I feel like I have been caught jamming a whole lot of cake in my mouth.

I was caught...

Every Wednesday, we have a sitter that picks up the girls from school and makes them dinner.  This gives Ching and me three hours to do other things but predominantly to stay at work.  I have all these little things to get done and today was a sucky focus day.  But my toes have chipped nail polish and quite frankly, they nails need to be cut.  (I like it when they cut my nails for me.  They get them so straight across.  I tend to produce weird ass slants.)  I said, "freak it" while I packed up my computer to get the small things done from home but after I go get a pedicure.

From Ching and the girl's perspective, I am still at work, but in reality, I am in a massage chair soaking in bubbly warm water.  I know I shouldn't feel guilty but I do.  I am sure this tendency is explained in many books either about being on the brink or not leaning in enough.  Last week, I saw a list of 23 things that women shouldn't do but do anyway.  Tell me something I don't know--maybe that should be number 24 for the author.

So as I am finishing up feeling like I have pulled a fast one on the other Wangs.  My toes look great and my skin is much softer.  This was totally worth it.  But then it happens...another mom brought her daughter, who is a friend of Laurel's, for a manicure.  I feel like I have been caught jamming a whole lot of cake in my mouth.  I see the mom but she doesn't see me yet.  Not only do I a feel busted but then I have to do that little pep talk--"nothing inappropriate, nothing awkward."  Then the voices start to bicker inside my head--"I should at least say hi."  "I should only say hi if she sees me."  Or, my fave, "screw her, she just ruined my cover."

The mother isn't judgmental--she doesn't care that I am there.  It's that her daughter is going to tell Laurel that I was there getting my toes down as she was getting a manicure. Jesus Christ, when did this become junior high?  Because I introduced Laurel to the world of mani/pedi's, she now feels entitled.

The mom sees me and I am able to be very proper:  "Nice to see you.  Hi there (to the girl).  Enjoy your manicures."  Wow, sometimes I do have a stick up my butt that makes me very salutary.  But regardless, I skulk out of there likes it's a strip club and I am dirty and smelling like broad.

I must have a look of deceit when I walk into the house.  Laurel's eyes goes right down to my toes and she says, "Nice color.  When did you get that done?"  I avoid the question, knowing that she is going to find out tomorrow.

(And this is #400...thank you for reading.)