Saturday, April 05, 2008

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.

18 comments:

Hillary said...

Haven't read the post yet, but my first reaction upon reading the title is, um, DUH! TO SPA, clearly!

But then again, I've just finished a very full day of hard core manual labour, so I'd take a spa right now for sure.

Off to read...

Hillary said...

This still seems like no dilemma to me! Hmmm... you get an extra long spa treatment. Andy gets to have tome time with baby (daddy daughter bonding time!), you get to be all glamourous and beautified, and not only will you be even HOTTER in his eyes (as if that was possible!), he'll be extra glad to see you cause now YOU can take the baby for a while.

Good times all round. GO TO THE SPA! And stop for one of those yummy fruity smoothie drinks at the coffee shop you took me to on the way home, too. Ok, ok, and bring Andy one back, too!

Hillary said...

ha! Tome time. Could be reading her a really really long book, or could just be "Hillary can't type."

I'll take door number two, Bob.

How 'bout "SOME time"

Aaaand, I think I officially become annoying after comment #3 in a row, so off I go!

anne said...

Oh Hills, you are hysterical!! This was a great series of comments to read on an early Sunday morning for a good laugh! Too bad you have to live way away in Canadia!

Cheeky said...

I have Dan's stub from the hockey game so I don't need to win one--but can I come with? I think Jill has lots o stubs as well...maybe we can have a girls night out?

anne said...

Good morning Cheekster! I'm going (so long as hubby says it really is ok to be gone for so long) Tuesday at 7 for mani & hair. Though I may change the mani for a facial...

Anonymous said...

I'm with the others, I think you should go. A little time away can be very beneficial for some "mommy" rejuvenation.(did I spell that right?)

Anonymous said...

Isn't it funny that we "ask our hubby's to babysit?" After all it is their child too! We shouldn't be the only ones that know how to calm a screaming baby! He needs to learn what works for Daddy and he's probably better able to do that if Mommy's not around to offer how she does it! :) It's taken me awhile to learn this, but Daddy does have his ways of calming baby and Mommy has her's...one isn't right and one isn't wrong...just different! So, what I'm saying is that of course you should go! Daddy and his girl always need some extra special time together just the 2 of them! My eldest always loves her Daddy time and I'm sure that as soon as my youngest is old enough to remember Daddy (and has spent more than 6 weeks with him) she will love her Daddy too! You can bet that I'll be leaving both girls home with Daddy when he gets home so that I can go and get some pampering! And one last piece of advice...we are always much better Moms when we take a few minutes (or hours) to take care of ourselves away from our children...we are so much more refreshed and ready to take on all the challenges and experiences they throw our way!
I know, I know...I'm not in MI, but I hope you go have your spa day...mine will come in less than a month!!! (P.S. Can you believe the big day of hubby coming home is only 29 days away?!?!)

anne said...

Kristi, you totally did spell it right. It looked right, but I still had to check it for myself! :)

Thanks Becky! And I always try to never use the word "babysitting" when referring to Andy watching her--it helps me remember that he's the Daddy and totally has it under control. But there really doesn't seem to be another useful word!

I just always feel bad when it is evening time as that's her fussiest time. It's just easier when we are both around to handle her lovely screaming!

I'm so excited for you that your hubby is coming home soon!! You are so strong and brave to be able to be such a great mom while he's gone. I'm sure it's super hard and you are SO looking forward to his return!

Anonymous said...

I always laugh about asking Jesse to "watch" the kids. I do it when he travels or is in school or has a meeting or whatever. Yet, I feel bad asking. I had a crier so I can totally relate. Jesse used to walk around and around to keep Hannah from crying.

anne said...

Yeah, Randall definitely likes to be carried around...she somehow knows the difference between sitting and standing.

Anonymous said...

There was a time where the only thing that calmed Hannah down was standing in the bathroom in front of the mirror with the water running. I know...how did we get to that "fix"...so random. One thing I did with her at 2 months was to put her in an activity saucer thing. She had a very strong neck but I would put her in there with a blanket rolled and tucked behind her. She loved it. I think because she was upright, who knows, but it worked and kept her happy. :) I will pray that you will get through this time with her, I know it can be so frustrating. Maybe I'll have to take you out for a glass of wine, or just bring one to you so you don't have to leave. Take care and ENJOY the spa, I would!

anne said...

Oh the random things that we have to do to keep the wee ones from screaming! Though I can see how that would work...running water is a miracle. As is swinging hard in the carseat or being in the baby-pack. She's really not too bad, it's just the fussy evening times.

Course, she also used to be the "good one" in the nursery but last night and today's second service proved that to go right out the window! I just don't want a "mommy's the only one who can fix it" scenario.

Anonymous said...

Spa!! I know they take somewhat of a long time, but we deserve it!! Plus I agree with the above that it leads to good daddy/daughter time. FYI, I think you can only use one ticket stub per day so I don't think you can get a mani and hair color for free. I do however think all new hair customers might get one free service. There is an awesome Ada Bible lady who did my highlights and I love her. Her name is Shelly if you want to ask for her. I am out of ticket stubs and am actually grieving the end of hockey season. Here's hoping for a Whitecaps deal!!

anne said...

Good to know, Jill...I'll be sure to call on that tomorrow to find out. I am with you on the Whitecaps hopes!

Unknown said...

i think you should totally go...time for Randi to get in her first recording session which can't happen with that noisy mom around the house. ruins all the good takes. that screaming? yeah - that's just her practicing for her heavy metal band. they're going to be HUGE since all the other babies will totally relate to the raw emotion. yup, that's an untapped market! so go already, there are platinum albums to be made!

Kris said...

I always have trouble leaving on monday nights to go play volleyball...especially if the schedule didn't work out quite right and I think she will be getting hungry-fussy. I always hurry home, picturing a screaming baby. However, she is usually totally fine and they are having fun, and I worried for nothing :)
have fun at the spa!

Jean said...

Enjoy your spa evening tomorrow!! There is something so enjoyable about sitting and doing absolutely nothing. :)