The Spa, a Cough and Crying

September 21, 2008

I really do like the whole spa thing. I mean, I think people should go to treat themselves and relax. I especially liked being able to go on Auntie K’s dime (for the most part, which I’ll get to later) last Friday. My friend Mackenzie and I had a day away, spending time together and having an experience that’s rare. For us anyway. And unique. And sometimes very funny. We learned that we’re maybe not the classiest ladies, or all that smart. But it was still great. We’ll laugh about it for a long time.
Because,
First of all, I have a cold. I coughed a lot during the massage. Peggy the masseuse, who seemed a bit overly focused on rubbing my thighs for really extended periods of time, had to stop to ask me what was going on. Because you see, Peggy the masseuse was one of those ‘rub lightly’ massage therapists. (Which makes me giggle more than it relieves the tightness in my back.) Peggy was never too sure if I was stifling my coughs, or my laughs. Poor Peggy.

So this is what happened in my head: Ugh, the tickle in my throat…ugh. What is she doing? When will she move OFF my leg? I wonder where Mackenzie is? Oh, I think my nose is gonna drip…STOP RUBBING MY THIGH!! MY LEGS ARE NOT FEELING THE TENSION LADY!!! MY NECK? MY SHOULDERS? MY COMPLETELY NUMB MIDDLE BACK? YES! TENSION GALORE! PLEASE DIG YOUR THUMBS AND KNUCKLES INTO MY BACK NOW BEFORE I STOP GIGGLING AND START SCREAMING MY FACE OFF!!!! (or something like that)

No, I didn’t say any of that out loud. Of course not. I just used my usual tactic of saying nothing when I should probably just speak up and say something normal like, “you can go ahead and work a little more on my back.” How hard is that? What is my problem? Anyway, I digress…

Surprisingly, Peggy and I had only one awkward exchange in conversation when I kept trying to stifle my uncontrollable cough, the one that would make my whole body shake as she rubbed (and rubbed and rubbed) my thigh. Finally she stopped, sighed and said, “are you coughing or am I tickling you again?”

“I’m fine, thank you. ha.”

So anyway, that was the massage. Roughly 50 minutes of mostly leg rubbing, and stifled coughs and giggles. When Peggy said, “I’m finished, please be careful as you stand, you may be dizzy,” I almost burst out laughing. Yes, I’ll be dizzy. Or maybe my legs will just give out. Cause they’re confused. They’ve never been rubbed so much in their lives.

In between things, I made a fool of myself again by asking if I could go potty. Who says that at the spa? Oh. ME. I forgot myself for a moment there and pretended I was talking to my kids. It’s not that often I’m in a place with only adults.

My coolness improved slightly after the bathroom break. Sort of. I was on to the facial and it was great. So relaxing. It was my first, but I pretended I totally knew what was going on. I didn’t even say anything stupid. But my eyes were doing something stupid. For some reason they were very jumpy, twitching and hopping like a reflex. I couldn’t stop them. Bounce bounce bounce. I don’t get it. I’m sure Nice Facial Lady was wondering what I’m on, but what was I to do? I tried hard to focus on keeping them still by trying to pretend like my eyeballs were stuck to my eyelids, but it just made it worse. So I finally decided I would just be Weird Eye Lady to Nice Facial Lady and move on.

And move on I did. To hair cut and color with Katie The Rocker/Biker Chick Stylist with the Thickest Minnesotan Accent Ever. Confusing combo. But actually quite endearing. Wow, the energy and excitement in that girl! When I met Katie, we talked at length about colors for my hair. I kept saying I didn’t care, I trusted Biker Chick Katie, I was willing to do something new. It took her a very long time to decide. And then a very long time to mix colors. And then a very long time to foil my hair. Katie Rocker and I spent many hours together. Luckily Mackenzie was nearby, reading The Shack while having her hair foiled, tears streaming down her cheeks. Yes, we are so cool.

When all was said and done, my hair turned out much trendier than I am. Which is sort of fun and also very funny. Mackenzie left the salon with bangs, for the first time in her life. I think she was in shock. Especially because Biker Katie looked over at her stylist and said, “don’t you think you should thin out the bangs? They look like one big chunk.” Greeeaaat. I’ve never seen Mackenzie with such a lack of confidence on her face in all of our years of friendship. She looked like she was going to cry (again), but she scurried off to the bathroom to collect herself. Which was good because we were about to be shocked one last time before leaving.

Because we can’t add.

We spent far more than the gift certificate, mostly because we were clueless about how much our beautiful new hair would cost. So we were a bit weak in the over-rubbed knees, experiencing quite an overwhelming response to our grand total. A total I will not reveal to you here. But if you’d like to send money, feel free to email me. I’ll give all proceeds to Mackenzie with the Chunky Bangs. By the way, I think she looks hot with her new bangs, chunky or not.

