arena, she brought my original sandals over to me and assisted me in putting them on! Yes! Those toe nails were stunning! The only thing she didn’t do anything about was the large, red (not the same shade), protruding bunion that lives on top of the first toe to the right of the big toe on my right foot. TMI, I know! Obviously, she could have suggested a bright glittery decal of some kind to top it off, don’t you think?
Upon paying my money, I realized I had just had a pedicure – first ever! And, was I ever relieved that not one other soul saw me enduring/enjoying the procedure! It was close, though, because I was seated right across from several Wal-Mart check-outs, and everybody goes to Wally World! I kept an eye peeled that way, in case I needed to quickly bow my head, but it was my lucky day! I was in and out and not one soul had witnessed this spectacle!
So, on a serious note, take heart, and if there is something you have always wanted to try, just go for it. Chances are, you will enjoy the trip. Sometimes the things we fear the most end up being the least intimidating in the long run. I’m reminded of Philippians 4:13, a verse that has strengthened me many times in my life. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I know that Paul had difficult situations and serious challenges in mind when he was moved by the Holy Spirit to write this verse. We’ve all faced those, too, from time to time, and I’m indeed thankful that His strength is sufficient to meet our needs, regardless of the severity.
God bless you! I love you all!
Well, it happened like this: first, I’ve got ugly feet, which includes of course, ugly toes/nails. Don’t get me wrong. I’m grateful to have feet that are still intact and that actually still move. Now that this fact is firmly established, I thought to myself, well, why not do something nice for them! Some color on my toe nails would be nice, I thought. (What you need to know is that I have never, ever, let anyone other than my grand-daughters and Bill – on one occasion – paint my toe nails!)
At last I worked up the nerve to at least walk by the nail salon in Wal-Mart (of course!) and finally mustered the courage to actually enter the premises. I had become rather motivated because I wanted to wear some summer sandals – with pride – as opposed to, with shame.
Okay, so I walk in, rather sheepishly, and inform the nail technician that I would like to have my toe nails polished. At this point I had not considered an actual pedicure. That would be far too risky! “Choose a color,” she stated, in a calm, steady voice, apparently undeterred by this rather matronly looking woman looking like a bull in a china closet. She directed me to a literal wall of colors. You name it. Every hue in the rainbow and then some. It was more confusing than the paint selections at Home Depot! Psychedelic, flat, glossy, glittery, pale, dark, cobalt blues … on and on. How in the world is one supposed to choose just one color out of so many? After considerable ponderings, I settled on something in the range of a true red! Yes!!! If I am going to enter this zone, then everyone will know about it! I’d seen other people flaunt their red toe nails and decided to join the ranks of those brave souls.
After making what I felt was a rather wise choice, the technician then motioned me to climb up in this rather unusual looking chair, complete with an attractive looking plastic small tub affixed to the foot of said chair. “Put your feet in here,” she said, as she started filling the tub with warm, soothing, water, as well as various, unidentified chemicals. Of course, I obeyed her. What else could I do at this point? I did have the presence of mind to remind her that I was very afraid of contracting an infection of some sort and that I had never had this experience before. In other words: Be very careful with my feet! They are the only ones I have. They are old, and I’ve grown accustomed to their ways. I hope to keep them for a long time. Sterilize everything! Do not stick me or otherwise cause bleeding and subsequent contamination! I think she got my message.
Well, she scrubbed and she rubbed and she massaged and she changed the water and the chemicals several times. Or at least so it seemed. I thought to myself: this is not so bad, after all! Now mind you, all of this flurry of activity was going on long before she even opened the flashy nail color! And then, she opened an adjacent drawer and dug into some kind of compound that resembled some kind of undetermined glob when activated in water, proceeded to put it on my feet, and then she had the nerve to put a plastic footie or something similar over my feet and let this soak in for a while! Back in the tub for a while … then the moment of truth! She removed all of this glob, and in doing so, I was quite certain for a few seconds that the top layer of my beloved feet was also being removed! After I recovered from this sinking spell, I was thankful to see that my feet remained intact. Then she began to cut! I cringed, but never saw blood, so I assumed she only cut the nails, not the tissue surrounding them. Whew!
