Pedicures and Shoes

Yes, it is official now - I have gone over a year without a pedicure! I didn't think I'd make it through the summer but I just kept my toe nails short and no one ever pointed at my feet or made fun of them. There were a few times that I looked at other women's polished toes and feet a little envious. I was surprised to find myself admiring black and dark blue polish colors. I guess the important thing to note here is that I survived not having what was once a regular part of my beauty routine. Not that I didn't miss it - I did. But $25.00 buys a bag of groceries and food has become more important to me than my vanity. Thank goodness, the weather is getting cooler and it is time to start wearing closed-toe shoes again.

Over two years now without buying one item of clothing, jewelry, shoes, bra, panties, perfume, etc. for myself. I think women do need little pretties in their lives but I get a small amount of pleasure every day I'm still able to keep using what I already own. Little luxuries perk up our lives and make us feel good about ourselves. So I'm not against treating myself to luxuries when I can afford them. Just now I can't.

While I'm on the subject of pedicures and feet I should mention that my sons have duck taped their shoes together. A couple of summers ago my youngest went through the whole baseball season with a duck taped pair of spikes. He did it to help save the money. The day the season ended, I so gladly tossed those cleats into the trash!

Even now, my oldest showed me how his bottom sole is uplifted and there is a hole along the side of his shoe. I saw some decent looking tennis shoes at WalMart for $12.00 but he refuses to wear those. We wants sports/running shoes that you get at Sport's Authority for $70.00. So I guess he can break out the duck tape if he needs to because we don't have that kind of money right now for shoes.

Not to say that there aren't shoes everywhere I look on the floor in our home - I'm always tripping over them and they look wearable to me. And then we have football, baseball. indoor, outdoor track and volleyball shoes in the mix too.

I'll provide a shoe update in the coming months in regard to my oldest son wanting an expensive pairs of sports shoes and not agreeing to considering the WalMart ones. Maybe I'll force him to take a look at them. This summer, my youngest was a dear and wore a pair of canvas slip-on shoes from Payless Shoes that only cost me $12.00!

To conclude however, pretty lame of me lamenting not being able to afford a pedicure when my sons have used duck tape on their shoes. I have nothing to complain about!

Needing and Wanting

The spring clothing catalogs and the recent onslaught of t.v. and print Easter ads have gotten to me. I have suddenly felt lacking.

- Need a hair cut and styling - it's been four months since my last one
- Desperately need new glasses - my current ones are going on six years old (outdated and worn)
- Haven't gone clothes shopping in years - everything in my wardrobe seems tired, baggy and old
- Will need a pedicure when I start wearing open toed shoes again - my last one was six months ago
- Only "vacation" in seven years was five days in Michigan

Maybe it is just that it is springtime again when we all feel as though we want to be renewed and refreshed. Just to add a little perk up to our wardrobes and lives. To be eagerly planning a trip somewhere to see new sights and unwind.

The boys are complaining that they have outgrown all their shorts from last spring/summer. I won't have any available funds to go to Plato's Closet with them until May 1st so we all have to hold out until then.

I know my feelings of want will dissipate eventually. The first focus is to get the boys what they need. My poor oldest has hot glued the sole of one of his volleyball shoes and I looked at him play last week relieved that it was holding up because I don't have the funds for shoes right now either.

Owe -

- $349.00 to H & R Block for tax preparation
- Two sets of car insurance are due on the 15th and it'll be a very tight squeeze to make them both - I might have to call my agent and see if there is any way to postpone one payment until the 20th when I'll be paid again
- Prom is at the end of the month and I'll need to get a wrist corsage for my son's girlfriend and tux rental for him

I look at the list of items I wish for. Most are needs I think (haircut, pedicure during the summer months, clothes for the boys, prom stuff). Or is a haircut or pedicure really essential? I mean they make us feel more presentable and attractive but polish on my toes isn't a requirement. I suppose as long as we have food, shelter and clothing of some sort everything else is unnecessary. But if that is the case then no one would be buying anything such as Easter candy, backyard pools, magazines at the checkout counter, cosmetics, energy drinks, and so on. What is it when you have a huge craving for cheap Chinese takeout from someplace you know and love? If there are leftovers in the fridge does that mean the dinner treat is a no go? Gosh, would I like to go on a vacation someplace, anyplace. Not necessary in anyone's life but what a difference a few days away with some pampering can do!

Since having to struggle financially the past two years, I contemplate these questions. We certainly go without far more than treating ourselves. Where do you draw the line between needs and wants? Maybe it is a balance between being more aware and conscious about the buying decisions we make in our lives. The other day, I reluctantly picked up Taco Bell for dinner. It was 7:00 p.m., I was tired and still on the road. I picked the cheapest fast food place out there and accepted that what I'd planned to make that night would wait until the next day. I was in a bind and had to rely on a quick fix out.

In my old life, I wouldn't have given a second thought to picking up a fast food dinner. And I treated myself to a manicure, pedicure and hair coloring every month at the salon, going in at the two-week mark for a polish touch-up. And every season I'd make a trip to Talbot's to update my wardrobe. Now that's one way of life vs. how we're living now where I weigh every purchase!

I can do without new clothes myself now but it doesn't stop me from looking through the L.L. Bean catalog and spying a cute outfit that catches my attention and then wanting it. Prioritizing will mean that I'll get myself new glasses first because those are worn everyday and a new pair would really give me a lift. In the meantime, I'll keep doing without where I can. There isn't another option. When there's nothing extra, there's nothing extra. So a haircut has to wait until May as with the pedicure. It is hard waiting but I know next month I'll be so grateful for them I'll be on cloud nine!