Isolation Relaxation

A bit of self pampering... prepare a serving tray with your beverage of choice and required accompaniments (ice, sugar, whatever) and accoutrements  (spoon, tongs, whatever, cup and saucer or glass)... Put near your comfy chair. Prepare a generous size not too deep pan with goodly warm water a bit of lavender EO, a bit of myrrh EO, a spot of liquid soap -- place on towel on floor in front of comfy chair -- enjoy a foot soak. Watch the birds and cuddle a cat as you listen to music, or read the comics or a good book, or watch video; rub your feet against each other, wriggle, wiggle, and stretch your toes -- sip your tea and relax. Use the pumice stone, freshen your tea, and soak some more. Blot dry especially around your nails and between your toes; feel the texture of the towel on your skin; trim your toe nails and soak again. Dry, especially between and under your toes, and that skin right against your toenails. Finish with massaged-in [scented] lotion. Relax a few more minutes. Aaahhh. A touch of luxury at home. [Note: Thoroughly wipe the lotion off your toe nails if you're going to polish them.] --end

Well, that was going to be 'the end' of a quick little post. However, I did a quick search for "home pedicure" looking for an image, and was slightly amazed. Take a whole bath (great when you have time and want to get wet, but really?). Small, barely hold your 5 toes pan, or divider in middle of a pan... what good is that? I use an old cat litter pan (yes, thoroughly cleaned at least 5 years ago). Plenty big for both my feet at once and enough water to stay warm for 45 minutes or so. Marbles for "massage"? What's wrong with your own two feet -- rub against each other, tilt and angle and stretch, clasp your toes together, squinch your toes each foot; use the arch of one foot to find rough, dry spots on the other. Feet are already there, and they're free!

And 'products'... there are so many ways to separate you from your money  -- scrubs and moisturizers and soothers -- lotions, potions, creams, and sprays; far too tiny soaking pans, a bubbling foot bath with 'heat boost'(?), a foot rest for polishing your nails (I guess in case you can't use the front edge of your chair, or the coffee table?), a dedicated 'pedicure stool'(?); multi-thousand dollar pedicure "bowl" or reclining "lounge" with built-in foot basin?! OMG, *that* was too funny.

My toes are tingly, I did not 'trim my cuticles'(!!), and I learned something new (by accident) today, hahaha.


I popped out front to share a spring photo. Again, a freeze warning/watch (whichever is the red one on NOAA weather site) tonight so still can't remove all the garden "deadwood" from last year. The image is out front, this afternoon. It rained all morning (again). Tulips and grape hyacinth, peony and hosta, beginning to take over for the fading daffodils.