Next, she ordered me to “pull up your pants”. Not that they were down, or anything like that. But I figured out that most normal people either wear shorts (not this lady!) or cropped pants, etc. I pushed my britches up to about where my knobby knees begin, and the colored road map veins begin to strut their stuff, and the fun began! She used at least a quart of some kind of oily potion on my legs and feet. She must have massaged for an hour – up and down and around and back again – or at least it seemed that long when I woke up! Actually, I didn’t go to sleep but I would’ve most likely, if she had not decided to tickle the bottom of my feet! Talk about squirming when she hit that area! Yikes! No one has tickled my feet in a long time! It was good to affirm to myself that at least something is still working, even if it is nerve endings!
While all this was going on, another patron entered. You could tell it wasn’t her first rodeo. She entered with pride. Just need the color changed, she said. Okay, pick a color. I like what she’s wearing, she said, pointing to the toes of another technician. Are you ready for this? Bright, neon, cobalt blue! It was dazzling! Going to the beach, she said. She wanted to make a bold statement. And she did! Now cobalt blue is fine for a vase or as part of a stained glass window, but on the toe nails of a rather heavy-set, middle-aged woman headed to the beach! Give me a break! Is nothing sacred anymore! Plus, she seemed to be rather giddy about her choice and had no qualms whatsoever about wearing something so spectacular. It wasn’t even close to a 4th of July celebration, yet here she was ready for the fireworks to begin!
At last, we got to the real reason I walked in the salon into the first place. She dried my feet and finally began to apply the polish. Oh, right before that, she put these darling little toe separator things between my toes! Another tickle! (no charge for that sensation!) One coat, and then another; and then a final top coat of clear, glossy shine, to top off those gorgeous toe nails. Next thing I knew, she had put these funny looking disposable flip-flops on my once ugly feet and directed me to carefully proceed to another area and stick my feet underneath a counter that had a light under it! I sat down. In a few minutes she walked over and said, “You need to put your feet under the light. Oh, okay, have it your way, I thought. My feet were sorta, kind of under the table! I thought she had hung me out to dry on my own!
Finally, the exhilarating experience was drawing to a close. After about another 15 minutes of my being in the drying arena, she brought my original sandals over to me and assisted me in putting them on! Yes! Those toe nails were stunning! The only thing she didn’t do anything about was the large, red (not the same shade), protruding bunion that lives on top of the first toe to the right of the big toe on my right foot. TMI, I know! Obviously, she could have suggested a bright glittery decal of some kind to top it off, don’t you think?
Upon paying my money, I realized I had just had a pedicure – first ever! And, was I ever relieved that not one other soul saw me enduring/enjoying the procedure! It was close, though, because I was seated right across from several Wal-Mart check-outs, and everybody goes to Wally World! I kept an eye peeled that way, in case I needed to quickly bow my head, but it was my lucky day! I was in and out and not one soul had witnessed this spectacle!
So, on a serious note, take heart, and if there is something you have always wanted to try, just go for it. Chances are, you will enjoy the trip. Sometimes the things we fear the most end up being the least intimidating in the long run. I’m reminded of Philippians 4:13, a verse that has strengthened me many times in my life. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I know that Paul had difficult situations and serious challenges in mind when he was moved by the Holy Spirit to write this verse. We’ve all faced those, too, from time to time, and I’m indeed thankful that His strength is sufficient to meet our needs, regardless of the severity.
God bless you! I love you all!
Oh, my side hurts from laughing so hard. I couldn't stop laughing, not because of your experience, but because of your clever way of telling us about it. When you were here that weekend and said you had gotten a pedicure, I had no idea it was your very first one or I would have questioned you about your experience because I can still remember my very first one (I actually thought I had forgotten it). Oh the memories! You are a clever writer and I can't wait to hear of your next experience. Have a wonderful safe trip and enjoy your family! Love you!
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Aunt Velta, You had me laughing outloud!!! I'm so glad it was a wonderful experience for you. With Mother's Day fast approaching, you need to let your sons (daughters-in-love) know how much you enjoyed it! Maybe they could work in a manicure to go along with that pedicure!!!
Love you and UB!!!
Beth
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I enjoyed the recitation of the trip to the nail parlor. You are are a very creative writer. Give our love to Bill and the rest of the family.
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I can't believe you did this. Don't you know you could get a serious infection. I have only had one pedicure in my life and it was at the local beauty college and while I will admit it felt heavenly I was quite young then and in my old age I would never let anyone except Howard mess with my nails. But if you must....go for it.
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Velta, Loved the pedicure trip. You have such a way of saying things to make them so funny I am so proud you are my dear friend.Enjoyed the coffe,waffles,ham,but mostly the visit with you'll this a.m. Love Glenda
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