One's enough

I have a fantastic group of friends that gets together each month. The eight of us share delicious meals, many drinks, and the unique camaraderie of women ranging from 29-51. It's something very special that I treasure. We started as a book club but that got in the way. : ) Only 3 of us would actually read the books and it was an effort that got in the way of our fun. It's much better to hang out, eat, drink, play games, paint pottery, gossip, and laugh.

We had a soup-n-salad party last night. The highlight was re-watching a music video they'd made for my recent birthday ("Bad Romance"). LOL! While we were standing around chatting in the kitchen (what you always seem to do at a good party), I noticed that my friend Denise - the host - had a list of resolutions for 2011 on the fridge. TWENTY-SEVEN resolutions. She's that kind of person, and I believe she'll achieve most if not all. They ranged from walking 500 miles to crocheting a blanket for her soon-to-be-born baby. If she could do both at the same time, she probably would.

Her list got me thinking about MY resolutions, for 2011 and in general. My generic ones every year seem to be (1) stop biting my nails, (2) work out more and really be serious about it, and (3) something deep and meaningful that varies. Every year since I was a teenager, the nails have come first...and every year, I have failed. Or not even bothered to try. I wrote the other day about how I was going to get a manicure at BJ GRAND SALON, with the hope of finally finding a solution to halt my addiction. (it's so gross) I've decided that while I admire my friend's commitment to achieve so many things, this is the ONE resolution that I will finally check off my list.

Lisa did a wonderful job of trimming and filing and cleaning up my ugly, stubby little nails. They could be a lot worse, but they were pretty raggedy and awful. She made them surprisingly smooth and round and nearly unoffensive. THEN....she applied shellac, a product that is seemingly revolutionary and magical. We chose a color that's close to clear since my nails are short and not ready for prime time. It dries under a little UV light in seconds, and after that it's like a shiny coat of concrete. Seriously, practically nothing will mar or remove this stuff, and it lasts for 14 days (when Lisa removes it). The hair stylists wear by it and swear by its durability. It's awesome for busy women who can't baby their nails. I'm going bowling tonight (Bowl 4 Kids' Sake - click HERE to donate to Big Brothers Big Sisters) and there are no worries. Best of all, it's so hard that I can't chew. My nails are so shiny and smooth that all I want to do is touch them and stare. After two weeks, they'll have grown a little and I will be 14 days on my way to my resolution...but I'll have Lisa put on more shellac. I don't trust myself and shaking my bad habit will take a while.

Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, and it's a chance to refocus and officially declare this my goal. Of course I think a better Lenten gesture would be to DO something positive (e.g. volunteer) rather than give up a vice. Okay, perhaps I could try TWO resolutions...