Wash to the Toes

I mentioned to a friend that today was "my day" to shower.

It's not like I'm truly limited on my bathtime... it just doesn't happen every day in the winter. For one, I air dry my hair, and let's face it, when it's 8 degrees and the windchill is 8 below, who wants a wet head?

Secondly, I have a million other more important things to do, right? Someone's yelling "mom!" or "honey!" and needs to know the location of a favorite sock or a library book.

Another friend described a mom shower as one that depends upon shampooing and a strong faith in gravity. By the time the lather reaches your toes, it's gotten it all, right? Get in, get out, get back on task.

Today I took a real shower. I washed, I exfoliated, I used that puffy scrubby thing, the pumice stone and even the pink star nail brush that I insist my kids use every shower. I washed to the toes, even pushing cuticles.

My feet feel wonderful (even while cloaked in wool socks). I smell good, fabulous even.

While I'm no Pig Pen, my self-care habits could sure use a bit of amping up this season. It's that whole airplane oxygen mask theory. You first, then secure the mask on others. That way, nobody collapses.

What have you treated yourself to lately? What would you include in your "cleanse" for 2009? What needs washing away? What fragrance do you choose for you life? Is it calming or envigorating?