Just a quick mid-day note to let you know that I DID IT! Today marks 30 days that I have not bitten my nails!

Here is a visual recap for ya’ll.

Day 1: The nails of a small boy.

Week 2: The nails of a crazed lunatic.

Week 3: The nails of just a regular lunatic.

Week 4: The Nails of a Housewife of the Jerz?

Probably not, but I think we can all agree it is a vast improvement.

Can you believe it? It hasn’t been that hard. I just simply did not bite them. Admittedly, I still need to work on not putting my fingers in/near my mouth. Out of habit/nervousness, I still kind of put my nail in my mouth, which is still gross, but it’s progress. Now, I guess I deserve that manicure!

Did you break a habit this month?

Thanks for the good luck wishes on my interview. It’s at 4:00, so I will channel my inner Oprah (that’s when Oprah is on here) and rock it!

It’s another grey and rainy day here! I have lots to do before I go to work including some baking with bananas, a trip to the gym and more resume sending. I just had a nice big bowl of yogurt (Greek and Non-Greek), Cereal, Ground Flax and Pecan Butter! Delicious combination.

Break the Habit Update: My nails are looking pretty good! One week left and I will have successfully not bitten for a month!

So, something I wanted to talk about: Flower Cutters.

Flower Cutter (n.) – A person who cuts down your flower to make his/her flower look taller.

My sister Nadine developed the term to describe the unkind and annoying breed of person who makes you feel bad about yourself. Such a person is toxic, more so than the average meany, because this person is king of the back-handed compliment as a means of insult. For example, this person might say something like, “It’s so great that you will just run to the store without fixing yourself." Or, “I love how you eat so many brownies and don’t even worry about getting fat.” Or, “You’re so lucky that you can buy jeans like a normal person. My jeans are always falling off in the waist.” Or, “You are so lucky you are a [fill in the blank major], I have sooooo much work to do!” I’ve found that dwelling on their “business” is a key thing for flower cutters to chat about.

You see? I know you know this person.

Well, over the years, I have developed a strategy for this person:

1. Identify a flower cutter: Do you have a friend or co-worker who always makes you feel bad about yourself through thoughtless comments and back-handed compliments?
2. Give them a break: An isolated incident of flower cutting may be unintentional. Traditionally, I am very hard on people and expect a lot, but now I am more apt to give someone a second or third chance. No one is perfect.
3. Avoid a flower cutter: I have made the conscious decision to stop spending time with these people. They only make me feel bad about myself.
4. Don’t be so sensitive: I will admit that I am a very sensitive person who takes hurtful comments to heart. I’ve learned to not take everything quite so personally and try to move on.
5. Acknowledge their insecurities: I think that when people act like this they are letting their inner insecurities shine. Don’t stoop to their level by letting them make you feel bad!

So, it doesn’t always work, but I try. What are some things you to do to deal with flower cutters?

P.S. Check out Danica’s Annie’s Giveaway!