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Gus is now six. Hard to believe he's been a part of my life for six years now. Oh, how my life has changed during his lifetime. He came into my life during a period of unemployment. My mother thought getting a dog was not a particularly good idea at the time but came to realize that Gus gave focus to my life when I most needed it. I'll admit that I nurtured him to be somewhat of a momma's boy, he loves me and only me, tolerates everyone else, but only because I insist. He's a wonderful dog and I'm so glad he's mine.
It was a surprisingly busy week at work so I didn't really have time to get anything for Gus' birthday. Since Friday is my not working day I plan to take them both down to Three Dog Bakery and get some nummy treats for them. Then maybe we'll head out to the dog park for some good runnin' & fetchin' and sniffin' & peein' all the things dogs love to do.
Here's a photo from Gus' first birthday. He wore that party hat for at least 20 minutes, until his doggy pals arrived for the party. He was even fetching that ball while wearing the hat.
Since I'm back I think I need to not beat myself up if I don't post daily. I think a more reasonable goal may be to aim for two posts per week and if I make more than that I'll be pleased. Geez, look at the time (10:55 am) I gotta hit the shower and hit the road, off to visit a pal in the hospital recovering from surgery (he should be going home tomorrow) and then off to a birthday party for the little red-headed girl, she turns three today. Wow, three already! And I still have to wrap her present, a Curious George combo sticker book/coloring book. I hear sticker books are hot items for her age group.
I'd have had more time to write if I hadn't gotten caught up watching this video shot from an OC1 paddling down the Columbia River Gorge. I did a down wind run as well, this guy is a much better paddler than me!
I cracked an eyelid open and saw 7:30 on the clock, then closed the eye again until the snooze alarm went off 10 minutes later. Llelo came up for some snuggles and settled in to wait until I showed true signs of life. Ultimately got up around 8, let the dogs out, fed the dogs, prepared my coffee, and settled in to get some work done. I got through quite a bit of work, more than I expected, even. I guess 42 really is the ultimate answer.
I got to the spa around 6:30, flashed my id and got free admittance. I did have to pay for the body scrub and body moisturizing, though. I got my robe, cap, and towels and headed back to the locker room. After I changed I went down to the little restaurant they have. I got the chicken bimbimbap (I know that's spelled incorrectly) and it was quite tasty. I avoided those things that looked like they had spicy sauce added, and the ginger tea was awesome.
After dinner I headed into the tub room, took my shower and hit the 97 degree tub. You have to soak for at least 30 minutes before your body scrub, softens things up. When they called my number I went behind the bamboo curtain to the brightly white tiled area where they have rows of massage style tables with heavy white vinyl covers, easier to keep clean. My technician was a petite Korean woman who's name tag read Angie. You start out face down and they pull on the scrubby gloves. I quickly realized she was putting a bit more umph into the scrub than the previous time I went, either that or I'd forgotten how scrubby it was last time. It was not unlike being gone over with a sanding block, not the 60 grit, more like the 200 or a little bit finer even. They sluice you down with hot water and then start scrubbing at one foot, working their way up the leg, up the back, the first arm, across the shoulders, the second arm, down the back and down the other leg. And repeat about 3-4 times. Then on to the right side, repeat 4-5 times, then to the left side, repeat 4-5 times, then onto the back and repeat 4-5 times. Having my tummy massaged like a blob of bread dough feels really good. After you have been completely exfoliated they use those odd scrunchy balls of mesh weave stuff and soap all over to wash away all the skin bits they've rubbed off. It all feels so good and relaxing. When Angie was finished she sent me to sit in the dry sauna for a few minutes while she prepped the table for the moisturizing phase.
Angie came and got me and took me over to the mugwort pool. She then poured mugwort water all over me, it feels and smells so good. Then back to the table. The moisturizing involves having honey, olive oil, and milk rubbed all over your body. Having these ingredients massaged into your body is just delightful. Again I started face down and Angie started the same pattern as with the scrub. Then I flipped over and repeated it all on the front side. When she got to my face it was then best thing ever. There was a part of it that reminded me of the brushes when you take your car through the car wash, fwappeta, fwappeta, fwappeta starting at one side and moving around to the other. When she was finished I had been transported to a nirvana-like place. I remember thinking that was totally worth what they charged, just for the face thing! Then she placed cucumber slices over my eyes and shredded cucumber over the rest of my face and neck. It was startlingly cool and dripped down the sides of my neck. It was very hard not to giggle when she did that. She also laid warm towels over the rest of me and left me to steep for a bit. Then she came back and wiped off all the honey and milk and olive oil, cleaned me all up, wished me happy birthday, and sent me on my way.
I made my way home in a warm fog, feeling relaxed with smooth and supple skin. I finished that last package of data and packed my bag for tomorrow. In all it's been a pretty good birthday. The only down side, didn't get any chocolate cake! I'd thought about going down to Whole Foods to get a single serving one, but never quite made it that far. Guess I'll have to get it Wednesday after work.
So, it's going to be a great year then, right! I'll be 42 on Tuesday. I don't have any huge plans for the day. I'll work validating data for most of the day, all those hours I have on my projections, you know. But I do plan to sleep a little late, 7:30 or so, and I'll knock off a little early and head up to Olympus Spa in Lynnwood. It's free on your birthday! In addition to the quality time in the various tubs and hot rooms I'm going to go for the Korean Body Scrub and follow that with the Korean Body Moisturizing.
We'll just see if 42 really is the ultimate answer to life the universe and everything! Here's hoping for a great year.
