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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1982-05-05, Page 15I was always a habitual nail biter. In an effort to make me grow beautiful finger nails my mother would offer me bribes when I was young. if 1 could cease nail biting for a week my Barbie doll would get a new outfit. This was easy, and soon Barbie had a whole wardrobe. But like other bad habits, once you realize you can stop without too much effort, you tell yourself you don't have to worry about it, because you can quit anytime. And the bad habit continues. Actually, I did eventually decide that chewed off finger- nails are very ugly, so 1 swit- ched to nibbling on cuticles. And I can now chew a Bic pen to destruction in less than an hour. Especially when a deadline is approaching and I'm trying to jot down a story outline. I gave up nail biting one finger at a time. It all started when 1 began "going steady" and I 'had to wear ' my boyfriend's high school ring. With the huge ring, and the' big -wad of wool wound around the back to make it fit, I knew I was drawing atten- tion to my ring finger. - I decided I needed a finger nail to balance the ring, and at least make one finger look nice. Once I had grown one finger nail, I decided I could grow more. And 10 years later when I was given a diamond ring to replace the high school ring,' those fingers actually looked decent. I even manicured and painted them from time to time. The nail biting habit comes and goes, and occasionally I find myself chewing frantical- ly on a hang nail, but I still always try to keep my ring finger looking neat. Which brings me to the point of all this: The story starts one even- ing a week ago, when our dog Pepper was outside barking. Not wanting to interrupt the neighbourhood as they watch- ed the Stanley cup playoffs, I brought Pepper inside and thought little more about it. Soon the game was over, and it was bedtime. We had a fire in our woodstove because it was rather a cool evening, but it was growing hot and stuffy in the house. As I was undressing for bed, I decided we would probably sleep bet- ter, if the bedroom window rieft L, Mary's musings By Mary Alderson was open. 1 raised the sash, and pulled the pins to put up the storm window. As I opened the window, the distinct odour of skunk into the bedroom. So that' why Pepper was barking, I thought to myself as I hastily closed the window again. And this is where things went wrong. Trying to close one of these storm windows ,in a hurry, while the smell of skunk is overwhelming you, can cause you to lose some co- ordination. The window slammed down, the pins lock- ed into place andthree of my fingers were jammed bet- ween the sill and the glass. My ring fingernail was being squeezed the most. I did whatanyone else would do, standing with only a nightie on, and threefingers pinched inagony. I screamed. My, husband bolted from, the living room, crashed into the bedroom and released me from my trap. I could not have freed myself on my own: -it takes two hands to pull the pins which lock the storm. windows. Later, Victor speculated on what I would have done if he hadn't been home. I informed him I would have stood and screamed longer. In any case, my ring finger was swollen, and the nail was broken and split. I slept that night' with my hand in ice cubes. I feared the worst would happen! the nail would turn black and fall off.:. But fortunately; the nail survived and it is growing again. The only problem was typing W,S, and X for a few days. I can hear you saying that S and W might present a few problems because they are used quite frequently, but actually °-it was X I missed the most. You see, when I am composing at the typewriter (from the notes I made with my chewed up Bic pen) I use X to cross out letters or lines whenever I make a mistake or change my mind. In any case, I'm back to Xing; and my ring finger is recovering. I noticed, however, that I am married to a nail biter, and I work for a nail biter. I guess running your own business or being editor of a • magazine publishing company . can create nervous habits. Nail biting. is. I guess. preferable imEwis .� Musk .ic We would like to thank -the people of Ex- eter and surrounding areas for your support at our Grand Opening held May 1st. Congratulations to Suzanne Gonyou of Exeter winner. of the $50,.00 merchandise voucher. SUMMER ISA COMIN' .A past president of the Huron Country Playhouse. Guild, Phyl Wilkins modeled attractive swim wear at the Guild's annual fashion show Wednesday at the Pinery Inn. Piayhouse fashion shetiv features summer clothes .Beautiful models, a 'dazzl- ing paradeof swim wear, and comfortable, casual co- ordinates were featured at the Huron County Playhouse Guild's annual fashion show, • held Wednesday at the Pinery Inn, south of Grand Bend. One hundred and ten members and friends of the Guild en- joyed lunch and a visual taste of summer to come. Phyl Wilkins, a past presi- dent, was co-ordinator. Fashions were from the Sun Shop, Grand Bend. The show was directed by Barbara Balmer, manager, and. Nick Carter, owner of the shop. Casual skirts, tops, slacks and dresses were .mostly of easy -care cotton' blends to fit all sizes and ages. Swim wear was displayed by all of the models from teenage to grandmothers. Interesting cover-ups in terry and eyelet' were also shown. Guild members who model- ed were Phyl Wilkins, Susan Baker, Tory McKenzie, Joy Hogg and Ellen Coutts. Teen model was Sandra Balmer. Commentator was Beth McKay, London and Dave Sheppard of Grand Bend kept the show moving with plea- sant keyboard. accompaniment. President Al Coo spoke briefly at the end of the show, expressing her appreciation. A gourmet dinner for two at the Pinery Inn was won by Donna Hodgins. Pat Boyd won a merchandise cer- tificate for the Sun Shop. . For the Guild's tenth an- niversary in June, members hope to honor past presidents to lint picking, knee tapping; or even worse, smoking. But sometimes 1 wonder if 1 make the people around me nervous? • •_ • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • mst arrived:: at THE CARPET�7' Anew : shipment of beautiful • NOWAXFLOORS : The latest in floor fashions. The best in floor values. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Come in today and see lot ycxutset the tluaH tea • • that make GAFSTAR• Sheet Vinyl Floors • • ,:uch a great value. ZMI CA '� �j�� • • No.Wax'easy ma,nlenancc Sheet Vinyl Floors . • • Wide seleUr on t txr.huldul color`. • and des,ync to choose from • • • feels warn • to bare leer wan " i . • Softred $833 • ape! Cor �.r-cram InINlaYer • ' • • Available in 12' widths for easy • • ▪ seamless instanation sq. m. • • ambswart.r,: