Pampered Toes

At our last Book Club meeting we got onto the subject of pedicures (don't ask me how, these conversations just seem to evolve....) I revealed the fact that NO I have never had a pedicure before. Shocking. Unless they are hurting, my feet are just generally a part of my body I don't consider on a daily basis. I have no opposition to a pedicure, just never have done it.

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Well the girls were in shock. It's the most relaxing thing, you feel so pampered, it really isn't gross, the environment really is clean, all points were canvased. So, I thought, maybe one of these days I'll try it.

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A couple days ago I had a childless 30-minute interval to spare, so I decided to go ahead and put this pedicure thing to the test.

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Okay, I admit it, I'm sold.

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I think this will become a new indulgence for me (as if I need any more of those!) I walked in, a little nervous, but excited at the same time. There was a gal there who immediately addressed what I needed. I could only understand about half the words she said, and basically repeated everything twice, but eventually communication was successful. Once I admitted this was my first time doing this she understood why I didn't instinctively know what she was saying, and she was great at leading me through the process. I selected a deep purpley-red for my polish and followed her down the aisle to these fabulous chairs set up with a whirl-pool of heaven for my feet. I got myself settled in and prepared to be pampered.

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Right next to me was a woman who walked in shortly after I did. I felt bad for the little gal that had to work on her. "The chair is in the wrong position, I just can't get it right, doesn't it lean back more? I mean, I have a bad back. Oh! That water's way too hot, plus it's swirling too much, can't we cool it down?" The list went on....Later on I peaked over as her nails were getting filed down. The girl actually got out an electric dremmel-type tool and shaved them down! Images from "Dumb and Dumber" kept popping in my head! (If you don't know what I'm referring to, then you need to educate yourself a little more in the goofy-movie department!)

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Aside from the entertainment sitting next to me, I quite enjoyed myself. I flipped through the pages of a glossy magazine, something about Stars' Style -- you know, showing how to get the designer look of a movie star for only $300 -- whatever. I didn't even know that my feet and calves hurt until she started massaging all the little aches and pains away.

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All the customers were chatting with each other, even though they didn't know one another, talking about who's high school graduations they're going to this weekend, etc. It was like a step back in time, when everyone knew everyone else, and all the local gossip was passed around at the local beauty shop.

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After my pampering was complete I was instructed to go up front where there was a "drying" station, with UV lights to cure the polish. Unfortunately, I was so greased up from my massage, not to mention I still had those silly spongy things they put between your toes to keep the polish from smearing, that I did an amusing combination of slipping and hobbling down the entire aisle.

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Now I am enjoying my new toes. They've never looked so good! I think this is an experiment I will have to repeat, only next time I would like to go with some girlfriends. It was fun to people-watch, but I wouldn't mind having a companion with me who has a tad bit better hygiene!