May 22, 2003
The Treatment
MJ was a spa girl this week.
Since moving down here to the surface of the sun, I've had to battle a few annoying personal hygiene issues. One being that I have extremely dry skin and my feet tend to develop cracked heels, which left unchecked can become extremely painful. Though it has been suggested many times, I have never in my life had a pedicure. I know... the shock! And so begins my spa adventure...
On Tuesday the missus had a dentist appointment down in Palm Desert, which technically is only about 10 miles away, but it feels like 100 miles. Since we were both making the trek trip, I thought, hey why not get a massage while I am down in the land of spas? And I did. And it was good.
During the massage I began thinking how wonderful it felt and how I rarely treat myself to such extravagances and I should really do these things more often. Yeah, that's it... I deserve it! So when I had finished my massage, I booked what is known in the industry apparently as a "mani-pedi" (I love the sound of it!) and I was very excited. So excited that I told every person I ran into that I was getting my first "mani-pedi" and everyones reaction was exactly the same... "Oh my GOD! You're going to love it! You're going to get addicted to them! I love the part where they blah blah blah blah blah..." Needless to say all this talk brought my excitement to a fevered pitch. What have I been missing my whole life?!?
So this morning I awoke at an ungodly hour to "prepare" for my treatment. Of course I had to give myself a manicure and pedicure before I went in there. Not to mention shaving and all that... Kind of like cleaning the house for the housekeeper... Even though my feet were a disaster, I didn't want them to think I was a total slob!
I'll spare you the details since most of you already know what is involved with such procedures and I'll cut to the chase...
It wasn't all that. I mean, I'm sure it was a top of the line mani-pedi as mani-pedi's go. My hands and feet have never been softer and so well groomed, but it just seemed like a whole lot of hoohah hoopla. One cream after another... the exfoliation and the whole wax thing (which was my favorite part), the buffing, the fluffing, the chit chat... It seemed like an awful lot of effort to go through when I know that after two or three days in our now searing heat (we hit 109º yesterday - fuck me) my hands and feet are going to be a mess again.
Maybe it's just a social thing that feminine ladies of leisure enjoy and I'm just a butch idiot. The technician (is that what they are called?) was hilarious and I had a great time. But sitting here now looking back on the whole experience, would I go have another one? I don't think so... I think I just need to take better care of my hands and feet. Maybe buy a friggin $2 pumice and an emory board or something... wait a minute... I have a belt sander out in the garage... yeah, that could work! Butch Pedicures with Power Tools! I think I'm onto something here...
Posted by MJ at May 22, 2003 02:10 PMDid they take a look at your mini appendages and give you half off?
huh, tiny?
Posted by: mopsa at May 22, 2003 03:04 PM*SMOOCH*
Posted by: mopsa at May 22, 2003 03:12 PMIf I may be so bold...My family suffers from the same "cracked canyons" on our feet as it sounds like you do. I want to whisper a magic word into your ear...this word could change your world regarding your poor little (according to mopsa anyway) ultra chapped parts..ready????...lanolin.
What is lanolin?
Lanolin is the oily secretion from the skin of sheep that becomes trapped in the wool. When the sheep is shorn each year (the sheep’s hair cut) the wool is washed, processed and the lanolin is extracted.
The oils of lanolin are extremely similar to those natural oils we secrete from our own skin. This makes the product very effective, completely natural and has the added feature of not hurting or harming the animals that we get it from.
You might wonder why I would know this much about lanolin. My blood father worked in the wool business his entire career. We started using lanolin to heal and soften our feet back in the 60's when we were little kids....way before there were any commercial products available.
This was one of those "old farmer's remedies" from way back, that really worked. (As they often did)
Dairy farmers used the stuff all the time. It seems cows udders get cracked and super chapped occasionally from milking.
Soooooooo....
There is a product called "Udderly Fantastic" that you should try. (I know, it sounds kinda hokey but I swear you will love this stuff.)
..you can find it online at http://udderbalm.com
Start with a 1 pound jar..it's cheap......(you will need to use it for a bit to get your hands and feet back to plump and juicy...)
Hope this helps.
Posted by: jack at May 22, 2003 04:28 PMMopsa - Ha Ha Very Funny! Tiny - Hrrumph. Would that be a mini-mani-pedi? Is there a childrens menu?
And Jack - I have tried everything. Including the remedy you suggest. Another great product is called Zims Crack Cream (I had to check and make sure I was using on the right part of my body...) It's not actually a cream, but an oil and it works great if you put it on at night and sleep with socks on. The key step being "put it on" which is what I always forget to do until it's too late. And I hate sleeping in socks. Thanks for the tips though and I feel your pain! Cracked Canyons... Heheh..
Posted by: MJ at May 22, 2003 04:46 PMI don't really care if anyone does the cosmetic thing on my feet, but I would kill for a good, regular foot massage. Now that I've reached the advanced age of (mumble, mumble) I recognize that the ONLY reason to marry is if you find someone who will rub your feet.
And while I'm on the subject... hand massage, too! Oh. My. God.
Posted by: dargie at May 22, 2003 08:09 PMI would LOVE a day at a spa... I think a mud bath would be neat as well as the massages and stuff. maybe.... someday....... *smile*
Posted by: Countess DeSquirrel at May 23, 2003 02:34 AMWow now I want to go to a spa.... but I came to comment because my partner Woody would be JUST LIKE YOU and do her own mani-pedi FIRST so they wouldn't think she's a slob... cracks me up.
ANOTHER thing to try MJ is Norwegian formula hand cream -- I think it would work on your foot -- it's the consistency of a triple-anti-biotic cream or even petroleum jelly. Of course maybe you NEED triple-anti-biotic cream because on my hands (which unfortunately sound like your feet) I've been told the anti-biotic helps your skin to re-heal faster than any cream that is just for moisture.
Posted by: Mopsie at May 23, 2003 07:51 AMthe trick with the tootsies is to do the pumice thing toward the end of your shower -- when your skin is all soft and stuff.
then - time permitting - once you're out of the shower, slather (and i mean SLATHER) your feet with lotion (it can also be nice to blend your lotion with some baby oil gel) and immediately put socks on. let your feet soak in the ol' lotion socks for as long as possible.
Posted by: irish-girl at May 23, 2003 09:22 AMI feel compelled to weigh in here, as my feet have been a nightmare ever since being diagnosed with diabetes. In the past year I've been using a Kiehl's cream that it just for feet--it feels so good and has helped so much that I went from being one of those folks (like you) that could never remember to apply a potion or lotion to someone who can't stand it if I don't apply the stuff two or three times a day.
If no store in your area sells Kiehl's (Nordstrom, up here), they do mail order,and they'll send you free samples as well. I did the Udderly Fantastic, Bag Balm, etc. etc. Did nothing for me, and I also don't like greasiness. But the Kiehl's--like butta!
Posted by: jadedju at May 23, 2003 04:48 PMFree samples? I like the sound of that! Sign me up!
Posted by: MJ at May 24, 2003 08:35 AMNeutrogena Foot Cream - great stuff, best right after a shower. Also its the best thing for chapped lips - ever!
Posted by: keith at May 24, 2003 09:52 AMOne word...Lotil.
Non greasy. Feels like it's put a layer of platic over your skin (which it kinda has) that keeps the moisture in.
And, Irish-girl is sooo right...no matter what your potion, the real trick is the "lotion socks"...wear 'em! Love 'em!
Posted by: Cyndi at May 27, 2003 06:44 AM
