Chapstick is important to me
Photo Theme: IMPORTANT
This week’s theme is IMPORTANT. You may wonder how a picture of me and a dog is IMPORTANT. As well, you may be pondering the title of this entry and how chapstick plays an important part in this sad but oh so true personal story.
But I am brave and know how important it is to share both the highs and lows of my life. This is the tale of my lips.
Yesterday was my birthday (yeah). With great anticipation, I went to the drug store the day before and bought a brand new tube of lip balm. My birthday is important to me; my wintered chapped lips even more important.
I marched right down the aisle to the rows and rows of tubes with which I would make my birthday lips the best they could be.
I did not reach automatically for the generic lifebrand lip balm.
Oh no, I did not even glance at the original registered and trademarked Chapstick® urging me to “do something good for my lips — every day.”
I boldly chose Naturopathica Honey Vanilla Lip Balm. The sign above this product shouted out: “Our lip balm is now enhanced with a pure botanical lip plumping ingredient to encourage healthy, fuller lips without the harsh effects of additives found in other commonly used lip plumping agent.”
How could I not buy a lip balm that would ease the dry cracks while its botanical lip plumping ingredient would ensure fuller lips. This was the lip balm for me for sure.
My birthday morning came. I cracked the seal on the small 4.2 gram tube. Of course, I always read the directions on everything. I was to apply (the lip balm) once or twice daily and repeat as necessary.
Did I care that the ingredients list included octyl palmitate and tribehenin AND sorbitan isosterate AND palmtoylollgopeptides? These were my birthday lips that I was moisturizing in preparation to receive tons of birthday smooches smack on my well oiled lips.
I put the tube in my pocket so that I can feel its reassuring presence. I was prepared. My lips were so smooth and reeked of honey vanilla that I was sure the smell of my lips would be a smooch magnet.
I applied the waxy balm until I eventually cut my lip on the hard plastic tube. I had used the entire contents of my birthday lip balm.
All that preparation for naught. The entire day had passed and not even a peck let alone a full on lip lock birthday smooch.
The important and happy ending to my sad tale is the little white bundle of dog in my lap. Hamish is staying with me this week while his owner is away. Hamish adores me and follows me wherever I go in the house.
Was it the honey vanilla? Was it the smooth, waxy unkissed lips (and gash on the right side of the upper lip) that drew my buddy to me?
Who cares? What is important is that Hamish jumped up on my lap and before I could pucker, he laid three sloppy wet dog licks smack on my lips.
Tending my lips had not been in vain. I ended my birthday with a kiss. That it was a dog kiss is not important. A kiss is a kiss when you get to be my age.
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January 18th, 2008 at 11:31:04 PM
Larry, you’re hilarious. Sorry that the only birthday kiss you got was from the dog!
Happy belated birthday. Thanks for stopping by.
Pastormac’s Ann’s last blog post..Photo Hunters - Important
January 19th, 2008 at 12:44:40 AM
Great story, Larry!
You have a talent for humourous writing. We enjoyed reading your birthday lipbalm story. Happy Belated Birthday!
Dragonheart & Merlin
Dragonheart & Merlin’s last blog post..Photo Hunt: Important
January 19th, 2008 at 1:37:24 AM
[...] daughter is blessed to have a caring mother like you - hope she’s feeling better soon. My important chapped lips post is [...]
January 19th, 2008 at 2:48:34 AM
DANG! I missed it! So busy lately. I wanted to do up one of my Happy Birthday Animations.
Happy belated Birthday Larry!
This post was a hoot!
MacBros’s last blog post..The Interview
January 19th, 2008 at 3:03:56 AM
Well, the security word for me, says it all “YIKES”….wet, doggie smooches! You know something? Now, don’t get me wrong, but doggie smooches can be better sometimes!!
Oh, and I’ve read there are healing effects in animal saliva…..so it’s not all in vain.
Hope you had a terrific birthday.
January 19th, 2008 at 5:09:47 AM
Hapy belated birthday Larry!
heehee…
A dog’s wet kiss might work better than lip blam
napaboaniya’s last blog post..Photo Hunt : Important
January 19th, 2008 at 6:57:05 AM
Larry, you are funny! Happy Belated Birthday - I hope that you have a better weekend - and thanks for stopping by the creek on the hunt this weekend.
Patricia (Pollywog Creek)’s last blog post..Saturday Photo Hunt - Important
January 19th, 2008 at 8:03:32 AM
happy belated b-day Cap! Mine was just a few days back too. Great story!
Sorry, dont know the name of that plant in my pic.
expatraveler’s last blog post..Photo Hunt - Important
January 19th, 2008 at 7:29:20 PM
Pets are very important part of our life’s.
It been cold and dry here so chap stick comes in handy now
peppylady’s last blog post..photo hunt (Important)
January 19th, 2008 at 11:23:26 PM
Well happy belated birthday to you! That lip balm sounds good. I’ll have to look for some. Hamish sounds like a wonderful companion to have spent your birthday with and I’m sure you got lots of wet doggy kisses.
My puppy has a bit of an ear fetish so it’s kind of like getting a major wet Willy several times a day! LOL
January 20th, 2008 at 12:54:27 AM
I think the love & sloppy kisses of our companions are the best birthday presents every — no strings attached. Hope his kisses softened and healed your lips as a birthday benefit.
Thanks for stopping by.
ByrningBunny’s last blog post..PhotoHunt: Important
January 20th, 2008 at 1:04:08 AM
Belated Happy Birthday Larry! Wishing you best of health.
I really enjoyed your amusing post. I was entertained by the tale of the lip balm and that elusive kiss. Hamish is such a cutie and I have no doubt that he is very affectionate too.
Rach (Heart of Rachel)’s last blog post..Tagged :: Favorite Love Songs
January 20th, 2008 at 10:14:19 AM
Thanks for popping by my blog and leaving a comment! I’m glad my “important” photo made you go hmm.
Your little tale that went along with your photo is so funny! Thanks for making me laugh! Happy Birthday!
ter’s last blog post..Photo Hunt - Important
January 24th, 2008 at 6:54:10 AM
What a great story! And a gorgeous dog!
Thanks for stopping by mine (ya, I know I’m late coming ’round to yours … but I made it! Ha!)!
Teena in Toronto’s last blog post..The influence of birth order
January 26th, 2008 at 1:32:28 PM
Dogs are loving and whole-hearted smoochers. At least your birthday lips were appreciated! It has to be Chapstick for me.
Dragonstar’s last blog post..Saturday PhotoHunt - Old Fashioned