Nasty Habits

Here's something to think about
Where would we be without
nasty habits, nasty habits
Makes me want to scream and shout
Life would be so dull without
nasty habits, nasty habits

"Nasty Habits" - Oingo Boingo

I have a confession to make. I'm 42 years old & I still chew my fingernails (or more precisely, my cuticles). I've done this since I was a little girl. It used to make my mom completely INSANE. She tried everything to get me to stop, but nothing could keep me from it. Nothing.

Ok so yeah, I only chew on my cuticles nowadays, but still, it's pretty gross right? People have taken pictures of me w/ my hands stuffed in my face chewing away like I'm munching on a yummy snack. It's kind of horrifying to see the "evidence" there in living color. I don't know WHY I do it, other than it's a nervous habit that has just become a part of me, like a tic or something.

The reason I bring this up is b/c my daughter sucks her thumb. She never had a thing for a pacifier or a Binky & she's never been the kind of kid that needs a specific blanket or stuffed animal to go w/ her everywhere (thank G-d), but I'm kind of over the thumb sucking thing. She's cute as a button when she does it, there's this little dimple that forms in her cheek that is SO darling I wanna pinch her, but I have to admit it's starting to affect her teeth. And that reminds me of my brother, who sucked his thumb until he was a pre-teen. He had the whole works done on his teeth... headgear, braces, retainers, etc. Dex is already likely to end up w/ a mouth full of teeth straightening metal anyway b/c of her dad's side of the family, but man, it would sure be nice if she DIDN'T.

I know I can't control how her teeth turn out. But really, isn't there some way I can encourage her to stop sucking her thumb? Or should I just not worry about it unless she's still doing it when she reaches Kindergarten (she'll be three in June)?

Btw, I ask these questions while furiously chomping on my cuticles.

Chewing Away... Nom Nom Nom

Forgive me Father, for I have sinned. I am a nail biter. Or more specifically, I'm a cuticle chewer. I used to be a nail biter too, but I haven't attacked my actual nails since I was in my 20's. Don't ask me why, I've had this little annoying habit since I was a kid.

Ask any of my friends & family, they'll all tell you that if I'm not staring obsessively into the glowing screen of my iPhone, then I'll most likely have a hand stuffed in my mouth & am gnawing away furiously at my fingers. Sometimes, I even manage to do BOTH at the same time - no, not chewing on both hands you sickos, I mean one is being chewed on & the other is maneuvering my iPhone. Sheesh!

Anyway, I got some more tattoo work done last Wednesday (trying to link my Green Tara on my upper arm with the owls on my lower arm). I very rarely experience pain WHILE getting a tattoo. The endorphins kick in & the pain becomes almost pleasurable. Hell, I've even been known to take cat naps or read while sitting under the sting of the needle.

This new bit of tattooing is on my left elbow and the areas above, around & below it. On Thursday I thought I was going to die. Last night I considered leaving my child alone & asleep in her crib so I could slip off to the emergency room for a high dosage shot of antibiotics and pain killers. Today is Sunday & I'm still in a significant amount of pain. So much so, I'm definitely planning to see my doctor tomorrow just to make sure it's not infected (or worse). It is rather red, hot, ooooozy & swollen.

Mmmmm...

By now you're wondering what the heck does this have to do w/ nail biting (or cuticle chewing)?

Here's the dilemma my friends; I can't even bend my left arm b/c the pain is so excruciating, so my left hand and the nails/cuticles upon it have heretofore been saved from my nasty little habit. Yay for my left hand! But let me tell ya, it's driving me NUTS that I can't get to it. So, for now I'm chewing on my right hand, double time!

Just thought I'd share that with ya. The end.