The healing powers of a manicure...

Not something you would expect me to write about? Well, you win the prize - you must know me pretty well. I'm not big on all that primped out fluffy stuff. And I'm finding that it's a shame, really. Let me explain.

Yesterday afternoon, C made the frozen trek from the bus stop to home (while I was cozy inside, footsies firmly placed in my Mongolian felted slippers) and I could see in her eyes that something just wasn't right. Boy trouble? I thought. Nah... she's not one to get her panties in a bunch about that - if she did, middle school (life?) would certainly be her undoing. Friend trouble? Possible, but she's pretty quick to shut down the drama that can't help but exist among girls of a certain age (18 months - 75 years ish). It was something far worse... there was a small chance that she was going to end up sharing her drum solo with another band member - one that doesn't know how to play the song but whose parents made a stink about their daughter not getting the solo. Of course my hackles went to full attention but I tried to be a sympathetic voice (while quietly plotting my revenge - not really, well kinda). There wasn't much to say but "sometimes life isn't fair" but I remember how hollow those words felt when I was a kid. Life should be fair, by golly, I would think as my parents tried to soothe my own childhood injustices. I never really understood how glad I was that life isn't fair until I got older and realized this - I am happy, healthy(ish), financially stable, sheltered, educated, and able to be mom to an amazing trio of kids. If life truly was fair for everyone, I would be lucky to have any one of the above.

Off soapbox.

We do not yet have a resolution to the solo drama. It will, however, need to get cleared up soon since the concert is in 5 hours. I have my arsenal of mommy lectures at the ready. Feeling like I needed some insurance, however, I made a manicure appointment for C right after school.

I don't know what it is about a little extra attention to her dainty little hands, but it makes everything right in C's world if only for an hour or two -- and that should be just about enough to get us to the concert without an emotional breakdown.