next time, you come sooner

After supper this evening I went out to do what we call a "shoppers trip." This is in reference to the fact that I find it very therapeutic and relaxing to wander around Shoppers Drug Mart, especially if done after supper, in that short but sometimes exhausting hour of tuck-ins. I don't always go to Shoppers. Sometimes it's the library, a book store...even groceries when things are really desperate. So, this evening I went to the bank and then noticed a spa across the street that said it welcomed "walk ins" and did pedicures. I'm not generally inclined to get pedicures, manicures or facials...for a variety of reasons, including:
1) I'd rather spend our money elsewhere.
2) I'd rather spend my time elsewhere.
3) I generally walk away feeling quite hideous as the aesthetician tends to spend much of the time exclaiming how I'm really quite a mess and do require more regular visits to her and her team of people.
4) I'm always a bit concerned that I'm going to catch some gross fungus from improperly washed tools.

But, every three years or so I like to give it another try. Part of me is very intrigued with it all. So, tonight I thought that I'd get a pedicure. I walked in and there was an opening. I was told to chose a colour of nail polish and was then guided to my chair. The aesthetician showed me that my chair could give me a massage and showed me how to operate it. Well, massage was an understatement. My chair started shaking and moving to the extent that I thought that maybe an alien baby was trying to break free. I felt as though everyone in the place was watching as my entire body was being thrown around by the massaging chair. However, I wanted to give it a fair try, so I endured - all the while shaking and convulsing.

In the meantime the aesthetician started working on my feet. Soon it became clear that she was disgusted by the sorry state of my feet. As she worked she looked up at with contempt, saying, "next time, you come sooner." She then picked up a razor blade in an attempt to soften my feet. I turned off the crazy massaging chair as the combination of my shaking body and the razor so close to my feet seemed like a bad idea. She continued to repeat "you need to come here once a month." Like I said, she was holding a razor, so I kept agreeing that I had been very neglectful of my feet and that I was willing to repent from my terrible ways.

Don't get me wrong. It was actually quite a relaxing experience. There was hot water, nice smelling lotion and pretty nail polish. But, I'd rather spend my time doing other things, like running, swimming with my family and flying kites with my kids. I'd rather spend my money on new running shoes or chocolate. And now, my feet feel a bit itchy - probably some crazy fungus...but they do look pretty.

how to get a free pair of crocs

Our daughter, Charis is afraid of escalators. This evening we went to the mall. There was an escalator. We went to the second floor in a store called Sporting Life. As we went up we talked with her about how brave she was being and how we as kids could remember being leery of escalators as well. Soon we needed to go back to the first level. We got back on the escalator. A store manager got on right behind us and asked if we'd found everything. Halfway to the first floor Michael started panicking. As I looked down I saw John prying Michael's croc out of the escalator. Thankfully his foot was not harmed but his croc was in three pieces, covered in black grease. I turned to ask the manager "So, could you give my son a pair of crocs?" She replied that they used to have signs warning parents to be careful of such a thing happening, specifically when kids are wearing crocs or flip flops. I commented that the sign seemed like a good idea, but I was still holding one mangled croc and a weeping one shoed four year old. She then went to check if she could replace his shoes and returned a few minutes later to say that I could have a new pair of crocs for half price or some socks that he could wear in lieu of shoes. What? I noticed that she was wearing shoes and nobody else seemed to be wandering around in socks. I asked if there was someone else who I could speak with. She brought me to Chris. Chris was in charge. I was holding a very sad Michael who was wailing "I DON'T WANT NEW CROCS. I REALLY REALLY LIKE MY OLD ONES!!!!!!!!!!" I asked Chris for a new pair of crocs. He said "yes." We went back upstairs - on the escalator. I held Michael this time. Charis firmly clutched John's hand. We picked out new crocs and Michael decided that he much preferred his new ones. They're red with stripes around the bottom.

So, we got some free new shoes, but I'm pretty sure that Charis will remain a reluctant escalator rider.

Summer Fun 2010

Today Jason, Charis, Michael and I sat down and made a list of some of the things that we'd like to do this summer. Yes, I appreciate lists...sometimes I make lists of the lists that I need make. I especially like crossing things off my lists. Sometimes I do something and then write it on my list so that I can cross it off.
So, here it is - the Summer Fun 2010 List:
-run in the rain
-go to Centre Island
-picnic
-have a water fight
- pull out the little pool
- hike at Crawford Lake or Rattray Marsh
- get new shoes
- have a summer party
- play Nicky Nicky Nine Doors
- grow tomatoes
- have a big game of soccer at the school
- go strawberry picking
- have friends over
- do stained glass craft
- paint
- play play-doh
- tour fire station (initially they wanted to tour the police station but Michael grabbed my hand so that I wouldn't be able to write that one down. He's scared that they'll keep him in their jail. So, we settled on fire station. Although, I have to admit that I always feel quite ridiculous showing up at fire stations asking for tours.)

Please feel free to add suggestions of other summer fun stuff.