To Spa or Not to Spa

Like most girls, I love a good time at the salon. Whether it is a cut, color, wax or mani-pedi session, it is always something I look forward to with relish. So, when I heard that a salon in town was giving out a free service with a ticket stub from our local hockey team, I jumped on it.

Working at a church has so many random perks and this month we got four free hockey tickets. My in-laws provided childcare for the first game and a co-worker and her daughter sat for us during the second.

We don't usually watch sports at my house. We are aware that it was March Madness and that baseball season just started. We usually attend a Super Bowl party. However, if it weren't for outside influences we may never see a game on tv. Our basement is full of games with my brother's three tvs of sports going at any given time, but rarely do they venture to the main level.


A real live hockey game is something else altogether. The fighting, the checking, the announcer's goofy jokes, the ridiculously overpriced junk food. I have always loved going to a hockey game.

There's just something about the fast pace, the anger and agression that is somehow acceptable in that setting and the overall excitement permeating the arena. Being as we have a minor league team, the seats are not full, but it seems as though everyone who is there is a true fan. Guys shouting cheers at the players, pounding on the glass, proudly sporting their brightly colored jerseys.


The second game we went to was the kind that fans love most. Our home team won 6-1 and even scored on the other team's super power play. We loudly mocked the opponent's goalie and got up on our feet whenever we scored.

Apparently, the previous week when our team was on the Monster's (yep, we played the Monsters) home ice the players got into some serious arguments. Insults were hurled and punches were thrown. Thus, when they skated onto the rink a week later, the tempers were already flaring.

The fights, ahh, the fights. I'm one of those hockey fans in the seats yelling, "Fight, fight, fight!", at the top of my lungs. Two of the players even got thrown out of the game after getting several penalties.

But I thought this post was about going to the spa? Oh, right. The spa.

I had to use my free ticket stub to get a free service at the spa within two weeks, so I made my appointment right away for a manicure. The winter does harsh things to my cuticles. Hubby was home to snuggle with the baby and off I went.

It's a salon institute, which means that you are getting your work done by a student. Not that that is a bad thing, it's just a very different atmosphere. The salon is in a beautifully remodeled downtown building with old interior brick walls and new modern lighting. So a beautiful setting with perfectly created mood. I don't know about you, but when I was a young college student I wasn't necessarily very serious or professional.

Sitting in such a comfortable room getting a fabulous manicure is highly entertaining while listening to college chatter. The only downside for me was that it took forever. I told my husband I would be home within an hour or so and it was almost two before I made it back. My student was late taking me in and then the service just took a long time. Fortunately, we only live about five minutes away.

It's a great salon though and a bonus was getting to keep the bottle of polish after a very very nice manicure.

So here's the question. I have an appointment for next week to get my hair colored and another manicure...but I'm not sure whether to go or not...I don't want to leave poor hubby home in the evening with a (most likely) screaming baby. On the other hand, I really need to get my hair colored. The length of the grays is getting overwhelming, which is a whole other topic in and of itself.

In the comments (if you've read this far) give me your advice on if I should keep the appointment and make hubby stay home or skip it. The best two comments will receive a FREE ticket to be used for a salon appointment. (Nails, hair, facials, the works!) This also requires you live in town...so, non-Michigan folks, I'm sorry. You can still leave a witty comment. You just won't get a prize.