20,000 Reasons You Need a Day at the Spa

After tending to her daughter’s miniature zoo, Carol Graham enjoyed the gift of a spa day. Sounds good to us! Well, in theory, anyway. Read more from Carol on her blog.

 

Spa Day. A Day At The Spa. Don’t you love the way that sounds? A few months ago I house, dog, cat, goat and sheep sat (try to say that fast) for my daughter Rochelle and her family so they could go to Hawaii. As a thank-you, she gifted me with a day at the spa. Not just any old spa; the Grotto Spa at Tigh-Na-Mara, 20,000 square feet of insane bliss.

Sheep sitting makes you a shepherdess. Did you know that? Never in my wildest dreams did I think this city girl would be tending sheep. Did I mention that SHEEP POOP SMELLS?

Then there is poop patrol for six dogs. Do you have any idea how much six dogs poop? A LOT! Oh….and the very large Bernese Mountain dog was in heat. She had to wear diapers when she was in the house. I straddled her and tried to hold her tight between my legs. That lasted about 10 seconds. Tried again. This time I was able to get one side of the diaper on her and she turned into a noodle; flat on her back, wiggling with anticipation of a belly rub. Now the tape has torn from all her activity. Diaper number two. Same scenario. I shout her name and she stops for two seconds. Diaper number three. These diapers aren’t cheap. You may be thinking “Why doesn’t she just use some new tape?” Surely you jest! You try holding a large squiggly 100 pound beast between your legs while putting on a diaper and cutting the tape from a dispenser!

Did I mention that SHEEP POOP A LOT? And it SMELLS?

But nothing else mattered when I walked into the spa. Walking in, you feel like royalty and any memories of your real world start to fade. My day started with a dip in the mineral pool; a place where you can literally drown your sorrows. I could have gone home at this point - I was totally relaxed.

Even though the spa was very busy, each attendant made you feel like you were queen for the day. For a few hours, I didn’t think about sheep or dogs or all the obligations and stress of the real world; I escaped into oblivion.

I was served an incredible lunch platter even though I didn’t have a clue what I was eating. The only thing I recognized was the cheese and crackers. It didn’t matter, it was all delicious. Had I been transported into another world? If I had, I wanted to stay here. Each treatment room had a fireplace and the ambiance was beautiful.

I changed into my spa robe and slippers and proceeded to the lounge in anticipation of being pampered. My robe was tightly wrapped as I was not wearing anything underneath. Dreams of doing this every day were creeping into my thoughts, but I realized that was all it would ever be - a dream.

After fifteen minutes, a young woman escorted me into my treatment room. I am asked if I have any special requests or needs. I have many, but I didn’t think she wanted to hear them so I smiled and said “No.”

A manicure, a pedicure and then a facial. It was refreshing, invigorating and relaxing. I fell asleep – at least I think I did. Maybe I was in a coma.

I wanted to live in this new world forever. Yet it was but a fleeting moment. I was transported somewhere into limbo during my 90-minute massage. My mind was clear of stress and reality. Inch by inch my body had relaxed. I did not want to open my eyes in fear of the dream ending.

In a quiet tone, she said, “If you need a moment to stretch, I will be waiting for you just outside the door.” WHAT? She actually expected me to get off this table by myself? My extremities had turned to over-cooked spaghetti. There was no way I was going to be able to stand up — or walk.

Slowly, reality crept back in and I knew I had to move. I glanced in the mirror. My hair was literally standing on end. Nice look — might try it. I put on my robe. My hands would not function properly and I could not get the belt through the loop. Did I care? There probably wouldn’t be anybody around anyway.

As we walked to the lounge she asked me to relax for a bit and she would bring a cup of tea to me. I was served a plate of fresh fruit and a cup of the most glorious jasmine and berry tea. My ears were ringing, my skin was tingling and my eyes wouldn’t stay open. I was very slippery from the oils and worried I might just slide off the leather lounge chair onto the floor. I didn’t realize I was sitting there totally exposed until she gently closed my robe when she brought the tea. I wanted to scream “You did this to me!” but what good would it do? I loved it and wanted to live there.

My biggest concern was how I was going to bring that hot cup of tea to my lips. Maybe I should ask for a straw? Now I understood why I had to wear my locker key around my wrist. Carrying it would have required too much effort.

An attractive young male server walked by and I could only imagine how I looked — tea drool on my face, hair oily and straight up, robe disheveled. I managed to say “I think I am a Zombie.” He smiled and said, “So is everyone else here, including the staff.”

I heard a voice say “You stay as long as you like, dear. Would you like a pillow?” I realized I had slid down the lounge chair and my head was hanging over the edge. I knew I had to make my move or I would be there for the night.

Meandering down three levels I found the locker room and the first thing I did when I opened my locker was to turn on my cell phone. BIG MISTAKE! Hello? Reality? But I didn’t smell like sheep.

Have you ever had an experience that took you out of the real world? Would you want to live there? Could you?