Grow, Nails, Grow

I am a nail-chewer. I hate to admit it, because I have so many other shortcomings as a human being, but there it is. I chew them mostly when I am reading, but also when I am watching TV or anxious. I realize that it is a totally disgusting habit, and I want to quit. So, once again I have painted over my nubbin nails with a strengthening polish and I am sitting on the hand that isn't holding the book when I read.

I have a long history with nail chewing:

I remember a family friend (who had nice nails) offering to pay for me to get a manicure once a month until I graduated from high school if I would just stop chewing my nails. I think I was 12 at the time. I thought that was the coolest, most adult thing. But I kept chewing.

When I was about 8, my dad bought this nail polish that tasted horribly bitter. It left a tangy, gross aftertaste in my mouth when I bit my nails. So, I would take my two front teeth and scrape all the polish off my nails at one time, then drink a glass of milk to get rid of the taste. Then, I could go on and chew my nails as I pleased, bitterness-free!

It is rought to teach with ugly, stubby nails. I point to things on kids' papers or on the overhead, and my finger just look nasty! School starts in less than a month, and I'd like my hands to look a bit more polished, no pun intended.

I grew my nails out for my wedding, just past the tips of my fingers. I thought they looked so good! And they've gotten to decent lengths on and off since then. But right now...not so much. My 5-year anniversary is in about 2 months, so hopefully by then I will have some nails to give Justin a back-scratch with.