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.