Believe it or not, our day at the spa will be remembered well. I appreciate this lovely gift from my Auntie K more than words can say. And as she and I went over the day on the phone that night, we laughed and decided that in the future, maybe we’ll just stick to going out for dinner.

{ 19 comments }

The Three 22nds September 22, 2008 at 9:37 am

I want to see pictures of the chunky bangs and the trendy hair! please? soon!?

K and/or K September 22, 2008 at 9:45 am

I think you BOTH looked uber hot to trot at the girls night this weekend!

Lisa September 22, 2008 at 10:06 am

Yes! A picture, please!! Who knew a trip to the spa could be so funny. I can’t help but feeling sorry for your poor back. What a waste of rubbing (and rubbing).

Kristina P. September 22, 2008 at 10:40 am

You and I are massage sisters! First, when I get a massage, I get one to relax, not to be in pain, so I like a lighter touch. And second, I’m not really into the whole leg rubbing either. I probably should just start getting the back massages, rather than the full body. Although, I will admit that the butt rubbing can feel good.

joolee September 22, 2008 at 11:21 am

I get that whole crazy rapid eye movement thing when praying in big groups. They just start freaking out behind my closed eyelids. Weird! I had a massage once too….Unfortunately, my back is ticklish in multiple spots and it turned into more of a lesson in torture than anything else….tickling, then painful digging. Aaah, but there is nothing in the world like a butt massage. Not that I’ve ever seen a professional for one;)

Yeah, where’s the picture of your new do?

Sabrina September 22, 2008 at 12:48 pm

I love your new cut and color! You were like the coolest girl at the party!!!! Although Elliott was pretty cool with his “poop” talk. Too funny H to the EO, way too funny!

Melanie J September 22, 2008 at 1:24 pm

Since my husband spoils me with spa massages about twice a year, I’ve learned to just tell them up front what to focus on. Otherwise, I get the leg thing too. And I feel your pain on the cost. My regular hair stylist switched salons so I went to have my three month check up and expected to pay the usual. I nearly had a heart attack when the bill came to almost $200 dollars. That means I’m switching to five month check ups with a little help from Loreal Feria in between. Sheesh.

Jessica September 22, 2008 at 1:35 pm

so glad you got a fun day to be pampered! how funny!

happygeek September 22, 2008 at 1:55 pm

Ahh spa.
Glad you had a great day and your thighs are as relaxed as possible!

Eowyn September 22, 2008 at 2:08 pm

I want pics too.

Ok, there are somethings that spa stylists should never say! Reminds me of when my mil was bleaching my hair. She took a foil off and said “Oops!” She had left the peroxide on for too long. My hair was alright but had gone from dark brown to practically white blond. Not exactly the look we were going for.

So glad this will be memorable, anyway!

charrette September 22, 2008 at 2:10 pm

AND YOU DIDN’T POST A PHOTO?!? I need to see the hair. Now! :)

I’m sure you had a blast.
Next time DO ask for more time on your back, and tell he you can take a lot of pressure. That will end the light rub and the giggles.

I’m STILL so happy you and M got a spa day!

Oh, and I get the eye thing from sleep deprivation.
(What are the odds?)

BaronessBlack September 22, 2008 at 3:19 pm

Y’know it could just be that you need more practice at this! Maybe if you talk nicely to your other half you could become a regular at the spa?

Peanut September 22, 2008 at 3:46 pm

I want to see a picture too! Please, pretty please???

I had to quit coloring my hair when the kids were born… can’t spend that kind of money every 3 months AND stay at home with the kids!

My last massage was a nightmare. It was almost painful. In fact, I think I came out of there more tense than when I went in. Of course I didn’t say anything!

Kristen September 22, 2008 at 4:33 pm

Oh my gosh this is hysterical. SO FUNNY! There are two situations where I lose any sense of adult assertiveness: getting a massage and getting a haircut! I also lay there thinking about what I would prefer, without saying a word. And the light touch thing is the worst!

Yes, we need pictures of this pricey new haircut.

Abra September 22, 2008 at 7:31 pm

I got a sea salt body scrub once… it weirded me out a little bit. I think the only time an adult should be bathed by another adult is in a nursing home…
Sounds like you had a great time though :)

PsychMamma September 22, 2008 at 8:37 pm

I HATE “rub lightly” massages!! And the leg fetish is a little weird.

Sounds like, overall, the trip served it’s intended purpose though. Glad you got out for some relaxing “you” time.

Muthering Heights September 22, 2008 at 9:15 pm

LOL, that sounds like QUITE the experience!

radioactive girl September 23, 2008 at 8:38 am

I always feel like I don’t fit at salons. I am cracking up about you asking to go potty because I totally would say that too! I love your story!

Kimberly September 23, 2008 at 2:51 pm

I am giggling so hard because I so would have wanted to say something to the masseuse but wouldn’t have. And I would so add wrong and spend way more than I thought. And asking to go the bathroom too. Bwahahah! I would so do that!

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