2004:06:25

More clues (it's not sunblock) and then the answer

Directions
apply liberally before sun exposure and as needed
children under 6 months of age: ask a doctor

Other information
store a 20-25 deg C (68-77 deg F)

Active ingredients
Octinoxate 7.5%, Oxybenzone 3.5%, White petrolatum 40.7%

Uses
helps prevent sunburn
helps prevent and temporarily protects chafed, chapped, cracked, or windburned lips


That's right, it's Chap Stick Lip Balm Skin Protectant/Sunscreen Lip Moisturizer SPF 15 Conditioning Lip Balm. Keep out of eyes!

2004:06:24

Guess the product

Warnings Keep out of eyes. Stop use if skin rash occurs. Stop use and ask a doctor if condition worsens or does not improve within 7 days. Keep out of reach of children.

2004:06:17

Warning: Foot Story Ahead

A few weeks ago I slammed my foot into J's Magic Nana chair. What is a Magic Nana chair? Well, it is a reclining chair, a gift from Kate's grandmother (Nana), and in the first two weeks of J's life it was just about the only place he would sleep consistently, which is how it acquired the "Magic" descriptor. Upon slamming my foot into the chair, my toenail came a little bit detached and bled profusely. I was determined not to lose this toenail, since I can get a bit queasy about naked toes. The nail managed to stay attached, although it turned all white.

Last Friday, I rubbed my foot against the carpet the wrong way and my toenail all but fell off. Instead of a naked toe underneath, I was surprised to find a new nail growing. I was pleasantly surprised until I realized that the nail is now ingrown. I have an appointment with the podiatrist tomorrow.

In any case, I was not telling this story to gross you out and turn you away from this blog, as I know foot stories can do. I've had to stop reading many a blog due to a poorly placed foot story. It's a damn shame really.

On the form the podiatrist sent to me, there were questions about everything. The ages of my mother, father, siblings, and children. Whether or not I had heart disease or cancer or allergies. Finally, when I got to the part that was actually about feet, there were just a few YES/NO questions. Corns? Club Feet? Warts? Other Foot?

Other Foot? Other Foot?!?

YES

And then...

So I went to the podiatrist this morning and found out that the nail is not ingrown, just short. It takes something like 6 months for a nail to grow to full length. The part that I thought was underneath the skin is actually not nail at all, just some hard skin. All is well with my toes.

Also, it was a little bit startling to see that the podiatrist was somewhere around my age. He came into the exam room and said, "Hi, I'm Jeff."