I decided to take the day off yesterday and spend some time playing. I haven’t been to a thrift store in a while but I needed to find some flip flops for my boys and boots for all of us. Yes, I know it’s summer, but I’m tired of ruining shoes on my urban explorations and them when they go hunting with their dad.

I went to Half Price books to look around while waiting for the nail place to open. What? It’s my once-a-year pedicure. It’s a service. I found this while browsing the store.

Charge Large. A board game that encourages you to borrow money to buy big and build big. Ages 12 and up. First of all, my kids would chew me out for buying something like this, which is good. Second, isn’t this teaching your kids that credit is good? And fun? I can’t believe this even exists. And the people that buy it, do they put it on credit? It would seem a little wrong not to.

So I made it to the nail place, started getting my pedicure when the girl asked me, “Do you want me to do your eyebrows?” I said, “No.” I don’t tweeze my eyebrows and I sure don’t let anyone else do it. I like my eyebrows. She then asked one more time, only this time she said she could fix them. Fix them? I had a flashback of a Mary Kay thing I went to for a friend, with the promise that I didn’t have to put on any makeup. I remember this complicated chart of what my eyebrows are supposed to look like. I’m pretty sure God knew what he was doing when he made my eyebrows. I like them, so I’m not ‘fixing’ them with tweezers, string, lasers or any other crazy methods. If my eyebrows are so hideous that you can’t look at me, just look away. I really don’t get most of this girl stuff, and although I do participate in a small amount of it, it just seems like a lot of work.

Then I went to the thrift store, found the flip flops, had lunch with Elizabeth, then I decided to visit the Henna Salon. I turned really old yesterday, so the henna place was to get a tattoo. A tat that lasts only two weeks is not much of a mid life crisis, but it was something out of the ordinary.

I went inside the Henna Salon, which is typical Frisco, with the addition of an Indian flair. I asked about the tattoos and they were reasonably priced and it didn’t take a long time to do. The girl said I could bring my own design or choose from one in their book. I wasn’t prepared with my own design so I chose one from their photos. I asked the girl if she could add a peace sign to the middle of the one I chose. She said that would be no problem. I sat down and she started working on my henna tattoo. It was difficult to be still but I managed. The tat is on the side of my left leg, so I could see her working, but not the work itself.

After a period of time, she looked up and asked if I would like a large peace sign next to the design. She pointed to the side of it and I said, “Yes, that would be great.” She went back to work and in a minute or so, she pointed to my leg and asked if I liked my peace sign.

I looked down expecting to find a peace sign, but I had a “P” sign. ??!!?!?!?!? Well, something was definitely lost in the translation here! I now have “P” on my leg. Actually there’s two P’s… I wanted to burst out in laughter so I had to rush to get out of there. I was laughing so hard I couldn’t breathe! Good thing it’s not permanent! So to answer the question most people are asking, no, I didn’t say anything or ask her to fix it. I decided not to get one on my hand, as there’s no telling what that would have had on it. As my friend said, “You wouldn’t want “P” on your hand!”

I plan to go back. I did have someone challenge me on this being a retail purchase. I see it as a service, tinting my skin. I didn’t buy some object that will sit around my house, and no, the henna wasn’t used. I keep laughing every time I look at it though. You just need a sense of humor in life. I think I like the “P” better than the peace sign. My friends are using and emphasizing all “P” words and it’s just a funny story to tell. Some other person might have been angry or asked them to fix it, but I’m personally enjoying it. I will go back there again, but next time with my own artwork. Oh, the possibilities! Peace is a choice. I’ll embrace my “P” for two weeks, and who knows, maybe I’ll ask for another “P” sign.