Normally, this isn’t something I worry about. As long as my nails aren’t snagging on my sweaters and they’re not painful, the aesthetics of perfectly-groomed nails are not one of my primary concerns. I never wear nail polish (well, maybe once every couple of years). I keep them a moderate length–long enough to be functional for things like itches or peeling off stickers, but short enough that they don’t get in the way.

But last night, I broke my left thumbnail, far enough to just miss drawing blood, but enough to be painful. It wasn’t a clean break, either, but jagged, all the way across the nail. By the time I’d sworn genteely under my breath (“Darn!”–because, of course, a lady doesn’t actually swear) and trimmed and filed what was left of my nail, well, there wasn’t much left of my nail, and a little too much showing of the nail bed itself.

Why am I bothering you with this mundane little story, you ask? People break nails all the time, you’re thinking, and I even just said that I don’t usually care that much. But there are two reasons this is worth mentioning. One–this made for two nights in a row I couldn’t knit. I mean, yes, I could have, but the nail was just a little too tender and in shock last night to want to do much. I figured I’d give it the night off and just read instead. And then the band-aid over the top to protect things prevented me from spinning last night. (It’s really amazing at all the things you use the pad of your thumb for that you don’t appreciate until it’s swathed in latex.) So, no fiber activities last night.

Second, though, is that, well, band-aids just don’t go with my outfit for the wedding tomorrow. I’ve got everything coordinated!

  There’s the Peacock shawl,

  The dress (resting up for its first day out of the closet).

  The oh-so-perfect shoes.

  The purse.

  And the dainty, discreet, color-coordinated knitting for the purse. . . . I’m sorry. A band-aid just doesn’t go. How elegant can I possibly look with a bandage around my thumb? Or, if I take the band-aid off (my preference, because I hate wearing them), the mutilated thumb-nail which will not only look terrible but also, then, be extra tender.

See? You plan and prepare, shop and knit like mad, and then things like this happen! All I can say is, at least I’m just a guest (grin). I hope Betty’s manicure is perfect for tomorrow . . . The weather, too (which is looking good–not as perfect as the last couple days were, but nice and not too hot).

Now all I have to do is figure out my answer to the “How do you know the bride the groom?” question.

• “Mike, Tim’s brother, is married to Patty, my sister.” (The really confusing one)
• “Tim is my sister’s brother-in-law.” (The less confusing one)
• “My sister is married to Tim’s brother.” (The one I’ll probably use)
• “I don’t. I’m from the wedding next door.” (The one I’ll use if anyone comes over to complain about my knitting at the reception)

I hope you all have a great weekend.

• Tags: Family, General • Permalink:Darn! I Broke a Nail! // 7 Comments »